“Turns out,” midnight lips smoothly declared, “humans do know how to celebrate.”

Delicate fingers encased in a colossal glove of gears and widgets laid a now empty glass upon the oaken counter. The porcelain haired dark elf nodded at the youthful bar tender as he poured yet another glass of vodka. Once the ornate glass was half-filled he re-corked the bottle and stood it back on the surface of the table. His chestnut eyes shot the darling elf a look of longing before a smirk formed on his face.

“The Solstice Feast is our village’s most eventful day,” he said gleefully. “I’m sure glad you stumbled upon this hamlet during such dangerous times.” His face went serious and his body tensed as he continued, “you should stay awhile. I can keep you safe.” That last awkward exchange was accompanied by an equally awkward hand placed atop Lilly’s.

Humans were simple. Elves, especially Alerians, were significantly more complex.

Still, this festival was a nice change of pace. Children were galavanting back and forth between a stall handing out candies to a portly gentleman shooting fireworks into the starless night sky. There was free booze. A gigantic pig was spinning above a roaring flame and filling the air with the marvelous scent of well-seasoned pork. Pointed dark elven ears were tuned into the laughter of patrons and the mumbled sound of dozens of conversations all happening at once.

All of this joy was perfectly framed against the backdrop of smoldering ruin in the distance. Towards the east, at the base of the horizon, you could see the bright red mark of devastation. And if you stared long enough you’d notice smoke billowing up from the cardinal glow of flames. Perhaps only a few hundred had died. Maybe just a few thousand. Surely everyone here was safe. Surely the rumors of famine, pestilence, and carnage were just that… rumors.

Best to just focus on the Solstice Feast. Lilthis wasn’t exactly sure what the feast was for but who needs an excuse to drink away your troubles. The black skinned maiden could worry about world ending horrors in the morning. When she was sober. For tonight she could just enjoy the sights and sounds of the hospitable village she had stumbled upon.

Lilly feigned a giggle. Her sky blues locked onto his ambers, “you’re very bad at this.”

She took another sip from her drink while trying to ignore the looming terror of apocalyptic destruction. That plight would certainly come here. But not for a few weeks. After the holiday, after the joy. For now they could all rest easy and replace their end of world stress with alcoholic bliss.

Tilting her head back she polished off her drink before gesturing for another.

“Lucky for you I’m not much better,” she wryly stated.