Outside the great tavern in West Village, the festivities had become a sea of revelry.
A huge brazier blazed in the center, while Elbaf dishes of every hearty variety, mostly meat, covered the tables inside and outside the tavern.
The rich scent of liquor mingled with the charred fragrance of roast meat, wood, and leather, creating the rugged atmosphere of a nation of warriors.
"Cheers! To our friends from far away!"
"To the return of our two captains!"
"To Elbaf!"
"-Hey, didn't we celebrate the captains' return last month!?"
"What-? We did!?"
"That Great Angel deserves the credit, right? Now that he's here, let's celebrate again!"
"Wahahaha-I could've sworn this was the third time-"
Huge tankards, practically wooden barrels, were raised again and again, colliding with deep, powerful thuds. Golden liquor and foam splashed merrily over their rims.
It seemed that all of West Village, along with the Giants from the surrounding area, had come to the feast.
The tavern couldn't hold them all, so everyone had moved outside, turning it into an open-air banquet.
Amid ringing laughter, conversation, and clamor, they offered all sorts of reasons to celebrate.
Because of their size, Sephiroth and his companions were essentially eating atop the tables.
"Lord Angel-! Long time no see!"
Appearing at her "normal" height of seventeen meters, Lily flitted between the tables and chairs like a butterfly among flowers, acting as a waitress.
"Oh, Lily. Where's Mr. Panz?"
"Dad's cooking in the kitchen~! He made this!"
Lily set a plate of deluxe fried rice before Sephiroth and rubbed her nose proudly.
Panz normally spent most of the year away doing "disaster relief." Only upon hearing that Sephiroth was coming had he brought his daughter home to prepare the feast.
"Hancock, this is the famous Volcanic Cuisine. Give it a try."