---

they sit apart, each to their own. they smile, but he knows just as much as her that this was as close as they could be.

it was how close they should be, really. akiak reminds himself, as he plucks the scales of the fish with much less diligence than her, to not wish for anything more than this. its a silly dream, one long since grown past the moment her back was torn and he left moontide for the march. they were of two worlds, their families were enemies and though his father does not claim him that does not mean everyone else would forget where akiak came from.

yes, he was born sharadoii, was nursed by it when lanzadoii had left him behind willingly or not. but it was lanzadoii that watched him grow, built his muscles and scarred him. now he hardly knew his mother's face. only her eyes, and even that was stolen from him.

she had a family to return to. he mustn't ever impede her.