Ouroboros Spine uŋiarrisaq

When Ariadne woke up, she noticed that @Nutuyikruk was gone. She didn't give it much thought at first, knowing there could be several explanations for her absence. After getting ready for the day, she found the absence to be peculiar, and dismissed her initial ideas about her daughter's whereabouts. She should have returned by now, but she was nowhere in sight. This worried the mother deeply. 

With a smile hiding her worry, she approached @Tautukpik and Akmaaksi, believing they might have some insight as to what was going on. Children, she asked, Do you know where your sister is?

It was the first time Tautukpik wasn't closeby to Nutuyikruk. He knew she had gone. He knew he had told her to do it, supported her, even said he would go too — but here he was, huddled among bedfurs and pretending not to see his aaka looking for her.

He watched Akmaaksi interact with Ariadne, with no answers, and a shrug. Snuffling among the furs, Tautukpik quickly shut his eyes tight and tried to slow down his breathing so the show of sleeping could be more believable.

Should have gone with her. He thought, his heart thundering. I'm sorry Nutu.

Ariadne shifted her attention to Tautukpik, who appeared to be sleeping, upon realizing that Akmaaksi was unaware of the situation, making her feel guilty for disturbing him. Tautukpik, she hummed while nudging him, noticing his racing heart, and wondered if he was having a bad dream. Her frown deepened—it wasn't a good morning for any of them. Tautukpik, wake up. It is your anaa. Everything is okay, I just have a question for you.

Little Brother, listen to the Shining Water.

Ariadne pressed her nose to his 'sleeping' body and he found himself holding his breath, not knowing how to act very well. His eyes were slightly open as he tried to monitor where aaka was, and then squished closed for a second as her shadow crossed him.

She tried to rouse him. Tautukpik finally breathed a big sigh and stretched out his legs across the sleeping furs, as if he had been very deeply asleep, wriggling his toes through the bedding.

I sleeps, His ears were slanted back, his head remained down between his reaching forelimbs, and he mimed a yawn then some snoring. Hnnk shew, hnnnk shew...