Ouroboros Spine ommatik ∻

the vision that materialized held the face of warm, smooth beauty. she did not have so many years as kukutux, though more than sialuk; she was upon the edge of womanhood, blossoming toward it as the aupaluttanguak flourished beneath the golden light of the growing sun.

despite the new relieving purity of her pale coat, kukutux suddenly felt very aged, tired, a woman who had been wrapped in the ragged cloak of a widow before she was ready. a second time, the inner spirit snapped, and anguish flushed along the base of her spine.

but kukutux replaced the wonder in her greenstone eyes with a look of invitation; no matter her own tenuous position as reluctant wise-mother to moonglow, the young husbandless longed for the company of the feminine, longed to be encircled as she had upon the island.

"this has become your home," a gentle observation edged in the lasting salt of tears.