Ouroboros Spine come one, come all it’s happening again

Aya! What a day. The ceremony for Little Fox had taken a toll on Asivaq. She felt like she'd been hit by a bus; she was overcome by grief and gratitude. It was a beautiful celebration. There were still tears in her eyes when the pack dispersed.

She excused herself from Kigipigak and the children, then began to search the crowd as she walked away. Weaving among her packmates, she searched for @Aiolos, as it'd been a while since they'd talked in private, and there were things she wished to share with him.

Ariadne His voice is soft and filled with love and pride as his daughter weaves through the dispursing gathering and into the arms of her father. Aiolos remains seated, but when daughter draws near, a foreleg extends to bring her in close and kiss her temple. I have much faith your sea-striding sister will watch over him well.

Aapa! she said in return, blinking away the last tears as she approached him. She embraced him, holding him close for a beat longer than she had intended before she detached herself and stepped back. I do, too—thank you for coming today. It was a beautiful ceremony. The support had meant everything to her.

She looked him up and down, noting how good he looked, and smiled. How are you? she asked, eager to hear about how he'd been.

Aiolos smiles deeply at his daughter and his fiery gaze does too look her up and down. If she were a bit thinner then he last remembered, now that she was back with the village she would plump up once more. 

All is well with me. He says simply. It was like him to always shy away from the attention on him, so instead, Vaire has had her recent litter. Kivaluk will have his own soon. Your mother returned after a long healing trip to our allies. Then, a pause, as he takes the conversation to her. To pry. Where had Kigipigak taken her way to after all? Tell me, where all has your ventures taken you?

He listed the recent events, and she noted the one detail she hadn't known: her mother's long healing trip. Oh? she inquired, clearly curious. How long was she gone?

When it was her turn to recall the prior month's events, she took a deep breath before recounting everything. First, we went north and stayed with a Tartok camp. There, I was named Issumatar, and learned of their ways. I was excited at first, but, looking back, I ... cannot say that I am as enthused by their ways. They were cold, and she preferred the warmth of the Sunshine People.

Then we went south and established a village of our own. Stratos joined us, and things went well for a while—until another pack came and settled right next to us. Kigipigak spent his time as an escort for the other pack, ensuring they did not trespass, and I was mostly alone with the children. It was ... exhausting. She exhaled. After Little Fox was taken from us, we decided to move, and I realized how much I missed everybody, so we came back here! and now she smiled. It is so good to be home, she whispered, reaching up and touching her nose to the base of her father's snout.