Whitewater Gorge tulaktuk ‡

what if — her toes curled upon the cold muddied edge —

pretty girl, a masculine voice brushing out into the far reaches of the duck's senses, and she pulled her jadestone gaze from the feral waters to look back along one slim shoulder toward the speaker. he wore a tall frame and a pale coat resembling her own, though it bore traveling-stains. eyes like a downing sun; a scar upon his lip.

inu-gik-suk; it rattled between her own teeth and she dipped her head beneath the relief soaking into her arteries, turning more fully toward the snowfurred man as kukutux dipped in deference. "qayam kangaan kimiku," she murmured in return, a formal greeting and one meant to explain her presence here as she veiled her curiosity with a demure glance downward.