Blacktail Deer Plateau pasiaktuk

Things have been quiet upon the plateau. From what Kigipigak has learned of the people living with him, this family that belonged to @Sakhmet, there had been more to their group. A son or daughter had gone off without supervision and been lost. He felt a disinterest in the tale as soon as it had touched upon his ears; but Kigipigak could not speak it aloud, as he did not want to disturb his friend or those who chose the place as home.

It was heartless of him to find the story boring. It seemed only right to him that a child be tested and then taken from the family, for it would show them the strength in their bloodline or the weakness of it. As it stood now with their number reduced, they were a weak sort. Perhaps the child yet lived — to be returned to them by force of will, at which point Kigipigak's view of them would happily shift to something more positive.

There was nothing to be done. By the time Kigipigak had returned to the plateau and met again with the pale woman @Maegi, they had all been scouring the area until every inch of it had been studied. The child was gone. Kigipigak did not have the heart to tell them anecdotal stories of his own home; there, children were left alone at young ages as a test. Some made it back to become Anneriwok. Many did not. However, this did not seem appropriate nor helpful, and so Kigipigak remained silent.

He spent his days in the background while the family toiled. Sakhmet's mother was a sad thing again, but more friendly than the father, who kept a distance and was always adamant as he guarded the remaining children. The look of him gave Kigipigak chills. He wondered how such a man (down an eye, his voice too weak to cry for help, his body thin and ill-kept) could hope to be of use to the collective. Kigipigak decided after glimpsing the tattered creature that, despite Sakhmet's connections, he did not hold a fondness for the ghost.

All that aside, Kigipigak was eager to be of use to Sakhmet.

Whether she approved of his desire or not he began to patrol the heart of their would-be territory with an ever expanding radius to his route, until finally on this day, he had navigated the full expanse of the edge following the eastern ridge and down, to the west, which faced the plains of the valley. Kigipigak felt renewed as his heart thundered in his chest, pleasantly surprised by his own ability and the lack of intense pain to his ribs, which were still knotted by scar tissue (and would be, likely forever).

Please don't feel the need to match! I might make this RO if it goes without a reply for two weeks, lol.