Cy had heard about the sale of a new litter of puppies from Jaimie who often read to the blind healer of the Spirit of the Aurora tribe. He had been looking for a Tokota that would work with him and his daily tasks, he was also hoping to locate a tokota that could act as his eyes better than the little ermine that ran around his feet, body and hut. So with Jaimie at his side to describe each of the pups to him, once they reached the Issorartuyok tribe’s current campsite, Cy headed out with a pack that held a few treats and unknown to him an extra passenger. The ermine at the last moment had slipped into the pack that was crafted from bear hide.

Standing among the crowd, more toward the front and left side of where Tuaq seemed to be located with the pups, Cy listened to the fellow medicine man speak about what was being done with the pups. He smiled as it sound like a good idea to give homes a trial period, after all humans that might want the pups only because of coats or their lineage might not prove to be the right home for a tokota in the long run. Cy just hoped he might get a chance with a pup that would be of aid to him. At the sounds of the pups running from the Ger, the mousey brown-haired man had smiled listening to the sniffing of noses on the ground and those that had come to the campsite to look at the pups. Cy was grateful for Jaimie who described each pup in detail after Tauq had finished speaking to the gathered group.

Moving toward the group of pups, Cy sat down placing his pack beside him on the right hand side and then waited for the pups to come up and explore him. His hands were open so they might be able to catch more of his scent. He did nothing that might frighten the little bundles of fur in ranging hues. Instead he would let one of them choose him if they so wanted to. Unknown to Cy however at that moment as a few of the pups started to approach the ermine (Edel, short for  Edelweiss) had decided that he should take a peak outside. This of course caught the attention of one particular pup, which seemed to lead the charge before the others.

It wasn’t until Cy’s hearing caught the sound of the little ermine squeak at seeing not one but six large tokota pups heading straight for the pack, that the healer realized he had a stowaway. Cy chuckled as he wouldn’t have to discuss the importance of not stowing away to the ermine after this day. However, he did nothing to stop the pups curiosity about the little thing whose coat was in the middle of switching from its winter coat into its brown coat of spring and summer, that had for a briefest of moments appeared sticking out from under the pack’s flap. He just sat there letting the pups sniff around him and his pack, though every time the one named Achoo sneezed, Cy chuckled but as the pup sniffed at the healer’s hand he gave the underside of the pup’s muzzle a good scratch which seemed to be enjoyed.

The healer spent most of the time the pups gave him, running his hands over each of their not so little bodies given they were all the size of Labradors. He smiled and spoke softly to them all as he got to know them and their personalities but still he was drawn toward the one who kept sniffling and sneezing. “You would be easy to find even if I wasn’t blind, my little friend. I bet you find the sneezing very annoying given how curious you seem to be. Oh, don’t get me wrong, curiosity can be a great trait, but I bet hunting would be tricky for you. Maybe whomever you end up with will be able to work with you on that. Though I must admit, I would rather like it if I was the one chosen to go home with you. You would like my home, and I’m sure you could become great friends with Edel here. I also have a snow owl for a friend and she is very nice. I think you’d like her too.”

After spending some time with the pups, Cy knew the one he wanted. He was sure that others would find him a bit tiring given all the sneezing that came each time he sniffed a scent but the healer found it cute, an endearing quirk so to speak. Standing up, having handed his pack to Jaimie since he knew the ermine was in there now, Cy moved over to the sound of Tauq’s voice. He stopped as it sounded as if the other medicine man was speaking to someone. From the sound of the vocal tone it was a female, maybe the Anna that was mentioned during the speech that was given earlier in the day. Once they had stopped their conversation clearly having finally taken notice of Cy’s presence near them, Cy smiled in what he hoped was their direction and then voiced his thoughts.

“Greetings Sir and Ma’am. First, forgive me if those titles of respect offend you and if I should address you as something else. Second, I must say the pups you have for selection seem like a good bunch, all feel healthy both in body shape, mass and fur condition. Though clearly Blubber likes his food.” He chuckled nervously at that hoping he hadn’t insulted them just then.

“Anyway I came seeking a Tokota that might help a man of my particularly interesting condition. As I’m sure you have most likely by now figured out, I am blind though my other senses are as sharp as an elder Tokota’s fang is long. However, I need a Tokota that can not only be my eyes and ears out among the wilds of this country but also will not try to eat the two animals I already have living in my hut. A snowy Owl and the little Ermine or stout that decided to stow away into my medical bag this day.” His head turned toward the bag that was resting against his right hip. At that moment, Edel peeked out of the bag again as if to grin and say a quick hello to the two people Cy was speaking to. 

“The reason I am drawn to the little sneezer Achoo, is because he is curious. I need a Tokota that is strong, curious but also knows when to stick to the pack. Be it the pack of the four legged variety or the pack created through the bond of a Tokota and their handler. I understand if you might have unsure feelings about me, given my condition. Nevertheless, I have never let that stop me from doing the things that need to be done. I also feel that Achoo would be a good addition to the many eyes I have through Edel and my Snowy friend. So I hope you will at least give me a chance.” Cy really hoped he wouldn’t be over looked just because of the blindness he had contracted after a year where there was not only a hard winter but a sickness that had swept through his home village. He hadn’t been the only one affect by the sickness, but he had been the only one to lose his eyes completely.

Hund's Eren 471 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Kaniq 744 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Misulik 3783 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Ulitchiak 3956  - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Kirrik 3779 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Orkso 3010 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Anyu 3005 - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp

Tagiuktuk 3957   - +3Hp +2hp +2hp= 7hp