Noctisardor Bypass salamander with wings of swallowtail

the stranger's voice held sounds that he did not understand, and were not altogether unpleasant, but very different. it was enough to spook him; kigipigak's attention falling comet-like from the stars to land upon the earthy figure of the boy. his stomach was a knot.

he did not like being found here thinking vulnerable thoughts. more so, he disliked not understanding what was being said to him. the intimacy of his ignorance spoiled an otherwise positive meeting.

speak plainly, he called back in his own native inupiaq; let them feel the sting of it, he thought.