Moonstone Quarry quqsuqtaq ⋞

It surprised Kigipigak to hear the woman speak of these things, as she sounded wise beyond her years. The bears she loved so much had lent her patience, and with it she had made herself a tactician of the heart; or so Kigipigak thought, mixing together all that he knew of Kukutux in the moment.

Perhaps Mahler had meant to bait him. The knowledge that he was getting on in years and had no woman to himself was, indeed, giving Kigipigak many thoughts. He had on more than one occasion entertained seditious concepts that he had yet to act on, and now wondered if Kukutux was trying to help him see the value of it, or the opposite.

She shrugged. He smiled dimly, deciding to push those thoughts aside for later. Kigipigak had slain one old man already and he did not see himself as a true king-slayer, unsure if that was the legacy he wanted for himself.

I do not know what is best for me, he answers with another chuckle. Life in my village centered around my mother so wholly that I never really knew myself. I did everything I could to earn her favor. The laughter died in his chest as he said this, as if the realization had just struck him. It had been brewing for a while and it took this conversation for some points to strike home. There were none suitable to be my aokatti — or if there were, I was oblivious to them. None I could see as partners in any other way, either.

Perhaps in banishing him from the village as she did, Sedna had sent him on a better path after all. In culling his father Kigipigak found his name as well as his freedom from the bindings of the matriarch. I think that is why I am still so resistant to the idea. I am young, I have yet to see the world or to conquer anything. I have done nothing to earn... a family.

He had not meant to become so introspective; it was easy with Kukutux here, acting as his sounding board, his replacement mother. Someone to tell all his worries to regardless of propriety. He is unashamed of what falls from his mouth while she is around; trusting her innately.