Totoka River uuliktuk ☙

"both," kukutux whispered, satisfied that she had been able to feed the man. "one reminds me of things i do not want to remember. and i am new." not so new, the spirit whispered, but alone.

look at this man, the little voice went on, urging. he is kind. perhaps he needs a wife.

coloring beneath her pale fur, the slight girl rolled her shoulders and smiled at the other. "i am kukutux. if you are tired, you may stay here, in my ulaq." it was unseemly for an unmarried woman to give succor to a strange man, but the duck reminded herself she was a widow, and as such retained rights to her shelter in the absence of a husband. freedom, then, ironically enough.