Ouroboros Spine Into the mystic

The fog had been swept from the spine, carrying grey clouds and the smell of rain upon the air. Even though it was some ways from their village, the wind brought the smell of brine and ocean.

Samani studied the clouds that amassed over the eastern mountains. She drew her muzzle up to the air and sniffed, feeling the cool shift in temperature. The fluttering of birds’ wings from the trees turned her ears, swinging back and forth. The cold wave child fixed her eyes upon two large hawks, one cried out sharply.

Samani could feel her breath catch. She was transfixed.

The first hawk stretched with a sharp talon, swiping at the other. They both cried out together. The wolf blinked in surprise. She had not expected them to sound so piercing. A smile flickered to her lips as she followed the birds of prey into the grey clouds and far from her sight.

On this day, the warrior of new name kept close to heart of Moonglow's village where most ulaq's were built. Many of his first days contained patrols, preventing much interaction with those he would now call family.

Resting over the cool ground beneath a sapling, Inutsuk had hoped some form of company would find him.

It was then a sharp screech pierced his ears. Hawks, no doubt. Their shrill tone was almost never mistaken for another. A notion grew for consideration. Depending on posture and placement, he pondered the likelihood of catching one. If found traipsing close enough to the earth, one bound and two paws would be enough to constrain the specimen. Such a warm body would surely fare well to fill one belly or maybe two.

With this new objective, Inutsuk set off for the direction in which the calls came.

A fair distance from the village, but not too vigorous of a trek for the large man.

Hopeful that he was close, he slowed his pace. It was at this time that another scent wafted through each nostril. Raising a small brow, his shoulders then grew tense. 

Now a new objective had been set: to find what stranger this scent belonged to.

Only a few feet, did it take, before a small shape came to view. The nearer he grew, the more the scent changed. She had never been seen by his before, but there was doubt of her belonging. Moonglow.

The man advanced slowly, as to not startle the child. Once close enough in distance, he drew a heavy chuff, beckoning for the youth's attention.

A bit far from your ulaq, aren't you? A smooth tone carried the words. It was stern, but not too much so to imply aggression or intimidation. 

The unfamiliar voice of a man turned one of her ears back.

Samani breathed softly, releasing the feeling of being watched. As her jade eyes swung around and focused on the roguish agouti male, she understood why he might have approached. The man smelled of the spine, even of her mother. His tone had suggested that he was merely curious, checking to make sure that one of the village’s children was not causing harm to herself, or risking it.

The question he had asked would likely not need an answer, but the girl did not wish to feel scolded by a member of the village she’d never met. All the same, she nodded her head curtly to him, not yet meeting his gaze with her own.

Yes, the young girl answered with only the hint of a smile on her features. But it is fine.

Samani offered the man a flickering smile – an expression that did not quite reach the glittering jewels of her eyes. She was safe, she knew as much. The cold wave in her eyes moved to him and searched his features for a sign that she might have seen him before, in the background of Moonglow.

The man chuffed lightly, plopping down over his rump.

Attention from the child shifted upward to the sky.

I take it those screeching creatures caught your attention? Or was it something else?

Pups always seemed to have their eye on something these days. Growing minds were curious. He knew this just as well as any. After all, he was one once.

Part of him felt relieved to be here - in the presence of Moonglow's young. Since the first day Kukutux welcomed him, she had told him to be a protector to all, but especially the children. He was now doing so.

I'm Inutsuk, by the way, He then added, eyes returning to hover over the young girl.

Figure we've never formally met. I've seen you a few times within the village grounds, but never had much of a reason to approach.

The rose nodded her head softly in response to his query. The hawks had mesmerized her, had pulled her attention toward them with fierce cries and wickedly hooked talons. She had never seen anything quite so beautiful before, not in her short life.

When introduced, he offered a name of Inutsuk. It was a name that sounded like the others of the village, a name that would not have been out of place in their family. The girl turned her jade gaze toward him and nodded again, pleased to have met him, pleased to know another wolf in the village of the moon. He was gentle with his words. His presence was comforting, so she did not think it was important for him to leave.

Samani, she offered to him. Her name for his.

You… are stranger no more.

As if that solved that matter, the rose dipped her narrow muzzle only once.

Samani.

Strangers no more. That they were.

Inutsuk would do well to remember the name and tunic of the child. He would later need to tell her apart from the crowd, especially once he grew to be better acquaintances with others.

Do you watch the skies often? Samani seemed mesmerized by the creatures. The man now wondered if they were the only she took interest in. 

Such a far distance he stood. They now knew of each other. Hopefully he could be permitted closer in distance, though he shouldn't assume. He would consider it disrespectful to near a mother's child, especially when the mother was Moonwoman of the village. Head down and tail lowered, a paw lifted, intending to step further, but paused as a questioning glance was cast downward. Even as awkward as the posture was, he would wait for acceptance or rejection with no stumble or falter.

Inutsuk wished to know if she watched the skies often.

Samani nodded her head and smiled softly. It was one of her favorite things to do, she had found. The skies were always different. Some days were heavy with clouds and thick with rolling thunder and lightning. There were other days when the clouds were fluffy and white. Those days were beautiful to watch, for they looked as though they were wolves traveling across the skies – massive white hunters.

The young girl regarded him carefully, blinking curiously at the way he stood. It looked as though he wished to move closer, but he was tentative. Samani did not understand why.

Want to watch? she asked him, nodding her nose toward the spot beside her.

Her nod had only proven what he assumed. The expression of her features made him miss being a youthful soul. A mind once driven by curiosity and wonder of the world changed to the focus of survival with little happiness to ensure. Though, with where he currently stood, perhaps there was a happiness awaiting him in the future.

The invitation to joined eased his tense posture. With a light chuffle and flicker of each audit, he accepted and stepped closer, settling aside her. Inutsuk gave only a final glance of regard to Samani before casting his eyes upward.

Truth be told, I miss the days as a carefree child. Few worries to bother me. A kind family near at all times that I can turn to. A saddened memory was the thought of former moments. He did not have many of the luxuries he listed, but regardless, he would never imply resentment towards Samani. To wish upon a different course from the past was to ignore what's given in the future. He didn't consider himself that naive.

Samani did not understand what he meant, not at its core. The premise of reminiscing was not something that had found her. She had not lived enough life for her memories to have such significance. 

When he spoke of having family that he could turn to, her ears met him and her gaze followed. He was of Moonglow, so family was not short. Perhaps he did not remember. 

Moonglow is family. 

Samani returned her gaze to the skies.

So sorry for taking so long to respond to this! To be honest, I had completely forgotten about its existence for a while, xD

The child had spoken truth. Moonglow was a family. Moonwoman was its mother and Sunman its father. They were all children, whether born of blood or not. This would never change.

Indeed it is. Inutsuk concurred, nodding his head in agreement. 

So, Samani.. The man paused for a moment. This was the first he had ever spoken her name, despite how long he had now lived with the village. A most unbecoming truth, especially on his part. What talent do you wish to pursue here as you become of age? Do you aspire to be a guardian, focus on your skill with the hunt, or perhaps seek the path of wise council? A query as such may have come off as random, but, Inutsuk was sincere. He truly desired to know her goals and aspirations. Maybe he could even be of assistance to help her reach her full potential.

If you'd like to fade it out, we could totally have a more up-to-date one? I really enjoy Inutsuk. He's sweet as can be. ^^ Either way, you never have to apologize for taking your time.

Inutsuk agreed with her statement. Samani found herself pleased with that. A small smile crept onto her features, though she was quick to give him her attention when he continued to talk. A question had sprung up within his mind. He wished to know what path the moon child wished to follow.

Samani regarded Inutsuk with a careful stare. There had been many things that had sounded appealing to her, all for different reasons. She had found herself struggling with the idea of what she might pursue. Though Kau had not spoken it, Samani could see her sister becoming a fierce guardian of their lands. Only a fool would stand in the way of the ferocity of Kausiut.

All of them seem good, she admitted quietly.

What is wise council, Inutsuk? Samani inquired next, so that she might better answer him.

He's really developed well since I first brought him in. 

Fading sounds good to me. I'd love to have the both of them grow a closer relationship as time goes on.

Inutsuk could tell that Samani didn't quite yet know the answer, both by her expression and the following reply. This was understandable. None could expect a child so young to know what path they wanted to pursue for their future. While still young, they all still had time. He did, though, admire the fact that she seemed to have an open mind about her options. None were immediately rejected, yet none were selected either. She did, however, question one.

"What is wise council?" 

The idea of it sounded easy to explain in his head, but once asked, the man couldn't seem to find the words right away. It took him a few moments to think, gaze set blankly forward.

Well.. in this, there are many ways to describe it. By finding this path, you have set your desire upon learning from others who are considered wise. They will teach you things you have yet to learn, so later you can teach to others. Then, you will be able to counsel those who require it. This may include providing suggestions and opinions... advising them on important matters. Perhaps even learning what it means to lead. There can also be a spiritual aspect of it as well. Should you decide that you wish to align your sights with those not physically present, you could seek out another who shares the tongue of spirits and learn how to interpret signs and messages. I know little of the spiritual world, so I'm afraid I can't speak more in depth.

Releasing the statue-like stare, Inutsuk cast his eyes downward, searching for some reaction to determine whether she understood his definition. Hopefully he had worded it properly, for if not, she would have to find another to better explain.

The man spoke and offered her a reasonable answer to her question. He was good about adding layers of detail. The things she did not understand were easily filled in by the things that she did. When the man had finished with giving her his response, Samani drew her eyes to his face and studied him for several seconds. She did not answer right away. The thought of what he suggested sounded appealing, though.

I would like that, yes.

Samani nodded her snout.

The two spent a short time talking. When they parted, the moon child’s mind was filled with his words. Samani thought to ask her mother about some of the things Inutsuk had offered. She thought she could gather more insight from Kukutux, than anyone else.