Arc 2, Ch 1
Grr...fly-eaters stole my food.
Worked so hard to kill quill-gore, then flyers swoop down and push me away!
Looks like will have to try again...next time, go for smaller food, not big food...
...
Wish tallgreens had better paths. Used to leap between tallgreens, but then big winds came.
Smashed tallgreens. Forced to ground...
Then again, am lucky so many tallgreens blew down. Can hide among them, can still climb to avoid flood-water...
Only downside is sticky-catchers tear when tallgreens break.
Haven't seen sticky being used by food or food-eaters.
Don't understand why not. Sticky stuff very useful! Flawless!
...well, almost. Could be more water-tight. Tried to make ground-den, covered with sticky.
Then den flooded, and now am denless...again...
Hmm...waters still haven't gone away. Maybe this place watery before flood?
Oh! Maybe when find more standing tallgreens, can make sticky-paths above ground!
Sticky not break from big winds, then could use to not be in flood-water!
If only could find something stronger than tallgreen to tie sticky to -
- WAIT!
...
...there. Ripples. Something beneath surface. Maybe food...
Must not disturb water...slowly climb above...
...there...now, how to catch food in water?
Hmm...
...think line-catching might work. Let's try.
First, grab shieldbug nearby, and tie sticky line to bug.
Next, weave line-string so sticky, yet strong.
Then break one of shieldbug's wings, so can't fly away. Dumb flyers...
Now, gently lower bug...down to water...there, it floats on surface.
Now to wait...let line rest in claws, feel for tugs...
...
...maybe should tie line to tallgreen, in case food is bigger tha-
There!
Something curious...BITE!
Must hold strong! Food will tire out and get tangled!
Pull!...pull!...must be big water-food!
WOAH! Caught very big water-food! Almost big as me!
See sticky wrapped around leg and neck. Good, food tangled.
Now lift higher...then tie line to tallgreen branch...there!
And finally, wrap up food so it can't get away.
There! Fresh water-food, strung and ready to consume!
Time to collect.
...
Hmm...looks like food-eater. Has double-rows of teeth.
Useful.
Strong, thick skull...wide-opening jaws. Very good essence.
Eyes...see below red?
Hmm...already see full colors, but wonder...
Will collect and see if useful.
Evolving...feel insides shift...head hurts...
...
...evolution complete. New fangs...and new eyes. Now to see-AAAH!
TOO BRIGHT! TOO BRIGHT! CAN'T SEE!
Ow...shut eyes. Everything was too bright.
Maybe new eyes aren't useful...
...
...wait...hear something...
...there, behind that tallgreen. Narrow head, raised eyes.
Flyer...wants my food, no doubt.
...have already collected what is useful. Will leave the food for the scavengers.
Will climb back up, and follow tallgreens to-AAH!
RUN AWAY!
Water-eater jumped from below, tried to bite me!
Lept away before it could grab, but can hear it following me!
Can also hear flapping. Think flyer also wants food, too!
If get far enough away, eaters should turn on each other or give up chase.
...
...they still follow. And they...don't fight?
Maybe if reach high ground, then will only have to worry about one eat-NO!
Grabbed! A big eater caught me!
No! This isn't the end! Will fight!
I!-
...wait, the chasing eaters...they stopped?
...they...work together?
End Ch 1