Bitterroot Valley Paying a Social Call

when she smiles, it brings her eyes to a crease; soft face looking to his. to see how he has grown. a matured face, handsome in a way ravah would not admit, and scarred. broad shoulders and a strong flank. muscled legs, strong and she was sure, by now, had seen plenty of good hunts.

of course, ravah exhales, a relief breathing of her when covah—no, sega, insists that she stay. reaching again for him, this time to press her cold winter nose up upon his cheek.

her heart blooms with joy. joy to be near him again, one of her most beloved friends from childhood. she says:

you show me all? both a demand, and a question, as teasing silver eyes burn upon his. look how strong, ravah pulls away again, to let her gaze drop upon him one last time.

sega tuhut. his name upon her tongue, whether it is covah or sega, blossoms with kindred warmth. a knowing, shared between only them. i seek ayovi, she begins, turning her nose in the direction of nova peak in the far distance, there. but she gone. she is sure sega knows.

ravah missed her. truthfully, she had always chosen sega’s cousin over sega himself—but only because they were both girls. it was easier that way. safer. boys and girls were not meant to be close, not as friends. that was not their purpose, together.