Oredion...
You drift into your dreams. Seeing your mother and sister working hard and cooking a feast, you pleasantly attend to your father in the smithy. You know you're dreaming. You know you're drifting along, waiting for the inevitable. Shadows, like demons almost, drift along beside you--clawing at you and causing you to shudder. Cackling and braying of goblin-speak.
Your fists tighten. These nightmares always plague you. Forever they haunt your steps. Your eyes feel like they burn with rage.
You set to work at the forge with your father. His voice feels distant. Foggy. It's hard to hear the tonality of it any longer. But then suddenly... it rings clear in your ear, like a bell. "You are my pride and joy, son."
You turn and he's disappeared. You stand there, looking around. You're no longer in the smithy but a different room. In your hands you have one of the toys you made your little sister many long years ago.
Piercing cries ring out down the hall. Your heart plummets. Here we go again. You rush, your legs like lead. It is a sluggish, torturous run as you head toward the screams. Now they aren't only your sister's... they're also Etny's. The shadows follow you, wrapping around you like a thick fog of evil and anger. It turns red as if awash in blood.
You peel around the corner, bust down the door of the kitchen where the noise is loudest. As you enter you stop, frozen. The shadows hiss and melt away, frantically trying to escape. You see your sister and Etny, tickling one another, their screams that of delight and happiness rather than torture and terror. Both of them look up at you and smile. You haven't seen your sister in a long time. The way she looks at you makes your soul ache. You reach out to touch them, and your hand meets hers.
You awake to the warm embrace of dawn.
Oredion awakes suddenly, sitting up quickly. His clothes feel damp and he feels sweat pouring off of himself. He looks around his room shakily, his vision feeling hazy. The sounds of birds can be heard outside his window as he quickly changes and washes himself off, not wanting to show how weak he feels inside. As he reaches for the handle of his door he notices his hands shaking. He puts his other hand on his arm trying to steady himself before he leaves his room. He thinks back to his dream and he steady himself.
"It... it wasn't a bad dream to say the least, but... I feel different... wrong. Why was Et there? Why was their screams then laughter? Why... why am shaking... isn't this what I want... for the nightmares to begin to end... or is this just another way to torture myself..."
Oredion stops the shaking, for now, and opens the door. He puts on a smile and strides out.
As you head downstairs you find the tavern incredibly full--partygoers are already dressed in colorful regalia and both eating and toasting to the harvest. The din of noise makes it hard to hear anything, but you feel a tap on your shoulder.
Etny sneaks a quick kiss on Ore's cheek, beaming at the dwarf as he turns around. "Good morning, sleepy head!"
Joey's head pops out of her hair, his eyes turning this way and that. He doesn't hesitate to hop down to you, weaving into your beard and licking your nose. He flashes all sorts of colors in happiness.
Oredion smiles relieved to see Etny and Joey. He lets Joey as he wiggles around in his beard playfully. He looks up to Etny feeling slightly embarrassed, but getting used to her affectionate side.
"So what's on the agenda today Et? Shall we visit the jerky people or go set our wreath free at sea?"
"I think the wreaths are for this evening. That's what Jannae said... The high tide carries them."
She hands you a large turkey leg wrapped in bacon as if for you to eat on the go. Her eyes are eager like a child's, a package under her arm. "Jerky time, elenn!"
Oredions eyes grow big at the mention of jerky. He takes the Turkey leg and takes a bite out of it as he turns around quickly to head out the door. A mission set in his mind.
"Yes let us make haste and waste no time. There is delicious adventure awaiting us."
Et hurries after, a bounce in her step. It's not long before you make it to the over crowded marketplace. It looks like over a hundred stalls are erected for the festivities. Everything from musical instruments and bobbles to costumes and pets.
You smell the meat long before you see the sign of the Salted Calf. Falkor's orcish head can be seen among those crowding the booth, and you can hear Timothy's squeaky little studder.
"H-h-howdy!! Ya gee, we got t-that in stock and more, fair deal!"
When you make it to the front Timothy almost leaps of his stool. "Ore! H-h-How ya doin'? Y-y-ya already eat your last order?"
"Close, but not quite. I'm still savoring your excellent craftsmanship."
Oredion eyes beam with delight to be back at the stand and his mouth starts to water as he looks at all of the assortment of jerky laid out before him. He looks to Et and the package in her arms and back to Timothy gleefully.
"My friend here has something important to ask you friend."
As Oredion waits for Etny to speak to Timothy, he starts to browse the display of a vast amount of jerky.
Etny works with the gnome, speaking in as hushed of a voice as she can manage in all the noise around you. Passing some coins to him, he takes her package and hops over to Falkor. The large orc bends down to listen to the gnome and grins ear to ear, taking the package in the back where they've built a large, makeshift smoker.
Grabbing another small sack from the wall, one which still has a good amount of jerky left, Falkor walks over to you Oredion. He places it in front of you, a smirk on his toothy face. "Here ya go frien'. Enjoy!"
Inside you find a bunch of fishy smelling jerky. The odor is almost like a kick in the teeth when you open it. Etny laughs, "Oleah! Smells like the sea! It's squid and salmon. Have you had it before?"
Oredions takes a moment to deeply inhale all of the smell. He looks to Et and then the bag. A large grin spreads across his face.
"I think I've had squid before, but who knows. All the same I might as well try it again. Et your the best."
Oredion gives her a wink as he pulls out two pieces, one salmon and one squid, and begins to chew on them both. He pretends to wipe away fake tears as he eats the jerky, savoring every bite.
Etny exhales, relieved and happy. It's been a while since she's had a dark mood, and they seem less and less frequent around this wonderful companion of hers.
"Come, let us walk the stalls! Perhaps there is something else you might be interested in, elenn? Maybe something for Joey?" She leads the way, scanning the crowd like a hunter stalking prey. She doesn't have many coins left, but enough to hopefully have some fun before they leave Dragonshore.
A loud trumpeting bellow can be heard from further up in the fields past town. It's louder than any animal you've ever heard before. The ground even rumbles slightly from the force of some great beast. There are crowds moving that direction, laughing and gawking in interest. Several children rush past you almost knocking you both down.
"W-what the?" Etny's eyes light up, trying to peek over the heads of the party goers moving down the road. "This sounds so exciting elenn! What is it I wonder? Please may we go?" She eagerly pulls at your arm, her eyes wide and elated.
Oredion allows Etny to pull him towards the crowd. Entertained with the prospect of a large beast.
"Yes let us see... this thing?"
Oredion says half confused half giddy. They walk quickly in the direction of everyone else.
You pull forward with the costumed crowd and under various garlands and banners. The words, "The Dragonkindled Harvest" hang in several windows and at the entrance of the market you are now exiting.
Up ahead is the strangest sight you think you've ever seen.
Half a dozen wild looking pigs, huge as boars with painted, filed tusks and colorful saddles, race around a pin. Each animal is as large as a horse and half as tall, bearing two riders a piece. One person steers the animal while the other struggles with a lasso to bring the other riders down.
Etny looks blown away by the silliness. Children stand near the edges cheering the riders on. There's a large sign nearby indicating what the sport is: "Aren Bumper Boars! Last team standing wins a prize!"
One pig rushes past the fence and head first into another, sending both teams flying. One barely manages to hang on, purely by accident with their foot caught in a stirrup. He's bounced around before he finally slips out, a muddy, happy smile on his face. The crowd cheers. He and his friend stand and are presented with a pair of radiant looking crystal objects that glisten in the light. The second man takes a big bite out of his, grinning and hurrying out of the pen before the boars get any ideas about eating the trophies.
Oredion smiles mischievously to himself and then looks to Etny, who's looking at the event. He pulls Etnys sleeve to get her attention. After hes sure shes paying attention he points to himself, then to Etny, and finally to the boars. A mischievous smile crosses his lips and he speaks.
"I'll stear if you laso!"
Oredion chuckles as he takes her by the hand and heads towards the riders.
Her eyes widen. "Oleah! I-I've never worked with an animal other than Gaare!! These are so much bigger! You sure, Oredion-elenn?" Her smile grows nervously, running to keep up with you.
The leader of the show, a broad-shouldered man with a very vibrant orange mustache, hails you as you approach. "Good dwarven brother and fair maid! Pick your steed and get ready for a flight! Who is next, who is next?" He jostles the crowd as several other people rush forward. The other teams are filing in quickly behind you, eager for some fun.
Oredion smiles looking towards the boars trying to find a good fit for them.
(Investigation 14+6)
He looks to Etny with a smile.
"I believe you can do it Et, besides I'm not very good with a rope."
Oredion chuckles as he looks to Etny with a look of pure confidence.
You find a boar rooting through the dirt for mushrooms that've been tossed to it from the side. It seems this is calming the animals for another ride. This particular specimen is rather sturdy, a bit broader around the middle, and dappled with pink and brown coloring. The saddle matches the blue paint on his face and he looks at you both eagerly for more food scraps. He seems perfect for what you need, and Enty unhooks the rope from the riding horn.
"O-okay you crazy Antrahtu!" The look of confidence from you makes her cheeks turn red. "I shall do my best and make you proud. Let us win that prize!"
On your turn (we'll just rp this) you can charge with your mount and your teammate can assist (to give advantage), hold on, or try to lasso an opponent. If you get charged make a DC check of 10 to stay on the mount. Disadvantage if hit directly head on. You can also make an animal handling check equal to the DC before to gain advantage on the save.
If within 15' of another rider you can make a slight of hand check with disadvantage against the other riders acrobatics. You can also make use of other skills such as bluffing, jeering your opponent (CHA check), etc. Get as creative as you want. XD There are 5 other pigs besides your own. I have a DC for each.
You're on the blue pig, and there's also:
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Purple
Oredion takes Etny by the hand and starts to run towards the boar he picked. He clambers up it as best he can then offers his hand helping pull Et up. Once they are both settled upon the boar he looks around to the other competitors and smiles at them, giving a friendly wave as he does so. He turns to look at Et behind him and speaks with a grin.
"Its ok if we dont win. I'm just glad to be out having fun with you Et. Now let's show them who we are. Together!"
Oredion turns forwards and gives thier boar a slight nudge with his boots.
"Eeep!" Etny grabs a hold of Oredion for a moment, trying to keep her balance. It's comically reminiscent of when you first rode on Gaare with her. With a laugh of excitement she steadies herself. She sets a look of steely resolve now, trying her best to ready up her lasso.
The other riders are all aboard and a strange instrument is blown. You recognize it as the trumpeting sound you heard earlier. Then comes the thundering of the hooves as the animals are stirred up into a frenzy, rushing around and barely avoiding one another.
(19 acrobatics to lasso another rider for Et) Etny aims for the red rider, trying to knock them off the front of their animal. As you expected she is fantastic with a rope and in one swift movement she unseats them. The partner behind scrambles to keep their balance on the saddle (14) barely making it in time.
They charge forward with their red pig and ram into yours attempting to unseat you both. (17 save for Et) Etny grips around your waist to steady herself, trying to help keep you both on the saddle.
(Tomorrow you can roll to see if you can beat the DC to hold on. :) Either with athletics or acrobatics, or animal handling. DC is 10.)
(Athletics 11+8)
You hold the reins tightly, your strong hold keeping you firmly on your charge. The opponent's pig veers, squeals, and crashes into the dirt sending the rider flying. Red is down!
Up ahead yellow and orange are squaring off, and green is struggling on the left. You can choose your next move.
Oredion signals to Etny to go for green while the other two are distracted. He steers the boar towards green giving a slight nudge to its sides to speed up. Oredion shouts.
"All aboard ramming speed!"
(Dang... rofl et rolled a 10 on her rope check. And............ 9 total to hang on. Crap. 😂 opponents got a 12 and 8 )
Etny bites her lip and focuses on slinging up the lasso again. As you rush forward with your mighty battle cry, the two fellows on the green pig lose their concentration and fumble, trying to steer it two ways at once. The animal starts bucking wildly and as yours impacts theirs, it sends them both flying. The squealing and noise makes the crowd cheer.
Etny is jostled a bit too much by the impact and, unable to hold on, starts to slip off. "Shiza!! Arat elenn!!" (12 to try to climb back up, want to roll to help? Handle animal check and an athletics check please)
You easily control your animal and bring it to a cantering walk while you twist around and grab Etny's wrist. Almost effortlessly you hoist her back into the saddle behind you. She lets out an embarrassed laugh. "Thank you, my mighty Antrahtu!"
Up ahead, yellow has knocked off one of orange's riders and purple is now hunting the last rider down. Yellow turns toward you, a mean looking boar with bright red eyes and dark, spiny hair. The riders hoot and holler, rushing at you. "Let's get 'em!!" they shout, attempting to ram into your pig.
Oredion whispers to Etny quickly.
"As soon as we pass them rope both of them in one fell swoop. Trust me."
Oredion stears the boar toward the oncoming attack. He kicks his heels hard enough to speed the beast up, but not enough to hurt it. As they close ground to the boar and are about to ram into each other he takes his boar by the tusks and twists sideways to avoid collision as Eny readys her rope.
Spurred on by your encouragement, Etny grits her teeth and slings the rope. The other riders fumble in their attempt to fix their trajectory but they over-correct it. Skidding in a big circle and thrown off balance, her lasso easily catches them both and flings them off of their mount.
SPLASH!
Into the mud they go and amid a concourse of cheers. But suddenly a rope whizzes by your head. "ORE! Look out!" Etny tugs at you and the rope rolls harmlessly back to the blue pig and its riders. Their costumes knocked askew, you're a little surprised to see that it's two kobolds on the hog; Tepid and Darr. They yaw in delight and rush at you. You are the last two pig riders in the pin. (2 animal handling, 13 rope)
(6 for Et... rofl) The hog rushes wildly, hardly controlled at all. Darr slings the rope effortlessly around Et and tugs her off the saddle in one quick swoop. (17 athletics) She grabs the rope as she splashes into the mud, surprising the kobold and taking him with her.
"EYEH! GET 'EM OREDION!" She hoots, slipping in the muck with a laugh.
Oredion stears his boar in the kobolds direction and that both set off with a lunge forward. As he grows closer to the other team he braces ready to hang on tightly on impact. He tells joyfully as they collide.
"Let the best man win!"
Tepid grits his teeth in a fierce smile, rushing his mount toward yours. Upon impact he scrambles to hold on, but the force of both the boar and you (as you yourself are a force of nature to be reckoned with) are too much. His grip slips and he tumbles through the air, face first into the mud. The crowd is silent for a moment.......... and then erupts into a roar of cheers.
"We have a winner! Congratulations, blue team! You have successfully wrangled the mighty boars of Aren!" The announcer shuffles forward in his galoshes and holds your wrist up high. Etny, sitting on the ground with Darr, raises both her hands up and cheers too. Darr rolls his eyes and she uncharacteristically pats him on the back.
Among the noise and excitement you dismount from your hog and are handed a towel to clean up with as well as a pair of glittering crystal trophies. "Crystal candy potions from Aren as the prize. Highly sought after, hardly ever in stock, and doubled in size for this glorious event!" He waves at the crowd as he says the advertisement.
Oredion raises his hands in victory gleefully as he looks to Tepid. He walks over helping the kobold up and shaking his hand firmly. He speaks in a happy care free voice.
"You gave me a run for my coin there bud."
After patting the kobold happily a few times and double checking hes ok, Oredion bounces over towards Etny with a big smile on his face. He picks her up from the mud and swings her around gleefully. He gives her a big kiss as he sets her down. He takes her hand as they start to walk out of the muddy arena.
Etny's taken by surprise, her heart beating like a trapped bird. She blushes beet red and her eyes shine with happiness as the two of you exit. You're showered with cheers and congratulations, with many a pat on the back. You hear a rallying song start up too, something about the heroes who defeated a dragon and took the lead against the army of undead. It's all very flattering and uplifting. Et squeezes your hand even tighter.
As you make your way away from the crowd and the game, you find that you're now covered with silly decorations from the partygoers. Someone had placed a flower crown on Etny's head and a scarf of multi-colored fur around her shoulders. On Ore they've deposited a necklace made of shark teeth and a fanciful mohawk headdress made of feathers that runs clear down to his waist. Joey pops his head out from under it, looking like a funny little flightless salamander.
Etny beams at her friend, then giggles at how silly they both look. "Oleah!! Oredion-elenn, that was the most fun I've had all year. Thank you for humoring me! Oh blessed Ata-Morri." She shakes her head in elated wonder. Running her hand across Ore's face to brush away a few feathers from his eyes, she looks at him with the most sincere, heartfelt expression of joy. "Oooooh, my dear Antrahtu... Ava nala deeee."
Blushing she stretches and shyly looks away with a giggle. "What next, winner of games? Master of the unknown? Gatherer of the prizes?"
Oredion takes off the shark necklace depositing it into his bag carefully not to break it. He looks up to the feathered headpiece upon his head and smiles, thinking to himself how goofy he must look. He looks to Etny seeing that she has cleaned most of the mud off of herself with the towels they gave both of them. He sees a small speck of mud on her cheek and leans in wiping it off carefully.
"You know you knocked most of those people off right? As for what's next, hmm... I dont know. How about you take lead again. Your curiosity always lands us in the right spots."
Oredion backs away looking up and down the street at all of the festivities everywhere. He laughs to himself as he looks ar Et.
"Now lead on beautiful little flower head and I shall follow you to the stars and back."
He gives her a wink as he continues to look around happily at all the joy around them.
She blushes again, giddy. "Well let's see... um..." Et stands on her tiptoes, looking over the people as she runs her braid through her hands. Further along there's a crowd gathered near a booth of treats and a round table full of drink.
"Something interesting is this way elenn! Let us go!" She grabs your hand and, giving it a squeeze, leads the way.
As you approach there's laughter and a large line at a booth selling jelly, dried peppers and strings of garlic. Up above is a sign that reads "Harper's Farms Produce". It is very popular indeed and a game has been set up next to it: "DRINKING GAME"
Oredion smiles and squeezes Etnys hand lovely.
"You sure know how to pick the games for me Et, but I'd reccomend sitting this one out. Your not... umm... the best of drinkers..."
Oredion laughs and puts his hand on her shoulder thoughtfully. He walks up to the game table watching with interest.
Etny pouts but laughs all the same. A lanky man next to you bends down, patting you on the shoulder. "Nah, no worries ma broad-shouldered frien'!" He points at the table where people are starting to sit around. There's easily thirty chairs in all.
"This is actually a "try not ta drink" drinkin' contest!" He grins, a few teeth missing. "They feed ya salamander peppers from their farm--they got a crop each year that's sommatha spiciest this side of the Crags! That's what their jelly is made outa. You gotta eat as many as ya can without resortin' to a drink of your choice."
Oredion faces drops in disappointment playfully.
"Well there goes my chance at a flawless victory! Think ye mate for explaining that."
Oredion looks to Et with a grin and walks forwards pulling out a seat for her and playfully bowing.
"Excuse my manners ma lady. Will you be so kind to show this simple dwarf how its done?"
Oredion chuckles a bit, but keeps his playful bow.
Etny snickers goodhumoredly. With a polite, ladylike bow she takes her seat and pats the chair next to her.
"Only if you show me the resilience of your mighty inner warrior."
She looks among the drinks in front of them, pouring a large frothy mug of goat milk. "This will do nicely for me! What about for you, elenn? What would be your tempting drink of preference?"
Oredion smiles taking a seat and looks to Et with amusement.
"Alass the only thing that could quinch my mighty thirst is some hard ale. If they dont have that water will suffice."
Oredion reaches across the table picking up a mug filled with brothy foam. He swirls it around curiously and decides that the drink will do.
In front of you and the other 30 or so other contestants are placed a plate of 10 peppers a piece. They look like small little smooth peppers, varying in color from yellow to red and everything in between. Various people rub their hands together in anticipation, psyching themselves up for the contest.
"Rules is simple!" shouts the farmer in charge, waving a giant paper mache pepper on a pole. "We'll go one round at a time, one pepper at a time. You must withstand the heat without leaving your seat! Takin' a sip means youuuuuu're out!"
The crowd cheers. Etny wiggles in her seat, excitement rushing through her. She looks like she has a plan and winks at Oredion when she gets a chance.
"Last one standin' wins the prize! Let's see how you do boys and girls!" A whistle is blown and you're encouraged to pick up your first pepper. Etny holds it above her mouth and drops it in. It's gone within seconds and she grins wide, waiting for the next pepper.
(How this works is thus.... each round I have a DC set that you need to beat to withstand the peppers. You roll a d20, and add......... the score of your choice that you think would help you the most. This could be a CON modifier..... or it could be Survival. I won't say what Et is using until after. XD Each round gets harder because you're dealing with more peppers....
Similar to how it works when you die (rofl) I'll also be giving you 3 saving throws to try to not get out. You'll roll a flat 20. Three failures means you can't take it anymore and you grab your drink.)
(Soooooooo go ahead and pick what skill you wanna use for this contest (it has to make sense though, so if needs be I might have you explain it lol) and add it to a d20 roll. :) )
Oredion glances at Etny eating her pepper quickly and feels slightly at a loss. He gives her a wink as he reaches down and picks up a pepper. He tosses it in his mouth quickly not daring to chew and swallows it quickly.
(11+7)
(Cleverrrrrrr... woah +7?? that's awesome xD that works)
(dc was 8 btw)
The others around you quickly chew or swallow their peppers. Two people are already reaching for their mugs, coughing and sneezing terribly. The flavor is subtle at first, like a slow burn. It's rather nice actually, as much of it as you can taste by just swallowing.
"Aaaaaaaaaaalrighty! You're out you two! Better luck next time! Haha!" The crowd cheers and the farmer announces round two. "Go for it folks!"
(Dc is now 10.... you go ahead and describe your result if it succeeds/fails XD)
Oredion looks happy feeling confidence in his swallowing technique. He looks down at the plate with 9 peppers left and pucks up another one tossing it in his mouth and swallowing it quickly.
(5+7)
Oredion feels a small spicy feeling in his stomach that is slowly traveling up his throat turning his breath hot. It's not an unpleasant feeling, but its definitely not a good one.
There is much coughing and laughing and sputtering and cursing to be had this round. Some people bang their hands on the table trying to take the heat. Etny even turns a little red, her brow sweating... but she manages it and gives you a thumbs up.
"Alllllllright! You milk drinkers get outa here, ha! Nine less for the next round. Ready........?" He blows his whistle again.
(Et = 13) Etny can't quite swallow the next one without coughing. Her eyes start to water but she just laughs it off. "Will these peppers give us breath like your little Joey? I feel like it might!"
Joey scampers around the table looking at the peppers with interest. He runs over to a plate that's been abandoned and goes to town on one, absolutely delighted. He lets out a little hiccup of fire.
Oredion picks up another one right when the whistle blows and follows his technique of tossing and gulping it down quickly.
(10+7)
Oredion let's out a burning burp and beats his chest with a loud thump. He let's a cough slip and instantly regrets the rush of air. He feels his throat start to burn and his stomach is starting to turn, but he puts on a brave front and gives etny a sly smile.
"Feeling the burn yet Et."
He chuckles, but hes feeling the burn just as much.
.... rofl et rolled a 1... so 4 total.... she loses two saves now, one left for her XD)
Laughing at your joke she bites into her next pepper. The regret is palpable on her face. Her eyes widen in horror and she coughs hurriedly. Forcing the rest of the pepper in is a chore and she barely gets it down before she's gagging. "OOOORA that's---AH!" She bangs her fist on the table, laughing through the tears.
She isn't the only one; 11 others have succumbed to the burn and have wandered from the table, cursing, coughing and sneezing.
Oredion sputters as he chokes on the pepper. When he threw the pepper in his mouth it when down sideways and scratched up his throat, making the burn feel even worse. He feels his eyes water as he debates on grabbing his drink, but decides to carry on.
(ooh boy.. lol 7 for Et.) Etny can barely stand it anymore. At the sound of the next whistle she picks up a pepper, hesitates, drops it and scrambles for her milk. Five more roil in pain beside her. Drinking the whole thing, she sets the mug down and lets out a loud sigh of defeat. "Shiza ara de shiza!"
Joey hiccups another burp of flame, munching through his 5th pepper. He's not affected by them at all, except that they make his tongue tingle.
Oredion quickly swallows the next pepper.
(13+7)
Oredion smiles at Etny giving up. He pats her on the back lightly.
(16+7)
He tries desperately not to breath hard. He trys to breath threw his nose and instantly regrets it feeling the heat start to burn his nostrils as well. His face starts to turn a beet red as he tries not to cough or gasping for air.
Etny smiles and shakes her head. "You can do it, Oredion-elenn! I believe in you!" She gives you a kiss on the top of the head as she stands up, hurrying out with the rest of the crowd. There's 3 more around the table with you all looking in about the same boat.
The whistle blows.... (Dc actually still 16. You are at max hotness. XD)
Oredion takes a moment seriously thinking over his decision to eat on the pepper. He picks it up slowly, turning it over in his hand, then suddenly tosses it in the air and swallows it as it lands in his mouth.
(19+7)
Oredion feels the heat in his belly, but pushes threw the burn inspired by Etnys words. He gasps for air with out much choice and feels his throat explode with flaming heat. He quickly shuts his jaw tightly and pushes the air threw his nostrils. He feels the tingle, but carrys on.
The two across from you tap the table in pain, relinquishing to their drinks. It is now just you and a fellow dwarf next to you. "Mighty fine battle o' will!" He picks up his last pepper, his eyes watering, and salutes you with it.
(15.. rofl.) He takes it, winces, swallows... and struggles to not throw up his whole day's contents. "Ooooh boy..." He winces, looking at you, wondering if he can hold on a second longer. His hand inches toward his drink...
Oredion raises his pepper in return.
"May the best fire eater win"
Oredion throws the pepper in his mouth with little hesitation as he fills the burn swell inside him.
(9+7... is a tie a loss? Idk..)
Oredions face is now completely red and tears are rolling down his cheeks. His hand strays dangerously close to his drink as he pounds his chest with his other hand trying not to cough/die.
The fellow dwarf makes a face of regret and turns to upchuck beside the table. The crowd both cheers and groans at the same time. Obviously a terrible choice as now his mouth, nose and everything else burns with the pepper oil. He scrambles to grab something to drink and wipe his face with, shaking his head in defeat.
"WE HAVE A WINNER!" The farmer shouts to a din of excited cheering. He motions for you to drink up. Joey continues wandering around the table gulping down peppers. "Congratulations sir!"
Oredion dosent wait after he sees the dwarf vomit. He grabs his drink and starts to chug it. He reaches for another after drawing the first one and starts to drink it slowly between ragged, burning breaths. A few moments later he leans back letting out a loud burp. He wipes away the tears and takes another long drink finishing off the second mug. He feels the heat lift from his cheeks and stands up unsteadily. He looks to the announcer with a grin.
"Well that was easily the hardest thing I've done today! I feel I lost, atleast when it comes to my stomach."
Oredion chuckles as he let's out another heated burp.
Everyone laughs and cheers, the loudest and happiest being Etny. She jumps up and down in the front with joy, her face still tear-streaked but lit up like the sun. She has a pair of cream popsicles in hand, one half gone.
"Here is the grand prize sir!" He hands you a ale stein with a metal cap. It's inlaid with silver and glitters with plant designs. "And consolation prizes for everyone else who dared participate!" You see Etny laugh and shake her head as she's handed a jar of the pepper jelly. The dwarf who threw up shakes his head and declines his adamantly.
You look in the stein and it looks filled with chill, hard ale. As you take a sip, it seems to refill automatically.
Oredions faces fills with joy and he starts to chug the ale as long as he can. A few minutes past by when a stops. He looks into the Stein and watches it refill quickly. A real tear comes to his eye. He looks to Etny with the biggest grin hes ever had.
"This is literally... literally the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The only thing that tops this is you. I told you, you land us in the best of spots. I ava nala de you as well... I hope I said that right..."
Oredion embarrassingly chuckles as he scratches the back of his head.
Etny blushes and her eyes grow wide as you say the words. She looks like she's going to cry again. Before you can blink, she jumps into your arms and squeezes you in a tight hug, almost spilling your beer and dropping the ice cream. "Oooora, you said it absolutely right! You're the most amazing person ever, Oredion.... Ava nala de..."
Completely without a care of where you are she plants a long, spicy sweet kiss on her sweetheart's lips and the crowd cheers. Many of them know exactly who you are and what you've done for the town, and it makes them all the happier.
Oredions face turns red as he returns the kiss seven fold. He grabs the ice cream before it slips out of her hand. As they let go of each other he grabs Etny by the hand and interlocks his fingers with hers. They start to walk threw the cheering crowd. Oredion feels the embarrassment build as he starts to pull the feathered headpiece over his face. He starts to eat the ice cream feeling his breath turn from hot and spicy to cold and fruity. He tucks away the Stein in his jacket as he looks up to Etny. His voice is light and awkward.
"I dont know about you, but I need a break from the games for a bit. Im... also a little to flustered to be around any more cheering crowds."
Oredion looks at Etny with a smile. He sees the necklace he gave her swing as they walk and he feels his heart thump. He quickly looks away and starts to speak.
"Where should we go next? Is it weird I feel a little hungry after... after that torture."
Oredion chuckles as they walk down the street hand in hand.
Etny smiles and blushes as they walk, shying closer toward Ore and away from the gawking, smiling crowds. She looks absolutely taken, still swimming in the after effects of the kiss. She can't seem to get her heart to stop fluttering.
"N-no no, not weird at all elenn! You know, I think some food would help settle the burning in our stomachs quite well..." She turns red and keeps looking this way and that. There are so many options and twice as many stalls as normal--it's hard to choose from. It's also a good excuse for her to avoid looking at Oredion in the face; she fears she would just set upon kissing him again.
"Ooooleah!" She stops in her tracks. Her nose catches a scent of something divine. "Is that what I think it is?" Her eyes light up. "This way, I think...!" She holds his hand tighter and pushes through the crowd, finding a very busy stall with thickly sauced kebabs covered in a shaved fruit as white as snow. The red and blue banner up above is stitched with the words, "Sossahl Treats".
Etny simpers a bit in a wave of nostalgia. "Oreeeeeedion! I'm definitely getting some of these, you MUST try one! Please?" She handles the transaction better this time, getting two containers for them filled with skewered meat and a soft rice-style grain.
Taking a seat nearby she explains better. "These are Ooratvya, um, um..." she struggles for the words in common, thinking hard. "Sweet meat? It's hard to find a translation for it in this tongue. They're all over Sossahl..." With a bite she practically melts next to him, leaning on his shoulder.
Oredion takes the stick if meat in his hand. He gives it a sniff and looks to Etny.
"Well if you say so. You haven't lead my astray yet."
Oredion laughs and proceeds to bit into the meat. The first bite is glorious and fills his mouth with a sweet flavor. He proceeds to eat the rest slowly savoring every bite.
"Et this is amazing. It tastes sooooo good. The meat is just falling off from being so soft and the sweetness... mmm its heavenly."
Etny smiles wider and cuddles against Ore's shoulder. "Aaaah, it feels like home... Especially being here with you."
After enjoying the remainder of the meal the huntress lets out a contented sigh. All around you see children running with toys and masks. There are even more booths full of food from every country, the smells overwhelmingly delicious. People are still working on wreaths in front of businesses, getting them ready for tonight. You see several other games starting up on this side of town including a pie eating contest, some kind of magic show, and a boulder smashing event.
Oredion sits happily enjoying the peace around him. He looks to Etny leaning against him and wraps his arm lovenly around her.
"It sure does Et. I guess this just means we have to stick together."
Oredion chuckles at his own corny joke. He looks around to the festivities around him being set up. Everyone seems to be happy and cherry with smiles on all of thier faces. He spots the boulder smashing contest and peaks his eyes in interest. He points to the event as he speaks.
"What would you say to doing the opposite of now and smash some stuff? I think, I'm not actually sure, but it looks like they are having a contest of Strength over there. Bet I could do well in that!"
Oredion looks to Etny with obvious enthusiasm on his face.
Etny relaxes, feeling safe in his arms, and can't help but smile at the idea. "Do well, elenn? Are you kidding? I know no one better!" She pats one of Ore's muscular forearms with a chuckle, giving him a light kiss on the lips.
Play acting sad as to have to leave his embrace, she reluctantly stands and gives him a playful nudge. "Shall Joey watch from the sidelines with me, you big 'ol grizzly bear you?"
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