Swiftcurrent Creek and the meaning is oh so clear

set at the skull tree as referenced in internal territories

It was perfect.

Jakub sat, staring at the weather-worn ivory. White as that woman that had arrived in the last couple moons, except without her old, gnarled scars.

Grooves, sure. He found them within the skull, like rivulets through dry ground. He followed one in particular, long, deep and jagged—it ran from the top down to the side, trailing off by the once-perfectly hinged jaw.

He knew what this was. He'd seen enough kill to recognize bones, and he'd seen enough heads to recognize that whatever was within the rabbits and squirrels and the occasional deer they feasted off of was within them all.

But why was it here—alone?

Jakub felt suddenly warm, and turned away, a strange feeling rising within him.

Don't look, or you'll never look away.

Mae was his shadow today; the darkling Mayfair had remained subdued ever since her head injury, often trailing one of her brothers or @Arric in thoughtful silence. She kept the piece of amber with her always.

But now her attention was captured by the treasure Jakub had found. Mae could think of it as nothing else; it was something new and rare, unlike anything she'd seen before. Where her brother turned away, she stepped past him on light feet to inspect the skull more closely. She ran her nose along the pale surface. Her eyes found her brother, questioning.

*cracks knuckles, gets back into child mode*

Mae's presence was barely noted; he was still filled with a sense of awe and voyeurism at the thing. But when she reached out to examine the skull with her snout, he whipped his head around, not noticing that she'd already turned to face him.

No. Don't touch, he snapped, anger bubbling within him (and why?!).

Jakub took a deep, hissing inhale and took a step back, cocking his head to regard the thing with solemn golden gaze.

It's special.

That much was obvious. But why?

Mae was startled and perhaps a little hurt by her brother's admonishment. She blinked at him for a moment, but stepped back from the skull as he wished.

Okay, She said quietly. Her expression betrayed none of her emotions. Mae turned her gaze back to the skull, studying it in the same way her brother did. It was special, he'd said. She did not know what he meant by it but felt that he must be right.

That didn't seem like Mae. She normally was a little pushier, louder, and generally inclined to get her way. At her soft acceptance and withdrawal, he gave her an odd look, dark brow furrowed in puzzlement.

What is it? he asked.

The question was twofold—what was this thing, since Mae was more outgoing and had perhaps seen more of the world than him; and what was wrong with her.

Because, clearly, something seemed wrong.

He couldn't possibly be overthinking at all.

She hadn't expected her brother to question her. Mae glanced up at him, startled and uncertain what he meant for a moment. Then she shrugged. You said no, She said simply.

What Jakub had missed was the slow dying of the fire in his sister's spirit; the way their twisted childhood had chipped away at her, leaving her hollow, apathetic and sullen in ways no child should be. Her gaze returned to the skull.

I said don't touch, he countered, frowning. Not. . .claim ignorance, as she now was. What was wrong with her? I dunno what it is. Thought maybe you did.

Thus, Jakub exhausted his words and he gave her a long, level stare, brows knitted, a deep furrow between his eyes.

Well. Almost.

What's wrong? he asked, cocking his head. She wasn't acting like herself.