Hues of orange and violet filled the sunset sky, with the first shy twinkles showing themselves in the cloud-less firmament.
Azure decorations depicting white shooting stars adorned the stands placed by the locals, with the paths leading to the main plaza illuminated by Luminous Orbs, and the pleasant scents of freshly made food filled the air.
Some of the locals were eager to partake to the initiative and lent a paw or two in any way they could; others needed some little prodding and exchanges of favors before they relented; few of them defined Icetales a ‘mad lad’ for even considering the idea of thinking about festivals after all the recent disasters.
Indeed, the Vulpix had to concede that a festival of that proportion seemed untimely, but if the latest battle said anything, it was that things were going to become much uglier from that point onward. Who knew if they had another chance to relax and unwind after facing the gods of reality themselves and their horrid fusion! What else awaited them, lurking in the darkness?
“So, I suppose everything is ready for the grand event!” chirped Icetales, checking out his note-pad once more. Petram rolled after him, making some cries that seemed a mix between excitement and awe.
“I’ve got to admit it: the rule of the Three Fondues is golden! If only I could bring it back to my homeworld…” He sighed and shook his head. That was no time to ponder about such irrelevant details. “Anyway, it does not harm to take one final check…”
Without wasting time, Icetales picked Petram from the floor and put it on his back, before engaging his full “butler mode”. The revision started!
First stop: the stands of the savory foods. On the left there was an enormous pot brimming with fused cheese — produced with the most exquisite Moomoo Milk he could find — accompanied by aromatic croutons, crackers and toasted bread. Plates and wooden sticks were made available to take the desired portions.
On the right was collocated two pans filled with boiling oil, where anyone could cook morsels of pseudo-meat and pseudo-fish or fry some pieces of floury vegetables at any moment, aided by some metallic sticks and heatproof plates.
The Vulpix lifted the fireproof table cloth: the fire was burning vividly. Coal and wooden planks were stored nearby, in case they needed to revive the flames. However, with so many Fire-type allies in the team, that was more a precaution than a necessity.
“Yes, this is good,” he remarked, writing down on his notepad. Petram trilled with delight — perhaps it was starting to get hungry?
“I shall give thee a little morsel in a while, Petram. Just a little longer.”
With that said, he moved to the stands filled with sweet foods. An impressive fountain of molten chocolate was in the middle of the central table, towering over various trays filled with sliced fruit and berries, S’mores and marshmallows, and pastries of all kinds. Cake slices, muffins, snow scones… different desserts for different preferences!
And last but not least, there was the stand of the beverages, placed at the center of the plaza. Whisky, beer, coffee, tea, fruit juices, fresh water, ice cubes… the vast array of drinks would surely satisfy even the more insatiable tastes. Also, the barmon of the cafeteria had agreed to lend a paw with the beverages, in case folks wanted some cocktail or other sophisticated drinks. Miss Mellow had also offered some of her assistance in choosing the best blends of tea, which the Vulpix greatly appreciated.
“Well, then, I suppose this is all! I appreciate thy work, everyone!” he shouted toward the comrades who had lent a paw, earning some cheers from the locals and his good pals Celeste and Vix, who had helped set the tables and make the fire for the fondues.
Satisfied with the result, he walked toward his comrades and sat by their side, before holding Petram in one tail and feeding it a piece of Oran Berry. The stone dissolved it in a second, before trilling in delight.
“Now it is only time for the others to arrive. Ooh, I am so…” Icetales gulped, “nervous. Hopefully they will appreciate all of this…”
