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odorekijin
[Bacchus’ Cellar]
Nero: Phew, that hits the spot… That one would be perfect with some rich meat.
Faust: It’s not bad, but I’d prefer something a little lighter for my palate.
Bacchus: In that case, I’ve got just what you need. It’s a few years older than the other one, though…
Shylock: Oh, yes, that era was graced by a collection of rather refreshing vintages. I found them quite satisfying.
Nero: Huh, really? Which one? I wanna give it a shot too, then.
Shylock: It should be this wine over there.
Nero: Ah, I see, so it’s of the same generation as Teach’s.
Faust: Could you not word it like that? You make it sound like something bad.
Nero: You just said the exact same thing earlier…
Shylock: If we venture further in, we would most likely find vintages from Nero’s generation as well. What do you say to a little sampling of them later on?
Faust: It seems so, yes. I wouldn’t be against it.
⁂
Akira: Enjoying wines from your own generation is such a wonderful way to spend time.
Arthur: Indeed, being able to savour a wine that has matured for as long as you yourself have lived must be deeply moving.
Though I do wish we could have had some wine from Master Oz’s generation…
Akira: (That wine would be at least two thousand years old…)
Oz: …There is wine from the year of your birth.
You wanted me to select a bottle for you, correct? Although you cannot open it now, you may keep this one as a souvenir until that day comes in time.
Arthur: …I will! I hope you will join me for a glass when that day arrives, Master Oz.
Murr: Have you been drinking your share, Master Sage? I’ve personally had more than my two hands can hold!
Akira: I see you drank an awful lot; are you sure you’re doing all right?
Murr: Yup! Totally fine! If my hands can’t hold them all, I still have my feet! What you have there is juice, Master Sage, right?
Akira: Yes, it’s incredibly tasty, and I can have as many glasses as I want. You’ve been having wine, I presume? Do you know its vintage?
Murr: Oooh, y’know, the one with the big cross on the barrel! Y’know the one!
Akira: What?
Mister Bacchus rushed into the conversation in a heartbeat.
Bacchus: Hey...! Didja really drink that!? I toldja: it’s a bust, a disaster, a complete fiasco!
Murr: But how am I supposed to knooow if I don’t even get to try it!
Bacchus: I-I mean… I guess you’ve got a point, but still, you…!
Murr: Guyyys—! Did you try this wiiine—?
Rutile: Hm? Which one?
Nero: Why? Is it good at least?
Bacchus: UWAHー! Stop! Murr, you moron! Stop right there!
Bacchus’ reputation undoubtedly preceded the rumours: these were delectable wines and juices of the finest quality, and the wizards did not shy away from draining their glasses, pouring one after another without delay.
“This one is delicious”, “Oh, but this one as well!”
—we had fun comparing flavours, exploring different tastes and finding our respective preferences.
Before long, the cellar could have easily been mistaken for a bar in full swing with the lively spirit that animated our debates.
Nero: Brad… hrm, I mean, Bradley, don’tcha think you’ve drunk enough already?
Bradley: Say that to the Southern big bro over there, not me.
Rutile: Aaah, really, Mister Bacchus’ wines are the absolute best! Truly incomparable, so delicious...! Right, Mister Faust?
Arthur: Rutile, that’s Master Oz.
Everybody seemed a tad livelier than usual, slightly tipsy from the ample amount of wine they had consumed thus far.
A few moments later, and perhaps at Arthur's own request, Murr and Mister Bacchus threw off their socks and shoes, mimicking the grape-treading processus.
Even without grapes to stomp on, the two of them still broke into a cheerful tune: though their loose voices rose in similarly vague lyrics, it made for great entertainment nonetheless.
Akira: Ahaha, they look like they’re having a wild time; well, everyone seems tipsier than usual.
Shylock: The wines we have been offered today bear exceptional flavours, after all; I can understand their willingness to partake in some pleasant inebriation.
As Shylock and I observed this harmonious tableau between fellow wizards from the sidelines, Bradley approached us, a bottle in hand:
Bradley: ‘Sup, Pipe-man. Looks like yer glass happens to be empty, ay?
Without leaving a beat for hesitation, Bradley pulled Shylock's glass towards him to pour in some wine.
Shylock: Oh, gracing me with your service, are you? What an honour that is. …My, but that is…
The lack of label and similarities were unmistakable: this was the Calamity Wine that Mister Bacchus begrudgingly recommended to us earlier.
Bradley: I didn’t get ta hear yer thoughts on it yet, r’member?
To be honest, I was secretly curious about Shylock’s appraisal as well: what kind of comment would he address to a wine that had captured the hearts of many, yet had crushed that of Mister Bacchus?
Shylock brought the glass to his lips, taking several sips as if to make sure of his verdict. Finally, he calmly declared:
Shylock: …It is an outstanding alcohol of the finest quality, that much is undeniable.
However, not once would I consider selling such a wine in my own establishment.
Akira: …And why is that?
Shylock: It is too perfect, therefore leaving no room for improvement and progress.
I would even dare say that this wine may taste the same now and forever.
That is why, on the other hand...
Shylock raised his head: Mister Bacchus was still singing.
Shylock: On the other hand, Bacchus’ wines never cease to change. Their flavours and aroma are complex, subtle, and their textures prone to ever more variation each and every year.
I am incredibly fond of his ardent efforts and the love for his craft that shine through these perpetual changes—you see, what Bacchus doesn't disclose, his wine will voice in his stead.
Shylock: To feel the hidden predicaments that a creator goes through, simply with your tongue... That is what wine tasting is, to me.
Bradley: …I figured you’d say somethin’ like that.
Bradley replied in a hushed tone, promptly leaving us, a satisfied look plastered on his face.
His glass once again empty, Shylock poured himself some of Mister Bacchus’ wine.
Shylock: This bottle is a wine Bacchus uncorked for me a few moments ago.
He told me that this was one of the very first vintages he produced in this winery, and one of the few bottles that he’s preserved with his magic all those years.
Akira: They must be incredibly precious…
Shylock: Indeed, and they’re likely to be profoundly noteworthy to him. This must be his way of repaying me for treating him to some Bennett’s wine.
The deep, vibrant liquid swirled like shattered rubies within the round bowl of the glass.
Their intense richness could have been mistaken for a freshly-bottled wine, though it must have been produced centuries ago.
The wine before us felt like the proof of the commitment and earnest passion its creator had poured into it.
Shylock: No matter the tremendous amount of time that may pass, no matter how much the world may change, Bacchus will continue to produce his wine, and I ought to eagerly await their releases...
Shylock: So, I shall ponder the kind of flavours this year’s vintage will contain with nothing but exhilaration beating in my chest.
His final words lapsed into hushed silence; Shylock closed his eyes, as if basking in the flavours his fantasies drew in his mind, already cherishing a future he had yet to experience.
A few moments later, his long eyelashes fluttered open, his gaze graced by a smile—the amaranthine red of his eyes settled on me.
Shylock: Master Sage, would you please join me for a toast, so that we may usher this cherished happiness into an auspicious future?
Akira: Yes, of course...!
What kind of wine Mister Bacchus would release next? What kind of taste would they exhibit? What sort of predicament would it give rise to?
We raised our glasses, bearing new hopes and wishes for the aged wine filling our cups.
Indulging in the luxury of time, we exchanged a smile and each sipped from our glasses.
