A bonfire built from stacked logs burned brightly.
Sparks drifted skyward on waves of heat.
The nomads beat hide drums before the fire and played bone flutes. Young dancers with gauze veils over their faces offered a dance for the New Year upon the snow.
Guards and workers living near the outpost base, along with players who loved a lively gathering, joined in as well, bringing delicacies and spirits bought from the market.
Though there was only one free glass of red wine, there was plenty of distilled liquor in the warehouse.
Long ago, the players had used smartweed to make yeast starter and Horn Potatoes as ingredients to brew distilled liquor.
Compared with red wine that needed time to savor, this fiery liquor that went down burning and sent blood rushing to the head was naturally more popular among wastelanders.
Still, mixing red and white liquor together was more than most people could handle.
Before long, the market by the north gate was littered with people sprawled all over the place.
Boss Xia still wanted to drink, but she had already collapsed onto the table and started snoring.
Worried that she would catch a chill, considerate Little Fish went to the bank and fetched a blanket, then stood on tiptoe to drape it over her shoulders.
A brazier sat beneath the table.
Little Fish gently patted her back and spoke in the tone one might use to coax a child.
"Don't drink so much next time, okay?"
However, Boss Xia was already asleep and clearly did not hear her. Who knew what wonderful dream she was having? The corners of her lips curled faintly upward as her mouth kept smacking.
"Hehe... I want more."
Not far away, a certain taste tester was anxiously searching for a restroom.
Farther off