It was good to see such a characteristic response from Kalseru when I spoke her praises, glad that the burden of leadership had not taken too much of a toll upon her. My smile lingered with her response, but I hoped that she would not have to face the same tumultuous rule that I had. Over the course of ten years I had fought for the throne on four separate occasions, only once falling victim to overconfidence and failing my pack, but coming back to regain what rightfully belonged to my family. Securing a future for us, for her. Though I did not miss the way her eyes traveled over my form - surely taking in the significant differences in my appearance - I stood tall, doing my best to reflect my daughter's confidence in my own posture.

Kalseru went on to speak about the types of struggles she had needed to overcome in the early days of her rule, a time when I should have been there for her, to offer my knowledge and insight. My ears flicked back and forth at her mention of the tension between Iromar and Diveen - apparently history was doomed to repeat itself time and again no matter who stood at the packs' helms. I nodded, glad to hear her report about the pack, as well as her knowledge about the other packs in Moladion. Gazing into her moon rimmed eyes, I felt sure that there was something more, something personal that perhaps she was not yet prepared to share with me. After being away for so long, leaving her to fend for herself in an unexpected situation, I couldn't blame her for that. In time, I told myself, not wishing to press the matter.

Turning the question around on me, I smiled, dipping my head. "I am well, ready enough to rejoin the pack - though I don't think I'll be running the hunt again anytime soon," I jested, chuckling lightly under my breath, attempting to make light of a situation that had turned so grave so fast. "Nymeria is good, relieved I am sure to be able to run the mountains at her leisure once more." Once more, a question perhaps not answered in the way the asker had hoped. But the matter of Nymeria's place as heir and Kalseru's place as Queen was a matter for the sisters to discuss. I would not interfere in whatever choices may lay ahead of them - they had both worked hard for the pack.

I took a breath, sighing softly before reclining onto my hindquarters and looking Kalseru square in the eyes. The throne was not something that she had wanted, the crown had been thrust upon her in a time of peril. But now that she had it, had those old desires of her childhood been refreshed in her heart? "Do you enjoy leading, Kalseru?"