Totoka River aniruk ✿

Tohka eagerly began to dig at the spot at the base of the mound that Kukutux pointed out, flinging dirt into the air behind her as she did. She quickly noticed that digging was harder work than she thought it would be, but that was all the more reason to help. “Ulaq?” She tilted her head in curiosity. “I always called it a den, or is it different from a den?”

Tohka noticed the change in the other’s expression when she asked about the song, making her suspect that the question made her sad. She tried to reign in her curiosity, not wanting to upset her. She answered Kukutux’s next question instead. “I’m from along the coast. I kinda left home ‘cause I wanted to get out and see the world for myself. I have to admit it’s kinda lonely, but I do like my freedom.” She resumed digging and her mind wandered back to her own childhood, and eventually she had to speak again. “My momma used to sing lullabies when I was a pup, and my uncle used to tell stories. My dad thought both were just a waste of time, but I always liked them.” She gave a hopeful wag of her tail as she asked, “You wouldn’t want to teach me your digging song, would you?”