Ouroboros Spine ice

often he would wait until the remaining sister slept, and then leave. only when she wasn't aware of it. only when he knew he could go to that hollow place that was once kannoyak's, to sleep on the beaver pelt. one day it was not there, and since then tautukpik had grown restless. he found little comfort among the cousins. many days tautukpik would think of leaving to seek out nutuyikruk, but they were only thoughts.

he came to rely upon akmaaksi's routine more than his own. waking before her, keeping watch, eating only after she had eaten; more focused on keeping her close than anyone, in keeping her fed and happy and present rather than himself, but in this way was dependent.

when akmaaksi showed the piece of fox, tautukpik went to it with a bowed head to gather scents, but did not touch it.