bravenewworld | A Well Earned Celebration

[The battle was over and the god Reshiram defeated, driven away by the aid of Union and its allies. The city was safe, by and large, and as the news spread throughout the peoples of the tundra, they began streaming back into the settlement in droves. Dirty, ash-coated faces were filled with relief and gratitude when they saw that it wasn't just a rumor and that their home had indeed been spared. Not everyone was so lucky, but they'd weathered worse, of course. The people of Glacier endured, as they would always endure, and they were also a people that repaid their debts. And they most certainly all agreed that they owed their rescuers a debt.

So, as night fell after the battle, a great celebration was prepared in the center of Glacier. A wide square was cleared away in a matter of hours, and the people gathered what they could in a show of thanks. Tables of food, bonfires towering into the night sky to keep out the autumn chill, and throngs of cheering wellwishers lined the area. Warriors of glacier, men carrying swords and women all bearing axes offered enthusiastic handshakes and claps on the back. Music of all kinds was played, though tribal tunes full of horn and percussion, chanting and yodeling, and even some brass groups dominated the soundscape.

A platform for various elders was set up, and they offered speeches, of course...but those were somehow dwarfed by the presence of the divine beings that were waiting silently for the proceedings to end. Some of the gods that had come to the aid of the war parties had apparently decided to stay, though their reasons were as mysterious as they themselves. The humans would have their time, and the Servants would mingle freely throughout the evening.

Food, of course, is set out in piles. Meat, fish, arctic berries, and various pastries and the like line table after table. A smorgasbord of Glacier specialties, each with a new and unique flavor all their own, and some (such as the stew) possessing a smell that only a native could probably endure. Akutaq in particular seems to stand out among the worst offenders, but the Glacier natives seem rather fond of it, and offer it to their rescuers with great gusto.

And the rewards do not stop at simple meals. either. As the speeches begin to wind down, a woman some might find familiar walks up onto the stage carrying a singularly massive trunk and dropping it down onto the wood with a heavy thud.]

Southerners! You have done a great deed this day! We, the people of Glacier, would like to thank you and honor your sacrifice! Few would do as you have done, coming to the aide of strangers against the might of that dragon...and you have accomplished something we did not think possible. To that end, we would like to present you with the first of many gifts, a token of our gratitude and a promise that should you need it, we will come to your defense in a time of need!

[And then with a sharp kick, she cracks open the trunk and reveals a veritable treasure trove of three different stones to be distributed by her subordinates.]

Rest well, and enjoy the festivities! You are welcome here, for as long as you like! Eat, drink, and be merry within our halls!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You kidding? I'm just getting started!

[Indeed, Right's finishing up those two dishes in-between words. He downs a drink before digging into a huuuuge hunk of meat. He's not showing any signs of slowing down himself.]

[Good, because here goes Sawsbuck number two, Raikou's jaws crunching down on bone with complete disregard for the sensibilities of people around him.

Humans were squeamish things...]

[Right flinches upon hearing that crunch. It's an uncomfortable reminder of what will happen should he lose.

Doesn't mean he's giving up, though. Instead, it spurs him on, finishing off that humongous haunch of meat in record time. Next goes a tower of stacked pastries.

...stomach, don't start feeling full now. He's still got 2/3rds of a table to go.]

[The great beast starts chowing down on yet another set of Sawsbuck, giving Right just a little bit of a smirk.]

Already moving to dessert? I figured I would save that for last...

Dessert? More like a bunch of sides!

[Right's just as confident as he sounds as he munches away through the stack. It's a good thing there's still room in his stomach. He washes everything down with a large goblet of a fruity drink before moving on to the next dish or two.]

[No need to clutter one's stomach with drinks! Raikou just keeps on chewing, hitting yet another Sawsbuck without showing any signs of slowing down.

He can go at this for hours, you know.]

[Funny; that's something Right used to claim when he was younger. Only...when he's only got one-third of the dishes on his table left, his stomach actually starts letting him know that it's actually nearing his limit.]

...it can't be...

[Raikou looks up from around his fourth, grinning like a Skitty that caught the canary.]

Problems, human?

--Nope! Not at all!

[Right grins as cheerfully as possible - even sparkling a little. But he can't ignore the fact that he's getting full. No way....not now! Not when a limb's on the line!

He valiently pushes on, munching as much as he can despite the small pains coming from his tummy.]

[And here goes Sawsbuck number five. Crunch munch, human...]

[Right's almost there...just a few...more...dish--

Aaaaand his stomach finally refuses to let him eat anymore. For the very first time in his life, Right is unable to take another bite.]

....uuuuuggghhhh....

[And Raikou perks up at that, takes another bite, and walks around the table to Right, looking down at him.]

I believe, child, that you have lost. Your arm, if you would.

[Right starts to get up, but is stopped by a very panicky Miss Chansey rushing out to stand in front of her trainer.] Ohmigoodness! Please, milord, spare him! My dear Trainer's so foolish sometimes--

It's alright. Just...be ready to patch me up some more, okay? [Right gently shoos his Chansey off to one side, takes a deep breath...and holds out his left arm.]

[Raikou opens his mouth, dog-breath and meat-smell wafting across Right's face. And then he moves over and casually nips Right's hand. Not even hard enough to draw blood.

Stepping back, he snorts a very, very human sounding laugh.]

HAH! You didn't think I'd go through all the trouble to save your kind just to bite your arm off did I? Where would be the wisdom in that! Nowwhere, that's where!

But...you are a brave boy, and for that? I think you've earned a bit of a blessing.

[The First Thunder breathes in, breathes out...and Right will feel his stomach churn just a bit...and suddenly? He's not full anymore.]

Now go, enjoy the rest of the party. Eat to your hearts content.

[Right just stares in shock for a few moments. Just a nip? You mean, he was kidding?

...don't mind the nervous chuckling coming out of him.]

Oh, wow! That's a relief! Thanks, uh...

...what's your name?

My name?

[He rumbles out a sound like...well...thunder.]

I have many. But you may call me Raikou. Raikou, The First Thunder.

Raikou...

[He straightens up and nods firmly.] Thanks, Lord Raikou! I hope we get to meet again soon.

A Well Earned Celebration

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