Shadow Mountain taqqiq ☾

he was kind, she decided, this man who had come to speak with her. and yet her throat squeezed; and yet she could only find the energy to shake her head. she needed no one. perhaps it was still the shock of losing her people that drove kukutux, or the stubborn nature of a girl. either way, she could not bring herself to look at him.

did he pity her? kukutux did not want to know. "i will be all right," came her whisper; she had dropped the trading formality like a soaked fur. it meant nothing here. and nor did her existence. "thank you," the girl added, her glance a momentary flicker of green. she hoped he would dismiss her soon; she wanted to be alone to mourn those who had died before their time.