Luna, Sienté, Shaniqua are making conversation about Kamil and another Jaquin. Dulce's troubled and needs a word of advice. Meanwhile, Migs is inviting some Jaquins, including Skylar, to join his cause…

While the three of them are talking over containing Tudor's jokes, Luna, Sienté, and Shaniqua sit together near the Palace. They often do, as female Jaquins tend to form cliques every now and then to make small talk and do some gossip.

This time, however, is different. The females sit in a circle facing each other. They are busy making small talk on one Jaquin in particular: Tudor's little brother Kamil. He happens to sit in between them. Shaniqua took him with her. All of the females are mollified over him. They cannot stop looking at, and also talk about, him. The urge to stare at him is simply irresistible, hence Kamil is a cub. His large eyes, his round and fluffy head in comparison to his small body make many a female lovingly stare at him and become overwhelmed with mellow emotions. They find him utterly adorable with his cayenne red feathers covering his cheeks, heels, and wings, and a saffron fur covered with a pattern of cayenne red puffy rounded clouds, looking like cumulus clouds with both a rounded top and bottom. On his turn, Kamil acts relaxed, enjoying himself with all the attention he's receiving, which he got used to by now.

The three females keep making small talk until Luna sees Sienté looking distracted as if something occupies her mind. "What is on your mind, girl?" she asks in a confident manner.

Sienté hesitates a little: "Uh, me? Ow… I – I was just reminding myself of wanting someone to become my boyfriend."

Shaniqua becomes excited and says full of enthusiasm: "Ooh, tell us! Tell us who it is!"

Sienté: "Well, I do not know yet. I want to figure out… Eh, I – am looking for someone who is not as extremely energetic as Skylar and not as… highly confident as Dióntan."

Luna seems to wonder and frowns: "That… leaves quite some possibilities. So, who are you thinking of?"

Sienté shrugs and carefully says: "Honestly? The first name I thought of was… Tudor."

Changing her expression to happy, Shaniqua says excitedly: "Taken!"

"No regrets?' Luna immediately replies giving Shaniqua a teasing look, 'He can act like a loose stray, and he does not seem to care."

Shaniqua remains silent for a second or two, visibly pondering. Luna and Sienté can clearly tell by her look. They aren't the first to confront Shaniqua with Tudor's misplaced jokes, and they won't be the last either. Shaniqua looks at Kamil for a second, who starts looking back at her with a grand smile on his face from the attention he's receiving. "No, not really. He is charming, and he likes to cuddle. We have been really close friends for a long time now… Oh, he is also doing great with Kamil! That is so sweet…' Shaniqua says while becoming overwhelmed by a romantic swoon, 'Oh, just thinking of him… He just is so cute. His eyes, the way he speaks and acts, hihi, and how he flies through the sky, so gracefully. He truly is my forever companion… even though his jokes can sometimes be inapp…"

"Sometimes?" Sienté replies curtly while frowning.

Both Sienté and Shaniqua start chuckling. Talking about boys this way is a favoured topic of theirs. Sometimes it's all they discuss during an afternoon. Luna doesn't join in on the chuckling, and the other two don't seem to notice. Luna isn't a female that sticks to conversations like this for very long. She decides to bring haste to this conversation. "So, get Tudor out of your mind. Ever thought about Cruz?' she says mellow and continues softly, 'He certainly is handsome!"

Sienté looks shaken, clearly taken by surprise when hearing that name. Somehow, Cruz hadn't sprung to mind yet. She releases a long enamoured sigh. "Yeah, he really is handsome. I would definitely make him my partner if the opportunity rises…"

"Paws off, girl! He called on him first." Luna states bluntly and smirks in a friendly way.

"Well, no matter how good that may sound, he is the Navegera and will probably be very busy. Besides, he is in Avalor and we are here in Vallestrella, let me remind you." Shaniqua comments in a shun way.

"True… You know, Dióntan has a brother. What do you think of him?" Luna continues her interrogation with Sienté toward a suitable partner.

"You mean – Veje?" Sienté replies clearly aloof over him.

*I have no idea what to think of Veje. One way, he acts distant as he addresses others when being addressed, yet he makes for some fine company. I just do not know…* she thinks.

"Ooh…' Shaniqua says and again chuckles, 'Clearly, she is giving him a thought."

Sienté chuckles nervously: "Eh, yeah. I… Well, I do not really know how to say this… Does he truly do anything throughout the day? I mean, he dawdles around a lot."

Luna confidently replies: "Of course he does! He is the most relaxed Jaquin I know… Sure, he does things at his own pace but he does get it done whenever he needs to. I never heard of him failing his quota."

Slightly shocked, both Sienté and Shaniqua simultaneously say "The quota…", after which Shaniqua adds: "Now that you mention this… On top of that, I do see him talking with others often. He seems quite social to me. Just like you are, Sienté."

Luna adds teasingly: "You better make a choice soon, or be ready to see yourself becoming a spinster."

"Haha! Let us stay on topic, Luna. You know what I find cute about Veje? The way he speaks!' Shaniqua continues and slows her talking down, 'Slow but clear."

Sienté: "True. I cannot feel annoyed by that, either. I actually like it. It gives me a tranquil feeling… By the way, now that we are talking about Veje. Does any of you know how he became a royal guard?"

Shaniqua: "I was just wondering the very same thing! I have not the slightest idea. I mean, he is not huskily built at all, completely unlike the rest of those guards."

Luna: "You certainly can say so. He must have done something special. Or king Verago must have seen something special in him… Anyway, he is so lucky to be one of the royal guards!"

"Why not go and ask him, Sienté? That way you might connect with him and who knows what might come of it?' Shaniqua says using a smooth tone of voice she turns into an excited one, 'Oh, and if the two of you make conversation I want to know all about it!"

At this time Dulce appears on the scene. "Hello, ladies. Busy making small talk again? Hihi, I would love to join you girls but I really need a word with Sienté. There is something I need to discuss, Soothsayer to Soothsayer." Dulce says with a smile.

Both Luna and Shaniqua shrug once. Before taking their leave Shaniqua says: "That is okay. We always have enough to discuss so I see you girls tomorrow! Are you coming, Kamil?"

"Yeah!" Kamil shouts nodding and looks at the other females once before readying himself.

"So, what are you gonna do?" Luna asks Shaniqua.

Shaniqua looks back at her with a happy smile: "Taking Kamil southwest of the Palace to gather anoki berries together. I have yet to reach my quota. You also have to reach yours, right?"

"Speak for yourself, girl. I already reached mine!' Luna says proudly, 'And I am coming with because anoki berries are my favourite! I am gonna help the two of you. Right, Kamil? Aww, you are so cute!"

Sienté follows up on Luna and Shaniqua with her eyes, smiling as she hears them being thrilled like that. She then turns to Dulce: "What is it you wanted to see me for?"

Dulce looks uneasy when she starts speaking: "I feel worried lately, feeble even. I cannot seem to focus on my role as Soothsayer well enough. Somehow I am keeping myself down… and with it the Clan. Truth be told, at times I lose sleep – over the things I hear that begs me to come with a suitable answer I myself cannot always immediately find. At such a moment I crave a solution to boost my spirit. Knowing you have more extended knowledge on tisanes, Sienté, I came to ask if you can prepare me anything that makes me feel more at ease."

"I see.' Sienté says calmly understanding Dulce's carrying over her Soothsayer expertise to her out of frailty, 'I am sure it must be tough addressing issues of such complexity. I must admit it can be difficult providing care to troubled minds. I do so myself but you are the real expert, and, above all, truly sought after for it. Right now, I feel tempted to craft you a concoction. However, tisanes do not work miracles. They combat symptoms, and seldom will they take away the root of a problem…"

Dulce looks at Sienté with a form of guilt, realising she's to be leading this conversation for this is her field of expertise yet feels unable to function at her finest. This makes her rather uncertain, and she attempts to touch a different topic: "Somehow you remind me of what some humans do. They also prepare concoctions as you do so well. From what I once understood they call such human a 'shaman'. Can you imagine being called that way? Shaman Sienté…"

Sienté giggles: "I kind of like it, shaman Sienté… Where did you get that from?"

"I heard this from Migs. In between fights against Shuriki in Avalor he once told me about it. Shamans belonged to the… previous people of Avalor, something like that. Honestly, I have no idea what exactly they were supposed to do. But ever since I keep thinking about that word, I also keep thinking about him…' Dulce says falling into a romantic swoon, 'So manly, so sweet and kind. Aah, I just hope he thinks about me a lot, too…"

Sienté nods understandingly: "Surely he must feel the same way about you. You are kind, caring, and supportive. It seems to me like characteristics that complement him… Now that I come to think of it, this must be the root of your problem. This is about Migs, is it not? The two of you are together for some time now, starting to care for one each other deeply. Now that he is residing somewhere else makes you become oblivious about his state of being, how he feels about you, leaving you in doubt, and your mind distracted… This must feel like torture, Dulce. Therefore, I believe the answer lies in giving your mind more breathing space. Thinking only of him leaves little opportunity to care for yourself. You definitely must place yourself before him! You can only care for him if you are able to adequately care for yourself first."

Dulce slowly nods knowing Sienté's right. She smiles at her: "You are absolutely right! I said these same words to myself, but somehow coming from your mouth they sound more true… They offer me solace."

"Let me suggest the following. What I think is best, for now, is for us to head back to the Palace.' Sienté says comforting, 'There I can prepare a concoction that eases your mind like you said you need. Then make sure to talk to Migs and discuss what you feel needs discussion. Deal?"

Both females start flying back toward the Palace. Dulce bears a grand smile. She feels speaking to a fellow Soothsayer most often sets things right in her mind. "Getting to the subject of name-calling I entirely understand how difficult it could be. I am actually getting a hunch of whom you are speaking. Tudor should keep his mouth shut more often. I am not quite sure whether he realises what impact his 'jokes' have."

Dulce says: "Believe me, he does. He knows all too well. This joking is in his very nature. He might be a proud Jaquin, but I find joking around and starting rumours should not be a core part of that pride."

Sienté nods: "I agree. His behaviour of late has become worrisome, appalling even. He should be penalised for it. King Verago should ultimat…"

Dulce interrupts Sienté: "I would rather go talk with Shaniqua first. She might be able to get him back in line. After all, she and Tudor are spending much time together during valuable moments. If this does not work we can always go and see king Verago."

A shiver runs down Sienté's spine: "True… Just the thought of having such a 'chat' with king Verago… Not me, no way I will want to hear of it!"

While the two females are flying home, Migs also is in flight. He does so going around the Palace perimeter, carefully sweeping the semi-open grasslands beneath him that surround it. He's in search of a couple of Jaquins. He has a special request for them.

During his flight, he spots Skylar, Nico, and Dióntan. They're flying also, manoeuvring around each other playing a game of tag. This puts a smile on his face. *Look at them have this much fun! I will not bother asking Skylar just yet but I will ask him soon… Perhaps it is best to let him wear himself down a bit for now. Yet I am not looking for him right now. I wonder where he – is… Oh, over there is Tudor lying in his nest. The fool. He has the only one build in the uppermost layer of a canopy. Someday it will be blown off or washed away. But… I should not worry ab… Ah, there you are!* he thinks to himself going through all of the Jaquins he can spot from this high up.

He descends rapidly and lands close to a sunbathing Jaquin. "There you are, Veje!' Migs says delightedly, 'I was looking for you."

Veje looks up and slowly replies: "Migs…"

"Well, not saying much? Apparently, you dawdle not only in speed but in speech also."

Veje eyes him and says in a calm manner: "You have a fine way with words."

Migs nods taking those words as a compliment. He adds: "And with tactics if I say so myself… Anyhow, Veje, you are a royal guard. King Verago himself said going on a hunt will contribute to being a great royal guard… So you need to contribute someday, and today you are lucky for I am providing you with this opportunity! What do you think?"

"Not much right now.' Veje answers slow as he gets up and stretches his limbs, 'Now I start doing so, and I think of this as a great idea… I simply have nothing else to do right now, so count me in!"

"Now that is the sp…' Migs starts off enthusiastic but holds back, 'Wait, it is not… Anyway, now that this is settled we will meet at the entrance of the Palace!"

Without waiting any further for a reply he flies off. However, he immediately is stopped in his tracks. Tudor's blocking his path: "I heard… I am coming with! This is going to be fun! For me at least, hehe."

Migs sighs while looking away but realises avoiding Tudor grants him no way out. He looks back at him: "Sorry, Tudor. You are not on the list, not today."

Tudor puts up an uncanny smile that turns into a wide grin: "Today is drawing to a close and you have yet to assemble that entire party of yours… You should know that I am helping you, and you help you by taking me along…"

Migs displays a troubled look. He feels Tudor's not being sincere with him and wants to decline the offer. Yet Tudor makes a valid point he cannot deny. "Fine, you can come…" Migs replies curtly.

"Alright! You will not regret this." Tudor answers energetically.

*I certainly will regret this.* Migs thinks in response.

When Migs arrives back at the Palace Dióntan approaches him stepping out of the throne room. He looks frustrated and snarls at Migs: "I wonder why you chose to take along my brother instead of me! Why not take me? I have asked king Verago numerous times now to let me join a hunt… You know my brother, doing things at his own pace. I bet he will only slow you down."

"You may assume all you want, but I have set my mind in taking him with me. I always choose my party members at random. I just found everyone I need. Next time I will definitely ask you to come along. What you should ask yourself is why he, of all Jaquins, is a member of the royal guard.' Migs states confident and continues with a faint smile, 'Concerning Veje, he has not yet met his quota for today. So if he cannot keep up with me he has to reach his quota still – in the little time this day still has, that is."

"Whatever you say…" Dióntan says softly in a clear disagreeing tone.

He walks away with Migs following him up with his eyes. As he does a thought crosses his mind: *Now to invite… Skylar. It is by the order of the king, so I need to take him with me. I just need to keep an eye on him. For that matter I respect Luna. She is distant at times, but acts orderly, mature even. Someone I do not need to keep a constant eye on. Skylar has much to learn still. I hope he does so during this hunt.*

Migs returns to the grand hallway. He hopes to find Skylar soon. Yet he need not look far… Skylar is just ahead and is moving away from him. He sniffs the air as if in search of something. Skylar, on his turn, looks at an arch. He can see Luna and Shaniqua inside the room behind it. Also, that delightful smell comes from over there. He closes in on the arch and sneakingly moves into the room. Luna and Shaniqua are talking about anoki berries. *So that is what I smell! Yummy…* he thinks and starts licking his lips at the thought alone.

Migs observes Skylar sneakingly move into a storage room. He becomes curious as to why, since Skylar isn't carrying any food with him to add to the current stock. "Skylar!' Migs hears Luna yell, 'Those anoki berries are not yours. Get out!"

Now standing in front of the arch Migs sees Skylar back off from Luna. "Luna, hey… Eh, I was not trying… I intended…" he defensively tries reasoning himself out of this situation.

When Shaniqua gives him an evil eye he turns around and runs out of the room. He bumps into Migs who speaks his name out loud, interrupting him but also Luna, who's looking angry at him still. "You are just the Jaquin I was looking for.' Migs says happy with both wings extended effectively blocking Skylar's only exit, 'King Verago said I should take you along with me on my exciting hunt! I bet you want to have some fun, and fun it will be! Tudor is coming along, too… What say you?"

Skylar looks at Migs with a doubtful gaze. Migs gets the feeling Skylar will turn him down. However, Verago ordered him to take his son along with him, leaving him no choice. Unfortunately for him, time's running out. He's in dire need of assembling his party, now…