Merra, Lairi, and Devo sat together on a grassy knoll. From far away they might appear to be engaging in any ordinary conversation, but the three were furiously debating how to go about procuring a Hojenst for the strange Tark'ee that had been found deep in the bunker. They hadn't spoken to the Tark'ee themselves, but word quickly spread- not just through Tsidal, but through many of the colonies, that the brave explorers bent on delving as deep into the bunkers as possible had stumbled across eerie rooms, flooded doors, walls with strange markings and ominous red liquid, and finally, after much searching, new Tark'ee. Now everyone was talking about the prey these Tark'ee had requested, and how cool it would be to be the ones who brought them the asked for gifts.

Merra was shaking her head back and forth in disapproval of Lairi's strategy. Her niece was still young and inexperienced. Devo sat with a paw half raised and ears flattened, slightly too timid to interrupt the family squabble. Lairi's nostrils flared at the exaggerated head movements of her aunt. "Aunt Merra, I'm telling you. If we go round the next hill and charge the hojenst herd, they can't all outrun us. It's the quickest, easiest way to get this done." Merra stopped her head shaking to give Lairi a pointed look. "My dear Lairi, turn your nose to the wind, and tell me what you smell." The younger tsab huffed exasperatedly but did as instructed and sniffed at the wind. Devo gave up on his input and instead turned to sniff at the wind as well.

Merra watched as Lairi's face very carefully attempted to contain her realization. She would not so quickly admit that her aunt was correct and the younger tsab had made a fool of herself with her argument. Instead, it was Devo who finally spoke up. "The wind is blowing directly down that hill. I'm sorry Lairi but I think the herd will smell us before we're able to get more than a few steps down." Lairi huffed again and turned her back, attempting to salvage her argument in any way. "But… we could try it anyway! I know you're really fast Lairi." Devo offered, attempting to placate the tsab. "buuuuut…. I don't know if Merra and I will be able to keep up with you. Neither of us quite have your speed."

Merra nodded at Devo's words. "He's right, Lairi. I might be good at tracking but my bones don't like running. Let's do this the way I had ORIGINALLY stated, and stalk the hojenst herd around the side of the knoll. Then we can rush out at them from downwind and have the element of surprise." Lairi had about given up on winning the argument and bowed her head, pouting. "I didn't even wanna be here." She muttered under her breath. "I just wanted to see Mireh's plants." Devo awkwardly rested his tail on her shoulder, trying to be comforting. "I saw some bushes on the far side when I did the initial scouting of the herd. They might have some interesting berries or something if you want to take a record of them once we catch a hojenst." The belemoid was doing everything he could to keep the hunting party from tearing each other apart instead of the hojenst.

Lairi began to shuffle forward, apparently assenting to her aunt's plan. Merra let out a pleased chortle and followed behind her. Devo sighed and brought up the rear. The two of them were some of the best gatherers, but he wasn't so sure either of them were going to make great hunters. At this rate the hojenst herd might've heard them arguing and scattered already.

The trio kept low to the ground and crept forward. The landscape before them stretched down and out into infinite plains as the hills of Mireh transitioned to tall grasses and sparse trees. It was the perfect grazing grounds for hojenst with grasses that helped them blend in as well as provided great nutrients for them. A river ran parallel to the trio, but on the far side of the knoll that they crept down. It would help to funnel the hojenst in the intended direction, but it was also the source of the verdancy of the area. Much to Devo's credit, there did indeed lie a large cluster of bushes leading around the bottom of the knoll behind where the herd still grazed, towards the river. Merra and Lairi had to duck down exceedingly low to stay hidden behind the bushes as they went. Devo was fortunate his shorter stature helped him hide in the matter.

The three successfully made it behind the herd, and all that was left was to pick their targets and make a run for it. Lairi took a whiff of the bushes and happily made a mental note about the berries. They would also help mask their scent slightly from the hojenst. Merra was busy assessing the herd, seeking any weak or older member that would be easier to pick off. She was serious about her older bones not wanting to run. Devo simply thought to himself that Merra's plan actually was a good one. They would emerge from the bushes on the right of and behind the herd, downwind and with the element of surprise. The river would block the herd from the left, and should they try to flee forward, they'd have to climb the hill. Devo only wished that he'd had a chance to put forth his idea of leaving a trap for them just over the hill so that if they did manage to get away, the hunters would still end up with a catch.

Merra and Lairi gave each other a small nod, argument forgotten now that the moment of action was upon them. Merra checked to make sure Devo was ready as well, and then the three hunters burst forth from the bushes, wordlessly, and indeed with the element of surprise on their side.