Chapter Text
“Is that...a dog?” V wondered, looking through her binoculars at the four-legged mammal.
“I think...” Judy said as she took the device from V’s hands “..it’s a coyote. I remember when I was kid they’d tell us not to go too far into the hills in case of coyote attacks. Or was that mountain lions?”
“Wait, lions? Like those huge cats with fur around their heads? The one in the ads?”
“Well, yeah...though, I think mountain lions are different?”
“How?”
“Dunno, think they didnt have the fur part. Don't really remember that much”
“Oh, so like, a giant version of the street cat I showed you that one time?”
Judy shrugged “Probably”
Behind them Panam was standing, scratching her head, suddenly wondering if a hunting trip was really a good idea.
Especially when the hunters-in-training couldn't tell what kind animal they were going after.
----
In the end the hunting trip turned out alright. All Panam needed to do was confirm that no, they were not after coyotes, at least not as the first target anyway. Instead it was rabbits and the coyotes were simply used as indicators for nearby rabbit burrows.
That Panam had to describe stalking prey as assassinating a person to get V to understand the process of tracking and hunting was only a little disturbing.
Getting her and Judy to shoot an ‘adorable little fluff ball’ ( Judy’s words) was also a little challenging.
Despite it all though the pair managed to get over the initial hurdles and proved to be alright shots, even if the air-rifle wasn't either person's usual weapon of choice.
Now, however, came another test: cooking.
“You’ve never cooked before?” Panam looked at V in surprise.
V shook her head “Nah, don't think ive ever had a working kitchen. Was always vending machines or street food when I was growing up. Cheap restaurants when I got older, like Tom’s Diner. Think I can count on one hand the amount of times I've had real meat.”
“Judy?” Panam turned to the techie, hoping at least she had some experience.
Judy put her hand on a level and wiggled it “Eh, not a lotta times. Remember Gran cooking when I was young and my group home had a kitchen, but that only had a microwave and a toaster-oven. I can make great Hot Pockets though!”
V and Judy shared a laugh while Panam groaned, though she did so with a smile.
“Oh God. Alright” She took out her knife. Long, thing and well cared for “Well, first stage is the skinning”
V blinked, pausing “The what?”
Judy parroted her partner.
“We gotta peel off the rabbit skin, then take out their guts” Panam said as matter-of-factly as she could, suppressing her laugh with considerable effort.
Judy’s face turned a shade closer to her hair while V winced.
Panam decided she enjoyed this part more than the hunting.
___
Rabbit stew was on the menu for their bit of the camp, with a side of frozen mashed potatoes and frozen peas and whatever packets of microwave meals were on hand to add some variety.
All in all, it wasn't too bad Panam thought. She would have preferred more of a smoky flavour but Mitch had claimed the paprika, that asshole.
V enjoyed it though, going by how she was devouring her second bowl. Turned out the skinned and gutting process wasn't too bad on her and she turned out pretty alright at it, though they weren't making fur hats anytime soon with the scraps V tore off.
Judy on the other hand….
“You sure you don't want some Jude?” V offered a ladle of stew and Judy actually backed away from it like it was a weapon and she was being threatened.
“Never got it ‘till now but I think the vegetarians had a point, alt-protein was a good thing”
Panam and V shared a look, then shook their heads in unison.
Judy rolled her eyes “I’ll stick to my synth-beef thanks”
“Well, more for me!” V happily cheered.
Panam raised her bowl in solidarity.