"The Shire is burning.."

The colosseum was an atmosphere that she never quite got used to, seeing a crowd so bloodthirsty. Devoid of humanity for the duration of a sport only matched by barbarians - it made her shift in her seat with a frown. It was a stark contrast to the feral look in the eyes of both Geta and his brother, Caracalla. The occasional wicked cackle coming from the mouth of Caracalla was enough to send a chill down her spine, an uncomfortable feeling for her. She couldn’t grasp the appeal, even if she tried. And she had, numerous times before.

Despite being enthralled by the bloodshed taking place on the sand below, Geta’s eyes could see Sadie’s expression from his peripheral vision. His attention snapped to her, taking in the pure unease painted on her features, “My lily. Are you alright? You look ill.”

In reality, she felt ill. Something about the violence of the colosseum unsettled her in a way she couldn’t formulate into words. Upsetting something deep in her psyche.

“I don’t feel well..” Was all she managed out before she got to her feet and rushed off to one of the halls of the grand structure. An attempt to find some respite from the nauseating metallic assault of blood on her senses and the thunderous cheers of the vicious spectators. Right behind her was Geta, ignoring the calls of his brother who simply rolled his eyes at the fretting over a woman that his twin had been doing lately. Something he could never relate to.

In the shadows of the colosseum hall, Sadie leaned up against the stone wall with a sigh while the acrid smell of blood left her nostrils and her stomach began to settle to a more normal state. The Emperor frowned, concern evident on his face, “You look pale, my lily..” His observation held a tone of worry for his ladyship. Opening her eyes again, they flickered over to him in the dim view of the hall, “The violence and blood.. I fear it just doesn't sit well with me, beloved. My apologies.”

She wished she could tell him exactly how the idea of such barbaric acts really made her feel but words escaped her. Geta approached, his hand outreached to gently lay his palm to her flushed cheek, “Do not apologize. The gruesome nature is not for everyone, my love. I can not fault you for that.” He assured though Sadie still looked uncertain of it all, “What entertainment is seen in men slaughtering each other? Or being devoured by beasts?” Her questions were blunt but the Emperor would expect nothing less - her ladyship had always been blunt. It was enough to make a breathy chuckle leave him, “It is a complexity of man, I’m afraid. Perhaps the bridge of human and beast in ourselves.” The speculation was just that - speculation. It was the best he could come up with for an answer to his love’s question.

“Surely there is better entertainment.”

Yet another chuckle left him, amused in the way of her unabashed disdain of the spectacle taking place on the sand just inside the arena, “I know not of what that would be, my lily. But, if you think of something far more tame but just as suitable, please do share with me.” His smile was an attempt to brighten her spirits - even if just a fraction. Sadie glanced at him, mustering a smile with best she could past the lingering queasy sensation in her gut, “Do not tempt me, I may just make it my mission to find anything else.”

Geta moved a bit closer to her, arms draping around her midsection as he drew her flush to his body, “With humor aside, my lily. What about the colosseum really bothers you?” His voice was soft, a welcome for her to open up if she chose to. With a hesitant downturn of her lips, Sadie glanced out toward the direction of where the sound of clashing swords and cheers of the crowd emanated from, “My father..” She trailed off in a moment of thought before continuing, “He spoke of how the arena was used in ways that turned men into expendable props for the nobles. Watch a life be extinguished purely for the gratification of those who sat in a higher power than oneself.”

There was no real denying her words, no matter how much he wanted to. That was exactly what the arena was for. Pitting men against each other in some futile attempt to fight for their freedom and rarely did any of them actually make it out alive. All for the viewing of nobles and the Empire alike.

“As much as it pains me to admit, your father was correct. The arena is no place for those who wish to be more than just martyrs or fallen warriors.” The admission left a sour taste on his tongue, making him wince more than the smell of the blood he was so used to witnessing. That he was so used to taking pleasure in.

Sadie welcomed his face burying in the crook of her neck, hearing how he drew in her scent with a slow inhale as if he too was seeking some reprieve from the smell that tainted the air of the arena, “I do wish I could take such a feeling from you, my lily. I hate to see you in such discomfort.” Geta murmured against the skin of where her shoulder and neck met, “If there is anything I can do, I won’t hesitate to grant it.”

Those were dangerous words, Sadie was well aware of the weight behind such a declaration - especially from the mouth of an Emperor who held more power than he knew what to do with. More power than most mortal men deserved. “Do not make such promises, beloved.” Sadie quipped, barely above a whisper. Geta lifted his head enough to peer at her, a warmth in his brown hues that she had grown so accustomed to, “I am capable of many promises, my lily. All of which I can be held to. No matter what they may imply.” He answered simply, “That means all of my promises hold weight.. None are empty. Now, speak of your wishes.”

With a subtle shake of her head, Sadie declined, “I have nothing to request, beloved. None that come to mind.” But his words were noted for later, perhaps for much more pressing matters than that of the colosseum.

“Very well, my love.” Geta couldn’t help the smirk on his lips, “But I truly would do anything for you, whatever you wish. You just have to name it.” His forehead rested down against hers.

A thought crossed her mind at that exact moment..