Phoenix Maplewood There'll be things you never asked her

Words lingered on the edge of her tongue, as if she wanted to say something of importance to the Aarluk but couldn't find the right way to phrase it. Uki ignored the urge, unaccustomed to the feeling of wanting to speak to someone and unnerved by it. The silence was comfortable as it settled over them - the pair working in unison to haul the deer back to Tomkin's kin.

Once they'd reached the area, she dropped her hold on it - knowing that she would not be one of the first chosen to partake. It was how she preferred it. Uki would wait until the children and mothers had eaten, slinking back later to take her own share of scraps. 

Tapeesa lingered for a moment, for some odd reason not ready to depart from Tomkin's company and resume her lonely existence. Again she felt the urge to say something but could find no adequate words. Finally, she touched her muzzle to his shoulder fleetingly before creeping away - melting into the background of their coalition as easily as if she were a phantom.