Duskfire Glacier Letdowns'll get you, and the critics will test you.

When Takiyok paused to rub herself against a boulder, Aqakuktuq approached a tree close by, squatting to mark it with urine. Kicking up dirt to further leave her mark once finished, she then moved back to where the other woman was. They continued the patrol in silence, which was alright with her. Takiyok spoke up after a short while to ask, "Do you stay in contact with your family?"

Aqakuktuq's heart skipped a beat, and she fought the urge to frown. Bittersweet memories stubbornly resurfaced again. No, She answered in a forced even tone. Her eyes had met Takiyok's when she spoke, but they now were downcast. There was a fire this spring... we tried to save the pups but failed. I was separated from any survivors, The fisherwoman explained.

Her eyes remained fixed on the ground where they were, refusing to look up at Takiyok. Hearing the recollection of the event aloud for the first time―vague as it was―chipped away at her mask. She felt a pressure build behind her eyes but refused to let the emotions spill over. Keep it together, she commanded internally.