Velvet is questing! Episode 1/25

“Hey, welcome to our Spume call for this afternoon, Velvet!” said Scout. "How are you on this fine but chilly February day?"
"I'm well, thank you, Scout," responded Velvet. "I'm looking forward to hearing plans for our special Alternative Valentine's Day for happily single pets in a few days' time."
"We should be joined in just a second by the underwater team, Velvet!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 2/25

Fuchsia swam over to join the Spume call. “Thanks, Scout. Hello, Velvet!
It's good to be able to meet our new marketing manager up on the mainland! I hope you like the sound of what we have in store. I’ll swim over to the Castle and ask Angel to join the call.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 3/25

While they were waiting a few minutes for Angel to join the Spume, Scout remarked, "You know, Velvet, I love the new name for the enterprise that you suggested."
"Well, Scout, it's short and snappy," replied Velvet.
"Like me!" responded Scout, with a toothy grin.
Just then Angel the axolotl joined them on the Spume. “Hello, Velvet. Good to see you! How are things going your end?”
“Hello, Angel!” Velvet greeted his feathery-gilled colleague.

Velvet is questing! Episode 4/25

“Just to recap, you’ll remember we discussed in detail plans for an Alternative Valentine’s Day, for those pets who are perfectly content to be by themselves, but who would nonetheless like to have an alternative to the traditional couples' Valentine's Day activities in order to celebrate their single state or to celebrate friendship.”
“Yup!” confirmed Angel. “We've got lots of fun things lined up, and we've created a special suite of rooms here at the Castle. We’re calling it the Lone Wolf Zone!”
“I like it!” said Velvet. “Well, at my end I’ve been engaged in rolling out the marketing to the bears, black rhinos, platypuses, skunks, leopards, moles, koalas, sloths and wolverines, and Fuchsia and Hyacinth have been in contact with the spotfin lionfish down there. It can be tricky contacting them when they’re all so fond of their own company, but I think we’ve generated a lot of interest. So tell me—what plans do you have in store for the Lone Wolf Zone?”

Velvet is questing! Episode 5/25

“There’s a mixture of ideas, ranging from very relaxing to stimulating and exciting!” responded Angel. “For some activities, pets can pair up or join small groups; some take place here at Castle Headquarters, and for others, we will take the pets out onto the sea or underwater. All necessary breathing equipment will be provided. Let me grab the gill-cam, Velvet, and I’ll take you on a virtual tour! Or better still, why don’t you join me underwater to see everything first-hand? I can send the submarine for you so that you don't have to spend time looking for the Castle, as it would be your first visit to us!”

Velvet agreed, arrangements were made, and a little later that afternoon the tour began.

Velvet is questing! Episode 6/25

Scout had joined Velvet on his trip to the Castle. "Let's jump straight in," said Angel. "The escape room, for those pets who enjoy an intellectual challenge! Here our lobster friends are demonstrating a basic escape room scenario to a small focus group of moles, who we thought might enjoy this one. Of course, moles dig networks of tunnels to make their homes in the ground, and they don't like sharing the space. They spend most of their time alone in their tunnels which is only big enough for one mole. They normally avoid meeting other moles, but they said they don't mind pairing up for this event. We also have very large escape rooms lined up suitable for a pair or small group of bears, rhinos or leopards.”

"Good scheme!" approved Velvet.

Velvet is questing! Episode 7/25

"A shopping experience—buying gifts for oneself," declared Angel. “We have our very own watertight, sub-sea mall here in the Castle with lots of different departments to suit the tastes of the fussiest pet! We might aim this especially towards leopards, who despite being solitary, have a liking for beauty and elegance, in keeping with their looks.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 8/25

"This is the single dining experience," said Angel. "The floor to ceiling windows have reinforced glass allowing diners to view a variety of sea-life. Our patrons can either choose to sit in their own booth, or a table for two—platypuses sometimes like to pair up—or join a small group of fellow-singletons for an evening of fine dining.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 9/25

"A pampering place!" exclaimed Angel. “Here we’ll provide relaxing and beneficial mud baths—the rhinos especially will love this one! Also male elephants, who have a liking for their own company.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 10/25

"A cocktail making class! It’s always handy to learn a new skill," said Angel. "Again, the window gives a relaxing view of the sea creatures outside.”
"I'd certainly like to be able to juggle a cocktail shaker in the way our lobster friend there is doing!" said Velvet.

Velvet is questing! Episode 11/25

"Some fun sea-themed cocktails in the cocktail-making class!" said Angel. "In our focus group, koalas liked this session as it's quite a gentle activity. In the wild, of course, they prefer to hug a tree rather than mix with other koalas!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 12/25

"Scuba diving. An underwater adventure! After some necessary intensive training, the pets will buddy up and be taken for a supervised cave dive and a wreck dive with their instructor. This is the Blue Cave, not to be confused with the one in Malta. Crabs and shrimps cling to the walls, but the best highlight by far is to see arching stalactites lit up by the light of pets' torches.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 13/25

"The wreck dive. This is one of the most popular of our underwater adventures. A dive down to a deeply submerged wreck can inspire feelings of excitement and awe. Some might think of a wreck only as a rusting hulk on the seabed, but divers can see a living reef. These ships are often important ecosystems for the creatures that inhabit them, from sharks and other big animals that swim around the perimeter to the tiniest sea animals such as arrow crabs. Pets joining this scuba group will learn the tale of this particular wreck, featuring heroism, storms in nature and an unsolved mystery!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 14/25

"A sailing trip in the Lone Wolf. Our focus group of "lone wolves"—a mole, sloth, rhino and koala bear, are enjoying the experience!"

Scout was there in a back-up boat, ready to throw a life belt to any pet unfortunate enough to fall in the sea!

Velvet is questing! Episode 15/25

"A speedboat session. It’s not just about going fast. The pets have to skilfully navigate markers."
Angel glanced down at her stopwatch. "Mole is doing very well, but you never know what might happen."

Velvet is questing! Episode 16/25

"Geocaching is an exciting way to combine the wonders of modern technology with a good, old-fashioned treasure hunt. We have some great places to hide the booty over a few nautical miles! All you need to get going is a sense of adventure and the co-ordinates to find the treasure."

Velvet is questing! Episode 17/25

"On terra firma, we have the obstacle course. The sloths in particular enjoy hanging from the tyres, moles like crawling under the nets, bears like to go for the climbing tasks and the wolverines excel in the rafting and swimming ventures. The Pirate Eggplant and the Running Carrot act as stewards for these activities."

Velvet is questing! Episode 18/25

"A meditation session. Why not make use of your beloved solitude by practising a useful and relaxing meditation at the same time?"
"It's remarkable to have such a group of solitude-preferring pets all together at the same time," remarked Velvet.
"Well, they have their eyes closed much of the time, and as it's a one-off experience they actually enjoy it!" said Angel.

Velvet is questing! Episode 19/25

Back in the castle. "The vision board. This is always a fun session! The pets cut pictures out of magazines that appeal to them and glue them to a board, embellish them with ribbons, drawing, painting, et cetera, and then in turn they discuss their collages, their ambitions and dreams with the rest of the group.”

Velvet is questing! Episode 20/25

"Here a few 'lone wolves' have volunteered to look after orphaned pets—entertaining them by playing games and so on. Mole is reading a story to a little group while the Bear and Platypus are giving rides to small pets on their backs. Doing something kind for the very young and vulnerable can feel very rewarding, particularly at a time that usually celebrates romantic pairs, which can leave others feeling left out."

Velvet is questing! Episode 21/25

"A special film showing at our little cinema here in the Castle. Our focus group is watching The Solitary Mushroom!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 22/25

Velvet was sorry to have to leave; he had enjoyed himself very much and was very satisfied with the way the new venture was shaping up. After he had disembarked from the submarine and was once more on terra firma, he waved goodbye to Angel, Scout, Fuchsia, Hyacinth and a small group of other pets.

Velvet is questing! Episode 23/25

Velvet caught up with his colleagues on Spume when he got back. "Thank you for the souvenir sea glass!" he said. "It makes a fine display!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 24/25

"You're very welcome!" responded Angel. "Please come and visit us at the Castle whenever you would like to!"

Velvet is questing! Episode 25/25

"Here's another kind of souvenir for you, Velvet!" said Angel cheerfully. "We'd love you to accept this gift as a memento of your visit!"

"Thank you very much!" said Velvet. "And here's to our new venture, the Alternative Valentine's Day!"
Velvet has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also take part!