Moonspear nuyuiksuk ⚬

he seemed to tense, pondering the situation with a careful air that was more suited to a much older wolf. kukutux found this fascinating despite herself, and nodded at his second mention of the caves. 

when the dark man stepped forward to gather the last of her pelts, the duck flushed beneath the short pale fur of her cheeks, grateful for the cover of winter-dark. it was women's work; it was something she should have been doing.

but she was tired. "thank you," the girl whispered, her mind beginning to dawn with the realization of what she had asked. unseemly, the spirit tutted. not now, kukutux snapped back.

she readied herself to follow where he would lead, glancing up at the forbidding stone walls of moonspear. "hydra said she had another brother, jarilo," she ventured furtively, springmint eyes finding his for a tiny moment as her heart thudded dully in her ears. 

if this was he, kukutux would try to relax. if not — she had already been traded, bartered, questioned, and left to find her way. being incorrect was the least of these worries.

head bowed against both the snow and in the proper deference to both his rank and his status as male, the duck was silent.