Can’t Be Tamed/Dialogues

**You are experiencing the story in third-person view.**
Nighttime at Graecita, Zachary is dropping Madelina by the palace...

* + Madelina (smiling): The play was much better than I thought it’d be! All the actors portrayed their characters so well...
	+ Madelina (shocked): Especially Mia! Her performance was nothing short of spectacular and her cover of “On My Own” felt so emotional! It’s almost like she relates deeply to the song!
	+ Zachary (guilty): ...

The two make it to the palace door...

* + Madelina (sweet smile): I’ve had of fun being with you tonight. Should we do it again?
	+ Zachary (awkward grin): S-sure... Where would you like us to go next?
	+ Madelina (thinking): Hmmm... It’s getting a bit late. So maybe it’s better that we talk about this another time?
	+ Madelina (lifting her head): Anyway...
	+ Zachary (sweating): Uh...
	+ Madelina (lifting her head): ...

Realizing Madelina is waiting for a kiss, Zachary gives it to her...

* + Madelina and Zachary (kissing): ...
	+ Madelina (giggling): Hehehe...

Madelina gets in the palace, leaving the door open and maintains eye contact with Zachary as she disappears into the halls...

* + Madelina (winking): ...
	+ Zachary (blushing): Is she inviting me in?
	+ Zachary (sweating): I could pretend I didn’t get the hint and go back to my place...
	+ Zachary (shocked): But what if she waits all night for me to come? It would be rude to leave her hanging!

So Zachary enters the palace and looks for Madelina...

* + Zachary (whooping): Madelina!
	+ Susan’s voice: Can’t you lower your voice?! Some of us are trying to sleep here!
	+ Zachary (awkward grin): Shit- Sorry, Susan...
	+ Zachary (crossing his arms): Where did she go?

Zachary sees a shadow entering Kaleb’s study...

* + Zachary (serious): Someone is entering that room! This must be Madelina!

Zachary enters the room and realizes where he is...

* + Zachary (serious): Fuck... That’s Kaleb’s study. I must try not to make a mess here...
	+ Zachary (curious): But where is Madelina-

Madelina gives him a jumps-care...

* + Madelina: BOO!
	+ Zachary (startled): Ah!
	+ Madelina (laughing): Hahahahaha! You should’ve seen your face!
	+ Zachary (innocent smirk): I’m here now. Is there a reason why to brought me here?
	+ Madelina (shy smile): Well...

Madelina kisses Zachary...

* + Madelina and Zachary (kissing): ...

They kiss for a good minute before Zachary lifts her, slams her to the shelves and the two make out...

* + Madelina and Zachary (making out): ...

The force caused a few books to fall over and one of the book- a dictionary, moved a 90 degrees angle...

* + Madelina and Zachary (Zachary; concerned): Madelina, do you feel this?
	+ Madelina and Zachary (shocked): The bookshelves! They’re shaking!

Madelina and Zachary move away from the bookshelves, that begin moving, revealing a secret door...

* + Madelina and Zachary (both shocked; Zachary): Holy fuck!
	+ Madelina (thinking): That... passage...
	+ Zachary (disturbed): Wait... I remember something... Didn’t Marionette tell you about that place? It is where he’s allegedly... hiding Yvette...
	+ Madelina (observant): ...

Madelina looks around to see which book may potentially be the key and notices that the dictionary, although knocked over, it didn’t fall out of the shelf...

* + Madelina (curious): If I move this book, what will happen?

Madelina returns the dictionary to its position and the door closes..

* + Madelina (startled): Ah!

Madelina pulls the book and the door opens again...

* + Madelina (serious): So that’s the key!
	+ Zachary (sweating): Should we go down?
	+ Madelina (worried): I’m not thrilled to see whatever’s down there, but... Yes, I think we should...

The two go through the door and enter the passage...

Meanwhile at the Imperial palace, Nebet is seen walking toward the crown prince’s bedroom chamber...

* + Nebet (nervous): He’s only invited me to have breakfast with him. So I need to hold my composure... *sigh*

Nebet enters the room and finds Livius sitting and waiting for her, topless with only a piece of cloth rolled around his hips...

* + Nebet (blushing): Livius?
	+ Livius (smiling): Nebet! You’re here! Come and have a seat!

Nebet has a seat and notices an envelope on her side of the breakfast table...

* + Nebet (thinking to herself): Hmmm... I wonder what’s in this envelope?
	+ Nebet (thinking to herself): It’s probably none of my business, I should just focus on my meal...

The two start eating...

* + Livius (sweating): About last night...
	+ Nebet (spits her food): ...
	+ Livius (panicking): Shit! I shouldn’t have brought this up while you’re eating. I’m sorry!
	+ Livius (blushing): For this and... you know-
	+ Nebet (frustrated): It’s alright, I forgive you! Just don’t bring it up again!
	+ Livius (blushing): If you say so. I was just going to tell you I brought you a gift to make up for what happened...
	+ Nebet (delighted): A gift? You didn’t have to!
	+ Livius (awkward grin): It’s the least I could do. You must have noticed the envelope I put it in from of you...
	+ Nebet (shocked): Oh? So that’s for me?!

Nebet takes the envelope and opens it, finding a ticket...

* + Nebet (curious): A ticket? Where are you taking me?
	+ Livius (smiling): To the Colosseum! I will introduce you to the whole of Rome as my bride!
	+ Nebet (sweating): The Colosseum...?
	+ Livius (scratching his head): It was so hard getting this ticket! They were all sold out and I literally had to go on by knees and beg the lacista to make one just for you!
	+ Nebet (frowning): Livius... I appreciate your efforts in getting these, but... I can’t accept your gift...
	+ Livius (shocked): Why not? Don’t you enjoy the gladiator shows?
	+ Nebet (pissed): Why would enjoy watching my fellow slaves getting tortured for the entertainment of nobles?
	+ Livius (awkward grin): But Nebet, you’re not a-
	+ Nebet (serious): But I was once! And I don’t want to see my people getting killed!
	+ Livius (covering his face): I understand your sentiments Nebet, but I really want to use this opportunity to introduce you to Rom-
	+ Nebet (angry): I’m NOT going!
	+ Livius (holding his head): Nebet...
	+ Nebet (sulking): You know why I agreed to marry you? It’s because I really thought you were different from all those nobles. I thought you’d bring a difference to that dumpster called Rome!
	+ Nebet (sad): So it breaks my heart listening to you defend those games!
	+ Livius (shocked): I’m not defending them, Nebet! Do you think that I like them?!
	+ Livius (covering his face): I hate them and it disgusts me that people would take amusement in seeing others get killed!
	+ Livius (serious): But if I want to set a good image to my people, then my presence for these events is really important!
	+ Livius (serious): I’ll only show up this one time and once I become emperor, I’ll put those games to an end! In fact I will wipe any sort of slavery from the face of Rome!
	+ Nebet (shocked): You will?!
	+ Livius (warm smile): Yes, I promise...
	+ Livius (serious): I just need to show up, just this one time, and I want you to be by my side. Can you do that for me?
	+ Nebet (nervous): ...
	+ Nebet (uncertain): I will...

While the Imperial family are yet to get ready, the team came to the Colosseum early...

* + Security (stern): Tickets?
	+ Norah (curious): Callicrates?
	+ Kaleb (handing over the tickets): Here they are...
	+ Security (checking): Hmmm...
	+ Security (serious): Come in!

The team enter the building and look for their seats...

* + Norah (crossing her arms): The security seem to be rather strict...
	+ Marionette (shocked): My gosh! Look at how many people are here already!
	+ Norah (eye rolling): So we came here early for nothing?!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): At least we can move. Wait until the place gets crowded and won’t be to move an arm!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Enough whining now. We need to think of a plan!
	+ Kaleb (shrugging his shoulders): We have to figure out where they’re keeping the lion and when we find him, we must find a way to free him without blowing our covers!
	+ Marionette (serious): We should also do that before the match starts or some of the gladiators may end up dead!
	+ Norah (confused): Why should we care about the gladiators? They’re here to kill Hippomenes, FYI.
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): They’re FORCED to fight the lion. They’re victims here just as much as him!
	+ Marionette (concerned): Also, I promised one of them that we won’t led them be food to the lion, and I intend to keep it!
	+ Kaleb (glaring at Marionette): ...
	+ Norah (covering her face): Rescuing the lion is already a difficult task... But fine, we’ll try and save your gladiator friend too...

Norah then notices a familiar face among the audience...

* + Discordia (yawning): ...
	+ Norah (blushing): Oh shit...
	+ Norah (sweating): May I excuse myself?
	+ Marionette (curious): Where are you going?
	+ Norah (nervous grin): I just spotted someone I’d like to chat with. I’ll be back soon, don’t worry!

Norah goes to talk with Discordia...

* + Marionette (chuckling): Oh Norah... Is she always like that?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): ...
	+ Marionette (eye rolling): Okay, what is your problem?
	+ Kaleb (shrugging his shoulders): What do you mean?
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): Clearly you’re angry about something! You’ve been avoiding me all day!
	+ Marionette (stumped): Does that have something to do with Ming? Because if that’s what’s troubling you, we didn’t do anything.
	+ Marionette (smirking): You were just acting like an egomaniac so I decided to put you on check!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): If you didn’t do anything with him, then can you explain the sounds you were making in that room? I heard you from outside the door!
	+ Marionette (holding her head): Do I even need to explain?

Marionette lift up her head and did the unexpected: She masturbated in public...

* + Marionette (horny): *moans*
	+ Kaleb (blushing): Marionette?
	+ Marionette (horny): *moans*
	+ Audience (gossiping): What is that girl doing?
	+ Marionette (horny): *moans*
	+ Kaleb (panicking): Okay Marionette, I get it! I believe you! Now please stop, people are watching!
	+ Kaleb (shocked): But does that mean the gladiator saw your-
	+ Marionette (pissed): Seriously, Kaleb?! So what if I slept with him?! In case you forgot, we have broken u-
	+ Mahmoud (panicking): Somebody, HELP!
	+ Mahmoud (shocked): There’s a dead body, down in the cellar!
	+ Audience (murmuring): Oh my god! A death?! Before the games?!
	+ Marionette (shocked): A dead body?! Do you think a murder may have happened?!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): As if our hands weren’t full already... Lets go ask him!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Sir, you said that you’ve seen a dead body, can you take us to it?
	+ Mahmoud (sweating): We’re not supposed to let the visitors go underground, but follow me!

**You are now playing as Marionette Patrick**

## Chapter 1

* Investigate the cellar (Victim identified: Aegidius).
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Oh my gods! That is not just any other dead body, that’s a child!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): And how he died is very clear to me! It looks like he was crushed by that cage!
	+ Kaleb (curious): You say that you’ve met that child? He’s Vestal virgin called Aegidius?
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): It depresses me to know that such a life was taken so shortly after receiving his freedom...
	+ Kaleb (confused): Now the question is, was this a murder or just some freak accident?
	+ Kaleb (serious): I think we should talk with the man who took us here! Maybe he knows something about what happened!
* Ask the slave if he’s witnessed Aegidius’ death (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the cellar).
	+ Kaleb (curious): We’d like to thank you for taking us to the body. But we’d like to know what your name is and what were you doing here in the first place?
	+ Mahmoud (serious): My name is Mahmoud, and I am a winchman. My job is to move the elevator with the help of my fellow slaves.
	+ Kaleb (thinking): So that cage... It was a part of an elevator? Was there any malfunctions with it before this... incident have occured?
	+ Mahmoud (confused): As far as I know, no?! We just finished restoring it a few dats ago after it had faced another accident and it was it completely perfect condition! I’ve got no idea how this has happened!
	+ Kaleb (curious): So you haven’t witnessed the death?
	+ Mahmoud (crossing his arms): No. I was having a break and when I came back to the cellar I just happen to come across the body...
	+ Mahmoud (covering his face): But I recognize that child. He often came here to see the animals and help care for the lion. I didn’t know him much, but he’s often snuck wine and beans to the winchmen when the lacista isn’t looking. He seemed like a sweet kid!
	+ Kaleb (shocked): The lion is in that cellar?! Which cage is his?
	+ Mahmoud (serious): Its cage is right over there. Its tamer is currently with it, so I advise you not to make any distractions.
	+ Kaleb (serious): We won’t. Thank you!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): Hmmm... These must be the roles connecting the cage to the winches.
	+ Kaleb (curious): Marionette, what’s wrong?
	+ Kaleb (shocked): You’re right! The cut on the ropes- It looks way too clean! There’s no way this is accidentally, someone must’ve done the cut themselves!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): That means we are dealing with a murder!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We have to take the victim’s body for an autopsy, hopefully there’s something we may find..
	+ Kaleb (serious): But first, we most talk with the lion tamer Mahmoud have spoken about. He mentioned that Aegidius helped care for the lion, meaning they must’ve met. And this is our opportunity to finally see Hippomenes!
* Talk to the lion tamer (1 star; Pre-request: Ask the slave if he’s witnessed Aegidius’ death).
	+ Kaleb (thinking): According to Mahmoud, this is where they’re keeping Hippo-
	+ Hippomenes: Roarrrrr!!!!
	+ Kaleb (shocked): His fur! It looks a lot like Atalanta. So I was right, it is Hippomenes!
	+ Damianus (rubbing his hand with chalk): Domitus, looks like you’ve got some visitors. I see you couldn’t wait for the show, ha?
	+ Kaleb (confused): Domitus?
	+ Damianus (smirking): It’s the name they gave the lion. I would’ve gone with something for majestic, but I suppose they want the poor dear to know his place...
	+ Kaleb (serious): You must be the lion tamer!
	+ Damianus (bowing): The greatest of Rome! They call me Damianus the marvelous!
	+ Damianus (grinning): Did you come to see the lion in his training?
	+ Kaleb (curious): Actually we came to talk to you about someone else. We believe you knew Aegidius?
	+ Damianus (thinking): The kid? Yes, he did occasionally help me nurse the lion, but he did not work for me.
	+ Damianus (shrugging his shoulders): He’s from the Ludus Magnus, you know, the gladiator training centre? And I believe the lacista sends him on errands to feed all the animals here.
	+ Kaleb (serious): I don’t know if that came to your attention already, but that kid got murdered!
	+ Damianus (shocked): Murdered?! How tragic! Who’d do something like this?!
	+ Hippomenes (warning): ROAR!
	+ Kaleb (startled): Ah!

Damianus brings out his whip and scares the lion...

* + Hippomenes (nervous): Purrr...
	+ Damianus (pissed): Stupid lion, what have I told you about attacking people?! Save that to the arena! Anyway...
	+ Damianus (appalled): I’m not exactly fond of children, but I can’t imagine anyone having the cowardice to actually murder one?
	+ Kaleb (serious): We can’t either, but we are working on finding out who did it! We’ll leave you alone for now, but we may speak with you again!
	+ Kaleb (determined): And you’re right, Marionette! The tamer mentioned that the victim came from the Ludus Magnus! It is wise for us to go there if we hope to find clues on who might want to harm Aegidius!
* Investigate the Ludus Magnus (Pre-request; Talk to the lion tamer).
	+ Kaleb (thinking): Marionette, are you seeing any signs of Flavian? I think it’s important that he’s informed by now about the murder...
	+ Kaleb (confused): A wooden sword? Huh? That looks out of place! As far as I know, gladiators both fought AND trained with real swords! This looks like it belongs to a child?!
	+ Kaleb (serious): And we KNOW a child- our victim! This got to be his toy sword!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): I think I see something signed on it. I can’t see clearly what is though, so we need to recover it.
* Recover autograph (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the Ludus Magnus).
	+ Kaleb (thinking): The writing on the sword is actually the name “Maddox”...
	+ Kaleb: According to database we have, he’s a gladiator of Gallic descent known for surviving many battles. Allegedly, today is supposed to be his last match before finally receiving his freedom.
	+ Kaleb (serious): No way an experienced fighter like him would all a “blade” like that. We must go ask why its marked with his name!
* Ask Maddox why his named was signed on the victim’s sword (1 star; Pre-request: Recover autograph).
	+ Kaleb (thinking): You must be the infamous gladiator, Maddox. Can we have a word with you?
	+ Maddox (crossing his arms): Sure, but please don’t keep me for long. The guards will be escorting me to the Colosseum and if I come late, I’ll lose the privilege of having beans before my match.
	+ Kaleb (sympathetic): Yeah, we’ve heard that you’re set to fight the lion today. You must be pretty nervous.
	+ Maddox (excited): Are you kidding me?! I’m excited! Flavian says if I slay the lion, he would let go of me! After 8 years of fighting in shows, I’ll finally be free!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): We’re glad to know you’re not at all stressed out. We came to speak with you because we found this sword and we noticed it had your name on it. It didn’t seem like the type of weapon a gladiator like you would train with, so how did your name end up on it?
	+ Maddox (grinning): A kid who’s here often asked me to sign it. He said he’s a big fan of mine so I couldn’t say no to an autograph.
	+ Kaleb (curious): Is his name, Aegidius?
	+ Maddox (shrugging his shoulders): I believe it is? I didn’t know him that much for it to stick into my memory.
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): Well, the kid we are talking about was murdered.
	+ Maddox (holding his head): Murdered? That is sad to hear, but as I said I didn’t know him much, so I’m afraid I can’t tell you who may have done this.
* Autopsy the victim’s body (Killer attribute: The killer eats beans; Killer attribute: The killer knows physics).
	+ Kaleb (holding his head): So I did an autopsy and as we suspected, the victim was crushed to death.
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): And judging from the cut on the ropes, we know this is the work of a blade and not some fatal accident...
	+ Kaleb (thinking): And for someone to pull off that stunt, they must have knowledge when it comes to physics.
	+ Kaleb (confident): I also found leftovers of food on the chopped end of the rope and after analyzed a sample, I deduced that the killer must eat beans!

At the underground cellars...

* + Kaleb (thinking): So far, we have three potential suspects for Aegidius’ murder and it doesn’t look like he bothered any of them back when he was alive...
	+ Kaleb (serious): We know that the killer ate beans and both of the slaves we’ve suspected admitted to eating them.
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We also suspect the killer knows physics. And seeing that he’s responsible for operating the elevators, it is safe to say Mahmoud knows those skills...
	+ Kaleb (thinking): The lion tamer must also have a little knowledge about it, seeing how smooth he is when handling his whip-
	+ Flavian (pissed): Hey! What are you doing here?! This area is restricted!

## Chapter 2

* + Kaleb (thinking): So far, we have three potential suspects for Aegidius’ murder and it doesn’t look like he bothered any of them back when he was alive...
	+ Kaleb (serious): We know that the killer ate beans and both of the slaves we’ve suspected admitted to eating them.
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We also suspect the killer knows physics. And seeing that he’s responsible for operating the elevators, it is safe to say Mahmoud knows those skills...
	+ Kaleb (thinking): The lion tamer must also have a little knowledge about it, seeing how smooth he is when handling his whip-
	+ Flavian (pissed): Hey! What are you doing here?! This area is restricted!
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Ah! Lord Lucretius!
	+ Kaleb (sweating; whispering): Shit... I was hoping he wouldn’t find us here. What if he forces back to our seats, or worse- throw us out of the Colosseum! How are we going to solve the murder and free Hippomenes-
	+ Kaleb (nervous grin): Sir- Could you just give us a second to explain ourselves? I promise you we have good reasons for being here...
* Explain to Flavian what you are doing at the cellars (1 star).
	+ Flavian (crossing his arms): Fine, I will be hearing you out, but this better be good as I already came to my own conclusions of what you are doing here!
	+ Kaleb (sweating): And what are... your conclusions?
	+ Flavian (grinning): Why don’t you tell me what you’re doing here first? Or are you afraid I’ve uncovered your plans?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): No, but my mistress here feels offended that you’d suggest she’d commit any form of felony...
	+ Flavian (awkward grin): Ah, please excuse my manners, my fair lady. It’s just, I noticed that you and your brother are particularly acquainted with that slave you traded to me, I assumed you must’ve snuck here to break him out.
	+ Kaleb (serious): I assure you we are not to interfere with your show. We came down here because someone informed us a murder took place and we are investigating this matter!
	+ Flavian (pissed): A murder?! Don’t tell me my gladiators decided to fight before the show!
	+ Kaleb: Your gladiators are completely fine, the victim is actually a kid by the name of Aegidius! We heard that he worked for you?
	+ Flavian (crossing his arms): He lives in the Ludus Magnus, but he doesn’t work for me. He’s the chariot maker’s apprentice and I let them both stay in exchange for money.
	+ Flavian (smirking): And I sometimes send the kid for errands or have him cook me a soup of beans.
	+ Flavian (serious): I’ll let you lurk if that’s what you need to find his killer, but once you are done, I expect you both back to your seats!
	+ Kaleb (relieved): That was close...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): The lacista mentioned that the victim was the chariot maker’s apprentice. Do you think we should go to their workshop?
	+ Kaleb (serious): Maybe we could find clues against our killer and we do need to talk with that chariot maker and inform him of Aegidius’ death!
* Investigate the workshop (Pre-request: Explain to Flavian what you are doing at the cellars).
	+ Kaleb (curious): I don’t see any signs of the chariot maker. Did you find anything, Marionette?
	+ Kaleb (thinking): A saddle? Wait- there’s something written on it!
	+ Kaleb (shocked): And if translated to English, it reads “Keep your mouth shut, or I’ll make sure you suffer a fatal crash”, this must’ve come from the killer! They wrote this message!
	+ Kaleb (serious): We have to go analyze this and see what it could bring us-
	+ Boas (confused): Who are you, and what are you doing with my saddle?!
	+ Kaleb (confused): Your saddle?!-
	+ Kaleb (serious): Ah, you must be the chariot maker! If you don’t mind sir, we need to have a chat with you!
* Inform the chariot maker of Aegidius’ death (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the workshop).
	+ Boas (shocked): The kid got killed?!
	+ Boas (covering his face): Man, that sucks! Who would do such a thing?
	+ Kaleb (curious): We’re still figuring this out, we just need you to tell us all you know about the victim. How long have you known each other?
	+ Boas (shrugging his shoulders): For about two weeks only. Saw him begging on the streets and felt bad for him, so I took him in as a apprentice!
	+ Boas (thinking): At first, I only planned to hire him to run some errands, like sending him to buy goods like breads and beans or get some chalk for me...
	+ Boas (smiling): But he started showing interest in my craft. So I allowed him to assist me and we formed a bond. I would even let him ride my chariot as long as I’m around to supervise him!
	+ Boas (covering face): He’s a sweet kid and I can’t even who would want him killed!
* Analyze the saddle (Killer attribute: The killer uses chalk).
	+ Kaleb (serious): Marionette, I analyzed the material used to write the message and it turns out it was chalk!
	+ Kaleb (glad): It was a common material used in writing, but it’s still a helpful clue- We know our killer uses chalk!

Later...

* + Kaleb (thinking): We managed to find two more suspects for our murder investigation. And so far, none of our suspects showed signs of detesting the victim...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We know that his killer uses chalk and that two of our suspects fit this attribute: The chariot maker and the lion tamer.
	+ Kaleb (thinking): We’ve got to learn more about our suspects. I say that we give the underground cellars another look!
* Investigate the elevator.
	+ Kaleb (innocent smirks): Marionette, did y- Mmm... Honeybuns...
	+ Kaleb (holding his head): Oh god! What am I doing? This is crime scene evidence, I have to resist myself...
	+ Kaleb (shocked): There’s a note attached, and it says “Domitus”! Isn’t that what they “named” Hippomenes?!
	+ Kaleb (confused): What are they thinking?! They do realize that sweets are poisonous to lions?!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We’ll have to speak with the lion tamer. Did you find anything els/
	+ Kaleb (thinking): A report? Hmmm... I’ll have to read it, who knows? Maybe its related to our murder?
* Confront Damianus for feeding sweets to the lion (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the elevator).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Damianus, are lions allowed to eat sugar?
	+ Damianus (eye rolling): What kind of question is that? Of course not! That’s why I only feed him meat and beans!
	+ Kaleb (confused): Then why did you purchase these honeybuns for him?
	+ Damianus (angry): I didn’t buy these for him, it was damn brat!
	+ Damianus (shocked): Domitus had been ill for these past two weeks and I had no idea what was wrong with him, until I caught Aegidius sneaking him those treats!
	+ Damianus (furious): Sweets are not a part of a lion’s meal and if the kid continued feeding him those treats, Domitus could’ve died! He was fortunate I found him out so soon!
	+ Damianus (covering his face): But Domitus still hasn’t recovered from the sugar intake, and I’m not sure if he’s even going to stand a chance at the arena!
	+ Damianus (pissed): My reputation as a lion tamer could go with a flash and it all would be the kid’s fault!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): Your frustration with the kid is understandable, but we hope that you didn’t kill Aegidius for potentially getting the lion killed.
* Analyze the report (Pre-request: Investigate the elevator).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Marionette, remember when that winchman told us about a previous elevator accident?
	+ Kaleb (blushing): The report talks about that and... It looks like the victim was involved in that one too...
	+ Kaleb (thinking): It says here that he was playing with the winches and he had moved the cage up and down so many times...
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Until the ropes lost their strength and snapped!
	+ Kaleb (sweating): The winchmen ended up getting in trouble for leaving their post unsupervised, which I doubt they were pleased about...
	+ Kaleb (serious): We need to go interrogate Mahmoud again!
* Talk to Mahmoud about the previous elevator accident (1 star; Pre-request: Analyze the report).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Mahmoud, last time we spoke with you, you told us there’s been another accident that happened to the elevator before the murder. Could you tell us what exactly happened? What caused it?
	+ Mahmoud (crossing his arms): Maybe I should have brought that up earlier, but it was actually that kid’s fault.
	+ Mahmoud (pissed): He was messing with the winches while me and the other winchmen were having a break, and he caused the ropes to snap!
	+ Mahmoud (angry): Even though the kid caused the damage, the lacista ended up punishing US! My back is still hurting from the beating!

Back to your seats...

* + Norah (smiling): Guys, you’re back! I was wondering where you have been!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Where have WE been?! You’re the one who walked out on us when coming up with the plan! Where did you even go?!
	+ Norah (nervous grin): I was just... talking with a friend...

Kaleb turns to see the audience and spots Discordia sending a signal to Norah...

* + Discordia (winking; doing the O.K sign): ...
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): A “friend”? Sureeeeeeeeee. Are you even taking this quest seriously?
	+ Norah (pissed): Of course I am, I want Atalanta back in good health! Since you’re taking this thing soooooo seriously, tell me what exactly did you achieve while I was gone?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We met Hippomenes, that’s a start. But we can’t really free him until we find Aegidius’ killer first...
	+ Norah (shocked): Aegidius as in the former Vestal virgin?! Does that mean we summoned Hestia for nothing?!
	+ Kaleb (furious): You did WHAT?!
	+ Norah (sweating): We didn’t talk about that, have we? Well, now you know so...
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Oh no! We’re not done talking about that! You know we shoul-

ROAR!!!

* + Guards’ voices): Ahhh!!!! HELP!
	+ Norah (curious): That roar? Is that Hippomenes?
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Someone is yelling for help! We need to go see what’s going on!

## Chapter 3

* + Norah (smiling): Guys, you’re back! I was wondering where you have been!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Where have WE been?! You’re the one who walked out on us when coming up with the plan! Where did you even go?!
	+ Norah (nervous grin): I was just... talking with a friend...

Kaleb turns to see the audience and spots Discordia sending a signal to Norah...

* + Discordia (winking; doing the O.K sign): ...
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): A “friend”? Sureeeeeeeeee. Are you even taking this quest seriously?
	+ Norah (pissed): Of course I am, I want Atalanta back in good health! Since you’re taking this thing soooooo seriously, tell me what exactly did you achieve while I was gone?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We met Hippomenes, that’s a start. But we can’t really free him until we find Aegidius’ killer first...
	+ Norah (shocked): Aegidius as in the former Vestal virgin?! Does that mean we summoned Hestia for nothing?!
	+ Kaleb (furious): You did WHAT?!
	+ Norah (sweating): We didn’t talk about that, have we? Well, now you know so...
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Oh no! We’re not done talking about that! You know we shoul-

ROAR!!!

* + Guards’ voices): Ahhh!!!! HELP!
	+ Norah (curious): That roar? Is that Hippomenes?
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Someone is yelling for help! It’s coming from the gladiator gates!
	+ Norah (serious): They must be in trouble, we need to go help them!

Behind the gladiator gates...

* + Hippomenes (angry): Roarrrrrr!!!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; panicking): He’s going to eat us! What are we going to do?!
	+ Damianus (pissed): What did I say about attacking the guards?! BAD kitty!

Damianus tries to beat the lion but he grabs his whip...

* + Hippomenes (furious; holding the whip by his mouth): ROAR!
	+ Damianus (startled): AH!!!

Afraid, Damianus runs from the scene...

* + Guards (Guard 2; panicking): We need to go call backup! The lion has gone mad!
	+ Norah (grinning): Did any of you say backup?
	+ Hippomenes (pissed): ROAR!
	+ Norah (nervous grin): Woah, dude! No need to act pissy! We’re not here to hurt you!
	+ Norah (whispering; shocked): His fur, it looks-
	+ Kaleb (whispering): A lot like Atalanta’s, we know! Right now isn’t the right time to talk about this!
	+ Norah (whispering): But maybe if we bring this up, we could get him to calm down!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Norah, DON-
	+ Norah (nervous grin): Hey.... Hippomenes?
	+ Hippomenes (shocked): ...
	+ Norah (innocent smirk): That’s your name, isn’t it?
	+ Hippomenes (nervous): Purrr....
	+ Norah (relieved): I’ll take that as a ‘yes’...
	+ Norah (warm smile): Look, we are not here to do you any harm. We just need to talk-
	+ Hippomenes (curious): Purr-

Suddenly a net traps the lion...

* + Hippomenes (startled): ROAR!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; relieved): GOTCHA!
	+ Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!!
	+ Guards (Guard 2; pissed; drawing his spear): Behave yourself or you’ll meet the tip of my spear!
	+ Norah (pissed): Hey! Don’t hurt him!
	+ Guards (Guard 2; laughing): Relax! We aren’t going to harm the lion, we need him for the show anyway!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; serious): Thank you for buying us time while we go and get a net. Time to get this lion back to its cage!
	+ Norah (pissed): Fuck! I thought our mission was going to be accomplished!
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): If we had helped the lion right now, we would’ve risked getting ourselves in trouble. We need to get patient and formulate a plan, we can’t just jump at the first opportunity to free the lion!
	+ Norah (crossing her arms): So what are we going to do now?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): Marionette and I still have a murder to investigate. As for you, go back to your seat and try coming up with a REAL plan while you wait for us.
	+ Kaleb (serious): Marionette, I think we should go give another look at the workshop!
* Investigate the chariot.
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Those brass knuckles you found! They’re covered in blood!
	+ Kaleb (concerned): Do you think someone got hurt? I’ll have to examine it and see who got into the fight?
	+ Kaleb (sweating): These seem to be remains of a chariot that suffered and really bad accident.
	+ Kaleb (curious): Are you suggesting we go through that mess? I guess maybe there’s something we could find!
* Search chariot remains (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the chariot).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Marionette, what did you find? A helmet?!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): It looks small to me, definitely wouldn’t fit an adult male but-
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Do you think that helmet could be the victim’s?! Was he responsible for this crash!
	+ Kaleb (serious): We must go ask the chariot maker!
* Ask Boas if the victim had crashed his chariot (1 star; Pre-request: Search chariot remains).
	+ Boas (shrugging his shoulders): Are you going to roam around for long? There’s some work I need to do my chariot before I could go to the Colosseum!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): We were just about to leave, we just wanted to hand you back this helmet, we found it near some chariot remains...
	+ Boas (holding his head): Ah, yeah... My favorite chariot...
	+ Kaleb (confused): Your favorite chariot? If you liked it that much, then how did it end up in this state?
	+ Boas (angry): Because Aegidius crashed it!
	+ Boas (shocked): I warned him not to ride the chariot without me, but he disobeyed me and hopped into the chariot without even consulting me!
	+ Boas (pissed): He didn’t know how to control the horses so he ended crashing into a wall, making the horses run away and turning the chariot into a pile of firewood!
	+ Boas (covering his face): Luckily, I managed to find the horses, but my chariot... It is beyond repair! It’s become nothing but ruins!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): It must suck seeing someone you worked so hard on end up in this state. You must have been pretty pissed, maybe enough to end someone’s life...
	+ Boas (shocked): Are you implying I killed Aegidius because of a chariot?! The chariot may have been important with me but I would never kill someone else over it! That is just insane!
* Analyze bloody brass knuckles (Pre-request: Investigate the chariot).
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): I analyzed the blood on the knuckles and it is a match to your victim’s, so he was the one that got hurt!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): As for who attacked him, I managed to find Maddox’ fingerprints on the knuckles, meaning he is the culprit!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Attacking a kid is already a serious offense, but the kid being our victim makes him our prime suspect. We must go and confront him over this!
* Confront Maddox for attacking the victim (1 star; Pre-request: Analyze bloody brass knuckles).
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): You claimed earlier that the victim was a big fan of your fighting style, so can explain why you punched him while wearing brass knuckles?
	+ Maddox (covering his face): I am not proud of this but... I can explain...
	+ Maddox (crossing his arms): I hit him because... He told me he wanted to be a gladiator like me.
	+ Kaleb (confused): And what’s wrong with that?!
	+ Maddox (furious): What’s wrong with that?! Can you imagine laying on a packed cell, using chalk to count the days until your freedom and get dragged outside to train for a battle that could mean life or death?!
	+ Maddox (pissed): I didn’t choose to live that life, nor did any of my cellmates so when I heard the kid say this, it felt like a slap in the face!
	+ Maddox (covering his face): I was just so angry, I punched him hoping to knock some sense in his head!
	+ Maddox (relieved): I’m just glad that I didn’t kill him right there, although I’m sure Flavian would’ve have minded.
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Did Flavian have problems with the Aegidius?
	+ Maddox (thinking): It was nothing personal... But yes. He often gets grumpy whenever he saw the kid. While the other gladiators loved him, Flavian found him pretty annoying.
	+ Kaleb (serious): Thank you for informing. We will go and have a chat with Flavian!
* Question Flavian why he found the victim “annoying” (1 star; Pre-request: Confront Maddox for attacking the victim).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Lord Lucretius, we spoke with one of your gladiators and he told us that you didn’t enjoy the victim’s company, care to tell us why?!
	+ Flavian (furious): Because that kid was a pain in the neck!
	+ Flavian (eye rolling): Whenever I would teach my gladiators the physiology of handling a sword, the kid would interrupt my lessons to chat with the gladiators!
	+ Flavian (pissed): They would busy themselves play-fighting with him rather than spar with each other and practice for their match!
	+ Flavian (angry): I keep telling him to fuck off, but he keeps coming back, and earlier this day I saw him make a belittling drawing of me on my chalkboard and all the gladiators were laughing!
	+ Kaleb (serious): It seems to us the victim was a distraction to your fighters. We hope you haven’t decided to get rid of him, or next time, you’ll the one who’ll be fighting in the arena!

At the Ludus Magnus...

* + Kaleb (crossing his arms): It looks like three of our suspects fit our killer’s profile. If we wish to narrow this list down, we must go look for more clues!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Lets give the Ludus Magnus another look!
* Investigate the training grounds.
	+ Kaleb (serious): We know that our killer used a blade to cut off the elevator ropes, could that dagger be theirs?
	+ Kaleb (thinking): There’s some strands stuck on its edges, maybe we should collect them to identify what they are?
* Examine dagger (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the training grounds).
	+ Kaleb (glad): Now that we have the strands, lets analyze them!
* Analyze the dagger (Killer attribute: The killer has facial hair; Killer attribute: The killer was bitten by a mosquito).
	+ Kaleb (thinking): I analyzed the strands we’ve collected and most of them came from a rope, meaning we know this dagger belongs to our killers...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): I also found some black hair strands, which... isn’t helpful considering all our suspects are raven-haired...
	+ Kaleb (smiling): But this isn’t the hair that you find on your head, but the one that grows on your face. So the killer must be sporting either a beard, mustache, sideburns, you name it!
	+ Kaleb (confident): I examined the handle of the dagger as well and found traces for garlic, a common remedy to treat mosquito bites back at Ancient times, so the killer must’ve been stung by one!

Later...

* + Kaleb (serious): Marionette, I think we’re done looking for clues here, lets go bring Aegidius’ killer to justice!
* Arrest the killer (1 star; Guilty: Damianus).
	+ Kaleb (serious): Damianus, you are under arrest for the murder for Aegidius!
	+ Damianus (offended): I, Damian the magnificent, a common murderer?! How dare you make such claims on me!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We dare because we found some the beans you fed the lion on the victim’s body! And the threat you’ve written to him in chalk!
	+ Damianus (pissed): So what?! Beans are very common in an average Roman’s diet, and everyone here writes their messages in chalk!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Yeah, but everyone has a nice, long mustache like yours!
	+ Damianus (eye rolling): So I’m a killer because I happen to have a mustache? That is ridiculous!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): A mustache doesn’t make you a killer, but that mosquito bite on your face sure makes you suspicious! We found traces of your remedy on the knife you used to snap the ropes of the elevator, we know that it is you!
	+ Kaleb (confused): Did you seriously kill Aegidius because he fed sweets to the lion? He’s a kid how was he supposed to know bette-
	+ Damianus (panicking): You don’t understand! I didn’t kill him because of the sweets! I killed him because my reputation is at stake!
	+ Kaleb (curious): Your reputation is at stake? But how would killing Aegidius save it? What does he have anything to do with it?
	+ Damianus (sweating): Since I’ve already dug myself into a deep hole, I may as well come clean... Aegidius caught me... Making love with the lion.
	+ Kaleb (shocked): WHAT?!
	+ Damianus (nervous grin): I know this may sound unusual to you-
	+ Kaleb (disgusted): You call it “unusual”, I saw it’s disgusting! What you’re doing is basically bestiality!
	+ Damianus (panicking): I couldn’t resist myself! The lion it’s...
	+ Damianus (passionate): It’s one of the most beautiful creatures I’ve laid my eyes on! I’ve never seen something so magnificent and just couldn’t keep my hands away from him! I was in love!
	+ Damianus (covering his face): But I knew people wouldn’t approve of us being together, and I was right. When Aegidius saw us, he was horrified and instantly ran away!
	+ Damianus (panicking): I feared he’d tell someone else and soon talk about my relationship with Domitus will spread in Rome and my reputation will go down the hill!
	+ Kaleb (stumped): So you decided to silence Aegidius.
	+ Kaleb (disgusted): Milady and I have heard enough, we’ll take you to the authorities and they’ll decided what to do with you!

At the Colosseum...

* + Kaleb (disturbed): My gods! That man was unhinged!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): I can’t help but feel bad for the victim...
	+ Kaleb (shocked): And Hippomenes too! No way he consented to Damianus’ advances, the lion tamer must’ve had his own way with him!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): I’m just glad he’s behind bars now and probably will remain there for a really long time...
	+ Kaleb (serious): But our job in the Colosseum is not over yet! We still need to find a way to liberate Hippomenes. But first, lets go and look for Norah, hopefully she came up with a plan while we were occupied!

## The Roman Empire (5/6)

* + Kaleb (curious): Marionette, do you remember where our seats wer-
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Wait! Isn’t that Simona Severa?! That noblewoman we got acquainted with?
	+ Kaleb (confused): She didn’t seem like the time who’d enjoy a gladiator show judging by her morals, so what is she doing here?!
	+ Kaleb (blushing): She saw this! This is awkward, I think we should go greet her, it’s only polite that we do so...
* Greet Simona (1 star).
	+ Simona (shocked): Lady Patricia, that is the second time I see you this week! I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon!
	+ Kaleb (blushing): We certainly didn’t expect to find YOU out of all people here!
	+ Simona (crossing her arms): What is that supposed to mean?
	+ Kaleb (sweating): Forgive me if I come out ride, but... You’ve been vocal about your views on slavery since we first spoke with you, that it feels ironic seeing you here watching the gladiators fight...
	+ Simona (horrified): Gods no! I didn’t come here for the gladiators! I came here for other reasons!
	+ Kaleb (curious): Are you expecting someone?
	+ Simona (serious): Not just someone, but many! I plan to start a protest here!
	+ Simona (smirking): Since Rome refuses to hear my voice, I decided the best way to have it be heard is to cause a distraction while they’re enjoying the bloodbath in the arena!
	+ Simona (confident): Hopefully then, my message will sink their minds and I’ll convince the crown prince to make a change!
	+ Kaleb (nervous grin): That sounds like a plan to me. We wish we could join your movement, but we’re a bit busy. There’s a things we need to do here before the end of the event.
	+ Simona (serious): Well, it was nice speaking with you. I wish you luck in your quest, whatever it is.
	+ Kaleb (serious): Thanks-
	+ Norah (whooping): What are you guys doing there?! I’m right here!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Fuck! We came to the wrong side! Now how are we going to past that, ugh!

Kaleb and Marionette squeeze themselves through the crowd until they reach Norah...

* + Kaleb (breathing): Finally! Some air!
	+ Norah (blushing): Yeah! You weren’t kidding when you said the auditorium would get packed!
	+ Kaleb (stretching his back): Well... Did you come up with a plan? Or did we come all the way here for nothing?
	+ Norah (innocent smirk): As a matter of fact, I did! Just not sure if you’ll be happy about it...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): Hmmm... Tell it to me.
	+ Norah (thinking): Welllllllll-
	+ Boas (breathing): Oh! There you are! I’ve been searching the whole auditorium for you!
	+ Kaleb (confused): Boas? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be backstage?
	+ Boas (sweating): Yes, but... I’m facing a little problem and I need you to help me!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): *sigh* We’ll hear your plan later, Norah. Lets go see what the chariot maker wants from us...

* See what Boas needs for you (1 star).
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): We’ve got a lot in out hands at the moment, so, whatever favor you came to ask for, it better be simple!
	+ Boas (sweating): I’m sure I already told you the Colosseum decided to provide the gladiators with a chariot...
	+ Kaleb (shrugging his shoulders): Are you asking for help to build a chariot? Because I’m afraid neither of us are mechanics!
	+ Boas (shocked): Oh no! I’m almost done anyway, I just need to add one more wheel!
	+ Boas (covering his face): And this is the problem! I told Aegidius to make one, but he didn’t tell me where he placed it! I don’t even know if he even did the task I assigned him and I have no time to make a new one myself!
	+ Boas (nervous): Some of the gladiators being used for today are not experienced in melee fighting and without a chariot, they wouldn’t stand a chance in the arena!
	+ Boas (awkward grin): You seem to be good at finding stuff, so I was hoping you could look around my workshop and see if I had any spare wheels laying around?
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): This seems more like a ‘you’ proble-
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): Actually never mind, we’ll help you out...
	+ Boas (relieved): Thank you. If you fail to find anything, just tell me and I’ll see if there’s anything else that’ll do!
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Great! We should be focusing on saving the lion but instead, here we are helping a man fix his chariot because your lover can’t fight with a sword!
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): Whatever you say! Boyfriend or not, lets go search for the wheel and save his ass!
* Investigate the workshop (Pre-request: See what Boas needs from you).
	+ Kaleb (shocked): That wheel looks a lot like the ones for the chariot, but... It’s broken!
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): If those were truly Ancient times, then there would be no hope in restoring it...
	+ Kaleb (smiling): But luckily we’ve got a secret weapon called a “super-glue” in our hands!
	+ Kaleb (smirking): Lets piece that wheel back together and then give it back to Boas!
* Restore broken wheel (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the workshop).
	+ Kaleb (happy): Looks just as good as new!
	+ Kaleb (smiling): Now lets take it to Boas! Who won’t notice that it once was broken!
* Give the wheel back to Boas (1 star; Pre-request: Restore broken wheel).
	+ Boas (happy): I feel so thankful to you! I do not know how to repay you!
	+ Boas (awkward grin): You can have the remains from the money I made last week! It’s the least I could give for such great help!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): No problem. Also when riding the chariot, try not going too fast, the wheel we found may not be too dura-
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): What do you want, Mario- Marina?!
	+ Kaleb (stumped): You want to speak with Wu Ming?! Are you kidding me?! Did you forget about our quest?!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): Ugh... Fine! Lets go see him if that’s what you’re yearning for!
* Check on Wu Ming and tell him to avoid harming the lion (1 star; Pre-request: Give the wheel back to Boas).
	+ Ming (frowning): Why are you taking me?! I thought I was supposed to find in the arena today?!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; eye rolling): And you still are. Someone just asked to talk with you before the battle.
	+ Guards (Guard 2; serious): Ma’am, you have five minutes to speak with the gladiator and after that, we’re taking him right back to his cell!

The guards then go away...

* + Ming (shocked): Marionette?! Were you the one who called for me?!
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): You even told him your real name! How wonderful!
	+ Ming (confused): Who are you?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): My name is Kaleb, I’m one of her companions and I am sure she told you about our plan...
	+ Ming (thinking): Yes, she said that you’re planning to-
	+ Kaleb (serious): So you know it. Good. We came to check up on you and also because we have a request!
	+ Ming (laughing): I’m not sure if I’ll live long enough to fulfill it, but whatever you’re asking me to do, just tell me and I’ll see what I could do.
	+ Kaleb (sweating): This’ll probably be too much to ask for but... When you are at the arena, could you try... Not hurt the lion?
	+ Ming (shocked): Not hurt the lion? But... He’s literally there to attack me! What am I supposed to do? Let him kill me without putting up a fight?!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): I know that’s a stupid request to make, especially considering the fact we promised you’ll come out the battle alive...
	+ Ming (crossing his arms): Yeah, what happened to that?
	+ Kaleb (serious): And you WILL live, we’re just asking you not to harm the lion, unless if it was really necessary. Could you at least try?
	+ Ming (covering his face): This is going to be difficult... But fine, I’ll try to survive without hurting your precious lion...
	+ Kaleb (relieved): Thank you-
	+ Guards (Guard 1; impatient): Your time is up! We’re taking the gladiator back!
	+ Ming (whooping): Marina! If I make it, please meet me after the battle!
	+ Guards (Guards 2; impatient): Move!

The guards drag Minh back to his cell...

* + Kaleb (crossing his arms): Too bad we’re leaving after we get the lion. I don’t want to hear any arguments, Norah is waiting for us and we’ve got to go!

* Listen to Norah’s plan to break Hippomenes out (1 star).
	+ Kaleb (serious): So what’s the plan, Norah? I hope you didn’t come up with something insane.
	+ Norah (innocent smirk): It depends on what level of insane you consider TOO insane...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): I... Don’t like where this is going. Just tell us your plan!
	+ Norah (excited): I decided to participate in the gladiator fight!
	+ Kaleb (stumped): You’re joking...
	+ Norah (determined): No, I’m serious! Just think about it! If I infiltrated the arena, I could drag the match for as long as possible!
	+ Norah (confident): And then you two could use that time to open the Colosseum gates and VOILA! The lion escapes!
	+ Kaleb (frustrated): Norah! What if someone catches you in the arena and you get recognized?! You could get us all in trouble!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): And we can’t be certain whether Hippomenes is going to spare your or not? He may try to kill you out of panic!
	+ Norah (pouting): Awww... Are you worried for me?
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): No! It’s just... My sister won’t be happy if any harm comes to her best friend!
	+ Norah (hand on hip): Do you have a better plan then? Unless you’re volunteering to go out there instead?
	+ Kaleb (eye rolling): Never mind, we’ll go with your plan...
	+ Kaleb (serious): But you are not going out into the arena like this! People will recognize you!
	+ Norah (shrugging her shoulders): I wasn’t planning to! I admit I can get impatient, but I am not a fool!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): We need to get you a disguise, but where can we find one?
	+ Norah (curious): Didn’t you guys go to a gladiator training zone? Maybe they’ve got something for me to wear there?
	+ Kaleb (serious): Of course! The Ludus Magnus! Lets go there!
* Investigate the Ludus Magnus (Pre-request: Listen to Norah’s plan to break Hippomenes out).
	+ Kaleb (curious): Girls, did you find any piece of armory?
	+ Norah (hands on hips): No! All what I see is a fucking pile of weapons!
	+ Kaleb (shrugging his shoulders): Maybe you should dig through them? Who knows what you may find underneath?
* Search pile of weapons (1 star; Pre-request: Investigate the Ludus Magnus).
	+ Norah (shocked): I found a helmet, and a chest plate and-
	+ Norah (happy): A full set of gladiator armor! Thats exactly what I need to go into the arena!
	+ Kaleb (serious): That’s great! Now we have to head to the gladiator gates before the match could start!
	+ Norah (serious): But we’re not done yet! There’s still one thing we’ve got to do!
	+ Kaleb (confused): What more do you need?
	+ Norah: Remember what you told me? I need to guarantee Hippomenes won’t try to kill me!
	+ Norah (smiling): So I wanna talk with him before the match starts!
	+ Kaleb (serious): If we got caught, we could risk being thrown out. But you’re right, it is time we let the lion know what’s going on. Lets go see him!
* Tell Hippomenes you are here to save him (1 star; Pre-request: Search pile of weapons).
	+ Norah (curious): So this is where they’re keeping him-
	+ Hippomenes (pissed): Roar!
	+ Norah (sweating): He doesn’t look happy to see me...
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): He must think you work for Flavian after the incident that happened earlier. You’ll have to try hard to get him to trust you...
	+ Norah (crossing her arms): But that’s dumb! We didn’t see the guards coming with that net!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Looking at it in his perspective, can’t blame him for distrusting you! Anyway, you asked to see him so go talk with him!
	+ Norah (nervous): Okay...
	+ Norah (nervous smile; waving to the lion): Hi.
	+ Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!
	+ Norah (appeasing): Look man! I know you’re angry with me, but can you let me speak?
	+ Hippomenes (neutral): ...
	+ Norah (sweating): What do I say now...
	+ Norah (serious): First of all, I’m neither a real gladiator nor do I work for Flavian, lets get that straight! I am here to help you!
	+ Hippomenes (disbelieving): Roar!
	+ Norah (panicking): I am friends with Atalanta!
	+ Hippomenes (shocked): Purr?
	+ Norah (relieved): Oh... So now you’re going to listen...
	+ Hippomenes (hopeful): Meow?
	+ Norah (scratching her head): You want to know where she is?
	+ Hippomenes (nodding): ...
	+ Norah (smiling): She’s not in Rome, if you were hoping to see her. But I promise you that she is in a palace being well taken care of!
	+ Norah (sad): But lately, she is suffering from poor health due to depression. She could sense that your life is in dangerous, and she wants to see you again.
	+ Hippomenes (worried): Roar!!!
	+ Norah (serious): That is why we came here! We want to break you out so we could take you to our home- Graecita, and there you will see your wife again!
	+ Hippomenes (hopeful): Meow!
	+ Norah (serious): Unfortunately, we can’t free you now because people may see us. But when we get to the arena, my friends here are going to open a gate and I will give you a signal to make your escape!
	+ Norah (nervous grin): Just promise not to kill me while we are there, okay?
	+ Hippomenes (nodding): Meow.
	+ Kaleb (shocked): Shit! I think I can hear footsteps!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Norah, wear your helmet and stay where you are! Marionette and I are going to hide, don’t let anyone see us!
	+ Norah (putting on her helmet): Alright. Hippomenes, look at me and remember how I look. Don’t forget our deal!
	+ Hippomenes (determined): Roar!

Kaleb and Marionette hide. Norah is approached by Flavian and his guards...

* + Flavian and his guards (Flavian; shouting): Hey, you!
	+ Norah (sweating): M-me?!
	+ Flavian and his guards (Flavian; pissed): What are you doing here?! You’re supposed to be at the arena!
	+ Norah (nervous grin): I was just talking to the lion. To ask him not to hurt me when we meet up there!
	+ Flavian and his guards (Flavian; laughing): You hear that lad? He thinks the lion can understand him! Haha!
	+ Flavian and his guards (Guards; laughing): Hahahahahahahaha!
	+ Flavian and his guards (Flavian; pissed): Now go back to your post or I’ll make sure you die in the spot!
	+ Norah (saluting; sweating): Yessir!

Norah instantly runs to the arena, and the guards open the lion’s cage...

* + Guards (Guard 1; demeaning): Here kitty kitty!
	+ Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!
	+ Guards (Guard 2; pissed): Hey! Attack us again and we’ll make sure the gladiators get an easy win!
	+ Hippomenes (neutral): ...
	+ Guards (Guard 2; grinning): Good cat.

The guards taken the lion to the arena and Flavian heads to the auditorium...

* + Kaleb (relieved): Thank gods they didn’t see us!
	+ Kaleb (thinking): I’ll go look for the gate controls, and find a way to open them without the guards seeing me...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): As for you Marionette, there’s something else I want you to do...
	+ Kaleb (thinking): The guards will only act under Flavian’s command, so our plan will only fail if he notices something “wrong” going on in the arena...
	+ Kaleb (serious): I don’t want to sound like a jealous ex-boyfriend, but I can tell that he is smitten by you, so I need you to distract him while Norah and I break Hippomenes out! The guards must not intervene!

**You are now experiencing the story in third-person view.**
The match is about to start, the gladiators are on their posts and the audience is excited...

* + Audience (cheering): PUGNA! PUGNA! PUGNA! PUGNA!
	+ Maddox (curious): Ming, your remember your training?
	+ Ming (worried): I do. But I’m not confident with my abilities using a sword...
	+ Maddox (scratching his head): I’m not really good at range-attack anyway, so you can have my spear! You get to have two attacks from the chariot!
	+ Ming (shocked): Really? Thank you!
	+ Maddox (serious): No problem. But if you miss the lion in both tries, you’ll eventually have to leave the chariot to retrieve the weapons. I’ll try to get the lion away from yo-

The gladiators then hear a stream of water flowing...

* + Gladiators (Gladiator 1; curious): You guys hear that?
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 2; covering his face): It sounds like water. Don’t tell me they’ll flood the arena?! As if the challenge isn’t difficult already!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 3; whispering): I don’t think that’s water... Our chariot rider just pissed his pants...
	+ Boas (blushing; peeing himself): ....
	+ Audience (laughing): Look! Someone wet himself before the match could start! Ahahahahaha!
	+ Boas (covering his face): This is so embarrassing!

The Imperial family finally arrive to the auditorium...

* + Herald (announcing): Everyone welcome, our crown prince, Gaius Drusus Livius! And the late emperor’s family!
	+ Audience (cheering): WOOHOOO!!!
	+ Livius (concerned): Nebet, are you sure you’re well?
	+ Nebet (nervous): I am... Lets just take our seats and get this over with...
	+ Carolus (holding his anger): I can’t believe he brought the slave with him!

As they are taking their seats, Audenzia observes the audience for “Callicrates”...

* + Audenzia (hopeful): Where is he?
	+ Claudilla and her ladies-in-waiting (Claudilla; impatient): Excuse me?! Will you move or are you just going to block our way?
	+ Audenzia (blushing): Sorry-

The imperial family are all seated, Norah is dragged into the arena...

* + Norah (frowning): Ouch! Do you really have to push me this hard?! Rude!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 1; confused): Who’s that new guy?! I don’t think I’ve seen him before?!
	+ Norah (waving): Hey, Ming! Ready to kick some ass?
	+ Ming (shocked): Oh god...
	+ Ming (whispering): What are you doing in here?
	+ Norah (shrugging her shoulders): I’m here to save your asses. What do you think?!
	+ Norah (serious): Anyway, they’ll bring out the lion right now, you remember what Kaleb asked you?
	+ Ming (covering his face): Yes, and I promise not to harm the lion, as long as it doesn’t attack me.

Suddenly, a trapdoor opens, letting the lion out in the arena...

* + Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!
	+ Boas (startled): AHHH!!!!
	+ Horses (panicking): NEIGH!!!

Boas makes the chariots move quickly...

* + Gladiators (Gladiator 2; shocked): Woah, slow down here! You’ll make us fall out!
	+ Maddox (serious): I’ll go out of the chariot to fight the lion with my sword. You guys try and attack him with your spears!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 3; serious): I’m coming with you!
	+ Norah (whooping): We’ll have your backs!
	+ Norah (whispering): Ming, miss.
	+ Ming (saluting): I will.

Ming throws his spear, deliberately missing the lion.

* + Ming (fake shock): Fuck! I missed!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 1; serious): That’s alright. Not like you could get an accurate shot when we’re moving in this speed!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator; smirking): You still have the other spear!

Ming throws the other spear, deliberately missing again...

* + Ming (fake disappointment): Damn it!
	+ Gladiators (Gladiator 1; detetmined): Stay in the chariot. I’ll get the spears for you!

The gladiator gets out to fetch the spears only to be attacked by the lion.

* + Hippomenes (fierce): ROAR!!!
	+ Gladiator 1 (startled): AHHH!!!

Hippomenes kills the gladiator...

* + Gladiator 1 (bleeding to death): ...
	+ Gladiator 2 (shocked): Oh no! He’s down!

Meanwhile at the auditorium, Marionette is looking for Flavian...

* + Marionette (frustrated): Kaleb asked me to distract Flavian as soon as the match begins, but where is he?!
	+ Nobleman (pissed): Hey! Watch where you’re going!
	+ Marionette (blushing): Sorry...

Finally, Marionette finds him...

* + Flavian (smirking): Lady Patricia, why are you lurking in the auditorium, I hope the match is not boring you?
	+ Marionette (innocent smirk): Not at all! It’s very entertaining, in fact. I was just looking to spend time with you.
	+ Flavian (grinning): Spend time with me, ey? I guess they don’t call me a “ladies’ magnet” for nothing?
	+ Marionette (giggling): Suuuure... hehe
	+ Marionette (smirking): Your gladiators seem to be going strong this match...
	+ Flavian (flexing his biceps): They are being trained by the strongest man in Rome, after all!
	+ Marionette (giggling): Oh my-

Suddenly Flavian sees some of the audience starting to wave flags...

* + Flavian (grinning): The fans are really getting wild this match!
	+ Simona and the protestors (Simona; furious): Down with the games! Down with every man who holds the whip!
	+ Flavian (shocked): Those aren’t fans! These are-
	+ Flavian (angry): Lady Severa and her ilk!
	+ Flavian (serious): Lady Patricia, it was a pleasure speaking with you. But I’m afraid our conversations needs to cut short...
	+ Flavian (pissed): I’ve got to have my guards throw some certain nuisances out of the Colosseum. I’ll come back to you later, I promise.
	+ Marionette (sweet smile): It’s alright, I’ll wait for you.

Flavian leaves Marionette to confront the protestors...

* + Marionette (relieved): Thank gods for the protest! I can’t imagine entertaining that bore for any longer!

Sitting a few rows behind her are Sussus and his mother, Buttox.

* + Buttox (happy): Oh my goodness! Gaius is here!
	+ Buttox (excited): We have to go say ‘hi’ to him!
	+ Sussus (crossing his arms): Do I have to, mother?!
	+ Buttox (smiling): Of course you do, silly! Now that Gaius is becoming the emperor, it is in your benefit to keep close relations with him!
	+ Sussus (eye rolling): You can go send my greetings to him then! I’m not going to spend the entire day standing while you chat with that loser!
	+ Buttox (cross): Sussus!
	+ Sussus (shrugging his shoulders): What?! I made peace with him like you have asked, but that doesn’t mean we like each other now?!
	+ Buttox (hand on hips): Fine! You can stay where you are, but I’ll be watching you from the distance. So don’t think about messing around with random girl and bringing her home with you!
	+ Sussus (eye rolling): Whatever.

Buttox leaves her son to talk with the emperor.

* + Sussus (crossing his arms): “Don’t think about messing around with girls”, so how am I supposed to entertain myself then? I hate this woman sometime-
	+ Sussus (shocked): Wait! Is that Marina?!
	+ Sussus (grinning): Mother told me not to mess around with “random woman”. She already met Marina Patricia, so I don’t think she’ll mind if I go talk to her...
	+ Marionette (thinking): Seeing that Flavian is already distracted, I guess my job here is done. So I guess I can make an exit...
	+ Marionette (serious): Still, Ming asked me to meet him after the match. Kaleb says we’re leaving as soon as we free the lion, but who is he to tell me what I should do-
	+ Sussus (smirking): Marina! What a pleasant surprise seeing you here!
	+ Marionette (displeased): Oh no, not him! Just when I got rid off Flavian! *sigh*
* Tell Sussus to fuck off (1 star).
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): What the hell do you want, Sussus?!
	+ Sussus (nervous smile): Easy here! You act like I’ve ghosted you or something, it’s only been a day since we last saw each other!
	+ Marionette (eye rolling): You didn’t answer my question. What do you want from me?
	+ Sussus (eye rolling): I came here with my mother but she decided to ditch me so she could go talk to her beloved “emperor”.
	+ Sussus (shrugging his shoulders): I got bored and when I saw you alone, I decided to keep you company. If you don’t mind, of course.
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): I’d spend time with anyone, but you!
	+ Sussus (blushing): Okay, I can respect this but...
	+ Sussus (awkward grin): Can we at least talk about last night?
	+ Marionette (covering her face): Oh god...
	+ Sussus (scratching his hair): I felt like neither of us were ready, and things just went way too... fast. So, what do you say about giving it another try tonight?
	+ Marionette (laughing): Ahahahahaha! NO!
	+ Sussus (shocked): But-
	+ Marionette (serious): Sussus, let me put this out of the way. I am not attracted to you, physically or emotionally.
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): I don’t think you’re ugly at all, but you’re just not my type. And I would be willing to overlook this, but your cockiness does not work for your favor...
	+ Marionette (eye rolling): I only agreed to sleep with you because you made it look like you were well-endowed, when really you’re not. Maybe if you knew how to actually use it, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
	+ Sussus (grinning): Maybe you’re the one who should lower her standards, because I’ve slept with many women, some that are much prettier than you and they all thought I was great!
	+ Marionette (stumped): Did they? How many of them actually stuck around after you did the “deed”?
	+ Sussus (shrugging his shoulders): I wouldn’t know. I’ve ghosted them all after they’ve given me what I wanted!
	+ Marionette (smirking): But they sure would’ve tried reaching out at least? Did it cross your mind that maybe they lied to you to not hurt your ego? And that none them actually enjoyed their ride?
	+ Sussus (laughing): Ha! That’s impossible! I know it when a girl is satisfied! They’ve all had an orgasm right in front of md!
	+ Marionette (laughing): Ahahahaha!
	+ Sussus (crossing his arms): What’s funny?
	+ Marionette (deadpan expression): I don’t want to break your mood, but I think there is something you must see...

Marionette takes a deep breath and moans..

* + Marionette (horny): *moans*
	+ Sussus (confused): What are you-
	+ Marionette (grabbing her hair): Oh god!
	+ Marionette (choking herself): Oh yeah! Right there!
	+ Sussus (blushing): Uh...

Marionette’s moaning gets the attention of half the audience...

* + Marionette (horny): Yes! Yes! YES!!!
	+ Male audience (impressed): That girl seems like she’d be fun in bed!
	+ Female audience (giggling): Hehehehe...
	+ Marionette (horny): *moans*
	+ Sussus (sweating): This is embarassing...

Humiliated, Sussus leaves Marionette alone and heads back to his seat...

* + Audience (laughing): Hahahahaha!
	+ Sussus (embarrassed): ...
	+ Marionette (wiping her sweat): Finally, he’s gone!

Meanwhile, the crown prince is having a sip of wine...

* + Livius (drinking from a goblet): ...
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 3; whispering; holding a goblet of wine): Claudilla’s cousin is looking kind of cute, don’t you think?
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 2; giggling): I always thought he looked like a dork, but he does have nice eyes and an amazing jawline!
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 1; eye rolling): You girls are only gushing over him, now that he’s the emperor! If he was any man you met in the streets, you wouldn’t give him the time of the day!
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 3; tidying her hair): How do I look?
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 1; laughing): Don’t tell me you’ll ask him out?!
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 3; eye rolling): At least I’m trying! The two of you can sit here and wait helplessly for any old noble to marry you!
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 2; whooping): Good luck!
	+ Claudilla (crossing her arms): Where is she going?
	+ Ladies-in-waiting (Lady 1; smirking): Stupid girl. She thinks she stands a chance with the emperor.
	+ Claudilla (grinning): Ha! I’d like to see how this turns out.

The lady approaches Livius...

* + Lady 3 (sweet smile; holding a goblet of wine): Oooooooo Liviuuuuuuus.
	+ Livius (thinking): Hello there. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re one of Claudia’s ladies-in-waiting. What’s your name?
	+ Lady 3 (giggling): Hehehe..

The lady puts her goblet on the emperor’s table...

* + Lady 3 (seductive smile): My name is Portia Brigitta. But you can call me whatever you want...
	+ Lady 3 (innocent smirk): Have anyone told you what nice arms you’ve got? You must exercise quite a lo-
	+ Livius (annoyed): I don’t, and you’re the first one to say that to me...
	+ Lady 3 (awkward grin): Oh...
	+ Livius (serious): In fact, I often get teased for how skinny they look.

Livius puts his drink on the table...

* + Livius (stumped): Portia, I know what you’re here and you seriously expect me to believe a man like me has a chance with a woman that looks like you?!
	+ Lady 3 (sweating): Uh-
	+ Livius (crossing his arms): Even if that was somehow possible, you realize that I’m already engaged?!
	+ Lady 3 (shocked): Oh! I had no idea! I thought you and Audenzia are no longer together-
	+ Audenzia (crossing her arms): Because we AREN’T.
	+ Livius (blushing): Like... Audenzia said. I’m talking about another woman.
	+ Lady 3 (awkward grin): Anyhow, I apologize for wasting your time. I’ll... Go back to my seat...

Portia grabs one of the goblet on the table...

* + Portia (relieved): ...

Portia goes back to her seat and Livius grabs the other goblet...

* + Livius (confused; holding a goblet): Odd... I’m pretty sure it was half-empty... Oh well...
	+ Livius (drinking): ...

Meanwhile, Nebet is watching the show in horror...

* + Nebet (nervous): ...
	+ Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!
	+ Gladiator 3 (terrified): AH!!!

The lion rips the gladiator apart...

* + Gladiator 3 (dying): ...
	+ Nebet (horrified): AHHH!!!
	+ Nebet (panicking): I can’t take this anymore! I’m leaving!

Nebet walks out of her seat and starts heading out of the Colosseum...

* + Sussus (insecure): Could what Marina told me be true? Did all these girls really lie to my face?
	+ Sussus (worried): Simona also claimed her friend didn’t enjoy sleeping with me, so maybe she’s right!
	+ Sussus (serious): What am I saying?! I’m Sussus Ventus Amogus! The ideal Roman man! Every man wants to be me and every woman wants to be with me! Who cares what some whore thinks of m-
	+ Nebet (scared): ...
	+ Sussus (grinning): Well, well, who is that girl? I don’t think I’ve seen her before...
	+ Sussus (smirking): After the humiliation I endured, I believe I deserve a treat! Hopefully that girl is willing to entertain...

Sussus follows Nebet. Livius notices Nebet isn’t on her seat...

* + Livius (shocked): Nebet! Where did she go?!

Livius observes the auditorium and sees her leaving the Colosseum...

* + Livius (relieved): There she i-

He then notices Sussus going after her...

* + Livius (pissed): Why is that jerk following her?!
	+ Livius (panicking): This isn’t going to be good! I need to catch up to her before he could steal her from m-
	+ Buttox (smiling): Gaius! Isn’t it wonderful to see you aga-
	+ Livius (holding his head): Incontinentia, I wish I could chat with you. But I’m afraid there’s something I’ve got to do. I’ll be back soon, I promise!

Livius runs after Nebet and Sussus...

* + Buttox (shocked): But... But...
	+ Buttox (disappointed): I just came here... *sigh* I suppose I’ll just sit here and wai-
	+ Buttox (shocked): Audenzia! Is that you?!
	+ Audenzia (sweating): Oh no...
	+ Buttox (happy): You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you! I could barely recognize you!
	+ Buttox (sympathetic): Oh! I’ve heard about what happened to your engagement! I can’t imagine the pain you must be feeling, no woman should go through such humiliation!
	+ Audenzia (holding her head): ...

Meanwhile at the arena itself, the lion catches up to the chariot...

* + Norah and Ming (Ming; shocked): Boas! Watch out!
	+ Hippomenes (pissed): Roar!

The lion attacks the horses...

* + Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!
	+ Horses (startled): NEIGH!!!
	+ Boas (startled): AHHH!!!
	+ Norah and Ming (Norah; shocked): We have to jump out! Now!

The chariot flips. Boas, Norah and Ming managed to get out in time, but a gladiator that didn’t jump ended up severely injured...

* + Gladiator 2 (dizzy): Ugh...
	+ Hippomenes (furious): ROAR!!!

The lion kills that gladiator...

* + Gladiator 2 (dead): ...
	+ Norah and Ming (Norah; whispering): Do not panic. He’s only going to attack us if he senses danger...
	+ Boas (panicking): AHHH!!!
	+ Hippomenes (angry): ROAR!!!

Hippomenes goes after Boas who reaches the auditorium...

* + Boas (terrified): Help me up! I’m not a slave!
	+ Senators (laughing): Look at that fighter, trying to escape the arena!

Boas jumps and his hands reach the steps...

* + Boas (unsure): I’m going to make i-
	+ Senators (grinning): Oh no! I don’t think so!

One of the senators steps on Boas’ fingers, making fall back into the arena...

* + Boas (in pain): AHHH!!!
	+ Lion (angry): AHHH!!!
	+ Audience (laughing): Ahahahaha!
	+ Norah (shocked): He’s going to kill the chariot rider!
	+ Maddox (serious; drawing his sword): Not if I do something about it! For Rome!

Maddox is about to attack the lion from behind.

* + Ming (holding a spear; shocked): He’s going to hurt the lion! I have to do something!

Ming throws his spear, aiming for Maddox’s foot...

* + Maddox (holding his foot in pain): AHHH!!!
	+ Ming (fake shock): I’m so sorry! I was aiming for this lion!
	+ Audience (confused): Why did they even bring that gladiator?! He can’t fight for shit!
	+ Audience (excited): At least its fun seeing him get himself and others killed! Haha!

Hippomenes gets close to Boas...

* + Boas (crying): Ah! Please, leave me alone!
	+ Hippomenes (pissed): Roar-
	+ Norah (shocked): Hippomenes, DON’T!
	+ Hippomenes (neutral): Purr?

Norah goes between Boas and the lion...

* + Norah (whispering): It’s me. You remember who I am, do you?
	+ Hippomenes (glad): Meow!
	+ Audience (confused): What is going on here?! Why is the lion not killing hi-

Suddenly, one of the Colosseum gates opens...

* + Hippomenes (shocked): Roar!
	+ Norah (shouting): RUN!
	+ Hippomenes (determined): ROAR!!!

Without being told a second time, Hippomenes runs to the gate and escapes the Colosseum!

* + Audience (shocked): OH MY GOD! The lion left the arena! He’s inside the city!
	+ Audience (panicking): AHHH!!!
	+ Norah (sweating): I better leave too! If I get caught in the arena, I’ll be in huge trouble!

And so, Norah escapes the arena too...

* + Maddox (getting up): Idiot. If they catch him, he’s done for!

The guards are fighting the protestors, when suddenly...

* + Guard and Protestor (Protestor; being apprehended by the guard): Look! The lion has escaped!
	+ Flavian (confused): What?!

Flavian looks at the arena, notices the lion is missing and one of the entries is open...

* + Flavian (shocked): No, no, NO!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; curious): My lord, what do we do with the protestor-
	+ Flavian (furious): Forget the protestors and go find the lion instead!
	+ Flavian (pissed): Also, get these gladiators back to their cells! I don’t want them to escape too!

At arena...

* + Ming (shocked): Maddox, is your leg oka-
	+ Maddox (pissed): What the fuck have happened to you?!
	+ Ming (sweating): I’m sorry, it was.. An accident...
	+ Maddox (confused): An accident, how?! You showed great talent when using a spear back at our training, and now all of a sudden, you are crap?!
	+ Maddox (covering his face): Hopefully the Colosseum will be covering my medical bill-
	+ Guards (Guard 2; shouting): Don’t move!
	+ Guards (Guard 1; serious): You two are coming with us!

The guards capture the gladiators and Marionette sees them..

* + Marionette (shocked): What are they doing to them?!

Marionette runs after the guards and reaches the underground cellars...

* + Maddox and Guard 1 (Maddox; pissed): Where are you taking me?! I’m a freeman now, we had a deal!
	+ Maddox and Guard 1 (Guard 1; eye rolling): The deal says you’ll get your freedom IF you kill the lion. And from what we see, the lion is still alive so the deal is off!
	+ Maddox and Guards 1 (Maddox; furious): That is not fair! How was I suppose to kill him when he had escaped! You fucking frauds!
	+ Marionette (shocked): STOP!

The guards stop.

* + Marionette (furious): Where do you think you are taking him?!
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Ming; displeased): Marina, it’s oka-
	+ Marionette (pissed): No it’s not okay! You survived the match, you’re supposed to be free now!
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Guard 2; laughing): Ma’am, I don’t think you understand a system..
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Guard 2; grinning): To receive his freedom, a gladiator must survive a certain number of matches, and bring a huge sum of money to the Colosseum...
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Guard 2; serious): So far, this gladiator only lived through one. So he’s got a long way before becoming a free man!
	+ Marionette (shocked): But-
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Guard 2; shrugging his shoulders): I’m sorry, but that’s how the system works, darling. Anything you want to say to the gladiator before we take him...
	+ Marionette (sad): Ming, I’m sorry...
	+ Ming and Guard 2 (Ming; serious): There’s nothing to apologize for. I’ll be fine, I promise!

The guards is about to take Ming, but...

* + Marionette (serious): WAIT!

Marionette grabs Ming from the guard and kisses him...

* + Ming and Marionette (kissing): ...
	+ Ming and Marionette (Marionette; determined): I’ll be back...
	+ Guard 2 (pissed): Come here! I think you two spent enough time together...

The guards grabs Ming from Marionette and takes him to his cell...

* + Marionette (holding her head): ...
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): For how long had you been standing there?
	+ Kaleb (shocked): ...
	+ Kaleb (heartbroken): We’ll talk about this later. Lets go look for the lion..

Meanwhile, Nebet is looking for a way to exit the Colosseum...

* + Nebet (panicking): How do I get out of here-
	+ Sussus (grinning): Are you looking for something?
	+ Nebet (startled): Ah!
	+ Sussus (laughing): Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you!
	+ Sussus (grinning): Unless if it pleasures you, of course...
* Flirt with Nebet (1 star).
	+ Nebet (uncomfortable): Who- Who are you?!
	+ Sussus (smirking): My name’s Sussus Amogus, but I am sure you have heard of me already...
	+ Nebet (crossing her arms): I did, Liv- I mean the crown prince spoke of you, and he didn’t have pleasant things to say about you...
	+ Sussus (thinking): The crown prince? Oh! You mean Liv!
	+ Sussus (grinning): You must be his whore. I have to say his taste in women is immaculate. He doesn’t mind to share, does he?
	+ Nebet (furious): I am NOT his whore! He’s my fiancé!
	+ Sussus (laughing): You’re getting married to HIM! Ahahahaha!
	+ Sussus (grinning): If someone told me that two weeks ago, I’d call them crazy! But I guess the title of “queen” is very tempting...
	+ Nebet (pissed): Are you suggesting I’m marrying Livius for his title?!
	+ Sussus (smirking): Hey! I’m not judging you! Many women would jump for this opportunity and I don’t blame them!
	+ Sussus (grinning): But you won’t convince me for a second that you’re in love with Livius! That’s impossible!
	+ Nebet (serious): And why not? Livius is brave, honest and unlike all the men of Rome, he has a heart of gold!
	+ Nebet (confident): And that’s why I love him! He is different from all the other nobles! He will bring Rome to greatness and he promised me that once he becomes emperor, no man in Rome shall own a slave!
	+ Sussus (laughing): Ahahahahaha!
	+ Sussus (wiping his tears; laughing): My apologies, it seems like I made a mistake. I thought you must be an opportunist, but it turns out you’re actually delusional!
	+ Nebet (confused): How-
	+ Sussus (laughing): Do you seriously think Livius is going to do all that?!
	+ Sussus (smirking): Please, I knew Livius since we were kids and believe me, he doesn’t have the balls to do this! He’s not going to risk the fury of nobles just for yo-
	+ Livius (furious): Get away from her, you creep!
	+ Nebet (shocked): Livius!
	+ Livius (concerned): Did he do anything to you?
	+ Nebet (blushing): N-no-
	+ Livius (relieved): Good...

Livius turns to Sussus...

* + Livius (holding his anger): ...
	+ Sussus (innocent smirk): Hey man! I was just talking to your girlfriend and she’s told me some of the most absur-

Livius kicks Sussus in the balls...

* + Sussus (holding his crotch; in pain): Ow! Okay, that hurts-

PUNCH.

* + Sussus (bruised face): Ow!
	+ Livius (furious): Get lost!
	+ Sussus (startled): Ah!

Afraid, Sussus runs back to the auditorium with his bruised face and balls...

* + Livius (holding his anger): ...
	+ Nebet (hesitant): Livius...?

Livius grabs Nebet’s arm...

* + Nebet (startled): Ah! What are you doing?!
	+ Livius (serious): We’re going back to the auditorium...
	+ Nebet (panicking): No, Livius! Please no!

Nebet falls on the ground and starts crying...

* + Nebet (crying): I don’t want to go!
	+ Livius (shocked): Nebet...
	+ Nebet (tearful): I know I said I’ll support you, but I can’t do this! I can’t go back there!
	+ Nebet (crying): I don’t want to see the fight! I can’t watch my people die while yours cheer as the lion rips them apart! Please, make it stop!
	+ Livius (sad): ...

Livius embraces Nebet...

* + Livius and Nebet (hugging; Livius): I’m so sorry Nebet, I... I shouldn’t have brought you here, I didn’t consider how scary it’d be for you...
	+ Nebet (hopeful): So... Does that mean I don’t have to return?
	+ Livius (warm smile): No, we’re going back home. I won’t force you to go through something that makes you uncomfortab-
	+ Livius (holding his stomach): Ow!
	+ Nebet (worried): Livius! Is something wrong?
	+ Livius (coughing): ...
	+ Livius (fainting): ...

Livius falls to the ground...

* + Nebet (shocked): LIVIUS!

Nebet shakes Livius...

* + Nebet (panicking): Livius, can you hear me?!
	+ Livius (dizzy): Nebet... *cough*
	+ Nebet (tearful): Yes! Talk to me! Tell me what’s wrong!
	+ Livius (serious): Go to the arena *cough* and tell everyone that I was poisoned!
	+ Livius (passing out): ...
	+ Nebet (shocked): LIVIUS!
	+ Nebet (panicking): I need to calm down... I need to calm down... He’ll be fine...
	+ Nebet (worried): I’ve got to go and get help!

Nebet runs all the way to the arena.

* + Audience (confused): What is that girl doing in the arena-
	+ Nebet (panicking): THE CROWN PRINCE WAS POISONED!

A loud gasp fills the Colosseum...

* + Audience (shocked): *gasp*
	+ Kaleb and Marionette (both shocked): What?!
	+ Buttox (panicking): Oh no! GAIUS!
	+ Carolus (serious): We need to get him to the palace immediately!
	+ Audenzia (shocked): Poisoned?!

Audenzia looks at the table in front of Livius’ seat and finds a goblet...

* + Audenzia (pissed): Someone must’ve spiked his drink!
	+ Audenzia (serious): I need to get this to Callicrates! Maybe he could get a cure out of this!

At Livius’ bedroom...

* + Livius (unconscious): ...
	+ Kaleb (concerned; holding a cup of medicine): How’s his pulse?
	+ Audenzia (serious): It’s still beating.
	+ Kaleb (relieved): Good.

Kaleb makes Livius drink the medicine...

* + Nebet (tearful): Is he... Is he going to be okay?
	+ Kaleb (serious): He’ll be fine, the antidote I made him will remove the poison in his body. But I suggest that you let him rest.
	+ Carolus (serious): You heard him. Everyone, out!

Everyone begins leaving the room, but Audenzia stays...

* + Carolus (crossing his arms): Audenzia, are you listening?
	+ Audenzia (serious): I did, but I’d rather stay and take care of Livius!
	+ Claudilla (eye rolling): You know that won’t make him take you back?
	+ Audenzia (pissed): I know and I don’t care! Now GET OUT!

Once everyone is gone, Audenzia begins wetting a piece of cloth...

* + Audenzia (bitter; wetting a towel): Why am I even doing this?! Livius isn’t my family, I hate him!
	+ Audenzia (covering her face): *sigh* I really need to get over this. He loves Nebet, and whether she actually likes him back or not, I can’t expect him to leave her for me...
	+ Audenzia (sad): Maybe Livius is right about me, maybe I am just an opportunist-
	+ Livius (weak): N-Nebet?
	+ Audenzia (startled): Ah!

Audenzia turns to see Livius and he was finally awake...

* + Audenzia (shocked): Livius, you’re awake!
* Take care of Livius (1 star).
	+ Livius (panicking): Nebet! Where is Nebet!
	+ Audenzia (sympathetic): Hush... Nebet is okay, she’s with the others, waiting for you to wake up. Now please, just rest and let your body fight the poison...

Audenzia makes Livius lay on the bed and puts the wet towel on his head...

* + Livius (regretful): Audenzia... About the things I told you last night...
	+ Audenzia (sad): It’s okay..
	+ Livius (tearful): I’m really sorry for hurting you! I had no right to embarrass you or accuse you of being an opportunist! If I could do anything to make you forgive m-
	+ Audenzia (warm smile): It’s okay Livius! I forgive you! Now please shut up and rest, I’ll go tell the others you’re awake-
	+ Livius (shocked): Audenzia, wait!
	+ Livius (blushing): Before you go... Could you do me a favor?
	+ Audenzia (sympathetic): Whatever it is, just tell me and I’ll do my best.
	+ Livius (worried): I am worried... That the person who tried to assassinate me may try to do it again...
	+ Livius (panicking): And I fear it may be someone from the palace!
	+ Audenzia (shocked): Really?! Who do you think it is?!
	+ Livius (covering his face): I don’t know, but I fear the safety of everyone here...
	+ Livius (worried): Especially Nebet...
	+ Livius (serious): Of course, you are away from any suspicion, so I trust you to keep her out if harm’s way!
	+ Livius (covering his face): I’m sure you know this already, but Nebet has a sister who lives away from the palace...
	+ Livius (serious): And I want you to get someone to take her there so she could stay with her sister until the day of my coronation. Could you do that for me?
	+ Audenzia (disappointed): *sigh* Of course... I’ll make sure Nebet is in safe hands...
	+ Livius (warm smile): I knew I could count on you...
	+ Livius (serious): And Audenzia...
	+ Audenzia (curious): Yes?
	+ Livius (concerned): Be safe...
	+ Audenzia (sweet smile): I will.

Audenzia leaves the room and goes to the rest of the Imperial family, announcing that...

* + Audenzia (relieved): Livius’ awake!
	+ Nebet (happy; tearful): Thank gods!
	+ Carolus (serious): Did he say anything?
	+ Audenzia (serious): Yes, he gave me a request...
	+ Audenzia (crossing her arms): He wants Nebet out of the palace immediately and to stay at her sister’s place until the day of his majesty’s coronation.
	+ Nebet (disappointed): Oh...
	+ Carolus (curious): That can be done. Did he request anything else?
	+ Audenzia (serious): No, just that...

Audenzia approaches Nebet...

* + Nebet (frowning): What did you say to him?
	+ Audenzia (crossing her arms): Nothing. His majesty suspects someone in the palace is after him, and he wants ensure your safety. It’s up to you whether you’ll obey his wish or not.
	+ Nebet (sad): *sigh* I’ll go pack my stuff...

At nighttime, Norah finally gets back to the palace...

* + Norah (yawning): I’m back, bitches!
	+ Kaleb (serious): Hippomenes, where did you hide him?
	+ Norah (crossing her arms): Gee, straight to the point! Aren’t gonna ask me if I’m fine at least?
	+ Norah (covering her face): But to answer your question, I don’t know where he is! I failed to catch up to him and I looked all around Rome but couldn’t find him!
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): Great... We’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to find him then...
	+ Shirley (hopeful): While you were at the Colosseum, have anything... asked about me?
	+ Kaleb (curious): No... Who did you hope to hear from?
	+ Shirley (disappointed): My... *sigh* No one... Forget I said anything...
	+ Kaleb (crossing his arms): There’s something off with that girl. She’s hiding way too many secrets for us to trust her!
	+ Norah (eye rolling): Give her a break! Isn’t she allowed to have her privacy? Besides... She’s not the only one here who’s hiding dark secrets...
	+ Kaleb (pissed): Seriously, Nora-
	+ Norah (yawning): Goodnight.

Norah and Shirley head to sleep...

* + Kaleb (eye rolling): She really isn’t going to let this go-
	+ Marionette voice (singing): Quand il me prend dans ses bras, Il me parle tout bas, Je vois la vie en rose!
	+ Kaleb (regretful): Marionette...
* Beg Marionette to take you back (1 star).

Kaleb goes to the balcony where he catches Marionette singing...

* + Marionette (singing): Il me dit des mots d'amour. Des mots de tous les jours. Et ça me fait quelque chose!
	+ Kaleb (shy): Marionette...

Marionette pretends she can’t hear him...

* + Marionette (eye rolling; singing): Il est entré dans mon cœur. Une part de bonheur. Dont je connais la cause...
	+ Kaleb (shy): I thought.... about us...
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): ...
	+ Kaleb (serious): And I decided to finally let go of Yvette... And give her the memorial she deserves...
	+ Marionette (sad): ...
	+ Kaleb (thinking in his head): I told her the words she wanted to hear, is she finally going to take me back?
	+ Kaleb (confident): Maybe if I make a move!

Kaleb reaches for a kiss, but Marionette refuses it...

* + Marionette (uncomfortable): Kaleb, please... I’d rather be left alone right now...
	+ Kaleb (furious): What more do you want?!
	+ Marionette (frowning): ...
	+ Kaleb (pissed): I told you I’ll bury Yvette! What else do you want to hear from me? What do I have to do for you to take me back?!
	+ Marionette (pissed): I’ll take you back ONLY if you keep your word!
	+ Marionette (crossing her arms): Your promises mean nothing unless you plan to actually act on them, and forgive me for not trusting you... But I seriously doubt you’ll bury Yvette for me!
	+ Kaleb (begging): I’m telling you the truth, Marionette! I would do anything to be with you! Believe me, just this once!
	+ Marionette (serious): Then wait until we’re back to Graecita, and when you actually bury Yvette, then... I’ll take you back...
	+ Kaleb (covering his face): *sigh*