Qeya River atiga

there's a notable shift in his father as attuaserk casts pale gaze up to him; seeking something he cannot quite put a paw to. approval, perhaps? nevertheless, pride blossoms in his chest as the patriarch crowns upon him his new name. kivaluk with an authoritative tone that drapes upon the boy's shoulders like an invisible mantle.

kivaluk. kivaluk.

kivaluk — the boy repeats his name; parroting it back with affirmation.

a soft noise of confirmation is given moments before he gives a small knock of the pile over with a nudge of his nose, grasping the bottom bone betwixt his jaws: the foundation, the strongest. if it had even been a little off kilter, the others would not have remained so steady. they'd have teetered; unable to stand.

though this deeper meaning goes over the newly named boy's head, it remains nevertheless prevalent in his choosing all the same.