Nurtures Life had once again found something new to learn about, in his joyful yet eternal quest to nurture. The buck, while he did travel when needed, had quickly discovered that he actually preferred the settled life once he had the option. As such, one of the many things he studied was how to ensure that the various living things that made their home in his herd's Resting Place were comfortable and well cared for. As such, the buck had discovered his particular interest in the needs of things one might consider difficult or complicated, so when he'd learned about muskies from Beneath the Surface, the buck had spent much of his spare time testing and creating what he hoped would be a perfect den, as well as occasionally gathering more information any kin he encountered with knowledge on the subject.

He assumed the soil would work, as it was relatively dry here though it was nothing like the plains, so Nurtures Life had spent quite a bit of time testing different areas around the clearing, including small offshoots and various surrounding areas, before settling an area just away from the main clearing. There was almost a path between the trees connecting the two, but the ground was slightly raised compared to the rest, almost like a small hill. It had enough space for a small (compared to him) creature to run around, and even he could trot along the edge if he did an especially tight circle. Once he'd found the place, the buck started tentatively testing the soil, to ensure a den would hold. Considering his own herd's den did, Nurtures Life didn't imagine it would be a problem, but he wanted to at least get a small home started in the right place, so this private clearing would feel like home to the strange new creature he'd heard about.

Eventually Nurtures Life had an acceptable start. A small den, set back from the true center of the small clearing, but still central enough to allow for ample space in front of and around it. The space in front of the den the buck had smoothed out and cleared of all obstacles to allow for space for playing, eating and any other activities the muskies might desire. He was also quite happy with how far away it was from the clearing, the direction of which the buck had also kept in mind when digging the start of the den, so the entrance would face away from the main clearing to encourage the den's denizens to hunt or forage away from the herd and their prey animals. While there was more he could do, there was little else that could be done without the creature intended to inhabit said area, as what one thought would work could only take a kin so far. While the buck hadn't specifically planned on finding one to take in, when he heard it was time for another winter festival, the buck decided to visit.

Maybe he'd get to see one of these creatures for himself.