I Tried to Skip a Beast Festival and Accidentally Became a Judge

Rei had one rule for surviving the spring festival season in Orenth:

Avoid eye contact. Especially with anyone carrying flyers.

Unfortunately, this morning, Ellyn was already holding five of them. And she looked enthusiastic.

Rei sat behind the tea counter, quietly sipping a calming blend of spearmint and regret. Fluff snored atop a pile of tax receipts, his belly rising and falling like a fluffy tide.

Ellyn dropped the flyers on the table with a theatrical sigh. "Guess who's hosting this year's Beast Festival?"

"Someone with better judgment than me, hopefully."

"Us."

Rei blinked. "No."

She smiled. "Yes."

"I refuse."

"They listed us as honorary co-sponsors. You got nominated as a guest of honor. You have to attend. There's a parade. And a judging panel."

Rei narrowed his eyes. "Did you sign me up while I was asleep?"

"You were napping under a sales ledger. Technically not asleep. More like... passively unconscious."

He groaned and set down his cup. "Why does everything I ignore turn into a public responsibility?"

"Because the public likes you. And Fluff. And your dangerously calming tea."

Fluff let out a content little wheeze, flipped over, and crushed a form labeled "Do Not File."

---

The festival wasn't until tomorrow, but the neighborhood was already transforming.

Colorful banners hung between buildings, children ran past with spirit fox masks, and a distant drumline practiced off-key.

Inside Fluff Co., Ellyn was going over logistics with Kreg, who was carving wooden medal plaques with surprising precision.

"Why are you making these?" Rei asked.

"For the Amateur Beast Bonding Showcase," Kreg replied. "Winners get snacks and custom tokens. Losers get snacks and emotional support."

"You're bribing children with pastries."

"Respectfully rewarding."

Auron peeked in from the door, dressed in a new green tunic stitched with tiny beast symbols. "Master! Should I bring the phoenix?"

"No. No firebirds near small children."

"But it's learned to bow!"

"Great. Teach it to not combust."

Auron grinned and wandered back outside.

---

With the others busy, Rei retreated to his garden patch behind the shop.

It was small—barely ten rows of herbs—but it smelled like peace. Mint, chamomile, spirit fennel, a touch of dreamroot.

He crouched beside the dreamroot and gently pulled a weed. The soil was still cool from the night air.

Fluff padded out after him and settled under the lemongrass bush.

Rei sat cross-legged, sipping the last of his tea. "You think I'm overreacting?"

Fluff yawned.

"I'm not made for festivals. Or crowds. Or judging contests."

The bunny blinked at him.

"I once gave someone a perfect score for dropping a spoon and not crying. I'm too soft."

Fluff tilted his head, then closed his eyes.

Rei chuckled softly.

"I know. I'll go. But I'm not wearing anything with feathers."

---

Festival Morning

Rei woke up to the smell of roasted fruit skewers, the distant thump of drums, and the muffled voice of Ellyn yelling at someone about ribbon symmetry.

He walked into the shop front to find Fluff already awake, perched at the windowsill, watching the crowd form outside.

"Good morning," Rei mumbled. "Do me a favor. If today turns into another 'accidental crisis,' knock over my tea mug first so I get a head start."

Fluff blinked.

Outside, the street had transformed. Stalls lined the walkways, each selling beast-themed goods—collars made of spirit-thread, enchanted brushes, pastel-colored snacks.

Rei caught a glimpse of Auron helping direct foot traffic while his phoenix—now leashed with a glowing containment charm—handed out "divine feathers" that looked suspiciously like dyed paper.

---

By noon, Rei was seated under a pavilion labeled:

> OFFICIAL JUDGING PANEL – CATEGORY: Small Companion Beasts (Beginner Class)

Ellyn, of course, was the organizer. Kreg ran a snack stand nearby. Auron was giving dramatic motivational speeches to toddlers entering the "Youngest Tamer" division.

A kind, older beast tamer named Grandma Hima sat beside Rei, smiling with a stack of hand-knit judging paddles.

"So you're the quiet one," she said warmly.

"I didn't volunteer for this."

"None of us did. We were chosen by fate. Or enthusiastic assistants."

They both looked at Ellyn, who was directing foot traffic like a war general.

---

The first contestant waddled forward—a girl no older than six, holding a spirit puffball creature the size of a pear.

Rei looked at it.

It made a noise like a squeaky boot and spat a bubble.

He blinked. "It's... very round."

"Thank you!" the girl beamed.

Fluff, sitting beside Rei, offered a single approving nod.

Rei raised his paddle: 10.

So did Grandma Hima.

The girl bowed, the puffball bounced, and the crowd clapped enthusiastically.

And somehow—that moment felt good.

Simple. Uncomplicated. Celebratory.

Not divine. Not chaotic. Not conspiratorial.

Just... joyful.

---

There was a wind-furred ferret that ran in circles.

A glow-toad that burped stars.

Twin jellybeasts that merged into a puddle during their bow.

Rei didn't always know what to say. But he listened. Asked questions. Let the kids talk.

He saw bonds, trust, and effort—real effort.

And as the day wore on, the nerves wore off.

His. Theirs. Even Fluff's, who fell asleep with his chin resting on a judge's paddle.

---

Just as Rei dared to believe nothing would go wrong, a young tamer sprinted toward the judging area, pale and breathless.

"Ellyn! Something's wrong with the showcase beast!"

Rei slowly turned to her. "There's a showcase beast?"

Ellyn winced. "I borrowed one from the Adventurer's Guild. To impress some guilds. It was supposed to stay calm."

"What kind of beast is it?"

"A dream antelope."

"…That's not so bad."

"It's also part shadow wyvern."

"Of course it is."

---

At the booth, the beast was in full panic—phasing between forms, lashing its tail through shadows, antlers glowing intermittently.

Children gasped.

Parents backed away.

Auron was mid-pep talk, holding a scroll of positive affirmations.

"Beast of duality! You are strong, but also soft!"

Rei exhaled sharply.

Then Fluff hopped forward, calm as ever.

--

Fluff approached the trembling chimera and flopped over.

Exposed his belly.

Rolled twice.

Everyone watched.

And slowly, the beast copied him.

It flopped.

Then let out a breath like steam escaping a kettle.

Crisis... averted.

---

Once the beast was teleported home safely, the festival resumed.

Rei received a ribbon that read:

> "Honorary Peacebringer – For Services in Avoiding Catastrophe Without Running"

He pinned it to Fluff's satchel.

"You earned this more than me."

Fluff sneezed and knocked over a cup.

Balance, as always, was restored.

---

Rei sat beneath the stars, a breeze rustling the shop's chimes.

Ellyn read beast stories aloud nearby. Kreg snored into a plate. Auron quietly roasted marshmallows beside his phoenix.

Rei sighed. "For once, I didn't end up in a guild report."

Fluff nuzzled him.

He paused.

"…Right?"

No answer.

Just the soft sound of snoring.

Rei smiled.

"I'll take that as a yes."