#brewfest

Day 3 - Morose

Brewfest, Year 38

"Thanks for helping me back here, Gumdram." Aidan stumbled almost falling into the door to his room.

"My name's Gundren ye drunken bastard." The Dark Iron Dwarf helping Aidan said as he hiccupped and took a swig of his ale.

Aidan nodded as he fiddled with the door to try and open it, "Like I said, I appreciate it. I'm sorry to hear about your grandad going missing. If you ever need a drinking buddy to talk about it I'm your guy." he paused seeing Gundren with a sad look on his face swaying and almost falling over, "Why don't you come in and sit down a moment you look like you might keel over. Just, uh, don't freak out if you see a demon lady."

"Wot." Gundren asked before taking a sip of his drink.

"Nothing!" Aidan waved his hand as he opened the door and entered. "Right over there, a nice comfy bed for you to use, Gunden." He gestured towards the second bed in his room.

"Aye appreciate it, lad." The dwarf said as he chugged the rest of his ale and wobbled over to the bed before hopping up onto it. "And it's Gundren you daft idiot..." He stated as he fell back and passed out on the bed. Snoring within seconds.

Aidan blinked for a moment before spinning around to see Vilthea standing behind him with her arms crossed, "Oh hey, Vilthea! Look," he turned to point at Gundren, "I made a friend!"

Her eyes cut to the dwarf and then back to Aidan, her annoyance written across her face, "You're clearly drunk. Otherwise, you wouldn't have done something so stupid as to bring a stranger to our room. What if he saw me?"

"To be fair, I did warn him there might be a demon lady..." Aidan chuckled and slid closer to her, "And come on, I'm not drunk just a little buzzzzzed."

He reached out to try and grab her waist only for her to hold out her hand placing it on his chest to stop him, "We've been together for five years, Aidan. I know when you're drunk. And you know how much I hate when you're drunk." She let out a frustrated sigh before walking past him, "Enjoy sleeping alone tonight."

"Dad, can I try some of this beer?"

"No."

"... Can I try some of the Draenei beer over there?"

"No."

"You're no fun. Mom would let me try some."

"Hey, I brought you here so you could see what Brewfest was like, and even wore the hat just cause you asked me to, I don't want to hear it. And no, she wouldn't."

Winter’s veil was goblin greed. Hallows end was a sham. The lunar new year was elven hullabaloo. Most of Azeroth’s festivals meant absolutely nothing to the mad warlock. All except one: Brewfest.

It was Brewfest and Brewfest alone that would put a pause to his dastardly ways and let him live life as an ordinary man. For a couple weeks a year, Percival would give up sacrifices and abductions, spells and summons, all so he could indulge with his now growing family in strong ale and prezels. Rolled ribs, pickled cabbage and boar tails. All the hallmarks of the best festival in all realities.

This year was no different. Souvineer steins were added to his already obnoxious collection. A new pair of lederhosen for himself and a matching one for his wife. This time with some dark iron fiery design.

His jiggly stomach was put to the test as he engaged in sausage eating contests, only to lose to fat pandaren.

His racing skills were proven as he rode the backs of stinking rams in races. Why the cruel summoner even volunteered to bark for his favourite brewery, Thunderbrew, for an afternoon.

And when the dwarven polka played, he danced.

No one embodied the spirit of Brewfest quite like Percival. Even some dwarves could be put to shame with how hard he partied. No human loved this holiday like he did. The newer members of his family seeing a side to him that if they hadn’t seen it for themselves, they’d never believe it to be true.

A teenage stepdaughter might be a bit more abrasive to the idea of such boisterous and foreign revelry. But an infant child? Percival could mould the little one as he saw fit. Raise him to learn to love Brewfest just as much as he did. The first step? Teeny tiny lederhosen!