Kotten, one of the smaller members of Sikukuu was busy setting things in order on a worn pelt in front of him. He arranged a few pinecones of different size and shape, the dried out husk of a large beetle, a smooth rock from the lake and two feathers. Lastly he carefully placed a collection of bones, each dipped in a small amount of pigment by a crafter. He now owed the crafter several favors, but it would be worth it in the end.

Despite his mother's limited vocabulary and mistrust when it came to larger predators, Kotten had turned out both friendly and talkative. You couldn't call him eloquent, but he was able and willing to hold up his part of a conversation. Since he had been raised in the Sikukuu lands he was used to being surrounded by all kinds of animals, all of them friendly. So when his mother moved on, he decided to stay and make his home in the party pride he had always known.

Part of his mother's independence had rubbed off on him, and he hadn't attached himself to a larger companion. Kotten was nobody’s familiar, he was his own person. However, that didn't mean that he didn't help the pride in what fashion he could think of. It was the season of Demani, so the Carnival of Luck was in full swing. And the tiny predator had an idea...

"Come, come!" he called, "Kotten has got a game for you."

He had worked hard to collect the game pieces, and he was eager for the pride members and visitors to try his game. It didn't occur to him that some might dismiss his game just because of his small size. At first there wasn't much interest at all. Some gave his spread out game pieces a cursory glance, but most moved on. However, Kotten could be stubborn when he had got an idea in his head. Someone was going to play his game, and he was sure they'd love it.

"You, you come play," he demanded and tugged at the tail of a leopard. The poor creature let out a surprised yelp and turned around to see who or what had bit his tail.

"Special game, just for you," Kotten chirped before the feline had time to question him about her manhanded tail. "Come, try! Try!"

"Uh," the she said, and Kotten took that as a yes.

"Sit! Sit!" Kotten encouraged his guest to sit down on the other side of the pelt. "Now look, look!" He motioned towards the items. "Remember!"

The leopard still looked confused, but studied the assortment of items. When Kotten was satisfied the leopard had got a good look he swiftly covered them with another worn pelt.

"What now?" he leopard asked, but she did look intrigued.

Kotten removed the top pelt again, revealing the items.

"Now, what changed?"

The leopard knitted her brow, trying to spot what Kotten had done to the lineup.

"Uh, the big pinecone is gone?" she finally said.

"Yes, Yes!" Kotten exclaimed, "Next one will be harder."

He rearranged the items, looking very pleased and the leopard watched intently. After a few rounds a small crowd had gathered, and several animals waited for their turn to play Kotten’s guessing game. Success!

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