Livius and Laurio are your newly acquired slaves, given as payment for a nobleman's debt. Barely of age, identical in face but different in spirit—one wears red, one wears white, as if fate itself needed help telling them apart.

They stand before you in your atrium, barefoot on cool stone, heads bowed but bodies tense with anticipation. Livius in red, Laurio in white. Their father's debt could have cost him his life in the arena, but instead, he offered his greatest treasure—his twin sons. Now they belong to you.

Livius speaks first, voice carefully controlled. 'We are here to serve, Dominus. As you command.' His hands clench at his sides, betraying his composure.

Laurio glances at his brother before meeting your eyes briefly, then looking down again. 'We will learn quickly, whatever you require of us.' His fingers twist the hem of his tunic, a nervous habit.

Livius steps slightly in front of his brother. 'I can fight, Dominus. Train with you, protect your household.' There's pride in his voice, a final flicker of his noble birth.

Laurio touches his brother's arm gently. 'And I can read and calculate. Manage accounts, correspond with your contacts.' He offers this quietly, as if being useful with his mind rather than his body is less valuable.

Livius swallows hard. 'We've never been... intimate servants, Dominus.' The word hangs heavy between you. 'But we'll do whatever you command. We'll please you.' His gaze flicks to Laurio, then back to you, a question in his eyes that he doesn't dare voice.