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_sheepy_npcs]

[ O-oh... On one hand, it would be impolite to reject an offering. On the other, that barboach probably had a family... ]

"This one could not possibly deny the young one of his meal..."

[ Yes, that sounded good. Nailed it. ]

[untalented]

Don't be dumb; I'm trying to thank you.

[His mouth twisted in an irritable, uncomfortable little pout. He had no idea what he was supposed to do in this situation at all....

So he waved the plate a little, as if the gesture would do him any good.]

Besides, I've already eaten. It's not poisonous...and it's actually pretty good.

[Weird fermented barboach totally suited his tastes, okay? No one said that Sanctuary was renowned for it's gourmet cooking.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

"This one... would prefer you thank them in a different way. Begging your pardon, of course."

[ The dog shuffles its feet a bit. ]

"This one does not doubt that it is good--for humans. But, ah... this one made a promise long ago to not consume the flesh of another."

[ Please respect Entei's life choices when giving offerings, thanks. Although the fiery hound does seem a bit uncomfortable even bringing this up. Waver means well, but... ]

[untalented]

[It's difficult to respect one's life choices if they are not readily broadcast to the public. A creature as large as imposing as the fiery dog would have anyone expecting them to prefer a carnivorous diet.

Waver scratched at his cheek, uncertainly.]

....Oh. Is that all? Then hold on, please. If you don't mind.

[He abruptly scurried off, passing off his plate of food to his Seismitoad to stare at quizzically, as if wondering if he should eat the strange smelling barboach. Waver returned moments later-- now with a plate of roasted root vegetables and that weird frozen berry dish that made even him uneasy.]

You should let people know you're vegetarian next time. Is this good?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ Watching Waver run off, the volcanic canine seems confused. Where are you going, little human?

Oh. Well look at that. Those are things that Entei can eat. The legendary looks surprised.

...Was that a bit of a tail wag? ]

"This one is very grateful. You did not need to go through such trouble."

[untalented]

[It was oddly cute, for a massive inferno dog. Waver held out the plate and took a couple of small steps forward. His ears were burning with his own embarrassment.]

I already told you, I'm trying to show my gratitude. You didn't need to go and help us.

...Besides, you keep looking at everyone like you want to join in. Just take it, okay>

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ Inferno dogs are cute 100% of the time, unless they are angry. Then probably a little less cute. It's hard to say, given its demeanor, whether Entei could really be angry. ]

"...Oh, this one did not mean to be so--hmm. Direct, perhaps?"

[ Still, this child was trying, and Entei will take the offering gratefully. ]

[untalented]

[He seemed to like the offering of fire roasted potatoes-- and that was good enough in Waver's opinion. A god who didn't approve of potatoes in some manner wasn't a god that he cared to recognize, regardless of their relative power. Waver just held it out for the giant inferno dog as if he were no more threatening than a domesticated Arcanine, eyeing him curiously while the offering was enjoyed.]

....Why did you do it, anyway? Help us, that is. How did you even know it was happening?

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

"This one was simply passing through, and it seemed like a good idea at the time."

[ Was that a joke? Judging from the giant grin, and the slight bit of panting, Waver might have been getting trolled here. ]

"Humans simply cannot leave any stone unturned, can they? It must be a peculiarity of the breed. This one thinks that it is charming, within reason."

[untalented]

I'm glad you think it's charming that we decide to help our own when they're in trouble. People are people, even if they are far off strangers.

[Frankly, he didn't see where the joke was in such behavior. It was just part of the natural course.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ Entei frowned a bit. This one seemed to like to be on the defensive. Perhaps a different tactic, then. ]

"You misunderstand. This one meant that it is charming that your kind is so inquisitive. It is a trait that your ancestors had, yet it shows itself very differently now."

[untalented]

Does it, now? Hm...I didn't think people would change that much in a relatively short span of time.

[Historically speaking 500 years wasn't a long time-- and Waver honestly didn't see how human curiosity would ever manifest differently.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

"One might be surprised."

[ Judging from the expression on the great beast's face and how it settled down once again, Waver likely wouldn't be getting anything else out of Entei regarding that subject. ]

[untalented]

What-- what does that mean?

[The settling of the Inferno Hound wasn't going to deter the young Magus once his curiousity has been piqued. Now he had to find out more about what the god was speaking about.]

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

"Nothing of any immediate or real importance, worry not. It was merely an observation."