Ouroboros Spine and carried you away into the alligator sky

no it's perfect character development! <3

kukutux was very still, her body without reaction. yuralria was not incorrect, but to reduce her birthright to this? she was meant to be head of the nuiruk clan! it was an honor, a privilege; it was a sacred duty.

but Sedna would not allow it.

that comment about nutuyikruk tightened her expression, and she lifted her chin as yuralria looked away. too far.

"you have always had my love. yes. i wanted one of you to gain all that has been built, to become moonwoman. but i cannot make you be this. your heart has no desire." though her words were quiet, tone modulated, hurt and anger colored the statement with firmness.

ariadne had been as angry and kukutux forever regretted that she had alienated her daughter more. she could not repeat it here.

"if you must go, then you must go," moonwoman said at last. there were no more heirs. she had failed. "rodyn brought much wealth from moontide," kukutux went on, emotion veiling itself in her eyes; "if there is something that is needed, take it, yuralria. this too is yours, even if you make a path away."

her gaze was for sobeille now, unreadable, but her attention belonged in truth to the granddaughter before her. grief was racing inside kukutux, but she managed to offer a tiny curve of her mouth, one she meant to be encouraging. akmaaski had also left, with tautukpik. her grandchildren one by one had departed the spine and the land. perhaps there had been a lesson in it all the while.

kukutux regained herself. "before you make a journey, will you stay for a time?" moonwoman inquired of the young women, her warmth practiced: an offering for travelers rather than a granddaughter who rejected her role and the love which had guarded it.