This game has a surpassing beauty and profundity sometimes

I'm near the end of my third playthrough. First was a 100% run, back when the game was released. Recently I felt the itch again, and have been really taking my time with it. I spent a couple of real-life weeks in each of chapter 2 and chapter 4, just doing challenges and unlocking satchels and whatnot.

Now deep into chapter 6, and we all know where things are going. I did Sadie's mission, the end of which leaves you at Hanging Dog Ranch, up north. I'd planned all along to take one final trip into the snow and mountains--maybe a hunting and fishing expedition, maybe just a lonely ride. Wasn't sure of my intentions exactly. The mission being over and my location being what it was, I decided on the spot to do it from there. I marked a path along the western shore of Lake Isabella and rode on.

Near the lake, it occurred to me that I'd only ever seen one bull moose all game, which I'd killed just for its antlers for camp. I wondered if I'd see another. Didn't really think I would--all throughout this playthrough, I've taken many trips up past the lake and on to Colter, and that one hunt was the only one I ever came across.

This time, going at a trot up the lakeshore and going over a hill so gentle it barely existed, I saw my second bull moose. For maybe a second I wanted to hunt it. Then I sat and watched it through binoculars a while. Finally I rode it down with my horse, lassoed it, dismounted, and simply stood face to face with this great animal, huffing and pulling and unable to get away from me. After my stamina almost drained away, I let him go. Weirdly, he didn't run. Just kind of nudged me aside and walked away.

I don't know why, but this all left me very moved. Arthur's next missions will wait 'til another night.