Welcome to Gaia! ::

Everyone literally stopped what they were doing as they saw this little person flip Veldana over herself. She was one of their greats huntresses, and now she had fallen in battle, for the first time!

Eric nudged Rocky again. "Told ya she good." With that being said, he walked over to Mina and congratulated her on her victory.

Veldana was completely stunned, but nonetheless happy to have such a great opponent. Like the others, she learned how to land safely a long time ago. They were mothers first, after all. She picked herself up and shook Mina's hand.

"I apologize for my speech, you are truly a strong woman. Come, we shall all feast tonight! You are nolonger an outsider, you're one of us." She said with a genuinely warm smile.

"I disagree, you made quite an impression on Veldana, you must be made of stronger stuff than what you think." Said Rocky encouragingly. He must admit, he was also impressed by Mina. Veldana quickly called the proper people over to get everything sorted out. It would take a few hours, but they the time past with Rocky still showing them all around the village. Mina was also given one of their ceremonial dresses, the ones every pregnant woman in the village wore, but made of silk.

It was sunset, torches were lit outside and so was the feast. Trays of food were layed out of several tables, the whole village was invited. They had a lot of pregnant women invited. Front and center was the village chief, put into office by being the most fertile, she was largest out of everyone.

Eric took his seat next to Mina, Rocky and Veldana sitting straight ahead.

"Wow, you really do the parties big around here."

"We have to, almost everyone's big around here." Answered Rocky.

Eric smiled and held onto Mina's hand, he could keep his eyes off of that dress they gave her. She looked beautiful in it. Before the the eating began, there was a small ceremonial song and dance, followed by the chief speaking on the behalf of her people.

"First off, I would like to greet our new guests, who we are celebrating with this evening. For the uniformed, she strategically bested Veldana in unarmed combat. She wears our ceremonial garments well." She motioned to Mina, which everyone turned to and applauded. "I'm sure you all are aware that defeating Veldana is no easy feat itself. Mina, you have left an impression on us all. We were wary of why you are here clad in armor, but no more. If there is anything you want that I can provide, just ask." Said the village chief with a gentle but saddened smile.

Eric blinked at Mina, turning his attention to the chief. "I don't know, I guess? I haven't really noticed it." He gave as an answer. Maybe it was just something another mother would pick up easily. "I see no reason for her to be, were they already... were they already attacked by a Destroyer?" He asked Mina, he made sure to whisper the latter.

Eric shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose you're right. Lets not let good food go to waste." And so, they ate with the villagers. Te food was great and not in shortage at all, they encouraged Eric and Mina to eat as much as they wanted. Eric felt like he was wasting it, they ate almost four times as much as he ever could put down. After it was over, the chief was carried out by her loyal servant men. Veldana herself looked like she put on another month, but she had mouths to feed, like many others, she ate so much she fell asleep on the spot.

Nina pushed against her mother than usual so not to hurt her in that overstuffed state. The outlined features of her hand was far more noticeable now that she was being pushed forward. Eric shook his head, he did warn her more than once. He didn't think he could carry her now to the inn Rocky had shown them in their tour. Well, she was happy while she was eating, that's for sure.

"I guess those dresses are like for more than one reason." Eric pushed his chair right beside hers and tugged Mina over to rest on him. "But I think we know where your limits are now. Can you get to the inn in that state?" He began to whisper all the things he would do for her if she could, pampering her sore body that had taken a toll in more ways than one.

Eric waved goodbye to anyone within earshot that was still awake as he carefully walked Mina back to the Inn. Must have been heavy if she carried her bulging belly all the way there. Luckily it was in a fair walking distance. Once they got inside, Eric helped her take off her things before doing the same for himself. He heard Mina grunt and turn around, he couldn't see her face at all past her engorged stomach.

"I-I'm going to pop."

If Eric didn't know any better, he'd be inclined to agree with her. She wasn't built like the others, but she sure was able to keep up with them if she tried hard enough. He got into a pair of pajama bottoms and joined her. No wonder she thought she was endanger of popping, she really packed it in, he felt it for himself. Now she was just being grumpy about all the food she ate.

"Maybe next time, you won't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach." He had her sit up, legs crossed as he began to massage her tense body with his hands. He started with her lower back, eventually working his way up over time.

"A little?" He chuckled, that was making it rather tame in his opinion. Eric paused everything for a moment and smiled "That's the first time you've called me that. I like it." He said as he gave her a small hug before returning to her back. He nodded his head to her request and hit the mid of back with an open palm. "Was that good?" He asked her as he went to her shoulders.