Author's note: I wish everyone the best of luck in 2022! Best of wishes and I hope you may spend this new year in both good health, spirits and fortune!
Though the weather outside is frightful and cold, some jaquins find themselves caught in heated discussions.
Verago sits down in front of the throne, in order to look out over all of the jaquins in front of him. From here, he always feels secure and ready to take action. He starts watching everyone closely. His eyes radiate agitation but his face looks calm. Amidst all the jaquins that have flocked together inside the throne room, he notices one of them looking distant. "Migs. You fall silent in a moment that I am not used of you. Care to share the problem?" Verago says with a commanding tone to his voice.
Migs' face turns to one of bewilderment, clearly looking confused about something and because of Verago noticing. "Oh! Ehm, it is nothing, really. Something unusual just struck my mind all of a sudden. That is all."
"An idea? Hehe…" Tudor banters quickly and feels supported by some faint snickering erupting here and there.
Luna glares at the green-and-red jaquin. Seeing him grin with a nearly devious smile after what he just opted, she directs a scowl at him and asks him sternly: "Like the cold, you are not gonna become less annoying any time soon, are you?"
"Annoying? Everyone knows I am a master in bantering; I banter like no other." Tudor comments indignantly.
Luna sees Verago scowling at everyone from the corner of her eyes, clearly displeased by this discussion in a time of distress. She adds quietly: "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."
Not hearing Luna's whispering, Tudor continues his plea and adds using faked resentment: "Oh, if only you would get to unders–"
"Hush! This discussion cares not.' Verago says in an austere manner while pacing around them in a circle once before sitting back down in front of his throne again, 'I have more pressing matters at paw than listening to this nonsense! Take it elsewhere if you must but refrain from expressing them here where urgent conversation takes place.
Everyone startles from their king's outburst and the room falls silent. Some, however, nod in agreement contently and hope Verago's tone of voice will ease and leave Tudor silent for now. One of them is Luna. Without waiting for the discussion to develop, she decides to search for a spot for the night. One that's out of reach of the stone-cold wind that occasionally reaches all the way in here. Before anyone attempts at doing the same, she wants to be the first so the best spot is hers to have.
At that point and from the corner of his eyes, Dióntan sees Luna approaching him. He watches her for a brief moment as a thought passes his mind: *If tonight really becomes as cold as king Verago said earlier, I really need someone to spend the night with. It can get really cold, otherwise… Hey, maybe Luna is willing to help me out!*
As Luna is about to walk past him, Dióntan smiles at her and hopes she can be that one jaquin. Before he can ask her, though, Luna winks at him and says calmly: "Stop looking all the beauty off of me."
Dióntan desires to talk back in a witty manner but is left pondering to her remark, instead. He knows Luna is someone that never does things the quiet way, yet he keeps getting himself surprised by her.
Not far from them, Avira has decided that her king needs telling about the ordeal that had befallen her and Skylar, to share with him the fateful moment in which she got hurt. Avira hesitates as to how she should tell him, considering Verago's often curt responses to dire news. She gulps of insecurity, yet she feels the need to convince Verago that Skylar doesn't deserve punishment; to her, he has already taken his beating for causing the event. Slowly, she advances towards Verago while a desperate thought crosses her mind: *It will not be easy to convince him. Skylar and I went through it together. I sincerely hope that he will understand my situation. He must, for I could not bear seeing Skylar getting hurt – again…*
Before she knows it, Avira made her way to the front row and is now making direct eye contact with her king. The tangerine-and-lemon jaquin startles from how this happened so suddenly, and not having heard any of the ongoing discussion taking place around her. She was lost in deep thoughts about her cause. Verago, on the other hand, notices how Avira's eyes seem to demand something from him. He nods calmly at her once and lets his solemn voice carry throughout the throne room: "Everyone, I hereby conclude this – debate, is what I assume describes it best. You all should choose a spot within the Palace to sleep for the oncoming night, and make yourselves comfortable. Make sleeping couples in order to withstand the drop in temperature. I suggest all butterfrogs, peabunnies, and spinkeys do the same. Tomorrow, we jaquins will examine the damage to our nests, if any. This will happen after the speed race. For now, good night."
After this household announcement, the flock of jaquins and the groups of the latter species starts dispersing. They move across the throne room and even into the storage chambers of the grand hallway. Verago watches how this unfolds in an orderly manner. He then directs his attention back to Avira. "You came to seek my audience at this late hour?" he asks calmly.
"Eh… Yes, I do. Well, actually… No. I came here to say something – to change your mind." Avira opts carefully.
"And what might that be? Wait… What do I see there? What happened to your left wing, Avira?"
"That is why I came to see you. I need to tell you something, about what happened."
"Please, do tell." Verago inquires curiously.
"Well, this morning Skylar and I whe–"
"Skylar? Ay, ay, ay… Tell me he is not the cause of your wing being hurt."
"He – did cause it…' Avira says softly yet she feels an inner desire for Skylar not to be reprimanded and continues in a regular tone of voice, 'But hear me out! King Verago, let me tell you what happened to me before you decide on anything… Skylar and I had fun. We were playing a game, racing from one end to the other and avoiding obstacles along the way. But when I did things differently, he shouted I was being unfair. I was startled and forgot to react. I tripped and broke my wing. When I realised what had happened, I saw Skylar looking so sad. It never was his intention to get me hurt. He even helped me back to the Palace. During that dreaded situation, I – I realised something. I do not know how to say it best… Somehow, Skylar helped me to open my eyes. Something told me to manage the situation, to lessen his distress and mine. I think this sums it up best. So please, do not punish him for he suffered more than I did…"
"Hmm… I see. Thank you for being open with me. I appreciate this much. I will have a word with my son about the incident. I will take your side of the story into consideration."
"Thank you. That is all I ask."
Thank you for sharing this with me. It takes some courage to do so. You have mustered more of it than I had anticipated, given your reluctant nature. Therefore, let me tell you something, Avira. Everyone lives to see adventure; or a journey of life if you will. One with quirks, and of course ups and downs. Sometimes one needs to look in every nook and cranny before finding them. And find them, you must, as you did with courage. You see, each of these, no matter how tiny or adversely in nature, add to life experience. The more of it one acquires the more that life will become colourful and be shared through oral tradition. Your life, Avira, is now but an adventure untold. Make it worth telling."
These kind words produce a smile upon Avira's face. She feels good about having told Verago about that wretched situation. Not only does it feel as if a burden is lifted from her shoulders, the kind words from her king feel like a present to her. She nods happily at Verago in appreciation and decides to seek a spot for the night.
Verago then walks up to Skylar. With everyone inside the Palace safely, he can have a word with his eldest son. He sits down in front of the yellow-and-blue jaquin. His eyes try to find his son's. However, Skylar has his head lowered out of regret and shame, knowing that this is why his father came to him while bearing a stern look. That which has befallen him today will only work against him. Through a stern voice, Verago says: "Ay, ay, ay. Look what you did. What happened to Avira was a waste of consideration… That being said, I just spoke with her. I am glad she is doing well given the circumstances. Knowing what had happened, I am appalled by the fact that it had to come from h–"
Skylar interrupts his father by saying cautiously: "I tried to tell you but you started yelling at me. You know, my name."
Verago remains silent for a moment but continues speaking as if ignoring Skylar's remark: "She also told me that the event which had befallen her gave her a revelation of sorts, one for which she is thankful. Truth be told, I know not what she meant. Hmm, it might be a Soothsayer thing. Casting this aside, Avira told me not to punish you for this."
"So… You are not mad at me?"
"I am disappointed foremostly. You should have told me the truth instead of making excuses. That would earn you my respect."
"You would be angry at me if I did!"
"And with good reason! Hurting someone carelessly is never acceptable. You know this, Skylar."
"At times like this, I just cannot talk to you. I – I am afraid of whatever you will say…"
"And so you fly off, escaping the situation altogether. Avoiding responsibility. This had happened before, and not so long ago… Skylar, I am not trying to make you feel bad about yourself. I hold no grudge against you. On the contrary, I care for you. I try making you a better jaquin, a thoughtful prince. I care not how many times I must repeat myself. I shall be content whenever I am getting this message across. Because one day – you will come to rule in my stead. You will become king of us all. You may not realise this yet but such power comes with great responsibility. And I have not yet seen this with you. Or for the benefit of the doubt, I have failed to see it. But until then, I will continue to keep my eyes on you until you prove what it takes to rule our kingdom and this beloved realm. For now, take a good night sleep. Tomorrow will bring a new dawn and with it new opportunities. Know what? You can bring Zephyr and the others here from Avalor. You liked doing this when we held the Solyestra festival."
Skylar sighs. He feels even more regret now. Life as a prince can be difficult… "Okay, I guess." he replies to Verago's suggestion in a petulant manner.
While holding his head low, the yellow-and-blue jaquin flies up to the ledge leading to the royal bedchamber. He looks at everyone below him who are minding their own lives in a seemingly carefree existence. He then spots someone being all alone and an exhilarating thought crosses his mind: *That is it! If I am to show more responsibility, then this opportunity does not come tomorrow; it comes now.*
As Verago approaches his eldest son so they can enter the bedroom together, he suddenly sees Skylar fly back down. He shakes his head in disbelief but decides not to say anything about it. He watches Skylar and sees him approaching Avira. *Perhaps he did heed my lesson this time… Good.* the black jaquin thinks in relief.