Firefly Glen [BWH] Where that which grows

:O

the creek’s song reached her before the sight of the woman did — a soft trickle over stone, the quiet murmur of water curling around a body moving with purpose. ippiksaut paused at the treeline, breath misting, lavender still faint on her coat from the hides she’d left hanging to dry.

she had slipped away while the crimson wanderer tested his teeth with the hunters, her paws carrying her toward this place where the air smelled of fish-oil and clean cold. and here, in the pale morning light, stood ajei.

the alpha’s red paws struck like sunlight against the water, her green eyes alive with a bright joy ippiksaut had only glimpsed from afar. she watched for a moment, letting the scene settle into her bones— the strength, the grace, the quiet victory of a woman remembering something she loved.

then she stepped forward.

sǫ’agnak, she murmured, voice low as tide beneath ice. forgive me. i did not wish to disturb your fishing.

her mismatched eyes, one ocean, one honey-gold, softened as she drew closer to the bank.

i am ippiksaut, she said gently, dipping her head in greeting. of the sea-ice moonpeople. i have wanted to meet you properly.

she glanced to the shoreline, where the fresh-caught fish glistened. may i join you?