Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter Twenty Five: Days at The Leopard Tribe Castle IX Good Times and Food

"What would you like to eat?" I asked Memi, watching her eyes light up with excitement.

"I want whatever you make," she said eagerly, nearly bouncing in place. "Tell my mates to hunt for it. I've been waiting for this all day!"

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I chuckled, shaking my head at her energy. "Seafood boil it is, then," I said with a grin. "But first, we'll need honey."

With that, Memi and I climbed onto our mates' backs, ready for a scavenging adventure through the lush forest. The air was thick with the scent of earth and greenery as we moved, scanning for the goods we'd need.

Along the way, we stumbled upon fresh produce—juicy oranges, onions, garlic, and bell peppers—all perfect ingredients for the meal ahead. The sight of the bounty made my mouth water with anticipation.

Soon, we came across a beehive hanging high in a tree. I had Memi and her mates step back, letting Harvey take the lead. Calm and steady, he worked his magic, using smoke to pacify the buzzing bees.

"That's amazing, Imara," Memi said, her voice brimming with awe. "You're so smart."

Her mates watched Harvey's demonstration closely and quickly caught on, succeeding in harvesting golden, glistening honey. I smiled at her compliment, feeling a warmth in my chest.

Our foraging didn't stop there. We gathered eggs, corn, stone fruit (what the others called potatoes), and an array of wild seasonings. The forest seemed to provide everything we needed, a treasure trove of flavors waiting to be unlocked.

By the time we reached the lakeside, Harvey was already showing the guys how to catch fish. "Gather as much as you can," I instructed, pointing toward the water. "Shrimp, fish, lobster, crawfish, scallops—whatever you can find."

The males worked with impressive speed and coordination, pulling in a haul that promised a feast fit for a queen. Memi's excitement grew with every passing moment, her eyes sparkling as she watched the pile of seafood grow.

"I can't wait to see what you make," she said, her voice full of genuine anticipation. "I love fish, but it's always so hard to eat. You seem to know how to make everything better."

Her words warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile, touched by her trust and appreciation. "You'll love this," I assured her, my mind already racing with ideas to make the meal unforgettable.

Seeing Memi's excitement, I couldn't help but tease her a little. "Do you want to try catching a fish?" I asked, watching her eyes light up with curiosity and anticipation. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at her mates, who were already looking hesitant. But she quickly gave them a pleading look, her puppy eyes doing the trick. They sighed and nodded, though their protectiveness was clear.

We stepped into the water together, and I started explaining. "You have to wait for the fish to jump upstream," I said, demonstrating how to adjust her knees and stance for balance. Memi watched like a leopard stalking prey, her focus sharp.

When a fish leaped out of the water, she pointed excitedly. "I want to catch that one!" Her love for food was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but laugh at her determination.

"Alright, watch me first," I said. I bent my knees, braced myself, and as the fish jumped again, I reached out and caught it in one smooth motion. Memi clapped and cheered as if I'd just taken down a wild boar. "You did it!" she exclaimed, her joy contagious.

I handed the fish to Harvey, who was keeping close, his watchful eyes scanning the area for danger. Her mates stood by too, looking ready to pounce at the slightest hint of trouble.