A Well Earned Celebration

[bravenewmods]

[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!

Comments

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

The words I spoke may not have held much meaning for you at the time... Perhaps, to some degree, they are better understood by one who has traveled the path.

[Articuno nods as if satisfied.]

In the end, the traveler whose heart seeks a true destination will find the path that is right for them. I do not think you have need of further advice.

[sparkofgenius]

Maybe not. But I still wanted to thank you for what you said. It helped, a lot back then.

[She flashes a thumbs up.]

I feel a lot more confident now, And really? I dunno what it would've been like for me if I hadn't run into you.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

I am glad to hear it. It was an auspicious beginning to a journey, no? If I do not flatter myself...

[Articuno preens its feathers for a moment or two.]

But merely to satisfy my curiosity... Lucca Ashtear, I wonder... would your answers be the same after the passage of these months?

[sparkofgenius]

You know? I don't know. Probably? But frankly? I don't remember the exact wording of the questions. If you want to ask them again though, I'll answer.

[She'd been a little distracted the first time.]

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

Hm.

[Articuno pauses for a moment before it flings its wings out and sends a scatter of ice drifting through the air.]

I do not recall, either.

[It sounds perfectly cheerful about this.]

But I would believe... that even should the answers remain constant... their meaning would be different to you now.

You have grown strong. Your people have grown strong. You are now in a position not of the fledgling student, but of the bold artist whose brush strokes will shape our future.

[sparkofgenius]

Well. I...thanks for the compliment. [She rubs her domed helmet.] I never thought of myself as much of an artist, but you saying it almost makes me believe I could.

[Seriously she's basically a robot.]

Anyway. Seriously? Thanks for being on our side. That one big shadow guy you guys had with you really, really saved my butt. [And she snickers.] And gave me the chance to give that dragon a bad case of halitosis.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

[It just likes making art metaphors, OK?]

It was the right thing to do... though The Ruler of Nightmares was not especially enthusiastic about this endeavor.

[Articuno observes placidly.]

But then, it is never enthusiastic about much of anything, I have found... You may thank it yourself if you so wish.

[sparkofgenius]

I probably should. But thought I'd swing by and say hello to you first.

[The hovering robot waves again.]

Guess we'll be seeing more of you in the future, huh?

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

Perhaps... I and my fellows here are merely Servants. We go where we are directed.

[Articuno does not wave, but it nods its head.]

If our paths should cross again, I shall look forward to seeing your continued growth, Lucca Ashtear.

[sparkofgenius]

Thanks. Seriously.

[And with that? She blasts off in the direction of the shadow...]