❄️ Norðvik High Arctic Research Base: Day 7
The call came through on Rebecca’s phone early, the caller’s name flashing on the screen.
Sanna Korhonen.
Rebecca stepped aside from the main room and into the hall, the door easing shut behind her as she answered. It was the call she had been dreading.
Sanna’s voice was steady.
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❄️ Norðvik Hospital — Day 6
Inside Norðvik Hospital, the usual hum of its early morning routine carried through the corridors.
Staff arrived for their morning shifts, stopping by the coffee shop, hot drinks in hand to start their day. Institutional fluorescent lighting ran the length of the corridors as the cleaners mopped the floors, deploying a trail of wet floor signs as they went. Night shift handovers were well underway.
Eugene paused at the doorway, one hand resting briefly on the frame as he adjusted his mask. He pressed quickly at the bridge of his nose.
He took a breath and stepped inside.
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The Valleys: Winter Fire Circle
This short story takes place during a winter fire circle gathering, under the full moon.
Tonight the fire was not right.
It was burning — but only just.
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This short story takes place on the same night, directly at the end of: Episode 50 – Full Circle
The Valleys: The Last Fire Circle Gathering of Summer
The fire had burned lower now.
The great stacks of wood laid earlier in the evening had settled into a deep bed of glowing coals. Smaller flames licked quietly between the larger logs.
The heat was now soft, steady, and even. Marshmallows had begun to appear on the ends of sharpened sticks and sweet campfire tea from an ancient blackened cauldron had been ladled into mugs.
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Age: 14
Full Name: Dieter — Warrior of the People
Family: Son of Ambassador Schönheit & Anna, brother of Hanne
Species: Hunde, German Shepherd
Role: The Courage — bold, loyal, humorous, protective, direct, pack-driven; main protagonist
Best line: Come here, buddy. Sleep with me — I’m a bit scared too.
Funniest line: So what you’re saying is that we’re gonna fire a buzzy-bug straight up that bug ship’s whizz-stick?
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Age: 12
Species: Neko-Human snow-leopard
Full Name: Taqqiq — Snow on Ice
Family: Son of Gazza & Tag’s Mammy
Species: Neko-Human, Snow Leopard
Note: Will only wear a shirt when his mammy makes him
Role: The Heart, emotional courage, empathy, instinctive trust, compassion, moral compass, main protagonist
Best line: The stones have protected us so far.
I reckon the stones are on our side. They won’t let us down.
Funniest line: I ain’t gonna lie — this whole thing just about has me packing darkies in my under-jocks.
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Age: 13
Full Name: Pukajaak — Sugar Snow
Family: Son of Altai & Eliza
Species: Neko-Human, Snow Leopard
Role: The Mind, thinker, observer, narrative centre, anchor, interpreter of events, main protagonist
Best line: Dad… do you think we could get a flush toilet installed at our cabin now?
Funniest line: Half past sparrow’s fart, I reckon.
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Screw Pile Developments 