Moonsong Glacier If we run into red full speed

It made sense that a sunflower creature such as herself would shun the cold. He could see her amongst the sea-faring women, now that he thought about it — but he pictured her most readily in a sun-dappled woodland, blooming below windows in the canopy.

"Ah," said the panther, a contrite smile on his face, "Then you may not like this. But we will not linger there — and it will be pleasing to your eyes, even if it is not pleasing to your paws."

He laughed at her teasing, thinking of the two boys he'd last seen upon the spine. They would be yearlings, now, but he did not think she would be terribly impressed by them. "I am taller," he told her, importantly. And then, seeming to relent: "For now, at least."

They drew nearer to the mouth of the cave, walking now alongside the snowmelt stream. It ran clear in the shallows, and a pale, milky blue in the depths. Dutch was mesmerized by the color every time he came here, but there were greater treasures to look upon past the mouth of the cave, which opened like a maw just ahead of them. His steps slowed, though, at the name of Kukutux. He looked at Simbelmyne fully, then, rather than splitting his attention between her and the jewel-like waters.

"Mine?" he said, surprised to hear this — for moonwoman knew what path his heart must take. He was humble enough to consider that it was he himself who did not know, but it was not in his heart to test this out on a woman like Simbelmyne. He hadn't thought it would be in Kukutux's heart, either. But this was not marriage, but First Rites — something he was not sure he knew the meaning of, even if certain context clues clicked easily enough into place.

"Perhaps this is what Chakliux meant when he gave your name to me," the panther said, deciding that the truth might be better than more obfuscation, even if it was just a little crass. "I do not know these First Rites. I am not of the seal hunters or the sunshine people. But if it pleases you, Simbelmyne, then I am eager to learn."