Ouroboros Spine foxfire

their gazes touched. she wanted to meet him with a reassuring smile, but instead felt her expression fade into a solemn look as nuak snorted toward her, turning his tall body away to investigate the grasses as if he were a caribou yearling. smoothpale brows drawing together, and then the woman looked back upon the boars.

once more a squeal, ringing out to pierce.

the duck saw that the boy's steps were more sure. 

nuak knew he did not have to stay, and yet he did. 

she thought of raimo, suddenly; an ache whistling birdbone beneath her breast, sharp its stab.

"do you miss the place where we made our first meeting?" had it been a home for him, or only a land to cross on unsure young paws.