It didn't take long for the villagers to set everything up. As doors of the various houses swung open on the main street, Nix's nose was flooded with the scents of various foods being brought out among table, chairs and a variety of other things. The few remaining children happily giggled as an old Oracian man played a tune on a Lute that caused the unnaturally happy children to dance around him. The men and women of the various races stacked everything together on the freshly set tables while the elderly decorated the houses in some fashion or another. The sight was strangely refreshing to Nix, yet everything felt so unnatural. It'd only been a few days since everything had finished, yet everyone was in high spirits.
As these thoughts crept along Nix's mind like a dark shadow, Stoll strode up next to her and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I know what you're thinking, but that's how this world is."
"What, like survival of the fittest or something?"
"Yes, but don't think we've simply forgotten the fallen. We gave them proper burials after you returned. Since we cannot bury the dead here, we used the wood the soldiers brought to see up a pyre and gave our prayers." Stoll explained as he pointed to the village gate.
Under the moonlight in the open space, Nix could see smoldering ashes piled up in the distance. Even from here, she could see the embers of the fallen slowly dying out.
"These woods are enchanted, so only magic can set them ablaze. We've no need to worry about a sudden fire or anything." Stoll reassured Nix as her brows began to furrow. Apparently, she was pretty easy to read without her helmet on. Something she was very familiar with in her old world.
"Speaking of, what happened after I passed out?" Nix asked as she turned to Stoll, resting her elbow on the butt of her rifle. Once more, her hand found Sheeva's head and began stroking it.
Stoll noticed the interaction, as well as Sheeva's brightening smile at the pets she was receiving, causing him to give Nix a warm smile. "After you were brought back by Vela, we brought you to the house for recovery while the rest went to go back for the supplies. Due to a certain someone, most of the equipment army wore was badly damaged. Luckily, we have the means to salvage it and make new equipment for the people here."
The jab from Stoll caused Nix to chuckle softly and turn away, sweating a bit as she felt she'd made a mistake. "Sorry, I didn't think they would be so weak. Good news is that the army was properly wiped out, so-"
"Ah, save that for later. We will have a meeting about the battle and what to do going forward later. For now, we shall feast and drink for those that have fallen, and for you who has joined us. Come, let's get you a seat." Stoll roared in laughter, smacking Nix's back hard before strolling off to help break open a barrel of red liquid.
Nix could only let out a shuddered sigh and shake her head at how ridiculous Stoll was acting now. From a man that walked with a limp, he was sure lively among the other injured soldiers. Her thoughts were broken as she felt a tug on her pants.
Her hand fell onto Sheeva's back as she looked down at the cub, who gave her eyes that begged to run off and play with the others. Letting out a giggle, she slowly got onto one knee and placed her rifle down, both hands resting on the cub's shoulders. "Alright child, run off and play with the others. Make sure to get plenty of meat and stay away from the alcohol okay?"
Sheeva nodded quickly, jumping onto Nix and wrapping her little arms around the woman's neck. "Don't push yourself okay?" The little Fox-kin begged as she clutched tightly to Nix. Out of everyone here, Sheeva seemed the most worried about her, causing Nix's heart to melt once again.
"Don't worry about me for now Sheeva, worry about having a stomach ache later." Nix chuckled softly, rubbing Sheeva's back before slowly standing up. "Alright, off you go, before the others take all of the food."
Sheeva nodded quickly before running off to dance with the other children. Nix couldn't help but watch the child run off with a warm smile and a soft sigh. Realizing she'd forgotten to pick up her rifle again, she clicked her tongue and slowly bent down to grab it.
"Careful now, you'll hurt more moving like that." Drevid suddenly spoke up behind her, placing a hand on her back as he leaned in quickly to grab the rifle before Nix could.
Nix could only huff a chuckle as she stood back up, taking her rifle back as it was offered before proping it up like a walking stick again. "You sound worried Chief. What, think I'll be bed ridden again?"
Drevid could only chuckle as he placed his hands behind his back, looking at the crowd as they gathered around the tables. "I fear everyone will be bedridden tonight. We've much to celebrate and to mourne. For now, all we can do is pray for the safety of the fallen souls and for our prosperity in the future."
"Speaking of, will there be no watch for animals or anything?"
"Oh no, no need to worry about that. The runes have been checked before you woke up, so we will be safe from Dark Beasts up to the 4th level at least. It may not look like it, but those short walls have a blessing on them to keep those things away."
"If you say so Chief." Nix replied with a sigh, shaking her head a bit. The village did still have a few soldiers left, though they were all pretty injured. She didn't know what these runes were, but she simply though of it as a sort of Mana warding system and left it at that. Suddenly, Vela appeared on her left and quickly grabbed Nix's arm with a bright smile. "Come on, we can't keep everyone waiting."
Before she could interject, she was suddenly dragged away by the Oracian towards the various tables set up. The one she was sat in was adorned in meat of various animals, one of which was a cooked boar-like head with a rather juicy piece of fruit stuck in its mouth. Around her, everyone had stood up and grabbed their tankards, holding them to their chests and looking at her with a mix of warm and enthusiastic smiles.
Nix was confused at first, but was quickly gestured by Vela to take up her own tankard and give a speech. Her mind immediately raced at the thought of this. For one, she was not only the newest in the village, but she was also from another world, it didn't make sense for her to give a speech. Second, she was already bad at speaking to a group, how the hell was she to pull this off. These thoughts broke down upon seeing the crowd once more with their begging eyes towards her.
Finally, she let out a sigh and grabbed her tankard. As she slowly stood up, she stumbled a bit, causing a gasp from the crowd. Luckily, Vela was there to catch her and help her up with one arm, the other holding her own tankard. "Thank you Vela. Everyone. First, I would like to give a thanks for allowing me the privilege to speak up." Nix called out to everyone. Her tone matched her militaristic aura that she'd held, making everyone seem a bit skeptical and tilt their heads. Nix could only blush a little at how she'd sounded, causing Vela to giggle and urge her on.
Shaking her head, Nix once more looked at everyone and gave them a soft smile. "Everyone, tonight we celebrate. You've not only held your own against impossible odds, but managed to hold your heads high in this adversity and overcame it with pride. To those that have fallen to ensure your safety, we salute and pray that your souls find peace in the arms of the God's you worship. If you do not, I pray Mother Moon guides your souls peacefully into the next life, and wish happiness upon you."
As Nix finished, everyone in the crowd raised their tankards in a hurray and an array of laughter. Together, everyone drank their drinks of choice dry, slamming their empty mugs onto the tables and giving one last roar of cheers. At the corner of her eye, she say Sheeva grimace at her drink and spit it out, causing everyone to laugh.
Thus, the feast had started.
No one was left alone or wanted to be alone at the party. Each person listened to the stories of those that fought. Boasts and laughter could be heard from the soldiers, some others snided at their stories, to which made the others laugh and the soldier speaking to blush in embarrassment before sending out their own retort and causing more laughter. Most though, had gathered around Nix and Vela's table as Vela rambled on about the tales of Nix's fight.
About halfway through, Sheeva ran up and climbed up on Nix's lap. Occasionally Sheeva would feed Nix, causing everyone to laugh and smile at how adorable this scene was. Eventually, someone shouted from among the crowd. "I see you've gotten yourself a new family Sheeva."
This made Nix raise her brow at the crowd before she looked down at Sheeva, who was blushing heavily and looking down at her own lap. The cubs tail waved quickly behind her, giving away the answer and making the crowd laugh.
Is it acceptable to just find a new family like this? This world is pretty strange on various levels. Though, I suppose I am as well.
Nix could only sigh and rub Sheeva's back once more. It was a conversation she'd have to have with the Fox girl later, but for now, she'd just accept it for what it wad and smirk to the crowd. The interruption didn't last long, as Vela immediately spoke up once more to finish her story.
Everyone had heard these tales quite a few times already, but the liveliness of the party made them much more engrossed at Vela's story, especially with Nix chiming in with either confirms, or to explain how something Vela had seen had happened. As Vela finished, the crowd let out a roar of cheers and shared drinks. Nix felt extremely embarrassed from having her story shared so enthusiastically, but kept it in to let the others have their fun. The whole night continued on like this until well in the morning. Still then, no one had passed out in the open. Instead, a few had found some respective partners and disappeared into their houses for a while. Everyone else was either busy drinking or sharing stories of their past heroics before coming to the village. As some people would come back, others would wander off as well. This cycle continued on until the next night where everyone had finally had their fill and began passing out one by one.