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

[untalented]

Then you just take the bowl with you and, if anyone tries to give you more, lie and say that you're still working on what you've got.

[He shrugged. To each their own...but he was surprised that someone with Yosuke's social savvy hadn't thought of that tactic. It was a pretty common method of getting people to leave you alone.]

[punchesyu]

I can't just take it and waste it! Aren't there starving children somewhere that would want that?

[Does he mean that or is he using it as an excuse to make it seem like he already thought of that? The world may never know.]

[untalented]

Then you give it to someone you know would appreciate it when you're done, [Waver huffed irritably in reply.] I'm sure even Orpheus would be willing to try something like that.

[The little Foongus would not, Waver was pretty sure, but Yosuke didn't need to know that.]

[punchesyu]

I'm not gunna wish a horrible death like that on anyone! Who is seriously going to like this crap?!

[He says a little loudly, but still. But still.]

[untalented]

This is by no means anything nearly as bad as stunlutefisk.

[Waver pointedly took a bite of his own stew.]

That's a dish you can't even trust your grandmother's antique china with-- and anything that's been soaked in lye for over a week is suspicious. Fermenting, at least, is a more honest preservation technique. You know exactly what you're going to end up with.

[punchesyu]

[The very description of it is starting to make Yosuke turn blue. A very deep blue. He can't even take this anymore.]

Can we...not talk about that. I think I'm gunna be sick...

[As in visibly looks like he might throw up.]

[untalented]

[Suddenly, everything clicked-- and Waver kept eating his plate of fermented barboach.]

Then just tell them you don't like fish, instead of making excuses. They'll try to feed you that weird berry thing instead, but it's not fish.

[punchesyu]

Uh, yeah, no. That weird berry crap has fish in it. Trust me.

[Well, secret's out, but whatever. He just feels gross right now.]

Besides, I feel bad telling them I don't like it, usually they back off if I say it makes me sick.

[untalented]

...Potatoes, then. Get yourself more potatoes than your bag can carry.

[because, clearly, the solution was always potatoes.]

It's a shame we haven't found any of the traditional drinks here. You would think that a society this far north would have a very particular drinking culture.

[And, at the very least, it might get Yosuke too drunk to care about the fish.]

[punchesyu]

Yeah...about that...

[He gulps.]

They have plenty of drinks, in fact the only thing I've found here to drink is wine so far. [He had some earlier. Not enough to get drunk, but this whole party is almost making him wish he was drunk.]

[untalented]

I'm sort of surprised that they don't have any spiced or mulled wine. It would be perfect for this sort of weather.

[It was a possibility for another time-- for now, he needed to fix Yosuke's problem.]

While advocating heavy drinking isn't my normal manner, I'm thinking that it might be good for you right now. We can get you away from the fish.

[And, with that, he grabbed at Yosuke's arm and started to drag him off to the drinks.]

[punchesyu]

Woah, hold on a second!

[His arm now gripped by the magus, he finds himself being drug off towards something he's not so sure about.]

Since when are you okay with this???

[untalented]

[Waver cast Yosuke a look.]

Tell me something.....do you know what a 'Hot Toddy' is?

[punchesyu]

Uh, no. Should I even ask.

[The hell is that.]

[untalented]

It's a traditional cold remedy of Sanctuary, made of tea with honey, sitris juice, and a shot of spirits. I've been drinking that in the winters since I was old enough to go to the markets on my own-- and it helps you to forget whatever's making you ill.

[He's still dragging Yosuke along.]

There should be something similar here. The weather is perfect for it.

[punchesyu]

[That didn't sound as bad as Yosuke thought it would be, being lead around while Waver looked for his specialty drink.]

Yeah, and how strong is this stuff if it's making you forget what's wrong with you?

[untalented]

It's strong enough to put a child in their twelfth year to sleep for the night after one mug of it on a cold evening.

[Pooooooouuuuuut. Don't diss hot toddies until you've had them, Yosuke.]

[punchesyu]

I can't drink something like that here! I don't want to pass out somewhere in the middle of nowhere!

[He needs a bed. He's not sure if he likes this. Can't he just go home now...]

[untalented]

You look nothing like a child, Yosuke.

[Waver huffed, still looking around for any possible sign of that drink.]

Besides, are you saying that a self-trained magus from Sanctuary is stronger than a Windblessed from Citadel? Because that's what it sounds like to me.

[punchesyu]

Woah, woah, what are you trying to say here? [Even if Waver made it very clear already.]

Of course a Windblessed is going to be stronger! I mean, look at you!

[untalented]

You say that-- but apparently I can handle drinks better.

[Shots fired?

Why yes, yes they were.

Anything to keep Yosuke from complaining about the fish, puking, and disrespecting their hosts was a good enough to try.]

[punchesyu]

Uh, yeah, no. [His pride is at stake now.]

You were just as wasted as I was when we were in Caldera.

[untalented]

Then why are you afraid of a little hot toddy?

[Baiting him? Yes, he was.]

[punchesyu]

That's it, bring it! I can handle your stupid kiddie drink!

[Baited.]

[untalented]

I don't know.....you did say that you were worried about passing out from it....

[That said, he finally manages to find someone with something that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike a hot toddy. It wasn't warm, but the color was right, and there was something about the scent of it that was refreshingly familiar....]

This should work, [Waver muttered, holding the glass under his nose so he could appraise it further.] We won't die, anyway. Probably. There are others drinking it.