Chapter 64: Preparing Gifts!
The news spread like wildfire throughout the Netherwild tribe by morning. Everyone had learned that the female had delivered a cub, doing the impossible for them.
Shock filled the faces of people hearing it for the first time as excitement rushed through their veins. It was the tribe’s first cub so they were extremely shocked to hear the impossible news.
Some elders sitting by the fire that morning discussed:
"How is it possible? Wasn’t she an F-rank female? How is it possible that she was able to deliver cubs?"
"It’s a miracle. She really is a miracle one.. the same way she had healed us from that strange outbreak of illness."
An elderly fox nodded. "True indeed. I think she’s a miracle sent to us for redemption. Not only did she save us from death, but she also broke our curse and finally gave us a cub."
One sighed as he said, "We shouldn’t be ungrateful. I think we should find a way to repay our kindness to the female. And also find some gifts to hand to her."
Another agreed. "Yes we should. It calls for celebration, so we should find something to offer the female immediately!"
"But at our old age, what do we even offer? It’s not like we can go hunting for heavy catches," another sighed.
"Hmmm, haven’t we been practicing some carving recently? We should offer the little one some toys!"
"That’s a good idea. It should keep the little one company." They had all agreed as they made their way to get some equipment to begin work.
---
Those who Ayra had healed from the previous days had already gotten better after a single sleep. They woke up as if nothing happened, except some elders who were still recovering.
The teenage beastmen were rather active. They moved in groups discussing the current happening in excitement and full zeal.
One was the group led by Rai and his friends. The cheetah Ayra saved was also part of them.
"I can’t believe that the female was able to bear a cub for the tribe.. isn’t this a miracle?" They said.
Rai nodded proudly. "Of course she can. She’s a skilled female who saved me so I’m sure she can do everything!"
"This means we’ll have an adorable cub as part of our tribe huh? We’re going to be elder brothers!" The cheetah smiled happily as he looked at Rai. "Is it a male or a female?" The brown cheetah, Kan, asked.
"I don’t know yet. But I’ve already told my brother that we’ll be visiting soon today! So we’ll find out when we get there!" Rai stated happily as they moved.
"So did you say we’re getting gifts for the female and the little one? I saw the other groups going to get some fruits for her!" One said.
Rai frowned with both hands against his waist. "They’re fast I see. Beating us to go gather gifts for the female? Hmmm! We’ll see about that."
"So what do we find the female?"
Rai moved in thought as he looked ahead at the flowers ahead. He smiled. "Oh! The female must like pretty flowers!"
Another nodded. "Yes yes! She’s pretty so she should like pretty things too!"
They all nodded in agreement at their brilliant ideas. Rai smiled as he added, "And the little one should also like pretty shiny things.."
They looked around as Kan went to pick up a shiny rock at the side. "Shiny rock. The little one will surely like it!"
They all nodded with a smile. "Most certainly! Let’s gather as much as possible!"
And so they happily gathered as many rocks and flowers as they could, smiling sheepishly with the belief that they’ll love their gifts more than anyone.
In the process, they even saw some butterflies.
"Pretty butterfly. I think the little one will be fascinated!" Kan said as they all proceeded to begin running after the innocent butterfly to catch it down while it ran for its dear life.
---
It had become an overly hyperactive atmosphere in the Netherwild tribe with everyone doing one or two things related to gifting the female!
While the teens ran around, discussing aloud on what to get the female and the little one, the old men sat down and happily carved their little toy sculptures.
"What’s that you made, old fox?"
"It’s the female. Doesn’t it look like her?"
They all burst into laughter.
"Why would you make such an ugly thing! It doesn’t even look like a beastkin at all! The female is actually pretty."
"Yours is worse though."
"No it’s not. It’s a little cute cub."
"I’m sure it’ll not look anything like that," the old fox said as they all laughed.
The warriors weren’t any exception. They had all gotten healed and better and simply wanted to also show their appreciation to the female. So they all rushed into the woods and began hunting down big fat animals.
Soon, it had turned into a competition.
"I caught the biggest! I’m sure the female will be marveled by my gift!"
"Ha! You call that a big catch? I can find a bigger one! One that the female will eat and get healthy!"
Another caught a fat catch and laughed at them all. "All weaklings! I made the biggest catch amongst all. The female will certainly be most impressed by me!"
"Not under my watch," another warrior set off deep into the forest to get the biggest catch. And so they all began their competition to see who would impress the female most with the best gift of catches they’d make.
Everyone had what they were doing for the female. And while Ayra lay comfortably asleep in her room, the wild beastmen all got busy with their preparations of gifts for Ayra in appreciation for saving them and also for giving them a cub. And they also made their presents for the little one who had come into their land.
They were simply happy and excited while they made preparations for these gifts. It was their first time doing so, so they made the best of it.