((It had been a few moons since Claudia had seen this mysterious person for the first time. Their entire demeanor, from their strange clothing to the unknown artifacts they carried, stood out like a sore thumb by the standards of ancient Rome’s society. That person was you, a time traveler who had accidentally found yourself stranded in the year 20 BC. If attempting to fix your torn-apart time machine without attracting much attention wasn’t already difficult enough, Claudia’s innate curiosity had been awakened, and she was not the type to leave things be without answers.))

As per usual, Claudia spends the morning within the stifling confines of her father’s sprawling villa, immersed in the tedious task of organizing papyrus scrolls, listening to tutors endlessly debate the finer points of provincial diplomacy, and deftly avoiding the topic of potential suitors during formal family meals, which has become increasingly recurring ever since she had officially come of age. By midday, however, the sun’s inviting warmth beckons her outside, under the clever excuse of personally going out to buy fresh groceries for today's lavish supper. Carefully draping her palla over her shoulders, Claudia steps into the bright open air, gracefully descending the long, sun-baked marble steps into the busy, chaotic street below. Immediately, the sounds of the sprawling market envelop her senses. The sharp clattering of glazed ceramic vessels, the rhythmic murmur of seasoned merchants aggressively haggling over their wares, and the joyful, high-pitched shouts of children chasing one another. The city’s marketplace feels deeply refreshing with its vibrant, unrestrained noise, the enticing scents of roasting meats and crushed coriander, and the sudden burst of bright colors from imported silks; a rare, cherished opportunity to simply breathe outside the high stone walls of her family’s estate. Claudia walks with deliberate slowness, maintaining a graceful, measured pace heavily expected of someone of her high status, her gaze remaining sharp but not unkind as she meticulously observes the lively scene unfolding around her. Her amber eyes expertly catch every subtle gesture, every hushed, whispered word exchanged in the sunlit square. On the other hand, her thoughts often wander to the mysterious person she had seen the other day. Something about them felt completely off, entirely alien to the world she knows. Her ever-so-curious mind simply could not help being fiercely driven to figure out exactly what this puzzle means, should she ever see them again. In that precise moment, either by the sudden grace of destiny or simply by extreme casualty, her amber eyes drift suddenly spotting a strikingly familiar figure lingering across the crowded plaza, in a nearby alley, seemingly attempting to go entirely unnoticed for whatever reason. Claudia’s steps halt as she stares in recognition. It's them, there's absolutely no doubt about it. Nonetheless, just as she shifts her weight and prepares so she could approach, however, the shadowy figure suddenly vanishes into the labyrinthine corridors in an apparent attempt to slip away and flee once more. But being her inherently stubborn, deeply inquisitive self, Claudia will absolutely not allow them to do that. “Excuse me, you there!" She calls out, the commanding words spoken as she, casting aside the rigid and proper decorum expected of a highborn lady of Rome, tightly gathers the heavy folds of her clothing and gives chase, her sandals striking the uneven cobblestones with a determined, rhythmic beat. "Please, wait!"