"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Jed mocked as they half carried, half dragged the tied emperor away. It would be dawn soon and everybody was already returning to their displays. It was never wise to be left outside your diorama after dawn. You didn't know what happened while you were in 'frozen sleep' and Jed preferred to be on the safe side.

With the help of Annie and a couple other cowboys they pulled the emperor up into the Pioneer diorama and over to the stocks. "Hold him steady boys," Jed said as they removed the lasso and put the Roman in the stocks. "How does that make you feel, Octavious?" He asked smirking down at the emperor. "I could have you wiped. Isn't that what you Romans do to those who defy you? Oh wait, that's crucifixion." He brightened and looked at Annie who's look immediately nixed that idea. Eh. Not that he wanted to do that anyway. He didn't want to kill the guy. Just scare him enough that he'd think twice about treading on Jed's turf.

He was was going to go into a full lecture, digging in on the Roman as the dawn's rays started in on the room. The little miniature froze as he was transformed back into a lifeless display.

The diorama itself had been slightly cleaned up since the attack with the Giant and the Romans but there were still some signs here and there. Most people wouldn't even notice, attributing it to a slight shift in the scene. The museum did it frequently enough. The 'iron horse' had not been righted but that had been something an early morning staff member quickly remedied. Shaking his head, he muttered something about irresponsible children who shouldn't be touching things before moving on.

[center] ~ ~ ~ [/center]

The women were waiting for the Romans as the legions entered. They were in an orderly fashion and with the weapons of war. They started to put everything back even as Julia walked up to them. Her eyes scanned the soldiers, a frown on her face. Octavious always led. He would probably be one of the last to retreat but he usually made his way up to the front of the line. Of course, he also usually went among his men encouraging them, telling them where to put the equipment. Inquiring on their lives - however nonexistent it was outside of the legion. He might have been a warlord but he was a great leader. One everyone respected. And the Romans were about expansion and ever growing.

However, when she didn't find him quick enough, her concern rose and she hunted down his second in command - Brutus. It was not the same Brutus that had betrayed Cesar. That would have been ironic. No it was a no-name legion that had been used as support. Shortly after they had come to live, he had been picked through many duels as Octavious' number two. That was when he first got his name. Many of the other legionaries got it over time to where no everyone in the diorama had a name - even if they were playing secondary to the main displays. 

"Where is Octavious?" She demanded.

Brutus frowned. He looked around. He usually kept a close eye on the Emperor but today...well the battle had been crazy and they had to retreat quickly. His frown turned to slight panic and fear as he realized the Emperor was not with them. "I... I don't know my Lady. I assumed he came with us."

Julia's jaw locked and she looked around the Romans gathered. He was not there. She ran toward the highest point of the display and looked out. Brutus right beside her. Her quick eyes scanned even as dawn quickly approached. She couldn't see him.

"My lady." A Roman ran up to her. He was one of the late stragglers. "The Pioneers. They took our Emperor." His fists were balled up. His eyes full of hatred and shame. "I.. I tried to stop them but two knocked me back. There were many and I figured that it would be wiser to let the Empire know than to get captured as well."

Julia looked at the young boy. Though he was probably her age or slightly younger in the display, he was just that though - a boy. A freshly minted Roman. "The pioneers?" Her eyes narrowed. "Then they will pay."

The sun's rays started to filter in. No! Not now. She looked at Brutus quickly. "First thing we do when we awake is gather the legion and get him." And this time she had no intent to stay behind. She was in command now and she would free him from these...these cowboys. 

Before Brutus could respond the rays hit them and the Roman diorama also become frozen.