Hostility was an emotion that the sister of Thoth recognized better than any other. So, from the moment Sekhmet opened her eyes, Alouette was backing away, preparing to dodge and flee vicious fangs, until she heard the savage growl that colored the cold stones crimson. She froze immediately because she understood the meaning of the threat. To run meant death. Like a vice, the knowledge trapped her paws despite her speeding heart. She could only lower her belly a bit closer the floor while her large, velvety ears flattened to the sides. Her orange eyes narrowed into fearful lines while her lips pulled backwards in a frown, as if she were expecting to be hit. Then, the singular word surfaced into the cave, “You.”

It was laced with demand, and… envy? Alouette didn’t believe her hearing at first, but when she managed to blink her eyes wide enough to observe the dominating pup, she saw the signs of it. Stiff fur, angry eyes, though watchful ones - which separated it from pure displeasure, which would have made teeth a more predominant first read than the eyes, which encouraged confrontation. Alouette was mildly confused, for what had she that others would be jealous of? But as the excellent follower she was, her voice was controlled by the command.

”Alouette, Thoth’s sister…” Alouette breathed the suggestion; for until the truth was accepted, all words were mere ideas. It was Sekhmet’s ability to separate truth from lies that would determine whether or not Alouette was believed.

As the words left her maw, Alouette felt her fur prickle when her sensitive ears picked up the padding of another wolf. It a puppy, judging from the lightness of the steps and male, by the musk of his fur. She cautiously turned an eye to him, and side stepped towards the cave wall when she saw his tail lift. The growl was next, and she felt her silky tail curl closer to her belly. Bad. This was bad. Two dominant pups in the same place usually didn’t spell D-E-A-T-H, for any of them, but that didn’t mean their bites and claws couldn’t do serious damage. She should never have left Asteraia. She wasn’t prepared for the world. She needed Samhain, her father; she had no greater desire than to run back to him and curl between his paws. But her way out was blocked and the way in was effectively as dangerous.

Relief flooded her at his question; he wasn’t here to challenge Sekhmet! Maybe… maybe the situation could end up better than it seemed to warrant. Maybe they could find this rabbit and take their anger out on it instead of on each other, more significantly, Alouette? It was only after she felt slightly better that she noticed the bit of red tainting his lips. Had he injured the prey? Alouette offered the white-muzzled puppy in hopes to advert a potential fight, ”No. How badly did you injure it?”

If it was severely injured, the piece of flesh couldn’t have gotten all that far. Plus, blood had a strong smell which meant that if they got close enough, their noses would surely locate the missing food. While the male pup and Sekhmet were distracted by the task, she could escape and return to Samhain. They wouldn’t even notice, she was certain… or if they did, she doubted either of them would care. Both seemed that way - self confident,and content to be without those who would otherwise hinder their abilities.