Of grapes and graves
Witcher Trick or Treat 2022 October 24 Prompt: Grave
"What are we going to wear, Geralt? Any ideas? You are the expert on all the kinds of night-time creatures."
"Hm." Even if Geralt had wanted to answer with more than his characteristic monosyllables, he could not have done so at the moment as his mouth is full of grapes. Dark red, almost black, uncommonly big and sweet and heavenly delicious grapes which Fringilla has been feeding him while he is lying flat on his back on an ancient stone slab looking up into the cloudless, perfectly blue sky. Even for the favourable climate of Toussaint an unusually warm and sunny late October afternoon after an equally unusually plentiful harvest. Seems to be an excellent year for grapes and wine. And lovemaking. Which has left him remarkably relaxed and sleepy in spite of the unusual location. Unusual for lovemaking. Actually, he has never before in his overly long life had sex in a place quite like this. A graveyard. With ancient looking, weather-beaten tombstones and graves overgrown with evergreen and ivy. Just outside of Beauclair at the foot of an old vineyard and surrounded by a beautiful landscape garden with curved wooden bridges, pavilions, striking rock formations, little ponds, fountains and artificial waterfalls. A very peaceful and romantic place, at least by day and if you do not mind or even appreciate the hint of underlying decay. Of course, Geralt has not solely come here to idle away his time, no, he is here in his professional capacity as a Witcher. On the Duchess's request. To make sure there are no dangerous creatures lurking about between the graves or in the nearby caverns and tunnels. As this is the chosen location for the soon-to-take-place fall masquerade and nothing untoward is to befall neither the many illustrious invited guests, nor the host of the event, Duchess Anarietta. So far, Geralt has not detected anything. Besides plenty of bats in the caves. And tons of grapes in the vineyard. Both totally harmless and nothing to worry about. Unless you choke on a grape or catch rabies from a bat. Not impossible, however, you would have to be very unlucky or very careless for that to happen. Or both. He has even checked the grave stones, but none of the ones that are still standing seems to be likely to tumble over and onto an unsuspecting guest's foot. And the ones that are not standing anymore are no threat to anybody at all unless somebody stumbles over them and smashes his or her head in. Not impossible either, however, you would have to be very blind or very drunk for that to happen. Or both. So, all in all, indeed a perfect - and perfectly safe - location for the event. Now they only need an idea for the perfect costume ...
"What is your favourite creature of the night, Geralt?" Fringilla stops popping one grape after the other into her lover's mouth as she does want to get more than a hm or a grunt out of him this time.
"My favourite nocturnal creature?" the Witcher mumbles. "Hm. Let me think. Definitely something without teeth. Or claws. Or talons. Or sharp beaks. Or poisonous stings. Or tentacles. Or scent glands. Or glowing eyes. Or too many legs. Or -" He frowns. Not much left now, is there? Besides a moth or a slug maybe?
"Sounds pretty boring," Fringilla complains. "I want something scary. Something that gives everybody a hell of a fright. Like vampires. They are scary!"
"There'll probably be dozens of vampires." Dozens of fake ones as well as one real one. One real vampire nobody knows about but he and the members of his hanza. A higher vampire who does not look scary at all. Unless, of course, you find tax collectors scary ...
"True. What about ghouls? Or zombies? They live in and between graves, don't they?"
"We would not look that much different, just a lot dirtier and deader."
"Right." Grinning, Fringilla picks a withered leaf and some pieces of moss out of Geralt's long white hair. And a spider. And some dried up bird shit. Suddenly, her face lights up. "I know something. Nobody will recognise us. And as it's a full moon night, it's perfect. Let me whisper it in your ear, darling ..."