Moonsong Glacier inugagulliq ⋒

The panther thought he sensed a sudden chill from the woman, but he did not resent her this; he should not be prying into what was clearly a matter for women rather than men. That it was another daughter of Kukutux was more than enough to spark his imagination. He hoped that the match might please all parties, but part of him wondered if these women might be a little too well-tempered for his cousin. Valiant's eyes were often drawn to women Dutch would more easily label temperamental.

The lingered. Dutch did his best not to fret over the woman as she lowered herself to her haunches. If she was unconcerned, he would not draw attention to her pain. Soon enough, her voice took over, and he lived in the grief that she painted rather than the worry of the present.

Ariadne had not told him of the falling star, nor any fallen family aside from her late seaside sister. He was quiet for a long moment while he absorbed this, only nodding along when Kukutux spoke of Ariadne; Dutch had already marveled at her gentle spirit.

"I will hold this story close," he said to her. "If Moon and Morning join, I will make sure their children know it even after they no longer speak our names." If they did not join, he would keep it beneath his breast; it was not his story to tell to strangers for a meal.