Ouroboros Spine first blood

For @Shikoba. Hope you don't mind the tag!

The time had come for the new warrior to formally claim his new name. As moonwoman had directed, blood from a first hunt by Inutsuk was required. However, she hadn't specified that he need hunt alone.

Remembering what was spoken before about Shikoba, he decided to take action towards a possible outcome for his future. The two knew little of each; this being of both skill and personality. With the chance to run side by side, this would change. They would learn of each other and perhaps sprout to friendship or something more.

Knowing well that the scarred woman was diligent in her time as a guardian, he assumed he would find her either close by the ulaq, guarding the young, or patrolling the grounds. 

Inutsuk would begin by searching the grounds and trail his way back to the ulaq. It was only he'd visited there, but he remembered directions well.

<333

for most days, shikoba is found at the borders strengthening her scent along the outer parts of the spine. there is little change in her tightly-packed schedule of patrolling, scenting, scanning, walking, and all the other fun responsibilities she has given herself as she now holds the title of sivullik in the village. she is meant to protect and provide, nothing has truly changed except the name of her position. ever since she joined moonglow, she has promised to give what blood she has left to offer. now, her promise can never be broken as long as she remains as the first hunter.

today, shikoba has been searching through more unfamiliar parts of the territory for certain berries that could make for colorful hues. her painting lesson with the cloudberry woman has left shikoba feeling creative and peaceful. albeit, this may be the first thing shikoba has done that hasn't pertained to sparring or hunting. it felt nice to do something different. a gentle twig with a few crimson berries is gently held within her mouth, a few leaves dangling as shikoba trots towards her ulaq. she hopes löté may instruct her more on how to go about crushing them into paint.

but until her next canvas is ready, shikoba sets the branch against the inner wall of her ulaq. though, she hears something behind her, and soon enough catches morte's presence. she turns to face him, half of her body within her home, half sticking out. "shikoba greets," she says to him politely, "settle in?"

On his way, a familiar scent drew through his breath. Shikoba had passed here. 

It was not yet a faint scent, so it was left traceable. Being one experienced in such a trade, he was able to follow effortlessly until upon the woman's ulaq.

The ulaq was far more decorated than his own. A pungent scent came from within, though he could not detect its origin. 

As the scarred warrior emerged, Inutsuk blinked, slightly unsure as to how to begin. Shoving away the concern, he returned a greeting in the form of a nod and hollow chuff.

To settle is one way of describing it. I have recently met Kukutux. It was then she gave me my new name of Moonglow language: Inutsuk. He would not act too proud now. A wrong impression would steer his desired outcome far from its path.

She has said that I must hunt by first blood under this title so that the spirits may accept it. You know far more of these lands than I and have more experience with the hunt. I had thought perhaps we could hunt together.

Head tilting a bit, Inutsuk awaited her response to this request. Naturally, he would refuse to admit he was anxious, but deep down, the truth told that he was anxious indeed.

a new name given by the spirits, bestowed from the lips of the moonwoman herself. an honor this man has, though shikoba may only hope that kukutux has not wasted her time for putting effort into this man so quickly. perhaps, this inutsuk would fair differently than the baptiste man once did.

shikoba nods as he speaks, happy to know that he at least seems pleased with the process of gaining a brand new start within moonglow. whatever troubles found their way to him would be lost, tied to his past name that has been cast to the sea of dreams and memories. inutsuk seems more fitting in shikoba's eyes, it sounds strong to her. and this man certainly exudes the strength in his body.

his suggestion for a hunt together causes a gentle smile to pull up the corners of shikoba's mouth as a gentle hum is given to him as a response. she's always happy to have another in her hunting party, so with that, she exits her ulaq and tosses her head for him to follow. though, she walks slow to encourage him to walk shoulder to shoulder with her rather than trail behind. 

"anik lake, shikoba and inutsuk fish." perhaps he expected a partridge hunt or a chase down the rabbit holes, but today, shikoba was intending to take this challenge to the water. after all, kukutux has ties to the ocean and to water, perhaps her spirits are the same way. meat is meat, flesh is flesh, blood is blood. hopefully, the hunting party grows successful by the end of the first hour. she turns her head to look at him for a moment as they walk. "fish before?"

The woman had begun to depart and he was quick to follow; eager, even.

She was slower paced. Inutsuk noticed this quickly. A good sign, hopefully. Maybe she had the same hope as he did... engage to become better acquainted.

Striding alongside Shikoba's flank, he moved with ease, four heavy limbs carrying him onward. As she'd mentioned fish, the man's ears perked quickly. Upon the question, a brow lifted. Never. I must admit, it seems like it would be easier. I am not exactly built to run. 

An amused chuff followed his words. They were true. Burly men were made to execute the kill, not chase it.

he seems interested enough, a bit comical even. shikoba nods to him for a moment; it makes sense that the brute of his stature would not be well-suited to chase after something that relies on speed and agility. should they ever end up hunting the caribou that enter the spine during the colder months, shikoba would have to remember to use inutsuk as the strength to bring it down once she and the others tire it out. hopefully, he will remain for such a joyous time.

until then, she focuses on guiding him through parts of the territory before the frigid lake comes into view. the water would not feel as refreshing as it once was in the summer, but this would be a test of not just skill, but willingness to follow the program. shikoba doesn't care much for the idea of swimming, but a belly full of trout is hard to deny herself. she stops at the edge of the water, seeing the little laps of the water slide across the rough exterior of the sand and rock.

she looks towards inutsuk with a hopeful glint in her eyes. "follow, slowly." she instructs him, and soon enough the native finds herself slowly immersing herself into the cold water. thankfully, shikoba runs quite warm, so the shock of the temperature does little to scare her. once the two have almost half of their legs submerged, she stops to check the progress of the man. "fish need patience, scare easily. wait till close, then--" she chomps towards him playfully, teeth clacking together in a satisfying noise. "inutsuk understand?"

Upon the instruction, he replies with a simple nod, moving further from her shoulder so that he can watch.

The woman pushed against the current, making way into the substance. From just a paw's touch, it was evident that the water would not be warm today. Frigid temperatures often didn't bother him, but teeth did grit upon submerging regardless.

Limbs were half soaked before Shikoba paused. Inutsuk followed suite, now wading a bit closer. How could he learn from afar? Or so that's what he'd convinced himself.

Each word was heard carefully. An amused grin caught his expression as the woman demonstrated how the meal was to be caught. Twitching his ears, he chuffed. So long as I'm not the one getting chomped on, I think we're good.

he seems to draw closer as his words draw a small, rumbling chuckle form the fiery woman before him. it seems this man has a good head on his shoulders, hopefully this will not be his first and last time being apart of the sivullik's hunting party. "good, watch close." she says to him, and soon returns her sulfuric gaze to the frigid water. her stature lowers as her nose hangs barely above the water's surface, dry.

slowly, after a few minutes of silence, a rainbow trout swims closer to her as the water grows still. silent, quiet, shikoba's rounded ears stay forward. without any warning, the woman dives down quickly, white water scatters and creates a symphony of splashes. and as the native pulls herself up, the rainbow trout's tail flails about rapidly as she holds onto his belly. the woman's face is practically soaked at this point, but a prideful grin finds itself on her face.

now, it would be his turn. she motions to the water, it is time for his first blood with her.

Nodding his heavy head forward, Inutsuk did as the red woman bade: He watched.

Silence fell to both of them. Nothing but the rushing water of the river could be heard now. It almost sent the man into a trance, though he was quick to shift back his attention to reality. Occasionally, his gaze broke from the water and grazed Shikoba. Part of him would say he was only studying her movements to better learn; as for the other part... well, that much he wouldn't be so bold to admit. She had a fiery soul. To that there was no doubt. Strength, confidence, and kindness surged through every word and motion. It was admirable and a good to show to quickly gain respect. She surely had his.

Nose twitching softly, a splash urged him to focus again on the task at hand. 

It surely hadn't taken long for a finned creature to find itself planted within the hunter's jaws. A small chuff and grin offered his applause. He almost wanted to scowl when she then prodded for him to have his go. Shikoba had far more experience than he did and, should he fail, he would make a fool of himself for sure.

Inutsuk would not turn away, however. She had been kind enough to accept his information and give him a lesson in hunting those of water. For this, he was grateful. To show such gratitude, he could only try his best to succeed and let this be the mark of his first hunt.

Inhaling quietly, a steady gaze befell the water. Stern, focused; and nothing less. Feet were at the ready, as were teeth. When the time came and a fin was spotted, the man's head charged for the rippling surface, disappearing for only a second before emerging to view.

To his surprise, he hadn't resurfaced alone. Low and behold, a fish dangled from his grasp, squirming furiously. Inutsuk was almost too shocked to respond and finish the kill. Frankly, he was unsure how to do so, really. So, doing the only thing he could think of, he bit down hard until blood drew from where he had drilled his teeth. 

Perking his head, the man looked to the woman, tilting it a bit in question of whether he'd performed well or poorly. Sure, he caught it... but, was it done to the proper standard?

excitedly, the woman watches inutsuk perform his first hunt. focused, driven, quiet -- it was all of the things that a master fisherman needed in order to be successful. she is silent, hearing only the droplets of water retouch the calm surface of the lake. ears perked forward, sulfur eyes pinned on the man's body. 

soon his head dives beneath the water, and behold! a mighty fish struggles within his grasp, and it seems the hunter is almost in shock of what to do. however, instincts take over, and the sickening crunch against the fish's body makes shikoba's tail swing with glee. he had finally earned the right to his name. the first blood had been spilled, the spirits make way for the many other hunting parties that may take place in the future, successful with flesh and bone.

quick nods of the head towards him, a grin full of fish, shikoba is quite pleased with her teaching skills and his quick talent. she would not have judged him had he missed, as fish tend to be quite mindless and soon return to areas that seem dangerous after a few minutes have passed by. with a little bounce in her step, shikoba encourages inutsuk towards the shore. she leaps out towards the sand and rock, bounding like a little deer over a meadow. her head turns to see if he will follow her with the same level of excitement or not.

once her legs are on dry land, a vigorous shake of the coat is needed to dry off the water. hopefully, the man was not in the splash zone.

The wag of a tail was quick to inform him of a performance well done.

She was quite excited towards his success, which made the triumph even more worthwhile.

Chuffing beneath the mouthful, Inutsuk's eyes darted after the sivilluk who leapt through the water. A sudden playfulness came about him.

He would waste no more time; and so, he would follow after. 

Such a heavy structure could perform no graceful movements. As he sprung in tow, the water sprawled, creating a loud splash every time his feet touched the earth below the surface. Normally, he would have considered it a nuisance, but the sound was close to being drowned out. Too much else was on his mind to care about the childish acts he committed.

Once he had landed on solid ground where Shikoba was, his jaws expanded, letting the bloodied fish flop over the earth. 

Little time had then passed before the scarred warrior began quake, vigorously shaking her skeleton back and forth to rid of the excess water. Without enough time to process, his coat was now granted twice the loud.

Inutsuk's expression turned to a haughty grin. 

His upper body then swinging high up in the air, it came back down roughly, feet quickly meeting the ground. Upon the collision, loose soil was then sent spraying towards her. The perfect case of revenge, in his eyes.

Mischievious pride was immediately put on display, chin lifting high to celebrate.

it seems her partner in crime was not too pleased to be in the line of fire for an extra rain shower. a scattering of soil against the agouti causes her to spin to face the man, noting his mischievous smile and posture. she takes a step towards him, ears airplaning for a moment before they settle forward. a propeller for a tail, the smaller woman leaps down into a bow -- an invitation for play, or perhaps a light spar if he willed it to be more than nips -- and her paws tap against the surface.

a low rumble in her throat. she dares him to make the first move.

It took him a moment, but eventually he caught on to the invitation, smirking in regards to her challenge.

Willing to accept, Inutsuk lowered over his frontal limbs, teeth bared. A growl emerged from the depths, though it kept out a tad harsher than he'd intended. Force of habit.

Lunging forward towards her, the man made an awkward turn, diving sideways until upon his backside. Snout aimed to the side, the jowls grappled over her ankle, gnawing at the bone. It was more playful than aggressive. If his normal self, such a formal challenge would have been met head on. However, in this case, he had no such mood to force on an aggressive and competitive mindset. Hopefully Shikoba would understand this and keep things simple.

her invitation is met with a challenge and the man lunges towards her with intent. he lands his match, and his mouth grabs ahold of her and weighs her down. however, shikoba is quick to move and turn her head towards his, searching for his release unless he wants to feel her teeth graze against his skin [as gently as she could make it be]. should he comply and leave her leg, she would turn her body to avoid another attack on her limbs. but should he remain complacent in his spot against her ankle, then the woman would aim for an ear for a gentle tug.

her tail wags furiously, it has been quite some time since she had sparred, even more so played with someone. even in her older age, some things can never be forgotten.

As much as he would have preferred to depart unscathed, given the activity was meant only as a playful gesture, no challenge would ever be adverted. Hence this, he remained with his hold. 

The woman's snout came low then, answering his disobedience with a more-so gentle consequence. Inutsuk felt a tug upon his audit. It wasn't too painful, as it would have been were this a full on brawl. Nonetheless, he released his grip on her ankle, sending his open jowls towards her snout in a plead to set his ear free. Too much longer and it truly would begin to hurt.

Aye, aye... He barked in protest, brows scrunched. I'd like to have two ears by the end of the day.

aha, victorious!

the ear grab for some reason tends to be claiming mark of shikoba, considering the marking she had done of nuak to atone for his sins against moonglow. but the memory should only linger, for her thoughts remain on the man before her, parting her black lips to remove his flesh between her teeth. as she pulls away, she smiles towards him, "have not played in long time," shikoba says to him, "it's fun."

when was the last time? perhaps with larkspur, mordecai and harlyn when lost creek hollow remained a family. perhaps, with that litter, it was the last time that shikoba had played with someone. but those were children, this was an adult, a full-grown wolf engaging in something one could view as childish, but shikoba sees it as time well spent.

now, she settles on her haunches for a moment and looks down towards the catches of the two. the spirits now could truly give the man his name. "inutsuk," she says carefully, "good name. with fish and blood, inutsuk claims it." 

unexpectantly, shikoba throws her head back in a howl, a call to everyone so that they shall now name his name. "inutsuk claims his name. first blood has spilled, and spirits bless him." hopefully, he will find it more joyous than strange, and perhaps even partake in the song.

Show off. 

He revoked her win with a small glare, extending his jaws to nip the air towards her snout. Inutsuk wasn't a sore loser, nor did he deem it unfit for a woman to beat a man. In this case, he was only teasing.

It is. He agreed with a small chuff, flopping awkwardly upon his flank to once again find the hold of his feet.

Playing was not something to often cross his mind. It was childish, after all.. but, not unintended for any.

Shikoba looked to the outcome of their successful hunt. Then she spoke regarding his new title. He now could speak it to be his name in truth and with blessing. I am grateful to Kukutux for finding it. Moonglow is my family, as I am its. The name will better prove this, given my former only cursed me. The thought of an old name drooped his ear, but the moment he heard the sivilluk begin to sing, he couldn't help but push the memory aside. This was too happy of an occasion to be down in the dumps.

She was able to lift his spirit so easily, even with the smallest gesture. The man's tail wagged with glee before he pointed his snout upward and joined with a deeper version of her song. He did not howl often, so it may have been odd towards any audit, but at this point, what did it matter?

soon their song dissipates into the chilly air as her tones grow dark. she looks towards inutsuk with an expression of joy. moonglow welcomes him, the name of his past is now buried and only now he lives on as something blessed by the spirits. inutsuk, a man of strength and quick learning.

a man who grows on the warrior woman, even if just for these moments.

"moonglow welcomes inutsuk, now, we eat and celebrate." well, the party may consist of only these two for now, but it would still hold value to break bread with the sivullik. getting on shikoba's good side is never a bad thing as the woman can have harsh words and tough teeth. she motions to the two fish that lay on the shore.

"has inutsuk made den?" normally, that may be the best place to eat, but if the man lacks, then perhaps he may join shikoba near hers so they may eat together. "first meal should be eaten there." a time of firsts for everyone, but perhaps this is all part of the silent claiming process in the mind of the woman. he spills blood, and now he consumes it in his domain. truly, he relishes in his new identity this way.

Celebration by means of feasting with company. This was something he'd never heard of, nor participated in. Though, who was he to complain when offered the perfect candidate to celebrate with.

Shikoba asked if he made a den. In this weather? Normally, he wouldn't. When he lived in the mountains, there was never a place to make a competent den and so, he would make peace with the cold and burrow himself in the snow. Admitting this would be a tad embarrassing, but he would hide no truth from her. 

I have not, no, He answered truthfully, shaking his head. When in the mountains, I never used to make dens. Instead, I burrowed myself into the snow. To be honest, it doesn't bother me. I grew so used to the cold after all of those years growing up.. His vocals faded. An odd way to end the explanation, but there wasn't much more to say.

she looks at him curiously, how could he possibly just... ignore the cold and just burrow within it? staying out in the desert with no den would be asking for heat stroke, mirages, dehydration, and probable death. and in the snow? frostbite, hypothermia, and again, death. in new ways, as the moments grow along between the two, shikoba feels impressed and curious about the ways of the man before her.

before he was inutsuk, before he was here. who was morte?

"inutsuk does not have to make ulaq," she tries her best to reassure him, "nice for cold weather, or rain." while the rain is seen as a blessing and a gift, it still brings chills to the bones of the warrior woman. her thinner coat is not meant to handle these tougher challenges that winter brings. as she grows older, she worries that she may too need to start draping herself with the furs that adorn the back of moon woman.

she looks towards the direction of her own before making eye contact with him. "come with shikoba, back to ulax. maybe inutsuk like them and make one." a polite suggestion as she goes to pick up her fish. something this fresh should be eaten quickly before the meat goes stale.

It would come as no surprise to him if Shikoba found his chosen arrangement to be odd. There were others who had questioned it before, but he didn't seem to pay mind. This was his way, just as he had been taught before sent unto independence.

Inutsuk offered a sincere nod, pleased that she understood. Her suggestion to observe the ways those of Moonglow slept was tempting. Perhaps sleeping in a den would be better. It was then he decided that he would take her up on this offer. If he did indeed find interest in these ulax, he would make one for himself. Finding comfort in one would be best for the future anyhow. When it came time to build a family, one would be required and he would have to get used to sleeping within one.

Lead the way, then. The man nodded in acceptance to go, tail swaying behind him.

he is content, and thus, shikoba beings to lead the duo back towards the denning area of others. the fish hangs loosely from her jaws, dripping water and little bits of shikoba's own saliva. while she grew on rodents and small mammals, fish is a delicacy that she enjoys due to its rarity. it was something she discovered in her days of exploration in her youth.

she does her best to ensure that she keeps pace with the man, wanting to stay in stride so that they may walk together. after a few moments of a quiet atmosphere, the area of sleeping comes into view. the branch of berries is still laying against the outer edge of hers. thankfully, a woodland creature has not come to steal her findings. the smears and pawprints of a purple-like red on the walls of her den will hopefully grow into a bigger art piece if she can find more plants to provide different colors.

she pauses in front of her own ulaq, something large enough to be considered spacious but small enough to still be cozy, hopefully, her companion would be able to enter without it being a tight squeeze. she soon disappears within the depths of her ulaq, settling on her little bed of rabbit pelt, though one large pelt is the remains of a coyote. with an encouraging yip, she invites him in to settle beside her.

She began to lead and so, he would follow after having collected his fish of first.

After a minute or so of walking, Inutsuk noticed her intent to share the same speed. Where she was quicker, he had larger strides. Normally they would have moved differently, but, thankfully, they wouldn't here. 

If it weren't for the fish danging from his jaws, he would have thanked her verbally. Instead, he butted her shoulder gently with the crown of his head [size=small]—[/size] his version of a thank you.

Once they arrived to where her ulaq had been made, he looked to it in awe. It was decorated with color and small bits of accessory. This was far different from what he had envisioned, but know Shikoba, there would always be something special added, for she was no ordinary individual compared to others.

The entrance to the den seemed smaller than he would fit, but after giving an attempt, he managed to squeeze in with enough space to his disposal. Her invitation was heard shortly after he had entered. Chuffing beneath the fish, he located the larger pelt, set down the fish, and sunk over the coyote tunic.

I will admit, this is quite different of a setting than I had imagined. You certainly have your way of making it your own. By this, he meant in a good way, of course. He genuinely adored it, just as he did her.

i absolutely adore these two hehe, ready to fade here?

the use of furs is something not necessarily new to her, though it was once forgotten in her mind as she grew farther from the desert that she called home. as she learned more about Moonglow and the moon woman herself, shikoba was able to rekindle her knowledge in furs and the drying process to save them.

her family had used them to decorate their shared den, a sacred bed filled with the scent of the pheasant tail family and their blessings. though the furs are probably degraded by now, perhaps stolen in a raid of her empty family den. or perhaps, in an easier way of thinking, the den is sealed from one of the rocks that used to reside above the entrance. perhaps, it is like a tomb now where it is sealed from the outside world.

it would be an easier way to think of it, at least her family's spirit would be kept safe inside. but, the woman digresses in thought and instead returns to her world with inutsuk. his compliment is taken with a smile. "reminds shikoba of old home, with lots of fur." a little taste of her history, perhaps later he will learn more about it if he asks. who knows, maybe he may even get a muse for his own ulaq after witnessing her creative touch in her own. "now, inutsuk eat." she encourages him as she begins to pick apart her own fish.

Sure seems like a good place to me.

The feel of the fur lining beneath him brought a short memory; the feel of a newborn lain against his mother's belly. It was warm.. comforting — such in a way that made his face burn with indignation. All relationships he once held with any form of family had long since been destroyed and not by his doing. While now was a time to live anew, memories would never simply vanish. This is what he hated most, as both the former Morte and the present Inutsuk.

Hearing the softness in Shikoba's vocals drew his eyes upward toward her. This was no time to be angry and coarse. Hopefully she had not seen his reaction, for if she did, he figured queries would ensue. At the prod to eat, he would do just that and do his best to brush it over. For now, he would let this moment be only of celebration — not anguish and hatred for something that happened years prior. It was all over now.