The repertoire of our conversation that was prelude to our finding the alligators perhaps already suggested at a course for me to take within this pack. We mused back and forth on the dynamics of dominance, subtly discussing the reasonings behind the usurper's actions. It was difficult for me, when the wound was still so fresh, to take a step back and look at it from an outside perspective. If I was not Tesseract's daughter, only a member of his pack, would I feel differently about the situation? Evidently it was a possibility, for many of his former pack had remained and taken up service in the new regime - even my elder sister Cersei. "Perhaps the nature of alphaship is the art form of finding the perfect balance in which your pack will respect you for." Alphas were, by nature, dominant types. But there were many types and styles of alphas, and they attracted different crowds of wolves to them. In my life I had met Tesseract, Rhae, and now Aithne. Each held a unique style of leadership; and would I come to find myself more apt to AIthne's techniques than I had been to my father's? Only time would tell.

Aithne's reaction to my suggestion was better than I had anticipated, incredibly receptive to the idea of performing such an experiment. My tail waved back and forth, glad for this opportunity to learn even more. I nodded affirmatively, thinking that while I was incredibly quite on my feet it might be best if I had someone who was more familiar with the habits of the alligators to assist me in such a thing. For now, I let the idea lie; it would be best to consider the variables of how the thing could go wrong before executing the plan. Already the notion that it would be best to mark more than one young alligator would be best, in case the first one died for some reason. This was good for me, setting my mind to work this way. It distracted me from all that I felt I had lost. But had I gained something here?

Together we moved further along the banks of the wide, slow moving river. In areas it spread off into shallow bogs, and one tributary was even damned by a large pile of wood. I looked at it curiously as we passed it by, when suddenly a mammal emerged from the waters and climbed atop it, slapping its tail against the mud that held what I assumed was his dwelling together. I went over the many animals I had heard of that lived in these areas and thought that by its tail it must be a beaver. Though my eyes moved on to a great long legged bird walking through the shallows, I asked after what the ranking system in Iromar was like. As the bird took flight with a great blue hued wingspan, I returned my eyes to Aithne, keen to hear what she had to say and giving her my full attention.

When she spoke of how she had a few available spots to be filled, I saw only opportunity. I listened to each in detail, considering if I would be suitable for the position. Auspex, an advisor and diplomat. Back in Glorall I had travelled to Asteraia during Rhae's rule to meet with her and learn of the way her pack worked. So I would have some experience under my paws for such a place within Aithne's hierarchy. Minos, a head recruiter who helps to ascertain what ranks new members would best fit within. I was an amicable wolf, and astute of mind. With practice this too could be a suitable placement for me. Stygian, a warrior, sleuth, scout...assassin when required. While I was light of foot enough to be considered stealthy, the art of war and killing was not something that appeased my interest. Sawbone, a healer - which I knew little to nothing about, but was sure I could learn quickly. And Hell Hound, a hunter - another position for which I could learn and practice to gain the experience required. Aithne then mentioned two newer males within the pack who strove towards the positions of Stygian and Minos. She made it clear that their desires for those ranks did not make them unattainable for me, but already my mind was shifting back to the conversation we'd had as we'd made our way towards the alligators. When she asked if anything drew my interest, I nodded. "I believe that I could learn to be your Sawbone, Hell Hound, even Minos; but I already have experience in diplomacy and I have an open mind that could be utilized for advisory. Auspex would be the most obvious choice for me."