The night deepened, and the party truly began.
The bonfire burned high, flames dancing wildly as Red adjusted the meat over the grill with careful precision. The scent of roasted meat mixed with Ikenga's spices filled the air, rich and inviting. Aqua and Brix rolled the wine barrels closer, prying them open as cups then jugs were passed around without restraint.
Laughter came easily.
Red drank deeply, claiming it helped "warm him properly," though no one believed he needed help with that. Boros loudly insisted she would pace herself this time, only to be the first demanding refills. Tweet, after initial hesitation, allowed himself to be pulled fully into the celebration.
Even Ikenga drank.
At first, he merely sipped, listening more than speaking. But as stories were told of changes in the spirit world, of minor disasters narrowly avoided, of Boros many failed attempts to hide empty barrels, he let the wine take effect.
For once, he did not hold himself back.
