Feastival (2021)

Free time wasn’t easy for Blue Bird to take advantage of for a mail grem. Being the face of the post office he was created for, the grem could only milk so many hours before he had to go back into the daily grind in letter delivery. 

This, however, could be put on the back burner for now when his senses were suddenly assaulted by an array of chatter and hot cooked meals positioned in the market square where the festivities were being held. 

The feastival. A celebration honoring the first great sharing of food when a harsh winter had hit. Blue Bird had delivered countless envelopes and invitations in respect to the event in question- but he honestly had no time up until this point to get a chance to partake. An aroma of many styles of food wafts deliciously, beckoning the mail grem to sample what the festivities had to offer. 

A small croak erupts from his bag and- suddenly, a tiny creature the size of a kitten jumps out and skitters into the crowd! 

“Hey- Atlas!” Blue Bird rushed off to follow his snaptrap companion, occasionally apologizing each time he nudged up against someone warm. 

“Pardon me! I’m very sorry!” Words rain forth as he frantically glances about. Searching for anything, any blue and white stripe or tuft tall of his reptilian companion. Crud, now where did that little stinker go off to- 

“...hungry little lad, aren’t you? Come on, eat as much as you want! Oh and try this, it has lavender in it...!” The voice, soft spoken and warm, catches the mail grem’s attention with a perk of an ear. Just off the corner in one of the food venues was his snaptrap companion- who was seemingly scarfing down a lovey pile of toasted lavender-colored petals tipped with honey and powder. He seemed to be enjoying it, too! 

Hurrying forth with a tug of his mail bag, Blue Bird found himself gazing at the display of garden-like food decorating the table of the food venue’s showcase. Mints, oregano, flower petals and honey with milk- who knew there could be so many varieties of foods here! 

“I’m assuming that this little guy belongs to you? He seems to have quite an appetite on him, and you know what they say about a grem and their pets, they don’t stray too far from one another!” The soft spoken voice from earlier revealed from behind the venue counter came from a stunning grem patterned with orange and black markings- with what Blue Bird assumed to be inspired by some sort of flying insect. 

“Ah- yes! Yes, he’s mine! His name is Atlas, and I’m Blue Bird! We actually got here not too long ago, but I guess the journey here had Atlas turn up an empty stomach-“ 

A sudden growl ensues from the depths of Blue Bird’s stomach in mid sentence. An embarrassed shade of off-white roses his cheeks, earning a light hearted chuckle from the orange grem. 

“I was right after all! Have a seat then, my friend. I’ll have something to help with your poor stomach there, and lucky for you it’s honey season as well! Or else my name isn’t Monarch, the mother of moths.” Another chuckle and a flowing flick of her tail, the friendly grem had retreated back into the makeshift pantry set up behind the venue. 

Atlas, his Snaptrap, had sat back after devouring its meal. A small throaty “blep” indicating that his companion had fed well, earning a pleased smile and a loving careless under the chin from Blue Bird while awaiting. This place is nice... for someone who had no time to really be able to attend to special events, the locals here were warm hearted and welcoming. Perhaps he can also make a friend here, too. 

A moment later, the other grem (Monarch was her name, right?) had reappeared with a dish big enough to rest flatly upon her palm. Her smile widening when she saw his expression as to how much food she had REALLY put together for him. 

“Trust me, I’m no stranger to hunger! The researchers that had hired me had taught me that you can never go wrong with a little extra nutrition, so I decided to throw together something quite meaningful and traditionally grown by us. Here, please sample it.” 

The plate she had settled down showcased more than just one type of meal for Blue Bird to  see. The steam drifting from the thinly sliced meats rolled in savory purple and green leafy greens (char grilled, to add flavor! Was enough for him to salivate over. 

A row of breads spread with what seemed to be cream cheese and white elderflowers was a nice subtle touch. Really, Blue Bird would have never thought of actually eating flowers until Monarch had showed him otherwise. The scent of sesame seeds dotting the sliced loaves gave such a home-like comfort. 

A jar of purple and yellow juice settled beside the platter- which Blue Bird could smell as lavender lemonade. The lavender being very subtle, but the tangy taste once he had taken a sip left his palette refreshed and wanting to consume more! 

Lastly, just beside the platter was a smaller dish with marinated fruits and garnished with a fresh pieces of chives. Everything looked so good that not even Blue Bird could resist to bring to dig in, sampling each piece as if made with carefully crafted hands of this grem’s expertise. 

“I can’t thank you enough, this all is actually tasting very good!” A crunch of bread followed by a down of lemonade, and Blue Bird was beginning to feel quite energized after the meal! 

“It’s what I learned while working here! Protein is important, but having too much will just end up tiring you out faster than anything, which is why my dishes mainly have greens and flowers in them! Those are the real ticket to keeping your stomach happy.” A friendly pat on the shoulder and Monarch had returned to stroking Atlas’ chin. The happy snaptrap purring while his mail grem companion finished off his meal.

With a heavy sigh, Blue Bird’s hands leave the empty platter and he promptly takes out a token of gratitude for Monarch- an array of collectible mail stamps (which were holographic- a rarity in the stamp collecting world!). He hands them to Monarch, as well as for a tip for helping him and his comrade out (to which Monarch accepts with a knowing smile, pleased that she had provided the best she could for Blue Bird!). 

“It was delicious, all of it. Thank you- I know it’s not much but it’s my first time here, so I’d like to tip you special with these stamps. You can use them- or save and collect them! Mailing stamps aren’t important now compared to food, but when you find a collector- well, you’ll know.” Blue Bird chuckled, finally pushing himself back to collect his companion and venture off to explore more of this feastival.

“You don’t say? Well now if that’s the case I think I’ll keep them- but I’d like to know if you’re planning on coming back and chatting more after the feastival closes? Seeing someone enjoy my dish that much makes me want to actually teach others how to cook properly with flowers and greens with meats, unless you have to go afterwards?”  Monarch’s question had made Blue Bird think for a moment. 

“I won’t be able to stay since I work as a mail grem, but maybe I can stop by at some point and learn how you toast your rose petals? Atlas seemed to enjoy them and I never can say no to trying more food! It’s only a shame because being a mail grem takes most of my time, so I’m afraid I can’t really tell you when I’m available again.” A sad reality, but he would rather be real than to let her down sooner or later. 

“Hm. I’ll tell you what then. You come back here next year with the best dish you can muster with your mail-delivering grem pads of yours, and I’ll teach you a thing or two on how to improve it and also make you something you and Atlas will absolutely love. Courtesy from me, of course.”

A matter-of-fact tone along with her arms crossed, black teeth gleaming with a knowing grin when Blue Bird had opened his mouth to seemingly add something to their conversation. 

He paused. That honestly was a good idea now, wasn’t it? It was almost like a promise, and if one things for certain it’s that Blue Bird never liked to break those promises if he could help it. 

“It’s a deal then. Until next feastival, Monarch?” The mail grem extends his hand, open and inviting as the other simply smiled at him. 

She took his hand with a firm hard shake. 

“You can count on my word, Blue Bird.”