Unified Nations of Earth and Remnant

Chapter 4: Party and Reality

After another week of fighting off the Grimm, Menagerie was now Grimm free. Making most of the inhabitable areas on the island free to house the Faunus and spread to farm and expand their freedom of their homeland.

Ghira Belladonna in both good faith and gratitude, invited 50 of the 250 marines from 235th Papa Company for a festival in their victory and honor. This included Anthony, David, Shino, Mari and Igor as well. The fifty marines still wore their MARPAT combat uniforms with a boonie hat, but without the gear and weapons.

The Marines were excited to be invited to the festival and experience Menagerie culture firsthand. Anthony, David, Shino, Mari, and Igor were ready to enjoy themselves after weeks of intense fighting the Grimm.

The atmosphere at the festival was vibrant and celebratory. Laughter and music filled the air as the Marines mingled with the Faunus, a stark contrast to the recent weeks of grueling combat. The festival was not just a celebration of victory over the Grimm, but also a symbol of unity and hope for a peaceful future on Menagerie.

Anthony, David, Shino, Mari, and Igor strolled through the festival grounds, soaking in the sights and sounds. They were met with smiles and gratitude from the Faunus, many of whom expressed their admiration for the Marines' bravery and effectiveness.

"Man, this is quite the spread," Anthony remarked, eyeing the array of food stalls. "I didn't realize how much I missed real food until now."

David laughed, grabbing a skewer of grilled meat. "Tell me about it. MREs get old real fast."

Shino nodded in agreement as she sampled a piece of fruit. "This is amazing. It's nice to just relax for once."

Mari and Igor were particularly enthusiastic about the food. They found themselves repeatedly returning to the stalls, asking questions about the ingredients and cooking techniques.

"How do you make this?" Mari asked a Faunus cook, gesturing to a dish of spicy noodles. "It's incredible."

The cook smiled and explained the recipe, clearly pleased with their interest. "It's a traditional recipe, passed down through generations. The secret is in the spices we use."

Igor, already on his fourth serving of a savory stew, nodded appreciatively. "You have to teach me this. I want to make it when I get back home."

As the day progressed, the Marines and Faunus continued to bond. Some of the younger Marines, particularly the fresh PFCs, couldn't resist the opportunity to flirt with the Faunus. The Faunus, charmed by the Marines' genuine interest and friendliness, responded with good-natured laughter and smiles.

Anthony noticed a group of Marines gathered around a game booth, trying their hand at a ring toss game. He and David joined in, both managing to win small prizes, which they proudly showed off.

"Look at this," David said, holding up a stuffed animal. "My niece is going to love it."

Anthony chuckled, "If you don't get it dirty first."

As the evening wore on, the festival reached its peak. A large bonfire was lit in the center of the clearing, and the Faunus began to perform traditional dances and music. The Marines watched in awe, some even joining in the dances, clumsily at first but soon getting the hang of it with help from their Faunus partners.

Ghira Belladonna and his wife Kali approached the Marines, their faces beaming with pride and gratitude. "Thank you, all of you, for everything you've done for Menagerie," Ghira said, his voice carrying over the music. "This festival is not just a celebration of our victory over the Grimm, but also a celebration of our new friendship."