Page 26 of Song of Memories

“What would everyone say?” Hermes's brow raised. “My sweet, beautiful flower child, do you think I've gone about living my life by being concerned about what people think?”

“Well, you're a god.”

“You're a nymph,” Dionysus countered quickly. Eurydice looked around the party nervously, her eyes falling on Orpheus once again. He caught her gaze, as if he sensed her looking at him from across the crowded room and smiled. There was something about it that stirred Eurydice's memory, like she was looking at a glimpse of Orpheus from years past. A warm feeling took feeble root in her chest, and Eurydice's heart picked up.

Hermes and Dionysus saw the look on Eurydice's face, and they nodded in understanding.

“You care for him,” Hermes stated simply, his eyes evaluating Eurydice.

“I do,” Eurydice acquiesced.

“You can care for someone and know that you are still not right for one another.” Dionysus sipped at a cup of wine, keeping a careful eye on the party proceeding around them.

“Hush, drink your wine.” Hermes tsked in Dionysus's direction. “You're only going to confuse the girl.”

“As if you don't have your own reasons for being here.” Dionysus's eyes got wider as he obliged Hermes and took another deep draught from the cup he was holding.

“Is there... Is there a reason that you came here to talk to me?” Eurydice put her hand on her hip, suddenly wary why the two gods had come to Orpheus's party and were talking to her in the corner.

“You're my son's best friend.” Hermes shrugged. “Do I need a reason to check up on you?”

“You never have before…” Eurydice started to argue with Hermes when Dionysus's face suddenly turned red.

A deep, almost guttural sound came out of his mouth as he dropped his cup, sending wine splattering over the pristine marble tiles of Orpheus's dining room. Eurydice gasped sharply and tried to see what had gotten Dionysus's attention, quickly turning towards the noise. A small crowd was fighting near the end of the banquet table, and Orpheus and Perseus were on their way to the dispute. Hermes and Dionysus started moving, and Eurydice followed out of curiosity. A woman was angrily pushing against another man's chest while he spat angrily. A second woman had her arm around the first woman's waist, joining in shouting accusatorially at the drunken man.

“What is the meaning of this?” Dionysus was spitting angrily, his voice echoing off the rafters. A thin, shining silver circlet appeared on his brow as he grew taller while his divinity took over. The simple purple garment Dionysus had been wearing suddenly revealed itself to have a matching elaborate silver trim as etched sandals appeared on his feet. A wicked looking scythe appeared in his hand while his eyes flashed black and violet.

“Whoa-a,” Perseus hiccuped, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. “I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding, Dionysus. We're honored that you would grace us with your presence.” Perseus made a feeble attempt at a bow, tripping over his own ankles. Dionysus was still livid, holding a white-knuckle grip on his blade. He couldn't take his eyes off the man who'd been berating the tipsy female.

“You see,” Hermes suddenly appeared next to Eurydice, his voice low in her ear, “most mortal men don't realize that Dionysus is the god of wine, but that means that no one abuses it. He castrated Zeus over his many violations of consent.”

“You're kidding.” Eurydice blanched as she turned towards Hermes, dropping her voice down to meet his hushed tone. The argument was carrying on beside them, and out of the corner of her eye, Eurydice could see Dionysus stepping in front of the women to defend them.

“Do I look like I would joke about something like that?” Hermes placed his hand on his chest dramatically. “Don't answer that. It's true. There are two things that Dionysus holds dear, my lovely garden flower. And those are the proper techniques for sealing a barrel of vintage wine and the importance of informed consent.”

“Huh. I wouldn't have guessed.” Eurydice found herself looking for Orpheus in the crowd again, unamused to see him sitting down at the banquet table behind Perseus with a serving girl in his lap.

“Men aren't that keen to go around spreading the news that they were castrated by Dionysus, so that part of his reputation... Oh.” Hermes gasped salaciously, realizing what Eurydice was staring at. “Well, he's certainly a keeper.” The sarcasm in Hermes's tone was evident.

“We're going through an adjustment period.” Eurydice rattled off the excuse without even thinking.

“So you've said.” Hermes hummed something inconsequential. They both watched the chaos escalate as Dionysus thundered out a loud string of curses. He dropped his scythe on the floor and clapped his hands twice. A massive boom echoed off the rafters as vines exploded through the walls. The sentient branches started weaving around the ankles of the partygoers, causing mass chaos as attendees started to scream and flee. The vines caught several of the angry, drunk male guests around their legs and suspended them in the air.

“Oh my,” Hermes grinned, a mischievous gleam appearing in his eye, “this is what I was hoping to see this evening. Dionysus always looks ravishing when he goes all 'berserker farmer.' Hercules will be frustrated he missed this.”

Eurydice didn't know how to respond to Hermes as she tried to process the scene in front of her. The dining hall had descended into chaos until the only people left were the men held in Dionysus's thrall. He had the blade of his scythe pressed to one man's thigh, asking if he enjoyed the helpless feeling that came from being so incapacitated.

“He certainly knows how to make a point,” Eurydice murmured, not feeling particularly upset for any of the ill-fated dinner guests.

“Eurydice!” Orpheus's sharp voice called out through the vines that were covering the dining hall, and soon, he emerged from underneath the banquet table. “My love!” he cried in relief, opening his arms as he stumbled towards her. "I was worried that you were injured. Are you okay? Let's get out of here, quickly." Orpheus was talking too quickly, clearly coming off whatever high or drunken stupor he'd been in.

"I'm all right, Orpheus. It's fine." Eurydice put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed them soothingly. "Don't panic. We can go home."

"My love," Orpheus repeated cupped her cheek, stroking his thumb gently over her skin, "let's go home. I just want to be with you."

Eurydice's heart gave a jump, and it betrayed her slightly. Was that really all it took? She watched Orpheus be the life of the party for a few hours, so now she had a stomach full of butterflies because he wanted to leave with her?

"Excuse me," Hermes butted in, his lips pressed in a thin line, "I'd like to speak to Eurydice for a moment."

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