Whitebark Stream and it’s getting so hard tryna to cope

language, an interesting thing. b'ack-bird, he whispered to himself. was that the proper name for these strange, flying things? alsek looked over at artyom, half-expecting him to explain, but turned away just as quickly. 

'n, hm, alsek wondered quietly, say hello? oh, wouldn't that be exciting! he hoped that artyom was right, and that their friend really might come down to greet them. to encourage the bird, he called to it with sing-song voice: hello!

of course, this startled the bird and he flew to another branch, still heard but now out of sight. alsek's ears fell back with sudden disappointment while he fought to hold in his tears.