Bowen had helped Rudy figure out what he should get Tika.  Once Rudy had a plan he tended to lock onto it and fully devote to the plan.  Today would be getting a fancy fur for Tika so she would feel wanted and safe.  Rudy wasn't wasting time sneaking around today, no he was running to get to Resin a little earlier than he normally would for help in hunt training.  Rudy wasn't sure how but he needed to get something neater than a rabbit, something special.  What type of fur could be a special one?  Something extra furry or pretty?  Rudy wasn't sure what would best fit the bill but mom would surely know what they could hunt which would be perfect.  Mom's and mama's knew everything after all. When he spotted Resin he pinpointed his run, skidding to a stop right near her cheerily.  Hunting and learning were always fun today would be even better as surely she'd help! "Hi!" Rudy was excited but what else was new? "Hey mom, can we hunt something extra special today?" The pup was giving his best hopeful look.  "You know our new sister? She's so scared all the time and I wanted to let her know its ok and we like her.  So Bowen suggested some type of fur for her might make her feel better." The voice slowing down a bit as he added, "No one should be scared here," the words offered so sincerely with some confusion as he had no idea what could cause such fear, "so I wanna make her know she's safe her, and that we like her." "Rudyard"

Resin was just going off to hunt with the energetic form of Rudyard skidded to a halt before her. She knew that he wanted something. He always wanted something. His sweet little greeting of, 'Hi' didn't hide that, but it did bring one brow raising in amusement. He asked if they could hunt something special and she waited to hear his reasoning before she agreed to take him anywhere. Though she planned on hunting, hunting and teaching were two entirely different things. One took much longer than the other and a great deal more patience. She couldn't argue that the boys intentions were noble. Resin hadn't had much time for Tika, Grimshaw or even her own children with winter fast approaching. She fixed the boy with a contemplative look for a time and then gave a single nod. "We can hunt something special for Tika. What would you like?" It was nice to see this side of the boy. He was usually very absorbed in promoting himself rather than worrying about others. Maybe he was finally growing up a bit. Because of his desire to help someone else, she would get whatever he wanted for Tika. "Speech"

What to hunt was a thing Rudy had been thinking over and over in his mind of what would be best and could they get it together?  It had to be fuzzy, super fuzzy.  Something that Tika could snuggle in more Rudy thought would be best for her to really enjoy the present.  How big of a thing could the two of them manage together? In his mind the more he sought an answer the bigger the prey kept growing of what they could go for.  Rudy wasn’t sure how they would get some of the things but mom would know and make it easy.   “I think something super fuzzy would be nice, extra warm, and cozy.” He spoke as he pondered, “how about a moose or, or how about a musk ox those are super fuzzy!” Rudy hadn’t actually seen a musk ox but he heard about them and knew them to be larger than the deer he had seen so far, have big horns, lots of meat, and most importantly lots of thick warm fur.   This had been Bowen’s idea.  Maybe if they spied something shiny on the way home he’d pick it up also.  He wasn’t sure she’d find a musk ox bone as shiny but he’d keep an eye out for anything else that looked special she might enjoy.  Rudy didn’t really feel a need for any trinkets for himself so he didn’t really see what made these items special for his sister but that was fine.  It made her happy.  Then again if he got Tika and Bowen something would his other sisters want something to?  Getting something for two siblings didn’t seem like a problem but to add all of them onto the list would be more work.  Well, he’d see what they came across and then decide. "Rudyard"

Rudyard had ideas about what kind of fur he wanted for Tika. Resin considered them. "Moose fur isn't terribly long or soft. Musk ox are massive. A fur from one would swallow Tika up." Obsidian ears flicked forward. "We could catch a young one. They're smaller and the pelt will be more manageable." Plus a smaller ox would mean less meat to drag all the way home. She would be able to take the little travois rather than the large sleigh. Lifting one blackened brow, Resin eyed the boy. "I suppose you want to come with me?" Of course he would want to. This was his idea and it would be his gift to give. He should see it through from start to finish. Even if he didn't want to come, Resin would insist. If anything, he could sit on the sidelines and observe. Perhaps he would learn something from the experience. "Speech"

“If there’s too much fur we could take a little bit of it and see if Bowen wanted it for cleaning up her stones she likes to collect.”  He didn’t give his sisters enough attention and they might not realize he thought of them.  The pup was busy training and helping a pup needier than his sisters but maybe a gift for Bowen that she might use sometimes would remind her he still thought on her even when not about?   “You bet!” at the question of going along.  “I want to help!” After messing up with the elk and realizing the folly in attacking such giant creatures Rudy wasn’t sure how he could help but he had faith that mom would know how. Tail wagging gleefully as he added, “remember, I plan to be a great master at hunting!” Hunting, fighting, spying, and anything else of value needed to be mastered.  Yes, the boy was still a dreamer with big goals. “Besides,” added more practically, “I don’t think it would mean very much if I just asked you to get it and then handed it off.  I need to help so it means more.” The boy nodded firmly.  It was one of the many things he didn’t bother thinking of beforehand but just spoke up as the notion occurred.  It made sense now, hopefully, it would make sense later. "Rudyard"

Rudyard wanted to come along, of course. His logic was sound, though Tika would know that he hadn't acquired the fur himself either way. He was much to small to fell a musk ox. She was a little surprised when he mentioned giving some of the pelt to Bowen. It seemed that he really was growing and thinking of others more than himself these days. For that, she was proud. Rising from her place, the woman shook out her thick, slate colored pelt. "Come then." After sliding into the harness of the travois, the pair set out on their task. With winter knocking at their door, large herbivores had pushed towards the warmer climes to feed heavily and put on some much needed winter weight. As such, Resin and Rudyard need only travel north a ways before the acrid scent of heavily furred bodies reached their nares. Creeping to the edge of the treeline, the woman slowly and carefully looked out over a big clearing. There were several ox grazing on the nutrient rich flora, packing away the calories for a long winter. They seemed heavier than usual and the scarred woman took that as a bad omen. Would winter really be that harsh? After a bit more assessment, she pulled back and cast her gaze to the boy. "This will be difficult, but I need you to do exactly as I say." She fixed him with a hard stare. "Exactly." On the travois Resin had placed a few supplies. One was a large coil of rope vines. They were too thin for the task at hand, but if they braided them together, then they might very well fulfill the purpose that she had in mind. Unravelling them, the woman stretched the three ropes out lengthwise beside one another. "You hold onto that end tightly while I do this. Don't let it slip." If he sat on the rope, that would work best. She would let him decide how he wished to do it, however. "Speech"

Rudy was quick to cheerfully follow after Resin, tail up high and energized. Hunting muskox sounded like fun.  The young boy imagined his mom just running up and taking one down single-handed cause she could take on any prey.  Mom was huge, experienced, and always seemed like nothing could stop her. Going on a trip with mom was great too.  They had been on hunting excursions for rabbits of course but they didn’t need to travel far at all for that!  Rabbits were everywhere.  When they found the ox Rudy’s eyes widened at their size and build, “Woah! Those things are giants.”   She wanted him to help? Oh wow!  He’d get to help take down one of those? He bobbed two fast nods at her statement, “Ok, exactly.  I can do that!” Lessons were important and deserved more focus than his normal style, and this was a lesson as well as a hunt in his mind.  In his excitement he was surprised and a bit confused when she brought out the ropes.  He watched her lay the ropes down together in a bit of confusion.   Hold the rope? Rudy considered that for a moment, then twisted the end of the rope in a little loop twice.  They weren’t big loops, as he picked it up in his mouth the loops went under his jaw snuggly to make it easier for a sturdier grip.  “Is thish ok?”  It did make it a bit harder to talk through but it was the most secure way Rudy had thought up.  Sitting just hadn’t occurred to him. "Rudyard"

Resin waited as Rudyard decided how to hold onto the ropes. In the end, he took them in his mouth. Whatever worked... she just hoped that she wouldn't pull his teeth out. Once secure, Resin began slowly braiding the small ropes together. She made the plaits tight so that the length of it would be incredibly strong and sturdy. It would have to be for what she had in mind. As she worked, she explained to Rudyard just what they were doing. "We're creating a tripwire to help bring down an ox. If we braid these smaller ropes together, we'll create a much stronger rope. Once we do that, we'll tie both ends off to a pair of trees. After that, we'll run the herd through. The larger oxen should be able to see and jump the rope, but the smaller should trip. Then they'll be easier to kill." Hopefully whatever creature managed to fall would break a leg. Then they only had to end its life, cut away the skin, shove the meat onto the travois, and make their way back home. Simple. Something she had done countless times in the past. "Speech"