Wanderlust is a powerful affliction, and Ataturah could never escape its symptoms. It shouldn't have been any surprise really, his tribe already breaking up by the time he could walk, and those left regularly told stories of a different world bountiful in game and thick with trees. Eventually there was little reason to remain in the far-flung Mammoth Steppe, and so he set out towards where the sun sets. It took months, but soon those stories proved correct and laid eyes upon forests and lakes that filled his mind with wonder. New peoples and their cultures and languages, the latter of which he was able to make sense of with time, and a little help from generous strangers.

This place wasn't without its own dangers, of course. The big animals more common back home were mostly gone here, besides the auroch. And it after a very close call with a wisent, that he was found and tended to by a very special fox. One whose name he would come to learn was Kuveli, a young man and healer roughly his agemate, which lit a spark in Ataturah that would not be extinguished.

Kuveli was a wandered too, he would learn. A healer going from place to place, offering his help to those who needed it. Though unlike himself Kuveli had never strayed too far from home, and in fact he had just been leaving after spending time with his brother and tribe. Folks Atatu was welcomed by as he was brought back to recover. His brother especially, who by all accounts saw that Kuveli shared the same sparks as Atatu, and encouraged his brother to listen to his heart. Needless to say he was right, and after a passing of the moon together, Kuveli asked Ataturah to travel with him. Life without a tribe is hard, after all, but being together would make it just that little bit easier - and make wherever they lay their heads feel more like home.

They learned a lot from each other over their travels. Fishing wasn't common back home, but Kuveli was proficient with net and spear, and was more than happy to teach him. Being just the two of them, it meals would often consist of pike and bream, or on the rare occasion they went to the sea oyster and crab. And despite his now-mate's insistence on getting himself into dangerous situations, it's a good life together.

He still misses home sometimes. Especially his mother, and uncles Hittic and Tuvik. But just as his curiosity led him to new lands, Kuveli one day wants to follow him and see his home, meet his people. Yet with all that had happened in his youth, it might be best if they never do.

- - - - -

Little bit of a tease at Kuveli's future and the man who will eventually become his mate. And for as tough as he looks here, he is kind and tempers Kuveli's energy. That and makes up for his bad cooking skills.

The art was a commission I got from Icarus (https://bsky.app/profile/erospantheon.bsky.social), which turned out amazing and who is absolutely worth checking out.