(Co-Written with Kris)
Mari looked around carefully at the large crowd in Quillpond, night had finally fallen after another day of the festival. Mari had somehow received the Crown, of course flattered and honored. When she had come to this town those years ago, she hadn’t really imagined she’d ever feel a part of it, or that it would be home.
Normally Mari spent the festival in previous years working the stall for The Singing Stag, assisting Ivis with keeping tankards and bellies full. Yet today she had been kicked out after her own heroics the previous day, encouraged to “enjoy herself” for a change. So she had, gaining a few surprised looks from locals and newcomers alike as she moved through the crowds.
She wore a dress of gold, embroidered with silver ivy and vines, and upon her face a silver almost iridescent mask. The crown of vines though seemed to only enhance the aesthetic, as it laid on her hair of intricate braids. She moved with grace and ease despite the looks, until finally she found Grummen, looking as if he had just come from battle, more so than usual.
“Grummen!” She called cheerfully, and ran up to him excitedly, although slightly concerned “...were you part of the group that went to help in the corn maze?”
“Yes” Grummen adjusted the bag of weapons and sundry that had replaced the rescued children over his shoulder.
“Were you hurt?” She asked checking him over
“Yes,” he grunted, as she found the redcap injuries.
“Grummen...” She scolded as she led him so they were at least no longer in the street. Her hands were gentle, filled with the comforting celestial glow as she carefully moved across the wounds, knitting them together “There, that better?”Mari asked, looking up to him.
He grunted approvingly. “What Mari do before?”
“Before what?” She asked curiously before taking a spot beside him to lean against the wall, gesturing for him to unload, and stay awhile
“Before now”
“I guess I’ve been enjoying the festival. I’m not really talented at any of the competitions , but it’s been fun to watch the performers, see the craftsfolk working their hardest. The food is great, Oh! You have to try this” Her eyes were alight with excitement as she was distracted by the treasure she found, pulling out a pastry and handing it to Grummen “Oh, I also assisted in averting disaster yesterday, got Ariel out of that scarf of many pockets that went wrong in the pond”
She paused, realizing how close that call was, the iron monstrosity that was looming down, as she had been pushing all of her magic and focus to get the portal open so they all could escape to safety.
"But everyone saved the day, per usual " Mari said as she came back to herself "Have you enjoyed much of the festival?"
“Had food, food good” Grummen considered the pastry before eating it whole. “Find good”
"Oh, speaking of finding good!" Mari said her enthusiasm growing before she settled, stood straight and glanced towards her friend with pride " As the current bearer of the Crown of Vines, I'd like to humbly offer my gratitude to you, Grummen. You were my first friend, and the first person in Quillpond to show me kindness, and I don't know if I would have found home without you. So…"
She paused, lifting the crown on her head before slowly placing it on Grummen’s "...I pass the crown to you" Mari beamed.
Grummen stared at her, pleased, and then confused, “what Grummen do with crown?”
“Well, you thank people who’ve done nice things for you while wearing it and then you pass it on to one of the people you’re most grateful for” Mari said.
Grummen regarded the pastry and remembered the second time they had met, he was fairly certain “friend” was a new kind of thing, but one he had come to value. He ate the pastry with gusto and patted Mari on the head with a grin, in much the same way he had then. “Friend”
“Friend” Mari agreed with a mirroring grin, touched by confirmation that yes, they were friends. “So, what do you want to do at the festival?
“Eat, give” Grummen rummaged through his backpack for a moment before finding what he was looking for and triumphantly handed Mari a small ceramic bowl.
Mari’s eyes widened, surprised but carefully cradled the bowl in her palms. “This is lovely, thank you, Grummen” Mari said genuinely, reviewing the details of the small bowl.
Grummen stared at the bowl with some confusion for a moment, and then rummaged through his backpack again, producing a container of water. Pouring some water into the bowl, it began to glow softly and showed a reflection of the night sky overhead, despite the awning of the building. “Always have stars” he grunted.
She looked at the reflection of the sky with eyes filled with wonder before giving the same expression to her friend. “Oh Grummen, it’s beautiful!”. It was then Orion perched on her shoulder, grasped the bowl in his claw, licked some of the icing sugar off Grummen’s cheek before taking the bowl away like a mighty dragon with a new prize for its horde. Mari laughed, shaking her head, but took the moment of surprise to give Grummen a hug before tugging him back to the crowd of people, to celebrate with their town, their home.