511. Wonders of alcohol, 9

(Grape)

Something in the air told me it would be a good idea to wait a while longer this year before returning to my yearly sleep.

It was a good intuition I say to myself, taking a sip.

I’m aware of the extent of my ignorance. Still, some surprises are bigger than others. Much bigger!

The giant thing landed into the sea, close to the shore, and swam the remaining distance, stretching its wings one pair after another. So cute.

I took my bottle and headed down to the pier to meet it.

~

Adding to the surprise, I saw two women step down from the creature of legends. They didn’t look like the ones I met before. I’ll greet them as merrily as if they were.

So we meet. The black one is a little tensed. The pale one seems more sociable so I speak to her.

G - You have such a pretty bird!

Z - English? Oh... Myls?

M - Are you the friend of Rose?

G - I sure am! How’s she? Let’s drink to her, shall we?

M - She’s dead.

G - Oh. Let’s drink to her memory then!

I giggle, take a long sip, and laugh while handing them the bottle. They look flabbergasted, so I laugh even more.

~

They both took a polite sip of the wine. Passing my arms across theirs to cling to both of them, I walk them to my lair. I’m laughing.

G - I hope you like wine though, because it’s all I have to offer for tonight.

M - That’s... alright.

G - And for tomorrow as well.

M - ... Okay...

G - Don’t worry my young friend. I’m sure there’s something for humans to eat as well.

She had a shiver when I said that. I noticed the crispation running along her body.

G - You seem like you could drink a little more. You could handle what’s left there, don’t you?

She reluctantly drinks some more. I can grin merrily.

~

A little later, they saw my lair. A room with wide glass windows overlooking the dam from the side. Its wall opposite to the windows turned into a giant sculpture of roots and soft leaves. A wall of vegetal features out of which protrudes an old chair in the middle of the room.

I sit there usually to nap. Today, I put a few bottles on it and I sit on the forest floor next to it. I show them where they can light a fire for the night and what they can burn.

G - It’s my old nest anyway. I’ll grow something better next year. You can chop most of it down.

M - You’re pretty friendly...

G - Why wouldn’t I be?

M - Because the world is dangerous.

G - I don’t care about the world. I’m good here, at home. Come on, drink. I won’t show you the best spots to sleep unless these bottles go down.

She thinks this is a dream. I can tell.

G - It’s the first time I actually get human visitors, so come on, cheer with me!

I drink. I sigh. I enjoy it. I’m feeling fuzzy, but then, I always do.

~

They took a long and cautious look around by themselves, before returning to my lair to share the drink with me.

G - I’m happy to have you here.

M - Thank you for your hospitality, welcoming us so... warmly.

G - Eh eh eh. Then if you’re so polite, you won’t refuse another drink, won’t you?

M - I...

The one called Zes grabs the bottle intended for the black skinned, and drinks it almost empty in one go. I cheer for her loudly. I follow her example with another.

I’m laughing so much, they end up too.

My wine sips into their veins, and my merriment inside their head. I feel really good.

They tell me later one about what happened to my old friends, but it doesn’t really matter to me.

We have fun tonight, and we will be merry tomorrow as well.

Night passes and softens as we all fall asleep.

~

As they dream, I slide a little further inside their head, their thoughts and dreams.

I look around, I learn who they are, flipping gently through the pages of their memories.

I smile in my own way, and eventually close their books in my hands, to gently put them back inside them where they belong.

I’m nothing alike the ones they’ve met.

~

I take a sip as the sun rises. And then I return to nap between them as if we already were a family. They start moaning as they struggle to wake up.

Zes awakens first and holds her head, in pain.

G - Rise and shine Zes.

Z - Oooh... My head... So this wasn’t a dream...

G - Oh yes it was. And a nice one. I’ll speak softly don’t worry. And you’re lucky, I have some willow trees outside alongside fresh water.

Z - Thanks... Grape, right?

G - Yes. You’re welcome. I’m enjoying company.

Z - You can speak European...

G - I’m still one of them... But not like them.

Z - ... You sure drink a lot more than anything else I’ve met before.

G - My, thank you! Don’t think flattery will get you anywhere though! No, just joking, it could.

She looks a little spooked and amused at the same time. She giggles then. This one can get my humour. Nice!

I leave them to wake up and go fetch some water.

Outside, the giant whale or whatever it is looks asleep, by the shore.

It smells odd...

It smells like a predator to my trees.

G - Don’t you go eating my crops you, alright? Otherwise there won’t be any wine for you.

S - Myuu.

G - Good.

It also smells like me and my trees. A creature born from a being-like-me.

~

They drink some water and homemade aspirin.

M - I can’t do that every day...

G - That’s alright. Every night will suffice.

Zes and I laugh. She’s funny.

I lean and lie down, drinking from my bottle. I feel tired, but maybe I’ll stay awake a while longer.

G - How long would you like to drink with me? You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. As long as you don’t drink all my wine.

They smile. They’re not sure yet. I feel warm. Because it could be they stay for longer than a few days.

~