The fish came far more quickly than the mouse had. Kaimana wasn't kidding about her abilities, then.

Mayfal lowered their nose to the dead creature. It smelled...different, to say the least. Mayfal didn't want to allow any odd expression to cross their face, but it was difficult. This fish had definitely come from the water, but it didn't smell rancid like a rodent. It smelled something closer to...rotten? They certainly hopped it wasn't rotting while it was still alive. That would be a very bad sign. Perhaps this was what Kaimana had been planning behind her friendly guise...

They decided to just test it. If something was off, they'd be able to tell rather quickly. The took a small bite out of the fish's side, scales and all. Mayfal hadn't known what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this! This fish was so

"Cronchy!" Mayfal exclaimed through chews. WAY more crunchy than even a mouse's bones. And the meat, it was softer, but it crunched, too! But nothing seemed unhealthy about this fish. Mayfal waited for Kaimana to respond.

@Kaimana

Kaimana's ears perked up at the reaction, a smile danced across her face. "Cronchy?" she repeated, her amusement and interest laid bare. She had to force herself not to laugh, letting her eyes gleam with the laughter she suppressed instead. "I hope that is a good thing?" Judging by Lutem's actions, it seemed to be, but Kaimana didn't want to assume. "I noticed you've brought something for me, as well. Was it any trouble for you to find? You were back before I was." Kaimana was curious as to what that item was. Seeing it reminded her that she did indeed have a gemstone buried for later somewhere around here. It was good that she remembered now, otherwise it would've been lost in the halls of her mind.

@mayfal

"Crunchy is good!" Mayfal said it half out of respect, half because it was almost true.

They swallowed and pulled the flat woven plants form off their back, laid it next to the fish. "I found this thing. It's very warm. It wasn't any trouble to find at all, really. I just hope it suffices." They lifted their head toward where they had heard Kaimana's voice. This should be the end of the transaction, right? Why did it still feel like it was missing something.

Mayfal wondered if they should reveal their real name. Was that too much? Kaimana had gotten two things for them, they should give two things as well. They decided to wait for just a little longer.

@Kaimana

Kaimana continued to smile at the definition of the observation. "I'm glad." 'Cronchy' would be an interesting word to add to her vocabulary, placed among the similes and synonyms for 'good'.

Next came Lutem's side of the deal. It was very intriguing; plants woven together into a flat sheet. Apparently not too much of a struggle to find. Kaimana was happy it was warm and not wet. Plants seemed to take a while getting dry. "Oh this will most certainly suffice! Thank you so much, Lutem." Kaimana could just imagine whatever small entity hatched from their serandite cluster, huddled under this woven blanket while Kaimana was out catching some fish for them to each.

Kaimana accepted the blanket. This and her ruby gemstone would surely be enough for today. She'd gotten even more out of this than she could've imagined. Along with these two items, some land-hunting practice and a chance to meet Lutem. Kaimana felt satisfied, for now.

It was the end of the conversation that always felt the most awkward for Kaimana. Her mind shuffled around looking for something else to say, but it was coming up empty and dry. Once a transaction was completed, it only made sense to be done and gone. But... Kaimana always knew it could be days before another exchange of any nature was made with any other creature. It was a lonely thing, saying goodbye.

Kaimana didn't know about Lutem's real name, didn't even know there was a possibility she could've been lied to about it. She didn't feel that sense of having something else to offer, but she wished she did. Would it seem... clingy? Desperate? To offer something else that might keep Lutem coming back? Probably. Kaimana never wanted to prioritize her own loneliness when it came to asking things of other people. That wasn't fair to them. Doing such a thing was an act of little integrity and a whole lot of selfishness.

But fishing. Lutem seemed to like the fish! And didn't seem to know how to catch it. "If you liked the fish, Lutem, I can always show you how to catch them! It might be hard for smaller creatures, but I'm sure it is possible. Or, if not, I can always just provide fish to whoever asks. I can't guarantee it will be free of charge, though." She laughed again. It was a small, peaceable laugh, meant to take the edge off of her words. "If you need me again, I do live here." Kaimana wasn't saying this just because she wanted Lutem to keep visiting her, although that desire wasn't completely suppressed. Mostly, she just wanted to let Lutem know that if they so chose, more trades could be made, and more conversations had.

It was an invitation.

@mayfal

Mayfal wondered if they needed Kaimana. Maybe not, but simply the offer was enough to melt Mayfal a little. They could probably trust her with their real name at least.

"My actual name is Mayfal," they admitted rather sheepishly, with a bowed head. "And I'll come back often." They liked coming here already for hunting and bathing. Now they'd like it even more for kindly interaction. That is, if Kaimana would still offer it. Mayfal imagined it wasn't a good feeling discovering you've been lied to.

They quickly added, "I'm sorry for lying! I find it difficult to trust new creatures. But if you like that name, I'll still respond to it."

Mayfal had gotten themself into an awkward spot, but maybe they could play it off. Or just accept the possible consequences.

@Kaimana

'My name is actually Mayfal.' Oh. That wasn't what Kaimana had expected to hear. They seemed... shy, maybe ashamed, to admit it. It wasn't a bad name, not at all, so at first Kaimana was confused as to why that would be their expression. Then Kaimana realized. 'I'm sorry for lying!' Lying, Kaimana understood, was a bad thing. Indeed something one could be ashamed of. That made more sense. But then, did Mayfal think she was angry because of that? Oh no! The explanation for it made perfect sense.

Kaimana's expression was soft, her words as fluffy as a goose down pillow. "Don't worry Mayfal. I understand why it might be difficult to trust others at first meeting. Names can be a valuable thing. I'm not angry." Names were often what drew Kaimana to people; some of them got so big they reached the lonely den in which Kaimana dwelled. Names were important. It was smart, actually, that Mayfal would think to hide theirs until they felt it was safe to reveal. Kaimana wasn't plagued by distrust nearly as much as it seemed Mayfal was, but she could still understand the concern.

"I'm glad you see me as someone you can trust. And I think I'll use Mayfal. Lutem and Mayfal are both excellent names though! How lucky you are, to have not one, but two excellent names -- maybe more!" She chuckled. "Perhaps I can teach you to swim and to fish on some of your visits. Just come and find me, and let me know." Kaimana beamed, unable to help herself. This felt like the beginning... of a friendship.

"I think I've become rather tired from all this searching. Perhaps it is time we parted ways, for now?" Another invitation, this time to say goodbye. Kaimana was rather tired. How her initial endeavor had become derailed so quickly... but that was alright. She had time to keep searching, later.

@mayfal

Kaimana wasn't angry. Quite the opposite, she understood Mayfal's position. This was...nice. She didn't seem dangerous at all, really. Mayfal didn't feel afraid.

"Thank you for the fish," they said. "And for everything else. I'll be on my way, then." Mayfal was tired, too.

"I'll be back!" Maybe they had found a lovely hunting partner. It would be an adjustment, but Mayfal figured it was better than finding an enemy.

Following the shallow parts of the water, Mayfal found their way back to the tunnel and headed home.

@Kaimana

"Of course. Thank you for helping me too, Mayfal." Kaimana would say nothing as Mayfal began to depart. The jaguar would collect her items -- the blanket of plants, the oddly cut gemstone -- and head back to her head to stow them away.

She would look at her growing stone for a moment, also tucked away in the den. It was getting bigger. She would smile. "I met someone kind today, little one. They called themself Lutem at first, but after we made a trade, they told me their real name was Mayfal. I think Mayfal was kind, careful. Thoughtful. They gave me this, for you." Kaimana would bring over the blanket, and show it to the stone.

Kaimana would go on, telling the stone everything that had happened today. As she had done for many days. As she might keep doing, even after it had hatched new life into this world.

It was a routine. Often a forlorn one. But not this time. This time, to recount the events of today simply made her smile.

- exit -