This is a Social Call (p)

Cepheus aboustely loved coming to the Bacchus Garden. Don't only did he have an amazing view of New Rome's valleys, but the canopy above his head was made of grapevines. The sweet smell of Vitis attracted bees that drank the nectar from the budding flowers and carried pollen between plants. This would be the perfect place to house a couple of beekeeping hive boxes that he was sure the children of descendants of Mellona would enjoy.

Dressed in his Roman-causal outfit (a camp shirt, breastplate, tunic, and sandals), the son of Ceres sat on the rim of the fountain with a book in his hands. Neil Gaiman's American Gods had become his favorite read of the summer. He promised himself that he would first read the book before watching the brand new television series on Starz. Cepheus flipped the page of his book and took in a deep breath, this calm, peaceful moment. Others were in the garden walking around and admiring the beautiful day that the gods had blessed them with. Could this day get any better?

Cepheus was about to flip the page when he heard a very familiar voice. His head immediately looked up to see Felix Julius standing to the side of him. Cepheus quickly closed the book and placed it to the side and stood up. "Felix," he greeted, bowing his head a bit out of both habit and respect. He had known Felix for a good portion of his life. After he came to Camp Jupiter, their families would have dinners and their parents would talk amongst themselves , "I'm surprised to see you here. You're usually back at the first cohort or training." Because Cepheus was also in the first cohort, he was able to see Felix quite a bit. Though between his duties with being the new "elected" aedile magistrate and the legacy of Honor magnifying his family's name.

"...I feel the crops will be strong this year, though, they could be better if we could sacrifice a pig." The last part was something that his father usually said. He didn't know what was with him and animal sacrifice. In Georgious Severus words, "moderate sacrifice, moderate record. Great sacrifice, great reward". Though, he doubted that Felix felt the same so he quickly cleaned up his mess. "Stuffed pigs, of course."

Cepheus smirked and shook his head, "you would be the last person to lie. Well that and a descendant of Virtus." He chuckled a bit and studied Felix, letting other thoughts take over his mind. Felix's skin always reminded Cepheus of cinnamon. The kind of cinnamon that takes months to grow in volcanic rich soil. The son of Ceres was so caught up in his thoughts about Felix's skin tone and cinnamon that he started to grow the latter.

"Hm? Oh, right, sorry. I was caught in my own thoughts," Cepheus gestured to his head with an embarrassed look on his face, "but yeah, I remember that. That year was really good for us." He made the assumption that his family had one. Of course he also assumed that it was because of his father's cooking. After all, that is why his mother Ceres decided to conceive a child with him.

"But to your point, I agree. Animal sacrifices can be and have been a way for great reward. Just imagine sacrificing a pig for a bountiful harvest or if someone wants to find true love, sacrificing a dove or hare to Venus or Cupid respectively."He turned to look into Felix's chocolate orbs. Cepheus leaned into Felix. "Have you...thought about doing it?"

The son of Ceres smirked and shook his head. "I know what you mean, Felix. My father has been urging me to marry your sister, Amara."Unknown to his father, she wasn't the twin he was interested. It wasn't that his father didn't approve of homosexuality, but the fact that, similar to Felix's situation, he had to keep on the strong bloodline that he was placed in. It wasn't fair, but it was the world that they were born into.

Cepheus shrugged his shoulders, "I'm sure there are some around her temple," Cepheus turned his body completely facing Felix as he spoke. He felt as if his hands should be somewhere else instead of behind his back, ...I wouldn't mind testing it out. Though I'm not sure if animal sacrifice is legal. Are you sure that you would be able to do that, Felix Julius?" There was teasing laced into his usual tone of voice. "Perhaps doing the sacrifice will reveal more than just who we are most compatible to."

"...Maybe I will." Cepheus grinned some. "As lovely as Amara is, I feel more inclined to court you as her," the words slipped passed Cepheus' unguarded lips. Great Juno he didn't mean to say that. "h-hypothetically speaking of course." He prayed that Felix didn't read too much into it. Cepheus glanced down the growing cinnamon plant. With wide eyes, he waved his hand over it and watched as it entered back into the ground.

That tone and later that wink made Cepheus feel all warm inside. He tried his hardest not to grow various kinds of roses and lilacs. "...I might have an idea. There's usually a few caged white doves in her temple. After dinner we can go and pluck on up, and slight Its throat."