Open Post: Who invented this calendar anyway?

[futaille]

How unfortunate.

Yes, Grantaire was fully aware that the year being longer at the mansion would logically cause seasons to drift when someone kept track of the old calendar, or at least what had been pinned down as the old calendar for convenience sake, which was almost necessary when people's arrivals weren't necessarily tied to the day they left. He hadn't given it too much thought last year, when his birthday, such that it was, arrived in spring like he was used to.

Dark, though, was unfortunate. Not inappropriate for the next notable anniversary coming up, but for this one, not at all. Of course, it wasn't as if he would have been planning much in the way of an event, Dark or no, but it would have been nice to treat himself to something or other, regardless.

Instead, he has installed himself in the game room, where he is carefully balancing dominoes on their ends to make a domino rally on the billiards table. It's a nice large flat surface, so it should work nicely. Have to keep entertained somehow.

Comments

[vineleaves]

Dionysus applauds! "That was wonderful, dear!"

[futaille]

"I couldn't have asked for a better audience."

[vineleaves]

"Oh, now that's not entirely true. You could have had an audience of several of me. I mean, just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it couldn't happen, right?"

[futaille]

"I have liked every one of you that I've met, so I certainly wouldn't complain. But you're a perfect audience all by yourself too."

[vineleaves]

"Well, I do have a lot of experience with shows you've put on just for me, so I suppose it makes sense."

[futaille]

"Extensive experience, as luck would have it."

[vineleaves]

"I'm one lucky god," he says with a grin. "Are you ready to go eat?"

[futaille]

"Absolutely." He can clean up the dominoes later, after all.

[vineleaves]

"Alright, let's go," he says, then stops. "Ooh, hold on, I have an idea. I'll make it more of a surprise. Can I blindfold you? Granted this would probably work better if I'd thought of it before I told you I was taking you to dinner at all, but the rest can still be a surprise."

[futaille]

"As a general rule, if you ask to blindfold me, the answer is always going to be yes no matter what the situation is."

[vineleaves]

"I figured," he laughs, and then very carefully makes a blindfold out of vines and leaves that wraps itself around Grantaire's head. He also makes some more vines wrap around Grantaire's wrists, tying them behind his back. This clearly doesn't have anything to do with any sort of secret keeping, it's just for Grantaire's benefit. It does take Dionysus a good bit longer to accomplish than it might normally, due to the season and all, but when it's done he kisses Grantaire on the cheek. "Alright, I've got you," he says gently, wrapping an arm around Grantaire's waist so he can start steering him out of the game room and down the hall.

[futaille]

A content little smile settles on Grantaire's face and he leans against Dionysus a bit more than strictly speaking necessary as they walk.

[vineleaves]

Dionysus doesn't say much as they walk, but he does lean over several times to leave kisses on Grantaire's cheek. He's so incredibly beautiful, after all, Dionysus just simply has no other option. Once they finally get to the dining room he gets Grantaire seated in a chair, busies himself with the last few tasks he has to do to get everything perfect, then vanishes the blindfold and wrist vines.

The small room is illuminated by rows of twinkling string lights and several well-placed candles, giving everything a cozy warmth. The table they're at is fairly small, and on it sits their dinner plates with what Dionysus hopes isn't too mediocre of a baked ziti (he did the best he could under the circumstances). There's also, of course, a couple of glasses of wine, which Dionysus seems to be a little out of breath from the effort of conjuring. Lastly, perhaps expectedly, a basket with several wrapped presents and a green card sits on a table beside theirs.

[futaille]

Grantaire's eyes widen a bit as he takes in the tableau. "Oh. It's... it's wonderful."

[vineleaves]

He smiles. "I'm glad you like it, love."

[futaille]

"Of course I do. I have no idea how I possibly wouldn't have."

[vineleaves]

"Well, I dunno, maybe you decided you hate candles in the past few hours."

[futaille]

"You're right, you're right. I've fallen hard for electric lights. Can't do anything without them."

[vineleaves]

"Right, right, of course. Well, how do you feel about electric candles?"

[futaille]

"They need to pick a side," says Grantaire, who is horribly allergic to picking sides.

[vineleaves]

"Ah yes, clearly," he says, trying to keep a straight face.

[futaille]

"You have to be electricity, or you have to be a candle. None of this halfway nonsense."

[vineleaves]

"Oh?" he says, lifting his wine glass to take a sip. "Please elaborate."

[futaille]

"Electric candles are fakery!" He takes a sip of his own wine. "Trying to replicate candles but you can tell."

[vineleaves]

He nods, very seriously considering this. "You don't suppose it's just that they have lofty aspirations, do you?"