Zhang Han wasn't extremely sure what was happening after it was decided there was going to be a banquet.
People started rushing about, laughing and chattering even louder than before as they went to prepare everything. Near the back center of the enclosed town in the walls was a large, boulder lined pit with black char. Logs lined it in circles like a giant campfire setting. That was probably where the celebration would take place.
Vaien was just standing with Zhang Han, watching everyone else bustle about with an expression as though it were quite natural.
Kalla for one, had already gone off with that little excitable girl Lily to prep the alcohol.
The tribe leader Gihana had her arms crossed a few houses over, ordering others about as they came to her with questions. Several men and women with bows and knives marched out the gate to hunt dinner fresh.
Like clockwork, a large roasting rack was assembled over the bonfire pit, one with multiple bars for roasting large game. Probably as big as the ripper lizard, even half a goliath killer could fit on the one over the center.
Vaien turned to Zhang Han and grinned. Then he paused with a look of confusion and hesitation.
"You've drunk liquor before? That's a thing where you're from, too, right?"
"Yup," Zhang Han easily replied, "I think people would find a way to forget their sorrows no matter what reaches of space they're in. Alcohol is historically one the most common ways."
"Good!" Now Vaien was relieved. "See, this is the only kind of fruit I like, the ones that are in alcohol." He chuckled at that.
"..." Zhang Han said, "Those aren't really fruits anymore. Just the alcohol that comes off rotting vegetation. All of the nutritional value is completely different."
Vaien furrowed his brow. "Nitpicky! Ugh I can't eat regular fruits anyway."
Zhang Han gave the ghost of a smile, and that shut Vaien up.
Although Zhang Han had never been an alcoholic, something about the buzz of drinking was calming to his usual type-A personality and associated stress. He never liked getting totally wasted, though, because it meant leaving himself helpless and stupid, not something he was comfortable with.
He hoped that the liquor here wouldn't taste too bad.
Vaien took the time to show him around the area while everyone was preparing for the banquet. There were a number of common buildings, a medical house, leader's mansion, a very smelly building for tanning hides and preserving meat. Of course there were the stables for the snoufle as well.
A large number of the small houses were just residences, but there were a few other places of interest as well. It made sense only necessary places would be present, however, as the population of Red Mane was very small. In fact, Zhang Han hardly saw any children besides Lily and Gunther at the start, and assumed that was because pregnancy and maturation were slower because of their increased lifespans. It would be more time consuming and dangerous to raise a child.
It had been afternoon by the time they arrived, now it was nearing early evening.
Vaien and insisted on chatting with Zhang Han in a groove behind the tribe leader's residence for the last hour or so of wait.
The two sat under trees that had broad, red-tipped leaves that hung low, providing a lot of shade. It made the hot temperature close to perfect. A carefully carved lounging chair sat in front of a clear pond with spiky white flowers sitting above the water's edge.
Zhang Han did not know why he was going along with Vaien's odd clingy behavior.
Sure, he knew that he needed to stay close to him for his own safety, but should he really go along with it, when Vaien used his arm to wrap his shoulders, pulling him close on this couch-like seat. Really, there was room for five people to sit on it, but here they were cuddled together on one end.
"...Vaien, is this necessary?" Zhang Han asked after five minutes or so.
Vaien had a calm expression. "Naturally, it is."
"Seems unlikely"
"Zhang Han, don't be stubborn. I said it is, so it is!"
Zhang Han shifted his eyes from him with annoyance.
Vaien paused before adding, "They need to know how close we are, so no one dares pester you. Just words are never enough for these people."
...Zhang Han had suspicions this had more with Gihana's interest in him earlier. But oh well.
A woman with freckles and fox-like eyes came over with a platter with two carved goblets.
She knelt down in front of Vaien and Zhang Han.
"Honored Vaien and Zhang Han. I have brought the first two cups of liquor. Please join us at the bonfire to eat when you feel ready."
"Yeah." Vaien completely forgot about his previous concerns and grabbed both goblets with ease. He shooed the girl off before Zhang Han could add in a 'thank you'.
That wasn't as much of a thing here.
Vaien grinned widely, one of those particular smiles that showed great anticipation for something good about to happen. His eyes would narrow in a way that Zhang Han had to admit was captivating.
"Let's drink together."
Zhang Han blinked once. That's all he was excited about? He nodded.
"Alright," Vaien handed one cup to Zhang Han, allowing him some room after at long last. He lifted his goblet out, the translucent drink inside sloshing. "Hold it out like this first."
Zhang Han mimicked him.
Vaien kept explaining, "Next we link our arms over."
Next, Vaien bent his arm at the elbow and linked it over Zhang Han's. Like this, they had to lean in closer again. Zhang Han's lips hovered over the edge of the cup, Vaien's gaze was almost uncomfortably close to him. The gold in his pupils seemed to swirl with unknown thoughts, a depth that Vaien rarely showed besides when he was one the hunt.
Tone slightly low and meaningful, Vaien said, "Finally, we drink."
He tilted his cup to his reddish lips, drinking down the liquid, appearing to savor it, yet staring at Zhang Han expectantly all the while.
Zhang Han, a bit delayed, also tilted his cup and took a sip.
His throat was nearly scorched, and his arm shuddered as he coughed. Heat went down him in waves from a single drink of that liquor. It was incredibly strong and acrid, with a light fruity scent.
Vaien choked on another drink of his own because he couldn't stifle his laughter.
"Are you alright?" he asked teasingly. "Was it too much for your delicate tongue and throat?"
"..." Zhang Han did not want to admit the answer was 'yes'. Usually he'd consider his own well-being, but he didn't want to be THAT wimpy right now. He only gave a slight furrow of the brow before taking another drink, somehow managing to get the scorching tonic down. "A little, but I'll get used to it."