Open: Takes a lot of medicine to make it through the wintertime

[vineleaves]

The first day of Dark was difficult enough to get through. When the situation didn't improve after a few days, however, Dionysus really began to worry. That the house would stop cooperating when it comes to creating food at the same time his own powers of generation have become so severely diminished... it doesn't sit easy with him.

He is grateful that he still has some powers, but he's been finding it difficult to produce grapes or wine (or any related products) of any quality, whereas before it came to him like breathing. But he considers it his duty to do what he can to offset the dwindling supplies, so every day he spends a few hours creating what he can: grapes, raisins, cartons of grape juice, and of course, bottles of wine, before diligently distributing it to the various kitchens and eating-places in the house. Wherever he thinks people may go to look for something to eat. Should anyone need him, he shouldn't be too difficult to locate.

Comments

[onthewillowsthere]

"We found her on the twelfth of January at the start of Ordinary Time. She was a chick then." Dro is looking intently at Dionysus and demanding food (hungry baby!!!!!!!!) but Galahad doesn't understand her and it's possible Dionysus doesn't either.

[vineleaves]

“Oh I know my dear, I know! But I don’t have anything for you right now, I’m so sorry, you can’t have these,” he motions to the grapes, “they might hurt your little tummy and then what would we do?” He pets her head affectionately before addressing Galahad once more.

“What have you been able to feed her?”

[onthewillowsthere]

"Raw meat and fish."

[vineleaves]

“That’s good!” Then, with a forelorn look toward the fridge, “May be a little harder to come by these days though, unfortunately.”

[onthewillowsthere]

"What happened? The kitchens are wrong." His gaze, unwavering and somewhat unsettling, has fixed on Dionysus, as if he has answers.

[vineleaves]

Dionysus is used to all eyes on him — it’s honestly his preferred way to be — so the intensity of Galahad’s look doesn’t much bother him. What does bother him is the subject matter at hand.

“The current theory is, I believe, that it is tied to the shifting season. According to the calendar we are now in ‘Dark’, which I guess is different from ‘winter’ in that the mansion is no longer … providing. I’m suspecting that all magic tied to production is, ah, dampened.”

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad frowns minutely. "Do you feel differently?"

[vineleaves]

"About it being tied to Dark? I certainly hope that's the reason, it would make things a lot easier in the long run. I just... also want to be prepared, should that turn out not to be the case." He's carefully trying not to think about the fact that his powers are diminished as well.

[onthewillowsthere]

That not what he means, and as always it frustrates him not to be understood. "Are your feelings different?" he tries. "Now. Are you sad?" He signs sad as well, a reflex.

[vineleaves]

He catches that and responds, do you prefer sign?

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad's eyes widen minutely. You speak? Yes, easier.

[vineleaves]

'I speak everything.' Oh! 'My name's Dionysus.' he repeats, showing what the sign word for himself is.

[onthewillowsthere]

It's a good name-sign, with its swingy, playful y. Claudius has talked about Dionysus, and how kind and personable he was, how pleasant, and how he admired the photographs of Danding and Xiaoxue and clearly appreciated them ("And he's agreed to officiate," Claudius had said, giving Galahad that look that means he doesn't want to admit how much Galahad's answer means to him; Galahad, who knows perfectly well that no Christian priest would ever agree to marry them, had just answered, "Good," and watched as Claudius clapped briskly and said, "Excellent, that's settled."). He's pleased to know that he can bring the name-sign back to Claudius tonight, a new and precious piece of information.

My name is Galahad, signing G-flower-choice.

[vineleaves]

'Beautiful name!'

[onthewillowsthere]

M-a-g-n-u-s Magnus made it for me, first fingerspelling and then using Magnus' name-sign. He taught me to sign.

[vineleaves]

Ahhhh. That explains the ASL. 'That was very kind of him.'

[onthewillowsthere]

He's my best friend. He looks over at Drosera, who has found a dropped raisin and is batting it around the kitchen. D-r-o is our daughter.

[vineleaves]

‘Someone may need to go hunting for D-r-o. For food.’

[onthewillowsthere]

She can hunt. Catch fish.

[vineleaves]

“Oh of course you can hunt!” he says aloud, specifically to Drosera. “Ohhh and I bet you make even Artemis proud, such a ferocious thing you are too, you little perfect baby.”

He turns back to Galahad. ‘Good you are letting her hunt. Good exercise.’

[onthewillowsthere]

She's not tame. Wild animal. Good for her to be wild. He believes this-- that Magnus has made Drosera gentle, the way Percival could gentle any animal, wild or tame.

[vineleaves]

'Most of mine were tame. My brother A-P-O-L-L-O Apollo kept them. Like horses. For chariots. ...The sun.'

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad looks down at Dro, still chasing the raisin. Don't think D-r-o-s-e-r-a Drosera would pull a chariot. Not allow.

[vineleaves]

'Good for her! Not everyone needs a job.'

[onthewillowsthere]

He doesn't smile, and his straight, perfect posture doesn't shift, but Magnus or Claudius would be able to see how affectionate this look is. To Dionysus it may be less obvious. After a beat, his intent gaze flicks back to Dionysus.

C-l-a-u-d-i-u-s Claudius, using Claudius' C-snake-dragon name-sign, said you will marry us?