Ouroboros Spine sinnigik ⍼

now he would leave again. perhaps he would find yuelong to his liking, and remain there.

the conception that he might depart the spine-place bordered by holy lands unsettled kukutux; she sought for any scrap of confidence she had remaining but found only pretense. and this she donned, the moonswept curves of her face becoming smooth and blank as newfallen snow. a woman's trick, her aunt had laughed, but the duck took no pleasure in this now. 

it was unfair of her to feel in this way, and it would not do for moonglow to have such a division between herself and raimo; she felt the hotness of it beneath her paledriven fur even as she remained close to him. she took his asking for eagerness; and a jutting sense of betrayal etched itself momentarily at the corners of her eyes. 

"sivullik must know that one of moonglow's hunters will leave for the time that you decide. tell adrastus that i have said your path to yuelong is clear in my eyes." it was not a test; she did not expect raimo to take to the idea of two circles. but she would ensure this of everyone who remained in moonglow. "the man aiolos is leader beside the empress hua. when you go, please tell to him that the moon will come to his shores when she has healed. perhaps we will speak of this if you and she have made a choice." he would go as one who carried the way of their people. 

kukutux could not remain longer, lest her face crumple and betray her. a lift of her chin. raimo was free to leave her presence; she wanted him to stay; she wanted him to go.