Argonauts Heir

Celebration

Bell never expected to out drink any of the three contestants. One was a dwarf, who were renowned for quite a few things, drinking being one. One was a Goddess, who had infinite experience when it came to drinking. And one was just older than him, with presumably more experience. 

Bete was out first. He seemed to forget himself after the first few rounds and just started drinking on his own, and was now mumbling to himself.

Bell was the next to go. He didn't start drinking on his own, but it didn't really matter when the two remaining contestants were a dwarf and a Goddess. 

Loki was the next one out, much to Bell's drunken surprise. He figured that no matter how prolific a dwarf's drinking ability was, it couldn't match a literal Goddess. He was wrong.

"Heeey, I want a rematch."

Gareth just laughed, seemingly mostly unaffected by the alcohol.

"You say that everytime, and everytime we end up carrying you home! I won Loki. Maybe one day though."

The whole table was snickering at this, used to but still enjoying the antics that showed up when these two drank."

"Come oooonnnnn. I should be better than you at thisssss, I've been drinking since drinking was a thing!"

She was clearly affected by the alcohol. She was hiccuping and slurring words, while Gareth seemed buzzed at best. It was no contest who had won. Riveria decided to speak up before Gareth caved.

"That's enough Loki. We don't want the first dinner with Bell to end up with you being dragged home."

Bell laughed.

"Hey, you might end up dragging us both home. This is good stuff, way better than what we had in my village."

Bell might have been knocked from the competition, but he hadn't quit drinking. Why should he? He was celebrating tonight, was getting to know his familia. What better way to do that than some brewskis with the boys? And girls in this case.

Bell had developed quite the flush at this point, and was being more open that he had ever been in a group setting. Usually, back in his village, he was reserved around this many people. Here, he felt different.

"We only ever got good alcohol when Gramps special ordered it. We would take it down to the tavern and share with the village. It was always good fun, but Gramps never shelled out for anything this good."

"Speaking of, Bell, would you care to tell us about him?"

"Sure. He was old, but had a strong work ethic and even liked working. I tried to get him to stay home and let me work instead, but he wouldn't do it. Said if I was working he would be too. He was an amazing storyteller, and could conjure images in my mind's eye even picture books couldn't do. And he was incredibly kind. He was hard on me when needed, like when I used to sneak out to practice with my sword. But he was fair too. Wanted me safe and healthy, like a parent I guess. He taught me everything I know. He was my teacher, mentor, friend, and my only family. But I'm at peace with it know, knowing what I know. I know he's waiting. I'll see him again."

Finn, Riveria, Loki, and the adventurers who were in the dungeon when he slew the minotaur smiled and nodded. The few who weren't there seemed confused. Bell hadn't shared any information except for what he said in the dungeon and to Finn, Riveria, and Loki, and they had kept their promise and hadn't yet told anyone anything. It was Bell's life and his place to tell people, if he wanted to at all. 

After Bell's little monologue, Finn broke the silence.

"I'm glad you can be so positive, and I for one am happy to have you join us Bell."