he dreams of beach shores.
he dreams of salty winds, and a plush hide.
he dreams of teething on shells, rolling over himself in the den while a pale woman, though wearied, hums to him anyways.
he dreams of warmth.
and he wakes to cold.

half of his face burns, a wretched smell permeating it. he could still smell kusaxasaa's breath before he stole his eye. akiak hisses, pain returning to his arms and legs the moment he shifts in his bed but he stands up anyways. he wasn't completely alone, but she was still a stranger to him. he only learned her name after confronting father. ishmira. he drags his half-asleep body to look at her. good morning.. yawned akiak, bobbing his head before it drops back onto the earth.