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Description
Another collab with the amazing sealle . I am loving this story more and more as it develops. Here Anna finally reveals her Selkie magic to Tuaq during a bit of exploration, after...well, read on and find out

Inuk and Odette are familiar with the magic, but poor Kaniq has never experienced it before, therefore proceeding with caution. Then there's Igi... who just wants to catch little motes of light and be a derp.

Link to import sheet: Deniigi 1067
Link to (hunting/fishing/exploring) journal: Deniigi 1067 Tracker
Items/Companions: Bright Flashlight
Defects/Health Issues: N/A

Link to import sheet: Inuksuk 1699
Link to (hunting/fishing/exploring) journal: `` Inuksuk Tracker ``
Items/Companions: N/A
Defects/Health Issues: N/A

Tribe Bonus: +5% success rate towards Exploring Issorartuyok TP Tracker

Recreation | Sex, Lies and...

Song Credit: Song of
the Sea

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PG-13 WARNING
For nudity

Tuaq
The steady thudding of paws on the snow packed earth was woven with the heavy panting of the Tokota as they made their way past the outskirts of the town. Tokotna was not a large place, but when the Tribes gathered, the sprawling camps and buildings took a while to navigate out of. They had finally reached the last of the camps and ahead lay seldom used tracks, game trails and wild open places.
Tuaq and Kaniq paused, letting the rest of their group catch up. They had tried to leave behind Igi, but the young pup could not be left unsupervised and was not reliable enough to last that long with a stay command, so the energetic youngster had been froliking underfoot since they started. Kaniq had stopped growling at him after the first few playful attempts to take hold of her tail and instead ignored him until he turned his attentions on the other Tokota’s with them.
Leaning back to check his day bags were firmly secured he breathed the fresh clean smell of the wild as a breeze blew in from the east. Even in the short time they had camped here Tuaq’s dislike of the heavy rank aura that followed large groups of humans had returned. Kaniq seemed to enjoy the clean air and the promise of exercise and shook slightly, chuffing and smelling around the pathways. Igi soon appeared and for once the pair happily shared a moment of exploring the interesting scents before the temptation to play got the better of the pup and he took an ill fated nip towards the big females ear.
Tuaq scanned the area, looking for the specific game trail that he had heard other camp members talking about.
“I overheard two Tsula members talking in the town about an excellent trail and hunting area near the lake. Apparently the old dead tree just ahead marks the best route.” He gestured ahead to the treeline before turning to Anna. “Apparently its quite flat and might be good if we want to give them a nice long run.”

Anna
“It’s been a cold enough winter, I’m sure the ice is plenty thick. A nice flat like that would give them a good chance to stretch their legs.” Anna smiled as she took in a deep inhale of the crisp, pine air.
She hadn’t thought that the crowded town would bother her. In fact, she’d thought the opposite. The initial thought of running off into the wild with her siblings had scared her at first and it was difficult to believe that years had already passed. She’d settled into the life of living off the land and now the sounds of cars and snowmobiles gave her a headache. This opportunity to run was a welcome break from the cacophony of the town.
“We’ll give them a good lap or two around the edge where the ice is thick, then head back. I don’t want to stay out too far past dark, we don’t know this territory.” With that thought on her mind, she made note of their position. Evening was falling quickly, with the sun setting golden tones over the lightly forested hills. There were no stars yet, but she doubted tonight would give them the opportunity to see them. Thick clouds were rolling in over the east, even more reason to make sure they made it back to camp. If it snowed, she didn’t want to be wandering around in an unfamiliar territory with very little supplies.

Tuaq
As their Tokota’s raced through the evening light, Tuaq shrugged deeper into his coat, escaping the icy bite of the wind. Kaniq’s powerful and steady rhythm working away the tension of the last few days. He crouched down, burrowing his gloved hands into her thick mane as they emerged from the trail and onto the vast expanse of the lakeshore.
Looking back Tuaq saw Igi was panting but still keeping up with the adult Tokota’s, perhaps more expeditions like this would help the youngster settled into life in the pack. He smiled as the youngster slipped slightly as they stepped onto the ice.
Everyone was together and the ice near the shore was easily holding their weight so Tuaq leaned forward and chirped to Kaniq. Her hind legs bunched, as she dug in and they surged forwards, bolting away as the trees flowed past. Igi gamely kept pace, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he got caught up in the excitement. Tuaq let out a howling call, urging the half mane faster and faster as they raced the fast approaching darkness.

Anna
Anna couldn’t help but let laughter spill forward at the sound of Tuaq’s howl, the energy building within her as Inuksuk coiled herself and launched forward at the sound, a competitive urge driving her to catch the halfmane ahead of her. Odette kept pace at her flank, barely visible to Anna as her roaned white coat blurred with the snow covered ice.
The cold air bit at her cheeks and fingers, but she did not hide from the cold. Rather, she raised herself in the saddle, taking her weight off Inuk’s back to settle over her withers. Despite it’s sting, she knew the cold wouldn’t harm her.

She chuckled again, seeing Igi trying his hardest to keep up. Tongue flopped to the side, she had to remind herself that he wasn’t one of Solv’s offspring. The happy pup would make a good Tokota if Tuaq trained him well.

Tuaq
The adult Tokota’s had managed to extend a decent lead ahead of Igi, and as they rounded a small bay the young pup turned across, cutting through the middle of the ice to catch up to the adults. There had been several big freezes and the lake was said to be completely safe, but they had stuck to the edges just to be sure.Tuaq slowed the female as the youngster scrambled towards them, Kaniq’s ears flicked as she also turned to watch his progress.
Suddenly like a gunshot a crack echoed across the lake. Birds startled from nearby trees and Kaniq shuffled back towards the shore, bumping into the other Tokota’s in her haste. Tuaq swung from her back and crouched on the ice feeling for any disturbances. A series of pops rang out and the pup hastened towards his owner and safety.Tuaq cried out as he saw something shatter near the wolverines feet. He held up a hand and shouted but in the blink of an eye the youngster was gone. Without thinking Tuaq ran towards where the pup had vanished.

Anna
Anna had hardly realized what had happened, everything happening in an instant. She'd seen Igi bolt across the ice, the draw of attention making her fail to realize that Kaniq had slowed. The big brown halfmane backpedaled into Inuk, searching for the solid shore. Inuk snarled at the other female, back pedaling herself to a comfortable distance.
In the time it took for Anna to gather herself and ensure Odette's safety, Tuaq was already on the ice. The sound of the crack had been sickening and when Igi disappeared, Anna instinctively snapped open her saddle bag. "Tuaq, come to shore!" she called, hoping he would heed her.

Tuaq
He slowed as he drew closer to that dark gap in the ice, eyes scanning franticly for the young pups face. Hairs prickled along the back of his neck as the cracks in the ice spread, dancing away as the surface fragmented and slipped into dark waters. A movement off to the right of the hole, away from the worst of the cracks caught his eye. The small movements and white stripe on a nose and Tuaq knew Igi was trapped. That the young pup, who relied upon him, and had not a bad bone in his body, would die if he didn’t do anything.
Faint Noises from the shore reached his ears but he ignored them, pulling his knife he slid on his stomach across the ice until he was above the pup. Bracing himself he flipped the knife and with an angry shout, slammed the hilt down. A small crack appeared. He lifted his arm and with another mighty thud the ice cracked further, widening and joining the web of cracks that radiated from the large hole. Pressing down on a loose segment he flipped the ice, plunging his hand into the bone chilling cold.
He grimaced as the icy waters teeth sank into his muscles, quickly removing all feeling. He frantically grasped where the pup had been. Hissing in frustration as he made ever widening sweeps. Then he touched it, something moving. He grabbed a handful, hauling the half dead pup to the surface.
Igi coughed as his head breached the surface, eyes white rimmed in fear as he clawed at Tuaq’s arm in an attempt to climb out. His scrabbling grey more frantic as Tuaq cursed and tried to regain his grip on the pups scruff. Igi was just too heavy. When dry the young tokota weighed as much as a large dog, but with the weight of the water and the frigid water draining all strength from his hand he could not pull the pup free.
Baring his teeth, Tuaq threw the knife towards the shore, ungloving his other hand and grabbed onto the pup. He threw his weight back, lurching onto his knees as the pups front end emerged from the water. Letting out an exhausted laugh he threw his arms up, watching the pup scramble to pull himself the rest of the way clear.
Another sickening series of cracks rippled across the surface of the lake from where he knelt. He had just enough time to see Igi climb out and crawl on trembling limbs towards the shore. Then the cold sank its teeth in and pulled him into the silent darkness.

Anna
Anna had already pulled her coat over her shoulders and had begun the sprint across the ice to help Tuaq. She slowed and then paused as the pup clamored out of the icy depths, a sigh of relief escaping her. Her heart was pounding in her chest at the thought of revealing herself and she pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, feeling comfort in it’s embrace.
As Tuaq’s body relaxed back onto the ice from exhaustion, Anna relaxed as well. She nearly turned around, to make sure the Tokota’s were all still gathered at the shoreline, when the ripple of cracking ice spread and Tuaq disappeared. The world closed in around her and her sights locked on the black hole that had sucked the man in. She counted off in her head, 5...4...3...2...1. There was no more time to think, he wasn’t coming back on his own.
Pulling her hood over her head and diving in the same motion, Anna’s form was obscured by a bright flash of golden light. It dimmed to a gentle glow, revealing nothing but a seal. The water was dark, as if something was fighting back against her light. Her keen seal eyes frantically scanned the water until they caught a glimpse of black hair, being pulled deeper. The current was strong and it confused her. This was lake and from what she had seen, there were no major ocean estuaries leading from it. Stretching her strong, lean muscles, she dove. It’d been so long since she’d taken the seal’s form, but now she had no time to enjoy it.
Reaching Tuaq, she used her powerful jaws to grab his coat’s hood. A terrifying chill struck her as the shadow grew around them, seemingly meaning to drag them under and extinguish her light. She couldn’t identify it and it was intense with power. Her heart began to race once again as fear ran through her, but she rallied. Whatever it was, she would not falter to it. Strong waves of her tail jetted them to the surface, though it felt like they were still being dragged down.

They broke from the water’s surface with explosive force as they slid towards shore. Anna had returned seamlessly back to her human self and was quick to action. With what adrenaline she had left, she managed to drag Tuaq to the safety of land.

Tuaq
A flash of white swam through the Dark. The blue of the fading sunlight rippling through the ice above sending beams into the deep unknown. A ripple of light battled with the shadows, and the angry bellow tore through his body as fire burned through his chest. His eyes shot open and water erupted from his mouth as he turned over and coughed up what felt like an ocean of water.
Anna’s hand pounded him on the back, dislodging the last of the water and then supporting him as he doubled over, struggling to breath as ice seemed to tear like knives through lungs. His limbs started to shake as the cold rippled through his body, making his teeth chatter and jaw clench. Almost childlike in his weakened state he offered no resistance as Anna quickly and efficiently stripped him of his clothes. The loss of the wet heavy weight was almost a blessing until the cold of the night wind sent pain biting into his exposed flesh. She lay some hides on the ground, wrapping him in them like a babe as he curled into a ball. He heard the familiar sounds of a fire being started but lacked the energy to turn.
A small whimper sounded and the damp form of Igi wiggled closer, dripping more water on him as he tried to snuggle up to his owner for comfort. Tuaq managed to croak out a firm no before Kaniq stepped in, picking the pup up and carrying him to the far side of the small blaze and dropping him. The big female curled around him and pinning him with a large paw and icy glare she started to clean the wriggling pup.
He smiled, letting out a rough laugh at the sight, causing Kaniq to stop and look at him. The chuckles rippled through him, hysteria edging through as his body fell further into shock. He gripped the pelt turning towards Anna for help. He caught a glimpse of skin before she realised he was looking at her.

Anna
“Close your eyes,” she demanded, waving her hand for him to look away. Assured that he wasn’t sneaking a peak, Anna tugged off the heavy, soaked tunic that clung to her. It fell to the ground and a shiver ran up her spine as the cool air hit her skin. It lit a spark in her to kick away her boots and pants quickly, goose bumps rising on her arms and legs. The two curly females, nesting down in the snow, cocked their heads at their owners strange antics. Anna laid out the clothing so it would dry with the heat of the flames and tip toed across the snow, the cold stinging at her heels, to behind where Tuaq was curled on his side beneath the fur.

“Scootch over,” she asked, a hint of order in her voice as her white, wispy breath clung to the air. A lump tightened in her throat as she hesitated. She hadn’t been naked with a man since her college days and that was always under quite different circumstances. She assured herself that this was innocent, a necessity to keep Tuaq’s body from going into shock from the experience.

She hesitated for another reason too, the fearful curiosity about what she had seen in the water. The darkness filled her head again as she reached towards him to lift the heavy pelt, sending a shockwave through her consciousness. The pelt fell from her hand with a sharp inhale as an overwhelming sense of caution washed over her. She knew deep down that there was magic at work here, but it’s origins were unknown to her, so strange and foreign. Anna and Nikki had worked hard to learn their Inuit heritage, but it was all from books and research. Their Scottish heritage was built into them, flowing through their bodies with every ounce of magic they contained and this… this darkness was something that Anna had never felt before. She wondered why now it chose to present itself and not when Tuaq had first arrived to them.

Snapping back to reality, she reached for the pelt again. “Clumsy… cold fingers,” she lied, slowly slipping beneath the pelt. The tension and awkwardness built inside her chest as she sidled up against him, her breath held back as she pressed herself to his back and slid her arm beneath his, around his chest. The sensation of cool skin against skin did nothing to quell the goose bumps that covered her arms and legs. Her hand came to rest on Tuaq’s chest, the ridges of his scar lying beneath her fingertips. Her mind foggy from exhaustion, her fingers began to absentmindedly trace the lines of the claw marks. Warmth slowly built, with help of the fire and Anna slowly relaxed, the lump in her throat and the goose bumps on her arms fading away. Her fingers started to trace along muscle, slowly trickling their way to Tuaq’s side, feeling along where there had once been broken ribs. They had healed surprisingly well and she was proud of her sister’s handiwork. Her head dipped forward, coming to rest at the base of his neck. The smell of salt, skin, pine, mountain air and hide mingled together into an intoxicating aroma; the smell of the wild. The bubble of caution rose at the back of her mind again, but the warmth pulled her in. She slid her arm back around the man she had rescued, more comfortable and relaxed than she had been in a long while.

Tuaq
The cold seemed to have bitten right into the bone. The shivering had stopped when his clothes had been removed, which he knew was more dangerous than anything. The cold grip on his chest wouldn’t let go even as the warm light of the small fire danced over his face. He knew it was the shadows return. He had stayed too long, and it had almost killed him. Worse, it had almost killed Anna as she saved him.
He could still feel the sickening moment when the ice gave way. The cold that tore through him and pushed all the air from his lungs. The darkness and strength in the current that had grabbed hold of him and tore him away from the light leaving nothing but a thread of shining bubbles that danced away. It was at that point he knew he would die. Somehow she had found him, and beyond belief somehow she had brought him back. He took a shuddering breath as his body started to shiver again. The twitching of his muscles a welcome change from the lifeless cold that had sapped his strength.
Kaniq’s soft whine and warm breath brought his focus to her. She had walked over to him and now stood over his body, ears flickering as she sniffed his face. He knew she was concerned and offering comfort, but for right now the only person that could keep him from dying of shock and hypothermia was the woman who had plucked him from the icy water. He reached up a shaking hand and stroked the half manes cheek, the effort it took shocked him, before telling her to return to the now sleeping pups side.
Anna’s return behind him and the cold air that crept through that open blanket renewed the violent shaking and as the moment dragged he had to fight the urge to turn to her and see what was taking so long to get in. Just as he decided he could stand the cold no longer he felt the soft touch of a warm body behind him. The icy cold was replaced suddenly with burning heat as Anna climbed in and tucked herself under the hide.
Her arms snaked around him and held him close, His lean angular body, shaking as the feeling returned, against her burning warmth. A sigh escaped as he huddled back against her. As life returned to his body he felt his energy drain away. The soft soothing touch of Anna’s hands lulling him to sleep. He let out another sigh and snuggled in closer before closing his eyes and enjoying the rare moment of physical contact.

Anna
It was in the wee dark early hours of the morning when Anna’s consciousness finally stirred her awake. Her foggy mind embraced the sensation of a warm body next to hers as she curled her fingers into the work roughed hand of the man she laid with. Her face was buried in his loose hair and as she tilted her head to free herself from it, her lips brushed against the curve of his shoulder, lingering for a moment in a gentle kiss against his skin. That was, until the memories of the previous evening flooded to her and she snapped awake, realizing who she was laying with and why.
Practically falling over backwards, Anna flung herself out from under the heavy, warm hide and out into the brisk morning air. The surrounding Tokota’s lifted their heads at the sudden interruption to their sleep. She gulped down a deep breath as the cold air hit her body and she flung her arms around her chest, for warmth and for cover, as she began to shiver. The snow beneath her feet was stinging cold and so she quickly tip toed her way to her clothes, hoping the fire had done it’s job and dried them. Satisfied that her clothes were wearable, she tugged on her white birch snowboarding pants, followed by her hide boots. With one arm still covering her chest, she called over her shoulder. “Tuaq, wake up. We need to get back to camp.”

She didn’t know what time it was, but she ventured a guess that it was nearly four in the morning. Why hadn’t Nikki sent for help… she knew they were only going for a ride and they hadn’t made it so far that a search party wouldn’t have reached them by now. Then the memory of the dark spirit returned to her and a sickening feeling hit her stomach as she wondered if it had interfered with any attempts at a rescue. It wasn’t beyond her to admit that she feared whatever it was that was following them. Her magic was strong, yet she had no idea what this thing was or why it was here.

Feeling suddenly insecure, she trudged through the snow and reached for Inuksuk’s saddle bag, pulling out the soft, shimmering seal pelt that she had stashed away. Glancing over to Tuaq, she hesitated. “Tá sé ceart go leor...” she whispered to herself. “Nach bhfuil tú ag nochtadh féin.” Wrapping the pelt around her shoulders like a shawl, she stepped back over to the embers of the fire. Given the ill feeling around them, she normally wouldn’t let such a good fire die out, but she knew it would be irresponsible to add more wood to it, with them preparing to leave. Looking out into the dark shadows, she spoke out to the dark spirit. “Fág i m'éinear mé…” she warned, shrugging her pelt tighter around her shoulders.
*Tá sé ceart go leor…(It’s ok)
Nach bhfuil tú ag nochtadh féin. (You’re not revealing yourself)
Fág i m'éinear mé… (Leave me alone)

Tuaq
Sleep had wrapped him in her cloak and would not let him go easily. Exhaustion and delayed shock making him far drowsier than normal. The warm embrace and gentle cool breath on his neck left goosebumps prickling along his skin. He shifted slightly, causing the woman to tighten her hold. He could not help but feel every touch of her skin, every curve of her body as it moulded itself around his.
He felt movement as she snuggled in closer, warm air tracing along his shoulder. He felt his body begin to respond before the cold truth of realisation dawned. Anna lept back with the speed of a scalded cat, her absence under the furs made all the more sudden by the rush of icy air that hit his bare skin.
He heard her moving around and took a moment to try and compose himself. It had been so long since he had shared such intimate contact with anyone, since he had felt the warm touch and smell of a woman, and now that he had, his body had a mind of its own. He awkwardly sat up, body protesting the cold and the movement as stiffened muscles began to loosen.
As Anna began to organise the chaos of their temporary camp Tuaq took a moment to greet Kaniq. The big female had crept closer and was staring at him with such intensity it was amazing that she was still obeying his stay command. He let out a small chirp and within moments she was snuffling around his hair and face. She sneezed at the strange smells before continuing her examination. The warm hide blanket was almost torn away as she tried to remove the offending smells from him but a warning hiss from Tuaq brought her head back up. Seemingly happy with his condition she gave him a quick swipe of the tongue from beard to hair before wandering off and sitting down next to a very sad looking Igi.
Tuaq gently called over the young pup. For the first time in his life the pup kept his tail tucked and after an anxious look to Kaniq he slunk over. The big female made no move to stop him and seemed to be much happier with the now more cautious pup, last nights sleeping arrangements showing she at least felt some responsibility for the youngster. He cupped Igis face in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. “No more walking on thin ice little brother, we may not survive again.” The pup wriggled, now happy that he was not in trouble and added to Kaniq’s lick with many more before flopping down beside Tuaq and beginning to roll in all the exciting human smells.
Tuaq rubbed Igis chest before reaching over to his dry clothes beside the fading embers of the fire. Now back in control of his body, he slid his feet through his trousers and into his boots and stood up, pulling the warm pants up and tying the waist. He quickly donned his shirt and tunic, enjoying the returning warmth as he turned to face Anna.
She wore a shawl he had not seen her in before, the pelt seemed to ripple in the minimal light, as if it had life of its own. Anna seemed so much more alive in that wild dark night than he had ever seen her before, that raw energy putting a rare smile on his face. He stepped closer, placing his hand on her arm and shivering as the shawl danced along the back of his knuckles. “Anna, thank you. I was sure that i was lost in the darkness, but somehow…” He coughed slightly, the raw emotions overshadowing the necessary intimacy they had forced upon them. He shrugged, and with a gentle squeeze of her arm he crouched to pick up his pack and recompose himself.
“The tribe will be worried we have not returned, perhaps we will run into a search party on the way back.”

Anna
A burning caution rose as Tuaq reached forward towards her pelt. Ready to spring away from him, she froze as he simply stroked the fur gently.
"Tuaq, wait," she pleaded, extending a hand to his shoulder as he knelt down. Her dark brown eyes seemed to glow with a gold aura as they gazed directly into his. "Do you... Remember anything? Anything at all from beneath the ice."
She needed to know if he remembered, if he knew her secret. His gentle curiosity of her pelt had surprised her and now, given all that she had come to realize in the night, she wondered if she felt safe enough to disclose her secret to him. She wasn't sure if it was false trust, thrust upon her by their forced intimacy, or a burning desire to draw him in long enough for her to learn more about the dark spirit that lingered around him. One part of her mind was telling her no, use caution and protect herself. Yet the other part was dragging her to him like a strong current.
"Do you know how it is that I saved you?"

Tuaq
Tuaq turned, frown lingering on his face as he tried to remember.
“I remember the ice breaking and falling. Then it was just the sudden cold squeezing all air from my chest and the burning cold and darkness as i was sucked away from the light. There was a moment of light in the darkness…” He paused, dragging a hand through his hair “... I thought it was the spirit's coming to take me, but then i was on land and alive.”
There had been that moment, where the spirits had appeared that he had felt relief that his endless running from the darkness had come to an end, that he would no longer hurt others and place them at risk, but he could not tell her that. It was something he had often wondered about, but had never given into. He knew those dark thoughts only invited the shadow closer.
Igi broke him out of his morbid thoughts, leaning against Tuaq’s legs and happily panting as he got his ears rubbed.

Anna
"The spirits did come for you, but not the spirit of death." She turned away from him, removing the pelt from her shoulders, in order to shrug on her tunic. Returning to face him, pelt held tight in her arms like a security blanket, her expression seemed torn, like she was fighting what to say.
"There is a darkness around you Tuaq and I don't know what it is. But spirits of light can fight spirits of darkness. If you stay in Issorartuyok... I can help you. Do you understand what I'm saying Tuaq?"
She didn't understand why it was so hard to just come outright with it, but she knew it was too late to turn back now. The truth was hanging in the air and she needed only to speak it to make it real. "I was the light. I was the spirit. I'm not human Tuaq, not fully. I was able to rescue you because... I'm.." she sighed under the weight of the words, the need to set them free rising in her like a crashing wave. "I'm a Selkie."

Tuaq
“A Selkie?” Tuaq frown returned, “you change into a seal, like a skin changer?”
He tried to remember the little he had heard about Selkies. They were an old legend, scottish maybe, there was something about tears. Such a thing was believed to be myth by many, though many also believed the spirits and the old legends to be mere myth. He had seen many things that the spirits had done, and experienced too many of the shadows dark deeds to ignore any power, no matter how strange.

Anna
"Yes... Like a skin changer. My coat allows me to take the form a of seal underwater." The pelt was still held tight in her arms, it's shimmer seeming to grow, despite the lack of moon or stars to cause the soft glow. "But my magic is useful on land too. I can drive away that shadow, or at least I can try."
The look of skepticism on his face made her heart sink. He must think her crazy, Selkies were just lore to the Inuit... Taking a step towards him, she closed her eyes and centered her focus. Softly, she began to sing. It was a song her mother had taught her and singing it filed her with emotions of the past. The words were foreign and the tune pierced into the soul as it hung in the air. "Idir ann is idir as, Idir thuaidh is idir theas, Idir thiar is idir thoir, Idir am is idir áit" The air around them seemed to lighten as the words poured forth, the shimmer of Anna's coat growing to surround her entirely.
"Casann sí dhom, Amhrán na farraige, Suaimhneach nó ciúin, Ag cuardú go damanta," she continued. Light, bits of light... Magic. It surrounded them, floating along, gathering at her calling. Odette and Inuk pulled themselves from their snowy nests, drawn to the calling of their handler. They circled as the light grew, casting is purifying spell over their camp. Everything was alight, spinning, glowing, whirling with the magic of her song. "Mo grah."

Letting the words soften and fade, Anna opened her eyes to the pale blue aura. The shadow had retreated, not gone, but not powerful enough to make itself known. "You are safe with me, Tuaq. I can shield you from the spirit that haunts you."

Tuaq
As Anna’s voice grew, the prickles down Tuaq’s neck returned. She lightened and the shimmering silver light from the darkness returned, illuminating her and sending the shadows fleeing from the clearing. Kaniq’s snarls echoed through the clearing as she began to circle around the glowing woman. The halo of light intensified, brightening everything and causing Tuaq to the back and shield his eyes from the glare.
The sudden exposure of something from legend, and Anna’s promise that she could help him had his heart thundering in his chest. Perhaps she could, perhaps there was a way out, that the spirits had sent her to him, that they knew of his struggle and had provided help.
It was hard to resist the new budding hope that his endless running had ended, but still doubt lurked in the shadows, niggling away. He had been running almost his whole life, freedom seemed impossible.
“You said you can protect me, but can you protect the tribe? The evil spirit that haunts me does not always focus on me, but rather on those around me.”

Anna
The tribe… Anna froze. How did she think she could reveal herself to Tuaq without also having to give herself up to the tribe? She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, eyes wandering off into the woods, which were now dark again. Perhaps it was time. If this sort of darkness was lingering nearby, the tribe should be alerted. Believers or not, the spirits were not biased in their actions.
“I believe… with Nikki, Siluk.. and myself, that we could protect the tribe. Yes, it would be possible.” Stepping forward, coming within a foot of Tuaq, Anna swung her seal coat back around her shoulders, a shiver now running through her. Her heart was racing. Her mother had always told her that their secret was their most valuable possession. Giving it away was no light matter. Anna felt deep down that this was the right decision, yet she couldn’t help but doubt herself. Guilt creeped in as well, having given away Nikki and Siluk’s secrets as well, giving them no choice in the matter.
“If you give us a chance, I believe we can help you. I do not have the power my mother possessed.. I am only half Selkie, but I will try my hardest.” Another shiver ran down her spine as she locked her eyes onto his. Brighter, blue, different from her own. What was it that lingered on him? Why did the spirits trail someone that seemed so kind hearted and hard working? Questions swirled in her mind as she lost track of herself.
Inuksuk and Odette still stood nearby, watching. They huddled with each other, ears and eyes keeping a diligent keep on the darkness. There was no doubt they could sense the spirits in the dark and knew that Anna was powerful. It was no wonder the woman held such a large pack on her own with no dominance quarrels.

Tuaq
Her revelation that it was not only her that had this astounding gift, but her siblings set Tuaq’s head spinning. How could he have spent so much time with them and yet suspected nothing. Had he forgotten so much of his grandfather's training, or was it that he had been along so long that he no longer could read people. Both options were scary to contemplate, if he could be fooled so easily perhaps the spirit had been closer than he thought. The only comfort remaining to him at the moment was the promise of help. Sleeping in Anna’s arms had been his most restful and comfortable sleep in years. The nightmares had been banished and he felt more peaceful and alert now than he could ever remember.
He looked up into the familiar and yet alien face of the tribes alpha. She was still shrouded in light, seeming to glitter and shimmer as power beyond anything Tuaq had seen burned from within her. Everything he knew had changed, this new gift from the spirits could be all he hoped for, she could be what he dreamed. Yet still, years of caution and fear refused to leave so easily. No matter how much he hoped she could help, if her family was not enough he would leave and save them all.
Kaniq gently rested her chin on his shoulder, she had crept behind him and seeming to sense his confusion and fear she offered support. Igi also had stopped leaping around trying to catch the motes of light that Anna had summoned and returned to nuzzle his owner hand in affection. Tuaq smiled down at the pup. They would be with him no matter what, and he knew that he would never be truly alone.
“Thank you Anna, it seems you may save me in more ways than one. Your families help would mean more to me than you will know, but if it is not enough, if this evil spirit cannot be held at bay i will leave. I will not risk your lives for my comfort, if the shadow returns then i will leave and take its evil with me.”

Anna
Looking down to the pup, who had so unknowingly unraveled the entire night, Anna nodded. “I wouldn’t blame you for leaving us if my siblings and I can’t help you. You’re welcome to settle with us in the meantime.” A slight smile crossed her face, her head and heart feeling light in the open truth. A new age for Issorartuyok was rising and something in her knew that it would only bring strength.

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5HP, +2HP Handler Bonus, +2 Exploration Bonus (for Igi and Inuksuk), +2HP Tribe Tokota Depicted, +1HP Collab

Literature - 6,483 words - 32HP

Igi + Inuk - 44HP
Kaniq + Odette - 42HP

Art, Characters and Story © sealle and Issora

Description
Another collab with the amazing sealle . I am loving this story more and more as it develops. Here Anna finally reveals her Selkie magic to Tuaq during a bit of exploration, after...well, read on and find out

Inuk and Odette are familiar with the magic, but poor Kaniq has never experienced it before, therefore proceeding with caution. Then there's Igi... who just wants to catch little motes of light and be a derp.

Link to import sheet: Deniigi 1067
Link to (hunting/fishing/exploring) journal: Deniigi 1067 Tracker
Items/Companions: Bright Flashlight
Defects/Health Issues: N/A

Link to import sheet: Inuksuk 1699
Link to (hunting/fishing/exploring) journal: `` Inuksuk Tracker ``
Items/Companions: N/A
Defects/Health Issues: N/A

Tribe Bonus: +5% success rate towards Exploring Issorartuyok TP Tracker

Recreation | Sex, Lies and...

Song Credit: Song of
the Sea

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PG-13 WARNING
For nudity

Tuaq
The steady thudding of paws on the snow packed earth was woven with the heavy panting of the Tokota as they made their way past the outskirts of the town. Tokotna was not a large place, but when the Tribes gathered, the sprawling camps and buildings took a while to navigate out of. They had finally reached the last of the camps and ahead lay seldom used tracks, game trails and wild open places.
Tuaq and Kaniq paused, letting the rest of their group catch up. They had tried to leave behind Igi, but the young pup could not be left unsupervised and was not reliable enough to last that long with a stay command, so the energetic youngster had been froliking underfoot since they started. Kaniq had stopped growling at him after the first few playful attempts to take hold of her tail and instead ignored him until he turned his attentions on the other Tokota’s with them.
Leaning back to check his day bags were firmly secured he breathed the fresh clean smell of the wild as a breeze blew in from the east. Even in the short time they had camped here Tuaq’s dislike of the heavy rank aura that followed large groups of humans had returned. Kaniq seemed to enjoy the clean air and the promise of exercise and shook slightly, chuffing and smelling around the pathways. Igi soon appeared and for once the pair happily shared a moment of exploring the interesting scents before the temptation to play got the better of the pup and he took an ill fated nip towards the big females ear.
Tuaq scanned the area, looking for the specific game trail that he had heard other camp members talking about.
“I overheard two Tsula members talking in the town about an excellent trail and hunting area near the lake. Apparently the old dead tree just ahead marks the best route.” He gestured ahead to the treeline before turning to Anna. “Apparently its quite flat and might be good if we want to give them a nice long run.”

Anna
“It’s been a cold enough winter, I’m sure the ice is plenty thick. A nice flat like that would give them a good chance to stretch their legs.” Anna smiled as she took in a deep inhale of the crisp, pine air.
She hadn’t thought that the crowded town would bother her. In fact, she’d thought the opposite. The initial thought of running off into the wild with her siblings had scared her at first and it was difficult to believe that years had already passed. She’d settled into the life of living off the land and now the sounds of cars and snowmobiles gave her a headache. This opportunity to run was a welcome break from the cacophony of the town.
“We’ll give them a good lap or two around the edge where the ice is thick, then head back. I don’t want to stay out too far past dark, we don’t know this territory.” With that thought on her mind, she made note of their position. Evening was falling quickly, with the sun setting golden tones over the lightly forested hills. There were no stars yet, but she doubted tonight would give them the opportunity to see them. Thick clouds were rolling in over the east, even more reason to make sure they made it back to camp. If it snowed, she didn’t want to be wandering around in an unfamiliar territory with very little supplies.

Tuaq
As their Tokota’s raced through the evening light, Tuaq shrugged deeper into his coat, escaping the icy bite of the wind. Kaniq’s powerful and steady rhythm working away the tension of the last few days. He crouched down, burrowing his gloved hands into her thick mane as they emerged from the trail and onto the vast expanse of the lakeshore.
Looking back Tuaq saw Igi was panting but still keeping up with the adult Tokota’s, perhaps more expeditions like this would help the youngster settled into life in the pack. He smiled as the youngster slipped slightly as they stepped onto the ice.
Everyone was together and the ice near the shore was easily holding their weight so Tuaq leaned forward and chirped to Kaniq. Her hind legs bunched, as she dug in and they surged forwards, bolting away as the trees flowed past. Igi gamely kept pace, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he got caught up in the excitement. Tuaq let out a howling call, urging the half mane faster and faster as they raced the fast approaching darkness.

Anna
Anna couldn’t help but let laughter spill forward at the sound of Tuaq’s howl, the energy building within her as Inuksuk coiled herself and launched forward at the sound, a competitive urge driving her to catch the halfmane ahead of her. Odette kept pace at her flank, barely visible to Anna as her roaned white coat blurred with the snow covered ice.
The cold air bit at her cheeks and fingers, but she did not hide from the cold. Rather, she raised herself in the saddle, taking her weight off Inuk’s back to settle over her withers. Despite it’s sting, she knew the cold wouldn’t harm her.

She chuckled again, seeing Igi trying his hardest to keep up. Tongue flopped to the side, she had to remind herself that he wasn’t one of Solv’s offspring. The happy pup would make a good Tokota if Tuaq trained him well.

Tuaq
The adult Tokota’s had managed to extend a decent lead ahead of Igi, and as they rounded a small bay the young pup turned across, cutting through the middle of the ice to catch up to the adults. There had been several big freezes and the lake was said to be completely safe, but they had stuck to the edges just to be sure.Tuaq slowed the female as the youngster scrambled towards them, Kaniq’s ears flicked as she also turned to watch his progress.
Suddenly like a gunshot a crack echoed across the lake. Birds startled from nearby trees and Kaniq shuffled back towards the shore, bumping into the other Tokota’s in her haste. Tuaq swung from her back and crouched on the ice feeling for any disturbances. A series of pops rang out and the pup hastened towards his owner and safety.Tuaq cried out as he saw something shatter near the wolverines feet. He held up a hand and shouted but in the blink of an eye the youngster was gone. Without thinking Tuaq ran towards where the pup had vanished.

Anna
Anna had hardly realized what had happened, everything happening in an instant. She'd seen Igi bolt across the ice, the draw of attention making her fail to realize that Kaniq had slowed. The big brown halfmane backpedaled into Inuk, searching for the solid shore. Inuk snarled at the other female, back pedaling herself to a comfortable distance.
In the time it took for Anna to gather herself and ensure Odette's safety, Tuaq was already on the ice. The sound of the crack had been sickening and when Igi disappeared, Anna instinctively snapped open her saddle bag. "Tuaq, come to shore!" she called, hoping he would heed her.

Tuaq
He slowed as he drew closer to that dark gap in the ice, eyes scanning franticly for the young pups face. Hairs prickled along the back of his neck as the cracks in the ice spread, dancing away as the surface fragmented and slipped into dark waters. A movement off to the right of the hole, away from the worst of the cracks caught his eye. The small movements and white stripe on a nose and Tuaq knew Igi was trapped. That the young pup, who relied upon him, and had not a bad bone in his body, would die if he didn’t do anything.
Faint Noises from the shore reached his ears but he ignored them, pulling his knife he slid on his stomach across the ice until he was above the pup. Bracing himself he flipped the knife and with an angry shout, slammed the hilt down. A small crack appeared. He lifted his arm and with another mighty thud the ice cracked further, widening and joining the web of cracks that radiated from the large hole. Pressing down on a loose segment he flipped the ice, plunging his hand into the bone chilling cold.
He grimaced as the icy waters teeth sank into his muscles, quickly removing all feeling. He frantically grasped where the pup had been. Hissing in frustration as he made ever widening sweeps. Then he touched it, something moving. He grabbed a handful, hauling the half dead pup to the surface.
Igi coughed as his head breached the surface, eyes white rimmed in fear as he clawed at Tuaq’s arm in an attempt to climb out. His scrabbling grey more frantic as Tuaq cursed and tried to regain his grip on the pups scruff. Igi was just too heavy. When dry the young tokota weighed as much as a large dog, but with the weight of the water and the frigid water draining all strength from his hand he could not pull the pup free.
Baring his teeth, Tuaq threw the knife towards the shore, ungloving his other hand and grabbed onto the pup. He threw his weight back, lurching onto his knees as the pups front end emerged from the water. Letting out an exhausted laugh he threw his arms up, watching the pup scramble to pull himself the rest of the way clear.
Another sickening series of cracks rippled across the surface of the lake from where he knelt. He had just enough time to see Igi climb out and crawl on trembling limbs towards the shore. Then the cold sank its teeth in and pulled him into the silent darkness.

Anna
Anna had already pulled her coat over her shoulders and had begun the sprint across the ice to help Tuaq. She slowed and then paused as the pup clamored out of the icy depths, a sigh of relief escaping her. Her heart was pounding in her chest at the thought of revealing herself and she pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, feeling comfort in it’s embrace.
As Tuaq’s body relaxed back onto the ice from exhaustion, Anna relaxed as well. She nearly turned around, to make sure the Tokota’s were all still gathered at the shoreline, when the ripple of cracking ice spread and Tuaq disappeared. The world closed in around her and her sights locked on the black hole that had sucked the man in. She counted off in her head, 5...4...3...2...1. There was no more time to think, he wasn’t coming back on his own.
Pulling her hood over her head and diving in the same motion, Anna’s form was obscured by a bright flash of golden light. It dimmed to a gentle glow, revealing nothing but a seal. The water was dark, as if something was fighting back against her light. Her keen seal eyes frantically scanned the water until they caught a glimpse of black hair, being pulled deeper. The current was strong and it confused her. This was lake and from what she had seen, there were no major ocean estuaries leading from it. Stretching her strong, lean muscles, she dove. It’d been so long since she’d taken the seal’s form, but now she had no time to enjoy it.
Reaching Tuaq, she used her powerful jaws to grab his coat’s hood. A terrifying chill struck her as the shadow grew around them, seemingly meaning to drag them under and extinguish her light. She couldn’t identify it and it was intense with power. Her heart began to race once again as fear ran through her, but she rallied. Whatever it was, she would not falter to it. Strong waves of her tail jetted them to the surface, though it felt like they were still being dragged down.

They broke from the water’s surface with explosive force as they slid towards shore. Anna had returned seamlessly back to her human self and was quick to action. With what adrenaline she had left, she managed to drag Tuaq to the safety of land.

Tuaq
A flash of white swam through the Dark. The blue of the fading sunlight rippling through the ice above sending beams into the deep unknown. A ripple of light battled with the shadows, and the angry bellow tore through his body as fire burned through his chest. His eyes shot open and water erupted from his mouth as he turned over and coughed up what felt like an ocean of water.
Anna’s hand pounded him on the back, dislodging the last of the water and then supporting him as he doubled over, struggling to breath as ice seemed to tear like knives through lungs. His limbs started to shake as the cold rippled through his body, making his teeth chatter and jaw clench. Almost childlike in his weakened state he offered no resistance as Anna quickly and efficiently stripped him of his clothes. The loss of the wet heavy weight was almost a blessing until the cold of the night wind sent pain biting into his exposed flesh. She lay some hides on the ground, wrapping him in them like a babe as he curled into a ball. He heard the familiar sounds of a fire being started but lacked the energy to turn.
A small whimper sounded and the damp form of Igi wiggled closer, dripping more water on him as he tried to snuggle up to his owner for comfort. Tuaq managed to croak out a firm no before Kaniq stepped in, picking the pup up and carrying him to the far side of the small blaze and dropping him. The big female curled around him and pinning him with a large paw and icy glare she started to clean the wriggling pup.
He smiled, letting out a rough laugh at the sight, causing Kaniq to stop and look at him. The chuckles rippled through him, hysteria edging through as his body fell further into shock. He gripped the pelt turning towards Anna for help. He caught a glimpse of skin before she realised he was looking at her.

Anna
“Close your eyes,” she demanded, waving her hand for him to look away. Assured that he wasn’t sneaking a peak, Anna tugged off the heavy, soaked tunic that clung to her. It fell to the ground and a shiver ran up her spine as the cool air hit her skin. It lit a spark in her to kick away her boots and pants quickly, goose bumps rising on her arms and legs. The two curly females, nesting down in the snow, cocked their heads at their owners strange antics. Anna laid out the clothing so it would dry with the heat of the flames and tip toed across the snow, the cold stinging at her heels, to behind where Tuaq was curled on his side beneath the fur.

“Scootch over,” she asked, a hint of order in her voice as her white, wispy breath clung to the air. A lump tightened in her throat as she hesitated. She hadn’t been naked with a man since her college days and that was always under quite different circumstances. She assured herself that this was innocent, a necessity to keep Tuaq’s body from going into shock from the experience.

She hesitated for another reason too, the fearful curiosity about what she had seen in the water. The darkness filled her head again as she reached towards him to lift the heavy pelt, sending a shockwave through her consciousness. The pelt fell from her hand with a sharp inhale as an overwhelming sense of caution washed over her. She knew deep down that there was magic at work here, but it’s origins were unknown to her, so strange and foreign. Anna and Nikki had worked hard to learn their Inuit heritage, but it was all from books and research. Their Scottish heritage was built into them, flowing through their bodies with every ounce of magic they contained and this… this darkness was something that Anna had never felt before. She wondered why now it chose to present itself and not when Tuaq had first arrived to them.

Snapping back to reality, she reached for the pelt again. “Clumsy… cold fingers,” she lied, slowly slipping beneath the pelt. The tension and awkwardness built inside her chest as she sidled up against him, her breath held back as she pressed herself to his back and slid her arm beneath his, around his chest. The sensation of cool skin against skin did nothing to quell the goose bumps that covered her arms and legs. Her hand came to rest on Tuaq’s chest, the ridges of his scar lying beneath her fingertips. Her mind foggy from exhaustion, her fingers began to absentmindedly trace the lines of the claw marks. Warmth slowly built, with help of the fire and Anna slowly relaxed, the lump in her throat and the goose bumps on her arms fading away. Her fingers started to trace along muscle, slowly trickling their way to Tuaq’s side, feeling along where there had once been broken ribs. They had healed surprisingly well and she was proud of her sister’s handiwork. Her head dipped forward, coming to rest at the base of his neck. The smell of salt, skin, pine, mountain air and hide mingled together into an intoxicating aroma; the smell of the wild. The bubble of caution rose at the back of her mind again, but the warmth pulled her in. She slid her arm back around the man she had rescued, more comfortable and relaxed than she had been in a long while.

Tuaq
The cold seemed to have bitten right into the bone. The shivering had stopped when his clothes had been removed, which he knew was more dangerous than anything. The cold grip on his chest wouldn’t let go even as the warm light of the small fire danced over his face. He knew it was the shadows return. He had stayed too long, and it had almost killed him. Worse, it had almost killed Anna as she saved him.
He could still feel the sickening moment when the ice gave way. The cold that tore through him and pushed all the air from his lungs. The darkness and strength in the current that had grabbed hold of him and tore him away from the light leaving nothing but a thread of shining bubbles that danced away. It was at that point he knew he would die. Somehow she had found him, and beyond belief somehow she had brought him back. He took a shuddering breath as his body started to shiver again. The twitching of his muscles a welcome change from the lifeless cold that had sapped his strength.
Kaniq’s soft whine and warm breath brought his focus to her. She had walked over to him and now stood over his body, ears flickering as she sniffed his face. He knew she was concerned and offering comfort, but for right now the only person that could keep him from dying of shock and hypothermia was the woman who had plucked him from the icy water. He reached up a shaking hand and stroked the half manes cheek, the effort it took shocked him, before telling her to return to the now sleeping pups side.
Anna’s return behind him and the cold air that crept through that open blanket renewed the violent shaking and as the moment dragged he had to fight the urge to turn to her and see what was taking so long to get in. Just as he decided he could stand the cold no longer he felt the soft touch of a warm body behind him. The icy cold was replaced suddenly with burning heat as Anna climbed in and tucked herself under the hide.
Her arms snaked around him and held him close, His lean angular body, shaking as the feeling returned, against her burning warmth. A sigh escaped as he huddled back against her. As life returned to his body he felt his energy drain away. The soft soothing touch of Anna’s hands lulling him to sleep. He let out another sigh and snuggled in closer before closing his eyes and enjoying the rare moment of physical contact.

Anna
It was in the wee dark early hours of the morning when Anna’s consciousness finally stirred her awake. Her foggy mind embraced the sensation of a warm body next to hers as she curled her fingers into the work roughed hand of the man she laid with. Her face was buried in his loose hair and as she tilted her head to free herself from it, her lips brushed against the curve of his shoulder, lingering for a moment in a gentle kiss against his skin. That was, until the memories of the previous evening flooded to her and she snapped awake, realizing who she was laying with and why.
Practically falling over backwards, Anna flung herself out from under the heavy, warm hide and out into the brisk morning air. The surrounding Tokota’s lifted their heads at the sudden interruption to their sleep. She gulped down a deep breath as the cold air hit her body and she flung her arms around her chest, for warmth and for cover, as she began to shiver. The snow beneath her feet was stinging cold and so she quickly tip toed her way to her clothes, hoping the fire had done it’s job and dried them. Satisfied that her clothes were wearable, she tugged on her white birch snowboarding pants, followed by her hide boots. With one arm still covering her chest, she called over her shoulder. “Tuaq, wake up. We need to get back to camp.”

She didn’t know what time it was, but she ventured a guess that it was nearly four in the morning. Why hadn’t Nikki sent for help… she knew they were only going for a ride and they hadn’t made it so far that a search party wouldn’t have reached them by now. Then the memory of the dark spirit returned to her and a sickening feeling hit her stomach as she wondered if it had interfered with any attempts at a rescue. It wasn’t beyond her to admit that she feared whatever it was that was following them. Her magic was strong, yet she had no idea what this thing was or why it was here.

Feeling suddenly insecure, she trudged through the snow and reached for Inuksuk’s saddle bag, pulling out the soft, shimmering seal pelt that she had stashed away. Glancing over to Tuaq, she hesitated. “Tá sé ceart go leor...” she whispered to herself. “Nach bhfuil tú ag nochtadh féin.” Wrapping the pelt around her shoulders like a shawl, she stepped back over to the embers of the fire. Given the ill feeling around them, she normally wouldn’t let such a good fire die out, but she knew it would be irresponsible to add more wood to it, with them preparing to leave. Looking out into the dark shadows, she spoke out to the dark spirit. “Fág i m'éinear mé…” she warned, shrugging her pelt tighter around her shoulders.
*Tá sé ceart go leor…(It’s ok)
Nach bhfuil tú ag nochtadh féin. (You’re not revealing yourself)
Fág i m'éinear mé… (Leave me alone)

Tuaq
Sleep had wrapped him in her cloak and would not let him go easily. Exhaustion and delayed shock making him far drowsier than normal. The warm embrace and gentle cool breath on his neck left goosebumps prickling along his skin. He shifted slightly, causing the woman to tighten her hold. He could not help but feel every touch of her skin, every curve of her body as it moulded itself around his.
He felt movement as she snuggled in closer, warm air tracing along his shoulder. He felt his body begin to respond before the cold truth of realisation dawned. Anna lept back with the speed of a scalded cat, her absence under the furs made all the more sudden by the rush of icy air that hit his bare skin.
He heard her moving around and took a moment to try and compose himself. It had been so long since he had shared such intimate contact with anyone, since he had felt the warm touch and smell of a woman, and now that he had, his body had a mind of its own. He awkwardly sat up, body protesting the cold and the movement as stiffened muscles began to loosen.
As Anna began to organise the chaos of their temporary camp Tuaq took a moment to greet Kaniq. The big female had crept closer and was staring at him with such intensity it was amazing that she was still obeying his stay command. He let out a small chirp and within moments she was snuffling around his hair and face. She sneezed at the strange smells before continuing her examination. The warm hide blanket was almost torn away as she tried to remove the offending smells from him but a warning hiss from Tuaq brought her head back up. Seemingly happy with his condition she gave him a quick swipe of the tongue from beard to hair before wandering off and sitting down next to a very sad looking Igi.
Tuaq gently called over the young pup. For the first time in his life the pup kept his tail tucked and after an anxious look to Kaniq he slunk over. The big female made no move to stop him and seemed to be much happier with the now more cautious pup, last nights sleeping arrangements showing she at least felt some responsibility for the youngster. He cupped Igis face in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. “No more walking on thin ice little brother, we may not survive again.” The pup wriggled, now happy that he was not in trouble and added to Kaniq’s lick with many more before flopping down beside Tuaq and beginning to roll in all the exciting human smells.
Tuaq rubbed Igis chest before reaching over to his dry clothes beside the fading embers of the fire. Now back in control of his body, he slid his feet through his trousers and into his boots and stood up, pulling the warm pants up and tying the waist. He quickly donned his shirt and tunic, enjoying the returning warmth as he turned to face Anna.
She wore a shawl he had not seen her in before, the pelt seemed to ripple in the minimal light, as if it had life of its own. Anna seemed so much more alive in that wild dark night than he had ever seen her before, that raw energy putting a rare smile on his face. He stepped closer, placing his hand on her arm and shivering as the shawl danced along the back of his knuckles. “Anna, thank you. I was sure that i was lost in the darkness, but somehow…” He coughed slightly, the raw emotions overshadowing the necessary intimacy they had forced upon them. He shrugged, and with a gentle squeeze of her arm he crouched to pick up his pack and recompose himself.
“The tribe will be worried we have not returned, perhaps we will run into a search party on the way back.”

Anna
A burning caution rose as Tuaq reached forward towards her pelt. Ready to spring away from him, she froze as he simply stroked the fur gently.
"Tuaq, wait," she pleaded, extending a hand to his shoulder as he knelt down. Her dark brown eyes seemed to glow with a gold aura as they gazed directly into his. "Do you... Remember anything? Anything at all from beneath the ice."
She needed to know if he remembered, if he knew her secret. His gentle curiosity of her pelt had surprised her and now, given all that she had come to realize in the night, she wondered if she felt safe enough to disclose her secret to him. She wasn't sure if it was false trust, thrust upon her by their forced intimacy, or a burning desire to draw him in long enough for her to learn more about the dark spirit that lingered around him. One part of her mind was telling her no, use caution and protect herself. Yet the other part was dragging her to him like a strong current.
"Do you know how it is that I saved you?"

Tuaq
Tuaq turned, frown lingering on his face as he tried to remember.
“I remember the ice breaking and falling. Then it was just the sudden cold squeezing all air from my chest and the burning cold and darkness as i was sucked away from the light. There was a moment of light in the darkness…” He paused, dragging a hand through his hair “... I thought it was the spirit's coming to take me, but then i was on land and alive.”
There had been that moment, where the spirits had appeared that he had felt relief that his endless running from the darkness had come to an end, that he would no longer hurt others and place them at risk, but he could not tell her that. It was something he had often wondered about, but had never given into. He knew those dark thoughts only invited the shadow closer.
Igi broke him out of his morbid thoughts, leaning against Tuaq’s legs and happily panting as he got his ears rubbed.

Anna
"The spirits did come for you, but not the spirit of death." She turned away from him, removing the pelt from her shoulders, in order to shrug on her tunic. Returning to face him, pelt held tight in her arms like a security blanket, her expression seemed torn, like she was fighting what to say.
"There is a darkness around you Tuaq and I don't know what it is. But spirits of light can fight spirits of darkness. If you stay in Issorartuyok... I can help you. Do you understand what I'm saying Tuaq?"
She didn't understand why it was so hard to just come outright with it, but she knew it was too late to turn back now. The truth was hanging in the air and she needed only to speak it to make it real. "I was the light. I was the spirit. I'm not human Tuaq, not fully. I was able to rescue you because... I'm.." she sighed under the weight of the words, the need to set them free rising in her like a crashing wave. "I'm a Selkie."

Tuaq
“A Selkie?” Tuaq frown returned, “you change into a seal, like a skin changer?”
He tried to remember the little he had heard about Selkies. They were an old legend, scottish maybe, there was something about tears. Such a thing was believed to be myth by many, though many also believed the spirits and the old legends to be mere myth. He had seen many things that the spirits had done, and experienced too many of the shadows dark deeds to ignore any power, no matter how strange.

Anna
"Yes... Like a skin changer. My coat allows me to take the form a of seal underwater." The pelt was still held tight in her arms, it's shimmer seeming to grow, despite the lack of moon or stars to cause the soft glow. "But my magic is useful on land too. I can drive away that shadow, or at least I can try."
The look of skepticism on his face made her heart sink. He must think her crazy, Selkies were just lore to the Inuit... Taking a step towards him, she closed her eyes and centered her focus. Softly, she began to sing. It was a song her mother had taught her and singing it filed her with emotions of the past. The words were foreign and the tune pierced into the soul as it hung in the air. "Idir ann is idir as, Idir thuaidh is idir theas, Idir thiar is idir thoir, Idir am is idir áit" The air around them seemed to lighten as the words poured forth, the shimmer of Anna's coat growing to surround her entirely.
"Casann sí dhom, Amhrán na farraige, Suaimhneach nó ciúin, Ag cuardú go damanta," she continued. Light, bits of light... Magic. It surrounded them, floating along, gathering at her calling. Odette and Inuk pulled themselves from their snowy nests, drawn to the calling of their handler. They circled as the light grew, casting is purifying spell over their camp. Everything was alight, spinning, glowing, whirling with the magic of her song. "Mo grah."

Letting the words soften and fade, Anna opened her eyes to the pale blue aura. The shadow had retreated, not gone, but not powerful enough to make itself known. "You are safe with me, Tuaq. I can shield you from the spirit that haunts you."

Tuaq
As Anna’s voice grew, the prickles down Tuaq’s neck returned. She lightened and the shimmering silver light from the darkness returned, illuminating her and sending the shadows fleeing from the clearing. Kaniq’s snarls echoed through the clearing as she began to circle around the glowing woman. The halo of light intensified, brightening everything and causing Tuaq to the back and shield his eyes from the glare.
The sudden exposure of something from legend, and Anna’s promise that she could help him had his heart thundering in his chest. Perhaps she could, perhaps there was a way out, that the spirits had sent her to him, that they knew of his struggle and had provided help.
It was hard to resist the new budding hope that his endless running had ended, but still doubt lurked in the shadows, niggling away. He had been running almost his whole life, freedom seemed impossible.
“You said you can protect me, but can you protect the tribe? The evil spirit that haunts me does not always focus on me, but rather on those around me.”

Anna
The tribe… Anna froze. How did she think she could reveal herself to Tuaq without also having to give herself up to the tribe? She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, eyes wandering off into the woods, which were now dark again. Perhaps it was time. If this sort of darkness was lingering nearby, the tribe should be alerted. Believers or not, the spirits were not biased in their actions.
“I believe… with Nikki, Siluk.. and myself, that we could protect the tribe. Yes, it would be possible.” Stepping forward, coming within a foot of Tuaq, Anna swung her seal coat back around her shoulders, a shiver now running through her. Her heart was racing. Her mother had always told her that their secret was their most valuable possession. Giving it away was no light matter. Anna felt deep down that this was the right decision, yet she couldn’t help but doubt herself. Guilt creeped in as well, having given away Nikki and Siluk’s secrets as well, giving them no choice in the matter.
“If you give us a chance, I believe we can help you. I do not have the power my mother possessed.. I am only half Selkie, but I will try my hardest.” Another shiver ran down her spine as she locked her eyes onto his. Brighter, blue, different from her own. What was it that lingered on him? Why did the spirits trail someone that seemed so kind hearted and hard working? Questions swirled in her mind as she lost track of herself.
Inuksuk and Odette still stood nearby, watching. They huddled with each other, ears and eyes keeping a diligent keep on the darkness. There was no doubt they could sense the spirits in the dark and knew that Anna was powerful. It was no wonder the woman held such a large pack on her own with no dominance quarrels.

Tuaq
Her revelation that it was not only her that had this astounding gift, but her siblings set Tuaq’s head spinning. How could he have spent so much time with them and yet suspected nothing. Had he forgotten so much of his grandfather's training, or was it that he had been along so long that he no longer could read people. Both options were scary to contemplate, if he could be fooled so easily perhaps the spirit had been closer than he thought. The only comfort remaining to him at the moment was the promise of help. Sleeping in Anna’s arms had been his most restful and comfortable sleep in years. The nightmares had been banished and he felt more peaceful and alert now than he could ever remember.
He looked up into the familiar and yet alien face of the tribes alpha. She was still shrouded in light, seeming to glitter and shimmer as power beyond anything Tuaq had seen burned from within her. Everything he knew had changed, this new gift from the spirits could be all he hoped for, she could be what he dreamed. Yet still, years of caution and fear refused to leave so easily. No matter how much he hoped she could help, if her family was not enough he would leave and save them all.
Kaniq gently rested her chin on his shoulder, she had crept behind him and seeming to sense his confusion and fear she offered support. Igi also had stopped leaping around trying to catch the motes of light that Anna had summoned and returned to nuzzle his owner hand in affection. Tuaq smiled down at the pup. They would be with him no matter what, and he knew that he would never be truly alone.
“Thank you Anna, it seems you may save me in more ways than one. Your families help would mean more to me than you will know, but if it is not enough, if this evil spirit cannot be held at bay i will leave. I will not risk your lives for my comfort, if the shadow returns then i will leave and take its evil with me.”

Anna
Looking down to the pup, who had so unknowingly unraveled the entire night, Anna nodded. “I wouldn’t blame you for leaving us if my siblings and I can’t help you. You’re welcome to settle with us in the meantime.” A slight smile crossed her face, her head and heart feeling light in the open truth. A new age for Issorartuyok was rising and something in her knew that it would only bring strength.

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5HP, +2HP Handler Bonus, +2 Exploration Bonus (for Igi and Inuksuk), +2HP Tribe Tokota Depicted, +1HP Collab

Literature - 6,483 words - 32HP

Igi + Inuk - 44HP
Kaniq + Odette - 42HP

Art, Characters and Story © sealle and Issora