Just because the Lost City of Vilcabamba was located deep in the Amazon rainforest doesn't mean it didn't have cable. In fact, a satellite dish had been installed on the roof, artistically designed to look overgrown with jungle growth while still being functional. Of course, a bit of maintenance was needed to keep it working. But thanks to the pair of uplifted Harpy Eagles who were residents of Vilcabamba, they didn't have to worry about birds making nests in it.
So everyone at Vilcabamba was able to keep up with the news. Right now, the Five Elements were watching the preliminaries of the UFC-A. "They could have waited until we were back home," said Tuxing in a slightly annoyed tone.
"This isn't the Martial Arts Showcase," said Jinxing, "This is their boxing tournament."
"Everyone knows that American boxing is fake," said Muxing dismissively.
"No, it's American wrestling that's fake," said Shuixing, "Boxing is very real. There have been people who have been killed in boxing matches." The other girls looked at her. "I've been reading about that, while learning how to hold back my strength."
"Well, we'll be back in Lyre before the SAMAS starts," said Huoxing, "We're already halfway through. Kinda sad though. I like being in the rainforest."
"It appeals to me as well," said Muxing.
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The taste of arboreal life that Huoxing and Muxing had in Mieni's jungles were nothing compared to the canopy village of Vilcabamba. The two of them were able to move about the tree limbs with ease, even without the rope bridge that connected the different places. The locals were friendly enough. Huoxing was fascinated to meet the various kinds of arboreal mammals that lived in the trees. The locals didn't pay much mind to Muxing, though they kept mistaking her for an Emerald Tree Boa. Though there is one particular part of the village the two of them took a while to get used to.
"I'm not going in there," said Muxing stubbornly, standing at the entrance to the clothing-optional part of the tree village.
"C'mon, it'll be fun," said Huoxing, already taking off her shirt and putting it into her backpack.
"I've spent more than enough time with men ogling my naked body," said Muxing, "Doing it in public is not something I want to do."
"No one gives you a second look around here," said Huoxing as she was taking off her bra.
"That's because they keep mistaking me for an indigenous species of snake that I happen to resemble," said Muxing.
"What's the big difference between a tree boa and a tree viper anyways?" asked Huoxing as she was taking off her pants.
"Tree boas don't have venom," said Muxing.
Huoxing finished putting the last of her clothes in her backpack. "Muxing, you're a different girl now. You don't have to afraid of people seeing you."
"I'm not afraid," said Muxing, "I'm just not comfortable."
"Relax, we're Animalians now," said Huoxing, "No one has to force you to be anything you don't want to be. You can loosen up and not be hurt."
Muxing sighed before muttering, "I'm gonna regret this." She started taking off her shirt at that.
Huoxing squealed and said, "We're gonna have so much fun."
"Just the shirt, not the bra," said Muxing.
"Ok, we'll take baby steps," said Huoxing. Muxing gave her an annoyed look. "Uh, baby slithers, you know what I mean."
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While there were rope bridges leading from the top of the hotel to the tree village, some Animalians wanted to climb up the trees themselves. This was not uncommon for feline Animalians, but some had it easier than others. "C'mon, Tuxing," said Jinxing, "It'll be autumn by the time you get up here."
Tuxing huffed and panted as she pulled herself up. She did have a strong, muscular body, but it was working against her in this area. It was weighing her down and she needed particularly strong hand and footholds to pull herself up. "This isn't as easy as it looks," she called.
"Well, that's how leopards and tigers can live in the same habitat," said Jinxing, "Leopards are better climbers than tigers."
Tuxing gave Jinxing an annoyed look and said, "You're a snow leopard. I'm pretty sure there aren't trees up in the high mountains."
"Mountain climbing is still tough," said Jinxing, "But it doesn't change the fact that me being lighter than you is an advantage here."
"We'll see about that," said Tuxing as she pulled herself higher.
"Maybe we will, maybe we won't," said Jinxing before scampering up the tree, much to Tuxing's frustration.
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However, not everyone could go up into the trees. Heavier Animalians could risk breaking the rope bridges and falling. So the bigger ones had to be content with the rainforest floor. Shuixing was exploring the Amazon river itself. However, the Amazon river was not like the lagoons at Mieni Atoll. The predators were more numerous and there may be some that would chance trying to eat an Animalian. For safety's sake, tourists needed a local to swim with them and alert them to the more dangerous animals.
Eventually, Shuixing heard someone coming. She looked up to see what looked like a snake Animalian slither towards her. But there was something a little off about her. Her body was mostly black with a red underbelly, but her skin was not scaly like Muxing's. "Hello," she said, "My name's Electra and I will be swimming with you today."
The name helped Shuixing realize what Electra is. "You're an electric eel, aren't you?" she asked.
"Well, I'm more closely related to a catfish than actual eels, but yes I am," said Electra.
"Is it safe to get in the water with you?" asked Shuixing, a bit nervously.
"Relax, I have complete control over my electric generation," said Electra, "Besides, my shocks are more likely to stun than kill. It's actually safer to swim with me as I can sense any predator and discourage them with a little zap."
"Oh," said Shuixing, impressed, "So, what do you when you're not swimming with tourists?"
"I'm studying to be an electrician," said Electra, "I know, it's profiling, but I am interested with what humans can do with electricity."
"And being immune to electricity helps," said Shuixing.
"Actually, I'm not," said Electra, "I can withstand small shocks, but I can be hurt by bigger charges. It's not really something I want to test the limits on."
"Ok," said Shuixing, "So, can we go swimming now?"
"Absolutely," said Electra as she headed into the water. Shuixing followed afterward, but she was careful not to touch Electra.