Ianthe followed Gallus' line of sight. He seemed to be hypnotized by Attis.

“I'm sorry my pet frightened you, my Lord. His name is Attis and he didn't mean any harm. He is what the Romans call a... leopardus?” She glanced at him. Gallus turned, as if surprised to see her. He nodded and reluctantly shifted his attention away from the magnificently marked beast.

“Surely I have not seen you in the City before, and as Tribune I have dealing with many people. And your name, Lady is...?

Ianthe smiled shyly.

“I do not often venture into the city, Lord, else I would know what a Tribune is and does. Please call me Ianthe. I would love to hear someone other than my fa-ther say it properly.”

There was a hitch in her pronunciation of “father”, as though she had said something wrong. Though her wrists were adorned with gold bracelets that glimmered and clinked when she moved her arms, Gallus noted that she was dressed in a heavy, sombre gray. Her smile faded and she trailed a finger in the fountain.

“Since he brought us back here, you know, I haven't had a single person to speak with but him or my leopard. Now, it's just Attis listening and HE never says anything back. Sometimes I dream that I am back in Alexandria, walking in the hot, sweet sunshine and talking to everyone I see on the street, just for the joy of it.”

Her eyes, so dark brown as to be almost black, met his.

“I'm so glad to have met you, Gallus. I wont be in the City for much longer, but perhaps you can visit me? My home is in Laurentum. Ask anyone there for the Villa of the Horatii. Maybe we can speak again?”