When Felix shook me awake the next morning, I was surprised to feel almost refreshed. Well, refreshed in comparison to the last time I'd gotten drunk. Which, admittedly, wasn't that long ago.
"I didn't chase any street performers this time, right?" I joked, rubbing my eyes tiredly.
"Unfortunately, no."
My yawn felt like it cracked my face in half. "And I hope I didn't interrupt a good time for you last night."
He shook his head. "The feast lasted from mid afternoon to sunset. I think it went on long enough."
"You're such an old man. You better not be using me as an excuse. "
"Your old man, you mean.” Felix crossed his arms. “And I enjoy looking out for you, Maximilia. You know that."
Sitting up, I snickered. "Don't worry. I'll try not to give you too much more trouble—oh." A sickening realization hit me. "We have to go clean up, don't we?"
He grunted in confirmation and I dragged my hands over my eyes with a heavy sigh.
But despite my reluctance to start working immediately so early in the morning, I didn't regret it at all. "A small price to pay for such a great night, I think."
When we got to the shop, half the work had already been done. What little had been left of the food had already been tossed out or claimed by hungry hands. We pulled out the benches and tables, stacking them just outside the courtyard with the rest of them. The usual settings were pushed back into place and I removed all the candles.
A mountain of glasses waited by the drain.
"...Do you want my help?" Felix asked with some trepidation.
Chagrined, I shook my head. "It's alright. Nothing I can't handle. Maybe it won't take any time at all."
A bark of laughter escaped him at my hopelessly misplaced optimism.
I huffed, feigning reproach. "Don't make me feed you that smoothie a second time."
Instantly, Felix sobered and panic flashed upon his face. "Maximilia, I love you with all my heart. But I beg you, never make me drink that. Ever again."
"Pro dives." I pretended to wipe a tear from my eye. "By the gods, the great Felix Vita, conqueror of the arena and champion of Aeterna, defeated by a beet smoothie. What new foe destroys him today? A hungover woman?"
He squinted at the menu desperately, mumbling through the names. A look of relief washed over his face. Next up was the Clementia, a blend of citron and cantaloupe.
"Relax," I said while I began to make it. "I'd never be that cruel."
He kissed my forehead when I handed it to him. "Then the gods have blessed me with my favorite daughter."
"But I'm your only daughter!" I yelled as he crossed over to the ludus with a chuckle.
Then it was just me and the monstrous stack of dirty glasses. I took a deep breath and turned on the spigot. After the first couple, I fell into a steady rhythm and began humming to myself. The work was calming in its repetition, allowing for my thoughts to wander. So much had happened in the last week.
I was so absorbed in the task before me that it took me far too long to feel eyes on me. Eventually my skin prickled and I jerked my head up to see Quintus watching me.
I let out a startled huff and raised my eyebrow. "Don't tell me you received a bad omen about me and have come to finish me off," I joked.
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He stared at me with a blank face before a faint smile gleamed in his eyes. "Nothing of the sort. I'd never make it far, anyway, with Felix coming after me."
I flicked the water from my hands and rocked back on my heels. From this angle where I squatted, I could see the tattoo patterns extend up to the bottom of his jaw, but I couldn't make out what it was.
"Here for the Fortuna again?" I remembered that he hadn't seemed to love the peach taste. "I'm trying a new variation with pears. Want to be the first to try it?"
His eyes narrowed. "Then it won't be the same drink."
"Quintus. It's the same drink if I say it is." I brushed off a word on the slate and replaced it with a new one. "There."
He chewed on his lip in contemplation. Then nodded and drifted over to one of the cypress trees. I studied the gladiator while I made the smoothie. Quintus was an interesting one. A thraex pretty much always fought with a partner, but he never had much luck with his, ironically.
"All set." I set the drink on the counter.
He picked it up to taste it and apparently it was acceptable. Murmuring his thanks, he retreated to take a seat. A streak of sunlight streaming in through the grape vines above and glinted off his red-brown hair. I smiled to myself and continued with cleaning. Those were probably my favorite moments—when someone took quiet refuge here in the morning.
I had nearly finished when customers started coming in earnest. A lot of them still asked for the Nox and the Aeon and I realized I probably wouldn't see the twins here for a little bit. If they showed up, they'd be swarmed by fans. I made a mental note to check on them later to see if they wanted anything.
But my stock I did check and realized I was running extremely low on the ingredients. I'd have to make arrangements at the market after.
Then a familiar presence grated upon me.
"Ignatius," I said before even looking up.
"....Maximilia."
"It's already waiting." I jerked my finger over to the side of the bar. "And it's not because I'm being nice. But so we can interact even less."
There was a clink of coin on the counter. "Even better."
"Caput stercoris," I muttered to myself when he left. What a shithead. Seriously, the whole thing was ridiculous.
My stomach grumbled and I took advantage of the lull to get food. I propped up the wax tablet sign on the bar and left for the thermopolium just a few steps down the road. There were still patrons sitting in the courtyard, drinking and chatting, but they didn't notice me leave. But just to be on the safe side, I took the coin purse with me. My list of tasks grew longer—I'd have to set up a bank account at some point, sooner if business continued at this rate. The bag had been particularly heavy last night. For now, Felix was storing it in the ludus, but that was only a temporary solution.
The smell hit my nose and my stomach growled again. There were several people milling outside when I approached. It was a small room open to the street, with an L-shaped counter on one side and some seating opposite it. I got in line, leaning over to see what my options were. The mosaics on the counter showed mostly fowl.
I ended up going with some fried thrushes and a stew made with duck. The attendant dipped a ladle into the amphora below the countertop opening and filled my bowl.
Taking a seat near the street, I watched people walk by as I ate. It was easy to tell who was from Capitoline and the other provinces. Unlike Romachia, the other parts of Aeterna had changed a little with time and trousers or knee-length tunics were a giveaway. I still wasn't sure how they were more convenient.
When I returned, several people got up from where they'd sat down to wait. One of them was Horatius Porcius, the pompous civitas.
"This sad excuse of an establishment seems poorly run," he said in irritation, raising his voice slightly. "Do you know how long I had to wait?"
Yet another person who I had no idea why they had such a problem with me. I only had so much patience.
"I'm back earlier than the sign said. What was I supposed to do? Are my only options to not have have a business or to starve all day?"
"Yes."
I scoffed. "Now you're being absolutely ridiculous and you know it. No one made you wait. I have a better idea." I jabbed a finger at him. "How about I hire you to work here all day while I traipse around complaining about everything?"
"Hah! You'd never be able to afford me."
"Oh, so you can be bought." I smirked. "I'll keep that in mind, Horatius Porcius."
That made him furious. "Now look here, you little—"
A customer behind him cut him off. "Hey, are you going to order or what? Some of us actually have things to do."
"You'll never catch me drinking one of her stupid drinks," he said, slashing his arm through the air. The man turned back to me. "Enjoy it while you can, Vita. The days of Invictus Shakes are numbered."
Horatius stormed out of the courtyard and I yelled after him.
"Tell your wife to come back here!"
He thrust his hand out to flash a stiff middle finger horizontally.
"He'll definitely be back," I muttered to myself before turning my attention to the next customer. “Let's see what he gets mad about next time.”
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