Glada Vappen!

[suomi_thunder]

Aarne hadn't celebrated holidays properly in over a year which left him feeling disconnected. Giant bonfires in the streets and rampant reindeer were frowned upon in most civilized cities, unless of course the punks were involved, then that was arson not celebrations.. ok, well for the punks it was a celebration but not for a Saami.

In the Nexus though, oh here he could do whatever he wanted, or that was what he had learned in his few visits. He had been planning and cooking and collecting. The gods probably don't even know where he stirred up reindeer from in the Nexus but he has and Mouka was happy to have a job keeping them corralled. His usual rock gear is augmented with his family necklace and oddly doesn't look too out of place with rest of his wildness.

He didn't have a lot but parties always started this way. The host had some things and then people came and brought more booze and food, ordering all kinds of things. Aarne did bring Mead, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and a a bunch of lemon tippaleipä batter. He had cooked some but this was something he could show visitors how to make on their own. The honey mead based sugar in a large bowl. Strips of dried reindeer meat and juustoleipä, a Finnish reindeer milk cheese, are out on the table too. There are fruits; strawberries, apples, and nuts which were common as well as a cream from reindeer milk traditional to the culture and nearly like unfermented yogurt.

That all done he looked to the huge pile of logs that he had gotten from various people around the Nexus. The Sami added leaves to it to create smoke at first to attract others. Before lighting it he put up a banner of hide dedicated to the Akka, the female fertility spirits, decorated with the same imagery as his traditional drum. It was sentimental, the first drum he ever learned to play.

Drum in hand he poured kerosene on the log pile and lit it. The reindeer spooked at the sudden fire but soon calmed, especially when the tall Fin went among them.

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

"It looks like I have the opportunity." Ben cautiously takes a small bite of the food he was offered and nods in approval. It's good even without the added drink. "I had some alcohol at the Dawning this winter, but different cultures have different flavors, of course. Tea's my usual taste. My friend Variks makes some good blends."

"A Midgardian culture you know. That does sound interesting." Ben chuckles quietly. "The thing with being from another galaxy is that all Earth - or Midgardian - cultures are alien to me. So I have a lot to learn, and I'll keep my ears pricked."

[coldsong]

"Oh, how is Variks? I haven't talked to him as much as I'd like but I'm taking a liking to him." He has to wonder what sort of tea Eliksni drink. Pelsor's folk didn't seem much for cooking; he got the impression there was some sort of chemical they survived on. But then, they didn't tell him that much about themselves.

"Earth is interesting that way," he muses. "Most of the Realms that have developed space travel seem to have planetary governments, although some still have lords and ladies or councils and regions supporting the worldwide governing body. Earth isn't quite there yet, but their nations are very fragmented."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"He's doing well. I'm glad you had the chance to talk to him - he's a very unusual Eliksni, but I've learned a lot about his people through speaking with him. I think we have a lot to teach each other. I can't blame Pelsor for being cagey - she probably thinks, with good reason, any information she gives us could reach her enemies. But Variks is different."

Ben considers the statement about Earth. His impression, though he's diplomatic enough not to put it in those terms, is that a lot of Earths are fairly primitive in technology and especially travel compared to his universe of origin.

"It's a little different where I come from. My galaxy has a history of galactic-spanning governments, democratic or imperial, though planets tend to have their own leadership. We have no Earth, not that we know of, and humans have spread throughout the galaxy. Sometimes I wonder if we fled the planet long ago for some reason that's been lost to history."

[coldsong]

"For someone whose world government once spanned multiple systems, I am a bit suspicious of galactic authorities," he says with a little grimace. "There is bound to be interplanetary conflict sooner or later, it seems."

"If it had been up to me, I would have relinquished my father's empire slowly, planet by planet--but admittedly, I would have done it in large part just to spite him, so I'm not objective about it, either."

Sigh. "Anarchy is even more tempting an idea at this point in my life. I wanted authority once. Now I want to mind my own business, primarily."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"I always hated politics," Ben says with a small smile. "So I'm honestly happy to be rid of it - though if Rey and I succeed in helping me get home that situation may be complicated. So I'll enjoy rest while it lasts."

Ben raises a curious eyebrow. "Your people were conquerors? I was one - though I've left that life behind, I don't believe whatever's left would listen to me. I gave up my authority. Word would have gotten out that I defected, and the most I could expect from my old allies is a speedy execution."

He shrugs a little. "I offered my help to Ravage's crew if they never need it. They oppose governments like the one I ruled over. I supose it's my way of making amends."