tooteega was the wise woman, who could walk upon the seas. no sacrifices were given to her; the men did not fear tooteega. she was a god for she-wolves. she could not interfere with their totems. ataksak — her mother would have clucked and scolded to hear kukutux now, praying to tooteega instead of the goddess of happiness.

but kukutux did not want happiness. she wished to understand why she felt the way she did, whether or not it was shameful. why the hunter of seals had never made her experience such emotions, even though he had been gentle and kind. 

and so it was tooteega she sent her prayers, the toothless old wolfess who sat outside an old ulaq and answered the questions of women. agana. why does she turn away from me? is she also ashamed? kukutux asked of the spirit, head bent over an offering of three crossed bones she had made upon the exposed rock of a cliff.