Octavia sighs, using the best paper, or version of paper the sakhui tribe had, to draw the shapeless mountains against the bright white snow and someone even paler white tinged blue sKY. While most women, being Ariana, Marlene, Tiffany, George, Claire, Meghan, Nora, Stacy, yeah almost everyone here, are content with their pregnant bellies, having nonstop sex like wild beasts. Octavia just let herself be separate and do something with her time. Perhaps that's why she got along with Erin, who'd rather explore the ends of Not-Hoth than just be giving birth to alien kin. Octavia could only stare at this pale white wilderness and knows there is more than just staying in a cave. Georgie talked about the metals, real live yetis! While dangerous, she would take on petting a metlqk than settle down with a alien her khui decided for her. On her paper, the irregular slopes of the far off mountains and a sketch of the horizon line, Maybe she could teleport there. Footsteps come up behind her, but Octavia knows who those stomps belong to. "We do this every Raahosh." Octavia doesn't waste time today. "Unless you're taking me out to explore, I am not going back to the caves. And you can tell Vektal and Georgie to shove it up their asses."

Cashol and his fellow brothers have been excited since the arrival of women from a strange metal cave, that came from the stars, have given all the single males hope that their tribe will live on. Despite out of all of the women here, Erin caught his attention. Maybe it was because she was more like him. Others may call him simple but there wasn't much on being sad. And like the rest of the males here, all of them have experienced loss. Aehako maybe even more so simply than him but Cashol didn't dare say that to anyone, not even with his brothers who's family brought him in when his father died of the khui sickness. Rather than be like the brooding Hadaen, Cashol wa saying to live his life his his mate. And today would be his turn to go on the hunt with Taushen and Everen. Raahosh, who normally would be in their group, was too busy courting another of the women. Stepping out of his cave, Cashol had with his father's dagger and a few spears. Brutal season is on its way but the weather is unusually nice today. Into the hunter's cave, he recognized the small sun haired women whos hair is more curly then the drop leaves in the deep caves, Airin."I didn't think you would become a hunter so fast Airin." She was something like a magician at her home, well Leez had said that and Airin laughed. It was beautiful thing and it made his hearts stir. Well males like Bek are determined to covet their females like a leaf in their claws, Cashol will treasure his mate like no other. And he has hopes it will be Airin.

Erin had grown accustomed to the Sa-Khui's consistent mispronunciation of her name, emphasizing an 'ay' instead of the correct 'eh' sound. She took it in stride, correcting them once and then brushing it off when the correction failed to stick. Knowing how Georgie's name was being pronounced, she couldn't help but feel grateful that her own wasn't mangled as badly. As Cashol approached, Erin flashed him a smile, finishing the knot on the leather strings of the backpack she had crafted during her initial week on the planet. Her penchant for exploration drove her to create the backpack; she refused to be confined to the caves like many of the other girls. Her affinity for Octavia, the cartographer, stemmed from their shared desire to explore and map out local resources. Despite the slow progress due to the snow, Erin had discovered the unique properties of the peculiar sticky trees and their sap, as well as a singular mineral deposit she frequently visited. "Feeling threatened I might take your job?" she teased, fully aware that hunting wasn't her forte. Although she maintained a good pace, Erin knew Cashol sacrificed valuable hunting time to accompany her on her adventures. Vektal would undoubtedly lose his shit if she ventured alone for days, prompting even Raahosh to keep an eye on Octavia during her mapping expeditions. Standing at her full height, Erin barely reached the center of Cashol's chest. Despite their increased time together, the height difference continued to strike her. "You know, I won't be offended if you really can't afford to take me with you. I don't want to intrude," Cashol had willingly volunteered as her prospective guard, a stark contrast to her unsuccessful attempt with Hassen, who scowled throughout her proposal. While she appreciated Cashol's company, Erin was mindful not to take advantage of his kindness.

His expression remained stoic, revealing nothing, but Raahosh couldn't help but sense a hint of amusement toward the determined female who didn't need to turn around to know he was the one behind her. Their dynamic pleased him, even if it may be the root of her irritation, Raahosh found himself looking forward to these moments. Responding with a resounding grunt, gruff and indifferent, he was well aware that he could effortlessly hoist her over his shoulder and march her back to the caves if he so desired. Despite the indifference in his demeanor, he couldn't help but admire her strength and the dedication she poured into creating these 'maps,' visual representations of their surrounding home. The tribes upbringing had relied on mental navigation, guided by the familiar landmarks ingrained in their minds, to see it all visually was beyond helpful when it came to communicating hunting spots and caches. Raahosh felt the urge to show her more, to satisfy the curiosity that set her apart from the other women who had arrived in the peculiar, flying cave just under a full lunar cycle ago. She defied safety precautions, venturing out alone to survey the landscape, and Raahosh was grateful that Vektal had entrusted him with her care, knowing he would have challenged any other male in the position. "No fighting today, female," he remarked, though their quarrels tended to be one-sided, with her doing most of the arguing while Raahosh stood like a silent statue in the face of her verbal assault. He would advise her on the dangers and the need to return, all while watching with rapt attention as she went off on him. Safe to say, he held a considerable fondness for this female, which led to thoughts that sparked his scheming. "We travel today," he declared simply, anticipating the inevitable - a flicker of interest, a quirk of her brow. He knew for certain that this proposal would pique her curiosity. "You are in need of more land to map," he stated matter-of-factly. She moved through sections of land with remarkable speed, but had began venturing dangerously far from the home caves in search of more land, causing discomfort for their chief. Raahosh had shared his plan with Vektal, omitting the part about isolating her in hopes to force their khui's song for each other. Instead, he presented it as a means to satisfy her curiosity with an extended journey. A lie, for he knew a woman like her would never be fully satisfied, but it brought him comfort in contrast to its unsettling effect on their chief. Two bags were slung over his shoulder, filled with clothing and provisions, as he awaited her response.

Octavia tries to hide her interest that piqued seeing Raahosh carrying those two bags probably filled with necessities out in the wilderness. Looking down at her drawings then up at the white expanse in front of her, she finally turns to Raahosh, she’ll bite. Only because she wanted to get away from the pregnant girls, especially with Georgie vomiting at every turn. Octavia did feel kind of bad for her, but right now, spending a little time alone with the Raahosh. “Do you mind if I stop by Estella’s workshop? Her working with that tanner’s, especially with Hemalo, has actually made the closet thing Ugg boots that are very warm and comfort. Waterproof on the inside and outside and heavy fur on the inside to keep their feet warm. Wanting to leave as soon as possible, she makes a stiff jog back to the caves and where Estella’s workshop, without any currency, and taking these for free in a tribal,society felt so..foreign.”Thanks Estella!” With her journey with Raahosh, maybe she could bring back flowers or new meats for everyone to try. Octavia makes her way back to Raahosh in heavy fitted clothing.

Cashol lets out another hearty laugh. “You confuse me with Haedan. The whole tribes knows about you trying to leave the caves since you got here. We know that you love to explore and your job as a key-mest was important.” Erin didn’t know dangerous of this world yet. With his next kill, Cashol is sure to make Erin more weapons. A bone knife would only do so much damage. The other hunters, Rokan, Haussen, Everen start out first. The season is not yet brutal but, just in case. “You’ll need a thicker hide for cover.” Cashol makes his way back to his cave and brings out his large fur blanket and puts it over Erin’s shoulders. “There, you will be warmer when the night comes.” Grabbing his weapons bag, with left of the daylight they still had, he grabs what the women are snowshoes, that helps them walk across the snow. He kneels before Arron and places her foot on his knee, helping to tie her straps on both feet. Her ankles are softer than they look despite being so bony.

She gazes down at him as he secures the snowshoe onto the sole of her boot, becoming strangely flustered. Enveloped in his fur, which delicately tickles the side of her face, she inhales a small breath, attempting to quell the rising feelings within her. The undeniable allure of the Sa-Khui strikes her, prompting thoughts about whether they reciprocate the same fascination for the peculiar, alien traits of human women or if they endure it solely because humans conveniently fulfill their need for a breedable species. This realization tempers her mood, acknowledging that the hospitality they receive is dependent on their ability to bear children. Erin tries to suppress any bitterness, striving to uphold cultural relativism. Their tribe faced extinction, and their presence offered a glimmer of hope, even if it meant Erin grappling with the uncomfortable notion that everyone awaited resonance as if it were their sole purpose. She wanted to contribute beyond her reproductive role, recognizing the potential of her expertise to bring more to the tribe. "Thanks," she murmurs as he completes the task on her other foot, placing it on the ground and testing its snugness. Satisfied, she adjusts the fur around her, determined not to resemble a walking, furry marshmallow—an admittedly challenging feat. Shortly thereafter, they embark on their journey, and Erin appreciates the physical fitness she gained in high school and university. She knows that without it, trudging through the thick snow would leave her breathless within minutes. She maintains a steady pace, employing breathing techniques to ensure sufficient intake of oxygen and lower the risk of becoming too fatigued later on. "So," she starts, her gaze fixated on the back of Cashol's head, "Is there someone back at the caves you're aiming to resonate with?" She doesn't beat around the bush; her curiosity has always been present, even if it risks causing discomfort. Yet, among the Sa-Khui, who openly bathe for all to see, discomfort seems unlikely.

Raahosh trailed Octavia as she made her way back to the home cave, patiently waiting outside while she retrieved her boots. The intriguing resourcefulness of the human women had not escaped his notice during their brief time together. In just a week, he had witnessed their inventive craftsmanship and observed peculiar yet effective techniques they employed. From fashioning belts by looping fabric around a big toe and intricately braiding the leather to practical snow-walking attachments on their shoes, their creativity fascinated him. Raahosh soon recognized their practicality, leading to a growing appreciation for the women in their tribe beyond mere reproductive functions. Watching Octavia's return filled Raahosh with a sense of longing, finding more appeal in her approaching presence than witnessing her storming off in the opposite direction. He could only hope for the day when her steps would be guided towards him by genuine desire rather then the fulfilment of some request he could satisfy. Despite maintaining a stern countenance, his grip tightened on his hunting spear, concealing the unspoken thoughts. Upon her arrival, he leveled her with an affirming nod, assessing her as ready for their journey. He then pivoted, facing his back towards her as he began leading their trek. Despite the initial annoyance of having to adjust his pace when guiding the women back to the caves almost a month ago, Raahosh felt no urgency in Octavia's company. The longer they spent together away from the group in the open wilderness led to an increased chance of fostering a resonance between them. A few minutes into their journey, Raahosh glanced over his shoulder to check on Octavia, ensuring she maintained a brisk pace. Observing her captivation with the surroundings, a common expression among the human women when not battling the cold-induced grumpiness, he found himself intrigued by Octavia's unique appreciation. Unlike his limited interactions with the other human women, he hadn't delved into many conversations about their lives on Earth. The solitude of their current situation, where both willingly found themselves alone together, prompted a realization. Struggling to initiate conversation, he acknowledged that this was the first time they had been in each other's company without external obligations. "Is your Urr-th much different from our home?" he inquired, recognizing her expertise in creating drawings of the landscapes. Given her profession, she must have explored and mapped substantial portions of her world. "You've explored much of your plann-it, yes?"