Ouroboros Spine ★☆ uvlugiam anana ★☆

funeral & death songs for shikoba! this thread can be used ongoingly; single replies also welcome, no posting order! @Ajei @Vairë @Valiant @Galana @Ciri @Ariadne @Stratos @Faele @Kyrell @Kigipigak - for visibility, @Aiolos @Peregrine Nantahala @Lariat @Lightfoot @Sisamat @Malguk @Atausiq @Callyope @Andr @Fleurette @Iaghe <3 set for may 7, late afternoon

they gathered for shikoba.

here in the grove, life born from the body of her sister had not drawn breath. buried here by their loved lótë, now the young spirits watched as the loose soil beneath the variegated pinewood was moved by many paws, creating a deep place for shikoba to lay.

curled upon the pelts from her den, half covered with others, her arms had been filled with the bounty of early spring. the things from her life in the ulaq she had shared with inutsuk had been placed around her, as requested.

it was hard to see the sleeping-place of the star hunter empty.

but there was some balm to witness now how easily shikoba slept beneath the soft rustling of breeze-song leaves.

"we will not forget you," kukutux murmured, and hugged ajei tightly, close, her tears falling.

soon thereafter, the evening came to moonglow, and as ajei made her first running, the duck began the death songs.

blood take from a cut bitten into her flesh, the crimson stain smeared upon her forehead and then that of others if they wished to come forward, or wished to carry out this personal rite for themselves.

but before she began, kukutux stood and after a breath, after she had caught herself, tasting salt, she spoke. "the moon does not forget the star. we say her name. we say their names. shikoba," and her heart tensed with the taboo. "shikoba," and the pain swirled within, easing the fear. "shikoba. we will sing for you now."

and lynx nodded in approval.

moonmother lifted her voice;

it is time to leave.

it is time to leave this place of sorrow.

it is time to lift from flesh and walk to home.

do not be afraid. do not be afraid. our voices walk with you, beloved spirit.

Ajei held fast to Kukutux. She had cried and whimpered. But she had helped to gather her mothers items. She had placed them around her. 

She had listened to the words of others. Had lifted her howl. Then she had run to do as her mother had asked.

lift yourself from bones now, beloved spirit.

there is a time to wait and a time to depart.

we sing you now to your home within the dancing lights,

when you open your eyes, you will be at peace.

kukutux had wept the bloodstains upon her face into a blurred bruised shade, and cried out again as the second night went on.

Kukutux change of heart to now speak the names of the dead was puzzling. Even now, as his wife spoke her name: Shikoba, Shikoba, Shikoba! Aiolos ginger ears perked high to the calling, as he say hunched with sorrow. A taboo which Kukutux had always adhered too and Aiolos had respected. Would speaking their name really bring about bad spirits? Would it mean their loved one would try to stick around and not find their way to the afterlife? Aiolos didnt know... and his son, Arrluk, whom sat at his side now had the very same questions stirring in his mind. Yet unlike Aiolos, Arrluk had been born and raised by the rule. 

Though they didn't speak, both their minds thought: Samani, Samani, Samani...! 

Aiolos remained his stoic self, his attention on the grave and all her time here. He would miss passing her by along the border, their quiet walks sometimes together. She had bore a trail of her own along the borders of their territory, as well as Aiolos had. Now it would be a trail un-walked.

Arrluk helped to collect Shikoba's things as was needed. He settled them on the ground and allowed his mother and Ajei place them where they were wanted. Then, he stepped back, taking to the side of Sunman as the ceremony took its place. 

His head swept low between his legs, ears back. He did not look to the grave as his father, yet instead his attention remained to Ajei, a tightness in his chest from her heartbreak. When she went to run, he would be there when she returned and each night even his mother's voice rose in song, so did his.

Ariadne remained in the crowd's outer limits with tears and bloodstain wet upon her pale cheeks. She would show up each night, sing their star hunter to the dancing lights, and comfort those who needed it most.

do you hear it, shikoba?

caribou running.

do you hear the sound of their hooves, my sister?

they are calling you home, star hunter.

hunt us in the world of the spirits, they say

go to them, shikoba.

go where the caribou lead

we call them to the dancing lights for you, beloved spirit.

she fell into aiolos' arms and sobbed hoarse cries.

she cried.

she wept.

shikoba's form became less.

and her spirit became more.

this night, no songs; only cries, only cries to guide the spirit on.

beloved spirit, you walk through sedna's throat.

it is dark, but do not be afraid.

we are with you.

go toward the stars beyond

go to the light beyond

do not turn back

do not look back

oh, shikoba!

go where sedna brings you.

go where your feet are told to dance!

we ask for healing.

we know the green must come again.

remove the winter from our bones.

we shed it as grandfather bear leaves his snow parka behind.

take it from us.

take it with you to the dancing lights.

our love will warm your shoulders there.

do you hear us, sister?

do you hear the running feet of your daughter?

she runs the kinaalda in your name.

do you hear, beloved spirit?

it is the moon of rivers flowing —

their wings bear you to the dancing lights now.

you crawl out of the sleeping place of sedna.

open your eyes and see.

your journey is almost at an end.

your journey is almost at an end.

kukutux lifted exhausted, tearstained face to the skies, and was silent.

silence tonight.

silence beneath dome of black with starlight kissing.

she thought of shikoba, and of the girl running the trails as her mother's spirit walked with sedna.

we will honor you as an ancestor.

we will not forget your name.

go now.

go now.

tavvauvusi.

goodbye

against the breast of mother earth would shikoba sleep soundly for all time now, her young nestled in her arms as their eternal slumber went on.