Duskfire Glacier iqaluksiuq

keshka snorts through a grin, chest heaving as she stands over the downed bird. her tongue flicks across her lips, cleaning the stray bits of down clinging there. if i am not strong as a bull, she says, flashing sulukinak a sideways glance, got to be fast.
her tail gives a satisfied swish, watching the girl handle the tail feathers like some prize, and it coaxes a small, breathy laugh from her throat. you almost had one, she adds, trying to smooth over the loss, though her tone is playful, warm beneath the grit. next time you grab the neck. no mercy.
keshka nudges the pheasant at sulukinak’s paws with her nose. go on. tear it up. we share. and then she’s moving to settle down nearby, licking the blood from her claws as her rosen eyes stay half-lidded, content.