Afternoon came to the encampment, bringing with it cloudy skies and a light breeze. The excitement of the "purification ritual" had left everyone with soaring adrenaline and the majority of the party had stayed in the field nearby their tents in order to play a game which consisted of heating up pumpkins on the tips of swrods over a large bonfire, carrying the vegetables to a tree stump, and smashing them with hammers.
At least that's what Reyson could only conclude they were doing. The heron prince had pulled Janaff with him to watch the ritual, but afterward, the hawk had been just as equally dazed as Reyson and had complained of wanting to get some rest ("I don't really trust the Beorc like this anyway. They're acting too strange for my liking.")
So Reyson was left watching as the group finally untied Oscar and Kieran and let released them after forcing them to eat one gallon each of a strange, purplish substance that Reyson could only assume was the sea-urchin-ice-cream. After the ritual, however, the two paladins hadn't gone far from the site of their torment. Right now, they were seated beside Reyson, leaning against the padded crate that the company had allowed the heron to have so he could watch the game.
Oscar and Kieran were clutching each other and shivering so violently from the amount of ice cream in them, however, that Reyson constantly found himself listening to their conversation.
"You know this was all your fault, you rat," Kieran said through chattering teeth. "If you had just remembered, none of this would have come about."
"My fault? You're the one who had to accuse me in the first place," Oscar replied as heatedly as he could manage.
"I couldn't very well let you go on losing your honor like that. You may be may sworn arch rival, but I'd at least like to have some decent character in my enemy!"
"Even if it was worth having to go through the same thing I did?"
"You bet. Besides, I was able to give you a lesson on how true punishment should be taken!"
Oscar stared at Kieran incredulously, "A lesson! I wasn't the one who was crying out 'Help me, mommy!' after each spoonful!"
Kieran was obviously having trouble coming out with a crushing retort, for his face flushed with enough embarrassment and anger to make his skin the exact same hue as his crimson hair.
The heron prince could hardly contain his mirth during the interchange. Before he heard the knight's retort however, a series of loud cheers erupted from the field. Boyd was swinging his hammer around triumphantly amidst whoops and clapping from his audience. Once the cheering died down a bit and everyone took their places for Largo to have his turn, a figure separated itself from the crowd and approached Reyson. When it came closer, Reyson recognized it as the swordsman Stefan, covered in pumpkin juice and guts.
He grinned at the heron prince when he saw that he was being watched and came over to lean against the crate.
"Enjoying the game, Prince Reyson," Stefan asked, picking out pumpkin seeds from his green hair.
Impulsively, Reyson stroked his golden hair, as if promising the silky strands that he would never allow pumpkin seeds to get stuck in it, "Indeed, it's very amusing. Is it part of the Silly mooshoo festival I've been hearing about?"
"The Sillikamushufilliobob festival, and, yes, it's a part of it," Here Stefan straightened up to his full height (which meant something because Stefan was already very tall) and said in his grandest voice," The pumpkin-smashing is held to honor the tactics used by the brave men when they fought the platypuses. May they never be forgotten."
Reyson blinked, "But Stefan, aren't you...," Here the Laguz paused and looked around for a second, "...aren't you one of the branded? Part-Laguz and part-Beorc? Do you still have to celebrate?"
Stefan looked around at Reyson and tilted his head, "Of course! Well, technically I don't have to, but I may as well. It's a joyful holiday, why wouldn't I want to?"
Reyson considered it. Of course, it all seemed crazy to him, but he could see Stefan's point. There were very few moments of joy in these dark times. The Beorcs had found a way to relieve the burden set upon them. The heron prince was sure that if the Laguz had discovered such a tradition, they would relish it as well.
Suddenly a loud voice, yelled, "I'm not doing this! It is pointless!"
All heads in the vicinity turned at the appearance of two struggling figures, one trying to get away and the other holding fast as it dragged it's captive to the center of the crowd. The prisoner tired for a second, allowing Reyson to recognize it as Soren, the group's tactician. Continuing to drag him along was Ike.
"Come on, Soren. It'll be fun. Besides, you don't want to have to be purified like Oscar and Kieran, do you," Ike asked, solemnly.
At the memory of the punishment, said Oscar and Kieran shivered beside where Reyson sat.
Soren looked horrified, "There is no way I will allow you to give me that nauseating substance!"
"Then come play the game! Enjoy the festivities while they last! We've only got two days," Ike exclaimed, hurrying to get a better hold on Soren when the sage renewed his struggles.
"Oi! Don't worry Ike, we'll help!"
Reyson saw Boyd and Largo run over to where Ike and Soren were; about halfway between the edge of camp and the crowd. The crowd began cheering as the three warriors overpowered Soren and took him and carried him over to the center of the field.
Stefan pushed away from Reyson's crate and grinned, "No way am I missing this."
He gestured to the heron prince. "Come on, you shouldn't miss it either."
Reyson hesitated. How much more insanity was he willing to witness. But seeing the normally grim Soren with a hammer in his hand and covered with pumpkin guts was a sight Reyson had to admit he would find amusing.
Jumping down gracefully next to Stefan, the two made their way over to the crowd just as Soren was given one of Boyd's mallets and a big, plump pumpkin was placed in front of him.
A/N: Holy crap. I'm the slowest updater in the world. I'm sure there's a horde out there who want to destroy me. I'm trying, I really am. I just need time is all.
Reviewer's Corner (because we all love them):
Ame Kuroda: I had fun thinking of a name for the festival. A lot of ideas came to mind (unfortunately I can't think of those alternatives at the moment), but it all came together in that one.
FlamingDoritos: First of al, I wish they would come out with doritos on fire. Second of all, more is coming.
Magebear7: It's gonna get better. Muuuuch better. (Let's out maniacal laughter as lightning flashes in the background.)