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

Mmhmm! We sure did. I mean...Morgiana's swell. [It's all she can say.]

But...you know, I just thought, does fighting a god count as a date? Because if not, we totally kissed before our first real date.

We should all go out together sometime so you can get to know her better, and I can get to know Fuuka. It'll be fun!

[She thinks for a moment about that, though.]

I dunno. I guess it counts if you want it to?

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Maybe a picnic or something. Or camping?

And...I dunno, I read somewhere that first dates fueled by adrenaline and eminent death often make relationships crash and burn.

Camping sounds good. I think Morgiana would enjoy that.

[Chie raises an eyebrow.]

You read that somewhere? Someone actually wrote an article that said that?

Um, yes? I mean it was just in a magazine.

[Your bestie may have done research on romance. She may be that hopeless.]

I guess it's just surprising that they think that kind of thing would happen often enough to put it in the article.

Really? In Union maybe but the wilderness is pretty dangerous...

Oh, yeah, I guess so. But it's okay if you don't call it a date, then, right?

I guess. Or we could live dangerously anyway...

Hehe, I never thought I'd be talking about this!

I knew you would. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed how awesome you are, Yukiko.

[Yukiko laughs, a weak, thready sound.]

I... Haha, I guess. Or maybe I just got lucky...

Nah, definitely the awesome thing.

[She scoots closer, nudging her friend with her shoulder.]

Hah...well I am only as awesome as my friends.

[There's a pause.]

You know? I was so scared back there. But...I think that my curse was pretty clever. I was just so mad. And I've never done that before.