*♔: PRINCELING.

"So… everyone is diggin' up skeletons and dressin' 'em up to… remind us they used to be alive and that this holiday is for them?" Till ponders. "Guess that's not worse than cremating bodies and using them as fake snow." The rest of it makes total sense to Till. His best friend does love sweets, and he is dead.

YOU EVER SAY SOMETHING AND THEN, after noticing their reaction, you realize you must have said something wrong? yes, that's zagreus right now, observing the other react the way he does. honestly, he doesn't quite grasp the problem of it initially... until he realizes what that word could mean to others from beyond the underworld and his realm. ❝ Oh. I. Um, sorry there一 ❞ he should apologize, right? especially with all that going on.

Initially he imagined the boats to be akin to those in Aedes Elysiae, the old rickety ones they always use to fish up at the sea. Somehow, these sandboats end up being grander than those — still a humble craft, yes, but there was care and new polish to these vessels. Clearly they were made solely for the festivities, and perhaps that is enough to ensure the safety of their users. Maybe.

A FISHING VILLAGE, HE SAYS! honestly, that alone excites zagreus to hear, especially with his foray into the world of fishing due to his uncle. ❝ You must've seen your fair share of big catches, eh? Poseidon permitted. Temperamental fellow, my Uncle is. ❞ probably not the best conversation to have with someone when they're headlining straight down a sandy mountain, possibly to their deaths, but that feels like just an average tuesday for many a man. ❝ Perhaps after this we can catch a boat made for the waters. Promise I won't boil 'em up with my feet, ❞ he jests, taking a few steps forward toward the bow of the boat.

now that was a name she hadn't heard in a good while. " Hades? Hm, I've had quite a few run-ins with him. " she pauses for dramatic effect, laughing afterwards as memories flood of the numerous times she broke in to the underworld, as he so often put it. " They never end well for him. I think he may hate me but so do many of the gods when you crash their domains. " she'd find it hard to believe they wouldn't harbor some ill-will towards the one who constantly foils their plans.

SO SHE'S MET HIS FATHER? strange... he would think he'd recall someone like her within their realm. perhaps it was a time when he was too young to recall or, if not that, when father went to visit far beyond the borders of their realm for business. ❝ Don't take it too personally. I think Father holds a bit of anger in his heart for many things. Myself included after I thrashed some of his defenses, if I do say, ❞ he muses, though thinks of how much better it has gotten since his initial forays.

ZAGREUS IS NO STRANGER TO GUNS, let alone death itself. perhaps that was why he didn't seem to flinch so much with the weaponry she carries, whether pointed at him or anywhere else. still, he's grateful she seems to be taken more to partnering up than anything, their backs to one another as each scan the area around them. ❝ Good idea. I was beginning to think I would have to start breaking down some walls just to get somewhere. Well, as much as I can with what pitiful strength they've left me with, ❞ he laments, though doesn't seem too downtrodden on it.

"Are you pulling my leg or is the money actually called Dust...because that's cruel and ironic. We're literally paid dust."

" Bophades, am I correct?" it's her hand that enters the picture first, coming to rest on his shoulder as her arm follows suit until she is practically next to the other. there's a mischevious grin playing on her lips as she tilts her head to look down at him, fingers tapping against his skin as she hums in thought.

GREAT, IT ALWAYS CAME BACK TO BITE HIM. this time was no difference, remembering that beautiful woman that puts her hand upon his shoulder. it was back in the time he had been taken here before, well, this time. ❝ You remember that, do you? Here I thought this place had long since forgotten my stay. Well, a drink can't hurt. One coming right up, ❞ he chimes, happy to have a drink with someone who could at least take the humor he dished out.

"Many small purchases add up to a large amount of money.."

It was the name that brought her here, hopeful that it might perhaps lead her to the man himself-- yet despite how bountiful Dionysus' Chalice seemed, with food and splendor galore, there was no sign of the God in sight. Perhaps Melinoë had been naive in her thinking, assuming it would be that easy to find him waiting for her, just as she had on her nights on Mount Olympus.. but she was still so disoriented, so afraid of her current circumstances. Tossed out of The Crossroads, into a world where she had zero connections; no Gods or chthonic beings to call upon for aid, left virtually powerless with only a wooden stick at her disposal.

IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS, brimming with cheer and life alike. here of all places is where the prince of the underworld himself finds himself when idle legs carry him to and fro within the city proper. it's surely what dionysus would want in his honor, he would tell himself each passing of the tavern, taking in drink and food galore with the denizens that frequent more heavily than he. and tonight was no different, an arm slung around someone else's shoulder, smile from ear to ear whilst a chalice rest comfortably in his hand.