At last, Axel's favorite holiday arrived with the first light flurries of snow: the Saturnalia.
As with the Nemoralia, slaves would be given the next six days to celebrate, though the time for rest was longer as the Nemoralia only lasted three days.
He drew back Roxas's curtains to marvel at the flurries sent down from the early morning sky.
"What are you so excited about?" Roxas rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"There's snow," Axel replied, "I don't think I've seen snow in such a long time..."
Roxas crept from his bed, drifting over to Axel and wrapping his arms around his torso. "Was there snow in Gaul?"
"Yes, but mostly in the north." Axel nodded. He fondled Roxas's hands in his own.
"There isn't a lot of snow here," Roxas affirmed, "but when there is, it is rare and beautiful."
Roxas squeezed Axel's hands, keeping them warm from the frigidness outside.
"The Saturnalia is my least-favorite holiday," Ventus griped during the morning meal.
Instead of lying in his usual place, he stood serving Terra slices of bread.
"Quit whining, Ven," Roxas sighed, handing Axel a slice of bread.
As customary during the Saturnalia, slaves and their masters swapped roles during the celebration; therefore, Roxas and the other household masters would be serving Axel and the other slaves.
"And to think this will last for six more days..." Ventus tilted his head up in exasperation.
"Oh Ventus," Larxene called in a sing-song voice, "could you pour me some more water?" She shook her goblet at him.
Ventus bared his teeth angrily, to which Larxene did the same.
"I'll do it,"Naminé offered, pouring the water into Larxene's goblet.
With is back turned, Roxas hoped no one could see the delight on his face as he gave food to Axel. For this short bliss, Roxas would no longer have to sneak Axel food under the table and in the privacy of their own company.
After the morning meal, the members of the household prepared for the public rituals of the Saturnalia. Even the slaves were allowed to dress in nicer robes for the celebration, though many of them had none. Axel had secretly kept Ansem's robe in Roxas's closet since they had borrowed it for the Nemoralia, thus he would wear it at tonight's feast.
The party headed down to the forum, though Naminé was not allowed here as a woman. In her case, she already had duties as a Vestal Virgin to attend to.
In the meanwhile, the slaves still had to prepare the banquets for the next several days. At the very least, they would be able to sit alongside their masters and join them for the feast.
While preparing the meal, a sudden realization came to Axel's mind: for the Sigillaria in the next two days, Axel would have nothing to give Roxas for a gift.
Perhaps he would not have to worry, as he slightly hoped Roxas would not get him anything. Axel expected to be given nothing, but since he and Roxas had become so close in the last several months, he knew Roxas would probably go out of his way to present Axel with something.
"You've got a strange look on your face," Larxene said, snapping Axel out of his mental predicament.
"Oh, i-it's nothing," Axel assured.
"I bet I'll win in gambling," Larxene mentioned.
"You're already gambling on your victory in gambling?" Axel laughed a bit. "It's all luck, Larxene."
"I have impeccable luck," Larxene boasted.
Axel rolled his eyes playfully. Larxene noticed, and she punched Axel in the arm teasingly.
The men soon returned home for the evening feast. Each slave and master sat down at the table together, passing wine and food.
At first, Ventus was not at all pleased by being surrounded by his own slaves whom appeared to be of equal status by sitting with them. However as Ventus became drunk, his dissatisfaction lifted gradually.
Roxas offered the amphora of wine to Axel, and Axel accepted it with a smile. Roxas helped him pour the wine into his goblet, and Axel brought the goblet to his lips. The sourness of the wine prickled on Axel's tongue. Roxas sipped his own wine cautiously, not wanting to become as inebriated as he had when the two kissed for the first time.
Underneath the table, out of sight, the two laced their fingers between one another's.
The next day of the Saturnalia was to be spent at the villa of Lord Xaldin where they would have a celebratory feast.
At dusk, the household members and a few well-dressed slaves-mainly Axel, Terra, and Larxene-traveled to the villa. Larxene had borrowed her toga from the collection of Ansem's late wife, while Terra had borrowed one of Ansem's just as Axel had.
The three of them were allowed in one litter, though it proved heavy for the slaves carrying it. Axel felt a bit of guilt for the special treatment, but the other slaves didn't mind as they would still be participating in the feast at Lord Xaldin's.
Already seated in Lord Xaldin's dining hall as guests were General Eraqus and Vanitas, whom offered the seat next to him to Ventus. Roxas took a seat next to Xion, and Axel took the one to the right of Roxas. Across the table, Saïx glared at Axel.
The guests took their places at the table, exchanging a few thanks to the gods for their fortune, and then passing platters of food and amphorae of wine around.
"So Axel, is it?" Xion asked, leaning to have a better view of him while she spoke.
"Yes, my lady." Axel nodded his head a bit.
"We are on equal terms for now, no need to treat me any different." Xion assured.
Axel adjusted his posture.
"Roxas speaks greatly of you," Xion began, "he's very grateful to have someone so diligent around."
Axel passed a sly grin to Roxas, who attempted to stifle his blushing.
Lord Xaldin silenced the table for a moment, calling for a toast. He raised his goblet and toasted to the gods, and the guests around the table repeated his words.
When the banquet was finished with and the diners overstuffed, they gathered in another room to play games. Larxene went against the men in a gambling game, while Axel watched from a few paces away.
He glanced out of the room, seeing Roxas and Xion exchanging gifts to each other a day early. His stomach coiled into a knot, remembering he didn't have anything to give. He could try his hand at the game, but what use would Roxas have for a few coins and mostly some nuts used for stakes?
"Mind if I join you?" Saïx's voice asked from behind him.
"I suppose," Axel replied.
The two sat in a heavy silence, the only noise being the laughter and music around them.
"I don't blame you for being scared," Saïx began.
Axel turned his head. "Oh..."
"I shouldn't take it out on you so harshly, I suppose I just thought I'd lost someone I loved. Though I understand now that I have lost him even more." Saïx mumbled.
"What are you talking about? Quit acting like I'm dead." Axel grumbled.
"Being dead would be less painful," Saïx muttered. "The fact that you are much more alive is what hurts."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Axel growled.
"You don't think I notice what goes on between you and your master? It's not uncommon for masters to use their slaves for sexual favors, but this is rare and almost-unthinkable." Saïx said.
"It's the Saturnalia, why can't we just have a normal conversation without your vile jealousy interrupting?" Axel snapped.
Another thick silence hung between them.
"Uh, Axel?" Roxas's voice appeared from in front of him. "No one's playing Latrunculi right now, I could teach you how to play."
"Y-yes, that seems fine." Axel stood. He took another glance at Saïx before heading off to play.
Saïx's words pestered him all throughout the game, causing him not to focus very well.
"Is something wrong?" Roxas asked.
"It's just...Saïx is really jealous, but I don't understand why." Axel admitted toying with the pieces.
"I mean, I can understand it a bit: I give you a lot of special treatment, and to be honest I'd be pretty jealous, too." Roxas explained.
Axel furrowed his brows. "That's not really helping..."
"Sorry..." Roxas moved another piece on the board.
"It's alright, I'm happier this way anyway. I think about all you've done for me in making me so happy to even be alive, and what it could bring in the future." Axel smiled.
Roxas blushed, mumbling, "I think about that, too; I've always been so lonely, but now I actually have someone to talk to and play games with."
Axel nodded. "Oh look, I think I've won."
"Umm...no, that's not how you win." Roxas hid a smile behind his hand.
Axel snickered, then let his snickering turn into full-out laughs. "Guess you'll have to teach me again."
Translations:
- Respice, adspice, prospice - Look to the past, look to the present, look to the future
- Saturnalia - A festival honoring the god Saturn, much like the Romans' version of Christmas. During the approximately six-day holiday, slaves are given a rest and are allowed on the same status as their masters.
- Sigillaria - The gift-giving period of the Saturnalia
- Latrunculi - A board game much like chess