Ouroboros Spine In from the snow

how grateful she was for aiolos and his support! how good it was to have vairë close, even if her moondoe would remain mostly silent through this.

not a moment passed before kigipigak spoke for both he and ariadne. frustration weltered through kukutux, as well as a heavy sense of scorn. kaluktuk. another name. he took a new one at the beginning of each new life he began, it seemed. he took so many it was a wonder the spirits found him.

or maybe they did not.

the bride price. 

"this is paid to the father and mother of a woman still living within their ulaq," she chose to say softly, maintaining whatever peace existed for ariadne alone. "you are head of your village, my daughter. have you spoken of what it is you desire?"

softly, velveteen, a washing of her hands. by sunshine tradition, she needed ask for nothing from kigipigak. the idea of him hunting for her hearth, often in moonglow, was not one she found acceptable. 

and if ariadne wished to choose a man so inappropriately close to her own kinship ties, in full knowing and against the advice of her mother, then let it now be understood in silence that this test belonged to her. 

it was clear the man expected to be heeded, perhaps even welcomed.

kukutux looked instead toward her husband, demurely offering him a flick of dark lashes to suggest that had he words to say, he should say them now.

thunder man, indeed. moonwoman felt certain now that these names were to veil who he had been and what he had done, who he wanted to be and who he pretended to be. but always would the man be kigipigak to her, kiggavik, a snow hawk forever doomed to an eternal flight.