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

[wise_maiden]

[... And she's just going to bring that up again. She has the grace to duck her head.]

I - well, honestly, you don't have to think of it as returning a debt...

[allergictoloveletters]

I am not repaying a debt, that is not my intent, but you did a good deal for me, I would like to do the same for you.

[wise_maiden]

All right. As I said before... I do appreciate it. It's a very large city, I imagine it will take some time to adjust to.

[allergictoloveletters]

It will, if you are moving into it, but Union is filled with good people, that's why I do everything I can to help it.

[wise_maiden]

You were born and raised there, weren't you? It makes sense that you would have a significant attachment to it. I've barely seen much of it, but the culture alone seems very different to what I've experienced. Isn't it amazing, how differently cities can develop?

[allergictoloveletters]

If I had the time, I would love to take some time and examine the sociology of it all. Have you figured out what you would like to do in Union, Raine-san?

[wise_maiden]

Ah ... I'm afraid I haven't had too much time to really think about myself just yet. At first I thought coming to Union would just be a temporary trip, but with everything that's happened, there's so much more to consider. And... I need to find out how my brother is adjusting. He wasn't too happy when I left him to fend for himself in a new school to come out here...

[allergictoloveletters]

Ah, who is your brother, if I may ask? And perhaps you might be happy becoming a researcher at the university? You aren't limited in what you study, after all, you could focus on any subject matter.

[wise_maiden]

His name is Genis. He's very young, but ahead in his studies. As for myself... I've been meaning to look into the university, so that could be a possibility. I have some experience tutoring, but I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to further my own studies.

[allergictoloveletters]

Nor should you, a teacher can only teach as well as they know the subject.

[wise_maiden]

Exactly. Besides, I enjoy learning, and am curious to know just how much difference there is between our cities in regard to knowledge. For example, most of your discoveries seem to be based on technology rather than magic.