Swiftcurrent Creek Beasts of Burden

She had never craved closeness before. Claustrophobia had been present in Jinx from the moment she was old enough to walk, and her sister was old enough to sit on her. She hated being confined almost as much as she hated being unable to move. Her bearing was at all times suspicious, for she had adopted from her unknown father a keen distrust in all outsiders. Yet she welcomed Tuwawi's embrace, finding comfort in the other woman... Perhaps because Tuwawi closely resembled Fox, and Jinx trusted Fox as a friend. The subconscious projection of her wish that Fox would come to comfort her for her loss painted itself on Tuwawi, and opened Jinx to interaction.

The loa blinded her still, but this time, it was not ill-purposed. Having passed their test, they now gave her a semblance of comfort that she was unaware of.

She sighed gently, expelling negativity as though it were a tangible mist, and feeling a weight lifting just slightly. The crushing guilt and grief slackened for an instant when Tuwawi groomed her. The Kesuk did not return the ministrations, for now. She selfishly hoarded the attention, basking in it and curling herself closer to Njal's wife. She would return the favour eventually, if not today then another day, but presently she just wanted to enjoy it. The curtains of her misery had parted for a fleeting moment, coaxed apart by this red-furred woman, and she meant to prolong that sense of freedom as long as possible.