Chapter 14
One of the days we had was boring. It was a boring day full of its sensibilities and aspects. Courage slept on the couch, sleeping as his days were full of peace. There was a knock at the door as I answered. Princess Morbucks was there, smiling as she held a passport. "Hey, Muriel". She said, kindly. Princess smiled a kind smile, albeit a selfish one.
"Hello, Madame Morbucks". I said, kindly. "It definitely is good to see you".
"Life's going well…I just wanted to see if Courage wanted to go on a retreat with me". "It's a meditation retreat and cruise…with Zen, and freshly made meals…a chocolate mousse fountain we can swim in, and a diamond floor". Princess said, gently, with some dreaminess to her voice. "It would be perfect for us two….and perhaps some other friends I have staying in other cabins". "I do love my Courage, immensely". "He would benefit from meditation…a mud bath, and a freshly made meal of salmon pate, and rice, with all the ginger and soy sauce he can dream of". Princess said, with swoon to her voice. To the naked mind, one wouldn't be able to tell if she was swooning over Courage, or the cruise trip.
"Is it ok if he comes?". Princess asked, gently. "Please….?". "I'll have him back before we know it".
Courage and I exchanged glances as Courage held a pleading, excited look about him. He really wanted to go. "I'm sure it will be exciting….it's fine by me". I said, gently. "Have fun, the both of you".
"Yay!". Princess said, gleefully, in the manner of an excited child. "Coochie, me and you sailing the high seas!". "We'll have so much fun….oooo, chocolate Mousse fountain, and ice cream dipped in the vanilla sprinkle hot tub".
Courage nodded, as his mouth began to water. "Color me excited". Courage said. "Our private limousine to the port is waiting out front". Princess said, excitedly, as she twirled on her feet. "Ok". Courage said.
"Have a wonderful time, my Courage". "Don't do anything I wouldn't do". I reminded, gently. "Remember to take your medicines, and eat all of your dinner, before dessert". "Also, do as Princess Morbucks suggests".
"Love you, dear". I said, gently. Courage and I exchanged a hug, and a kiss before Courage departed with Princess Morbucks. I waved to them, as the limousine drove away. It was going to be a charming weekend for them.
At the port, the luggage was put aboard, and everyone boarded the cruise ship, which wasn't as huge as a traditional cruise ship. This was because it was owned by Princess Morbucks, and her father. Courage came aboard, as the large horn sounded, and the ship left port for Turks and Cacos. Paradise Island. Courage glanced at the Penthouse cabin, with its own bed, complete with silk sheets, and a walk-in shower, and bathtub. "so….Coochie, what do you think?". "Pretty neat, huh?". Princess said, gently. "It is….I like it a lot". Courage said. "Coochie coo, you and I have a nice bathtub to share, too". "We can bathe together again, and play in the bubbles". Princess said, gently. "Ok". Courage replied. Courage sniffed around as Princess picked him up in her arms. "I love you so much, Coochie". "I'm so happy you're here". Princess said, gently. "Thank you". Courage replied. Courage sniffled a bit, as he glanced around.
"Want to get some chocolate, and strawberry ice cream?". "There's a hot tub full of it". "And dinner tonight includes ailio scampi, and rice pate". Princess said, gently. "Ok". Courage replied. Princess and Courage glanced around, as Princess took off her clothes, revealing her naked self. "Here I am, ready to lather up in some strawberry". Princess said, gently as she chuckled. Princess's dreamy giggle followed Courage all the way to the hot tub, where the jets shot out chocolate syrup, and the hot tub, (though watered down), revealed vanilla ice cream.
"Join me, Coochie". "Last one in, is the cherry on top of the flambe". Princess giggled, as she stepped into the 104 degree water. "Ok". Courage said, as he stepped in, wallowing in the warm, delicate nature of the hot tub, and its water.
"Mmm, I love ice cream….that, and chocolate". "It's like we're so creamy, and delish". Princess hummed, as she winked at Courage. Courage nodded. "You look like a big, white snowman". Princess giggled. "Mr. Tickle beard". She said, doing a silly accent, as she and Courage laughed. Courage laughed, as he licked some of the ice cream he was surrounded in. "so, how have things been going for you, sweetie?". "We haven't talked in a long time, and I was wondering how things were for you". "I miss you, Coochie". Princess said, gently. "You look so perfect, my boyfriend might have a nice complexion about him".
"I'm doing ok….I guess". Courage said, sniffling. "You guess?". "Why is it that you guess, coochie?". "Are things not going well?". Princess asked, gently with softness. "Not really, no". Courage said, as he revealed to Princess what he had told me earlier. "What happened, Coochie?". Princess asked, gently. "I was actually confronted by someone….is it turns out, it was Eustace's father….and he screamed at me, told me I was the reason Eustace passed away, along with Horst". "He called me stupid, and lazy, said I had no reason to live, and then almost gave me a black eye". Courage said, sniffling. "He said that Muriel was Eustace's property, and that she was going to die along with him". "I confronted him, quickly, but I knew he'd do a lot of harm". "I bit him on the leg, until the police came".
"Oh….". Princess said, kindly with softness. "I'm sorry, Courage". "I had no idea you were being bothered". "If I would've known, I'd get rid of him for you". "I don't like Eustace's family any more than you do". "I hate them in fact, but i'm sure it's nothing to feel bad about, baby". "Don't cry, Coochie". "Don't be sad, I know you tried your best….you're doing well….you're getting there…you are so strong…you can do anything". "Don't be discouraged, focus on the fun we're having now, not on the amount of disappointments there are". "Disappointment, and failure doesn't help anyone". "In fact, it only hurts us". "Don't think about what the past was, think about what the future will hold, and the light that can come about it". Princess said, gently.
"Don't be sad, Coochie". "We're here, on our vacation, we needed it". "We're good". Princess said, gently with kindness, as she made a vanilla beard around Courage's chin, playfully. "Ooo, look, Coochie's got a bubble beard". Princess giggled, as she and Courage laughed. Courage tried laughing, as he sniffled. "Don't worry, Coochie". "Cuddly bear's here for you". "Cuddly bear loves you". Princess said, gently, as she tickled Courage's chin. Courage nodded.
"Give me kisses on the cheek, Coochie". "Vanilla kisses, that'll make us feel better". Princess said, gently. Courage nodded, as he licked the Vanilla ice cream from Princess's cheek, while she kissed his cheeks. They both laughed, enjoying the nuances of the hot tub.
"Hey, my breasts have ice cream!". Princess said, in a ditzy manner as she looked down at her nipples, with more ooze coming from them. She laughed, giggling in a ditzy fashion. "I'm lactating vanilla ice cream sprinkles".
"...ok". Courage said, glancing at Princess's breasts. "Want some of my ice cream, Coochie?". "It's straight from my boobies". Princess said, gently. Courage shook his head. "I like rocky roads, and what's in the hot tub". Courage remarked. They both laughed.
Someone green with robes over his green body, a green chimp approached them. He had on a large clown head. "Excuse me if I'm a bit thickheaded". The green chimp said. Mojo Jojo said this. "Hey, I'd hate to take the Mojo with me". Princess said. She and Mojo Jojo laughed. "Eerrr-a hiya kids, Bubble-butt the clown here, is gonna make water come out of his buttcheeks". Mojo Jojo said, in a dopey accent, wearing the clown head. He indeed pulled handkerchiefs out of his ears, honked his nose, and yes….squirted seltzer water from his buttcheeks". Princess laughed, as Mojo Jojo continued being a dopey clown for 2 more minutes.
"The act is funny and all, but I wonder what it does at the end of the day". Princess said, laughing with skepticism. "Nothing really…I just wanted to make Courage laugh a little". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "He looks like a sad coochie this evening". "Does bubble-butt need to make a turd balloon animal?".
"Coochie had a hard week before he came to see us". "He was accosted, he was in a sad mood, and had a hard morning, so I thought a cruise with the Beat-Alls could cheer him up". Princess said, gently. "Right Coochie coo?".
"Sure". Courage said, as he laughed. "You're amazing in every way, Coochie coo". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "We all love you, and we'll take care of you this weekend". Mojo Jojo leaned in, kissing Courage's forehead, gently. "Thank you". Courage said. Courage sniffled, as he laughed. "Yep, we have people behind us, just as I have my people behind me". Princess said, gently as she smiled a malicious, cunning smile. Courage laughed.
"What do you think, Coochie?". "We'll have a fun weekend?". Princess asked, gently. "I think we will". Courage said. He and Princess laughed. "I have some leftover Coconut water if anyone wants some of that". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "That sounds nice". Courage said, as he glanced upwards. "Coconut water with strawberry sounds great". "Of course, I like coconut water with chocolate drizzle". "That's nice as well". Princess said. "I'm good with either one". "But hey, it's not like we have slim pickins on this trip". Mojo Jojo remarked. They both laughed. "I brought something for Courage as well". "This, is a cake pop". "This cake pop has the hardness of a lollipop on the outside, but cake on the inside". "Taste it, and it's a cake lollipop, a cake pop". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "It sounds innovative; but leave it to Mojo to think of something innovative". "It's an attention getter for sure". Courage said, as the three of them laughed.
"Let's try one, Coochie". Princess said, gently with kindness, as she and Courage took two from Mojo Jojo. "I have some cigarettes that are cake-pop flavored". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "Mm, I'm off of smoking, but I have bubblegum flavored vape, which isn't really bad". Princess replied. "Vapes have amazing flavors, but I'm more into the cigarette trajectory, which gets me going". Mojo Jojo said. "I love cigarettes".
"I love cigarettes as well, I haven't had one in years, I might have to try one". Princess replied.
Courage nodded, as he ate his cake pop. "how have things been for you, Courage?". "Has everything been good?". Mojo Jojo asked, gently, with kindness. "Kind of". Courage said. "I got all good scores on my tests, which is good, I have a good time with Shirley, which is nice". "But I guess, when it comes to successes…I don't have a lot". "I failed some of my tests, in the past, I lost my job at the park…and I was sick again last week". "Everything I do…I just work so hard…and I do so much…no one sees it….even after how hard I've worked, I always fail". "I want to succeed for Muriel….but I can't….it's like I'm not good enough". Courage sniffled.
"well….I know now might not be the best time, it's not the best time for any of us…but I promise you, as time goes on, and as things get better, we find success within ourselves, and within the promise we make to one another". "Things can happen that are good". "I promise you". "I always promise you this". Mojo Jojo said, gently. "Stay optimistic". "It'll help us as time promises".
"I will". Courage replied. "Or at the least, I'll try to".
"That's my Coochie". Mojo Jojo said, gently as he patted Courage's cheeks. "Thank you". Courage said. Mojo Jojo sat back, along with Princess, enjoying the hot tub. "What about a triple decker sundae?". "That would complete the puzzle". Mojo Jojo said, as he, Courage, and Princess ate the ice cream, happy to wallow in the hot tub.
Dinner was nice, as Courage sat back eating some more of his salmon. "I might change into my evening bra". "This one feels a bit tight right now". "All of that ice cream". Princess said, gently as she and Courage laughed. "Enjoy the salmon". "When I come back, we'll take some of your medicine, and get some bedtime milk". Princess said, kindly. "Bedtime is a fun time".
"It is". Courage said, as he finished up his rice. "Thank you".
"Of course, coochie". Princess said, gently, kissing both of Courage's cheeks. "Love you".
"Love you, too". Courage said, after a friendly nuzzle. As Princess prepared some of Courage's medicine in the penthouse cabin, Mojo Jojo came in. "it is nice to see Courage again, I'll admit". Mojo Jojo said, gently as he sat down on the bed. "It is, in every way". Princess added.
"I couldn't help but notice he is a bit down on his luck". "I hope he's ok". Mojo Jojo whispered, sensibly as he glanced at Princess. "He has had a hard time learning, processing, and succeeding at certain things". "It's all part of him being deprived of his birth parents". Princess whispered. "He's just not that skilled".
"Maybe the trauma of losing birth parents contributed to it". Mojo whispered. "Usually, mammals that lose birth parents, and nurturing, don't have the learning skills they should have, to make it come more naturally to them". "He is working so hard, I think if he's supervised, and coddled, it would be much easier for him".
"I think perhaps medicine would work as well as supervision". "He seems so willing, and motivated, he just doesn't have the skills that are natural". "Which is ok". "Everyone has barriers to overcome".
"I've been helping him a bit". "I've had him sleep over, I've given him medicine, I've cuddled with him, nurturing and stimulation are what he needs". Princess whispered.
"Hmm". Mojo hummed, in a soft hum, gathering his clothes, as he took them to the adjoining cabin. "I'm sure he needs someone female". "He seems to respond better to women". "Women understand him more".
"He needs a man as well". Princess said, as she glanced upwards. "I'm sure a nurturing, loving man with wisdom, and love, will help him with what he needs".
"I'm sure of that as well". Mojo replied. Princess nodded, as she put on her evening bra. Mojo went outside, seeing the stars that lined the night sky. "It is nice". He said, as he took a cigarette from his pocket. Princess came outside in her evening bra, seeing Courage, as she brought him some Oat Milk. "I have something for you, Coochie". Princess said, gently with kindness. "It's something nice". "Oat Milk with some chocolate syrup". She smiled a kind smile, as Courage licked from the chocolate fountain. "That's nice". Courage said. Courage sniffled a bit.
"Hey, it's ok, Coochie". "Let yesterday's pain be tomorrow's triumph". "Tomorrow is a new, and better day". "We have omelets in the morning, and a meditation circle afterwards". "Zen is usually centered around self-acceptance, and self-renewal". "We can handle anything that comes forth". Princess said, gently with kindness.
"Ok". Courage said, as he sighed a deep sigh. "Don't be sad, Coochie". "Be hopeful for today, and loving for tomorrow". Princess said, gently. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "Don't be anxious, either". "Things will work out". Princess said, kindly with gentleness. Courage nodded.
"I don't know…I just kind of think that….I would be past the point of failures at this stage". Courage mentioned. "I just thought that I'd be past the point of being immature, and failing…and not doing well". "It seems that the harder I try, the faster I fall". "I'm trying everything I can…and I still can't do enough".
Princess nodded, kindly. "Well, perhaps what happened early on in infancy could be a factor". "Infancy does a lot to the brain in terms of wiring, development, and gray matter". "When a puppy, or a baby loses their birth mother, or their birth parent, they tend to fall behind, and not get what they need, when they're abandoned". "You needed birth mom…and you didn't get her". Princess said, gently with softness. "This is what made your brain work kind of differently".
"Does it make you feel sad….losing birth mom?". Princess asked, gently. "It does". Courage said. "I had Muriel, but I guess….I don't know….not receiving anything within the first few months kind of made me fall behind". Courage sniffled.
"Know that as time went by, you became stronger". "You became the person you wanted to be, and what you knew as correct". "Strength is measured in what you bring, and your mindset". "It's not determined by skill". "I know right now, it seems skill is something you're concerned about, but you have the natural mindset". "With that, you can achieve anything". Princess said, gently. "I think this weekend, we can just forget about worries, commitments, work…in general, and focus on having fun". "This is your weekend, you can be as free as you wish to be, because you deserve it". "I'm sorry you feel sad, but I'm happy you can have the strength you need". "You're my special boy". "My Courage because you've endured so much". "You deserve to relax, and worry about nothing".
Courage nodded. "Ok". Courage said, as he sniffled. "Come to bed now, Coochie". "Come to bed, and sleep beside me, let me cuddle you because you deserve it….now more than ever". "My wish for us, is to give you the year, and the birthday you deserve". Princess said, gently with kindness. "Thank you". Courage said. Princess kissed Courage's cheeks, gently. "Meet you in the bedroom?". "There's television, and some Cake pops in there, our friend, left". Princess said, gently with softness. She smiled a kind smile. "Ok". Courage said, as he felt a nuzzle come from Princess.
"Love you, Coochie coo". Princess said, gently with softness. "I love you too, Cuddly bear". Courage replied. "See you". Princess said, kindly, as Courage looked up at the stars, only coming inside when he was finished.