Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

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

I asked Memi, "What would you like to eat?" She replied, "I want whatever you make. Tell my mates so they can hunt for it. I've been waiting for this all day!"

Memi's enthusiasm for food was infectious, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her eagerness. "Seafood boil it is, then," I said with a grin. "But first, let's gather some honey."

With that, Memi and I mounted our mates, ready to embark on a scavenging adventure. We ventured into the lush forest, our eyes scanning the surroundings for the goods we needed.

Along the way, we came across plenty of fresh produce - oranges, onions, garlic, and bell peppers - perfect ingredients for our seafood boil.

Then, as we stumbled upon a beehive, I had Memi and her mates sit back, eager to watch Harvey's expertise. He calmly and skillfully used smoke to calm the bees, allowing us to harvest the honey safely. As her mates quickly caught on and succeeded in collecting honey, Memi praised, "That's amazing, Imara, you're so smart."

Our foraging adventure continued, and we gathered eggs, corn, stone fruit (potatoes), and various seasonings. By the time we reached the lakeside, Harvey was demonstrating to the guys how to catch fish.

Taking charge, I instructed everyone, "Guys gather as much as you can - shrimp, fish, lobster, crawfish, and scallops," pointing out the various seafood options. They worked efficiently, gathering a bountiful feast for our upcoming seafood boil.

Memi was genuinely excited, her eyes sparkling as she expressed, "I can't wait to see what you make. I actually really like fish, but it's hard to eat. But you seem to know all the ways to make things better." Her words warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile, pleased with her compliment.

Seeing her enthusiasm, I suggested, "Do you want to try to catch a fish?" Memi's eyes lit up with a mix of curiosity and excitement. She hesitated briefly, likely aware of her mates' protective tendencies. But she couldn't resist the idea, and with a puppy-eye look, she turned to her mates. They reluctantly agreed, nodding their heads to let her give it a try.

We waded into the water, and I patiently explained the process of waiting for the fish to jump up the stream, ready to catch one. Memi was remarkably focused, like a cat eyeing a fluttering cattail, completely absorbed in the moment.

A sizable fish leaped out of the water, and she exclaimed, "I want to catch that one!" Her words were filled with excitement, driven by her love for food. I couldn't help but chuckle, understanding her enthusiasm.

I demonstrated the technique, adjusting my legs and knees to be in the right position to catch the fish. When it leaped out again, I aimed carefully and managed to catch it! Memi acted like my personal cheerleader, clapping and cheering enthusiastically. "You did it!" she exclaimed.

I beamed with pride and handed the fish to Harvey, who had been staying close by, along with her mates, ensuring our safety and keeping an eye out for any potential dangers.

Memi positioned herself and asked, "Like this?" I approached and helped her adjust her stance ever so slightly. Then, turning to the guys, I said, "Don't let the fish jump upstream too far, so Memi can catch it." They nodded with utmost seriousness, and I couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed like the poor fish wouldn't stand a chance.

As the fish prepared to jump, Memi moved swiftly, displaying the agility of a leopard, and managed to catch it on her first try! We all erupted into cheers, and she beamed with a wide smile. She jumped in excitement, causing the fish to wiggle in her grasp, and she slipped, falling into the water.

Instinctively, we all leaped towards her. I ended up on top of her, while the fish tried to wriggle away, only to be caught by Harvey. Our eyes locked, and her mates looked as if she had just fallen off a cliff, a sense of failure etched on their faces for letting her fall.