Men, women, and children cheer as Tiger Lily dances in front of the fire, moving in harmony with the both fluid power and passion of the flames and the rhythm of the drums. Shadows dance on the tents thanks to the magnificent bonfire they created in honor of their capture of the Piciedye bird. People join in contributing to the rhythm and atmosphere with the varying sounds from their feet, hands and their voices. The crowd parts as the chief rises from his seat, making his way to the bonfire and then promptly breaks into an impressive display of fast and intricate footwork – while with his hands crossed, maintaining his fearsome, stoic face. The whole camp was on fire. The cheering swells as Tiger Lily takes her bow at the podium. Still shallowly breathing from her showcase, she takes in the sight of the ecstatic people dancing around in the light.

She really enjoyed these festivities, this one in particular – she was proud of her people for capturing such a magnificent creature. The Piciedye bird had sleek, blood red and golden feathers that never faded which they liked to use for dye and decoration. They were also extremely rare, reproducing only once every two decades. The birds were not even native to their island, one or two occasionally wandering of their migratory path. Catching one was very rare and very impressive. She was never really impressed when the men brought back a lost boy, they were too easy. She once managed to bring one lost boy, one that looked like a skunk, back to their camp without the use of force at all. He thought she looked pretty and just decided to follow her, promptly getting 'captured' (and then released) upon reaching camp. Although, she doesn't actually have the right to say that given the fact that she hasn't had any experience with actual hunting, both with lost boys and birds. She wishes she did though. Her father would never allow that, or at least, will not allow anyone to teach her or bring her along. She pushes that thought aside and joins the dancing once again, contributing to the festive shadows.

The night was far from silent, even with the end of the festivities. Frogs croaked loudly, joined by a chorus of very annoying and persistent cicadas and crickets. Tiger Lily turns in her bed for the tenth time in five minutes. She tugs at her clothes and swipes at her hair which had clung onto her skin thanks to the sweat that coated her body. She tosses her blanket off herself in frustration… Perhaps as little air would help. She listened for any sign of movement. Subtle movements of trees and a small animal that seemed to have ventured in their camp. No human footsteps or signs of movement. Everyone in her tribe had passed out after dancing non-stop around the fire. The overdose of special smoke might have something to do with their state as well. Unfortunately for Tiger Lily, these events made her restless instead of tiring her out. She reaches for the flap of her tent and looks around once more, before finally stepping out into the cool night air. She stays on that spot, arms outstretched, reveling in the comfort of the night sky and the passing breeze. Absentmindedly kicking stones along the way, she strolls towards the center of the camp setting her eyes onto the empty fire pit. There's something about fire that really enchants her.

A shadow fleets past a tent. Startled awake, Tiger Lily rubs her eyes in confusion. What was that? The fire is out, there shouldn't be any light or shadows. Yet she sees a faint glow emanating a few of the tents. That must be why there was a shadow. She narrows her eyes, warily taking a soft step towards the light. It gets dimmer – the light was moving. With a newfound urgency, she follows the light stealthily, not wanting to wake any of her people unnecessarily. The light finally stopped; her eyes widen upon meeting the source. Tinker bell's light was illuminating a red headed boy with his hands grabbing at the cage that contained the magnificent bird. Before she has the time to gasp, Peter flies over and covers her mouth. She glares at him. Somehow that was enough for Peter to lower his hand. Tiger Lily looked at Peter, then the bird. The boy looked slightly embarrassed. 'Tootles really wanted a feather from the bird. It's the only one missing in his bird feather collection'.

Tension releases its grip on her body and Tiger Lily smiles at the thought of Tootles – he was the lost boy who wore a skunk jumpsuit and nods in understanding. Still she feels an odd sort of heat emanating from the now extinguished bonfire that the people celebrated around, and then puts her hand on the cage and speaks,

"I… can't let you have it".

Tinker bell blinked at her in surprise, as if she expected her to give in – no one could blame Tinker bell… that's just what girls did for Peter.

"My people earned it – they've been hunting this bird for a week".

Peter grins and draws a bunch of not so complex shapes onto the ground with a stick he just picked up, "I've been planning on how to steal a feather from your camp for quite a while too, so I think I've earned a feather too."

Tiger lily just holds her gaze, unwavering. Peter takes this as a challenge, he doesn't blink. Staring contest game. The lost boys loved that. He was always won. She just stares at him. Peter feels his eyes brimming with salt water. Then, Tiger Lily's eyes crinkle, immediately accompanied with laughter. Of course, she blinks in the process, making Peter scrunch his nose at her – she lost, but he didn't feel like he won. "What's so funny?"

Tiger lily reaches her hand into the cage and then swiftly and painlessly plucks a feather from the bird. "you just want a feather?"

'Oh! Well uh…'

Peter hesitated. Better a feather than nothing. He didn't really want to anger the princess. Not that he was scared of her. It was something else… he didn't really know what. 'Yeah! Just a feather will do! Heh thanks Tiger Lily, Tootles will be so happy!' He jumps towards the sky, flying in a loop before flying over to give her a hug.

She momentarily moves her arms to hug him back, grazing his sides, but instead puts her hands on his firmly on his shoulders to push him back. She pauses searching for her words and looks at him in the eye. Peter makes a mental note that this girl did not take staring contests seriously and was about to protest playing the game but was interrupted by a silent intake of breath. She didn't want to stutter 'The feather is yours on one condition.' Peter looks at her bewildered. 'Teach me how to hunt my own birds'. With that Peter chuckles, grabs the feather that was now within reach, winks at the startled princess. 'Deal!'

She hears a shuffle in the leaves and opens her eyes. Catching movement in the corner of her eye, smiles and speaks to the trees to her west 'I was starting to think you weren't going to uphold your word.' She grabs her a bow and arrow she's prepared and stands.

'hmph, do I look like a pirate to you Tiger Lily?' Peter teases and jumps off a branch, slowly landing onto the grass on the open field. Panicked, Tiger Lily, runs and tackles him into the trees. 'They're back from hunting today, you have to hide!' Peter laughs and rolls away from under Tiger Lily. He pokes at her. 'You underestimate me'. She scoffs at him, 'No you underestimate us'.

Peter ruffles his hair, in attempt to get rid of the leaves entangled in it. 'Whatever you say, Tiger Lily – try to keep up!' Tiger Lily rolls her eyes and maneuvers herself carefully but as quickly as she could through the forest.

That is, before Peter decided she was going too slowly. He swoops down and then offers his hand.

'Come on, Let me give you a lift – we need to reach there before dawn'

'It's okay … I can walk' Tiger Lily waved her arm to keep Peter at a distance. She wanted to learn how to hunt, not to be shown how Peter Pan goes around catching birds. She tilts her head to the side, indicating Peter to continue leading the way and then jumps over a large tree root. Peter sighed, there was no way she was going to willingly let him carry her. His flying was much faster than her careful hiking. He wanted to bring her to his favorite beginner hunting spot – but it was only a beginner hunting spot if they arrived in the early morning. Too bad the two of the boys still had the hog flu – he had to leave Tink with them, much to both Peter and Tink's dismay. Her pixie dust would have been very useful right now. He winces as Tiger Lily's foot snags on a vine, her crashing into the leaf litter surrounding the tree. Without a moment to lose Tiger Lily snaps back up, dusting herself discreetly – or so she thinks, as she marches on. Peter chuckles to himself, "…If you say so Tiger Lily …"

To be continued