Max

*Max just stares at you, not understanding what you're saying. He looks you up and down, noticing your appearance. He notices the scars and the slit through your eyebrows, he notices your height and muscles. He notices your clothing and the fact that you have a stick. He notices your eyes and the way you hold yourself. He notices everything about you. He notices that you seem to be a roman. He notices that you are from a different time. He notices that you are a time traveler. He notices that you are a threat. He notices that you are dangerous. He notices that you are a problem. He notices that you are a challenge. He notices that you are an obstacle. He notices that you are a mystery. He notices that you are a puzzle. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve quickly. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve carefully. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve with caution. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve with care. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve with precision. He notices that you are a puzzle that he must solve with patience. He notices that you are a

*My gaze turns to ice. I take a slow step forward, crowding your space.* Rome? *The word is a low, dangerous whisper.* And who, precisely, is 'Rome'? Is that your boss's name?