Harvest Festival

The soft autumn breeze had finally brought a much-needed chill to the once sunbaked stones of the village square. Already beans were sporting cardigans and gloves on their hands, excited for the oncoming seasons festivities over the coming days. After all, with the changing of the seasons came the changing of the harvests.

This was a time to be celebrated! A time when the community came together to trade and sell goods, foods and generally gather things that could hold them over for the long northern winter that was soon to come. This made for a long-standing tradition of holding a harvest festival in hopes that every member had a chance to gather the resources that they would need for these cold tundra nights.

One such member, Druid, was a plucky little caribou-colored bean, busying themselves with laying out a well weathered tarp over a small area that was allocated to them for this festival. It was considered a 'booth space,' but the bean lacked both a booth or wood to build one. They had their waterproof tarp, which had seen plenty of use and was about as clean as it was going to get, and a sled packed to the brim with hand crafted items they planned to sell during this festival.

Around them, folks set up their own booths of dark rich wooden tables or even overhead tents to keep the sun or snow away from their wares. Everyone seemed to sport a mix of canned fruits and vegetables, fresh foods and baked breads, and even some spare animal products. However, what really caught the eye of patrons to this festival were the specialty booths. Things like street food booths, sweets and confections of every nature, and there was even a woodcraft booth that was presented at every festival this bean had ever attended.

Druid shuttered to think about the hot hand pie that would soon be available to them within a matter of hours. That is, if they could sell enough items to be able to afford one- and fight the surge of crowds from neighboring towns and provinces that were going to swarm the festival in the coming days. A weeklong affair that was going to come in strong and sputter out before the final day and leave most of the townsfolk with enough provisions and cash to survive the harsh winters.

If someone lacked the goods needed at the end of the festival, however, it didn't lead to despair for them. No, this community was a solid one. Neighbor helped neighbor and together they became strong. Thats how Druid was able to survive with them all those years ago. They had come in cold and disheveled. They had been supplied their small sled, which had once been loved by a village child that had left to pursue education further south. Their clothes had been restitched and patched up a dozen times over but were a welcome gift against the cold. The food they had eaten had been a mix of stale breaded gifts and ruffage they had gathered from the land. It wasn't until Druid had gotten established in the community had he been able to pay these kindnesses back, and they will forever be thankful to their new friends and neighbors for their generosity during those first few years.

One such neighbor approached them now, drawing Druid out of their reprieve. In her hands was a small, wrapped bundle, but Druid could smell it before it was even offered out to them: A fried apple hand pie. "Hello dear," The voice of the elderly woman tickled their brain- it was the voice of every grandmother character Druid had ever read in their stories. "I made these for you, but I wanted to deliver them before the festival officially started to make sure you got some."

"Oh! Thank you, Joyce. I should have the coin for them by the end of the day," Druid took the package from her warm paws, but she was already shaking her head. She never wanted coin for her gifts and ate the expense. Druid made a mental note to return the favor in physical labor later, but at present, he furiously thanked the elderly bean. She smiled and gave him a pat on the hand before returning to their stall a few sections over. Already Druid could see the grey smoke rising from her large outdoor brick oven she had had built a few days prior. They knew it would be removed in the days following the festival, but for now everyone in town enjoyed the scent of baking in the air.

As Druid tucked into a warm crisp pie, the Festival Committee Leader's voice sounded across the cobble stones using a rolled-up piece of paper to amplify their voice. Druid assumed it was a flier for this very festival. How fitting. "Final prep," They called. It was time to set out Druids items, as the guests would be allowed in soon. "Final prep, open in 30 minutes!" They repeated these words several more times as they strode through the open-air market, and it seemed as though everyone worked towards doing just as Druid did. All their items were to be displayed proudly for any passing consumer.

Druid set out their items: Clothing and fabrics made from shed Caribou fur. Shed antlers whole or carved into various objects. Various herb bundles crafted from dried spring and summer herbs they had collected themselves. Small prey animal pelts like rabbit and foxes lay amongst their goods. It was a real smorgasbord of wild animal goods, and Druid supposed that was their booth specialty. All their work was soon rewarded when the gates to the market were opened, and beans of all size and stature flooded in. For a few moments it was absolute chaos. Everyone spoke with the voices of the masses, and all were intent on getting their goods in a timely manner. Druid was taken aback by this every year and did their best to keep up.

Experienced booth managers had no trouble working the throngs of people. They hocked their wears with the best of them, calling their goods out and gaining interest in the crowds. They bartered like mad men and got deals where they could. Druid had learned plenty in the few years they had been here and did their best to keep up with demand. Every now and again they would set more things out to replace the old bought items. New things were always looked at with much interest and soon Druid's coin purse felt heavy with sales. 

It wasn't until midafternoon did the masses calm down and actually begin to enjoy themselves.

It was about the time Druid ran out of things to sell for the day anyway. They had a scarf or two left over here, a bundle of herbs there, and even an antler flute lay unclaimed on their tarp. The bean was quick to pack away their goods for the evening in excitement to enjoy the rest of their first day with the throng of people who still skittered about. Even other booth managers were winding down their own sales, and as Druid packed their little sled and covered it with the waterproof tarp, folks were already making their ways to the entertainment area.

Druid was hot on their heels, ducking and weaving around clumps of patrons trying to make the most of the shopping district of the market in the final hours of daylight. It was a sight to behold. Everyone laughed and murmured, creating a soft background noise to it all that comforted Druid on their way. In a crowed, this bean was practically invisible, just as they liked it. Even their destination would be full of beans now, and perhaps places to sit and congregate would be few a far between.

As Druid passed the final few rows of sellers- all folks from out of town who had the last pick of stall plots to choose from- they were greeted by a large open field. The edges were lined with trees that were already attempting to shed their leaves, which littered the dry grassy meadow. Beans stood and sat everywhere, conversing and making merriment. All waiting for the big event to begin- the great wooden pillar that stood menacingly in the middle of it all. Around the pillar were small bits of wood and papers contributed by the town's folk. It squatted in wait for the sun to go down, as all were waiting, but was still a few minutes away.

Druid took this time to buy a small package of honey-toasted nuts from a village-run stand, and nibbled on those while they waited in line for a hot apple cider. These snacks would be the ones they would sit with and enjoy the final moments of sunlight. They found a place up near the rocky barricade that kept folks away from the actual area of the wood and paper that were going to be lit, and it would soon offer warmth from the cold winds that were ramping up the closer to night it became. Already some of the children needed to be put into thicker coats in spite of their running and playing. Parents bundled up in additional layers as well, and Druid caught sight of a few of their own handmade creations- scarves they had knitted, or hand sewn rabbit hide gloves. It was rather heartwarming as they wrapped their own paws around their hot cider and took a sip. The liquid's temperature was just below scalding, and the apple and cinnamon swirled across their tongue. It paired well with the honey roasted nuts, and Druid quietly wondered if they had put any honey into the cider itself.

The sound of the Festival Committee Leader's voice called once more over the crowds and pulled Druid out of their fall time stupor. "I want to welcome you all once more to our Harvest Festival! It was such a joy to see the turnout this year!" Everyone, including Druid, clapped for all the work everyone did to make the festival happen. As the claps were dying down, the Committee Leader called out on cue, "I want to thank all the organizers, community members and patrons that contributed to this year's festivities. We still have a week ahead of us to enjoy, so without further ado, I think we should light this bonfire!" Everyone in the meadow called out and cheered their support. Even the children were clapping now, as the mention of lighting the pillar caught their attentions. "I would like to hand it over to our sponsor this year: Hiccup Sonata. He has contributed almost all of the wood we are going to be using this year. It is thanks to his generosity that we are able to keep this fire burning throughout the next few days of the festival." Everyone clapped again as their attentions were turned towards the bean that came up behind the Committee Leader with a burning torch in one hand.

"Thank you for everyone coming out and making this another festival for the record books." As he said that, the last little bit of afternoon glow ducked behind the horizon and everyone stood, shivering in the shadows. It made the bean hard to see, as their pelt was dark already. Even the torch in his hand did little to cast any light on his brown fur. The only thing Druid could see in the dim light were his eyes blazing copper in the darkness. They were fierce, warm and inviting. Full of good humor and gentleness, offset by the bold and fiery colors that burned into Druid's mild. "Without any further ado, here's to the first day of our festival, and everyone who has worked together to make it possible!"

The crowed went silent as the torch was cast aloft in the air. It turned, end over end only twice yet it felt like an eternity. Everyone watched it hit the pillar and for a second or two- nothing but the held breaths of every bean around it. Then, in a whoosh of sound, everything caught fire and the world was once more illuminated by fire that caught on every little piece of paper and tender. Heat flooded Druids face and chest and they knew everyone else had felt it too.

The noise was almost deafening as everyone cheered and clapped. The pillar was ablaze in moments, but Druid's eyes had not yet cleared from the flash of light the fire gave out. Their eyes were screwed shut but the sparkles of light were burned into their vision. They danced in and out of the darkness of Druid's closed eyes- but in the fire sparks he saw that bean's eyes. The golden copper, cheerily looking on at the crowed that was no longer there. Addressing no one now in the darkness of Druid's brain.

They realized too late that they had sat too close, and it wasn't until someone was helping them to their feet that they found their hands over their ears. What had they done with their cider? Their honey toasted nuts were also gone. The stranger turned them away from the fire- proven only by Druid's front no longer being warmed but their tail and back. The other was speaking to them- Druid needed to remove their hands from their ears. When they did so the world quickly came back to them- children weren't shouting or cheering anymore, and all the adults were excitedly chatting amongst themselves. The sound had gone back down, and Druid attempted to rub the spots out of their eyes.

"Are you okay?" Repeated the concerned voice from beside him. "Hey Druid, are you alright?"

The voice was a kind and velvety sound, almost like the sound of hands rubbing together to muster the warmth and bring the tingling cold away from your fingers. Druid blinked back the last of the speckles and looked towards the voice, catching sight once more of those burning, kind eyes. This time, however, they were full of worry for him, and Druid's voice caught a little in their throat.

"I-I'm fine," They stammered a breath later. "I just think I sat too close without realizing it." Druid tried a laugh, but it sounded fake, and evidently Hiccup thought so too.

"It's okay, everyone gets excited about the big bonfire." Hiccup put on a soothing smile for them, and Druid huffed a little in embarrassment.

They were fine, they reminded themself, and turned their attention downwards to hide the embarrassment of blush that threatened to creep onto their face. Where did that apple cider go. A now empty cup lay on the ground at their feet, and its contents wet the grass that lay in front of the fire's barrier. Even some of the stones shone wet with cider. The package of honey roasted nuts also lay askew, but Druid was able to gather up what was left- the little caribou yearlings would go absolutely nuts over these if Druid could manage from dropping all of them.

Hiccup, however, was more concerned with Druid's cider. "Oh no, you dropped your drink. Here, let's get you another."

Druid looked back up at him sharply, a little indignant. They were not a child who needed to be coddled and taken care of. They didn't need a new drink to keep them from pouting. "I am fine, thank you." Druid tucked what was left of their snack into their pocket and stood up with their chin held high in defiance. For a quick moment they took in Hiccup's sight- his fur was rather dark, but the smile lines he thought he had seen on the other's face were actually little stripes of copper through the other's fur. His jaw and throat looked like the dying light of a fire. His clothing was dressed for warmth- a wool coat and dark black slacks. However, his scarf stood out to Druid- it was one of his scarves. It was one from last years knitted scarves collection- he could tell by the color as it was a rich orange he had created using Marigold and onion skins. Marigolds didn't often find their way up north, so it was a rare chance to dye some yarn.

"It's no trouble," Hiccup said softly. "I was thinking about getting a cup for myself." Druid paused for a moment as his eyes returned to Hiccups and he saw not contempt for the damsel that dropped their drink. He saw interest and genuine distress about Druid's state.

"I would appreciate that," Druid breathed, noticing the puff of mist that left their mouth. The temperature was really dropping now that the sun was set. Hiccup smiled at that and together they walked back towards the cider booth, though this time Hiccup paid for the two of them and got the deluxe cup. Druid didn't have to wonder what made it 'deluxe' for too long before a heated cup was once more in their grasp.

A larger paper cup that was rimmed in caramel drizzle and crushed... were they pistachios? Inside was a cinnamon stick and a few cloves for aromatics. A small dollop of whipped cream with cinnamon and yes, honey drizzle, bobbed atop the cider. It was rather beautiful, and Druid carefully took the first drink of the steaming liquid. Delicious warmth flooded their mouth yet again. It was almost too sweet with the caramel rim, but the tart apple flavor and mulled spices created a fall time bouquet around Druid's senses. A small hum of pleasure escaped his throat, and he felt the warmth travel all the way down to his stomach.

"Thank you, this is delicious," he said, turning to Hiccup once more.

"Isn't it?" Hiccup asked, his expression one of satisfaction in his own drink, although now his furry upper lip was topped with a mustache of whipped cream.

Druid laughed out loud and shook his head. "Hey, man, you got a little something-" Druid pointed to his own lip, indicating to Hiccup.

The other man laughed a little bit and whipped at his mouth with his woolen sleeve. "Thanks. My parents were big on hot chocolate growing up, so the whip cream mustache is a fall tradition." Druid smiled softly at this, knowing his own parents would never have allowed this- it was unbecoming of a lady, after all. This caused a small flare of frustration and Druid took another sloppy, rebellious drink of their cider and aimed for the whipped cream this time around. They would experience the whip cream mustache, even if their tongue was once again scalded in the process.

When Druid brought the cup back down and huffed for some cool air to cool their tingling tongue, the whipped cream did not follow it. Hiccup looked over to see a blot of whipped cream on Druid's nose instead of just a small mustache and the two of them paused for a moment looking at each other in surprise until Druid broke the silence with a guffaw. This led Hiccup to cackle in return and the two of them drew the attention of several other beans.

The laughing between them continued even after Druid swiped the whipped cream from their whiskers and shook their head. What a goofy thing to get upset about, they reminded themself. They would experience these things in due time. They had only been on their own for a short while, after all.

After the two of them got their laughs out and found a seat a ways away from the fire this time, Druid suddenly looked up puzzling at the bright area. The venue fairy lights had been turned on and their small village was alight with many string lights of every color. Most were warm yellow lights, but every so often you would see a string of colored lights- probably contributed by the parents of young children. Everyone was encouraged to donate a string of lights towards the festival and parents made a big show to their children by allowing them to 'help' with choosing the lights. Each year had more lights than the last, and Druid knew they would stay lit until around midnight the first day, and then about 9pm the following days until the final day.

It was all pretty standard, and the same every year. The first day was for everyone and every hotel and spare room of folks in town were always filled to the brim with guests. Every day saw fewer and fewer folks as booths sold out of their goods, until the final day was mostly compiled of beans from this village. It was a very intimate affair, with a big potluck meal shared between all the families. Druid had been too afraid to come to this final day and usually packed up early the 6th day to head home to the herd with their supplies and cash. The grand fire would be snuffed out and the string lights would be rearranged to prepare for the coming winter nights to light up the roadways, as they lived outside of the arctic circle, but close enough for it to affect their light cycles. The darkness lasts a few minutes longer each day until they have a day that is only bright for a short while on the winter solstice, and then it slowly begins to light just a little longer each day.

Hiccup pulled Druid out of their thought as he began to speak, "I see you around a lot during the festival, but I hardly ever run in to you in town. Where do you run off to?"

Druid smiled. "I follow one of the Mountain Caribou herds. I act as a shepherd for them and keep away pests and petitory animals. I sort of move around and migrate with them, so I tend to come into town only when I am close enough."

Hiccup was taken aback for a moment before leaning forward really excited and interested. It was a reaction Druid got a lot when he mentioned his nomadic nature. "Wow! That's incredible! It must be so interesting to be around them and be able to be so up close to them all!"

"Oh yeah," Druid said with a smile on their face. Under these fairy lights, Druid noticed how Hiccup's eyes glittered like coals from a fire. "I've been very lucky. They're like my family. I get to help them calve, and they like to cuddle for warmth. They even let me brush out their fur and collect their antler sheds for tools and the like. It is very rewarding."

Hiccup looked on at Druid, raptured by what he was saying. Once Druid finished talking, Hiccup pipped up, "I would love to see them up close some day."

Druid shrugged a bit, "They might not let you. Caribou don't trust a lot of strangers. I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. They must have known I needed them."

"Thats so cool," Hiccup said with stars in his eyes. Druid returned his smile before finishing his drink and standing up. "Well, I suppose I need to get back to them, actually. I have a long trek into the woods, and I have to drag that sled with me..."

Hiccup stood up with them and took their empty paper cup. "Will you be back tomorrow?" He asked, his eyes hopeful.

"I'll be back every day this week," Druid reassured the other man, though said nothing about his early exit on the 6th day.

"I'll be seeing you, then, Druid." Hiccup held out his free hand for a handshake and Druid took it excitedly. Hiccup's paws were rough and calloused in his own, but they were tender and applied a firm pressure in their grip.

"I'll see you around, Hiccup." And with that, Druid collected their things and headed off into the woods to collect more of their crafts to bring back for the next day.