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

[footprints_on_your_face]

That was your first?

[frozenflame]

Uh...yeah? I mean I haven't dated anyone before...and...we didn't even get to have a second date before the battle.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Yeah, I guess that makes sense... but wow, you looked way smoother than my first time.

[Remembering how that went down, Chie just laughs.]

[frozenflame]

...well...I was just overwhelmed. It felt like the thing to do...and oh geez...I still can't believe I did that...

[And if not stopped, she's going to jabber a bit.]

[footprints_on_your_face]

Yukiko, it's fine! As long as Fuuka's okay with it, that's all that matters, right?

[frozenflame]

But in front of a god? And Yosukeeeee?!

[footprints_on_your_face]

Yosuke's the one to be more embarrassed about, honestly.

[frozenflame]

...well, I mean he'd...been kinds drooling about it since he heard. It kinda...slipped out that I liked her the day we confessed.

But I don't know what he thinks is so interesting. I appreciate the support at least, but that reaction...

[footprints_on_your_face]

It's okay, I'm pretty sure he's paying for it with Mami.

[She can't help but laugh about that.]

[frozenflame]

Yeah. She's a real devil sometimes.

[Seriously.]

Anyway...yeah. I...like Fuuka. Is that weird or anything? Like...for you? I don't know if you know her.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Huh? Why would it be weird for me? I mean, I don't really know her or anything, but as long as she makes you happy, that's all I care about.

[frozenflame]

I dunno. Since...we didn't talk about her. And she's someone else in our lives now. Kinda like Morgiana, y'know. And...because I guess I like girls? I dunno, y'know? I'm not good at this stuff like you.

[Yukiko's 'Hi I'm Bi' speech can be nothing but awkward.]

[footprints_on_your_face]

Wow, you really think I'm good at this?

[Chie just bursts out laughing at that last part.]

I guess I'm good at faking it, because I had no idea what I was doing when I was with Maki. And being with Morgiana is so much different... I mean, it's working out, but I'm kind of making it all up as I go along. I think we just understand each other better.

[frozenflame]

Well, you do make it look easy! I mean, you should have seen my confession. I stumbled over every word.

I'd rather fight that god than confess again!

[footprints_on_your_face]

My confession to Morgiana wasn't exactly poetry, y'know. I actually almost cried.

[frozenflame]

Yeah? Um...why?

[footprints_on_your_face]

I was just so nervous, and it didn't seem like she was all that into the idea at first. But she really just needed some time. I dunno how much you know about Morgiana, but she had a really rough life before she came to Union.

[frozenflame]

Honestly? I don't know much more than she makes you happy. We haven't had the chance to talk.

Kinda like you and me lately, y'know?

[footprints_on_your_face]

Yeah... sorry about that. I didn't really mean to be so busy.

[frozenflame]

No, it's okay. I mean, we both have. But with the holidays coming up? We need to fix that. You and me, no girlfriends.

And...no Peter.

[Because Snor-Lord was definitely sneaking up on them. He may in fact be looming.]

[footprints_on_your_face]

Don't even think about it, Peter!

[Chie turns to glare at the Snorlax, jealously guarding her food.]

But yeah, definitely. We'll have a best friends' day out!

[frozenflame]

[His ears droop. So it's back to Peter huh boss?]

Good. We are going to need it.

And...[She sneaks a glance at Fuuka across the way.]

What do you think? Did I get lucky or what?

[footprints_on_your_face]

Yeah, you really did! She seems really cute and sweet. It's no wonder you guys get along so well.

[frozenflame]

She is definitely sweet. And cute. And really smart, too. She's an engineer. And...she's not much of a fighter, kinda like Rise. But you saw what she can do.

[footprints_on_your_face]

I sure did! She was awesome! I think we both lucked out and found the perfect girlfriends.