Open: And they're gonna bend their branches down to lay their fruit upon the ground

[vineleaves]

Dionysus is in a kitchen, apron tied over a purple dress with vine details, singing to himself as he uses a melon baller to scoop out a watermelon. The large bowl next to him is already full of honeydew melon and cantaloupe, and he's got a few other ingredients nearby ready to add in once he's done with the watermelon. Mint leaves, some honey, some lemon juice, and some lime juice.

It has been quite an eventful time lately, but overall his life is pretty great right now.

Comments

[vineleaves]

"It is indeed a mystery!" He grins. "I'm doing wonderfully! Do you want any fruit salad? I'm almost done with it."

[greentara]

She considers it for a moment, then nods. "I would love some, thank you. I spent five hours mapping what I could of the second floor before it all altered on me. I should think that I deserve some fruit salad."

[vineleaves]

"Oooh, yikes. Sorry about that. Nothing here likes to stay terribly stationary for very long."

[greentara]

Wryly, "Yes, I've discovered that too many times already. Unfortunately, I am a woman who highly values logic and stability."

[vineleaves]

"This must all be terribly difficult for you then." He does mean that sincerely.

[greentara]

"I've had many strange situations, though none quite as strange as this," she says mildly, verbally waving it off. "Is the weather inspiring you to make a fruit salad?"

[vineleaves]

"Partially, but also because these were ready to come out of the garden, so I needed to do something with 'em."

[greentara]

Constance nods approvingly. "You do keep your garden well."

[vineleaves]

“Aww, thank you dear. Means a lot!” he says, as if he isn’t a 4,000 year old nature deity. “I can’t take all of the credit, of course, sweet little Magnus helps me out a lot,” he says, as if Magnus isn’t taller than him.

[greentara]

Constance's expression grows a touch more frigid at the mention of Magnus. "He does have a way with plants, I've heard."

[vineleaves]

He does note that, but has no context for it. "He does! He's really a great kid."

[greentara]

"I'm afraid our first meeting did not go well," Constance says, rather coolly.

[vineleaves]

"Mine didn't either, don't worry," he says, having no clue whatsoever what the cause of their disagreement was.

[greentara]

She looks at him for a moment, gaze intent. "Dionysus, can I ask you a question?"

[vineleaves]

"Of course. What's up?"

[greentara]

"As a god of madness, are you able to perceive when someone is going mad?"

[vineleaves]

Ah. Yes. She did say they'd need to have a conversation later. This must be later. "It -- depends, on some things, I suppose."

[greentara]

"On what things?" As usual, her expression is rather unreadable.

[vineleaves]

"Well, you know, what you mean by 'going mad' for starters. Lots of varying definitions on that. And there's -- ah, there's ... abilities I can use if I absolutely have to that make it a lot easier for me to tell what's going on inside someone's mind. I try not to pry too much." Long story short, yes he can but like at what cost???

[greentara]

"I was sequestered away at Mount Mercy Hospital for the Criminally Insane for nearly half a year," Constance tells him frankly, with a small frown. She does not like the idea of him prying inside of her mind. "There is no need to use your abilities. I was merely looking for a ...second opinion from someone with experience. You could also tell me no."

[vineleaves]

He also does not like the idea of prying inside her mind. "Do you mind telling me why you were sent there?" Presumably because someone thought she was criminally insane, of course, but he obviously means why did they think that.

[greentara]

"Someone thought I threw an infant off the side of a ship," she tells him, tone placid. "I did not."

[vineleaves]

"Oh, darling, I'm sorry. That had to be pretty traumatic to go through." Being blamed for something like that, he means. He trusts her that she didn't do it.

[greentara]

"I had to. The blame was the point." Her expression is serious. "However, this conversation is not about that. We have deviated from-- How much do you truly want to know, Dionysus? Being a god might seem easy to the ignorant and may even be coveted by some, but there is so much power and responsibility that lies with it and with immortality. I don't want you to bear my burden as well."

[vineleaves]

"That's what I'm here for though," he says gently. "I want to know as much as you are comfortable telling me."