Everyone's getting ready for the festival to commence. Not everything, however, starts out smoothly from the start.
Tudor comes out of the storage room flying. He holds his paws close to his body so they form sort of a basket, in which he holds different food items. As he flies through the grand hall of the Palace, he passes Tornado once again on his way out. He now also notices Veje. Apparently, the two are in conversation. He approaches Veje and goes to hover beside him, making his presence more than clear. Tornado grunts a little of displeasure but Tudor ignores this. Instead, he asks: "Veje! Say, do you want to attend the Solyestra party?"
Those words sound magical to Veje. Parties are always nice to attend but Solyestra is always so much more fun! The idea of going there excites him and makes his body shiver mildly as he energetically replies: "Me going to the party? Jaa-wel!"
Luna, who still remains inside the grand hall as well, happened to overhear Tudor say those words to Veje. She walks over to them. As she does, Tornado addresses Veje firmly: "Focus! We were not done talking."
"That is my favourite party!' Luna says perkily and glances at both Tudor and Veje only to direct her attention to Tornado, 'Say, does any of you know who is preparing patatas recubiertos?"
"You can never do without them, do you?" Veje asks heartily.
"Yep! Call it an addiction if you will." Luna responds with a smile.
"That is what I was going to say on your behalf, hehe." Tudor says and chortles.
Again, Tornado grunts a little. This time it's out of annoyance as she's unable to retain Veje's attention as he once again gets distracted. "Okay, now be silent! I was talking with Veje until you two turned up." she says with a bitter tone to her voice.
"About what?" Luna asks curiously.
"The Royal Guard not standing to attention this morning, something we are relie…" Veje says.
Tornado interrupts Veje and replies at a hardened tone: "Something that should be done each and every day."
"Really?" Luna asks curiously still.
"Not today." Veje answers in a relaxed manner before Tornado can.
"Even on a day like today.' Tornado says indignantly and eyes Veje, 'The guards should be kept an eye on to make sure they keep watch over king Verago at all times."
Veje shrugs and replies in the same relaxed manner still: "No need, Tornado. We know our duties, from which we are exempted today, the only day in the year that we get a day off."
"I second that because the king decided so himself." Luna adds in Veje's defence.
"Hmpf, if it were for me the Royal Guard would be training each day. We have an important task to fulfil and I take pride out of it to serve king Verago. Besides, he is too busy today to make us stand to attention at all. A good captain could relieve him." Tornado says sternly as if her mouth speaks the only truth.
"I can do that." Veje says while eyeing Tornado.
"You?' Luna asks out of pure disbelieve and frowns before continuing in a serious tone, 'Do not take this personal, Veje, but you are too laid-back for such a role. A captain would need a pro-active attitude."
Tornado nods in agreement with Luna and utters a satisfied 'Mm-hmm'. Tudor nods, too. He looks at Tornado and reverts his eyes back at Veje: "And you are tardy for most trysts, or so says Shaniqua."
"Could be, but I am never late attending Royal Guard duties." Veje states confidently.
Luna shrugs at that remark, knowing that this surely is true. Now that she feels everyone has had their say over the Royal Guards she directs her attention to Tornado and says: "Tornado, were you not a bit harsh with Cruz? I still had things to discuss with him, you know. Now that he has left the Palace I need to go looking for him."
"Hmpf, if he had behaved in here I would not have had intervened. He may be the Navegera, but he is just a rookie if it comes to discipline."
"Hey, there you guys are!" Skylar yells exuberantly while he comes flying into the Palace.
At the same time, Verago flies toward the entrance. He comes flying past the group Skylar just joined. Everyone looks at their graceful king, flying through the grand hallway at a fast pace. Verago looks back at them. He eyes Skylar and says: "Come, Skylar. You go ahead toward the field and join Zephyr and Nico. The festival is about to start."
"Already?' Skylar replies in confusion yet continues gleefully, 'Wow, time truly flies when I fly!"
He turns around and quickly flies off toward the exit of the Palace before anyone else in that group has the opportunity to respond. Yet, Tudor and Luna are quick to go into pursuit.
Skylar flies toward an open savannah woodland close to the Palace. He lands next to his little brother, who's happy to see him. Skylar overlooks his surroundings well. To his right, he sees some rocks on which different foods and dishes are displayed. To his left, he sees the funfair with something that looks like a high striker device and some colourful moulding boards laying around it, together with some figures shaped in the matching holes in the boards. In the middle of both, Skylar looks out over the open field he and Verago are in. It's filled with all of the Jaquins, both domestic and those residing in Avalor. All are ready to get the party started. Their excited eyes watch the king graciously fly over the open woodland before touching down next to Zephyr, Skylar, and Nico. Some mumbling is heard after Verago has landed, audibly increasing of excitement as the festival is soon to start. The sun practically is at its zenith, meaning it's almost time to commence Solyestra. Verago turns to face everyone. He can tell everybody is utterly excited. He can see it in their longing eyes as well as on their faces, anxiously awaiting in excitement. A big grin appears on his face. *This is the big moment everyone is waiting for. Time to get it started!* he thinks as he lets his eyes go through the crowd of Jaquins.
All of the present Jaquins let their mumbling die down as excitement's building up inside of them, awaiting their king to start speaking. Suddenly they watch Verago spread his wings. He stands there in front of all, graciously, almost intimidating even. Immediately, all Jaquins present become quiet and look at their king in awe. During this moment of silence, king Verago speaks the words everyone has been waiting for: "Let the festival begin!"
After having said these exhilarating words, Verago releases a powerful roar. This mighty roar carries all across the open woodland. With this loud sound the king of the Jaquins initiates "la Fiesta del Sol y las Estrellas", the feast each Jaquin has been looking out for. All are visibly excited that this moment has finally come. On this day, no one should worry, everyone is to party and should be occupied with enjoying themselves. Skylar, standing beside his father still, looks at him in awe. *That roar was so majestic! I hope that one day I get to roar just like father.* he thinks with great respect for his father.
Soon after Verago's roar, all Jaquins go into different directions and flock together to gather food, start dancing in the open woodland or participate at the funfair. The open savannah woodland in between the feeding area and the funfair starts filling up with some Jaquins. Among them are Migs and Dulce. They begin loosening up their wings and body and get ready to dance, much like other couples do. Veje takes Sienté's paw and takes her further into the open woodland. At an excited tone, he says: "Come on!"
They start dancing. Starting on their hind legs at first, Veje and Sienté are soon swinging through the air, gently circling each other as they dance low above the ground. Veje laughs euphorically and has his head held low as he looks at his dancing partner heartily. Sienté looks back at him, smiling ear to ear as she giggles joyously.
Over at the feeding area, Zephyr looks at all the different food items and dishes that were prepared for today. He sees a few 'empanada stoles', a dozen 'masa tortillas', some 'patatas recubiertos', and a pawful of kush-kush yam even. Here and there, he also notices different ingredients that have been prepared for dessert. With this kind of abundance in variety, it no doubt becomes hard to choose which dish to start with. Skylar goes to stand next to him. He looks at the chief and then follows his gaze toward the food items. "Hard time picking something, chief? Let me help!' Skylar says enthusiastically and starts picking items at random which he hands over to Zephyr, 'Here, take this, then this, and maybe some of these. Ooh, patatas recubiertos! Always have some of those. You know how Luna craves these! I think she likes them only for the anoki berry juice they are draped in… Here, chief!"
By now, Zephyr has his paws cupped to hold all the food items Skylar just gave him. With a somewhat uneasy look on his face he says: "Uh, that should do it for now, Skylar. Thank you. I think this might even be too much for an old Jaquin like myself."
"No worries, chief! I can help with that. Or – you give the excess food to Tudor! He always overeats during Solyestra." Skylar exclaims joyously.
"That he does, unfortunately." Zephyr replies doubtfully.
He groans uncomfortably, both out of Tudor's bad habits that he's reminded of as well as all the food he's to carry with him now. As the old Jaquin prepares to take his leave, he hears someone land right next to him. "Ow! You guys beat me to it! And look at you go, chief! Still having quite some appetite, I see. What are you going to use all this energy for?"
"Hey, Tudor! We were just talking about you. I guess the chief is going to dance on all that extra energy. Right, chief?" Skylar replies excitedly.
Zephyr blinks out of confusion once and gives Skylar a questioning look, after which he says: "Well, I think I will sk…"
Tudor, however, interrupts him by adding: "You sure? Do you think his bones can handle that still? I mean, he has become quite grey… Perhaps too grey? Hehe."
"Demasiado gris!" Skylar exuberantly exclaims.
Immediately, he hears his name shouted by a very familiar voice, one that he rather not hear speak his name this way. Skylar gulps. His father approaches him from above and lands next to him. "I am sorry, chief Zephyr. You know Skylar can be gleeful at times. Yet, at moments such as these, he tends to forget it might be wise to keep certain thoughts to himself."
"To be honest, king Verago, I have grown accustomed to this. Fortunately for him, Skylar was not the one starting this.' Zephyr adds and uses his head to beckon Verago's attention to be directed at Tudor, 'For now, I have said enough. I will take my leave. Enjoy the food, all of you! It is certainly what I will be doing…"
In the meantime, Skylar is gathering some food of his own. While doing so, he looks at Tudor: "Say, Tudor. Where did you leave Kamil? He is usually with you."
"True. I left him at the funfair with a moulding board. He is to figure it out. It will take him some time, and by then I will be done stuffing myself with all this fine food…"
Verago nods with a smile before he says: "Ah, I am glad Kamil is enjoying himself with that board. I hope it allows him to grow acquainted with ingenuity, a trait the Sunbirds needed in protecting us."
"He is learning, indeed. The rascal is utterly curious about the funfair! Well, I have collected enough – for now, hehe. I am going to relish over all these tastes! See you around."
Verago watches Tudor take his leave. He then directs his attention to Skylar. He starts smiling amiably and asks calmly: "Now, how about us? You already picked some food, I see. What are you starting with?"
"Uhm. I will start with some rocotos relenos. I like them being stuffed. It provides that indulging bite I like so much! Have you decided yet, father?"
"Ah, excellent idea! I will have some as well – and perhaps some masa tortillas as well. They are always delicious."
After collecting the desired food items, Skylar and Verago decide to find a less crowded area to eat in the peace and quiet they wish for. As they make their way there, Dióntan moves in sneakily and approaching the food spot. He glances around quickly and notices no one's watching him. He then chuckles and places a trapping bean in between some of the dishes. However, he doesn't notice Luna approaching him from behind. She notices his suspicious behaviour and becomes wary. "What you doing there?" she asks hastily and at a serious tone of voice.
Dióntan startles. He looks up and starts stammering: "Me… Ehm, nothing – in particular. I am, eh…"
"I saw you placed something there. Let me see…' Luna says and displaces him to get a better view, 'Is that a – trapping bean? You placed this here, right? If I see someone get caught in it, I will personally hold you responsible!"
"Hey, easy now! You sound almost like Tornado…" Dióntan responds agitatedly.
"I do not sound aloof like her!' Luna replies with a sneer but hearing herself shout curtly has her start doubting her own statement, 'Do I?"
Dióntan looks at her and tries to ease the conversation somewhat. "Do you not find this funny?" he says and points a wing at the trapping bean.
"No! You should start acting more like your brother!"
"You mean being laid-back and slow? Haha, sorry. Just kidding."
"Still not funny.' Luna says in a huffy way with her eyes squinted and directs her attention at the food, 'Now, let me pick my food. I need at least three patatas recubiertos to calm down my nerves."