Ouroboros Spine sinnigik ⍼

The fish head felt heavy in his jaws, suddenly.

He placed it down upon the grass not far from where the woman worked, as if he were placing a stone atop a mound and bowing his head to mourn; perhaps he did that too, as he felt he had lost Kukutux days ago. At the same time Raimo refused to let himself pine too deeply for the woman; he had Jakoul now, who would be with him in their secret place whenever he sought her out.

It is good that you have returned, Kukutux voiced, raising her head. Raimo watched her with the feral scrutiny he always carried; there was a chill behind his eyes that for a moment warmed, if only for the slant of sunlight that caught them.

He thought, is it really? And then bit his tongue to avoid saying it aloud. Instead he drew a breath of pungent air and rolled the fish head towards her with a kick. It landed at a rest on one cheek, dust-covered, staring emptily at Kukutux.

She had noticed his absence, then. Perhaps now she noticed the scent that wreathed his body. Did she care? Did it pain her to think of him finding pleasure elsewhere? Had the dead fish smell not been so abundant perhaps Raimo would have learned of her own dalliance, but he remained oblivious.

Adrastus' scent is strong here, he comments, speaking of the borders but leaving it up to interpretation; he insinuates something without needing to elucidate. And you have a fresh pelt, he observes next, glancing to the lynx skin drying. It is impressive, but Raimo doesn't want to say that, in case the pale hunter is somewhere near and can hear him.

Where is he now? He asks, mindful of the challenge that awaits them both.