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

Suicune

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Chie waits until there's a bit of a lull in the tummy rubbing action before she enthusiastically bounces on up to the god that had helped them earlier.]

That was awesome back there! You really saved us!

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

[Suicune does not quite roll over to actually sit and face her properly. Perhaps this is tacit permission to join in on the tummy rubbing action.]

As a being believed to be a deity, I have found it important for my reputation to master the art of the dramatic entrance.

But you undersell yourself.

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Well, as long as it's okay, sure, she'll oblige.]

I guess this means we've been doing something right, at least...

[She lets out a bit of a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.]

...Are there more gods like that one, though? Ones that still think it's better to wipe out all the humans?

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

You have done enough right.

[There is a faint emphasis on the 'enough'. At this, Suicune rolls over and regards her gravely.]

Certainly. There are many of us scattered through the lands - some care little what may happen to you. A few actively seek your destruction.

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Chie lets out a deep, slow breath, nodding.]

I guess I should start training harder, then.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

Indeed.

But there may come a time when physical strength is not enough. You must be prepared for further trials...

And now, they will not be simply 'tests'.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Well, that's what our bonds with our Pokemon and our friends are for, right? If strength alone won't win the day, it's working together that will.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

[Suicune smiles slightly - or at least, the edges of its mouth pull upwards a bit.]

...Certainly, a lack of such bonds will guarantee failure.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Then I'd say we have a pretty good chance of success.

[Considering how close the bonds are between people and their Pokemon in Union.]

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

I should say so. For the world to descend into chaos again so easily... that is an outcome that none of us desire to see.

...And do you feel prepared for what is to come?

[footprints_on_your_face]

Well, maybe not if it came right now. But when it does, I'll definitely be ready to meet it.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

...Acceptable.

[Suicune consumes another half-barrel of akutaq in one gulp.]

I am not prepared, either. I prefer to take a nap, truth be told.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Man, a nap sounds great right about now.

[bnw_wighty_npcs]

Then you may take one, if you have nothing more you wish to discuss. I shall do so as well.

[She can sleep on his belly if she likes. It might be cold, though.]

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Nah, she's Ice type, she's got this. With a yawn, she curls up and avails herself of the napping privilege.]