Hunting with Lexa turned out to be really fun.
It wasn't really traditional-style hunting, like the type Clarke did. First, they strung bear traps all over the place in situated ''x's'' drawn on the map (Madi would've rather placed the bear traps everywhere, but Lexa insisted). Then, they sought out some animals (they've even found a herd of mutant moose once, but sadly they all but avoided and dodged and leapt over the traps), and by making a lot of sound (mostly using Grounder war cries, which were surprisingly effective), they proceeded to herd the animals into where the bear traps were at.
It was a lot more like Madi's style of hunting, and she liked it. She'd have to take some pointers from Lexa sometime.
They'd managed to snag a deer in one of Madi's bear traps, which prompted some celebration and a lot of afterthought on how they could get the deer out of the bear trap without it running away.
But eventually, they managed to lug the deer back to Shallow Valley village with some help from both sides, to Clarke's gape once she came back with a handful of fish. Clarke had stared incredulously at the both of them, and asked Lexa what made her decide to finally resume hunting after that ''mud incident'', to which Lexa responded with a noncommittal shrug, but Madi felt like it was mostly jealousy really.
They ate like kings that night. And when they were full and the strips of deer smoked in the starry night, they told tales of legends Madi had heard so many times already—Lexa wistfully recounting the legend of their beginnings as Clarke told stories of the future that were to come, and then, to stories of the present and themselves—but never the once tired of it.
It felt amazing. And Madi loved every second of it.
This'll be my new life, she had decided, after the feast was over and laughs vibrated from Clarke's almost drunken ramblings, Lexa's soft smiles at Clarke's tales, and Madi looked on contently.
This'll be my new life. And it should be good.
''Goufa—'' Lexa murmured slowly, a sloppy smile on twinkling in her eyes as she gestured the bottle of wine towards Clarke, who was knocked out cold by the feast. Madi didn't need to hear the rest of Lexa's words when a wicked smile began to blossom over her face.
All she needed was a rope, some towels, and a nice-looking stick.
Lemme take that back. It's gonna be good.
...
113 days since Praimfaya... (55 days since Madi)
''When is this gonna finish?'' the Bear Trap Kid wondered aloud at the fire, which was basking the squirrels on their hastily-tied rack, as she swung her legs in impatience.
It had been the eleventh time since the Nightblood had asked the affronted question, and it was really grating on Clarke's nerves by now. They've only come back from their hunt a mere thirty minutes ago. How did the Nightblood manage to fit in so many variations of the same question by then?!
''You can go, if you want.'' Clarke said, eyes trained on the squirrels, its blood dripping into the fire. Trying not to envision a certain replacement over the rack. ''Find Lexa. She's out note-taking along the creek. You can help her spot the fish and the berries.'' And at the Nightblood's face, Clarke attempted a smile. ''Hey, it'll be fun! You might even be able to snag some fish.'' And at the Nightblood's noncommittal stare, Clarke stuck out her pinky finger. ''Promise I won't take any squirrel while you're gone.''
Sadly, Clarke already knew the answer. The Nightblood made a face at her, head cocked in the universal saying of really?. ''No.''
Clarke had to stifle a sigh, before returning her gaze to the fire. She really shouldn't have been this surprised.
