Ouroboros Spine sure would like some sweet company

Ruenna's heart swelled with delight for Kukutux; she could not have raised a daughter more worthy of pride, but in Ruenna's eyes their closeness was the greatest triumph. After watching years of Towhee and Phox struggling and butting heads with their children, Ruenna knew that it was not an easy feat. 

"Oh?" Rue emitted, a little taken aback by the duck's question. "No, I suppose not," she admitted. Towhee had never spoken of Ruenna in a way that was at all similar to the way Kukutux had just spoken of Sialuk. But then again, it wasn't like Towhee to get sentimental. "She does often say that she values me, and she appreciates my efforts." But that was not exactly the same thing, was it? 

Kukutux began her tale, and Ruenna settled in to listen. She described a pack very similar to the Redhawks in structure, with a brother and sister atop the hierarchy. The family quarreled among one another, and eventually there was bloodshed. Rue could only think of Phox, Towhee, Niahm, and Reyes, going round after round with each other these last few moons. 

Kukutux was a sensational storyteller: her countenance and spirit shifted in lock-step with the events of the story, almost as if she had lived it herself. The next chapter of the story was wrong though-- at least, it was wrong if it was meant to be a parable. The almighty would not punish a pack that had achieved peace and prosperity.. not in any parable Ruenna could recall. 

When Kukutux's story reached its bitter conclusion, Ruenna finally realized that she had not heard a parable at all, but rather the history of Moonspear. It painted the whole story in a much more dire fashion. 

"That was beautiful Kukutux, and poignant," Ruenna complimented the woman on her oration. "I am only sad to have heard it because I know you had to live it." 

Ruenna was quiet for a spell, soaking and stewing on the events Kukutux had revealed. 

"Why did the spirits strike down the pack? What was it that angered them? The pride? The lack of.. balance?" Ruenna finally asked, sounding troubled. Kukutux prayed to the spirits while Ruenna prayed to the stars, but Rue was introspective enough to understand that their beliefs were more alike than they were opposing. It was a fallen star that had struck down Moonspear, after all.