Shadow Mountain taqqiq ☾

kukutux had never spoken with a stranger for this long, let alone a man. "there were falling rocks. they took this woman's people." her eyes had shut tight at the telling; she still did not lift her eyes. instead, the girl busied herself by focusing on the fact that he had taken none of the seal meat.

belly clawing at itself, kukutux carefully covered the precious slices of food with the edge of the rabbit skin. he asked after her well-being, this man, but she did not know how to answer. how could she tell him that she was a woman without a soul — kiin? that in her wanderings she had oft wished to be dead so that she could join the ones she loved at the dancing lights?

siniktuq, the spirit whispered, and the girl swallowed her sorrow. "yes," came her soft voice. there was nothing more to say. perhaps the stranger would leave her now. kukutux did not know if that was easier or more difficult in the span of time, but it mattered not.