Ouroboros Spine In the early morning

These names were filed away just as carefully as Ajei's. It was a big family, and he wanted to get to know them all. Or, well — want was a funny sort of word. What he wanted was to know them already, skipping the part where he had to offer up pieces of himself in exchange. It was a daunting task, and one he did not undertake lightly.

"I'm glad she's back," said Valiant, his voice turning grave for just a moment. Missing sisters were a sore subject. Missing anyone, since Aeryn was still gone. He'd been doing his best not to think about that.

He saw dark shapes moving under the ice, but none came close enough quite yet.

"See those?" he asked her, pointing his nose at them. His tail whisked in anticipation.