Ouroboros Spine a familiar sense of grief

Anaa called.

Mojag had been preoccupied with the visitors; the two boys that had come from Natigvik were fascinating! One was often scouting or hunting (Kivaluk) while the other seemed more subdued, curious of the forest or the work of the women (Akkuma) — and on the rare occasion that Mojag could not find either boy, he'd find Stratos to wrestle with, or Callyope for a nap. There was a lot to keep his mind off of the growing absence that even he, at this mindless stage in his life, had begun to notice.

The call from Shikoba was urgent, which wasn't normal. Mojag wanted to put it aside in favor of something fun but, he was an obedient child when he had to be. He lopes towards her and slams in to the dirt with his forepaws first, chest second, and laughs -- but there is a look upon his mother's face that looks curiously pained, and he slowly loses his mirth.

Anaa... ? He didn't know what to say, and instead reached for her chin and flicked his tongue out like a snake. What's wrong? His ears turn back and then forward again, uncertain.