Ouroboros Spine Aŋunsiñik

The boy that left Moonglow had been round-bellied, vivacious, and eager; so pleased by the pursuit of adventure that he did not take much of the moment seriously as he'd joined up with the caribou-hunters and been given the blessing of his village. He was going to see many new things! He was going to learn to hunt with people not too different from those of Moonglow.

Those first few nights, where the novelty had yet to wear off, would live forever in his heart. Those nights turned in to weeks, and to months, as the boy Salaksartok made the winding trek in pursuit of the herd. The men that taught him were more subdued than the eternally energized Sal, and some of the lessons were harder than others.

Life on the hunt taught Salaksartok to endure hardships with patience. The caribou hunters often traveled long distances across harsh terrain, sometimes waiting silently for hours or days for the right moment to strike. Not everything comes quickly or easily; some things require waiting, watching, and understanding the rhythms of the land and the animals — this was one of the harder lessons he had to adapt to.

He saw that each hunter, no matter how skilled, always deferred to the knowledge of others and worked as part of a larger team. He learned that strength comes not from individual prowess but from cooperation and understanding his place within the community. He saw how his actions could impact the lives of others—how a careless mistake could mean hunger for his people or disrespect to the spirits of the land. The hunters taught him to think beyond himself, to be mindful of his decisions, and to always act with honor.

The boy returns now, hiking his way along familiar trails and with a growing eagerness towards the edge of the village. That roundness he carried has been cleaved away, and while he is still physically thick, he is certainly lean and trim by comparison. He does not call out, he does not shout: having learned patience now, he observes the village limits until he spots the movement of someone on patrol and that is when he boofs, approaching with a controlled optimism.

tags just for ref!

@Vairë's head was pillowed now upon moss and thin-haired caribou skin as she lay in the trilling heat outside the ulaq, the sun's slanting rays broken by the oak-leaves spreading out over the shelter.

in trailings of autumn red and rich earth they fell, each performing a slow descent to a verdant ground.

in this time between summer's-heat and the first changings of fall she had asked @Nantahala to hunt for her mother, a tender bird that might tempt moonwoman's appetite.

she herself took to the borders in their shimmering waves.

a voice, a man's voice, and when she turned, it took only a moment of study to know who returned.

a smile touched her mouth, for he walked with the careful yet knowing stride of those who ate the miles away in a single hour. @Ipiktok would be pleased to know that salaksartok had come back, as would @Nasamiituuq upon her journey of healing offered to those around them.

his grandmother smiled brightly. "monster boy," she said, flashing her worn teeth in a grin. "the caribou have let you go?"

Where before Salaksartok would have ploughed his way to his mother's side and likely climbed in to her arms, as energetic and unencumbered as a golden retriever, now he saw the approaching figure of his grandmother and only the wag of his tail (admittedly hurried) showed his joy.

Grandmother! Sal grinned and closed in to wolfishly hug her, borrowing scents that clung to her coat. He wanted to tell her all about his adventures! At the same time, the voices of the other hunters came to him; they reminded him to be patient, but above all — these lessons were a man's knowledge.

Beyond Kukutux, nested among the moss, was Vairë. Mother! I am home! He called to her, not knowing she was sleeping.

Ipiktok walked along the well-worn village paths between the ulax, hoping to mingle with his family after a long patrol. With Akmaaksi’s help, he had selected his own lodge – a man’s lodge – yet there was much work to be done to make it worthy of the family he hoped raise there, someday.

As the stag-wolf passed by Moonwoman’s hut he heard a familiar voice. Ipiktok rounded the corner and saw an unexpected face.

“Salaksartok! Brother!” his voice boomed with surprise and animated merriment. His dark-furred sibling looked trim and hard-edge like a fine piece of flint. Ipiktok could barely hold back his curiosity, eager to hear the tales of his time with the caribou people.

“It is good to look upon your face! You have come home? To stay?” he asked with a happy, waving tail.

wakened now, moondoe reached to hug her tall son, and kukutux stepped back alongside ipiktok.

her smile was quick! radiant! "i have the want you will stay," came her soft voice. "it seems that sedna has sent you when your mother's spirit called."

she busied herself then, gathering a meal for them all, her eye turned toward her daughter more than once.

surely this would replenish her spirit. her sons had returned; now there was only nasamiituuq to come back.