Lomen gave his approval, and then began to speak with Grandfather about something. Kishi was too preoccupied with traveling around the cave, delivering the good news of the boar and returned to find Lomen giving out the boar to all of the inhabitants of the cave. As Kishi noticed that Lomen was giving the meat to the new-born and less-able first, he smiled. After all, those were the people who deserved it most, and Kishi knew how dangerous it could be out in the wilderness. For those that could not brave it, all that remained were bugs that scattered across the cavern floor, and the philanthropy of the stronger inhabitants. Kishi felt sick as he reached his small corner of the cave.
The large rock, which he had planned to use for the gravestone of his fallen companions, lied in wait for his return. The stone stood as a monument. It represented the struggle he has so far overcome for survival, and the sacrifice that he has already made, even in his few days of life. His companions were in the ground, he knew that. He was the one to bury them. The fear of death had implanted himself in that moment, but it was no longer the dominatrix of his mind. That title was currently claimed by a silent, almost serene sense of peace. He had overcome the challenges thus far. He was strong. Using the newly upgraded halberd at his disposal, he carved into the large rock.
KishiKishi bent down and attempted to remove the pelt of his rabbit corpse cleanly. Even if he failed, he would still to devour the meat that stuck to it's bones. That would sate the hunger he had developed after felling the great boar. Kishi planned to ask for the date of his birth from either Grandfather, or one of the elder goblins. After all, what kind of gravestone doesn't have a birth date? Kishi laid down on the cold floor, and began to contemplate using a pelt to keep his body warm on these cold nights. Kishi's eyes closed, and he entered into a dreamless slumber.
The sound of light tapping and a chill awoke Kishi the next morning. The cavern was far colder than it had been the previous night, and the humidity was at least twice as high. A soft pitter-patter echoed throughout the confines of the cave, and a walk to the enterance revealed what appeared to be a torrent of some substance was raining down from the heavens themselves! Kishi reached for his spear, believing a threat has posed itself to the cave, before a sense of calm passed over him. This was normal. The voice rung out throughout his mind, presenting the young goblin with information.
Rain.Grandfather's voice soon pierced the cavern, and alerted the inhabitants if the dangers that the outside proposed. Kishi, following the words of his elder, began to make way towards the goblin, before Lomen began a conversation with the wise one. Kishi, deciding that butting in would be rude, simply moved to one of the goblins who was fully grown already. Having spotted one who looked fairly old, Kishi walked up to him and voiced his question.
"Excuse me, brother, but do you know what day it is? I need the information, and grandfather is busy."As soon as the request ended, however, a goblin with bright green skin that almost burned the eyes walked up to Kishi, carrying a single blue petal.
The goblin, whom Kishi had finally realized was named Brother Stegs, seemed to want Kishi's input on the matter. Of course, Kishi knew he had a slight reputation in the cavern. He was the person who created arguably the strongest weapon in the entire cave, and he also supplied equipment to several goblins. But top think that another one of his kind would come to him in search of aid was somewhat... questionable. Regardless, the goblin was asking a favor, and Kishi would, if nothing else, cement his position in the cavern as a creator if he agreed. Kishi softly took the petal into his own hands, examining every angle he could.
"Hmm... If we attached it to something like gloves, it would provide for a much better grip on items. Or, we could do the same with a buckler or shield, creating a weapon as well as a defensive device. If we had enough, we would easily be capable of creating traps of the material that would be able to trap smaller prey in it's barbs... This is all theoretical, of course. As of now, we could probably make a bag or storage container, but for anything else I mentioned, we would need a proper adhesive."Kishi finished the quick listing, and returned to his normal breathing. The trap he had mentioned before would be useful for small prey, and would definitely be easier to create and maintain than a pitfall, but a pitfall could catch much largere prey and was theoretically a permanent trap. You needed to simply dig a very large hole, place spike sticks or stones on the bottom, and layer over it with weak sticks and leaves. Then, you simply replace the sticks, covering, and bait whenever you catch anything, and voila; a somewhat sustainable supply of meat. Of course, a snare would also suffice for small prey, but i offered the worst of both worlds, requiring both a constant maintenance, and also the need to replace bait.
Kishi handed the petal back to the young goblin, before making another remark.
"Tomorrow, I plan to begin construction on a pit trap. As such, I will be unable to accompany you on your retrieval for the petals. But, as long as you bring me the necessary supplies, I can build you anything you wish. Just remember: to build anything grand, we will need a far more advanced adhesive than what I am currently in possession of-"Kishi stresses this statement by pointing out the dingy cloth which held the boar tusk to his staff.
"Until then, I am fairly limited in my options. I apologize again, brother Stegs."After having several more seconds of idle chitchat, Kishi turns to a random wall of the cavern, both carving his stone spear head into a dagger, and also creating a basic outline for his long-term plan of protection, an idea originally sparked from the rain itself: A moat.
