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Reyna plopped a jelly bean in her mouth as she lounged on her chair, watching as her fellow praetor, Frank Zhang, fiddled with his fingers awkwardly as he waited for Reyna to begin their meeting.
“What do you already know about Saturnalia, Praetor Zhang?”
Even though Frank was an excellent praetor, and Reyna had absolutely no regrets about appointing him as her equal, there were still a lot of things about the legion Frank didn’t know. He hadn’t even been in Camp Jupiter for a full year yet, and most of that was spent either in a war, or as a praetor who was too busy to take much of the Roman History courses that were mandatory for legionnaires. Of course he didn’t really know any of their holidays or celebrations, something Reyna had neglected to realize until one of the younger legion members excitedly asked about this year's celebration and Frank gave Reyna a confused stare earlier that morning.
“Not much,” Frank said, a bit guilty. “It’s a Roman celebration, right? Named after Saturn?”
“Yes, and it's our largest one,” Reyna agreed. “It starts on December 17th and goes until December 23rd.”
“That’s Hazel’s birthday!” Frank said, “The seventeenth, I mean.”
Reyna suppressed a smile. “We’ll make sure to wish Centurion Levesque a happy birthday during the celebration.”
“Good.”
“I apologize for waiting until so last minute to explain the holiday to you, I’d forgotten you never spent a Saturnalia here at camp.” Reyna picked up another jelly bean and spun it between her fingers. “As for organizing, a lot of the veterans like to organize the feasts and activities, so we don’t have too much to do besides show up, but it is important that you understand the importance of the holiday.”
“I should’ve asked if there were any important holidays besides the Feast of Fortuna myself,” Frank said.
Ever so humble, Frank Zhang.
Reyna gave the brief Saturnalia cliff notes; what they were celebrating, some of the traditions, and other important things like having to get Frank fitted for a synthesis (special Saturnalia regalia). Frank took down notes diligently.
“Oh, I nearly forgot,” Reyna said, “On the first night during the festival, praetors are expected to dance with a partner for the legion. I’m not sure where the tradition started, since it isn’t in any of our history books, but according to many of the veterans of the legion, it’s been going on for a while here.”
Frank seemed to slump in his chair, “Dance? I didn’t know I’d have to dance.”
“I didn’t have to last year since Jason was missing, but two years ago, I just danced with my fellow praetor at the time—you wouldn’t know her, she died during the battle of Mount Othrys before Jason was named praetor—but I was told that was a bit unorthodox as praetors usually dance with their partners.”
“You don’t have a partner,” Frank pointed out. It wasn’t condescending like most people would say it, but merely a statement.
“I don’t.”
“And I do,” Frank added.
“You do.”
“So should I dance with Hazel or you?” Frank drummed on the leg of his jeans. “Not that I can dance, mind you. My grandmother tried to teach me as a child, and, well, you know how I am.”
Reyna internally slapped herself for not remembering how clumsy Frank was. He should’ve had dance lessons in his schedule since August.
“We’ll get you dance lessons stat,” Reyna said, “We have a little over two weeks, so hopefully that’ll be enough time. And as for who you’ll dance with, I know you’d rather dance with Centurion Levesque, even if the event didn’t fall on her birthday.”
Frank looked down. “Sorry, Praetor Ramirez-Arellano.”
Reyna dismissed him with a wave. “No need to apologize, Praetor Zhang, I understand she’s your girlfriend.”
“Do you have someone you want to ask out?” Frank asked, “Like, as a date?”
Reyna’s nose scrunched. “Can I be honest with you, Frank?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone I would want as a partner.”
Frank bit his bottom lip. “That’s alright, Reyna. You don’t have to. Do you have a friend who’d dance with you?”
“Centurion Dakota or Gwen probably would,” Reyna thought aloud. “But, Praetor Zhang, that doesn’t affect you.” Reyna stood up, “I’ll tell you and Centurion Levesque when to meet with the dance teachers at New Rome University, but expect it to be within a day or two. Also, I’ll get your synthesis fitting time for you. I’ll see you around.”
Reyna walked away without a word, thinking how much easier her life would be if she had someone she wanted.