Ouroboros Spine Isumatuq

For @Ippiksaut! Thread title roughly translates to: a person who is thoughtful, wise, or prudent. An isumataq is traditionally a person of wise counsel. Mention is an invitation. Not mandatory. :)

Another new day had sprung! Autumn was upon them, but the air remained warm during the day. The nights, however, were chillier. After a hearty breakfast, Ahna decided to go outside and explore. She, of course, told her twin sister @Chinook of her plan, and then went to ask for Aana and Aapa’s permission. 

She had her Aapa talk about a new woman who had come from another village, and Ahna was determined to meet her! 

With bright eyes, she excitedly pranced away from Moonwoman’s Ulaq, and called out to the new woman.

“Hello!?”

thank you for starting!

The grey-coated woman lifted her head at the bright call. From the doorway of an ulaq, a young one had come— the scent told her quickly this must be the daughter of Sǫ'agnak.
Ippiksaut lowered her gaze as was proper, dipping her muzzle toward the earth before raising it again to the pup. Child of your mother’s house, she greeted, voice calm and steady. You honor me with your greeting.
Her ears turned forward, a soft breath rising from her chest. I am Ippiksaut. May I know your name, little one?

When she neared the strange new woman, she hesitated for just a moment, looking her over. The woman dipped her head, and spoke in a funny way. Not weird, just new to her. Regal. 

“Hello!” Ahna exclaimed, all bright eyed and busy tailed. “That’s a pretty name!” Since it was a big name, she asked: “Can I just call you Ippik?”

When the Ippiksaut asked Ahna’s name, she eagerly replied: “I’m Ahna!” She moved closer to the woman, and splooted in front of the woman, with her back legs stretched out. 

Then came a flurry of questions: “Where are you from? Do you have a village too? Are there lots of wolves?” 

Ippiksaut’s ears tipped forward at the little one’s cheer. Ippik is acceptable, she allowed, the faintest curl of her mouth softening her usual reserve. It is good to meet you, Ahna.
She watched the pup sprawl with easy curiosity, her own posture still and composed. Yes, Ippiksaut answered, voice even. I come from a village by the sea. It was prosperous, with many ulax and many kin. We lived close together, as your people do here.
Her mixed eyes studied the young girl with quiet interest. Perhaps, when you are older, I will tell you of it.

She was intrigued by Ippik’s words, and wanted to know more; But when her words had stopped at “perhaps when you are older,” the child let out an exasperated “Awww! But that’s ages away.” 

With a frown on her maw, she looked up at the woman with big, sad eyes, “I wanna know now.” The village Ippik spoke of sounded amazing! She just had to know more. “I wanna learn! Pretty please?”

Ahna had only known her parents and twin sister, and barely knew the handful of other members of Moonglow; so someone like Ippiksaut was a big deal.

Ippiksaut’s eyes softened at the pup’s plea, though her posture stayed steady. Very well, she murmured. One story.
Her gaze drifted, as if seeing the memory. There was a boy from the far ice who wished to marry a girl of our village. To prove his devotion, he hunted ten otters through the storms. When he returned, his fur was heavy with ice, and he laid each skin at her paws. She laughed and said he was foolish… and then she chose him.
A small hum left her throat, almost like a laugh. Their ulax was always loud with children and song.
Her eyes returned to Ahna. That is enough for today.

Ahna let out a cheer! She listened intently, hanging onto every word. Ippiksaut told her about a boy; a boy who love a girl so much, that he went out in the freezing cold to hunt otters and prove his love for her. Ahna was fascinated! 

Although, there were a couple of things she didn’t understand:

“Woooow! “What’s the long ice?” She asked inquisitively.

Ippiksaut’s ears tipped forward at the girl’s question, and a small hum of amusement left her.
The long ice, she explained gently, is the sea when it freezes in winter. It stretches farther than your eyes can see, flat and white, and the hunters must travel far across it to find food.
Her eyes softened. It is cold and dangerous… but also beautiful. The boy crossed it for the girl he loved.

Ahna was amazed! She had never seen the sea before, nor ice. But, come winter, she would. "What food do you find on the long ice? Have you been on the long ice?"

There were so many questions running amok in Ahna's growing brain. This woman became more fascinating by the minute!

Let me know when you want to close this up. I love Ippiksaut!

Ippiksaut’s mouth softened into a small smile at the pup’s wonder. So many questions, tumbling over one another like river stones.
Come, she said gently, rising to her paws with an easy stretch. We will walk, and I will tell you.
Her tail gave a slow sway as she waited for Ahna to join her. On the long ice, we hunted seal, she began, voice steady and even. Sometimes fish caught in holes we cut. Once, even a small whale. The long ice gives little… but what it gives can feed many.

we can fade here :)! always feel free to tag her in a thread and i'll reply. thank you, i enjoyed this thread a lot, too!

The woman stood, and invited Ahna to walk with her. Ahna bounced to her paws, tail wheeling with excitement, and followed along beside Ippiksaut. "That's amazing!" she exclaimed with wonder.

You are so welcome, and thank you! She will be a fantastic addition to Moonglow. She will bring back a lot of what was lost. :) <3