Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

above the water.
    “No, you are not going to doodle on the house, Bodo. It’s not our house, to begin with, and you have nothing to doodle with. If you have a pen, I need it to put Bryn’s schedule together.”
    “I don’t haff a pen. But I can use udder things. It’s not a problem. I will adapt to da situation. You are gonna like it.”
    Peter sighed loudly. “Fine. Doodle away. I don’t really care. I just don’t want you to upset anyone.”
    “I will ask permission first, don’t you worry. And I am a goot artist, you will see. I’m gonna draw some birds, and I can see dey like da birds. Did you see da tattoos?”
    “Yes, they did seem to have a lot of bird tattoos, you’re right.”
    I got up and joined them, trying to ignore my weird feelings about Bodo. If I were going to sneak around behind him, I was going to have to let him think I had dropped the whole thing. I couldn’t have him on edge or suspicious of me.
    “I think the idea of drawing birds is a good one.”
    “Oh, really? Why? Are you a bird lover?” asked Bodo, sounding surprised and happy.
    Holy mood swing. “Uh, I guess. I mean, they’re pretty. I wouldn’t mind having some fried chicken right now.”
    Bodo frowned at me. “Birds and chickens are different things.”
    “How so?” I asked. “They all have feathers. They’re all edible, aren’t they?”
    “Maybe dat’s true. But dat doesn’t mean you should eat da birds, even dough you can. Just like da people. Just because you can eat dem, it’s still wrong to do it.”
    “Well, that’s because they’re people , not animals,” said Peter.
    “Some birds are more intelligent dan udders, like people. You should not eat da smart birds.”
    “Why?” I asked. He seemed kind of serious about this, which was weird, even considering he and I had sort of had a disagreement. Why get your undies in a bunch over stupid birds?
    “Because smart birds can be your friends. Dey can help you to survive. Dumb birds like da chickens are good for making food only. Either eggs or meat, whatever you want. But smart birds, dey are not for making food. Just for getting food.”
    I rolled by eyes. “Whatever.” I think his English was falling apart. It was the only explanation for this craziness, other than actual craziness which I was pretty sure he didn’t suffer from.
    “I think what you’re saying makes sense, Bodo. But let’s face it - if we’re starving and there’s a smart bird standing there, I’m going to eat him. It’s all about survival.”
    Bodo put his head down. “I know. It’s all about da survival. For some people.”
    His last comment caught my attention. “What’s that supposed to mean … ‘for some people’?”
    He shrugged. “Dat’s what I said. I mean dat.”
    “Are you saying you don’t only care about survival?”
    “Maybe.” He looked up at me in challenge.
    It just pissed me off all over again. “Yeah, right . As if you’d stand there and die of starvation while a smart bird hopped all around you squawking. You’d grab that thing and wring its neck just like anyone else. And the only reason you’d say you wouldn’t is because you just haven’t been hungry enough.”
    Peter blanched. “Um, Bryn? I’m pretty sure that’s the canner’s creed.”
    “Shut up, Peter. That’s not what I’m saying. There’s a difference between the life of a human and the life of a dumb bird.”
    Bodo stared at me for a few long seconds, before turning and walking away again. I watched his back disappear through the trees.
    I sighed heavily in frustration. “What is wrong with that guy, anyway? See?” I threw my hands up and looked at Peter, practically demanding an explanation. “One minute he wants to be Mr. Bryn, and the next he wants me to starve and let a stupid bird live! I don’t get it!”
    “Maybe he’s a bird lover? How am I supposed to know? Maybe it’s a German thing.”
    “I don’t remember hearing or reading that Germans have a special affinity for birds.”
    “Well, then, you don’t pay much attention in history class.”
    I nodded, grudgingly. “That’s probably true. Why? What did I forget?”
    “Their coat of arms is a giant, black bird.”
    “Oh.” I thought about that for a second. “So what does that mean? They’re all freaky bird lovers?”
    “No. I don’t know what it means. I was just saying …” He shrugged.
    “Well, whatever. Bottom line is, he’s annoying, sneaking around, and defending birds probably