Papa, can you hear me? {HADES}

[Dionysus]

He had arrived.

And so far no one had noticed.  Which sucked.  He'd expected a fanfare, a singing chorus, rose petals thrown at his feet.  But there had been nothing.

With a pout firmly affixed to his face, he'd wandered around, looking for some sign of life.  Eventually he'd stumbled across the bonfire, and had headed towards the light and the people - finally he was going to get his fanfare.  But as he made his way through the crowds, and no one gave him a second glance, he began to get frustrated.  Why wasn't anyone paying attention to him?  He was Dionysus!  He was a God!  He invented wine, for Zeus' sake!  Scowling, he stood still, his arms folded across his chest and tapped his foot, looking around - if he could at least find a member of his family, then perhaps he'd at least get a little recognition.

And then he heard an all too familiar voice.  A grin spread across his face, and he weaved through the crowd, his grin growing as he saw the man who had helped raised him.  The second time, anyway.  He moved into a gap in the crowd, and spread his arms wide, taking a deep breath before announcing his presence with a well-projected voice, singing from the diaphragm.

"PAPA!  Can you hear meeeeee?  Papa, can you see meeeeeeeee?  Papa, can you find me iiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnn thhhheeeee NNIIIIIIGGGGHHHHHTTTTTT?"

Ladies and gentlemen, Dionysus had arrived.

[Hades]

"oh, us,' muttered Hades. He was actually facing the other direction, looking toward the latest student he was trying to work through his games. There had been the weird...snowman... kid. That hadn't quite worked out like Hades had hoped. Plus, he did have to go check up on something, fill Vlad in and all that stuff (the timeline for this is kinda fuzzy; good thing Hades is a god, or it would make no sense). But this, this was not something he'd have anticipated.

Because there was only one being in the entire universe who would dare go to this... dramatic extent for... an entrance?

"Dio!" said Hades, spreading his arms out wide. He actually felt somewhat guilty, and he really, really hoped that Dionysus wasn't somehow wrapped up in the other gods' idiotic plans around here. 'cuz this was one of the only Olympian idiots that Hades actually cared two figs about. "What the me are you doing here?" he asked, looking around. "Did you miss a bus somewhere or something? You should be back on Olympus, getting people drunk and yelling about how you did the best Menelaus, even better than the actual guy, if memory serves."

Which Hades didn't actually argue against. Menelaus was kinda a bore.

[Dionysus]

"Uncle-Dad!" Dionysus called to Hades dramatically, only slightly put out that he'd interrupted the song after only a couple of lines. But, he was willing to forgive just this once, seeing as it was his Uncle-Dad, it had been a while, and he really loved that God. Rushing forward, he wrapped his arms around Hades and hugged him tightly, leaning back and lifting the God of the dead off his feet and holding him there for a minute before releasing him.

Taking a step back, he grinned at Hades, brushing down his suit for him before fixing his own sleeves. He was about to answer Hades first question, when he was distracted by the compliment. With one hand to his chest, he put the other on Hades shoulder, an expression of emotional gratitude on his face. "I really did, didn't I? My Menelaus was literally out of this world. The muses will be singing of that one for eons to come." He gave a wistful look into the middle distance, a classic thoughtful pose, well documented in the theatre world, before bringing his attention back to his guardian.

"Well, Uncle-Dad, I did not want to miss out on all the fun you were all having! I got left behind last time - no way I was missing out again. Plus..." He gave Hades a knowing look. "Hera." He rolled his eyes. "So I thought I'd bring the wine and the drama to Tintagel, and grace this world with my glorious presence." Arms spread again, he circled on the spot.

Where was his applause?

[Hades]

Oh yay, hugs. Hades generally only liked hugs from one being in the entire universe. So he had to stand there and mostly just let Dio hug him. Because technically that one being really liked Dio... (because of course Hades held absolutely no affection for the strange little god of wine and drama that got continually crapped on by Olympus in every way imaginable). At least the compliment did its work, though Hades found himself smoothing down his outfit yet again.

"Don't know if I'd call all this--" Hades began, only to stop as Dio mentioned Hera. That had him sighing and looking skyward, as if he could actually see Olympus's biggest bitch (well, possibly second after Apollo, but that was quibbling when you came down to it). "Right, kid, I can understand avoiding Hera and all. I do it all the time, but--" he looked around, "I don't think you need to--" Hades paused, arms outstretched. "no, no, wait a second. You definitely should be here! Take the drama teacher job! We don't have anyone with near your talent or ability! And hey, show the students your gift of wine!"

Because that would make Dio happy (and likely Persephone by extension), and might also provide quite a few distractions to keep suspicion off Hades. And hey, who would look twice at a kindly uncle who looked after his nephew on campus? Totally harmless. Not at all trying to make the world a living hell. One that would apparently involve some super dramatic performances of "Daddy Can You Hear Me?"

[Dionysus]

He continued to circle, looking at people nearby and gesturing to them to start applauding... but no one did. Not one single person. Not one clap. Did they not know who he was?! Back in Greece Dio was applauded everywhere he went - when he wasn't at an orgy, of course, people's hands were usually a little too busy for applause at those, but that was fine, he was being appreciated in other ways at those events. But here, nothing, nada. What was wrong with these people?!

He stopped circling at Hades' suggestion, and span to face him, almost pirouetting as he did. Everything Dio did was dramatic, could anything less be expected from the God of drama? He looked at Hades with an expression of someone who had just been told they'd won six different lotteries - "Drama teacher? Me? That would be PERFECT!" Raising his face to the sky his arms flung out to the sides once again in an extreme expression of gratitude to the heavens. Then he remembered who was actually in the heavens and quickly put his arms down, throwing a filthy look at the sky before looking back to Hades.

"Well of course there's no one with my talent, I'm the God of drama." He almost scoffed, folding one arm across himself and rest his other elbow on it, his hand on his chin and his eyebrow raised. "But, dearest, darling Uncle-Dad, what are you doing here?" He looked around eagerly. "Is Persephone here?" He really loved Persephone. In the absence of a real mother, a step-mother who kept trying to kill you, and three father-figures who all had very different views on child-raising, Persephone had been a bright spot in what otherwise could have been a very bleak life.

[Hades]

Yes, it would be perfect. Hades even flicked his wrist, adding a little rumbling thunder effect at Dio's armthrust. That did earn a few looks, but Hades wouldn't mind if Dio got some attention. Gods knew the kid deserved it. Why the Olympians had crapped on this poor ex-mortal was beyond Hades, beyond the fact that they were all trashbags disguised as thinking beings.

"Oh, you know, plans," said Hades, waving a hand. "Schemes. machinations. The stuff that--' he trialed off, seeming to just realize who Dio had just brought up. He darkened, almost visibly, light literally dimming from somewhere within him. His expression fell, eyes grew a little darker. "No," he said, his voice flat, 'she's not."

At least as far as he knew...

[Dionysus]

Oh, that thunder was just perfect. This was one of the reasons Dio loved his Uncle-Dad, he was always good for helping Dio with that little extra dramatic flair. He noted the looks he received, and smirked, straightening his cuffs smugly with a small nod to Hades. And the other gods thought he was a bad guy... Dio never had really understood that. Perhaps Dio was just special - Well, obviously he was special, but in this context he just mean special to Hades.

His eyebrows raised with interest at Hades words - he loved schemes, there was always so much drama involved. But as Hades’ face darkened, Dio took a tiny step backwards - he might love his uncle but he wasn’t stupid, and he knew not to be in the way when his face took on that expression. And where Persephone was concerned, Dio knew to step carefully. “Oh...” He said lightly, putting on a very obviously false expression of nonchalance. “Well, never mind. Perhaps she’ll come along later...”

[Hades]

It actually lifted Hades' spirits a little to see Dio happy. Persephone had been the one to really take a shine to the kid. She'd helped get him out of girl's clothes, let him pick and choose what he wanted to wear, who he wanted to be. Taught him what it took to be a decent human. That had been that first winter primarily, up until she'd taken Hades to the side and given him very precise instructions. Dio was special; Dio was like them; Dio needed love and attention. And if Hades loved Persephone, he'd do his best to show some of that love to Dio.

"Hey, hey,' said Hades, appearing behind the kid, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Don't worry about it. I'm working to make sure we get to spend plenty of time together. Everything'll be copacetic, kiddo," he gave Dio's shoulder another pat, before looking around. "So, you hear who else is around? You got Apollo for competition, kid. Got a plan on how to outshine that guy? I mean, sunshine literally comes outta his butt, so you'd better have something in mind."

There, encourage that competition. Even better if it was encouraged with that sunshine idiot.

[Dionysus]

He jumped slightly as Hades appeared behind him, but quickly grinned - whereas to most people that little trick of Hades' would be intimidating, threatening, and downright scary, Dio simply rolled his eyes indulgently and smiled. It was just another of Uncle-Dad's little tricks that had entertained Dio as a child. He really thought Hades was the least scary God of them all - he'd never understand why people were so scared of him. Like poor Panic - it just didn't compute for Dio.

He nodded at Hades' reassurances, smiling happily. He had definitely made the right decision in coming here, he was going to get to spend so much time with his Uncle-Dad, his favourite of all his Dads, and if he had schemes and plans in hand, maybe Dio would even get to take part in the drama. "I can help with your plans, I can... get people drunk, or drive them mad - you saw what I made Pentheus' women do to him, right? That was gory..." He grinned darkly at the memory of the women tearing Pentheus limb from limb.

The grin faded when Hades brought up his brother. "He's here? Ugh, great." He folded his arms across his chest, a sulky expression on his face. He knew his brother-dad was here, and he could deal with that, but Apollo was the golden-boy, literally. And Dionysus really hated to be outshone. "I'll... think of something. Maybe I can turn him into a dolphin... I make good dolphins." He looked at Hades, a sly smile appearing on his face. "But you'll help me, won't you Uncle-Dad?"

[Hades]

Hades almost felt a flutter of pride in his chest as Dio spoke of his darker tasks. Really, he could lean all the way, let Dio embrace his darker nature. Wine-drunk warriors, sacrifices amid frenzy, it was all part of Dio's oeuvre. But he could remember how Persephone had looked when Dio had done that deed at Pentheus, and he could remember her intervening when Dio had gotten too into grapes...

"Let's just stick with having big productions and drama, right?" said Hades, smoothing his hand through his hair. "You're good with that. Leave the big picture stuff to your... uncle-dad," he hated that phrasing, but again, he had to let it slide. This was Dio, after all. "Though if you wanna turn Apollo into a dolphin, you aren't gonna hear me object. Heck, I'll buy an aquarium and hand you a bucket of fish. See if we can't teach him a few tricks."

Hades chuckled at the thought, looking around. Lots of mortals about, and a few were looking their way already. "Seems like you're already drawing a crowd, eh Dio?" he said, looking back to his progeny. "Gotta make a big entrance, give the people what they came for and all that jazz."

[Dionysus]

He gave a disappointed look, slumping slightly as Hades dismissed his offer of help. Around ninety per cent of the time, Dionysus was the life and soul of the party, everyone's friend, the centre of attention and the ultimate good-time guy. But he knew he had a temper, he knew he had a thirst for revenge, and when he was wronged, boy did he go all out. And he loved his uncle-dad, wanted to make him proud, wanted to have a part in his schemes - some good, quality bonding time. But he too knew how Persephone disapproved, and he knew Hades would never lead Dionysus directly into anything that would upset his wife. But what Persephone didn't know... Dio wasn't done asking to be involved just yet. But he knew that drama was all about timing, so he was willing to wait for his moment.

"Fine. No one can do drama quite like I can, anyway. I'll put on a huge show, I'll make them all get involved." He glanced around, smirking as ideas began to cross his mind. "Shouldn't be too hard to create some offstage drama just as juicy as the onstage stuff. It's what I do best, other than my wine, obviously." He couldn't help but smile a little dreamily at the thought of Apollo the dolphin though. He almost wondered if the punishment from the big man with the lightening bolts might even be worth it.

Brushing some imagined lint from his jacket, he raised an eyebrow and smirked at Hades. "Of course I am. Where I go, crowds follow." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And if there's anything I can do, it's an entrance. The question is, do we go for some classic Shakespeare, or an upbeat song and dance number?"