2/9/2026, 4:22 PM
Selkie learned quickly, though memory stayed elusive. Opening eyes, hearing noises- not so disorienting, though the sounds of the inn were unfamiliar. Low voices, talking, too many to identify. The click of nails on wood and the squeaking and writhing of other bodies pressed in a warm bundle around him. Wind whistling outside as it sought holes in the walls. He fell asleep to the smell of salt and the Voice that called itself màthair, and dreamt of the sea.
Today was brighter than usual. Woken by the Voice, Selkie turned his face from it with a wordless noise of distaste and tucked his face between tiny dark paws, curling close to familiar fur and relaxing to the familiar cadence, though the words made little sense. He liked this brother, a warm source of heat that didn't squirm and protest as much as the others, colored an ocean-deep blue that reminded him of something he did not remember.
He sniffed, and kneaded at the nest of blankets beneath them (the offending one seemed to have been buried beneath the rest, and anyway he had chewed enough holes to be satisfied in his revenge).
The new arrival was known by smell, but Selkie was as intrigued by the blood-scent clinging to fur as he was every time it arrived, and cracked blurry eyes open to stare, making a little puppy-whine of demand as he leaned in its direction but reluctant to leave the warmth he was surrounded by.
Today was brighter than usual. Woken by the Voice, Selkie turned his face from it with a wordless noise of distaste and tucked his face between tiny dark paws, curling close to familiar fur and relaxing to the familiar cadence, though the words made little sense. He liked this brother, a warm source of heat that didn't squirm and protest as much as the others, colored an ocean-deep blue that reminded him of something he did not remember.
He sniffed, and kneaded at the nest of blankets beneath them (the offending one seemed to have been buried beneath the rest, and anyway he had chewed enough holes to be satisfied in his revenge).
The new arrival was known by smell, but Selkie was as intrigued by the blood-scent clinging to fur as he was every time it arrived, and cracked blurry eyes open to stare, making a little puppy-whine of demand as he leaned in its direction but reluctant to leave the warmth he was surrounded by.
