Ouroboros Spine ikualak

after the woman had come to forneskja, callyope had felt...something.

a stirring, a prickle down her spine. she knew it was not sickness. she knew it would be no terrible thing descending upon her but — she needed her anaa. she had kissed @Solharr beneath where he had given an eye for her hand and told him these things. he would know! he had warned her of this coming thing when she had spoken of feverish dreams.

she realized now how grateful she was to have a home so near to moonglow.

anaa! her voice announcing herself as she came upon borders.

she's looking for @Kukutux but aw <3

the others settled.

her heart turned toward the histories housed already in the bear lands sleek with snow. so many young had gone away or dispersed. so many had not come back.

her heart ached.

to see callyope brought gladness; she put away the elk pelts which would become fine carpeting and embraced the pale woman with her thoughtful arms.

embraced.

welcomed.

callyope only waited a breath afterwards to begin speaking — a woman came to forneskja. in a burning time.

did that mean?

i think forneskja's blood will walk with her.

"it is the way of many. the seal hunter man, chakliux; many women call to him in their time, not only his wives. he goes to them and then he returns to his home."

a soft look came to her. "not all will be wife."

"but those who are wives understand the same burning." was this so for callyope?

chakliux.

she felt — maybe it was shame. maybe it was embarrassment. to have thought so warmly of him and then become nothing but an ice storm.

she hoped forneskja might know him as hunter. that seal fat might one day be split between.

she did not voice a thing.

her presence it... she did not know! everything was new and it seemed as if she was on the precipice of something unknown. inspire is not the word but...aya! laughter escaped from her, a shake of her head.

it is like a summer breeze — even with the winter chill in the air, still.

"at times when a woman comes to her fire, her body calls to other women. it reminds them that their time is close. when you are head of your village, you are this woman. when you come to fire, callyope, others will. just as you have been reminded by this woman."

dancing with forneskja wolves! kukutux did not think she would have abided it from a man of moonglow; she meant them each to marry well, and for love's sake.

"do you have fear for this time, my daughter?"