After a while.
"Cuquawked!!"
Buddy stood proudly near the wide portable grill, his chest puffed up in smug satisfaction as the slabs of meat sizzled and hissed over the grill. The rich, savory aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the cool evening breeze. The other pekko, belonging to Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres, sat nearby in a relaxed circle, basking in the soft golden light of the past afternoon sun.
Javier was busy pulling out huge piles of marinated meat from his dimensional storage, stacking them on a tray beside the grill. His brothers were already lounging on deck chairs, each holding a glass of high-quality fruit wine.
Marcellus and Cedric glanced up at the massive treehouse nestled in the branches above Javier's workshop.
"Oi, little brother."
Javier, who was swatting Buddy's beak away from stealing a piece of grilled meat, turned his head with a narrowed gaze. "What?"
