Something Else

Trying to underscore the fact that ILYA IS A DORK.

I added this bit of conversation to the deer skinning scene:

She went on with her work, cutting at the skin around the back of one of the hind legs.  Nervously, I took a few steps toward her.  I examined the deer, of what was left of it.  The head and legs had been removed.  I spotted the severed parts on the ground on the other side of the tree with a saw beside them.

“What do you do with the leftover parts?” I asked, trying my best to sound casual in spite of the fact that my heart was pounding.

“Katyusha takes them and feeds them to her chickens,” Anna replied.

“Oh,” I said, “I didn’t realize that chickens eat meat.”

“Well, they do,” said Anna.  My cheeks began burning.  I must have sounded like an idiot.  I tried to think of something I could say that would make me sound wise and impressive. 

I pointed to the large, round muscle of the rump and said, “This is the Gluteus Maximus, and this,” I pointed to the muscle that ran down the top of the leg, “Is the bicep femoris.” 

Anna stopped what she was doing and looked up at me with a raised eyebrow and scowling lips.  I pulled my hand away and stared down at my feet.  I thought about just running away, but since I’d said I was interested in buying meat, I couldn’t.

“I… I’m going to be a doctor,” I mumbled, “My father was one and I used to read his books.”

Anna laughed and returned to what she was doing. 

“Can I help you with anything?” I asked in a low voice.