05-22-2016, 04:09 AM
"I hope you're ready to help me carry materials," Anansi warned. Benji was getting to be a big boy with that belly of his, and they might even have to take two trips before gathering enough plants and things for a proper nest. So, soft things. Soft things... Soft things... Soft things... No sticks, then. Nothing with spines or spikes. Vines would probably be too lumpy on his sore muscles.
Anansi started plucking large palm leaves off trees as they walked, which he figured were at least a good start. He found some soft, squishy moss growing at the base of a mahogany tree, so he started pulling it up out of the ground. He also found a couple large birds trapped in a web he weaved a few day ago. Normally, he used them as food for Benji, but now they would serve two purposes. He handed the palm leaves and moss over to the human before climbing the tall tree and pulling the birds down. "We'll use their feathers for nesting and you can eat the meat later," he said when he landed on the ground again. To his delight, they came across a patch of vanilla orchids. The flowers would be both soft and make the nest smell good.
When Anansi and Benji both had generous armfuls of nest materials, he started leading the way back to the trapdoor. They'd been out for a few hours and he could tell the human was getting tired. Before they reached the tunnels, however, Anansi froze when he heard voices in the distance. He recognized the Guarani language and knew it must be a hunting party from a nearby village. His dark eyes looked towards Benji while frantically trying to decide if they could make it to the trapdoor before being discovered.
Anansi started plucking large palm leaves off trees as they walked, which he figured were at least a good start. He found some soft, squishy moss growing at the base of a mahogany tree, so he started pulling it up out of the ground. He also found a couple large birds trapped in a web he weaved a few day ago. Normally, he used them as food for Benji, but now they would serve two purposes. He handed the palm leaves and moss over to the human before climbing the tall tree and pulling the birds down. "We'll use their feathers for nesting and you can eat the meat later," he said when he landed on the ground again. To his delight, they came across a patch of vanilla orchids. The flowers would be both soft and make the nest smell good.
When Anansi and Benji both had generous armfuls of nest materials, he started leading the way back to the trapdoor. They'd been out for a few hours and he could tell the human was getting tired. Before they reached the tunnels, however, Anansi froze when he heard voices in the distance. He recognized the Guarani language and knew it must be a hunting party from a nearby village. His dark eyes looked towards Benji while frantically trying to decide if they could make it to the trapdoor before being discovered.
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly.