Turtle Island salt despairing

Like his kin, little Noe had grown steadily more sensitive to the world surrounding. He'd begun to gurgle the same sounds as manman, mirroring the tones and phrases and directing them to whomever would listen. A curious beetle, a spider webbing a corner - but most often it was his family. They were his constant.

Chani was here now, scooping him close while Fabienne pranced, but often when she disappeared did Noe feel the urge to follow. He didn't, of course; he was more patient than his sister and heeded his mother's words without question. But he wished to feel the sea, the rocks and the sand beneath his paws. And he wished to keep her company.

Manman sounded light today. Stirred by her vibrations, the boy clumsily lifted his own head and joined with the beginnings of his own song.