Open: it's time now to sing out though the story never ends

[vineleaves]

[This is being posted early, but it is meant to be occurring on the one year anniversary of Dionysus arriving at the mansion.]

There's a room in the mansion Dionysus discovered somewhat recently that is, for lack of anything better to call it, a dance studio. Shiny hardwood floors, one long wall of mirror, the opposite wall featuring a mounted barre. If anyone happens to be walking by it today, the open door might catch their attention, as Dionysus has his cd player set up playing music, which he is dancing to at the moment. He's wearing a pair of gauzy, loose pants that sit low on his hips, complete with a gold belt with dangling chains that serve to help emphasize his movements. His hair is pulled up into a messy bun, finally long enough that he can get all of it up with only a minimum of strands sticking out oddly.

He has been here for a whole year. To be fair, he's only slightly certain he's got the date correct, but even if it hasn't been a full year to the exact minute or whatever, it's close enough. A whole year. A year trapped, held prisoner for some unknown reason, unable to break out, kept away from all of his friends and family. A year in which he has been given the wonderful opportunity to meet people he couldn't possibly imagine living without now, in a place where anything, even stopping death, is possible.

Dionysus is fairly zoned out as he dances, so if anyone decides to duck in and say hello, it might take him a while before he notices.

Comments

[vineleaves]

"Oh, that's a good point. Can't use up all the novelty in one day."

[futaille]

"It's like a sauce."

[vineleaves]

"A highly mirrored sauce."

[futaille]

"A sauce you can reflect on."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus bursts into laughter. "Come on, let's go home."

[futaille]

"Absolutely."

[vineleaves]

Dionysus scoops up Grantaire's discarded outfit from earlier and hands it to him before going to the wall and unplugging his cd player and picking it up. "Alright," he says, and heads for the door.

[futaille]

Grantaire slings his clothes over his shoulders and follows.

[vineleaves]

Once they're back in their rooms, he safely deposits the cd player on the table and then goes to immediately flop on the bed. "So what would you like for an anniversary present? I should probably have asked this a few days ago, but I didn't think about it, I'm sorry."

[futaille]

Grantaire tosses his clothes on the floor and flops next to Dionysus. "Why on earth would I need a present beyond the gift of having been with you a year?"

[vineleaves]

"Because I want to get you a present."

[futaille]

"I'd say wine, but you give me wine every day anyway. The next thing that comes to mind is kind of silly and I'm not sure you'd want to do it anyway..."

[vineleaves]

"What is it?"

[futaille]

"Oh, just... maybe you could make a self-portrait for me."

[vineleaves]

"What?" he laughs. "I -- I can, but it won't be good--"

[futaille]

"That doesn't matter. I'll still smile every time I see it."

[vineleaves]

"Okay," he says, a little unsure. Not that he's unwilling to make one, he just doesn't expect it to be... any good at all, really. "What should I paint myself doing in this self-portrait?"

[futaille]

"Surprise me. Just... something that makes you happy. What do you want for our anniversary?"

[vineleaves]

"Oh -- ah, I hadn't given it any thought, actually..."

[futaille]

"Think on it a little, then, and let me know when you decide."

[vineleaves]

"Of course!" and then without thinking about it one bit whatsoever, he says, "Maybe something I can wear, so I can keep it with me?"

[futaille]

He thinks that over. "All right. I'll see what I can come up with."

[vineleaves]

"Thank you, love," he says as he rolls over, now basically half-on top of Grantaire, and kisses him.

[futaille]

"Of course you're welcome. Happy anniversary."

[vineleaves]

He trails a finger down Grantaire's cheek. "You make me so happy, Étienne."