Dreamsnare Beetanke
It was not as though Bakari couldn't fly. No, like any self-respecting Beetanke, he had taken his first leap into the stifling jungle air not a day after he was born.
He just didn't like it.
Maybe it was the fact that his wing coordination was lacking, or perhaps it was related to his chronic fear of heights. Either way, the majority of his days were spent combing the forest floor for food and burrowing under the roots of trees for shelter. To others of his kind, his position was one of shame and disgrace, but he just shook these thoughts off nonchalantly. In his opinion, life on the forest floor was one to be desired. Easy prey and the safety of an underground den: who could ask for more?
On this particular day, Bakari was preparing to face his fear. Towering high above him was an old jungle tree, and sitting on the branch of that tree was a nest. A kinkajou nest. Bakari loved kinkajous. They were by far his favourite food, but it was a rare occurence for one to travel to the jungle floor where he lived. So, today, his grumbling stomach (and keen senses) led him to this particular tree. Not willing to back down from a challenge, he was determined to reach that nest. Without flying. Had he been someone else, Bakari could have just easily launched himself off the ground and swooped down upon the unsuspecting mammal, earning himself a satisfying snack.
But he was still unwilling to fly. And he was not about to test his underused wings in such a situation. So, he began to climb, his razor sharp talons easily pulling him up the side of the tree. Glancing up, he counted the branches until he reached the nest. Six left. Slowing down his ascent, he crept slowly towards his destination until suddenly, he heard the snap of a branch. Looking down, his eyes widened as he saw a crack run along the limb he was perched on. The forest seemed to go silent, and his prey, the young kinkajou, froze, its ears perked up and its body tense. The mammals eyes darted back and forth, searching for its assailant until they locked onto Bakari.
Busted... He thought, sighing as his hard earned meal scampered away.
He slid back on the branch, dejected, and was about to proceed to descend the massive tree until a shape above him caught his eye. He looked up and stepped back in shock as the shadowed being above him moved into view...