Rosa and Bardolf spend a majority of every day foraging for food. Where Bardolf used to take Rosa down by the water to have his two favorite girls form a bond, he now just takes her down in the morning to get buckets of water for survival. They do not spend the lazy days of summer visiting and interacting with Violetta. There are new feelings that have started to come up from Bardolf towards Violetta. Bardolf has started to have deep down feeling of untrustworthiness that he simply cannot understand. The last day that Rosa and Bardolf were down by the water was such a haze. He knows there was conflict because of the appearance of his clothes, but he does not know why. He will still bring Violetta trinkets, but everything has started to feel more like a business transaction opposed to a friendship. The visits after a kill were a way for the two to reconnect. Now Bardolf drops the trinket in the trunk of the tree, and if he feels overly zealous, he might say hi.

Now instead of visits Bardolf and Rosa tend to gardens. They have started a garden of every fruit and vegetable imaginable on one side of the house. Rosa’s favorite were the strawberries. They are so big and juicy. Bardolf’s favorite was connecting with Rosa. They also planted a beautiful flower garden on the opposite side of the house. Rosa’s favorite flowers were the sunflowers. She hated that the birds were always swooping down and eating the seeds. The two are outside pulling weeds when Rosa asked a very thoughtful.

“Bardy, what is your favorite animal?” The question shot out of Rosa very loud, and you could hear the smile in her question.

Bardolf looked at the ground. He thought for a moment and replied in a low voice with a low smile, “A ladybug.”

With one disgusted and confused look, Rosa replies back, "A ladybug is not an animal. It is an insect. A very cute bug but just that, an insect. Bardolf you have to pick a real animal, not a fake one."

"I can choose whatever I want for my favorite animal, and I choose a ladybug. It is hard working, and it protects our great plants from being eaten by other bugs out there. It is just as important to us like a monkey. A monkey will protect its home. The difference is a ladybug will not through poop at you." Bardolf then quickly grabbed Rosa and tickled her. He loved to hear her laugh. It was such a guttural laugh that reminded him of his sister a little.

“So now it is my turn to ask the question to you. What is your favorite animal, Rosa?”

“Oh, that is easy. A goose. I love gooses because of the honk when they talk. Have you ever heard anything more adorable as that? They honk. So silly don’t you think? And I love their beautiful feathers. They always look like they have something on their minds. A very intelligent animal if you ask me!”

“What would you do with a goose? They are just there. They lay eggs. Not unless that’s why you want one. So that way we can eat eggs? I think you are the intelligent one.”

“No Bardy. That is not why I want one. I want one because it will teach me how to swim. I can play stick dolls with it. I will be able to nap with someone. I will always have someone to be with me when you lock me up in my room at night. And I would love to know what a goose thinks about all day. Sure it will just honk at me, but I can fill in the blanks. I am good like that.” Rosa gave Bardolf a starry-eyed smile. He saw the wheels turning behind those starry eyes. There was a plan that was already happening in Rosa to get a goose. What she did not know was that Bardolf had the same plan happening behind his glowing hazels eyes to make her plan happen.

That night when Bardolf went out, he didn’t hunt for hatred to appease Violetta. Instead, he hunted out love to make Rosa smile. He was filled with so much joy he couldn’t transform tonight even if he wanted to. There was not a single ounce of rage living in him. Bardolf cannot remember the last time he felt this content. It was very magical.

As Bardolf wandered out of the house after he put Rosa to bed, Bardolf headed into a different direction than what he usually traveled. He did not walk past Violetta to go into town. Instead, he headed towards the farms. In one pocket Bardolf was armed with some bread just in case he had to bribe any goose to come home with him. In the other pocket, he was armed with money just in case he had to bribe any human to give him a goose. As Bardolf walked down the path, there was almost a spring to his step. He was almost giddy for the night to be over so he could see Rosa’s face in the morning.

The first farm that Bardolf came to had every sort of farm animal one could imagine. He did not care about any of them except for the geese. He wanted the cutest one with the most intelligent face and had the loudest honk. Bardolf knew the last trait he was looking for would drive him crazy, but it would make Rosa happy.

Bardolf stopped right outside the gate of the property. There was a Shepard dog outside that barked at Bardolf. The owner came outside. Bardolf was expecting an old man, but a young man about Bardolf’s age came out.

“May I help you?” The man asked with some hesitation.

“Sorry to bother you this time at night. I was coming by to see if you have any geese?” Bardolf asks.

“Why?”

“I have a little girl at home, and here dream is to own a goose. It is her favorite animal, and I would love to make her happy. I am prepared to pay you for one.”

“They are mean sons of bitches. Are you sure? Is you girl at home a trouble maker and this is your form of punishment? If so, that is funny, and I will just give you one.”

“No sir.” Bardolf answers. “My little girl is a very happy little girl that has a perfect temperament. She says geese are very intelligent, and she views herself as very intelligent. She looks at a goose as a match in the smarts department. I will pay you $45 for a goose. That is more than enough for one of these animals. What do you say?”

The man grinned and once again Bardolf was shocked. The man had a full mouth of teeth. Not what Bardolf was expecting. “If you give me $50 I will through in a cow.”

“You have yourself a deal.” As soon as Bardolf said that he immediately regretted it. What is Bardolf going to do with a cow? He hoped that it was not dried up, and they would at least be able to get some milk out of it. If not Bardolf would have to take it to get butchered. He would butcher it himself, but then he would not be able to share with Rosa.

The farmer gave the animals to Bardolf. Bardolf told the farmer the request’s for the goose and the farmer brought up a very beautiful bird that was equally as loud. The cow had no characteristics. The three walked home with a very loud honk coming from the goose every once in a while.

When the three got home, Bardolf tied the cow up to the porch until he could build the cow a home. He did the same for the goose. He did not sleep that night due to the anticipation of seeing Rosa’s face. When He let Rosa out of her room the next morning. He let her know that he had a surprise for her.

“Now Rosa. Close your eyes.” Just as Bardolf finished his sentence the goose outside started honking and Rosa smiled, Ran out the door and screamed with joy when she saw the goose. The goose honked just as loud as Rosa screamed from being so startled.

“Oh my gosh. I love him. He is so pretty. I will name you Feathers. Thank you Bardolf.”

Rosa ran to Bardolf and gave him the biggest hug.