Otter Creek New and Untested Lands

His sister. She nodded with understanding, for in a way, that proved another thread between them. The only reason she stayed in the South was for hers, after all, and to maintain the connection of family seemed a common draw for many of the displaced she'd met. What struck her more wasn't his reason for venturing here, and she found herself echoing, "All?" In her years, that had always meant more than a brother and a sister. Who else had come with him, and how many more?

Thoughts of returning to Easthollow dimmed, and she found herself mirroring the man, seeking out his scent from the moist air around them. His voice cut her study short and she drew back to allow a comfortable space to fall back between them, though the distance did not range as wide as before.

"Nanook Apaata," she returned, her own social obtuseness failing to care that he hadn't given his name first. Her copper eyes glinted with the slightest gleam. "And you, ice bear," she asked, not knowing quite how he'd take it, but feeling the commonality between them gave her room to take the risk, "what do they call you?"