Ouroboros Spine homecoming king

His arrival wasn't announced; he did not call out for his mother, because he knew she was not there, and he did not call out for the moon-woman either.

Across his broad shoulders sat a black bear pelt—not all that remarkable, really; it was sparse in places, worn thin in others. Netted among the tangle of bear hide were an array of thick porcupine quills, not many, and some crooked. On the other shoulder, a boar's tusk which had been hurriedly tangled in place.

Carried between his teeth is another bolt of animal hide wrapped around morsels of wild boar fat, meat, and the like; all of this, Mojag carried up the hillside and along the winding path, to where the outer limits of Moonglow could be sighted.

As Mojag approaches a patch of sunlit grass, the gift in his jaws is carefully placed there. He goes ahead to clear his throat, taking a breath of the pervasive pine scent which, for a long time, was a mark of home.

@Ajei

Two of the the siblings born from Shikoba were quiet, introspective. Had found themselves in different ways. Both missed their mother like an ache. Ajei often thought of Chiteo, but he had been so long gone now. She didn't even know if she'd remember him if she saw him.

She wound herself towards the edge of the border as she always did.
 Eyes searching seering for her wayward hunter to return. But he hadn't yet. She hoped he was alright.

A wolf came up the path towards home. Fur around his shoulders and in his maw. She didn't recognize him at first
 But when her eyes rested on his face. She knew him.

A smile lit up her face and she rushed forward. Mojag!

Before long someone came trotting across the perimeter; to his glee, it was a familiar face. As soon as Ajei was close enough to recognize him, Mojag swept in close for a wolfish hug—realizing only a moment later that he still had all of his spines and furs, and so he withdrew hastily in case she was poked or prodded in the process.

Sister! I come bearing gifts, and with that he smirked to her, toothy and childish, as if he had made some great joke. He was wearing such a pelt, after all. Motioning to the smaller bundle he had laid so carefully in the grass, he says, Are you hungry? I have some boar meat and cured fats. There were flowers and herbs bundled in there too, but they weren't so useful in the moment.

How is the village? How are you, Ajei?

Ajei held him tight. Felt a little bereft when he released herself. But she soon realized why at the small pinpricks from the quills. A gentle chuff of delight.

I see! Mama would be so proud. and she would. It did not matter that the bear skin was slightly ragged. It was bear. And Ajie could fix that. She was almost certain she could. Some washing. Some gentle love and care. She would make it great for her brother.You look as if you grew into great hunter.

A gentle smile. And she titled her head.I could eat.

His next question caught her a little off guard she had to think. There is much change. Moonwoman still searches for a successor and it is straining her. Rodyn has returned with some of moontide and the reaches of them. Too many left the sea. And we'll Arrluk hunts for bride price for me.

She nudged his chin. But how are you?

Their parting was met with smiles and kindness; and when Ajei shared all that had changed, each loss felt like a true blow to Mojag — from the struggles of Kukutux to the dissolving of Moontide — but that last bit of news, of bride price, is what makes him shout and laugh.

A bride price! I cannot believe it. He didn't mean to sound incredulous, and went on to hastily explain: I did not think so much time had passed. He is a good man? He makes you happy?

But what did Mojag know of such things! Their father was not a loving man but an absent one, and Shikoba had been focused on work. Loving in her way - but different. Mojag felt the need to assert himself.

I will meet him. He would make his own judgement. The price might have been set by Kukutux and Aiolos, but Mojag wanted to be sure this was right for his sister.

Ajei did not know how to make it better. She felt terrible that so much loss had to be told to her brother. But she tried to give him good things too to see, to focus on.

She smiled shyly. Yes he is good man. Son of Sun man and Moon woman. Makes me very happy. Has always taken care of me, like you do.

Ajei's eyes lit up. I would love for you to meet him.