When In Rome #ONC 2020 [COMPLETED]

13. Permitte Divis Cetera - Leave all else to the gods

Her cream tunic swirled around her ankles, ticking against the leather straps of her sandals. Liv glanced both ways before she crossed the road towards the forum. On the outskirts, children played under the watchful eyes' of their mothers, who sat on a bench talking to one another. 

Liv smiled as she remembered the hours her mother spend watching her play in the old playground, and around the hollow tree that grew there. She was never far away when Liv attempted something stupid and hurt herself, yet her mother never forbade her from exploring. "I would walk through the gates of hell to keep you safe, for every child is a sacred gift, yours and mine. We show our creator our gratitude by loving them with every power we possess, letting them explore, be adventurous, take risks." mother told her when Liv announced that for her first excavation, she would be going to Egypt alone. The sun faded away when Liv realized that for the first time in her life, she was homesick, and felt alone. 

White marble skeletons of the once magnificent temples cast their shadows upon the city life below. The temple was deserted. A diffuse bluish light was beaming through the pillared alley, which made an eerie contrast with the white halo beaming from the brass sculpture on the central altar. The fragrance of incense was heavy, and the sound of chimes could be heard in the distance. The spiritual journey was about to begin, and Liv recalled a passage of the Aeneid to herself as she set the offerings down before the altar. "When Ceres sought through all the earth with lit torches for her daughter Proserpina, who had been seized, she called her with shouts where three or four roads meet; from this, it has endured in her rites that on certain days a lamentation is raised at the crossroads everywhere by the matronae."

From behind the sleek altar, the marble goddess starred down upon her. Her posture demure, maidenhood evident in her features, yet her expression beamed with the pride of motherhood. Ceres protected transitions of women from girlhood to womanhood. Unmarried girls should emulate the chastity of Proserpina, the maiden; married women should seek to emulate Ceres, the devoted and fruitful mother. But which one was she?

Liv knelt, her head down in prayer when she mulled over the question in her mind. She was not a girl, nor chaste, but was she yet ready for what womanhood could bring? She had always told herself she wanted children someday; it was all she ever wanted. So why would she have to make that decision faster than she would like? 30 suddenly seemed to come far too soon. Why was she not blessed with more time?

Glancing up at the marble features of Ceres, looking down at her with a warm smile on her lips, Liv wished she let some omnipotent god decide for her. For a moment, she contemplated talking to the statue, the way she spoke with Jupiter, but something stopped her.

The huffing behind her urged her to spin around. At the entrance, a sweaty Rachel tried to catch her breath. Liv approached her friend with some of the water she had left, letting her take a big gulp before she spoke.  "Livy, you shouldn't trust Lorenzo."

Liv cocked an eyebrow, "I know you don't like him, but he's not that bad."

"Oh, he is bad. He wants to break you and Zach up!"

"Yeah, right, I'd like to see him try. Maybe that will knock some sense into Zach." Liv wheezed.

Rachel's eyes were as big as plates while she clung to Liv's shoulders. "You don't understand, Olivia. He is not just a player - he - he scares me."

"Oh, Rachel. I'm touched that you are worried about me, but I can handle it." Liv assured her. It seemed to have little effect on Rachel, so Liv added. "But just in case, you can smuggle my phone in tomorrow when you help me get ready for the Ludi Florae. That way, I can call you if anything happens."

Rachel nodded. It wasn't much to ease her worry, but at least Liv would be able to reach her. So, why was she still shaking?

Total word count: 15.787

A/N: I realized Liv's side didn't get a lot of attention in the previous chapters, but trust me that is about to change. Things might seem a bit vague now, but they'll become clear pretty soon. As always thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.