Ouroboros Spine kuagak

nothing made sense. the passing days — weeks? — had been all but a blur, vague images filled with static intertwined with inkblack nothingness. he had lost weight, he knew it. his head still hurt; sometimes agonizing and piercing, other times tender and raw. he still heard only from one side.
and he still didn't quite fully understand where he was. moonglow. something something bison, kuku, ulaq. he thought he remembered seeing his dad, at some point, but he wasn't sure.
and this brought him to now, blinking away the salt from his eyes and glancing up to see that strange woman. something in her features reminded him of a girl he once knew. she says something in a tongue he does not recognize.
wh--? his mouth is painfully dry, and to see he must squint. are you, um--?