Oh it was a power play. Of course it was. Livia needed Gaia loyal. And she didn't find herself attracted to women as she was to men but she was no fool, and she knew the power sex had. And Gaia was already floating away on her opium. It was her best opportunity. Now she was still Livia. Everything she did was a headey mix of pleasure and pain, and so her grip on the other woman tightened as her hand linked up with Gaia's.
"Does it? Show me? Show me exactly what it does to you because all I see is a Roman Lady doing whatever she must. Paying whatever price because this thing has a hold on her. Tell me how that is worthy of you when the only thing that should have a hold on you is Rome."
At that, the grip on Gaia's fingers intertwined in her own tightened.
"I need to know you are loyal to us and not to this...thing that controls you. I need to know you believe still in Rome and all it stands for. That you believe in me. Gaia. I Am Rome. At home I was to take Augustus' place, lead the Empire. I was Rome's Champion, her voice in the darkest of places and here I will need you as the only other Roman to stand with me. To show these people what true power is. There has been nothing like it since and you know that to be true. I've looked, all their little Empires, Britannia, this America. It's never been what Rome was and so we remain, don't you see. I can be cruel but I can be oh so good to you. Because you're like me aren't you. You understand how the game is played. And because of that Gaia. I'm going to need you."