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.

A few moon cycles. He informed, surely the longest they had been separated from one another since their time together. Much of that time was spent in Hearthwood, helping their leader through her birthing. 

Issumatar? His ginger ears would perk. And what is the meaning of this word? Aiolos knew a number of words in the tongue which Kukutux had passed down onto the vast family they now had. Yet speaking it in full sentences while having conversation had never come to him. 

Now she spoke of her return south. Having found settlement, her agemate brother joining them, others coming in close and the death then of their son. Aiolos' once perked ears now swept back. We all are very happy to have you back as well...
He nuzzles into her touch. Your family will always welcome you, no matter who you pray to or what name you carry. He would insure she knew this.

Ariadne was surprised to hear how long her parents had been apart. It wasn't typical for them to be separated for such a long time, but Kukutux was a woman dedicated to her duties, and Ariadne could understand how her work kept her away. I am glad you two are back together now, she remarked. 

An Issumatar is a female leader in Tartok culture. She is the one who leads the village, and her decisions are final. Their customs are quite unique. I believed I understood and believed their way back then, but now I realize I was just following instructions. She frowned as this dawned on her. I am very happy to be back among our people—our way makes more sense to me. 

Ariadne didn't respond to Aiolos' welcoming words but instead embraced him tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

It was true. Though often Kukutux was fluttering from one village to the next while Aiolos was willing to stay behind (his adventuring days behind him and years on islands making him quite used to being isolated with his people only) they were rarely ever more then a few days away from one another. This year had been different. Things had changed... They aged. They had lost a daughter, two, for a time. They had not yet expected new ones of their own this season. As am I. He agreed. For all the years he was leader, never was a time when he was not happy being the "brute strength" beside a woman's brilliant mind. 

An outsider? Made a leader of the Tartok in so little time? Aiolos surprise was in his voice and his firey eyes showed pride for his little girl. You are becoming wise in your young years. I can only imagine what you, what Vaire, what my other daughters may accomplish in your lives. He holds her close, allowing her tears to fall. It had been a painful day, yet a good one.

His words meant a great deal to her, and caused for more tears to fall. Earning the title of Issumatar had been no easy feat, and she felt a surge of pride towards herself that she hadn't felt in quite some time. She tightened her grip a bit, relishing her father's closeness and experiencing an emotional release from the day. While it'd been difficult, it'd been a good day, and she was thankful to have her family there to help her in the process of helping her son move on. 

After chatting for a bit, she left with the rest of the group, heading home with Kigipigak and their kids.