An event is called for that Jaquins frequently look forward to altogether, yet creating some awkward moments for some, including a Jaquin with which Migs shares arguments with from time to time…

"King Verago, now that everyone seems present…' Dióntan says and looks around to see the throne room filled up pretty well, 'May I call for a grooming session?"

Those last two words make Luna prick up her ears. Euphoria starts rushing through her body as she starts imagining her feathers being groomed. "I second that!" she exclaims enthusiastically while bearing a broad grin.

Veje looks up at his brother. A spark of joy radiates from his eyes. Those words invigorate him, as it does to Verago. He looks pleased in a way as if expecting such a question. "Excellent idea!" he exclaims of joy.

Every three to four days, Jaquins come together inside the Palace and hold a grooming session. During such a session they form pairs. These couples always consist of male-female composition and in turn, both Jaquins become the groomer and groomee. However, the transition from groomer to groomee usually takes place through an act of passive-aggressiveness, whereby the groomer lies down next to its partner and playfully forces him/her into the role of the groomer. Mutual grooming is performed especially at the skull base, neck, shoulders and around the wing base, areas on the body that Jaquins are unable to groom themselves. These mutual grooming sessions are a social activity always taking place inside the throne room, promoting social interactions between individuals and fortitude one's health and have the groomee experience a feeling of ecstasy when having the wing base groomed.

Verago introduced a new grooming rule during his reign. Each Jaquin needs to pair with someone different over the course of many sessions, upholding social interactions between all members of the Jaquin clan. After all of the possible partnerships have been made over the course of many sessions, this rule is reset and partnerships are formed anew.

Jaquins love getting groomed in between their wings. Every Jaquin knows this. It's why many want the groomer to keep grooming it! Dióntan's particularly keen on finding this exact spot on his partner since he's on the quest for a permanent one. He starts grooming females in between their wing base as quickly as possible. Usually, this is highly appreciated and this way Dióntan hopes to acquire himself a partner.

Verago takes his place at the throne. He turns to face all Jaquins and sits down. He looks around to see who is present. This way, he can observe who's teamed up with whom and uphold his grooming rule. Seeing all is well, he nods. The two main King's Guards simultaneously give a short roar that signals the start of this grooming session.

Skylar and Dulce teamed up for this grooming session. Having the base of his wings groomed, Skylar finds this the perfect moment to "groom" his claws, or polish as he would say himself. He starts biting the claws on his left paw. "Skylar!" he hears his dad shout sternly from across the throne room.

With his eyes wide open, a thought rises in him while somewhat shocked about how his father found out: *Ay! How can he notice while I am sitting away from him?*

"Father… I – am merely inspecting my claws…" he states rather uneasily.

Migs hears this, as well as it is an excuse by Skylar's phrasing, and adds wittily: "Yes, with your teeth."

Skylar pouts and gives Migs an evil eye, and immediately Migs returns a sneer, smiling in faked delight. Skylar then extends the claws on his left paw and happily shows it to Migs saying at a contemptuous tone of voice: "I polish them regularly as you can see. You should take an example from this."

Accompanied by those words he looks delighted at Migs, followed by a glance at his beautiful claws. That delighted look, however, changes to an uneasy one as he notices clear biting marks on one of his claws, quickly retracting them. He snickers uneasily. Migs shakes his head slowly out of disbelieve, yet in a mocking manner.

Tudor, however, hasn't teamed up with Shaniqua. They were a grooming couple before so he's searching for a different grooming partner. He walks about and past Jaquins who already teamed up as grooming partners. He also walks past Luna who hasn't found a partner. Yet, the look she gives him isn't amiable, it's a sour one. *I bet he will not be taking this serious as well.* she thinks of him curtly.

At some point, he stops next to Luna. "I see you also have not found anyone yet. What say you?"

Luna sighs and looks at him blankly. "What about no?" she answers curtly and distant.

Tudor displays a sad expression and replies: "Come on… I know you cannot go without a grooming session. I know you like clean feathers too much to miss out on a sess…"

"Everyone knows this!" she hisses mildly.

Tudor seems unmoved by this. "Be my grooming partner, just for this session. Please… There is no more female left but you!" he begs and starts driveling softly.

"Ugh. Okay, Tudor… Listen. Here is how you and I will do this. You are gonna groom me and follow each of my instructions because I want to look splendid after this." Luna says sternly.

He rolls his eyes but Luna doesn't care. She positions herself in front of him and quickly wiggles her body in an attempt to find the most comfortable upright position. She is determined to enjoy this grooming session in the best way possible. She closes her eyes radiating pure excitement. She starts picturing how Tudor will be grooming her and tells herself how much she's going to enjoy the next couple of minutes while hurdling a series of commands, yet to devise, at Tudor. Having all of this set, ready to turn this fabulous plan into reality, Luna opens her eyes again. However, she notices Tudor sitting in front of her now, steadfast. While she had her eyes closed, he quickly glanced at all groomees around him getting groomed already, and so will he! Determined in being the groomee first, he looks behind him and demandingly asks: "Start with the back of my head, will you?"

Luna looks back at him. Her gaze betrays resist. She feels upset with her plan seemingly shattered, yet there is slight satisfaction seeping through. *Alright, alright… This time I will let him have it, but he better be grooming me more than fine when it is my turn!* she thinks cunningly.

Tudor, on the contrary, just sits and waits yet impatiently, which he unknowingly shows through the twitching of his tail-tip. This doesn't go unnoticed. Luna smiles at this sight and commences her grooming. On his request, she starts with the back of his head. The moment he feels the first strokes on his spring green fur he closes his eyes. This is the sweet spot! He slowly succumbs to a tranquil sensation that starts coursing through his body, one that makes his tense muscles loosen and unpleasant sensations soften. He becomes overwhelmed by this ecstatic sensation of tranquility. His twitching tail-tip stops moving, but Luna notices it only when Tudor starts struggling to remain upright. *It is as if he enjoys this greatly… Wait, is he falling asleep on me?* she wonders upset yet keeps grooming.

While Luna's grooming Tudor, Sienté does the same with Veje. She uses soft strokes with her tongue in between his shoulders… *Ah… Exactly the right pressure! It feels so soothing – and tranquil. I definitely need to frame her for more sessions to come!* he thinks naughtily over the fact that this idea goes against Verago's rule.

He focuses solely on her strokes in between his shoulders. Not only do they slowly bring him into a state of ecstasy, but each stroke also brings him closer to falling in love with her… He starts experiencing shivers down his body as he becomes excited by her grooming. She notices and stops. He quickly turns his head to look at her. A seemingly sad expression fills his face. "I saw you shiver. Did – I hurt you? Is there a sore spot still?"

Veje slowly shakes his head, disagreeing with her. "Does it… excite you?" she carefully asks.

He slowly nods while bearing a grand smile upon his face. "It does…" he replies softly and passionately.

Being groomed in between his shoulders is extremely soothing to Veje, and he starts purring. She listens to that sound carefully and smiles heartily at him. His purring noise sounds pleasant to her. Sienté resumes her grooming but now continues with his back.

Verago, having returned to sitting on his throne, watches all the Jaquins before him grooming. This sight pleases him. He takes on an amiable and proud posture with his breast positioned forward and his head held high that bears a broad smile. *Ah, everyone is content. This is good!*

After a while all Jaquins switch positions, making the groomee the groomer and the other way around. Sienté sees everyone switch and turns her gaze towards Veje. "Now, let us switch. Again, you finish up last – as always, hihi." she says teasingly.

Instead of immediately moving around to sit behind her, Veje displays a saddened expression upon his face. Saddened yet playful. This makes Sienté giggle as she finds this rather cute. He smiles at her and moves around her. He positions himself closely behind her, his body against hers. He brings his head close to her ear and whispers softly: "I think I have contracted a disease…"

"Really?" Sienté whispers slowly in return.

"Yes…' Veje continues whispering, 'I have contracted the love disease and start feeling the symptoms now. You are its remedy."

"Ooh, really?" Sienté asks curiously in return and continues lovingly yet soft, 'And how did you contract it?"

"I spend the last few days close to you and have looked at you for too long…" Veje whispers passionately.

"So, now you blame – me for this?" Sienté asks softly with a coy voice.

Veje brings his head even closer to her ear, to the point he almost nuzzles it. "Jaa-wel." he whispers flirtatious into her ear.

"Funny boy, hihi. If you really want to win my heart, you better start grooming me." Sienté says flatly.

Taken aback by this, Veje believes Sienté doesn't share the same feelings. Yet, she winks at him after turning her head to face him directly: "Well, what are you waiting for? I want to feel your tongue, too."

Meanwhile, Luna gets all hotted from the thought that she now finally gets to be groomed! Glancing back at Tudor sternly, she excessively beckons him to commence his grooming. She shuts her eyes to ready herself for the ecstatic feeling she's about to experience. To her surprise, however, Tudor starts grooming her without tricking her or making stupid jokes. *Ah, this is so sweet! Hmm, just what I need.* Luna thinks euphorically.

Out of a sudden, a Jaquin comes flying into the Palace. This one is big that equals Migs and Cruz in size, having a broad physique, comparable with the King's Guards. Yet, this one is female. Her name is Tornado. She's known to act masculine like the King's Guard. Tornado truly is one of a kind. When Dióntan spots Tornado flying over both him and Avira he looks up and follows her movement across the throne room. He had just been finished grooming by Avira, with whom he teamed up with. This is part of his epic quest of finding himself a partner for life. Yet, even now Avira remains silent most of the time due to her shy nature. This results in her usually being the last of finding a grooming partner. This time, however, it was Dióntan who approached her right after calling for a grooming session. She appreciates this. Dióntan, still eyeing Tornado, grins faintly and releases a mere chuckle as he thinks: *Truly everything seems big on her, even her rear end.*

Avira turns her head to look at Dióntan and after a few seconds, she pokes him. He returns to grooming her but cannot get his attention fully back with the grooming. *She could go for a King's Guard with that build of her.* he thinks as he turns his head to look at Tornado once more.

Luna lies on an edge above, from which she can overlook the ground floor, and notices Dióntan keeping an eye on Tornado. *Say something to her, and please make it awkward.* she says to herself.

"King Verago, I have a problem." Tornado says and through this easily draws all attention at her.

"Big Tornado, big problems." Dióntan whispers to Avira.

It makes her giggle. Dióntan likes to joke about Tornado because of her bulky physique, making her look more masculine than the other females. A warm sensation comes over him as he's hearing her giggle. *She likes it! She likes my joke on Tornado! I like her giggling… It sounds sweet.* he thinks cheerfully.

He's so absorbed by this thought he doesn't notice Tornado gazing at him. She asks at a hissing tone: "What did you say?"

Dióntan's look changes from utterly comfortable to distressed rapidly upon hearing those words. He slowly turns his head to see if she's looking at him. She does indeed. However, Tornado doesn't express a comfortable or distressed look, but a completely annoyed one while having her eyes squinted. His eyes, on the other hand, are wide open as he tries to find something to fixate on other than Tornado's. He slowly turns his head back to Avira and makes for an uneasy impression with her by pouting his lips and rolling his eyes. *Oh, yes! I was hoping he would say something uneasy like this. Fun, fun, fun!* Luna thinks with a sense of gloat and giggles.

This thought makes Luna visibly beam while watching this, what she best calls a 'show', unfold before her eyes.

Tornado listened to Verago's words from high up. Normally, she doesn't attend such crowded meetings. However, the words Verago spoke leave her no other option. "King Verago,' Tornado continues looking back at the king, 'I must share with you my take on this. I see no need for these restrictions. I always hunt alone and do fine this way. After all, I am the most excellent hunter of the clan."

Migs audibly clears his throat at Tornado's use of words, clearly disagreeing with her. Tornado shrugs but doesn't look up. She and Migs have had disputes over this subject before.

While Tornado tries to convince Verago on her take of the imposed hunting restrictions, most Jaquins have recuperated from the state of ecstasy they found themselves in by now. They're ready to commit themselves to the final activities for the day before turning in for the night. Among them is Avira. She's decided to go and fulfil her quota for the day. However, she doesn't want to do this alone. A slight worry fills her, accompanied by a worrisome expression on her face. *I dislike the loneliness of collecting food alone. I do not want to do this alone. That is so dull! So who should I approach? Yes! I want to do this with Luna. She is highly determined. But… She is already talking with Shaniqua now. That is a bummer… Now I need to approach someone else. Ugh, but who? Should I interrupt someone for this? Argh, I just need to have more faith in me… I can do this! I should do this… I will ask Skylar!* she tells herself in order to raise both her spirits and her confidence.

Avira starts walking over to Skylar. She approaches him at a slow and cautious pace. Her face shows doubt. "Eh, hey Skylar.' she starts off shy and waits for him to turn his head facing her, 'I – want…"

"Hey, Avira!" Skylar says enthusiastically since she rarely addresses him.

"Avira!" Nico says happy yet curious about what his brother is talking about and joins the two.

"Oh, hehe. Hi Nico. Eh, Skylar. I want to – ask you… I was wonde… will you join me – collecting…" Avira stammers nervously not knowing how to overcome this much of attention from two energetic Jaquins.

Nico interrupts Avira by suddenly yelling of excitement: "Hey, we still have time left to do some training for the speed race again!"

"Yeah! Great idea!' Skylar says exuberantly bearing a grand smile on his face and starts making his way toward the main exit flying, 'See you outside, Avira!"

Avira feels disappointed. She just couldn't bring it up to be confident about herself and ask Skylar to collect food with her. Suddenly, she finds Luna standing in front of her. "I saw you eyeing me. I bet there is something you want from me, so here I am – since I know you will not come to me." Luna says while smirking.

"Hi, Luna…' Avira says startled with widened eyes not expecting her yet musters bravery from a thrilling sensation that she caught Luna's attention and hastily continues, 'I want to invite you and collect food with me!"

"Whoa! Easy there, girl. You startle me, sounding all confident all this sudden.' Luna says fired up and starts smirking, 'Exactly how I like it! Since I have time left, I will go with you. I know some nice spots to gather food."

With a tiny upheaved motion into the air and an outburst of inner happiness, Avira smiles gleefully at Luna and gestures to quickly come with her. Though her eyes radiate happiness over Luna's decision to join her, Avira's face shows doubt instead. Luna squints her eyes, making for a difficult impression as if trying to understand what's going on inside Avira. She cocks her head a little to the right. "What is the matter?" Luna asks curiously for wanting to know what might be bothering the shy Jaquin.

"Well… Uhm, Skylar is waiting for me outside. I – have a… disagreement with him, so I do not want to see him there…"

"Huh? Disagreement… Waiting for you? What for? Wait, did you get into a fight with him or something? Avira, girl, you should stop surprising me all the time!"

"No, no fight!' Avira exclaims and chuckles uneasily, 'He thinks I am going to train with him… for the speed race."

"Ha! Well, then. He will have to wait his turn because you and I have some hunting to do first!"

"Eh… hunting? I…"

"For berries, of course! Tell me you are not thinking that I will get my wings all dirty for an actual hunt so shortly after a grooming session, did you? My feathers have become so neat and polished again. Look at them shine!' Luna says euphorically over the clean plumage on her wings and surprisingly Tudor's rather excellent job at it, 'Oh, but back to the berries… Your pick! Haha, get it? Anyhow, we should not make it late. I want to sleep early. Tomorrow is the big day…"

"Ooh, Solyestra! I almost forgot." Avira says interrupting Luna and chuckles nervously.

"Yep! I have been looking forward to it for such a long time now. I do not want to miss one bit, or bite for that matter!"

Luna takes to flight and goes to hover above Avira, waiting for her to become airborne as well. "Ow!' Luna energetically exclaims taking Avira by surprise, 'While we are on our way you are going to tell me all about your training. You know, the one you receive from Sienté."

"Oh, right!" Avira replies somewhat nervously while the two take their leave from the Palace for the last time today…