The Heartwood inuusik ✾

nattian, astaroth repeated back, and kukutux thrummed with pleasure. both the sound of the word and his compliment lit her features until a smile emerged. "i thank you, astaroth." the man was attentive; she lowered her small head to arch around, aiming a lick at her wound that fell short.

"we do not say goodbye or good morning. we say 'something is happening tomorrow. something is happening this morning.'" kukutux lapped blood from the edge of her jawline. "ullaakkut," the duck said instead, a sudden bittersweetness trembling along her lips. "it is good to speak these things."