276. Odysseus, 2

(Rose)

More or less because we got drunk, we ended up with a new friend quite suddenly.

A kind of faery that grew into grapes until we came around, and gave it a golden opportunity to become more human. A drunk human.

As we drank her wine, we invited her into ourselves like a faith in Dionysus, and into our life together as another daiûa becoming alive. And she got a look I'm weak for.

So as we suffered our hangover on wine, our new friend was all cheerful having joined us and reality. Which she shows without restraint in touching, embracing and drinking like a hole.

As we slowly finished loading the ship with our and her bottles, Grape insister for us to recover more wine from various hidden caves across the island.

R - I'm sorry Grape, but if we get drunk like you every day, we'll die in a week.

G - But I want to go with you and I need to drink it to live.

B - Such a drunkard... But is that true? Do you actually need alcohol to live?

Grape touches the drying skin of her arms.

G - I've never become so physical before, but I think I do... If you can drink any water, I need to drink wine to keep my body and self together.

B - But... You won't live a year then... There's not enough.

She smiled happily nonetheless.

G - I'm fine having a short lifespan. I should last till winter! And I'm glad I will have fun with you two by then eh!

She still giggles as Bleue and I are a little struck and saddened. She will be gone so fast...

Bleue gently grabs her arm and hugs her.

B - We'll be happy to spend this time with you Grape.

G - Oh thank you dear Bleue!

Bleue gets wet kisses over her cheeks.

Grape is sweating clear wine more than water. That's what her body is made of.

(And her mind as well)

~

We ended up loading all the wine we could find over the island as well, so we will be able to spend a few more weeks with our new pet, erh, I mean friend.

She's affectionate, and she feeds solely on liquors and wine. She has teeth, that are more a kind of soft plastic than real enamel, but she doesn't eat solid food so it doesn't matter.

She only drinks wine. Grape juices should work as well we think, so Bleue and I will try to drink the minimum of it to make Grape's stock last as long as we can.

Though Grape is peculiar, she sure is friendly and we are fond of her. She's the nicest daiûa we ever met.

We may have only a few months at best to spend together, but we will make the most of this time.

The drunken ship finally set off from this peculiar island. Grape drinks her litre or so of wine a day. She can spend her day lazing on the deck looking at the sea and occasionally laughing to herself.

She helps, but mostly follows her lazy and happy whims as they go.

All that remains constant is that she carries a bottle in hand, from which she regularly takes a sip or two.

And also that Grape is always, always smiling.

She's the most cheerful being I ever met. And her joy is at least a little contagious.

She makes the days enjoyable without a doubt.

We sailed south for a few days before reaching another island.

This one was dead empty. Ruins from another era, and nothing growing.

Without anything to harvest, we resumed sailing. Grape still having the most fun living with us.

R - You seem to have an intelligence quite alike us, human enough. You're not that afraid or saddened by your own fate?

G - No, heavens no. It touches me that you worry for me my friend.

She hugs me. Then she just smiles happily. She's so simple, but it's a charm.

G - Enjoy me whilst you can as shall I, Rose. Meanwhile, life is so nice. I enjoy it. Here, won't you share a drink with me?

I feel a little off accepting her invitation at first, as this would be literally reducing her lifespan.

But she has no shadow of a doubt nor regret. Her smile is just as happy and genuine as ever. I realise I should accept for her to live the way she enjoys it.

What I find to be a right or normal choice, may not be the best one for her.

She hands me another bottle, and we share a good sip. She immediately laughs, inviting me to drink more, again and again.

Bleue arrived meanwhile, letting the ship sail by itself for a little while.

B - My, my, aren't we getting merry over here.

G - Your dearest gave in to the sweet temptation of yours truly.

I raise my bottle to Bleue, quite a flushed smile on my face. I should feel ashamed, but I'm amused.

R - Grape enjoys life this way. I appreciate her too much to deny her this kind of pleasant moment.

Bleue snatches my bottle away, not to confiscate it as I thought for a second, but to take a very long glug at it. Grape approves by clapping with another cheerful laugh. Oh boy. We're so weak.

R - Still, especially when I was lonely, but I tended to think with less epicureanism and optimism in mind. You're impressive Grape.

G - I actually live by two very strict and severe rules of conduct you know. I'm not carefree and go-lucky at all.

B - Oh really, which are?

Bleue could smell the sarcasm, and was eager to play along.

She was right, as Grape would burst in loud laughter after delivering her line.

G - Don't think; and whatever happens happens.

She's laughing so much at her supposed joke. Bleue is smiling at me kindly. Yeah, I know.

B - We're making progress toward that ideal way of thinking, step by step.

I guess we are, as she holds my hand gently. Grape is grinning and gleaming, happy.

We drink some more until we all laze around under the radiant sky blissfully, in the middle of the sea.

~

I wake up in the evening. The ship is sailing slowly, Grape and Bleue operating it. It's such a nice moment, with calm and warm evening light and air. I can see the stars already in the distance.

The wind feels nice.

Everything we touch is gently warm. I can understand why Grape just wants to enjoy what she has in this time, and to share it together.

I take a sip of grape juice. It's nicely too sweet.

We may have met her only very recently, and we may have to part ways sooner than we'd expect; but she definitely is a good friend for us.

And my appreciation of time is blurry around her, because it ticks so well together. She feels like an old friend already.

They're chuckling, a few steps aside. I enjoy the evening air over the sea, and the syrupy taste on my tongue.

I enjoyed these days, and I'm grateful to Grape.

I join them after a while.

We increase the speed of the boat together to have more wind over us.

Grape is definitely happy, enjoying her life with us as it is.

So are we.

~