Reply to Kiki (review ch.34): Thanks again for your elaborate review! I'm glad you like this story(line) and OC. And concerning Verago: he's been through a lot in his past, which makes him observant of potential threats today. He's, after all, responsible for the well-being of all of his subjects, including his sons which he cares for a lot. I will soon update his story. :)

The jaquins travel to the speed race course, though not everything works out as intended.

With all jaquins having settled down inside the throne room, Zephyr sits himself down next to Verago who releases a deep grunt. The sound travels across the throne room and everyone inside it picks it up. This single grunt results in all voices dying down slowly; everyone knows this cue. With just a few whispers remaining, Verago addresses everyone from his throne: "Good. Everyone made it here safely, albeit later than expected. Time is no longer on our side. Thus, we should prepare ourselves before we head out soon."

"King Verago, can we have a grooming session before we leave?" Veje asks.

"Great idea. I second that." some say in anticipation of said proposal.

Tornado glares scornfully at Veje and states dismissively using a raised voice: "Have you not heard the king? There is no time!"

"Indeed. Today will not allow us this activity and certainly not now.' Verago states knowing he'll disappoint a number of his subjects but it simply doesn't fit in today's schedule so he continues in a commanding tone of voice, 'The sun has climbed high in the sky already. This means we have ample time to make it to the speed race course near the Desolate Peaks region. We go there in three groups. Consider this an excursion."

Apparently, this last word is poorly chosen as many a jaquin start chattering over it in elation. They become cheerful as excursions are always fun. Except for Verago. He doesn't like getting interrupted. Besides, they're being late as it is: he wants to start the race at noon and by now the sun draws near its zenith position in the sky. He looks around with both squinted and stern-looking eyes.

While the chattering is ongoing, Dióntan lets his eyes go through the crowd. Perhaps a little game will distract him from becoming bored. As the blue-and-green jaquin starts counting others bearing blue fur, his eyes find a tangerine-and-orange jaquin instead. It's not quite what he's looking for. He starts focusing on his thinking: *Moving on. Blue jaquins. I see three so far. Maybe one over there. No, she is purple. Perhaps one behind the tangerine one. Yes. That makes four. Thanks, Avira. Any other blue jaquins like me? Not yet. Where do I see more blue? Tangerine… That is Avira again. Why am I fixated on her? Maybe I should go talk to her. I do kind of like her.*

"Hey, Avira. I like to talk with you. I was wondering if we could do this during the flight to the course. What do you say? Shall we fly there? You and me?"

"Oh, eh. I would like that, Dióntan… But – I cannot fly in my current condition."

"Ow, right. Sorry. Forgot about that…"

"It is alright. It is sweet of you that you are willing to fly with me. If I had flown, you could have joined me and Skylar."

"Skylar? You – fancy him?" Dióntan asks with both surprise and curiosity.

A brief silence follows, which seems to last like an eternity to Avira. Somehow, speaking up about who to fly with feels more uncomfortable than she'd imagined. Since the incident involving her wing and having Skylar apologise for it, the tangerine-and-orange jaquin feels good that someone opened up to her like that. That moment, as well as her revelation afterwards, gave her a good-feel vibe. And of everyone that could have been there with her, it happened to be Skylar. Perhaps she really has grown fond of the jaquin crown prince. More than she wants to admit, even to herself. And Dióntan isn't helping. His prying eyes make the uncomfortable situation turn awkward for her. Avira averts her eyes from him in a coyishly manner, though she feels the need to respond to him but doesn't want to turn him down. "Do we not all? Everyone likes him…" she comments cautiously.

The both of them then startle from a sudden and loud roar, which has everyone silenced immediately. Verago snorts once, clearly expressing his agitation, and continues speaking: "Now that I have your attention once more, I will get straight to business. Form three groups. Zephyr and I will lead the first two of them. Cruz. You have the honour to lead the third group."

Cruz quickly steps forward and bows his head. "Of course, king Verago." he says submissively and goes to stand next to Nico who's still sitting next to his father.

Verago then looks at the Royal Guards and eyes two of them and beckons them over to Avira. "You two. You will escort Avira to the speed race course. See to her needs as she desires."

"Yes, king!" both out simultaneously with great determination.

Shortly after, the flock of jaquins split into three groups. Skylar, Veje, Dióntan, and Tudor are part of the first group to leave the Palace. With Verago leading them, they immediately fly out because mothers and their cubs are also part of it. It's therefore considered the slowest group. Migs, Dulce, and Shaniqua are in group two. The former two fly right behind Zephyr leading them. After a while and being halfway through, Dulce spots Kamil and Llemopaz acting busy down on the ground. "Migs, look over there. I believe the first group has fallen apart. We should head down there and take those cubs with us." Dulce suggests motherly.

Migs nods and they land close to Llemopaz and Kamil. "Wow, look at you two! Being energetic and all. What are you two doing?" Dulce asks curiously.

Kamil turns his little head and says in a serious tone: "We fight nightbird!"

Migs gazes at the cubs. Them mentioning a nightbird triggers memories of his cubhood. He, too, was told about this fairy-tale monster when he was their age. He remembers how his parents vigorously told him about these so-called nightbirds, once proud sunbirds that turned demented and cruel. The rumour in that story is that when a sunbird becomes corrupted, it stalks through each night in search of unwary jaquin cubs and devour them whole. Though it sounds eerie, the nightbird is part of a children's story that parents present to their cubs so they don't stray from the nest at night.

Migs smiles fondly at the thought that said parents are still telling this old story. However, both Llemopaz and Kamil don't seem afraid of this monster. Perhaps because it's daytime, Migs quickly reasons. For the sake of their joy, he decides to play along. "A nightbird you say… That sounds scary. Where is it now?" he asks with faked surprise.

"It ate Tudor. We need to help him.' Llemopaz states seriously and shouts after looking around briefly, 'Oh, there! Kamil, found it!"

"Attack!" Kamil shouts from atop his tiny lungs.

Both jaquin cubs start harassing a rock on the ground, slamming it and rolling it over a couple of times. While they do so, Migs relishes the idea of not having Tudor around and says to Dulce: "Well, good riddance I say…"

Dulce chuckles at the idea of Migs being glad about Tudor's 'fate'. She must admit to herself: the thought does provide a certain amusement though she'd never wish such fate to befall anyone. The pink-and-blue jaquin also chuckles from joy watching the cubs play vividly a game they seem highly occupied with. This whole scene has her desire to have cubs of her own grow stronger. Just as she wants to mention that to Migs before taking the cubs with them, Shaniqua lands beside them. "Look what I found." she says joyously.

"We found them first.' Dulce says playfully and chuckles before adding, 'We were to pick them up, but you can take them with you as well. If you want, that is."

"Sure. Kamil becomes distracted easily but nothing I cannot handle. With his parents in Avalor still, I will take him and Llemopaz under my wing."

Migs and Dulce nod in agreement and take to flight to continue heading towards the speed race. Now that both have fulfilled their duties, they can finally continue traveling to the speed race without a worry on their minds. However, this blissful moment is ruined for Migs after a short while of flying; he spots Tudor ahead of him down below. He doesn't catch Migs' eyes because the green-and-maroon jaquin is pleasing to look at. It's because he's with Avira and the two Royal Guards escorting her. They seem to be talking. Exactly this sight makes Migs grow wary. He doesn't trust Tudor enough, believing he might start harassing her with his 'joking', if not already. His protective instinct kicks in and he feels urged to check on them, especially so with Avira being crippled. "Dulce, you can go ahead. I am going to see what is happening down there."

"Okay, Migsy. See you at the course! Do not be late." she comments amiably and sends him a loving gesture.

He smiles intricately at her. Migs then descends down to Avira and Tudor and lands next to them. "Well then, what have we here?" he asks hoping the answer follows suit.

"Oh. Hi, Migs. The Royal Guards were relieving each other from carrying me when Tudor caught up with me. We are just talking." Avira replies calmly.

"No. Hehe."

Avira turns her attention back at Tudor in surprise and states: "Yes – you are talking to me."

"No." Tudor says boringly.

"You are. It is time you start taking more responsibility. You should replace that sense of joking with a sense of responsibility, sooner or later." she says while directing her attention at Migs.

"No."

Migs rolls his eyes. He releases an agitated groan, expressing his annoyance. "I believe to know what he is doing an–"

"No."

"Let me finish."

"Hehe. No."

"And he has grown dull with you already, Avira, likely because you are confronting him with his flaw."

"No." Tudor repeats himself but with a frowned look this time.

He ponders over Migs' statement: *Stop being lame. Say something I can easily say no to…*

"Once again, Tudor, you are derisive towards others."

"No."

"Stop it!"

"No, hehe."

"Is he open to reasoning?" Avira asks Migs in an attempt to lure out a meaningful response from Tudor.

"No." Tudor replies hastily with a grin running across his face.

Migs shakes his head while ignoring Tudor. "He is not.' he replies in an aloof way of mild frustration and directs his attention back at the mischievous jaquin, 'Do you not have something useful to do?"

"Yes. Like taking care of your quota." Avira opts proudly as she believes in contributing to this conversation.

"No."

"Already done?"

"No."

"Are you breaking the rules?" Avira asks worryingly.

"No." Tudor responds with a suppressed smile as to how well he once again is doing.

"He is already done. And surprising enough, he outdid himself." Migs comments calmly.

Tudor remains silent. He cannot ignore a compliment. Migs, however, frowns at not hearing the green-and-maroon jaquin repeat himself. "What is this? Not saying "no" this time? How surprising of you." he asks in an attempt to lure out a different response from Tudor.

"No. Hehe."

Without any ideas on how to get Tudor acting normal once again, both Migs and Avira find themselves stuck in this conversation. Just as the Royal Guards want to suggest making haste, they look up as they spot two shadows moving over them rapidly. Migs and Avira now look up and notice Sienté and Luna. Both females are on their way to the race course, apparently having moved ahead of the third group they're part of. Sienté is on the lookout for her injured trainee, being curious about how far she's now. When her eyes find Avira, she beckons Luna to follow her down. They land beside Avira and greet them. However, when Luna sees Tudor grin, she immediately asks the others: "Is he being an idiot again?"

"No."

Luna gazes at Tudor in a condemning way and blows him a raspberry before stating: "Says you."

"Hehe. No."

"Are you mocking me? Tudor, if you are, Shaniqua will need to find herself a new partner!"

"No."

"Hmm. Perhaps bringing Shaniqua into this – well, I cannot deem it a conversation really, will give us the upper paw." Migs suggests as he cunningly smiles at Luna and Avira.

"No."

"Are you going to sleep with her in one nest tonight?" he asks contentedly.

"… No."

"Ah, hesitation!" Avira calls out in relief of turning this mockery against Tudor.

However, before Migs can ask Tudor a similar question, Luna beats him to it: "Are you gonna be nice to her?"

Tudor inhales deeply, after which he outs a prolonged nasal exhale that's clearly audible to the others. He uses it to signal dissatisfaction, but also tries buying himself some time to think how he can 'no' his way out of this. "Nooóó…" he responds slowly while increasing the pitch of his voice.

"Aw, we should tell Shaniqua that her boyfriend dislikes her." Avira says gleefully.

"No!" Tudor states mildly annoyed.

"Yep!" Luna agrees with enthusiasm and immediately takes to the skies.

She really isn't planning on telling Shaniqua as it's none of her business. But taking off this quick has Tudor think as such, leaving him to wonder what tiring conversation he might expect tonight. Everyone else present considers this situation resolved now that Tudor has been put in his place again. However, Migs believes that closure will come in the form of one remaining question that begs for inquiring. "Happy now?" he asks Tudor while smirking with pride.

Tudor releases an exasperating sigh. "No…" he replies sulkily yet with a tone of honesty in his voice.

Migs thinks zestfully: *Well, truly everything is done for today. No more duties to attend to. Now I will indulge myself with some quality time with Dulce during the speed race.*

Avira is glad to see her maestra again. She beckons Sienté over and asks: "My wing feels cramped and a bit soar but not painful anymore. I guess your – medicine has worked. Can I fly? Will I be able to make it to the speed race?"

"No, you cannot fly, nor should you want to. Give it time, Avira. A few weeks at least should do to heal your wing nicely. But do not fret. Like the Royal Guards here, I will accompany you to the course. Walking such distance is something we never consider doing. So, it kind of makes us explorers in our own right. Besides, you might be able to "walk it off", hihi. Get it?"

Avira chuckles. It sounded funny, indeed. But moreover, her chuckling is an expression of feeling calm and at ease. She likes Sienté's motherly approach towards her, something she admires about the beige-and-yellow jaquin. "Thanks for these uplifting words, Sienté. I really needed it. But – I think I prefer being flown there."

"Sure, whatever tickles your fancy." Sienté says and smiles at her trainee.

She then takes to the skies with Migs following suit. Avira loads herself on the back of a Royal Guard before they, too, continue their way toward the speed race course.