Tranquility

She said nothing in response to his half-joking about who to go to, only offered a slight smile. In the past, she'd sy of course - she was a healer, and would help anyone in need. Now that she was an alpha, though, was that really the most appropriate response? In a way, it could be seen as inviting trouble, or as weak. Ugh. She really wasn't the most cut out for this whole leading thing, but she'd do it for as long as she could.

Ashmedai explained something about Sparrow, and something dawned on Vali. So in reality, Sparrow was a lost little girl desperately trying to figure out why, and trying to find some reason to it all. She nodded slowly. "She's just trying to figure out why things keep happening, and how it possibly could have happened." That made sense, though it wasn't the most logical course of action. Really, it happened with Vali a lot when she was younger, after she went to search out family. In the end, she learned that sometimes things just happened, and that random strangers can just be... not good. So she stopped the overthinking and overanalyzing. If Sparrow never learned that...

She listened quietly to his words. Was he looking out for Abaven? Despite his words, he was, in a way. She shrugged a little about Abaven being good - what really were they? She barely even knew anymore. A pack that would fall apart if anyone attacked, that was for certain. They had more healers than fighters, more pups than anything. He used another analogy, after trying to explain normally, and she smiled as well. It was a bad analogy, but it worked, didn't it?

She glanced at him again as he grew more serious, and his tone changed. She hesitated before answering, hesitated just a second too long, and that in itself might answer a lot of questions. "He said he would. In my heart, I believe he would. I do not think he would just abandon the pack. And yet, as you've likely noticed, wolves left in droves. Each of them claimed to be loyal to Bass, but left immediately. Bass claimed to come back, but every single wolf who he trusted and were close to him left anyway, and didn't believe his quick return." That had to mean something, right? "And I will hold on to it... as long as necessary. However... Sparrow wants the pack. She was quick to protest and fight what her father said, and I asked if she would want the pack. She said she would. I do not know if she simply accepted to see how I would react, or if she was completely serious about it. But yes, for as long as it's in my possession, it will remain Abaven. And while alpha, I will try my best to make sure the pack stands. No more of the lounging around. No more of the being weak. No more of the not-showing-up to trainings, or not taking it seriously. It would be the same pack, but... " she trailed off, sighing. She'd try harder? She'd try to be the alpha that Bass couldn't be in those last few months.