An aperitif

Maple goes behind the tree again, this time coming back with a gourd. She pulls the wooden stopper out and drinks a large drink from it. Then she hands it to you. You take it and sniff. The girls all laugh. It smells like a cross between yogurt and rotten fruit with a sharp **** scent. Maple says something, pointing to you and then to each of the three girls. They each smile at you as she points and say the same phrase. Maybe they are celebrating your arrival and the end of their celibacy. Maybe they are saying 'Welcome' or 'Thank you'. You grin back, say, "It was my pleasure," and take a swig.

You start coughing and sputtering. The drink is very strong, perhaps like wine, but tastes bitter and foul. Now the girls laugh harder. You glare at them in mock contempt, then take another swig, this time prepared. You grimace, but swallow it without trouble. You hand it to Ash, who drinks a large mouthful, and passes it to Walnut, who also drinks a chug. Ash goes and turns each of the fish in the fire. They smell delicious. You each have another slug of hooch.

Maple says something in a loud voice. Walnut and Maple go to the cooking fishes. Ash heads back into the bush. Walnut pokes each fish and Maple pulls the skewer out of the ground. Ash coming back with with several enormous green leaves. Maple divides the fish into four servings. You take your portion.

They go to a big log next to the fire. It's big enough to hold all four of you. You sit between Maple and Walnut. Everyone digs in hungrily. The fish tastes amazingly good. Nothing like food on a campfire. The gourd goes back and forth until it is empty, and the three of you are rather tipsy. The taste gets better as you progress. You are full, since there was plenty of fish for everyone. One by one, they throw their leaves in the fire, and a cloud of steam rises briefly from the flames. When you get up to follow suit, your head swims and you weave a bit stepping to the fire. They all cheer and clap when you toss your leaf in.

Dinner is over.