Ouroboros Spine kakisak ⊅

a wedding drew close.

another must be planned.

kukutux, having sent @Arrluk to search again for @Waawaashkeshi and nasamiituuq, moonwoman called @Ajei to her side beneath the oaken sisters.

their branches were skeletal against the winter sky.

"it is time to speak of arrluk. and bride-price,"[/i] she murmured. "and your mother's ways. shikoba, she will listen as we share these words."

Ajei filled her days with what she could. She would fish in the river. Dry herbs if she found them. Break ice for drinking. She cleaned out dens and she hunted small game. She would never be a huntress like her mother. But she could at least fill bellies with small things.

But today she was called on a different agenda. She heeded the call as quick as she could. A smile for Kukutux.  and then she was momentarily blind sided and blinked. Then a strange sensation began in her toes and slid upwards. Warmth and a huge dose of shyness that made her paws quake. But it was a good feeling. Evident by the snap in her green eyes. Theirs was not a all consuming love she didn't think. It had been friendship first and blossomed further. Into something warm and homey.

Mama never spoke of these things with me. She did not have the time. Unfortunately. Ajei's ears drooped a little. Something else her mother would miss in her daughters life. But she was glad Kukutux could share this with her.

"then i will speak of these words for you. not as your only mother but as one who has known your face for a long while."

a pause.

"you see that many things are brought for a woman who will marry, ajei. but the wealth of moonglow and moontide, these are also yours to have. so i make the asking that you tell to me what you want, in your mind. in your heart. ask. i know arrluk will hunt it for you."

there were other items, of course; she would speak of these to her son, but ajei must have what she wished.

Ajei smiled sweetly. Glad to know that she would not go on this journey alone. That someone would be there to help her along. And that her mother's memory would be there enfolding her in it's lasting embrace. If not physical body, then spirit and thoughts. 

Ajei did not know what she could ask for. She didn't. She knew she she must come up with something. But the thought too that he could possibly not come back after such a hard journey. She tilted an ear. Thoughtful.

A fish from the tide pools of moontide. The fur of an elder brother otter that fights hard and is given a good death. And the roots of a weeping willow to grow near my mother's grave.

her paws softly held those of ajei as the star-girl spoke, and her own eyes were touched with pretty tears. "i will tell these things to @Arrluk. they are sacred, what you have asked for him to bring. i see it."

and it would be done. kukutux felt a healing spirit settle there between them.

A warmth in her cheeks. A small smile. She tried. She did not know how important this all was. Exactly. But she did know it was.

I just chose things that I feel important. Something for my mother so she can be here. Something for me. And something to share.

Ajei missed her mother, like a dull ache. But she got through it sometimes. Some days oh it ran her low. But she persevered or tried after she cried.

What else must I do? Is there a husband price?

"there is no husband price," she said smilingly, "unless you too wish to collect gifts for arrluk. he will have much appreciation for what it is you gather."

he already loved ajei. this was plain to the eyes of all who saw them.

"we will meet. we will speak. when he brings what you have asked, then we will make a meeting and a day for your wedding."