Ouroboros Spine tapsi ▓

aya. she had chosen well, it seemed; kukutux watched the demure gaze of the cloudberry woman draw away from her, but not before spotting the bow that adorned the gentle mouth. it was an answering glow that responded to the expression of lótë when her companion lifted the gemstone gaze once more.

"bride-price. it is —" and here kukutux paused, considering. "sivullik is skilled as hunter. it is part of why he is first. but he must know more than the best way to kill." her gaze rested upon the other woman, searching. "in my birth village, a man who wishes to marry comes to the father of the woman he wants. father says, 'bring to me three otterskins and a fox pelt."

the duck traced designs in the dust, stopping again to choose her words. "it will be different here. together you decide which ulaq will belong to you. if he has made it a pleasing place, ask him for something that will bind you to his hearth. if you wish more furs, he brings them. it is to say he will listen when you speak, this bride-price."

a twinge, to think that she herself would not merit such a fortune, and that with this she should be content. as moon a portion of all things belonged to her. and yet it was not the same.