Ouroboros Spine sinnigik ⍼

kukutux collected what had fallen with quick movements, irritation ebbing below the desperation of needing to find as many tasks for herself as was possible. the moonbow divided the leaves into two piles, one to make into a paste and the other to dry. the smell of medicines filled her senses. this restored peace for a moment, and the duck straightened.

when she looked up, raimo was there, and this brief taste was immediately bittered. she held herself proudly, though limbs suddenly felt heavy with exhaustion. she wanted to leave him there. she wanted him to come with her. but she said neither of these things. let him come forward. he would see that she was alone here, and that while adrastus' scent was mingled with those of moonglow, it was not what raimo carried with him.

"it is good that you have returned," kukutux murmured softly if the shadow stretched closer, though she could not look at him. palestruck crown bending over her work once more. it was finished, she had nothing more to do, and so kukutux chose to divvy them into four groups, searching for anything that would keep her gaze from him.

she did not know why it provoked her so, why it inspired the lurking nip of jealousy in her belly. such was his right as a man; raimo had no wife to which he should be loyal, and she could not demand it to herself. at long last she looked up, keeping her expression mindfully closed even as she remembered his touch. she should not feel so; she had lain with aiolos. the thought of this did not comfort kukutux, though she wondered now after the redsun, knowing she must go to yuelong's border when she had healed.