Ocean's Breath Plateau ivilauk ⋣

scarification ceremony for @Raiyuk! him to post next, then i think we can open it for one-post reactions if all is good! <3 tags for ref!

the wives of the seal hunter man must be tended and taught the things that kukutux had bartered. they were close to their time as well, moonmother felt, and would bring forth their children almost as one. 

she had been relieved to hear the joyous shouts of chakliux, to see how he embraced @Marina. 

but she had come for a purpose and a reason. 

from @Tullik she had gotten a skin-pouch of the crushed black abalone shells, and not from the lodge, with the sea at her back, kukutux laid pelts upon the earth and placed the small hide beside it. and alongside these things, a small shell of weak willowbark tea, an antiseptic for the bleeding to come.

it was the honor of chakliux to go and get the boy, to bring him to the moonmother. it was the privilege of the seal hunter women to sit closest to the hides where they might encourage raiyuk. it was for the pleasure of @Heph and @Rodyn that they were invited to also observe this rite. it was for instruction that she allowed @Paeon, @Reina, @Minnow, @Raindop, @Faele, and @Nasamiituuq to observe behind her shoulder.

when raiyuk had laid down upon the hides, chakliux holding him steady (@Taggak offered the same role, if he remained) kukutux gazed down into the unmarked young face, suffused now with the confidence of taking the seal alone. "you were a brave boy. now hold that braveness, raiyuk. you will need it for this time. make no sound. you will be a man when it is over."

she chose first to mark his face, knowing it would be the worst of the pain and wishing to usher him through it first.

the scars would originate at the the top of his nose-bridge, running its length.

her breath was warm as she began.

hooking toothtip into the skin, pushing down gently, kukutux raked a deep furrow of blood to the surface, tearing enough to mark but not to cut down through the thin skin all the way to the bone. the welling furrow was wiped with the willowbark and a piece of soft rabbitskin, and then kukutuxu scored the second scar.

licking blood from her jaws, she glanced down at raiyuk, willing him to be silent. the stinging solution was wiped into the second wound, and then her jaws poured a small mouthful of the crushed abalone shell between his eyes. paw and nose rubbed the sharp-edged rough powder into the new cuts, causing blood to well again. the abrasive press would ensure that the scars would heal black and stunning.

a moment's respite was given before moonmother started to scar the shoulder close to her, process repeated in three lines upon each side. blood rushed to the surface of the broken skin, was wiped away, and the abalone shell was ground down into the lacerations.

but at last raiyuk was allowed to stand, albeit slowly. the grey powder fell from his coat except for the new black lines upon muzzle and shoulders. blood would continue to trickle around the edges of the crushed shell, but would dry by this evening. then there was only infection for which to watch, but kukutux felt her work was well.

"a seal hunter man," she assured the young hunter, looking with amusement at his beaming father.