He was very selective when it came to interacting with mortals. Most of the time, he just plain didn't. While they were great for entertainment, most mortals barely made even semi-decent company. It was something the man had found out many millennia ago and it was a stance he remained firm in still to this day. So while his family trotted around frolicking this way and that with those puny humans, Dionysus remained steadfast in his decision to keep contact as minimal as possible. Everybody makes mistakes however and the wine god was not so above admitting that even he was capable of fault. Zeus had sired children after agreeing not to so truly, who was anyone to judge Dionysus? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree or whatever the mortals say. Being away from his wife on Olympus was tortuous so if the right mortal found themselves so lucky to be in his presence, so be it. It was an off chance that it would lead to anything at all but a chance nonetheless. Knowing this, Dionysus practiced caution.
Without a doubt he is better at "wrapping it" per se than the other gods. Those wild parties he'd hosted what felt like eons ago and the filthy interactions he witnessed - he'd be an idiot if he didn't. It's not as if gods could catch sexually transmitted diseases but just the thought of something of the sort even grazing his skin was sickening. Filthy humans. Along with that, the last thing he wanted to do was add any more demigods into the world. As if his hands weren't already full enough dealing with the satyrs, the god thought to himself, the less of his spawn running around the better. So yes, Dionysus was careful.
With this in mind, it's hard to blame him as he sits at the circular table on the Big House porch, staring in stunned silence at the little demigod in front of him. She's shifting on her feet and glancing around nervously, pulling on the cuff of the dirty oversized periwinkle sweater in an attempt to keep her hands busy. There's burn marks along the sleeves and mud caked on some parts, showcasing just how peachy their journey to camp was but he doesn't see any tear tracks on her cheeks. Next to her is Cedar, who looks like he wants to be anywhere but there right now. The satyr is in no better condition. His blue jean jacket was almost completely torn to shreds on the left side and patches of mud caked the entire bottom half of his shirt. The satyr was pointedly looking the other way, attempting to give them their privacy because he knows as well. It's impossible not to. Dionysus decided to finally speak.
"What's your name kid?"
"Sage," she says, finally meeting eyes with him.
"And how old are you?" Dionysus drawled.
"Nine."
"…yeah," he decided. He knows which mortal this is. It was a fling. Noticeably shorter than the usual week, a new record of 2 days. He had been missing Ariadne. Her soft look and coy smiles, the way she smelled of cherries and jasmine. How she'd sigh appreciatively as he worked her long rich brown hair into a braid. The mortal parent of this demigod had reminded him of her. She had long curly brown hair similar to Ariadne but it wasn't as soft as his wife's nor as shiny. Her green eyes were pretty in their own right he supposed, but they were nothing in comparison to how bright of a green his lover had. Those piercing eyes that caught his attention in the first place. Out of all the others, she was the closest he'd had found but not even scratching the surface of what he needed.
Dionysus finally understood why the satyr was so hellbent on leading her safely to them. Why he was so jittery every time the young boy sent an iris message with an update to camp. He's only been in the presence of the girl for a minute and the likeness is uncanny. Those violet eyes staring back at him were certainly his own. She'd received the brown curls and dark lashes of her mother but her lip line is much closer to the fullness of his own. The pert nose and arched brows that always gave the impression of sarcasm were his as well and Dionysus can't help but find himself amused. She had the same facial structure as the boys except maybe a bit more slender. If you put her next to the twins, you'd never know they'd all had different moms. Her hair was darker than the twins, a deeper brown reminiscent of his wife rather than of himself but the differences ended there. Dionysus is pleased to find that he could easily delude himself into pretending that that mortal woman doesn't exist.
"Um," the girl said as she realized he wasn't saying anything else. "what does that mean?" She sounded small and confused.
"I know exactly who your mother is," Dionysus answered with a nod, hand on his chin. The god leaned back into the wicker chair and he took a swig of Diet Coke, leaving it at that. She waited for him to say something but the man doesn't really think there is anything left to say. The demigod glanced at Cedar who was next to her for help but he was still actively avoiding making eye contact with either of them. He was waiting to be dismissed, the god knew, but Dionysus was still deliberating on sending her to watch the orientation film or whether introducing himself was a necessity. It would be the proper thing to do, of course but gods had no need for properness.
"Do you know my dad?" She asked him and he wants to respond sarcastically but stops himself. It's not as if she could compare her own face to his so easily. At least he doesn't need to decide any longer. This kid is straight to the point.
"You're looking at him, kid." Dionysus replied casually, waving a hand over to her and watching as his symbol of the gods floats above her head. Her eyes stared at it before they moved back to him. No glare or shock, just genuinely looking. He found himself pleased by the lack of drama. The last thing the god wanted right now was to be in some sort of Greek soap opera. While they were absolutely fun to watch, it was tiring to be in it. The man watched as she noted the similarities between the two of them before nodding in acceptance, mouth opening before pausing.
"Do I-" She's looking from Cedar to him. "Do I have to go back home?" She asked and Dionysus gave her another look, this time staring straight at her. He's in her eyes and met with zero confrontation. The omnipotence the man had gained through immortality is something he would never get tired of. It was comparable to free 24/7 cable. The god watches his wife's' lesser than lookalike drink her life away, sees the way the girl places pillows under her mother's head and turns her on her side. Maybe if he were mortal, it would stir some pity from him but she is not the first demigod with an alcoholic for a parent and certainly won't be the last. He shrugs. The boys live at camp all year. What was the difference in adding another? If anything, she'd be able to help grow the produce faster, he thinks to himself.
"No," He answered simply. Sage's shoulders dropped any tension they had gained during the silence. Neither of them said anything and Dionysus turned to Cedar who looked uncomfortable at having witnessed the awkward family reunion. The boy was picking at the dried mud on his camp half blood t-shirt. "Go show her the film." He decides, taking a sip of the Diet Coke. It's lukewarm and he looks mournfully at it, snapping his fingers so it's cold once more.
"Yes, sir," Cedar nodded and he led the girl away from the table and into the Big House. There were clops from behind him as he watched the two exit the porch into the building and Dionysus didn't have to turn around to know it was Chiron. He can tell from the thick cloud of chivalry the man emits. It's almost disgusting how honorable he is.
"You have a type," the centaur mused aloud as the demigod and satyr finally round the corner. He can see them in the film room now, Sage plopping into a worn red armchair as Cedar starts up the movie. The wine god shot him a look however Chiron didn't look sheepish in the slightest. "I daresay it's almost flattering to your wife."
"These mortals could never compare," the wine god stated smoothly, no hesitation whatsoever and Chiron smiled understandingly.
"Your dedication is admirable."
Dionysus rolled his eyes.
He sees her again at dinner. All the campers are filing in after their last activities and Sage sits down with her brothers, eyes still wandering around in fascination at the tall white columns circling around the pavilion. Above them is the night sky, stars overlooking their dinner.
"How are you finding yourself, my dear?" Chiron asked from next to Dionysus. Sage was now dressed in the bright orange camp half blood t-shirt but it looked to be a bit big on her. It's not surprising at all. They don't usually receive campers so young but this demigod isn't the youngest they've gotten. She's looking at the centaur, attempting to find the perfect response but is distracted when her eyes slide to him. Immediately he sees the surprise in her eyes, the train of thought she had going slipping away. Apparently she hadn't expected to see him at the table, eyes glancing up at her older brothers who don't look phased in the slightest. Neither boy had given her a warning it seemed.
"I like it," she responded finally to the older man but there's unsureness in her voice. It generally takes a day or two for campers to adjust so Dionysus doesn't spare her a second thought. Not that he'd spare one even if she didn't adjust. She'll either get along or she won't. The dining pavilion was filling up as campers moved to take their seats at their respective tables. Satyrs slowly filed in, many choosing to sit at his table along with a couple of nymphs.
He'd be a fool to not notice that there's more than usual and the god knows that they're all being nosy. None of them dare ask anything. Instead, they sit and whisper to one another as quietly as possible, attempting to go on about their day as normally as possible while stealing looks toward the foursome every so often. The boys were ignoring the gazes quite well but Sage was not so nonchalant. The longer someone stared, the more unnerved she became.
"They are just curious my dear," Chiron comforted her, taking advantage of the hustle and bustle from the nymphs beginning to pass out food. One stopped in front of her, hand holding a set of tongs while the other carried a tub of drum sticks on her hip. Sage turned her violet eyes onto one of the boys.
"Am I allowed to take food?" He heard her whisper to Castor and the dirty blonde seemed confused but nodded nonetheless. He himself had a piece of chicken on his plate.
Sage doesn't need any more confirmation beyond that. She accepted the chicken gratefully with a wide smile, even happier when the nymph dollops some mashed potatoes on the side of her plate. That pleased demeanor is dampened when another nymph comes by. In her hands she's holding a tray of vegetables and Pollux puts some green beans on her plate when he sees her shake her head, knowing that she's not yet accustomed to the mandatory vegetable per meal rules. Any other table might be able to forgo it however those tables also weren't sitting in front of their godly parents. The girl frowned.
"Those look gross," she told them honestly. It doesn't throw the boys off. Instead, there is a shared look of bemusement before Pollux suddenly added another portion onto her plate. The teasing was a new side to his usual straight faced son. Sage's face scrunched up into a grimace as she stared down at them. "Yuck." Sage poked at the green beans on her plate and Dionysus couldn't help himself.
"Playing with your vegetables?" He asked dryly in a disapproving tone. Her face turned red as she put the fork down automatically, embarrassed at being reproached.
"We'll be able to eat after a tribute from your plate to the gods," Pollux explained to her as if she just hadn't been schooled and Castor nodded in agreement.
"Why?" Sage asked and the boys glanced at their father who didn't even hide the fact that he was watching. They didn't respond. Sage looked down at her plate and scooped up a green bean or two with her fork, moving to put it onto Dionysus' plate.
He could hear her prayer, a faint buzzing in his ear as she attempted to tribute something with no real message. They met gazes and he was aware of the nervous energy that was building around the table. He'd have been angry if it wasn't pure ignorance and naïveté the girl was displaying. Dionysus' purple eyes found hers and he watched as the green beans made their way back onto her plate. As they did so, her stack of vegetables grew in size. This time there were three helpings and Sage's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Typically, you sacrifice something you value the most and it's supposed to be in the fire," Castor explained to her. "You're being punished now," He smiled in amusement at the blush that appeared on her cheeks. Chiron gazed over at him and the centaur didn't even attempt to hide the amusement he was displaying at their dynamic.
"Insolence." Dionysus stated boredly, as if that would explain everything, however there was no real bite in his voice. Instead he went back to eating his chicken.