Gifted Pelt

Chapter 10

Astrila frowns. "I understand that, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't make me uncomfortable to see everyone staring at me."

Kōri nods. "I know, I know. Just give them time, okay."

"I'll try."

They fall into a comfortable silence as they walk through the village, allowing Astrila to hear faint singing in the distance. She frowns, confused by both the presence of the music and the familiarity of it.

"What is that?"

Kōri frowns and stops moving, in order to listen better without the interference of the crunching snow. He is straining to pick up any hint of the music Astrila can hear, but he is failing. After a moment more of his straining to find it, he stops.

"I don't hear anything."

"My hearing must be better than yours, then. It's faint, but I can hear it, and I can recognize it as music."

Kōri frowns again. "Music?"

Astrila nods. "Yes, it's music, and it's familiar."

"Are you sure?"

Astrila huffs in irritation. "Yes, Kōri, I am absolutely positive."

He smiles sheepishly at her. "Sorry."

"It's alright. Can we go find it?"

Kōri shrugs. "Sure. lead the way."

Astrila beames and darts off through the snow like a jackrabbit. Kōri curses and bolts into movement, trying to keep up.

He pants from beside her, uncomfortable with running like this over the snow. "How are you . . . so good at . . . this?"

She grins and turns her head to look at him, her voice easy and smooth. "Because I'm Inuit, and also because I sometimes followed the village hunters around, watching and learning."

"Can  . . . we please . . . slow down."

Astrila sighs, wanting to just run, and run, and run. She slows to a jog, and then to a walk. Kōri comes to a halt beside her, breathing hard.

"I can run all over the place when there is no snow, but not like this. I keep falling through the snow."

Astrila laughs. "Most people do. I've always been able to stay atop the snow, but even my village's most seasoned hunters couldn't do the same."

"Well, you're far too good at it, better than anyone has a right to be."

She stops and looks at him, frowning. "Kōri, are you jealous?"

He barks out a laugh, before admitting, "Just a bit. It seems to be so easy for you, and I wish it was that easy for me."

Astrila doesn't respond to that and they fall into silence once more. Kōri's head snaps up. "I can hear the music now."

Astrila laughs, it has grown much louder. "About time!"

They have reached a flat area of the island, which is dotted with wind-blown snowbanks. Astrila sees a flicker of movement by one of the largest banks, far away, and hurries toward it. The music continues to grow louder and louder, and Astrila finally makes it around the snowbank, only to find herself face to face with a group of children and one older girl around Astrila's age.

The girl frowns, and tugs her silvery-gray pelt tighter around her shoulder. "Hello?"

She relaxes a bit when she sees Kōri pop up behind Astrila, but her face is still nervous. It was seeing Astrila, seeing someone new, that unnerved her. Astrila gives her a comforting smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just heard the music, and it was familiar-"

Astrila trails off as the girl starts to sing again, understanding lighting up her eyes.

"Little selkie pup, little selkie pup, I want your pelt.

Little selkie pup, give your pelt to me.

Little selkie pup, trust me please.

Little selkie pup, your pelt is safe with me.

Little selkie pup, won't you give your pelt to me.

Little selkie pup, stay with me.

Little selkie pup, come up on land with me.

Little selkie pup, you're only safe with me."

She stops, only for Astrila to pick up the next set, tweaking the words slightly to fit the way she knows it.

"Little seal pup, keep your pelt away.

Little seal pup, stay in the sea.

Little seal pup, you're only safe if you stay away."

The girl is looking up at Astrila. "Who are you? I've never seen you on the island before, but you have a pelt, and you know our songs."

"I didn't know I was a selkie until yesterday. I was born in the nearby Inuit village. My mother knew that song, she used to sing it to me before I would go to sleep." A tear slips down Astrila's cheek at the memory, and she quickly wipes it away.

The girl nods. "Was your mother a selkie?"

Astrila shakes her head. "No, my father."

"Is he here?" Astrila nods. "Who is he?"

"Umm," Astrila looks to Kōri, who nods. "Kayi."

The girl's eyes widen. "I didn't know he had a child."

Astrila gives her a faint smile. "I don't think he did either."

The girl nods, smiling. "Well, I'm Ainsley."

"Astrila."

Ainsley smiles again. "I have to take care of these crazy pups for today, but could we find each other later?"

Astrila nods, beaming in delight at having found a new friend. "Of course! I'll be in Kōri's iglu."

Ainsley raises an eyebrow, but she has a mischievous grin on her face as she waves them off.
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What do you guys think of this? If you want to know the rest of the song, I have it in my Poems and Songs book. Also,  , Ainsley has arrived in the story! Do you guys want a map of the island and where they are in the world? I have one already, so just tell me if you do.

Happy reading, and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.