Notice: I'll be using the animation by Mircsy. And from this point on, something very important needs to be highlighted.

The Lotus Eaters are little furry creatures with a flower growing from their heads.

The Winions are little furry creatures without a flower on their heads, and they can fly.

Yes, I'll be bringing that specific Lotus Eater and the Winions into the story.

Besides the meetings, it was the first time the atmosphere in the room felt lighter. The crew members chatted among themselves, trying to guess what might be on the island or simply joking with one another.

Odysseus was sharing navigation tips, with occasional input from Athena, to a Telemachus who listened with extra attention. Penelope and Ctimene talked among themselves, while Eurylochus and Polites discussed the best way to approach the matter of the island.

Hermes was trying to get Circe's attention, but she continued to ignore him while pretending not to hear the conversation between Odysseus, Athena, and Telemachus.

Calypso, on the other hand, was thinking about what to say to Odysseus during one of the breaks.

A few minutes later, the screen began to light up, and the words "Open Arms" appeared.

You can relax, my friend
Huh?

Odisseus and Polites were exploring the island while a catchy melody played.

Some laughed at Odysseus's expression, while Eurylochus said, annoyed: "This is no time to relax, Polites. You two are in unknown territory and alone."

Polites frowned. "I'm not saying for him to completely relax, Eury. I just want him not to be so tense." He smiled at his friends. "After everything you've been through, you need a moment to clear your mind. Besides, I was on guard. I wouldn't let anything happen to my best friend." He finished with a big smile, his eyes closed.

Eurylochus seemed satisfied. He didn't want to doubt Polites' or Odysseu's capabilities; he just didn't want to take risks after the war.

I can tell you're getting nervous
So do yourself a service
And try to relax, my friend

"Ok, maybe the song isn't making my point clear, so I'll just say it directly and loudly," Polites looked straight into Odysseus's eyes. "Stop keeping everything to yourself. We're your friends, and we're here for you. You can count on us to ease your burdens, my friend." He concluded as he stood up and placed a hand on Odysseus's shoulder.

To support Polites' statement, Penelope squeezed Odysseus's hand, and he smiled gratefully. "I couldn't ask for a better family," he thought happily.

I'm fine, Polites.

Odysseus pushes Polites away, who adjusts his glasses.

"You're not fooling anyone like that, husband. You're losing your touch," Penelope comments, knowing how guilty he feels. Maybe, by teasing him a little, he'd feel better. "Maybe you need to take lessons from Hermes to regain mastery over the art of deception."

Hermes perks up, never having had a pupil to teach everything he knows.

Athena frowns; there's no way she'd let another god corrupt her pupil with such teachings.

Especially Hermes.

Think of all that we have been through
We'll survive what we get into

Polites begins to guide Odysseus through the island's forest.

Eurylochus looks critically at the Polites in the room. "So, Mr. 'I was on guard,' what do you call this scene?"

Polites crosses his arms. "To get this hardhead to listen to me, I sometimes have to use slightly more extreme methods."

Odysseus wanted to protest, but the agreement of Penelope, Athena, Ctimene, and Eurylochus left him in a bad mood. "I take back my previous statement," he thought.

I know that you're tired of the war and bloodshed

"Even more so now," Odysseus thought bitterly.

Tell me, is this how we're supposed to live?
Look at how you grip your sword, enough said
Why should we take when we could give?

Polites grabs Odysseus's sword and throws it into the river, to his shock.

Eurylochus and Athena watch him, incredulous.

Polites, for his part, finds the walls of the room extremely interesting. He hadn't noticed before, but the design of the room is truly unique.

You could show a person that you trust them
When you stop and lower your guard
Here we have a chance for some adjustment
Give it a try, it's not that hard
I'm telling you

Polites grabs Odysseus and jumps into the river.

The incredulous looks Polites was receiving only increased.

He was now observing certain structures on the walls; they looked impressive, especially since the sound seemed to be coming from them.

Odysseus could admit that, from another perspective, it was quite a funny situation. The catchy music helped, too.

It might even become his favorite.

Telemachus was vibing with the music; it seemed he shared his father's opinion.

This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms

The two emerged from the river, Polites cheerful and Odysseu annoyed.

Penelope turned to her husband. "When was your last bath?"

"I couldn't say, it's been a long time," Odysseus seemed thoughtful. "We spent a few days at sea before reaching the island, plus everything with the looting of Troy and the final plans," he finally came to a conclusion. "Probably a few weeks."

Penelope's nose wrinkled. "And no one noticed or thought you all needed a bath?"

"Well... since no one else was bathing either, we got used to the smells, and no one remembered to bathe."

"How has your smell not contaminated the room yet?" Circe was a bit nauseated; even her pigs were cleaner and smelled better than these men if what Odysseus said was true.

"I can answer that," the voice, which hadn't been heard in a while, said. "I'm canceling all kinds of things that might interfere with your experience, including your smells."

"You know what to do during the break if this place has bathrooms, right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I mean all of you."

A chorus of "Yes, ma'am" echoed through the room.

Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart

Odysseus was startled by a butterfly.

Several people laughed, and many began teasing the king of Ithaca, including his wife and son.

Hermes burst out laughing. "Fear the butterfly!"

Athena turned to Odisseu and said seriously, "I thought I trained you not to be startled so easily, especially by something like that."

Odysseus was about to retort but stopped when he noticed a subtle smile on his mentor's face. He was speechless. Athena had just made a joke at his expense?

In a way, this made him feel warmth in his chest, and he couldn't help but smile.

No matter the place, we can light up the world, here's how to start
Greet the world with open arms
Greet the world with open arms

Odysseus missed being able to have such thoughts. Maybe, with the changes the voice mentioned, just maybe, he could think like that again. Even so, he doubted he could fully follow that advice anymore; he had seen and experienced too much for that.

Athena knew this wasn't a good thought for Odysseus to have. A person in power should be colder and make rational decisions. However, she wished she had addressed the matter differently and less harshly with her pupil.

Penelope smiled at her husband's best friend's optimism and understood why Odysseus chose him to be Telemachus's godfather.

Stay back (stay back)

Dozens of Lotus Eaters appeared as Odysseus drew his sword to protect Polites.

"What are these creatures?" Eurylochus immediately went on guard.

Odysseus remembered the small creatures. If not for the fact that they tried to give him a fruit that would drug them and turn them into creatures like themselves, he would find them adorable.

My friend, greet the world with open arms

Polites nodded. "What did I just say?" He turned to Odysseus, who crossed his arms over his chest in a gesture of surrender.

We're only here for food (food)

"They repeat what you say?" Circe was curious about the little creatures. She didn't remember them, perhaps because she hadn't seen the outside world for so long or maybe because she had never encountered them.

Six hundred friends are waiting for us to show our faces (food)

"Or maybe they only care about food," Circe shook her head, amused.

Stay back, I'm warning you (food)

"Even when threatened?" Circe now seriously doubted the self-preservation instincts of these cute little creatures.

If we don't get back safely
My men will turn this place into blazes (here you go)

The Lotus Eaters offered a tray with some strange fruits to the two.

Odysseus laughed. "Look at your face, Polites. You look so astonished." He couldn't remember such a detail during the whole scene, but watching it from the outside, it was truly funny.

Polites smiled at his friend. He was happy to see him lower his guard and have some fun; the gods know how much he needed that.

See?
This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms
Whatever we face, we'll be fine if we're leading from the heart
No matter the place, we can light up the world, here's how to start
Greet the world with open arms
Greet the world with open arms

While Polites was basically partying with the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus carefully analyzed the fruit and noticed something.

Telemachus and Polites smiled at the little creatures. They wished they could be on that island to interact with them; they seemed so cool and, of course, very cute.

My friend, I wish that I could say that I agree
But look at the way this fruit is glowing and filled with glowing seeds
It took me a while to notice just what kind of fruit they eat
It's a lotus, it controls your mind and never lets you free

Circe now had a look of recognition. "These are the Lotus Eaters? I thought they were just a bunch of people who looked, and were, drugged."

"The influence of the lotus on their bodies evolved to give them a less intimidating appearance," Athena began to explain. "Those who arrive on the island are more easily convinced to eat the fruit if it's offered by something small and cute."

Those who had the same question as the witch, or were just curious, nodded in understanding.

That's what we'd get with open arms

Polites seemed a bit frustrated, while Odisseu sat with a lone Lotus Eater beside him.

Odysseus remembered the little creature. He hoped it had managed to escape the Cyclops. Unfortunately, Odysseus hadn't paid attention to it during the ordeal, as he was busy strategizing or mourning his fallen friends.

Lotus Eaters
I'd like to show my friend that kindness is brave
Could you tell me where there's other food to eat?
(The cave)

Some narrowed their eyes. Did they mishear, or did one of these little ones actually say something more?

A cave!
You're saying there's a cave where we could feast?
And where do we sail to find this food-filled cave?
(East, that way)
Thank you!
(Welcome)

Telemachus looked at Odysseus. "Father, can we keep one of them? They're so cute."

Odysseus looked nervous, as if trying to find the best way to tell his son they couldn't. An idea came to him as he glanced to the side. "Only if your mother allows it."

Penelope looked at her husband, incredulous, while he only gave her an apologetic look. By denying her son's request, Penélope knew she'd have to deal with his disappointment, but Odysseus was certain this action would have consequences... for him.

This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms
I see in your face, there is so much guilt inside your heart

Odysseus winced. Even though he had managed to unburden himself a lot that night, he still feared his family's reaction to future events.

So why not replace it and light up the world, here's how to start
Greet the world with open arms
Greet the world with open arms
Greet the world with open arms
You can relax, my friend

Telemachus smiled at Polites as he said, "That was amazing, uncle, the best song so far!"

While Polites nearly freaked out at being called uncle for the first time—to Eurylochus's envy—what went through many people's minds as the screen went dark was: "Not too hard to guess, this is probably the calm before the storm."

Some timeline context:

Odysseus is from the end of Charybdis.

Calypso is from the beginning of Love in Paradise.

Athena, Hermes, Circe, Penelope, Telemachus, and Ctimene are from the end of Thunder Bringer.

The rest are from the beginning of Full Speed Ahead.