Gifted Pelt

Chapter 28

Astrila looks at Tarkik, who is still smirking at Kōri. "How'd you know that? I didn't know until the scientist visiting our village told me."

He smiles. "Most Inuit villages have adopted parts of the modern ways of life. Your village is one of the few that wanted to keep the old ways."

Astrila frowns. "What do you mean by modern ways of life? The scientist was dressed a bit strangely but I didn't see anything too strange from her."

Tarkik sighs and looks at Kōri. "I'm going to have to take her to one of the non-Inuit settlements at some point so she gets an idea of it. Are you alright with that?"

Kōri shrugs. "Go ahead, but wait until she's healed because we'll probably have to swim there and we don't want her flippers to still be injured."

"That's a good idea." Tarkik is going to say more, but his face suddenly falls into a confused frown. "What do you mean by we?"

"At the moment I go where Astrila goes."

Tarkik scowls. "Doesn't she get a choice in that?"

"She does, and it is up to her when I stop, if I ever do."

"Kōri, what do you mean by if?"

"Exactly that. If you want elaboration, Astrila is the one who chooses if you get it."

Tarkik places a gloved hand on his chest, hurt. "Are you keeping secrets from me Kōri?"

Astrila shakes her head in dismay and cuts in. "He is giving the choice to me because he doesn't want me to be uncomfortable if the information is shared. He isn't trying to keep secrets from you."

Tarkik relaxes and lowers his hand from his chest, his eyes swimming with curiosity and confusion. "Why would you be uncomfortable?"

Astrila sighs and blurts it all out. "The call of seven tears got confused with the Siqiniq bond. So now he can't go far from me until we do what the call demands."

Tarkik sags. "Oh. I'm sorry."

Astrila shakes her head, smiling weakly. "It's not your fault."

Tarkik gives her a soft smile and pulls her into a brief hug. The hug only lasts for a moment, but it fills Astrila with pleasant warmth and a feeling of belonging. It feels like Tarkik could have been her brother, and maybe their souls are siblings. Tarkik pulls away and gives her another smile before he waves at Kōri and darts off, calling back behind him.

"I have to go, before Arnauyq upends the whole village in his hunt for me!"

Astrila giggles and looks up at Kōri, leaning into his warm side. He looks down at her and smiles. She beams back, her eyes lit from internal joy.

~~~

Astrila is staring at the carvings on the outside of Tonraq's iglu. Seals are leaping and diving through the kriyantli of the iglu. She can see that they tell a story, but she doesn't know what. This is a story that you can't see without having heard it. She hears the crunch of snow behind her and twists her head to look at Kōri as he rests a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Astrila nods. "Yes, just nervous."

His eyes twinkle in wicked amusement and mischief. "Come on then."

Astrila's brow furrows. "Wha-"

Her question cuts off into a wordless cry as he pulls her away from the wall of the igluvijait. He doesn't give her any time to regain her footing as he pulls her by her wrist into the igluit, her feet stumbling over the snow. Apparently, when she is being dragged, her normal abilities of being light-footed don't work. Interesting. She manages to regain control of her own feet by the time Tonraq turns to look at her, but only just. His eyes twinkle as he takes in her appearance.

"Did Kōri drag you in here?"

Astrila smiles softly and nods. "How did you know?"

"I heard your cry outside and I can see the snow tracks. I know Kōri as well, and I wouldn't put it past him."

When Astrila glances behind her at Kōri's face, she sees the slight red of his embarrassed blush. She grins at him, and he has to hold back a bark of laughter. She looks back at Tonraq to see that the amused twinkle in his eye has grown. He motions to her hands.

"May I see?"

Astrila nods and he gently tugs off her gloves. When he sees the wounds, he hums to himself.

"I can definitely see a difference from when I saw them yesterday. You're healing quickly, and I would guess that you can use your hands tomorrow or the day after, and you'll be fully healed within a week."

Astrila catches a glimpse of his concerned frown before he smooths it away. "That's good, isn't it?"

He nods. "Oh yes, it is. But you're healing more quickly than other selkies. Your father heals quickly as well, but his healing is only marginally faster than that of other selkies. I only noticed because of my role as healer. Your enhanced healing speed would be easily noticeable to anyone. I wonder why that is."

Astrila frowns. "My father said that we had other Aos Sí ancestry, and that he thought it was showing up more with me. Could that be why?"

Tonraq nods. "Yes, that makes sense."
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I was supposed to post this seven hours ago, I'm so sorry guys! I forgot! I promise tomorrow's chapter will be on time.

Who do you think that Aos Sí ancestor could be? What do you think is going to happen when Tarkik shows Astrila the modern part of the world? What do you think? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.