Reply to Guest (review ch.6): That's a spot on summary! Thanks for the love you're giving this story. Much appreciated! And you're right: Verago doesn't like upsetting Myra. :)
On his way to his nest, Verago finds his little son playing with cub Luna and toddler Migs. Both cubs are chasing the toddler in a game of tag. They're mostly going in circles, something the cubs seem unaware of; their minds are occupied with competing over who'll tag Migs first. Despite them being two cubs strong, Migs is taller and stronger and can easily stay out of their reach. From time to time, however, he feigns tiredness and slows down to make both cubs believe they stand a chance at winning.
From a distance, Verago watches them play. He notices how happy and carefree Skylar is. Seeing his son like this is enchanting to the adolescent jaquin. It produces a benevolent smile on his face. *He always seems to find happiness. Perhaps cubs are just not focused on issues in life that we grownups trouble ourselves with. Even when I took him hunting. While I was concerned about the chances of success, Skylar was simply having fun and even made himself new friends.* the black-and-green jaquin tries to explain to himself his son's neverending joy.
On top of that, Skylar finds especially much of this when around Luna and Migs. Despite the many youngsters they can play with, the three of them always seem drawn to each other. Be it fun, friendship, some mysterious force, perhaps even a combination of these… Verago cannot deter. But he can explain to himself the joy he's experiencing when watching his son having immense yet carefree fun like this, with friends who are dear to him.
Though, in the back of his mind, Verago dearly wishes his yellow-and-blue son to succeed him as a general one day, carrying the same responsibility and commitment weighing on him that do now on Verago's shoulders. Perhaps a desire deep down has him want his son to look like him and to take after him, and become nothing like his abuelo. This isn't due to the grudge he holds against his father, but he's inclined to see Skylar grow up as a balanced individual. Yet, the day the yellow-and-blue cub will step in his father's footsteps is still far from now. Today is all about carefree fun and games for little Skylar. Exactly how Myra will want it, and how Verago starts getting used to it…
"¡Papá!" he suddenly hears Skylar yell excitedly.
The yellow-and-blue cub and little Luna out some playful giggles while approaching Verago, who in turn smiles fondly at both. "Come see! Come see! We take you." Skylar says with great enthusiasm.
Verago nods at his son and accompanies them to Luna's parents' nest. Upon arrival, Verago has difficulty in ascertaining the cubs' alteration to said nest. He needs to look closely at what exactly he's looking at. "Skylar and – me made… That!" Luna says excitedly while trying to find the proper words to use.
While she says this, a curious-looking head appears from the nest. It belongs to the nest's owner who heard a familiar cub voice. She looks their way and says: "There you are. Steady playing. I see what you did here, girl. I praise you for it."
"Gracias, mamá." Luna says happily.
Both cubs out some more playful giggles as they start chasing each other's tails, while Luna's mother approaches Verago. "Nice of you to hang around. How is my hermana doing?"
"Felicia, good to see you. Myra is doing fine as always. I was on my way to her when Skylar took me here for a surprise. So, what have the cubs been doing to your nido? It seems as if they built it – upside down…"
"They built a roof over it. It is not sturdy or waterproof but, things considered, they did themselves an excellent job."
"I see. You are clearly proud of them. Good for you and enjoy this new addition to your nest. I will head home now before Skylar becomes grumpy. Bye for now, Felicia.' Verago says kindly and turns to his son still chasing Luna, 'Son! We are going back to eat some Anoki berries."
Seeing Verago and Skylar leave, Luna decides to join her best playing buddy. The red-and-crimson cub isn't done playing yet. She follows Verago suit while keeping an eye on Skylar. If he makes any attempt at anything considered as playing, she'll jump in whenever the opportunity arises.
All of this goes unnoticed by Verago. Instead, the black-and-green jaquin starts smiling over an idea he's having. He wants to entertain his son. Verago grabs Skylar with both paws and holds the cub in front of him, facing the sky ahead. Skylar, however, feels he's in an awkward position. Playing all day long has tired him so a ride home is a welcome change. But being held by his father with Luna around feels embarrassing. He doesn't know whether he should enjoy being held or squiggle free. That is until Verago asks his yellow-and-blue son: "Do you want to go really fast?"
To Skylar, it all becomes clear now. He likes going fast so his father's suggestion is one of his heart's desires. "Yeah! ¡Siempre!" Skylar shouts with great enthusiasm.
The black-and-green jaquin has his wings produce powerful strokes. He starts increasing his forward momentum. Little Skylar enjoys this build-up of speed and lets out small bursts of joy. He gazes around as he passes by trees, rock formations, as well as the river below, at an unprecedented speed. He stretches his little paws forward now that he feels invincible. He's clearly enjoying himself. Verago believes he can provide Skylar with some more fun. He starts performing some minor aerial manoeuvres. To him, it's nothing harmful. However, the combination of flying fast across the varying terrain as well as the manoeuvrings make little Skylar dizzy and he starts to whimper…
While Skylar tries holding it together, little Luna tries keeping up with them by flapping her wings really fast. She succeeds for now but as her wings become sore, she starts losing altitude slowly. She ends up flying underneath Skylar. At that exact moment, as if decided by fate, Skylar starts feeling unwell. Luna suddenly hears a regurgitating sound. When looking up to where it originates from, she can barely avoid being showered by Skylar's stomach contents.(*) "Whoa! Watch it!" Luna shouts gruffly at her best friend.
"Whoops… Someone just got airsick. No more manoeuvrings for you, mijo.' Verago says somewhat startled by the situation and slows down as he adds in a caring manner, 'Are you okay, Luna? Sorry about that."
When returning home, Myra welcomes back Skylar with open wings. She and Verago bunt heads while Skylar and Luna eat some Anoki berries that Myra had prepared them. "Oh. What is that on your wing, darling? Seems like some cobweb. Were you harmed?" Myra asks with slight worry in her voice.
"Nah. Nothing to worry about. It is some leftover from a graze, that is all. Despite my big body, I am nimble still."
"So you are. And that big body is all mine, hihi." Myra says lovingly and she smiles at him.
At that moment, Primavega enters the nest. "Good to see you back, Verago. I heard of the battle with some eaglespiders. I take it all went well?"
"It did, actually. It went fairly smooth."
"Ah, I am proud of you, hijo. A father always is when a child of his surpasses him. The moment you became general, I knew you were bound for great deeds. You have achieved greatness as both a leader and a father, both for your own sake and ours."
"Thank you, father. That is kind of you to say." Verago says with the benevolence of not being pestered again with the 'black fur legacy' thing.
"You deserve to look back at wherever you once were and where you are now. This must grant you contentment. Such euphoria must be shared. Go ahead and do so with Myra. And while you are at it, seize the opportunity to expand the family with yet another wonderful life."
"I agree that I am happy with where I stand today. Of course, I had help from you and Myra. And I respect your continuous effort to have me bring forth a black-furred son, which has not gone unnoticed.' Verago remarks kindly but shows disregard for his father's attempt by adding coldly, 'But Myra and I are happy with our lives and with our Skylar. Let it be…"
The following few days pass without a single sighting of Chatana's monsters. All generals tend to train the Skyguard on a daily basis. It's almost business as usual to them, apart from Zephyr being the sole general allowed inside the throne room; king Corona still holds a grudge against Verago and Thunder for putting his daughter Miguella in harm's way.
One afternoon, Verago and Myra spend their time inside their nest. Myra lies on the ground resting from a busy morning scouting with Skylar. Upon seeing Verago looking distant, Myra sits upright. "Hmm. I like the sight of males trying to think." she remarks teasingly.
"Trying? You have no idea. Sweetheart, there has been a lot on my mind latel–"
Myra lets a paw of hers go through Verago's emerald green sideburn feathers. It silences him immediately. They both find solace in this touch and have experienced it more than once before. To him, however, it feels equally as ecstatic as it did the very first time. This sensation has Verago willfully yet softly lean his head against her paw. It makes him purr uncontrollably yet quietly. He doesn't care. Instead, he starts smiling as he fixates his green eyes on her blue ones. As always, a bubble forms around them, having both forget about the world for one moment. It unleashes a yearning desire for her intimacy that clouds the black-and-green jaquin's mind as she's all he can think of at this very moment.
Myra recognises this longing in his eyes. She feels the same about him, craving his full attention as he lays himself to her will. She starts caressing his cheek as her paw makes its way along the side of his face. Her eyes then follow her paw down to his chest where she starts playing with the small feathers that form an emerald green crest. "This here – is so special… These feathers. They fit you so well. And only you have it, this crest. You and your father. No one else does. It makes you stand out from the others. Just the way I like it. Hm-mm.' Myra says slowly and makes eye contact again as she bites her lower lip lustfully before continuing lovingly, 'You know, I was thinking about what Primavega said to you, about that lineage thing. You keep troubling yourself with this, too. At first, I did not know what to make of it. But then it dawned on me. And to be honest, I would not mind contributing to that idea. Not at all… To conceive another child with you, one that might be – black-furred. Hihi, I would love to feel you close to me again, like we did back then. My love for you is strong still and will always be… One more time, Verago. You – and me. And who knows: perhaps this future cub will carry your feathers like little Skylar carries mine."
The way she speaks these words. The way she looks into his eyes… They unleash a tingling sensation within Verago that makes him want her even more. Lust fills his heart. He's clearly besotted with her. "Mm, your eyes. They emanate pure love… You always know how to unleash in me a greater desire for you. Sweetheart, only you can say this so well. Your words… They mesmerise me, consume me… Te quiero.' Verago whispers solemnly as he brings his head closer to hers, 'I too think we should create another life. After all, we are not getting any younger."
"Hihi. I lik– Wait… What was that?" Myra questions her mate's use of words and draws back her head while frowning.
Verago looks back at the white-and-blue jaquin. His expression is one of bliss, lingering between confusion and uneasiness. Then it dawns on him that he crossed a line that's immediately answered with a judgmental glare from his mate. Softly, yet playfully, he tries setting right his wrong: "Ay-ay-ay… I mean, of course, I am not getting any younger."
"Just so you know, mister." Myra states slowly and smirks.
Putting the black-and-green jaquin in his place like this, correcting one of her mate's foibles, is a secret pleasure of Myra. She finds joy in occasionally commanding a general who's used to issuing orders instead of receiving them. After relishing this moment briefly, she starts bunting affectionately with him. It transitions into an act of close intimacy between them, getting on their way to create another life together.
(*) Skylar regurgitating might come across as gross. I added this in because Luna said "I am not going to fly under him when he gets airsick." in the episode 'A Spy in the Palace', replying to Skylar who mentions getting dizzy from Migs' suggestions to include aerial stunts in the flyover.
