Safety Measures

Caleb had made his decision ages ago. He needed to change a few things, and he needed to see his father about it.

He couldn't go on while having his power of insanity. It was unstable and unreliable and uncontrollable. He needed it gone, as soon as possible.

Well, the 'as soon as possible' thing didn't really work. Luckily he'd been able to keep it in. But he was tired of that.

Walking to the big house, his blue eyes were flecked with more purple than usual. He was trying to keep things together, not to get nervous when he talked to his father.

He gave a knock on the door. Just like last time, Chiron opened the door. He brushed past the centaur with a quick "gottaseemydad" to walk further into the house.

He saw Mr. D sitting at his desk with a diet coke, and froze. He hadn't actually thought much further than that.

"Hello, d-"

Dionysus interrupted him, leaving it unknown if Caleb was going to say 'dad' or 'Dionysus'.

"Callum. I hoped that you, as a counselor, wouldn't get in trouble." He said, a question hidden inside the sentence.

"Actually, it's Caleb, and I didn't really get into trouble-"

"Then what are you here for?" The god asked, tilting his head. "I don't like being disturbed for no reason. This place is bad enough when it's calm."

"It's not for no reason, actually." Caleb said quickly, hoping not to be interrupted again. He felt like his first time in a play, stage fright getting to his head. He forced it down, knowing full well he shouldn't but it didn't matter much anymore. "I was hoping you could take away one of my powers."

Dionysus raised his eyebrow. "Curious. Normally people like you want power."

"It's been causing me trouble." He said, taking a deep breath. "I don't want to be able to cause insanity anymore."

The god appeared to think for a while, looking at Caleb.

"Fine. It isn't much effort to me." He said finally. "Anything else?"

"Well, I-" He began. He felt a bit.. a bit guilty for asking for something in return for a power he couldn't control, but he could try. "Some of my.. brothers and sisters can control plants. Could you- replace-"

"Fine." Dionysus said again, saving Caleb from the curse of awkward sentences, and sparing him a remark about heroes wanting power. "Let's get on with it. Come here."

Caleb stepped closer. Dionysus reached out a hand towards his forehead, stopping inches from it.

It felt a little weird, as if something you didn't really know was there, or didn't know what it did, was removed. A small emptiness in his head where it was, maybe.

Strange.

He expected to feel something else filling its place, but he felt nothing. He wondered if it had worked. He looked to his father curiously, but Mr. D moved away.

"W-was that it?" He said softly. He couldn't remember the time when he'd last stuttered.

"Yes." Dionysus replied, mildly irritated. "That was 'it'."

"Thanks, then." Caleb muttered, turning around to leave. "Bye, dad."

Dionysus didn't answer.

---

Outside, he took a deep breath. Finally. It was done.

He looked at the grass. No harm in trying now, right? He stretched his arm to the foliage, and as his eyes gained a light purple tint, a small lavender flower grew, spreading its scent as it bloomed.

He didn't even notice the tired feeling that washed over him, just smiled. That was way better.