Ouroboros Spine O sea-starved, hungry sea

Samani could smell rain, she knew it.

The clouds that had billowed in after the fog had cleared were full, plush, and darkened to a formidable grey. The peach-furred figure had chased the thickest of it to a high portion of the spine. It was there that she could see the world stretch from it. Mountains to the east and west of them, a solitary and silvered peak just to the north, and her eyes trailed the rocks swiftly.

Swiftly, to the west, where she could see a glimmer of sea on the distant horizon.

Samani squinted softly, sniffing in hopes of catching a taste of the beyond. She could only smell rain.

A lonely rumble of thunder traveled through the sky.

in the many years that shikoba has been alive, she too has earned the ability to be able to smell rain. the petrichor, the hair-raising electricity that tingles within the air, and the powerful displays of the gods above when thunder would roll and lightning would strike. this rain would not be silent for this little shower.

while she is no master of weather, she does know that getting too close to the sky during a storm could be a bad idea where there is no cover. while the rain has yet to fall, that does not mean that lightning cannot strike. caution fills herself as she looks towards the spines that surround the land of Moonglow, though the sulfur eyes of the woman land on a peachy girl.

with a quick step, shikoba intends to join the girl while the sky remained clear of its tears. when she would finally draw near, a gentle chuff is offered. it is rare to see the girl stray from her mother's side, but perhaps she is beginning to feign for the taste of exploration. thankfully, under shikoba's watchful eyes, it would be done so safely.


"what looking at?" she asks her softly, head tilting in the slightest.

A wolf’s chuff alerted Samani to an approaching figure.

The young girl turned her head around and set her gaze upon the patched figure of Shikoba. She was a familiar enough shape; the cold sea child knew that she had been present several times when Samani had followed her mother around. Knowing who it was relaxed her, eased her slim figure into a comfortable shape. Shikoba wanted to know what she was looking at.

Samani’s features curled into a miniscule smile.

Lights, the peach remarked softly, gesturing up into the greywash skies with her nose. The jewel colors of Samani’s eyes were trained on the darkest part. It took only a few moments before the air was electrified, a streak of white crossed overhead and illuminated the grey with crackling light.

The thunder sounded only seconds after.

while shikoba would often steal looks away at the thunderstorms over the dry plains in her youth, her parents often ushered her away due to safety concerns. perhaps it was unnecessary fear that they would be struck, perhaps it was the spiritual belief that someone had angered the gods. whichever answer was correct, shikoba bid no care. instead, she simply nods towards the girl's words softly and fixates her stare towards the sky.

crackling and breaking through the clouds comes a streak of white, with rolling thunder to establish dominance over the sky. though, shikoba bids little care to the situation. her hairs prick up a bit as the sky lets out its fearsome, trembling roars and growls.

"shikoba once told that gods were mad when lightning strikes. what does Samani think?" she asks curiously to the girl as she inches closer to where their shoulders could brush each other if the wind blew through the spine.

Shikoba had a soothing presence to her. It did not bother the young girl that she was accompanied by the splotched woman. If she would not be ushered back to their densite, she would be pleased enough to sit there and watch the storm.

The woman inquired whether Samani believed that it could be the voices of angry gods. The young girl’s watchful eyes shifted from Shikoba to the dark skies with a pensive expression upon her face. It was an interesting thought and one that might have made sense. When she had first heard the thunder, it had filled her with fright and confusion. Could that not have happened to others?

After a contemplative moment, Samani shook her head softly and smiled.

Not mad, she said. Just talking.

a hum from the woman as a response, the girl has more insight than her time would provide. however, this girl shared blood with the moon woman herself. it should be no surprise that she is insightful and inquisitive. talking, rather than angrily yelling -- perhaps shikoba's life was a young child focused too much on anger and not enough on content and peace. after all, the pheasant tail has taken the heads of others at a young age. peace was an option, but hardly considered as the first choice.

perhaps the girl is right in this case.

"did kukutux teach samani? about the sky?" she asks the girl, curious about her answer. surely, the woman has taught her daughters the ways of her own people. the duck is mysterious and brings about an air of curiosity to shikoba. it is almost like a mist she does not want to find her way out of.

Shikoba inquired about Samani’s mother, wondering if Kukutux had taught her daughter about the skies. The small peach nodded her head softly. Her mother had taught her many things, even things that she did not have the memory to hold. All the stories that were shared by the pale village leader had been valuable in their own way. Samani was pleased that Shikoba understood this about her mom.

Do you know stories?

The jade of her eyes shifted toward Shikoba with interest. She wished to gather as many details as she could, from any who might share them. The world was a vast thing, wild and unforgiving. The young wolf could think of nothing else that would please her. Samani’s expression was intent, captured entirely by the company at her side.

The peachy figure leaned slightly against Shikoba’s shoulder, pressing closer to the warmth.

"not like kukutux, shikoba from a place of orange sand and burning rock. not the sea," she says to her peachy companion, wondering if this would still interest the girl, "but shikoba told many stories from parents, about many things."

shikoba has more years on her than the duck, perhaps there is more of the world that she has seen and can pass on to the next generation of moonglow. there is little for the daughters to do now, except only wonder about the mysterious world that is outside of the spine. the pressing of fur, shoulder to shoulder, where soft peach and burnt wood collide in a chaotic yet beautiful manner.

"what does samani want to know?"

It was curious to hear Shikoba talk of warmth on the stone and orange sands. Samani liked that it was different from the things her mother would share. She had a tingling sensation that usually told her there was a possibility of the unknown, the uncertain. Samani enjoyed those feelings.

I listen, she said softly. You tell me sand story.

A sweet, serene smile was offered to Shikoba. Samani was ready to listen, to learn, and to be educated on a world she might never know or see. The young sea child was thoroughly overjoyed with the concept of this warm world, so unlike the one she had grown to know. Moonglow was beautiful and dangerous in its own ways.

What was Shikoba’s birth home like?

ah, curiosity would win this round with the young blood of the moon woman. shikoba honestly felt quite happy to reminisce about her life, her family, and her history. while learning the new words of moonglow, she has seemingly forgotten her blood that lays within the pheasant tail lineage. perhaps now, she will bring about honor to name with the words that leave her mouth. 

"shikoba's family from place of sand and rock. sun bright and burns, dangerous to be out for too long in. dry too, little rain and hard to find rivers," she pauses to glance at the peach and gauge her reaction, "almost no snow. just sand, rock, and heat."

an unbearable landscape for the unknowing and unacquainted; an unforgivable place for the ignorant. but for the experienced, for the wise, and for the honest, it was a doable piece of land to call home. so long as there was cover, and perhaps an oasis, there could be life.

"sand not good for dens, shikoba find cave with family for den. or dig into side of hill, where there is dirt. harsh landscape, must know to navigate, or get lost in desert. empty space of just sand and plants." perhaps she spins a tail of horror to the girl, or perhaps she tells her a story of overcoming the worst of odds.

Samani was patient while Shikoba spoke of her home. It was so unlike anything that the young moon child had experienced on the spine. The images that were painted were bright orange, red, showing stone that carved deep canyons and opened in the center for small rivers and a sea of endless sand. The moon child had never been to a place like it, but she could almost taste the heat upon the air.

Shikoba then said that there were no dens to be found in the sand. She explained that she had to search for caves where they could live out of the sun’s heat. Samani nodded her head, though she did not fully understand. Her mind painted images she had never seen for herself, but she enjoyed them.

What did Shikoba do in the hot place? the moon child inquired. Was she a mighty warrior, a woman of the spirits, a teacher to those younger than her? Samani had been captivated by her word.

she could hear it in her voice, the glimmer of curiosity in her ye. shikoba normally does not think of herself to be a spinner of stories, however, she knows that her life is much different from the paths that others come from. a war maiden once hailed for her strength, now left alone as the only wolf sharing blood to the great family before her. in a way, she almost feels shameful to carry her own brood yet to pass on the name and tradition her colorful family has. perhaps, she must discuss more with kukutux about husband-hunting to save what little honor she holds left with the pheasant tail clan. though, the thought must wait, for now, she can only remember.

she looks towards the peach with a prideful smile. "shikoba was warrior, daughter of great war chief, Hinto Pheasant Tail. we claimed desert, home called pheasant tail clearing. had to defend, many coyote and loners travel there." in a way, perhaps tradition and honor is passed through the lips, so honor may not be lost, and names may not be forgotten. perhaps, this is how the spirits live on. "desert place of peace, like moonglow. but, sometime war happened. shikoba would fight to keep family safe. same way shikoba fight for moonglow. for kukutux, and for samani." blood may not be shared, but it can be spilled together. so long as there is a scared bond of trust between the native and this family, she will give her life for them.

Several things became known to Samani as she listened to the woman’s story. Shikoba had lived in the desert with her family, an honorable clan of wolves. She had been a warrior for her people. The moon child believed this was special, and the glittering of her eyes shifted to the woman’s face with admiration. For all that Kukutux had taught her daughters, Samani did not recall being told that women could be so fierce. Shikoba was a living example of what it meant.

She explained that her home in the desert was a place of peace, much like Moonglow. The word war was a new one for the young girl. She did not understand it as well as she would have liked. It felt like a heavy subject, one she would not understand. It gave her a sense of discomfort when spoken of. Samani could not help but wonder if war could find Moonglow, as well.

Could Moonglow have war? the moon child inquired gently.

her question does not fall upon deaf ears, for when shikoba looks to the girl, her sulfur eyes are cloudy for a moment. normally, for most parents and adults, they try to shield the young away from the darkness the world has to offer, the pain and suffering that many must learn to grow through. but bloodshed is something shikoba has known for all her life, if anything, it has been her birthright.

but this child, this glittering star from the womb of the moonwoman, how could she tell her of times of darkness when all she has felt is peace? perhaps it is the silent work of the universe and the work of the native that keeps the evils at bay in this girl's mind.

"there is chance, always. but moonglow is strong, brave, together. many to protect us." the woman thinks quietly for a moment, thought lingering on the peach's mother for a moment. "kukutux has scars, like shikoba. she protected moonglow from tupilak, before samani here. has samani heard of tupilak?"

it was a darker moment in moonglow's history, but a time where the duck had proven herself worthy of holding her claim and her village. a point of strength she proved to her people, blood will be spilled if the time calls for such actions.

The moon child listened intently.

Shikoba stated that Kukutux had scars, too. That she had fought to defend her home against tupilak, which was a word that caused the young girl to stir. The hairs along her neck and shoulders bristled slightly. Her features did not shift away from her storyteller. Knowing that there were strong wolves in the village was calming to the young girl. Samani wished to know more about tupilak.

Can you tell me? the peachy figure inquired. Her gaze had not shifted away from Shikoba since she had started speaking. The moon child was enthralled with the information that was shared. She did not have the mind to think that Kukutux would disapprove of what she had learned. It was all new information, so Samani felt sound in listening to it.

I would like to hear about tupilak.

hopefully, shikoba's position of aunt would not be revoked from her if kukutux found out of her story-telling, even more so if she disapproved of the recalling of this darker moment. after all, the face of the moon woman was marked that day, perhaps it is something to not think of often. however, the woman throws caution to the wind for now. perhaps it is the birthright of samani to know of the curses her mother can see and exile from her land with such strength.

"when shikoba come to Moonglow, alone, before samani here," she starts off as she scooches closer to the girl, leaning towards her so that she may talk quieter, "kukutux told shikoba of tupilak, evil spirit. wolf with red coat, like blood."

"tupilak try to steal from Moonglow, and taint wolves' souls," an impurification, something that forever stole away the innocence of nuak, "but kukutux brave, like boar spirit. she fought tupilak, and stole tongue!" perhaps a way to silence the unwanted presence, or perhaps a marker and warning that she would try and steal more if the woman showed her face around the spine again. after all, shikoba made a promise of blood to steal away the woman's head, should she ever be given the chance.

she pauses, hoping to answer any questions the young and bright mind may have to offer as she hears a tale that is spun as a legend in the book of the native.

The new story was different and had captured the moon child’s attention in a firm grip. Perhaps it was because the story of tupilak took place within Moonglow. Shikoba could spin tale after tale about faraway sands and distant heats, but Samani did not care much for these things because they would never find her in the safety of the spine. The threat of terrible spirits, however, was something that had found its way into the security of their home. Tupilak had tried to steal, to cause terrible things, and it had been the Moonwoman who had saved them.

Samani sat silently, thoughtful, before her eyes searched Shikoba curiously.

The moon child could not imagine her mother taking the tongue from any animal. The softness that Samani had known from Kukutux was unmatched. Was it possible that the Moonglow woman was capable of such fierce actions? It must have been, for she had chased the blood red being from their lands and had punished it for its transgressions.

How to fight bad spirit? Samani asked softly, for she did not know.

for the first time, shikoba finds herself stumped with the question. perhaps she ought to learn more about the ways of the spirits with private sessions with kukutux. while in her youth, shikoba knew of a shaman who has a mystical connection with both the living and the dead, she hadn't heard of any existing in the wilds. even then, it was difficult to try and explain how these wolves have a gift of knowing more that meets the eye.

"kukutux knows more than shikoba." she says, hoping that the peach may save her tougher questions for her mother. however, the answer doesn't quite fit in with the answers the woman has provided, so shikoba now tries to figure out how to explain the unexplainable.

"some wolves see spirits, a gift. they see, feel, hear, and know spirits. some know more than others," she isn't quite sure where the moon woman fits in, but she has a feeling that her ranking is quite high, "kukutux has gift, shikoba thinks. that's why kukutux knew what to do when tupilak was here. samani learn from her more than from shikoba."

the woman was rich with knowledge about things shikoba struggled to grasp, so hopefully the answer would subdue the girl. perhaps it will spark interesting conversation, or perhaps it'll cause the duck to tell shikoba to stop filling her daughter's head with stories that aren't meant to be told until she's older.

Samani drew her ears to a point with interest. Shikoba did not know the way to fight an evil spirit, not on her own. She referred to the girl’s mother, saying that the Moonwoman was skilled in this area beyond what she could understand or share. The young girl was not bothered by the lack of knowledge on the matter, and even nodded her head thankfully when the warrior woman tried to piece together something of an explanation.

The moon child wondered if she would see spirits.

Samani put away the information for a later time. She would speak to her mother when she had the chance, and she would learn about the ways of spirits. Even if she could not see them for herself, she wished to know.

I liked Shikoba’s story, Samani said with a small smile. And she had, for it had painted a picture of a world she’d never known. The young girl would spend her time daydreaming about faraway sands and the heat of the scorching sun. Summer had given her a taste of warmth, but it had not seemed at all like the tale woven by the warrior woman.

the peach is content, and with that, shikoba leans in to brush her nose against the child's cheek as gently as she could. she only hopes that the girl would be able to learn the ways of her mother and older sister, as the two share a special bond with the spirits. perhaps it runs in the family, perhaps it simply is taught and learned. either way, the native hopes that whatever future Samani has is plentiful with experiences, otherworldly and normal.

upon the compliment, shikoba gives the girl a smile. "kukutux has many stories, too. samani should ask her for bedtime story." and maybe the warrior would find herself slipping into the ulaq, in hopes of catching glimpses of the rich history of what the woman held within herself.

Samani nodded her head, knowing that her mother was full of great wisdom and great tales of her own. It was nice to hear from different storytellers, from time to time. It allowed the moon child to feel as though she explored the world through their voices. Even the stories she did not like could transport her to another world. She liked the knowledge she gained from this diversity.

The small girl leaned against Shikoba, content to remain there for a while longer. The warrior woman had filled her head with many things. Samani liked to think on them, to learn them again through her own mind. It made her feel wiser than she was.