Duck Lake deset

in the dark, she echoed. their voices became one. whatever grey winter said, ice diver repeated until she got it right — or close enough.

the last one caught her off guard. if only for its warmth and kindness. friend. not clan or hunter. her smile appeared again and it lingered longer this time. the cold waters that lapped at her stomach could not have turned her frigid now.

assirtuq tangrri ciuni, nakek.

her tail waved, droplets disrupted the surface.

want to be fluent in these words. for as much her own benefit as for the benefit of those around her.