Ouroboros Spine Here where memories reside

It was both painful and freeing when Ajei stepped into her mother's den. She breathed deep. Her mother's scent fading, but still there. She looked around with gentle delight and then slowly began to pull furs from innards and laying them in the sun.

She sneezed a few times, and blinked. She swung her tail and began to slowly clean the dust. Her whole body bowing into the work. A soft hummed working song.

Can be a cameo if someone else wants to pop in.

Arrluk remained quiet and at a distance. He sun bathed while laying on his belly, chewing at his front claws. White rimmed ears flickering as he listened to Ajei's humming. She moved in and out of the den. Tidying it up after such a long while of no use. He would keep back and simply enjoy the time to relax, lest Ajei call for him to help with her work. He knew that likely so, hard memories would turn up with the dust and felt she needed to do this task at her own pace and privacy.

Ajei stopped and took a moment to just breathe. Though the air was brisk and cold. Her own pelt felt a little warm and she panted. She would need to remember to take a bath. Perhaps it was time to dig out a different wrap for her shoulders. She traced a paw over some of the furs that had been Shikobas. 

She caught a glimpse of dark and white and trotted towards it. Hi Arrluk. She settled beside him. He didn't need to get up, she was only taking a small break anyway.

The little ember came trotting up near him, stirred from her work and into his path. Firekissed. He grins into her direction. Good to be back, isn't it?

She settled comfortably and panted a moment longer. Allowing herself to catch up with the moment and her breath. She smiled sadly but sweetly.

It is, it is also slightly painful, but it is happiness tinged with it. I did miss moonglow. Oh.

She tilted her face into the sun closing her eyes for a moment as slivers of sunlight peeked from behind clouds and ghosted across her face.

She spoke quietly eyes still closed. Are you glad to be home?

Streams of sunlight danced through the golden and red leaves of the autumn Grove, pouring onto her red face. The vibrance of her upper half and bright pale of her underside... Her pelt was like the burning sun shining down on a fresh morning snow. 

He couldn't help but to stare. I am. He said only, finally bringing himself to turn away and out into the grove. It was an open forestry, with plenty of clearing to bask out in the sun as they did now. At the other end, the forest met the waters of the lake. Here in this forest, spirits of their ancestors whispered through the trees.

Ajei opened her eyes surprised. Arrluk had always been a quiet soul, but lately he seemed more quiet than usual. it was not usual for him to not hold a lengthy conversation with her, even despite his silence. She frowned in thought. She didn't think she had done anything to upset him. And she was pretty conscious about making sure she hadn't.

Was he upset about the things happening around them again? There were many new changes going on. And she supposed perhaps he could still grieve a little. It was possible. After all, she still grieved her mom. Even on a good day.

She followed his gaze. A frown still etched between her wolfish brows. But she nodded. Will you hunt or fish more now that we are home in Moonglow? I Know you like fishing, but you did hunt in the spear.

She stretched out her forelegs. I have to ask Moonwoman about some of the furs in the den. They are animals I do not recognize, but their softness is lovely.