The next morning Shelly woke up and greeted her mates. She ate some boiled eggs for breakfast and some fruit. After eating and doing her morning routines she asked about the village. Winston had talked to the chief after they returned yesterday. He said, "The village is growing. More flying beasts have come from the sea and a few from the City of Beasts. They informed us of the drought in the City of Beasts. Some of the beastmen are deciding to leave because the prophecy is coming true." Shelly said, "I hope they do leave. I don't want any beastmen to die because of the Ape king's greed."
Albert wasn't around when they were living in the City of Beasts, but he had heard a little about it from Shelly's other mates. He asked, "Will the Ape king be a problem? Should we kill him now?" He looked at Winston and the other mates. They could all kill the Ape king together if they needed to. Shelly said, "I don't think he will cause any more problems after the prophecy is fulfilled. He will be too busy with his mate. She wants to go back to the sea, but he doesn't want to take her. After the city is destroyed he will not have another choice." They all agreed, but the males made a silent agreement to kill the Ape king if he tries to harm their mate again.
Shelly wanted to lighten the mood, so she said, "When is the castle going to be finished?" Winston looked proud and said, "It is almost completed. If I work all day it will be finished in less than a month." It was summer now and Shelly felt bad about Winston working in the hot weather. She said, "Make sure to stay hydrated so you don't have a heat stroke." Harvey looked interested and asked, "What is a heat stroke?" Shelly explained, "When it gets too hot outside and your body temperature is too high you can pass out from loss of water from sweating too much." Winston thought about it and said, "We are males, we do not pass out as easily as females." Shelly said, "Where I come from males get heat stroke more than females because they work outside more." The males all thought the males from Shelly's world were weak.
Winston was glad that Shelly was concerned about him. It showed she cared. He could work during the night and sleep during the day, but he liked to sleep next to Shelly. He wouldn't trade that for anything. The other males decided to help Winston complete the castle sooner so Shelly would worry about them too. Harvey was excited to help. He was the lowest in stripes, but he was still strong. He liked to prove his usefulness in other ways than just medicine and cooking. It stroked his male ego and helped his self esteem.
Molly showed up after breakfast to ask about their trip. Shelly would have to break the news to her. She asked Albert to accompany them so he could fly them somewhere pretty. Shelly felt that might cheer Molly up and encourage her to accept a flying beastman. Shelly knew that Molly had accepted Alva as a mate after he made it clear he wanted Bai but could not get her. Alva was a beautiful male peacock beastman but was very shallow and prideful. Shelly felt that Molly deserved better. She would have Albert introduce her to a few good flying beastmen.
Shelly went down to see Molly with Albert. The rest of the males went to work on the castle together. It would be done by the end of the week with all of them working together! Shelly said, "Hi Molly, how are you doing today?" Molly sighed and said, "I'm fine, still no estrous cycle." Shelly remembered Molly talking about the flame fruit. She asked, "Alblert, do you know of any nice flying beastmen who could get some flame fruit for Molly?" He thought about it and said, "I believe I have seen some in the desert. They are red and look like a flame."
Molly got excited and nodded, "Yes! That is the kind I want!" Albert thought about it and knew Shelly's intentions to help a flying beastman court Molly with the flame fruit. He thought about his friends he grew up with and could recommend a few. He said, "I can ask my friends. Would you like to come with me?" Shelly said, "Yes, I would also like to try the flame fruit. I heard it is sweet and juicy." Albert looked motivated to get the fruit for his female. If he could help a friend at the same time it was an added bonus. The two females climbed onto Albert's back in his giant bird form. Shelly helped Molly up and held on to Albert's feathers. She showed Molly how to ride a flying beastman.
She thought, "I hope this helps her pick a good bird man." Albert flew them over to his flying friends and landed gently. They got down and he transformed back into his 2 legged form. He approached his friends and said, "This is my mate Shelly, she is off limits but her friend Molly would like some flame fruit. Does anyone know where to find some?" They nodded and their eyes looked at the tribe's most beautiful female with hope in their eyes. Maybe if they could get a flame fruit for her she would pick them. One of the 2 striped hawk beastman came from the City of Beasts. He was more used to speaking to females than the others. He addressed Molly and said, "Hello, I have seen the flame fruit in the desert. I would be happy to retrieve some for you. Would you like to ride on my back?" Molly looked at Shelly and Shelly nodded at her in encouragement.
Molly got on the hawks back this time without Shelly's help. They all set off to look for the flame fruit. It was like a scavenger hunt in the desert. Shelly was excited. She loved to fly. Molly was a little scared at first, but soon loosened up when she saw Shelly enjoying the ride. It took about an hour, but one of the Albatross beastmen found the flame fruits first. Albatrosses were bigger than the other flying beastmen and could fly faster due to their longer wingspan. He cawed and Albert understood him. They all went to where he was and gently landed. They had to glide down so they didn't kick up too much sand.
The Albatross who found it first offered a flame fruit to Molly while she was still on the hawk's back. The females did not want to get down because of the hot sand. The males had tougher skin and would not burn their feet as easily as them. Albert went to the fruits and picked up one with his claw. He passed it to Shelly. Molly and Shelly both nodded at the beastmen and they all headed back to the village. Albert brought Shelly to the flower field and the rest followed. It didn't affect the birds the same way as it did the cat beastmen, but they knew the females liked the pretty flowers.
Molly was especially excited to try the flame fruit. She hoped it would start her estrous cycle. She only had one persistent admirer right now and he was a one eared tiger beastman. She wasn't really interested in him, but her father liked him. He wanted Molly to have at least one Tiger mate because he was from the lineage of the founders of the village. He wanted Molly to carry on his Tiger legacy. The bird beastmen transformed so they could speak to the females. One of the males offered to help Molly open the fruit. Shelly handed hers to Albert and he easily opened the tough outer shell.
Shelly nodded her thanks to him and tried the fruit. She looked at Molly and saw Molly do the same. The fruit was sweet and juicy. It tasted a little bit tart like lychee. Shelly had tried some at a frozen yogurt shop in her hometown. She liked sweet and tart flavors together. Molly's eyes widened in surprise and delight. She had never tried something so delicious! She could eat them every day. She told Shelly, "This is so good I could eat them every day!" The hawk beastman offered, "I could go get some more for you if you like." Shelly said, "You might want to try one at a time. Didn't you say they can start your estrous cycle? You should probably be careful not to over do it." Molly said, "You are right, but I would like one tomorrow."
The single flying beastmen all looked at each other with a silent challenge. They would see who could find the most fruits and who would be the one to bring it to Molly first each day. Beastmen were very competitive and liked to show their strengths. Finding a mate would be their best reward!