Thread: A Roman Socialite and Her Tamer (Nurse x Houdini)

Justus Gallus might have best been described as a prodigy of sorts. The youngest of three brothers, hed lost his father at the age of seven and his mother at fifteen. At the age of seventeen, hed become a legionary. The only allegiance he had left was to his beloved empire, and he defended it fiercely. He quickly learned the art of the sword, shield, spear, and dagger, and elevated to the rank of centurion after only five years. In this position, he proved his mettle, honored by the Caesar himself for his bravery at the battle of Actium, against the forces of the traitor Antony. Now, at the age of twenty-six, he'd recently been promoted to the rank of General. An entire legion was now at his command. Justus was a man that his legion was fiercely loyal to, yet had a healthy degree of fear for. He was known as a vicious fighter, whod lead the charge into battle, rather than follow. On more than one occasion, hed challenge a deserter to a personal battle to the death, rather than taking the path he considered cowardly, and formally executing the traitor. Needless to say, hed never lost one of these duels. But Justus wasnt satisfied to rest on his laurels. He was ambitious, and wasnt content to only be a general. He needed to be the best known general in the empire, and perhaps even a Senator in the future. To this end, there was one thing missing a wife, and a beautiful one at that. Justus had no personal desire to get married. After all, he had a plentiful share of willing female companionship available whenever he desired. And he would doubtless have little time for a woman when the empire was at war. Yet, the masses demanded a man who was a dutiful husband, master to a beautiful bride, if they were to adore, even worship a man like him. To that end, hed arranged for a two month leave from the army, to negotiate for a wife and marry her. And that was what led him to arrive in a chariot to the esteemed senators home this evening. Hed concluded a lengthy negotiation for the senator's gorgeous, if not precocious, daughter Adonna. Justus had agreed to accept a lesser dowry than might be the custom for a man of his stature, but then again, Adonna was a far prettier woman than most. Hed observed Adonna from afar, but knew little of her. The political considerations, of course, were far more important than any notion of love or compatibility. One thing he knew, however, was that she needed some taming. But that didnt concern him. How much trouble could an eighteen year old girl be? After all, he made men out of boys on a daily basis, instilling discipline into their lives. After he was announced, Justus entered the main banquet room, his short, dark hair slicked straight down. In his civilian attire, a white toga covered much of his fit frame. Underneath it was a white, fine tunic with a red stripe, denoting that he was a man of status. As he was invited from his hiding spot by the servant, he entered the banquet hall to some cheers and whistles by some guests who knew of him. He walked straight over to the Senator, taking the man's arms in a greeting, before smiling as cordially and charmingly as possible at Adonna. Im certain youll be glad to know well be wed two weeks from today, Adonna, he said as he took one of her reluctant hands in his own. Oh, and forgive me for my rudeness. Im Justus Gallus.