Fish?

What even is a fish?

"I've really only had mice and rabbits, but if it will fill up my belly I suppose it's fine."

Then the only other part of this transaction would be the 'looking for things' part. Some specificity would help. In fact, it might have been funny for a hatchling to say, but, "And what kinds of things do hatchlings need, anyway?"

@Kaimara

Ahhh, so they hadn't yet tried fish! Interesting, well! Kaimana would have to try to get some for them to sample. They seemed to only care about getting their belly full. That was fine, and rather fair actually. It was hard to live out here, especially when you weren't full grown yet. As for the question, Kaimana would try to describe what she was thinking of. "Oh, bits and baubles. Interesting things, to play with so they don't get bored. And also maybe warm things. It gets cold here." Hopefully that would be helpful enough.

Once it seemed like all that was to be said had been, Kaimana would pick up her gemstone and find a memorable spot. She'd make a little shrine out of sticks and boulders, maybe place a shell over it. 'X marks the spot.' Then she'd dig a small pocket to keep her treasure safe inside of.

Once that was secure, the hunt... was on!

First, one of the prey animals explicitly listed, perhaps.

Kaimana wouldn't have any luck. She'd have to look elsewhere, it seemed.

@mayfal

Warm. Mayfal knew warm. They also knew that it was very important for a hatchling. And they could look for warmth, too.

Mayfal focused all their energy outward, concentrating on the world around them. They needed to find heat. They started to walk about. To others it would seem an aimless stroll, but Mayfal was rather hard at work. They would earn their dinner. And, though they'd never admit it, part of them wanted to help this future hatchling, too.

@Kaimana

Kaimana wasn't going to give up that easily, no way. She wasn't breaking this cycle or coming back empty jawed. Could you imagine?! That would be horrible!

She kept searching, slinking low to the ground, fully in control of her predatorial power, guided by instinct, experience, and skill.

And she just barely caught it. The scent! Fainter than she would've preferred, but true! She would follow it.

@mayfal

There was something. Something close by but farther from the water.

Mayfal headed toward the rise in temperature and the feeling of warmth grew. They touched the object very gingerly. There was no pulse, so it wasn't anything alive. But it wasn't a creature either.

Mayfal continued to feel the object. It was flat but covered with bumps. Mayfal put their nose to it, hoping that the smell would lend more explanation. It smelled like plants!

How did this bumpy sheet of plants get here? Although curious, the how didn't matter as much as the trade did. This was certainly a thing and it certainly was warm. Mayfal took one edge in their mouth, with great care not to break any of the plants, and flung it over their back for transportation.

Suddenly, there was more warmth than before. I was so comforting to feel completely wrapped in this warmth. Yes, this would do perfectly for a new hatchling.

Mayfal stood there, still, for a moment, listening to the pebbles. When there were sounds of clinking and shifting, Mayfal followed her ears and headed to Kaimana with the flat bumpy plants.

@Kaimana

Kaimana was still out trying to hunt what seemed to be a mouse. She'd have to take it. A fish would've been easier to get; they're bigger and they're everywhere! But it was alright, Kaimana needed a little chase once in a while.

She slinked towards the mouse... she crouched down low... but it seemed as though Kaimana had forgotten some key skills to being a good land hunter! That, or the ocean didn't want her to catch this either, and she was all out of luck. The mouse noticed her, and zipped off, squirming its way under too many small crevices for Kaimana to ever hope to catch up. The jaguar snorted quietly, in disappointment. She did not want to go back without anything!

She would return to Lutem. Seeing that Lutem had found something for her brought her both happiness and guilt. It was good to know Lutem was holding up their end of the deal! But Kaimana didn't want to look like she wasn't. "Ah, just a moment more Lutem. It really is hard catching a meal out here. I'm afraid I've grown too comfortable with catching fish. I suppose you've given me two things then; a gift for the hatchling and some much needed practice! I will have to repay you twofold as well."

With that, she'd be stalking off to try to catch something else.

@mayfal

Maybe Mayfal had been a little too harsh by making Kaimana hunt for them. They probably had more practice on land than her it seemed. Besides, trying 'fish' sounded interesting.

But pebbles and plants were rustling again so there probably wasn't much Mayfal could do to stop this stubborn creature. They decided to sit with the flat bumpy plants on their back. It was nice to take a break from making noise and simply listen to it comfortably, passively. And assuming Kaimana was not vision-impaired (although maybe that was a possibility from the way she was hunting), she'd probably be able to find Mayfal easier than they could find her.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea, but Mayfal decided to joke a little but calling out, "I want a fish, too, then." They didn't say it very loudly so hopefully Kaimana hadn't really heard it. But if she did, they hoped the light-hearted tone carried.

@Kaimana

Kaimana was glad when her ears managed to catch the expressed desire for fish. All she did was turn back and beam at Lutem, not having a clue the gesture would mean nothing. She'd already been planning to catch them a fish, just to try. But just in case they didn't like it, she needed something else so she could be sure they would have a meal.

She detected; just barely, but there, the scent. She followed. A mouse, it seemed, by how tiny it was. Her eyes locked on. Her heart began to race at the possibility of screwing up again, but she willed it to be calm. 'We won't fail.'

She sprung. So did the mouse. A chase would begin, with Kaimana struggling to make it around the obstacles in her path. With fishing, the only obstacles were water and patience. Usually.

With great difficulty, she managed to finally catch up to it, and land the killing blow. It was sloppy. The mouse was probably not even worth all the effort. Kaimana winced at the thought of Lutem's expression once she brought it back for them. Maybe she could make it up with a nice, juicy fish? Maybe another offer, like... swimming lessons? Oh, she just didn't know.

She would approach Lutem once again, placing the dead mouse at a respectful distance in front of them. "Here is your mouse, Lutem. I'm sorry, I... I guess I just need way more practice with this. Land hunting is very different from fishing. Hopefully I can make it up to you with the fish I catch, and, if that's not satisfactory, I can also provide a lesson in swimming if you'd like. Hold on a moment while I go catch a fish for you."

Kaimana was beginning to realize the value of having things prepared for payback. That way, she wouldn't have to deal with the humiliation of her failure in front of a customer.

She stalked off to the water.

@mayfal

Pebbles began shifting in front of Mayfal. Kaimana must have been successful, as they could smell the lovely, rancid scent of meat. And yet, Kaimana was apologizing? Odd. Mayfal didn't expect that. They also didn't expect the offer for swimming lessons. They usually just stayed in shallow areas where they could stand under the water.

The pebbles started shifting again, but more distantly. Kaimana was off to the shore to find a 'fish.' Mayfal followed their head toward the scent of the meat. They began to eat and tried to make their chewing as loud as possible, to show their appreciation. It was strange, but Mayfal felt sorry for Kaimana, and found themself trying to cheer her up. They didn't know why they were doing this. Kaimana's feelings really had no bearing on Mayfal's life. But it wasn't putting them in danger to be (awkwardly) thoughtful. So, Mayfal went on munching as loud as they possibly could, even over Kaimana's large paws gently splashing into the water.

@Kaimana

Kaimana could hear a crunching not far from where she'd stopped. Was that Lutem? It was so loud, it almost sounded deliberate! Why would they want her to hear them eat? Or maybe... maybe something worse was happening? Kaimana wasn't one to panic, or to assume to worst. She kept on trying to fish. Her body was strong, capable of great speed; swimming and fishing and Kaimana generally taking care of herself kept it that way. If something bad was happening to Lutem, they could call out, and she would come running.

In case nothing bad was happening, fish was in order.

It was much easier than catching mice.

Soon enough, Kaimana was padding back to Lutem's location with a nice, plump silverling fish in her jaws. She figured a smaller fish would be better for a taste test, but not too small to be considered unfilling if Lutem turned out to like it.

She served the fish. "Here you are, Lutem! Fish are much easier to catch for me, aha. I hope you enjoy it, but don't worry if you don't!" Fish were awesome, but Kaimana had sort of abandoned the idea of their supremacy over other kinds of food, out of the desire to be respectful of others tastes.

Kaimana would sit back and wait for Lutem to finish.

@mayfal