Post by Dionysus on Aug 15, 2021 23:06:23 GMT -5
August 13, 2020
Revelry Vineyard
Hinckley, MN
"Yes, William, it was urgent that I come up here," Dionysus stated confidently into his phone. "With the drought conditions plus the wildfire, I had to ensure this personal investment was okay. Besides, it isn't as though today is a difficult day for everyone back at the office, right?
"Of course not, sir," William responded. "Its just that...we weren't expecting you to leave right away. We still have a few other forms for you to complete from last week, and its also the company social tonight. You promised an appearance."
Dionysus sighed. He stared out into the rows of grapes he had cultivated this season, the concerns of wilting pressing into the backs of his mind. The staff he kept in charge here, however, managed quite well, at least from what he could see from this distance. "Fair enough. Leave the documents on my desk; I can handle the blowback from our clients. As for the social...tell them I had an urgent appointment and cannot make it back in time. Tell them drinks are on me for the evening. And William?"
"Yes, sir?"
"That includes you too. I won't be needing anything else tonight, but call me if any issues arise."
"Thank you sir. Have a good evening."
Dionysus ended the call, sliding the phone back into his jeans pocket. Ahh...what would I do without you, William? he pondered, strolling through the field. The vineyard was a newer investment of his; he would have called it a passion project, but obsession was closer to the truth. The perfect plot of land was his; a scenic view, great land for farming, and of course, not too far from the casino down the road. He negotiated a great deal to have his wine be stocked as their house wine, and his most popular bottle, The Revelry Rosè, had performed well in the last year. He wanted to have the vineyard further away from the cities for one simple reason.
Solitude.
Peace.
A place where he could reminisce and be amongst the vines, plucking a grape here or there as he went along.
Many of his weekends were spent wandering the field, tending to every need he could foresee. It also allowed him time to reflect and come to terms with his life so far. A father who was never in the picture to begin with. A mother who was soon to remarry with his business partner and long time family friend Benjamin Jones. An uncle somewhere out there likely plotting his demise once again. His...brothers...and whatever it was that they were up to these days.
His hands brushed against a vine absent-mindedly as he deftly plucked a grape from them. Smiling, Dionysus held it up at eye level, examining it closely on this cloudy, cooler day. Holding the small spherical fruit in-between his index finger and thumb, he felt a sense of caring, but also an odd sensation of power...as though he were clutching a world in his hand and only he had the power to save it or crush it between his fingers. He chucked, amused with himself; I AM named after a god, after all, Dionysus thought.
He gently tossed the grape into his mouth, savoring the flavor as he chewed. Nice and sweet, perfect for fermentation.
As Dionysus roamed the field, he took stock of what needed work; the watering ban had done a number on two rows and would need to be tended to quickly, but otherwise the damage was minimal. Those rows also had his oldest vines which needed to be replaced soon anyway. Off in the distance, Dionysus saw a place he had built by hand; a small shed nestled in a grove of trees. He smiled; at least his sanctuary was ready for him. A place of pure solitude, he could come here and reflect as much as he wanted. Dionysus spent his time during the short hike to the shed looking over the vines, ensuring none were damaged or had any rot, plucking away the grapes that would inevitably cause a batch to go sour. Once at the shed, he wiped away the dust on the padlock keeping it closed, retrieving a key from under one of the stones out front.
As he swung the doors open, it revealed a shrine in the back of the shallow shed. A small statue of the god Dionysus stood on a table, surrounded by fake vines and grapes, a few old candles and incense left on shelves not far from the altar. He had indeed built a shrine to the god of his namesake. "Because what else are you going to do with an odd name like Dionysus?" was what he had told people when he had the idea to build it in the first place.
He left the doors open and allowed himself time to look over his surroundings. He thought ahead to the future; perhaps, in time, this place could be a site for a great wedding, a meeting of two lives into one that would be peaceful and lovely for the lucky couples that were to wed here. He tried to envision it, him standing in front of the two, tying their hands as part of the fasting, whispering their devouts to the great god of wine and smashing a bottle in celebration of the two finally joining. In an odd passing thought, he looked over, pretending to see his future self coming back to him telling the tales of the people he had met, looking to achieve their great happiness, and offering to tell the current Dionysus of what was to come of his life.
Dionysus laughed at the thought; where would be the joy in living a life you knew was laid out for you? He shook his head, allowing that thought to float past him as he continued his meditations. He took deep breaths, sending his usual offerings to the reveled one.
Five minutes passed...
Another ten minutes...
*BZZZZZ*
Dionysus yelped in excitement as his phone began to vibrate again. Annoyed, he angrily answered the call. "Yes, what, what is it?!"
"Its, uhh...Its William, sir-"
"Yes, I know," Dionysus interrupted, irritated but calming down from his fright. "What's going on? Is the office on fire? Did a major deal fall through?"
"Its the venue, sir. They wanted to know many to expect. And also...if you will be there."
Dionysus shook his head, smiling. He had two homes, and was just as happy to be at one as he was the other. He allowed for a brief pause, thinking of the time it would take him to return to the cities. "It should be twenty or so people. As for me...Give me about an hour, William. I'll be there shortly."
"I knew you'd make it, sir. I'll go on ahead and make sure everything is prepared."
"Good man. I'll see you soon."
Revelry Vineyard
Hinckley, MN
"Yes, William, it was urgent that I come up here," Dionysus stated confidently into his phone. "With the drought conditions plus the wildfire, I had to ensure this personal investment was okay. Besides, it isn't as though today is a difficult day for everyone back at the office, right?
"Of course not, sir," William responded. "Its just that...we weren't expecting you to leave right away. We still have a few other forms for you to complete from last week, and its also the company social tonight. You promised an appearance."
Dionysus sighed. He stared out into the rows of grapes he had cultivated this season, the concerns of wilting pressing into the backs of his mind. The staff he kept in charge here, however, managed quite well, at least from what he could see from this distance. "Fair enough. Leave the documents on my desk; I can handle the blowback from our clients. As for the social...tell them I had an urgent appointment and cannot make it back in time. Tell them drinks are on me for the evening. And William?"
"Yes, sir?"
"That includes you too. I won't be needing anything else tonight, but call me if any issues arise."
"Thank you sir. Have a good evening."
Dionysus ended the call, sliding the phone back into his jeans pocket. Ahh...what would I do without you, William? he pondered, strolling through the field. The vineyard was a newer investment of his; he would have called it a passion project, but obsession was closer to the truth. The perfect plot of land was his; a scenic view, great land for farming, and of course, not too far from the casino down the road. He negotiated a great deal to have his wine be stocked as their house wine, and his most popular bottle, The Revelry Rosè, had performed well in the last year. He wanted to have the vineyard further away from the cities for one simple reason.
Solitude.
Peace.
A place where he could reminisce and be amongst the vines, plucking a grape here or there as he went along.
Many of his weekends were spent wandering the field, tending to every need he could foresee. It also allowed him time to reflect and come to terms with his life so far. A father who was never in the picture to begin with. A mother who was soon to remarry with his business partner and long time family friend Benjamin Jones. An uncle somewhere out there likely plotting his demise once again. His...brothers...and whatever it was that they were up to these days.
His hands brushed against a vine absent-mindedly as he deftly plucked a grape from them. Smiling, Dionysus held it up at eye level, examining it closely on this cloudy, cooler day. Holding the small spherical fruit in-between his index finger and thumb, he felt a sense of caring, but also an odd sensation of power...as though he were clutching a world in his hand and only he had the power to save it or crush it between his fingers. He chucked, amused with himself; I AM named after a god, after all, Dionysus thought.
He gently tossed the grape into his mouth, savoring the flavor as he chewed. Nice and sweet, perfect for fermentation.
As Dionysus roamed the field, he took stock of what needed work; the watering ban had done a number on two rows and would need to be tended to quickly, but otherwise the damage was minimal. Those rows also had his oldest vines which needed to be replaced soon anyway. Off in the distance, Dionysus saw a place he had built by hand; a small shed nestled in a grove of trees. He smiled; at least his sanctuary was ready for him. A place of pure solitude, he could come here and reflect as much as he wanted. Dionysus spent his time during the short hike to the shed looking over the vines, ensuring none were damaged or had any rot, plucking away the grapes that would inevitably cause a batch to go sour. Once at the shed, he wiped away the dust on the padlock keeping it closed, retrieving a key from under one of the stones out front.
As he swung the doors open, it revealed a shrine in the back of the shallow shed. A small statue of the god Dionysus stood on a table, surrounded by fake vines and grapes, a few old candles and incense left on shelves not far from the altar. He had indeed built a shrine to the god of his namesake. "Because what else are you going to do with an odd name like Dionysus?" was what he had told people when he had the idea to build it in the first place.
He left the doors open and allowed himself time to look over his surroundings. He thought ahead to the future; perhaps, in time, this place could be a site for a great wedding, a meeting of two lives into one that would be peaceful and lovely for the lucky couples that were to wed here. He tried to envision it, him standing in front of the two, tying their hands as part of the fasting, whispering their devouts to the great god of wine and smashing a bottle in celebration of the two finally joining. In an odd passing thought, he looked over, pretending to see his future self coming back to him telling the tales of the people he had met, looking to achieve their great happiness, and offering to tell the current Dionysus of what was to come of his life.
Dionysus laughed at the thought; where would be the joy in living a life you knew was laid out for you? He shook his head, allowing that thought to float past him as he continued his meditations. He took deep breaths, sending his usual offerings to the reveled one.
Five minutes passed...
Another ten minutes...
*BZZZZZ*
Dionysus yelped in excitement as his phone began to vibrate again. Annoyed, he angrily answered the call. "Yes, what, what is it?!"
"Its, uhh...Its William, sir-"
"Yes, I know," Dionysus interrupted, irritated but calming down from his fright. "What's going on? Is the office on fire? Did a major deal fall through?"
"Its the venue, sir. They wanted to know many to expect. And also...if you will be there."
Dionysus shook his head, smiling. He had two homes, and was just as happy to be at one as he was the other. He allowed for a brief pause, thinking of the time it would take him to return to the cities. "It should be twenty or so people. As for me...Give me about an hour, William. I'll be there shortly."
"I knew you'd make it, sir. I'll go on ahead and make sure everything is prepared."
"Good man. I'll see you soon."
