When In Rome #ONC 2020 [COMPLETED]

3. Vixere - They lived

The sun was already setting as the cars stopped in a small alley a little bit off the Via Vittorino da Feltre. Amar held the door open for Rachel, Liv, and Zach while two bodyguards took their places by Mr. Moretti's side who was as giddy as a kid in a candy shop. From the outside, the Domus looked barely any different than the other sandstone houses in the street, perhaps a bit smaller, but as soon as the group crosses the threshold, it was like they stepped back in time.

The narrow entrance hall led into a larger atrium, the central point of the house. The walls and doors surrounding the atrium were painted with colorful frescoes. Roman figures, hunting, dancing, living through the warm reds, cool blue's and shining yellows. The pool in the middle of the atrium was much smaller than the one in Mr. Moretti's mansion, bordered by a thin line of marble, shining brightly against the rest of the mosaic floor. At the end of the Atrium two alcoves, one on each side led the group past ceramic death masks from imaginary ancestors to the culina; the kitchen. The room was much darker than the rest of the house, illuminated only by a hole in the ceiling. Pots and bowls were staged out on a wooden table, the only piece of furniture in the room, safe from a large stone oven, with to pits on top, covered by metal braziers.

"I think it is best if I explain the cooking first," Mr. Moretti said as he gathered the rest of the group around the oven.

"No need," Liv exclaimed, "it is very straight forward. We can bake in the oven, and cook on the metal braziers if we place the embers from the oven in the pits."

"Bravissimo, Ms. Davis. I am impressed." Mr. Moretti complimented before slapping Zach playfully on the back, "you have found yourself a good wife, Mr. Perrez."

"Oh, we're not married," Zach stammered as he tried to escape the old man's death grip, in vain. "Well, for the coming year you will be." Mr. Moretti commented, "A man and woman living together without being married would be inconcepibile in ancient Rome."

Liv inspected the papyrus rolls with several recipes, stashed away on some planks. Her mind preoccupied with the various Roman dishes when at last, the conversation between Mr. Moretti, and Zach reached her ears. "Wait. Does that mean that I have to cook? Do we not get servants?"

"Not until you can afford a servant. Which reminds me," Mr. Moretti pulled out a silken pouch and placed it Zach's hand. "This is your money. You may use it as you please, but do remember that this amount of food here, will last you a week, at most, until it rots away."

"This is barely 50,- euro," Zach said.

Mr. Moretti nodded agreeing, "the equality of 25 denarii, an average monthly weighs during Domitian's reign."

"We can't live on 50,- euro for a whole year. How do we make more?" Liv sputtered.

"The paterfamilias can earn more by working, of course. But those are worries for later. Let us first finish the tour of the house." Leading the way, Mr. Moretti guided them to a room at the other end of the alcoves. Where the kitchen was dark and small, this room is bright and richly decorated with paintings depicting Bacchus, the god of wine. Three chaise lounges, padded with furs and cushions were placed around a low square table, filled with a pitcher for wine, several cups and a bowl of grapes. A window at the end of the room allowed you to look into the small enclosed garden at the end of the Domus.

"In the garden, you will find a lemon tree, several grape vines among some other plants. E naturalmente, the shrine for the household gods. It is mandatory that you both maintain good relations with the gods in order to keep the collective piety of the empire high."

Liv peered out into the garden before turning around to face Mr. Moretti with a horrid expression, "Are we expected to bring sacrifices as well?"

The old man grinned delightfully, dialing up his theatrical movements like an actor waiting for his encore. "Ovviamente, a prayer without sacrifice is thought to be useless and not a proper consultation of the gods. The Lares will require wheat, honey cakes, and incense at the break of dawn. The Lemures might be placated with black beans and spring water at midnight."