Dinner

The central court of Atlantis loomed high over the trees and the sight of it added some spring to the Euoplos' steps. They were leading their posse of surface dwellers back down to the court for one simple reason; both were determined that these hard workers received some kind of reward. It took some convincing to bring the three of them back down into the dome but the promise of rewards and all the food they could eat was enough to bribe them. They knew Tony was omnivorous but they were certain they had enough to feed the Cryos too, the preparations for the banquet had been in place since the dome first opened after all. When Korppi pulled back the iron gate leading into the celebration area her tail was practically wagging with excitement to be back. She could smell the sweet fruit from here, knowing the banquet was underway and they hadn't missed it. It would've been embarrassing to promise a grand feast and then make their friends feed on the scraps left behind by everyone else.

The smell of blood hit the Cryos' noses like a stinging wasp, a sudden sharp sensation that seemed to slap them into alertness. At first, their instinct was hunger, then concern. Had there been some kind of conflict down here? Were they walking directly into a trap? Before either of them could turn to confer with Tony, they felt Talos' metal helmet against the back of their legs.

"Come along now, you can look around later, get some food first," he encouraged them. The Euoplos had been telling the truth about a banquet then, but neither Brook nor Drift had actually expected something edible in this herbivore's paradise. As they got closer to the crowd the smell only grew stronger and their mouths began to water. Less compelled by the fresh meat, Tony was still keeping his head on a swivel. He wasn't entirely sure if he trusted the Atlanteans yet, though Korppi and Talos had proven their earnestness in his eyes the rest of them didn't have that luxury. Before they reached the long table laid out in the open air of the clearing, the Euoplos hurried ahead to lead the way into the crowd. Seeing the stone knights, the crowd began to part and some of them greeted them with warm smiles and friendly greetings.

""Fortune smiles upon you Talos, we weren't expecting you to return so soon," a black and white Iggy said, a teasing tone in his voice.

"Never doubt a true son of Atlantis," Talos crowed in response, puffing out his chest pridefully. 

"We've brought our helpers to the banquet," Korppi explained, quickly gesturing to the three outsiders, "They helped us to plant a whole area of the highlands and I imagine Queen Rhys would be keen to reward such hard work." 

"I most certainly would," a serene voice came from behind the group.

"Your majesty!" Korppi yelped before dropping into a bow, "These three were essentially to our mission to higher grounds, we would not have returned in one piece without them." She didn't raise her head but she heard what seemed like a soft chuckle from the Queen.

"Such high praise, do you corroborate this, Talos?" Rhys asked the other knight.

"Aye, I do, my Lady," he said solemnly, his head also bent. 

"In that case, you are dear friends of Atlantis, please feast to your hearts' content and be sure to see me in my throne room later for a further reward," Rhys said, addressing the three outsiders directly, "as you were." With her dismissal and departure, the Queen seemed to release the Euoplos from their genuflection and they looked to the surface dwellers with giddy excitement.

"The Queen spoke directly to you, what an honour," Korppi gushed.

"What did she mean by a further reward?" Drift asked curiously, "I thought feeding us would be enough?"

"Perhaps something from the treasury," Talos pondered, "But do not concern yourselves with such matters yet, friends, please take your pick from the table." With their stomachs growling they couldn't delay any further, all three of them hurried to the table.

On its wooden surface the table held plates and troughs of various foodstuffs. Heaping piles of fruits threatened to topple over from sheer volume, brightly coloured with seeds dotting their surfaces. Plump grapes were plucked from their branches and laid out in bowls of various colours from end to end of the table, passed around between guests so everyone could take their pick. The leafy vegetables were covered in a fine mist of water to keep their greenery fresh for consumption and glistened tantalisingly under the artificial lights. The carnivores' mouths watered as they took in the sight of thick cut meat lying in neat slices. There were whole legs laid out on beddings of more coarse, inedible plants to prevent the blood from staining the table or the wooden plates, but they looked no less opulent for it. Drift instantly grabbed hold of a familiar looking beast leg, it reminded her of a furless deer and it was the most recognisable meat on the table, the shapeless cuts were mysterious enough to put her off. Brook followed suit, grabbing the leg that had been paired with it and stepping back from the table to begin eating. Tony's short arms couldn't reach the fruits and his reach with his jaws wasn't as flexible as the Cryos, but luckily a brown feathered Iggy took pity on him and scooted the plate closer until he could seize a yellow fruit from it. His teeth quickly punctured the soft flesh and he found the juice dribbling into his mouth to be similar to mango, one of his favourite but rare treats. Before he knew it the fruit was already gone and he was blushing at the smug look on the Iggy's face.

"Something special are they?" she bragged, "Nothing but the finest of Atlantis for our royal banquets." He couldn't disagree, especially as he chowed down on a second one. He looked behind him to see the Cryo siblings fighting over the last of their deer legs. Each one had an end in their mouth and wrestled on the ground trying to pull it free. Tony felt a sudden sense of peace at seeing the two juveniles so relaxed. Perhaps by helping the Atlanteans they really were pushing for a brighter future for all of the islands? His train of thought was cut off by Drift managing to deliver a swift kick to Brook's face and starting a loud argument between them. He sighed, stepping away from the tempting fruit to break them up before they embarrassed him any further.