Once upon a time, there were mystics and speculations. Odd beliefs that sometimes, animals donned the bodies and skins of humans and roamed the earth, exploring that which is normally deprived of them. Rumours of tuktu becoming great and beautiful tribespeople haunted the great fascinations and wonderings of the natives to the land. Some searched their lives for a glimpse of the creatures donning human form and celebrating in their own ways, yet it eluded even the most cunning of trackers and hunters.
One night, as the darkness fell upon the open tundra, Ringed Seals rose up to rest on the open ice plains, and gazed upon the full and serene moon. Almost simultaneously they looked at each other with dark eyes, gnashing their teeth as their bodies lengthened and twisted. Bones sank and widened, forming delicate cheekbones and terrifyingly beautiful bodies. Fingers formed and their pelts discarded themselves, revealing soft human-like bodies. They stood, raising their eyes to the sky. Opening wide mouths they let out a praising cry. The night then turned to excited exploration of each other's bodies and senses.
Tanaraq broke away from her fellow pinnipeds. She wrapped her skin around her like a parka and began to walk bare-footed through the snow. Her fine-boned face and large black eyes looked slowly from left to right. Further in, she discovered pine-needles, and looked longingly at the village so far away. Totems rose up intimidatingly, and she opened her arms wide to embrace the hewn images. Raising her head she balked and stepped back, the silhouette of someone emerging from behind another totem.
The person had striking red and yellow markings on his face, contrasted by the blackness of his hair and the proud nose that curved down. She caught a scent that made her mouth water. He was a Puffin-Man. Primal instincts reigned ahold of her mind as she contemplated how to catch him and make him her next meal. As he came closer she saw he was much larger than her and she shrank back. He smiled at her, brilliant ivory teeth flashing against dark brown skin. Opening his mouth he whispered gently, "Iluak." while gesturing to himself. She responded with her name and he said it back with another smile.
Reaching out he placed his dark hand upon her lightly tanned shoulder. Her long neck extended and he placed his forehead upon hers before touching his arched nose gently to her own. Another instinct enveloped her and a salted tear escaped her eye as she threw herself in his arms and felt at peace. Tanaraq's pelt fell away slightly and he saw the round markings upon her back, and knew she was a seal. Holding her close as he sank into the snow he whispered gently to her, "Pinnariyok."
Eleven months later they met again under the full moon. She was heavy with a pup and he gently held her in his arms. For months he had soared above the Seal's territory, keeping watch for her. They had not breathed a word of each other to their people and thus the Seals thought the conception to be immaculate of sorts. She let out a cry and clenched his hand, feeling her body being ripped apart. The heat from the birth released steam into the air, and he laid her against the totem before moving down to help pull out the pup. The labor was quick, and the mother was strong. Gently he cleaned her and the child with fresh snow and brought it up so that she would see her son. They named him Garou.
They loved their odd-looking child, and eventually broke away from their herds and flocks. After thirteen years, Iluak became weak and passed away. Three years later Tanaraq died, both of them had outlived their averaged lifespans as long as they could for their child. Garou was left alone, sixteen and not sure if he was ready. After the pain of losing his family, he forever held onto his skin and refused to shed and become human ever again. He wandered, living close to the water as it best accomidated his awkwardness in physical appearances. He was an abomination, and an outcast to both seals and puffins. Unaccepted by any of the other animals, he lived alone, until one day he found a small squirming bundle that smelled of sacrifice, pain, and love.
Found: One of the few things his mother tucked into his blanket before she was dragged away.
Found: One of the few things his mother tucked into his blanket before she was dragged away.
