Nova Peak [nd] Nįwa

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her face flushed beneath his gaze—rosy warmth beneath pale fur, bashful as moonlight caught in snow. the compliment curled into her like smoke, unfamiliar but not unwelcome. she didn’t answer at first, only spun again, letting her body speak in turns and gentle steps, the fringe of her furs swaying with her.
then, close—closer—she let herself press to him, breath catching softly in her throat as her chest met his. her head tilted up, a shy smile playing at the corner of her lips as she answered, voice barely louder than the hum of drums around them.
silatuyok, she said, the name shaped careful in her mouth, sacred in how it was given. she laughed then, a sound like wind through wildflowers, leaning back just enough to catch his eyes. and you, southern boy?
her question held no edge, only wonder—like asking the name of a star she’d never seen before.