Norbert opened his eyes, waiting for the pounding in his head to start. Looking around, Norbert felt nothing. Slowly getting up, not wanting to ruin his luck, he carefully leaned off the bar, looking around and seeing everyone still sleeping.
All around the pub, people had just fallen unconscious from the night before; looking around, even the barman had lied down on his bar, somehow able to sleep standing up. Carefully Norbert stood up, not wanting to disturb anyone sleeping. Carefully he leaned over, looking for water to quench his parched throat. Finding a pitcher filled with something that looked like water, Norbert tasted it instantly, spitting it out, for it was not water but some alcohol that burned his throat. Looking down at the amount left, Norbert shook his head, not believing the craziness that must have transpired.
As the alcohol hit his tongue, memories of last night briefly flashed before his eyes. Most of it was him downing mug after mug of alcohol, surprised at the amount he had taken, and getting into drinking games with everyone in the pub until there was only the bartender left, which brought out the last liquid he had, which sent both of them over.
Looking at the bar again, Norbert found his prized water, chugging it down as quickly as possible, his mouth finally hydrating after the other night. Sighing in contentment at his thirst being quenched, the door to the pub banged open, and a woman Norbert did not recognise was staring at all of them. Groaning started coming from the men, having woken up from their activities from last night.
As the woman looked over the pub of groaning men, her eyes locked on him, staring and looking for answers.
“Hey, my name is Norbert, and you won’t understand what I’m saying, so look for someone else to get an explanation from… Please?”
Having opened his mouth, the woman’s face turned as red as a tomato. The following words coming out next Norbert did not understand but knew enough that everyone here would be in trouble. Taking the words, the men around started getting up, only to whimper and go back down when the woman’s berating fell on them.
After what felt like hours, she stopped. Seeing a chance to make amends at least, Norbert looked around for a mug with water; holding it out quickly to her, she thanked him, taking a chug before continuing. Norbert said a quick prayer to Lady Luck that he hadn’t picked a mug that had alcohol to give her.
Surrounded by groaning, the men rose slowly, squinting and complaining about whatever ailed them. Looking around, Norbert sighed, as getting everyone home would be up to him. Looking around, Norbert found the most awake people and started to rouse them, holding cups of water for them to drink. Slowly everyone woke up and started stumbling out of the bar in pairs. The last to leave being Norbert and Cossan, not including the bartender, who Norbert went and laid down on the floor, hoping he would get a bit better rest. Before leaving, Norbert cleaned up as much as he could with the water available, seeing that the sink was like Cossan’s cabin. With a smile that he had done his best, Norbert was left for the outside, holding up Cossan as they crossed the threshold.
On the walk back, he saw other men stumbling home, wives waiting outside, planning to criticize them on a night out. As Norbert continued through the town and back to the cabin, the sound of the berating was so constant, almost sounding like the music of animals, like the twittering of birds, never leaving him.
As Norbert plodded, at the end needing to carry most of Cossan, Norbert saw the cabin and Helga waiting outside for them. Swallowing nervously, Norbert continued walking to it, trying to hold Cossan up as much as possible. Standing on the ground, looking up at the woman on the porch, Norbert gave a small smile and a wave, trying to wake Cossan up enough to know where he was and get him to wave as well.
Sadly this attempt was unsuccessful as he dropped his head back down straight away; a sigh came from Helga, and she moved to the side. With a quick nod, Norbert continued up the steps and entered the house, seeing that food was already on the table and Nassan’s plate was already empty.
Heading to the parent’s bedroom, Norbert deposited him in it before removing his shoes and covering him up. With that, Cossan’s barely opened eyes shut, and he immediately started snoring.
Quietly leaving the room, not wanting to wake him up, Norbert sat at the dining table, looking at the food on his plate, the porridge-looking stuff with no steam but still warm enough. Taking the spoon, Norbert held it to his lip to confirm the temperature before eating it. The blandness was different from the other foods he had eaten; looking up, he saw Helga staring down at him with a constant death stare. Knowing that this would be his form of lecture, Norbert swallowed again and continued to nibble at the food until nothing was left. After reaching for the water and washing it down, Norbert looked up at the woman and stared back at her, looking sheepish at the knowledge that what he had done the other night was wrong.
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Like this, they continued staring at each other until Norbert sank further into his chair, the memories of the other night replaying. He had everyone drink one more round each time until they fainted, then went to the next person. Norbert had drunk the most out of everyone, yet he was the spryest-looking one out of the rest. He was dismissing it, thinking it may have been something to do with the goblet before, being happy that he could still get drunk but with none of the downsides, unlike some superheroes.
Interrupting the two and Norbert’s thoughts, Nassan ran in, shouting about something he saw. Stopping, he slowly quieted when he saw the two adults looking at each other. Helga gave Norbert one last look before turning around and talking to her son.
Thinking he was out of it, Norbert went and stood up out of his chair and slowly went out the front to look out at the rest of the village. Thinking back to last night, he was surprised that nobody of his age was still at the pub either. Thinking it was strange, Norbert was distracted by Nassan crashing into him, nearly causing them to topple over. Catching himself at the last moment, Norbert picked him up and looked him in the eye.
Nassan trying to get out, started wiggling around but could not. Stopping, he looked up at him, and the two stared at each other for a second. Before Norbert went, he put Nassan on his shoulders and ran around the town's centre.
Norbert ran as fast as he could, the wind blowing through his hair, and shouts of excitement came from above. Looking up, Norbert saw Nassan laughing and screaming his name. As he continued to run, People came out of their houses to see the commotion, only to go back inside when seeing it was just kids having fun. As he continued running, Norbert saw some men trying to walk around and do their daily chores. Most of them looked up, seeing Norbert running carefree and swearing.
In response, Norbert joined in laughing as well and ran even harder. Before Norbert realised it, he was at the door frame that he dubbed the centre of town. As he was still out and nobody had come shouting badly, Norbert positioned him to the bridge and ran for it. Going past the stores, Norbert saw people lining up, all of their clothes moving with the wind he created.
Before realising it, Norbert made it to the bridge, feet thumping on the wood. Slowing down, Norbert picked up Nassan, placing him on the ground. Looking over, Norbert tried to see any fish in the water. Finding a couple of Norbert pointed them out. Looking down, they were the usual kind he would see in a river. All were small and could blend into the environment, almost making them invisible as the sun reflected off them, making them look like waves. That is except for one that was found. Nassan pointed it out to Norbert, who was utterly shocked.
Swimming with the others, sometimes trying to take a bit out, was what he recognised as an anglerfish. Only the colours constantly changed like a rainbow or a mirage under the weather. It goes from red to blue to green, then to yellow, completely the same as the background, making it invisible before changing to pink polka dots. Laughing at the changing fish as it swam away, they lost track. Wanting to see it again, Norbert once more picked up Nassan and chased after the fish on the river bank on the other side of the river.
Looking, they were able to find it again, Norbert slowing down to keep up with it. Looking at this side, Norbert saw that it was filled with fields, row after row of plants in the ground of all different colours. Looking, Norbert could finally see all the different vegetables he had eaten during his stay at the village and the people working the land. Giving a wave to the people there, Norbert saw a few identical wooden houses pocketed the land. Looking further out, the rich brown land had slight undulations, creating a hypnotic atmosphere.
Looking further out, Norbert saw more poles sticking into the ground. Looking around, Norbert saw that these were similar to the ones he saw in front of houses in the village to provide light. Up ahead, one was closer to the river. Seeing mist around it, Norbert saw it had a magic circle at the top, water being ejected from it, hitting the plants and smiling at the ingenuity of having sprinklers that could be moved around and how easy they must be, looking at the other way of using magic circles. Though wondered where the water came from, if something underground connected to the river or just from the atmosphere. Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert caught up to Nassan, watching the fish.
The two kept looking for fish and played in the water a bit. Not too much, as the water was still cold, but Nassan’s fire magic helped dry them off relatively quickly.
Walking back home together before Helga got too annoyed, Norbert started whistling a tune he remembered from somewhere. Nassan tried to join in but could not whistle yet, and Norbert could not teach him.
Together they walked past the house they used the cart from and up to the cabin. As they got up the porch, Norbert smelled something good being cooked; opening the door, the smell hit him, the hunger of the day instantly hitting him, realising he had been gone for hours. Looking, Norbert set the table, wanting to make amends at least. As the move was taken out, Norbert saw the parent’s room open, out coming to a tired-looking Cossan. Smiling at him, Cossan looked back, annoyed, as he sat at the table and rested his head on it.
The meal was eaten silently, but that did not mean everyone didn’t enjoy it. The food once more filled Norbert up with joy.