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Throwing a small leather ball against the nearest wall and catching it when it came bouncing back could occupy a person only for so long - but since he had nothing else to do besides lying on his bed, feet propped up against the headboard, Publius throw the ball once more. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see how Ufa shoot him a slightly annoyed look, but naturally, the slave didn't say anything.
Publius shrugged, throwing and catching the ball again. He was bored and annoyed about the fact that he was bored, so why should Ufa not share his predicament? Which he kind of already did, Publius knew that, but that didn't change their current situation. Which they only had to endure, because Rome and India were in different time zones, something that annoyed Publius even more right now.
Gods, he couldn't wait to be back home and at least have the opportunity to talk to Aurelia whenever he wanted. Theoretically speaking of course - Publius was well aware that even if he was in Rome Auri still had her job, which was more important than his need to chat with her. He was also quite sure she wouldn't leave ImpSec once they were married and he would never dream of asking that from her.
Cinna and Titus had proven that it was possible to raise children while both parents were working and Publius saw no reason why Aurelia and he shouldn't be capable of following this example - that's why people had slaves. Also, he was pretty sure his beautiful betrothed would try to castrate him if he ever should so much as suggest she should become a stay-at-home-matron - and that she had a job of her own was something that intrigued him in the first place.
That fact alone set her apart from many women he took an interest in, her unusual beauty and her intelligence did the rest. Publius was also well aware that he had been blessed by Fortuna to have Aurelia - he had noticed over the years that she choose him but he was surely not her only option, which wasn't such a surprise. Aurelia was maybe not the usual pretty girl with her sharp facial features and petite build, but her unusual amber-coloured eyes made her stand out and her cheery nature and lovely smiles made her attractive.
Beautiful in Publius eyes, but he knew he was quite biased.
Two other things that made Aurelia a desirable match: she was smart and she was rich. The Neratii made a considerable amount of money as cloth merchants and owned some stores which sold handwoven togas and similar things only wealthy citizens could afford. And as the only living heiress from the main bloodline, Aurelia owned it all and could do with her money what she wanted.
That made it difficult to find a birthday present for her, but Publius was confident he had managed it this year and that even while he was thousands of miles away from Rome. His only problem now was that he couldn't give Aurelia her gift in person and see her first reaction. Instead, he had to wait for her call.
Publius throw the leather ball at the wall, harder this time, and, maybe predictably, the damn thing flew over his head and in Ufa’s direction. He nearly expected that the ball would hit the slave, but Ufa just caught it and looked at his owner.
"She'll calls, master."
Publius frowned: "I know that. What makes you think that I could doubt it?"
"Because, as your loyal servant who always tries to be as attentive as possible to serve you to his full capacity whenever you may require it, I noticed a certain unrest. Of course, I would never be impudent enough to assume to know what my master thinks ... "Publius snorted loudly at that point, but Ufa continued. “... but if I had to guess I would say you're frustrated and bored because you have to wait for Mistress Aurelia to finish her work and get back home, so Talia can give her your present, which you chose rather carefully. But of course, this is only what your humble slave observed. "
"You're lucky you're such a smooth-talker, Ufa," Publius answered, momentary feeling equally amused and annoyed at everything - funnily enough not at Ufa, who, unsurprisingly, assessed the whole situation accurately. "And I'm not worried Aurelia won't like the gift or won't call. I'm annoyed I can't be there to see her reaction - can you even imagine how frustrating it can be to be separated from the love of your life for two years? "
"No, Dominus. It's not wise for a slave to get too attached to another slave. And even more dangerous to fall in love with a free person," Ufa answered after some moments of hesitation.
Publius frowned and had to admit that Ufa had a point - he actually never thought much about the complications a slave faced if they did fall in love.
"You're aware I wouldn't deny you such a relationship if you find someone, aren't you?" He finally asked and after some more moments, the slave nodded.
"I do, Master, and I'm grateful, but I don't think I would want this. Not here and now, at least."
"Gods, I know what you mean. And we have still eight to ten months ahead of us before we can finally go home," Publius groaned in pure frustration.
“We will be home for Saturnalia.”
“Cold Comfort,” Publius grumbled, stretching his arm out and snapping his fingers. “Ball.”
Ufa sighed quietly but obediently stood up from his place on the small couch to hand the leather ball back. Publius didn’t even wait for the slave to sit back down before he started to throw the thing against the wall again.
For the next half an hour the dull noise of the ball hitting the wall was the only sound disturbing the quiet of the evening. Honestly, why couldn’t Imperial Security finish all their work at noon like anybody else? Publius knew the answer to that question, of course, but that didn’t help to reduce his frustration. He frowned and was nearly asking Ufa (again) how late it was in Rome right now, as his tabula buzzed.
Ufa breathed an audible sigh of pure relief and was faster on his feet as Publius thought it would be possible, handing the tabula to his master in a quick and smooth movement, who accepted the incoming video call over the Kerne-connection Aurelia set up over two years ago.
“You’re the best man in the whole wide world!” Aurelia squealed and Publius allowed himself a smirk.
“Happy birthday – and I know,” he answered, taking his time to look at his fiancée’s face, who smiled brightly at him. “I take it, you like your birthday gift?”
“It’s wonderful. And you’ve got me Dahlias!”
Well, Talia did, Publius thought and decided that he really should talk Aurelia into getting the girl a new tabula for Saturnalia. Despite being timid and blushing at every opportunity, Auri’s maid was a loyal, very obedient and smart kid, who at least tried to do everything possible to fulfil her mistress’ (and Publius’) wishes.
“Are you going to show me how well that bracelet looks on you or are you content to make mooneyes at me all evening? Not that I would mind…”
“Don’t get cheeky,” Aurelia snorted but moved away from the tabula (she probably gave it over to Talia to hold it up) swirling around once, wearing a beautiful (and expensive) bracelet made out of gold with diamonds and citrines around her left wrist.
He noticed also that she was wearing a slightly wrinkled tunica and some strands of her hair had escaped the messy bun she was wearing. Knowing her, Publius had no trouble imagining that she just got home, saw the flowers and her gift (which had been send to Cinna, who did him the favour of delivering it to Talia) and called him only moments after she admired everything.
“Very lovely,” Publius commented.
“Me or the bracelet?”
“You, of course, beautiful. Always you. Even more so with that jewellery.”
Aurelia chuckled as she came closer to the camera of the tabula again.
“Juno, no wonder Cinna always rolls her eyes if she has to listen to us – we sound like one of these couples from a cheesy movie,” she muttered and Publius laughed.
“Maybe that’s exactly what we are. But honestly, do you really care about the opinion other people have of us?”
“No – well, not when it comes to how we treat each other. I don’t want to marry any of them, after all.”
“Good to know,” Publius snorted. “And since you mentioned it: No, I don’t know when I’m finally back in Rome. Could be May, could be June but it could be July, also.”
Aurelia sighed, looking suddenly a little bit depressed. “I miss you. Talking via the tabula every day is just not the same as talking to you in person.”
“I know,” Publius groaned.
Gods, how much he wished sometimes he wouldn't know that!
“I miss you too. I would give anything right now to be at least in the same city as you. Even if that would probably mean we are fighting over who else will be invited to the wedding or what house we need to look at…”
“Yes,” she agreed and pulled a face, shortly after. “By the way, I did look at some houses but I’m not sure these are what we want. I’m not giving up of course, but if we fail to find something…”
“Then we move in a smaller apartment with only Talia and Ufa and everything will still be perfect,” Publius interrupted her. “The important thing is that we aren't separated for another whole year. And we see each other on Saturnalia.”
“Cold comfort, since you have to leave shortly after the holidays.”
Publius couldn’t suppress a laugh and as Aurelia gave him a questioning look he grinned. “I gave Ufa the roughly the same answer not an hour ago when he pointed out to me that I’m home for Saturnalia.”
He looked to the side and saw how Ufa tried to hide his own amused smile, while Aurelia snorted.
“Seems like all four of us can’t wait to start finally a household together. Even Talia looks rather eager.”
There was a splutter from the background and short “Mistress, I would never…” but Aurelia shushed the girl with a movement of her hand and Publius couldn’t find out what exactly Talia would never do or probably say.
Right now he didn’t really care about it either. Instead, he gave a considering glance in Ufa’s direction, eyeing his slave from head to toe.
“You know,” he started after another moment. “I think we can have a start at that – does Talia still wear these dark-turquoise tunics you choose for her?”
Aurelia frowned. “Of course she does. Why…?” She stopped and blinked. “Oh, you want to give Ufa tunics in the same colour? So they both wear a livery?”
Publius shrugged. “Why not? The colour would look good with Ufa's skin tone and he needs some new tunics anyway.”
Aurelia seemed to think about it and after some moments a smile appeared on her lips.
“I like the idea. I can send you some tunics in that colour for him. Just give me his measurements and I see to everything else.”
“Not more than three, please. He doesn’t need all of his tunics replaced,” Publius immediately answered, fully knowing that his lovely soon-to-be-wife could get a little bit overexcited when she had the chance to buy clothes for somebody else, be it slave or free citizen.
“Spoilsport,” Aurelia pouted but smiled soon after. “Now, tell me: How was your day, darling?”
“Considering it’s your birthday, it should be probably me who asks this question,” Publius muttered, but got more comfortably on the bed, accepting a pillow Ufa handed to him. “But alright: You won’t believe what one of the recruits did. He…”