Fall Apollo part eight

Apollo caught up, jogging up the hill to the wine god's temple and was surprised when he got to the top, seeing a huge theater, and an actual temple further back behind it, white pillars with grape vines, a golden throne, various offerings of wine goblets, wine bottles, wine jugs, and people already around it, praying, drinking, dancing, playing music, even a few already having sex, in front of the golden throne!

Apollo was a little more than shocked and taken aback. “Whoa, was not expecting that this early.” Dioynsus laughed next to him. “They are just excited and if it was not for worshipers like them today, I would not have the energy to have a corporeal form. Let's go see them, I wish to give them a blessing.”

He started walking down, Apollo gaped at him, following. “Uh no, we should at least let them finish.” He said rushed, blushing all the way to his ears. Dionouys stopped, smiling to Apollo as he pointed to the couple, Apollo, able to see the bit of purple magic fly out of his hand and into the couple who started fucking much faster, Apollo looking away, not sure he could blush more than he is, their plesure more intense as they moaned and cried before finishing.

“Ah, look, they're finished and had quite the time.” The wine god said, enjoying Apollos discomfort far too much as he continued to walk down the theater seats.

Apollo followed, having to jog again to catch up.

The couple were catching their breath when they saw the wine god walking to them. The woman gasped, nearly pushing her male lover off. “Our lord! He's here!” The man sat up, both of them looking to cover themselves as Dionoysus chuckled, kneeling to them. “Do not cover yourself for me, for your bodies and intimacy are divine.” He placed a hand on both their heads. “I bless you with abundance to get through this coming winter easily, may you have little trouble and good dreams always.”

The lovers bowed their heads to him, hands folded in reverence. “Thank you my lord.”

Dionysus stood and went back to Apollo who was watching the people at the theater temple. All in various states of drunkenness or worship. Many couples off to the side and making out or getting into heavy petting. “You’re worshipers don’t waste time on festival day do they?”

“Oh absolutely not. The ones not engaging in these activities are those rehearsing for the theater.” Dionysus said with a smile as he walked and waved to a few people, Apollo seeing purple magic flew from his fingers with every wave; giving all of them blessings.

“It’s still hard to believe they’re not engaged in wine or drugs or even sex. Especially with it going on all around them.”

Dionysus turned to him, looking oddly serious. “That’s because the theater is sacred here. To do well in theater you need a clear mind and body. They will enjoy the fruit of their labors but for now they are working. Why don’t we go see them, come along.” He continued walking, showing the way for Apollo to follow.

They got to where they were holding the dress rehearsals, everyone was engrossed in their work, going over lines and music, tuning their instruments when one of the actors noticed Dionysus, nearly gasping.

“Our lord is walking among us.” He got to his knees quickly, many others following. Dionysus smiled at them. “Please stand, I do not wish for you to stop rehearsing simply because I am here. I am just showing my friend around, he’s never been to one of my festivals before.”

The man who bowed walked over to Apollo with a smile. “You will have a fantastic time. This theater works all year long to make sure our plays are ready for the festivals.”

“Do you get paid for it?” Apollo asked. The small band of actors around laughed. The man next to Apollo chuckled. “No, not at all! We work our regular jobs. Some of us are paid actors but it is often not enough to get by, so this is a hobby; a labor of love.”

“What’s this play you're doing about?”

Night

The festival was in full swing, people feasting, drinking wine, singing, acting, and more fornication, some in public, others in private places designed for it. And many, many drugs of every sort.

Apollo was more than a little intimidated by it all. In his divine form, he could drink as much as he wanted with no fatal consequences. Can get as drunk and high as he wants, with just a hangover no matter how much he used or drank.

But as a human he’s fragile, nearly died from being sick a week before.

While Apollo was lost in his head, Dionysus handed him a glass of wine and Apollo was immediately suspicious.

“What did you put in here?”

Dionysus just rolled his eyes with a smile. “Nothing you can’t handle.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

Dionysus stops to look at him. “It’s a mixture of wine and cannabis, nothing more.”

Apollo gave him a look. “You say that like it’s nothing.”

“That’s because here it technically is. Do you not trust me to keep you safe here?” The wine god asked with concern.

Apollo frowned, looking away, he’s never seen the wine god so serious. “I didn’t. No. But I do now.”

“Good.” He got closer to Apollo, staring him down. “Because I may be a god of wine and ecstasy but that doesn’t mean I don’t take your experience lightly. I will guide you and protect you, if I think you may be harming yourself or others, I will stop you and force you to drink some water; understood?”

Apollo nodded. “Got it.”

Dionysus smiled then. “Good, then drink up!” He summoned his own goblet of wine and clinked their glasses together.

Apollo smiled back, feeling a little better as he sipped the wine, finding it surprisingly sweet, especially if it has cannabis in it. “How is it so sweet? Cannabis isn't a sweet herb.”

Dionysus laughed. “I can make wine whatever flavor I like. I know you like sweet things so I made sure your wine was sweet.” Apollo gave a nod, smiling. “That’s really thoughtful, thanks.”

One hour later

Apollo didn’t hold his liquor at all in his human form, more likely a different level of tolerance. He had two glasses of cannabis infused wine, and two regular wine from Dionysus and was rather cuddly when drunk… or high, it was hard to tell which is affecting him more.

As they watched one of the plays going on, from an area reserved only for Dionysus and anyone else he deems worthy to be in the small view area he had set up, which was primarily other deities.

Although Dionysus kept his attention on the play, proud of the actors, the work they did to bring this to fruition; the creativity of humans was divine.

He also kept a careful eye on Apollo, who was nearly in his lap, asking questions about the play he will likely not remember in ten minutes.

“Oh well this is an adorable sight.” Hermes said, grinning at the two as he suddenly arrived.

Apollo smiled, trying to get up but totally off balance as he nearly fell. “Oh Hermes, hey… hey..have..ha…have you had the..uhh..” Apollo was lost in thought, forgetting the word t as he pointed to his wine glass.

Dioynous chuckled as he summoned a glass of water. “Wine?”

Apollo snapped his finger to him. “That! Or at least the..the ..uh wine he makes?”

Hermes chuckled as he held up a wine glass. “I never miss an opportunity.”

Dionysus stood, taking the wine glass out of Apollos hand (it was nearly empty anyway) and replaced it with the glass of water. “Drink, you can barely walk.”

Apollo took the water and drank. Hermes gave a look to the sun god. “How much has he had?”

“Only four glasses, two had cannabis infused in it. I’ve been keeping an eye on him. After that I may allow him one more glass of wine but then only water.”

Hermes looked at him surprised. “Normally you’d be encouraging drunkenness.”

“He is not normal. He has never been human before and thus has no idea where his limits are. And right now that limit is three glasses of wine before his coordination and inhibition leave him, I’ve found as a human; he is a cuddly but happy drunk. Which works, makes it easier to keep an eye on him, I don’t have to go looking.”

Apollo slumped on the wine gods shoulder, pouting. “Hey I can hear you talkn bout me.”

Dionysus smiled. “Oh? And what were we saying about you?”

Apollo was about to tell him but blinked. “I…that…” He grumbled, forgetting entirely what they were saying. “Shut up.”

Dionysus took the glass from him, which was empty and filled it with water again from just his hand before giving it back. “Drink.”

“Do I get more wine if I do?”

Dionysus gave him a look over, studying if he could handle making another glass and sighed. “Maybe. We will see, the night is still young. Please, drink your water.”

Suddenly all the torches around the amphitheater went out, a few people either crying out in fear or crying in happiness. But it stopped the play dead in it’s tracks and there was a wind so sudden and harsh the musicians fell from their spots in gaggle of limbs and clanging instruments. Apollo watched with fear, starting to hide behind the wine God.

Dionysus watched it all with a mixture of annoyance and fondness. “Loki, show yourself and let me play the resume.”

Loki appeared suddenly, ginger hair, with several braids in it went past his shoulders. “Ruin all my fun.”

Dionysus sighed but smiled. “You tried ruining my play.” He swished his hand, getting the torches lit once again, the orchestra pit already set up again.

Loki rolled his eyes. “Oh you weren’t even watching it, you were too busy babysitting the sun god. Hello Apollo.” He finished. Waving to the drunk sun god who was barely moving from Dionysus' side.

Apollo pointed unsteadily. “You’re…you’re Loki….”

“And you're very drunk. How are you this drunk on human wine?” He asked with mild concern.

Hermes came over, swishing his own wine in its glass. “He’s human. It’s a whole thing.”

Loki's eyes got wide as he looked back at Apollo. “He’s human? What in the nine realms happened?”

Hermes was about to tell the story when Apollo beat him to it. “Zeus happened! Damn bastard!”

Loki gave a nod. “I should have known this was Zeus’s doing.”

Hermes sipped his wine. “Long story short; his son was bringing people back from the dead. He got told to stop, didn’t stop and Zeus thought it best to kill his son and Apollo got back by killing those who make his lightning bolts and thus Zeus cursed him to one year as a human. Also Dionysus added a little extra to a few wine glasses.”

Loki smiled at Dionysus. “You drugged him?”

“Drugged implies he was unaware. He was fully aware and he’s drinking water now.” He pointed out Apollo drinking the water from his glass, slowly getting more sober as the water worked its way through him.

“True. What did you put in it?” Loki asked.

“Cannabis. Nothing he can’t handle.”

Loki held out his hand, an expecting look on his face.

Dionysus rolled his eyes but relented, giving Loki the same wine he had made for Apollo, filled glass appearing in hand. “There? Happy?”

Loki sipped the wine and grinned. “Very much.” He heard the play starting up from where or left off. “Oh good, they’re back.”

“No thanks to you.” Dionysus said with a little smirk pointed at the Norse gods' way.

The play went on and eventually the group of deities watched it to its end and moved on to the party part of his festivals.

Apollo was almost entirely sober at this point but the effects of the cannabis were still there as they walked around, watching some spots of dancing and singing and other areas for fornication, in public or behind closed doors and Apollo was back to blushing as he watched it all. “The birth rate after your festivals must be crazy.”

Dionysus laughed, slapping him on the back playfully. “I am a god of fertility Apollo. That’s kinda the point.”

“I’m just sayin, Hera and Artemis have their work cut out for them with the birth rates. Can I have more wine now?”

Dioynous sighed and summoned a wine glass, handing it to Apollo. “Here, there are no drugs in it.” Apollo smiled as he took the glass, drinking it.

They got to a dancing area and Apollo nearly ran in before Dionysus stopped him. The sun god looked at him with confusion before the wine glass was taken out of his hands. “Now you may go dance, we don’t need to risk broken glass.”

Apollo grinned, buzzed from the wine before he nearly ran and danced with ten people, feeling the familiar feeling of music fill him, even if he was a little uncoordinated from the wine and cannabis.

While Apollo danced, Hermes joined in, Dionysus walked away, greeting and blessing various festival goers, being asked to bless a few couples with fertility issues and before he knew it he completely lost track of Apollo.

And Hermes.

And Loki.

He looked around before calling out. “Hermes!” Hermes was there with his famous speed.

“Yeah?” The messenger god asked.

“Can you help me find Apolo? And Loki?”

“You know he can probably take care of himself right?” Hermes said, sipping his second glass of wine.

“Need I remind you he is a human and not divine at the moment?”

Hermes smiled at him, summoning his staff. “For a god of ecstasy you sure do a lot of babysitting.” The staff's top glowed, Hermes flying around the festival above Dionysus. It didn’t take long to find him.

“Oh I found him, he’s having a very good time.”

“What is he doing? Where is he?”

“He’s down that way, round the corner. Loki too and with a very..endowed handsome man.” He waved his staff and gave Dionysus a little golden trail to follow.

He followed it with worry, if Apollo were still divine, in his right state of mind, he would even help the sexual experience for him.

But Apollo was human. And not in his right state of mind which means he cannot consent properly.

He found him down an alley, a few other couples there as well, mostly using it to rest in a quiet place, unphased by Apollo and the man he was grinding against, pinned against the wall by the mans hands. Loki leaning against the other wall with a satisfied grin on his face.

A deep purple glow came from his eyes, his hand outstretched with purple swirling around it going to the man. “You will leave him alone right now and leave this alley.”

The man pulled away, suddenly looking at Apollo with horror. Dionysus wasn’t sure what he made him see, but it worked, the job done as the man ran screaming from the alley, alerting some of the other people. Loki saw Dionouysus helping Apollo and cursed to himself as he used his magic to shield the wine god and apollo.

Apollo glared weakly, he was far more drunk than when Dionysus left him. “Wha…what was…I’m still hard..” he stuttered before he nearly collapsed, barely able to walk.

Dionysus came over to quickly and caught him with a concerned look. “By the gods you are wasted.” He looked over at Loki, glaring weakly. “Did you have something to do with this?”

Loki huffed as he walked over to him.. “I simply increased the alcohol in his drink, him wanting to fornicate with that man was not me. He was fine, he wasn’t being raped.”

Dionysus got Apollo steady, holding his arms, he felt like jelly in his grip. “No but he may regret it in the morning. If he wants to engage in sexual activities here he can do so tomorrow once he is in the right mind to make that decision. Now I must get him somewhere to sleep this off.”

Loki glared as he followed him. “Just let him have a little fun, you are a god of ecstasy and madness yet I am seeing nothing of the sort tonight.”

Dioynous glared at the Norse god, turning to him, still holding Apollo carefully. “Be careful how you speak of my divinity. You are my friend but you are on thin ice.”

Dionysus felt Apollo tense and already knew what he needed. He got him to kneel on the ground gently before he started vomiting, coughing and gagging as his body purged the high volume of wine he had.

Dionysus soothed him, holding his hair back from his face before glaring weakly over at Loki. “This is why I was careful with him. He has never had alcohol or substances in a human form and his tolerance is low. Now he may be lucky if he remembers tonight at all.”

Hermes came over with a weak smile. “If it’s luck you need.”

Dionysus gave him a look as Apollo was done coughing. “I just want him to remember tonight and to be able to hold down water.”

Hermes came over, being careful of the puddle of vomit as he squatted down to them. He brought his hand to Apollos head and gave it a little pet, some golden flakes spreading from his hand to Apollos hair. “There! Easy peasy! He should be able to remember everything tonight but water I cannot be sure of, I am not a healer. But he’ll be fine in the morning, just will feel like shit.”

Dionysus gave a nod to him. “Thank you for your help. Now to find somewhere he can rest.”

Hermes used his staff once more, bringing back the little golden trail he used earlier to find Apollo. “Follow this trail, he won’t be bothered there, i'll make sure of it.”

Dionysus stood but found Apollo was unable to walk, nearly unconscious. “Please do not vomit on me brother.”

“No..prom…see..” Apollo said weakly as the wine god hefted him onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, following the glittering golden trail Hermes provided.

It thankfully wasn’t long before he got to one of the rooms for sex, unoccupied and unused, it was a little out of the way which was conveniently lucky for them.

He got Apollo inside and laid him down. “Here, rest. Hermes?”

Hermes was next to him. “Yeah?”

“Can you bring him some bread, he may not hold down water but bread can help sober him up. And keep his stomach settled.”

There was a distinct soft booming sound as Hermes left and came back, a bowl of breads in hand. “Here.” Loki watched them attend to Apollo who was barely conscious.

“I sense there is more to you babying him than your saying.” Loki said simply, sipping his wine.

Dionysus looked over at him as he got a slice of bread, putting the bowl down. “He almost died recently and I do not know what will happen if he does. He is no longer divine for the time being so he no longer has a divine soul but he is a former god. I asked Zeus what could happen should Apollo pass and he said it was Hades problem. Right now he is only alive because of the care of his sister and son. I had to get Hermes to help properly get him healthy.”

Loki looked over at Hermes who was snacking on some of the bread that he had brought. “But you're not a healer.”

Hermes swallowed his bite. “No but I bring luck. And he needed a lot of it.”

Loki let out a breath. “Well that certainly paints the picture of why you've been babying him.”

“And because I have no idea how much alcohol you gave him. Him vomiting, unable to walk or barely talk, barely conscious; those are early signs of alcohol poisoning. Artemis would have my head if I let him die from something in my own domain.”

Loki gave a nod to that. “She is scary when she mad. I suppose I apologize for increasing his alcohol content. I only meant for him to properly have a good time, not… this.” He waved his hand to Apollo who was weakly nibbling the bread.

“Thank you Loki for your apology, you should go enjoy the rest of the night.”

“Nah, this is far more interesting than the festival. Now that we have time, why not tell me his story; in whole and spare no detail.” He said, sipping his wine with a grin.

Sunrise

Apollo groaned awake, feeling like he had the flu again. His head pounded, his muscles felt like he ran a marathon and his stomach threatened to purge itself.

Hermes smiled at him. “Oh he’s alive, welcome back to the world of the living.”

Apollo sat up weakly, holding his head with a wince. “Fuck…I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this terrible after drinking.”

“That’s cause you’ve never gotten drunk as a human.”

Apollo silently agreed. “What happened last night? It feels fuzzy.”

“It’ll come to you.”

Apollo got his legs over the bed when he stopped. “I called Zeus a bastard, in front of other people didn’t I?”

“Yeah. Ya did.”

Apollo blushed, the entire night coming back. “And made out with a guy in front of others…”

Hermes chuckled. “Made out with is putting it lightly. I think you were about to ride him in the middle of the festival.”

Apollo blushed deeply and groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “And I was too. Damn!"

“Are you upset you couldn’t fuck him or upset that it got that far?”

Apollo sputtered out. “Both?! I don’t know right now. Right now I just feel like shit.”

Hermes handed him a basket of covered breads. “Here. It’ll help. I’ll let Dionysus know you’re awake.”

It didn’t take long before Hermes came back with the wine god. Dionysus smiled weakly, looking tired. “I’m glad to see you’re awake and well. How are your memories?”

“I unfortunately remember everything and I’m feeling like shit. The bread helps.”

Dionysus chuckled. “I am just glad you’re ok, you were not doing so well for a bit. Loki increased the alcohol content in your wine and I don’t know how much it was. You were at risk of alcohol poisoning.”

Apolo looked up at the wine god. “Thanks for having my back. Without you to guide me through this festival I may have wound up dead. Or done things I regret. Like trying to have sex with that man In public. I wish I did that a teeny bit sober. If you hadn't helped me I would have vomited on him. Mood killer.”

Dionysus chuckled. “Well you can always search for a partner again tonight if you like, with less alcohol.”

Apollo gave a weak smile. “Honestly sounds like fun.”

Loki poked his head into the tent. “Ah, the sun god is still with us.”

Apollo huffed. “No thanks to you.”

Loki walked inside, his tall figure barely fitting inside. “I was unaware of your brush with near death recently. And I apologize for interfering with your wine. It shan’t happen again tonight. But I brought you an offer of peace.”

Apollo smiled weakly to him. “You don’t need to bring me anything.”

“You nearly vomited on Dionysus, was at risk of alcohol poisoning and I feel terrible about that.”

He handed over the wooden box, at least a foot or more wide and deep. “Here. It’s something from my land.”

Apollo took it carefully. “A snake isn’t gonna pop out and bite me?”

“No, I promise and I may be a god of chaos but I keep my promises.”

Dionysus and Hermes watched carefully as Apollo opened the box, smiling when he took out the item.

It was a lyre but not a golden one like his own on Mount Olympus.

This one looked like it was made from bone, runes intricately carved onto the handles. Loki smiled softly. “It’s made from the bones of a wolf, the runes represent inspiration, clear mind and intuition.”

Apollo smiled looking it over. “It’s beautiful.” Even feeling like shit, he plucked a few strings, playing a small tune quickly as if he never stopped playing for months.

He stopped playing, the song ending, his eyes watery. “This is a very thoughtful gift. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.”

Loki smiled softly. “I’m glad I could give you a little piece of home. I shall see you again tonight.” And he was gone, faded into the wind.

Hermes smiled. “He’s actually really nice when he isn’t causing shit.”

Apollo silently agreed. “I should let Kasandra know I’m staying for the festival.”

Hermes peeked up, grabbing another slice of bread. “I already did. I had someone send the message to her.”

Apollo let out a relieved breath. “Good. Is it alright if I stay here for a while and rest?”

Dionysus almost rolled his eyes as he stood. “Why do you think you are here? Of course you can stay. Stay as long as you need.”

Apollo smiled, getting more comfortable in bed, adjusting the lyre. “Thanks.” He started to play and barely noticed when the two gods left the tent to prepare for another wild night.