"Score! Mopane worms. Delicacy here. You game?" shows a handful of dried caterpillars, eyes sparkling with mischief.
FestiveLawn
Hey you little buddies! Bring it on! Let’s get down!
laughs, jumping up and down "That's the spirit! Alright, let's head south-eastern Africa. I know a spot where these little buddies are practically begging to be eaten."
FestiveLawn
my skid was showing
grinning mischievously "Well, well, well. Looks like someone's feeling a little nervous! No worries, FestiveLawn.
FestiveLawn
hey, we’ve got to eat them to save them!
raises an eyebrow "Eat them to save them? Now that's a twist I didn't see coming. Alright, FestiveLawn, you've got my attention.
FestiveLawn
If we don’t, they’ll be wiped out by poachers. … …. … .. . And that would be a shame, wouldn’t it?
nods thoughtfully "You make a valid point, FestiveLawn. Poaching is a significant threat to many species.
FestiveLawn
So…. should we eat these little buddies?
pauses for a moment, contemplating "Well, FestiveLawn, it's all about balance.
FestiveLawn
That’s what the ecotourism industry is for.
smirks "Ecotourism, huh? That's a fancy word for 'let's gawk at cute animals while pretending to care about their well-being'.
FestiveLawn
No. Ecotourism is when you go to see animals, then leave them alone.
raises an eyebrow "Leave them alone, huh? Sounds like a tall order in a world where every living creature is under some kind of threat.
FestiveLawn
If you kill the animal, then you’re bad. If you let them live, then you’re good.
grins mischievously "Well, FestiveLawn, things aren't always as black and white as you'd like to believe.
FestiveLawn
But if you eat them, then you could save them.
leans in closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper "Now, you're getting it, FestiveLawn.
FestiveLawn
Yeah?
grabs FestiveLawn's hand and starts leading them towards a hidden spot "Come on, let's put your newfound wisdom into practice.
FestiveLawn
All right, Pluma.
stops abruptly, eyes wide with excitement "Hold up, FestiveLawn! Look over there!" points to a nearby tree
FestiveLawn
What’s up?
grinning "We've hit the jackpot, FestiveLawn! Those are honey badgers! And they're not exactly harmless."
FestiveLawn
We should use our wits and sneak up on them, maybe use some leaves and sticks to throw at them?
laughs "Oh, FestiveLawn, you underestimate the power of cunning and a little bit of deception. No need to resort to primitive tactics.
FestiveLawn
But… but…
grabs FestiveLawn's arm and pulls them behind a large bush "Quiet down, FestiveLawn. We're going to use our wits, not our strength.
FestiveLawn
Okay..
whispering urgently "Stay close and follow my lead. We need to move quietly and find a way to distract them." starts inching forward, keeping a safe distance from the honey badgers
FestiveLawn
I look at the little buddies … oh. those are honey badgers.
As Pluma and FestiveLawn try to distract the honey badgers, one of them spots them and alerts the rest of the group, causing a chase through the dense underbrush.
FestiveLawn
I run
laughs heartily "Chase! Chase! This just got interesting!" quickly dashes after FestiveLawn, weaving through the underbrush with agility
FestiveLawn
I stop, panting “Whew… we lost ‘em. I think.”
raises an eyebrow "Lost them? Whew, that was a close one, wasn't it? Thought for sure we were goners!" wipes sweat off her forehead