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After taking a deep breath, you brought up your right hand and met the young woman’s eyes.
<span class="mu-r">“How.”</span>
Anastasia groaned out loud and shook her head.
For a moment, nothing happened. The woman frowned slightly and glanced at her fellow tribesmen. Some were frowning along with her, but two of the men were smirking and snickering as they exchanged words in a language that you weren’t at all familiar with.
Finally, the young woman returned her gaze to you and raised her right hand as well.
<span class="mu-r">“How.”</span> she replied.
Yes! You successfully made contact!
This only made the two men start laughing out loud. If you didn’t know any better, you would’ve thought that their laughter was derisive or mocking in nature.
When you didn’t say anything more, the young woman cocked an eyebrow.
You lowered your hand and cleared your throat. <span class="mu-r">“We’re not looking to disturb your tribe,”</span> you began, using some of the American Sign Language that Cindy taught you to punctuate your point in case they didn’t understand your words. <span class="mu-r">“We only wish to speak with the boy who did…this.”</span> you said, gesturing at the giant sparrows and to where you assumed the giant chameleons were positioned.
The Redskins exchanged more words in their secret language as they conferred with one another.
<span class="mu-r">“We’re just trying to stop another war before it starts.”</span> you said.
All manner of conversation stopped abruptly when they heard that. They all turned their attention onto you once more, their gazes harsh and scrutinizing.
After what felt like forever, the young woman nodded and gestured for you to follow.
<span class="mu-r">“Come.”</span> she demanded, before kicking her sparrow in its side. Instead of taking to the skies, it skipped along the jungle floor like a pigeon searching for breadcrumbs. It was surprisingly nimble for its size, and it sort of reminded you of one of those mechanical bulls that tried to throw off drunk people in bars. The other birds followed, and you breathed a sigh of relief.
All of you exchanged surprised glances, with you being the most surprised that that didn’t end in violence. You were almost certain that you might’ve fucked that up.
—-----
Following the Redskin bird riders, you became increasingly aware of the fact that chameleons were watching your every move, no matter where you went. Cat and Prowler seemed to be trying to keep an accurate count of them, as well as keeping track of their positions. There were far more in this environment then there should have been.
Anastasia proposed that this “Croaker” kid might be capable of ramping up the breeding processes of other animals, giving him the ability to create an army of roided up mutant monsters.
It sounded reasonable, but you didn’t like the idea of having to deal with invisible enemies during a fight if negotiations broke down.
(Cont.)
