Wheeling Gull Isle can't touch it with your two hands, can't find it with your third eye

It would seem that the seawolf had been pondering the very same questions, as he did not waste any time in getting to the point of their visit. In greeting, the man offers advice to scent the soils rather than the sands. It was a worthwhile suggestion, and would save Komodo many hours of frustration in the end, but it was difficult not to think of Axolotl as a young man advising his elder. Though he was only one year Komodo’s junior, there was a sense of naivety about him that was difficult to place — but he felt this way about most men younger and less-traveled than he. Most were hot-headed and volatile, with delusions of grandeur; and while the earthstalker did not believe this to be Axolotl’s fatal flaw, he surely did not know the man well enough to nix the idea entirely.

An appreciative grunt was offered to Axolotl as he spoke, and Komodo made to follow suit is leaving his scent upon the unmovable earth; but for all intents and purposes, the man remained silent and let Axolotl state his peace. It was clear that his intentions were amicable, and his request was intriguing. It was not an idea he hadn't entertained before. The brute rolled his tongue against the roof of his mouth, organizing his thoughts and preparing to speak, but he was silenced by an interjection from Cascada. Fortunately, the woman’s thinking reflected his own.

Komodo gave a distinct nod to act as greeting and confirmation before choosing to speak. “Perhaps ah’ve made too many assumptions,” the man burred, not one to be an overestimate his abilities. In fact, Komodo never desired leadership but felt an obligation to assume the position when no other had done so. It should not be a surprise to Axolotl that this would be the outcome of his elective absence. “But, if’n’y’wish to lead, y’must act as a leader would — you were the one who did not answer the summons. You are the one they do not know.” The stormborn wolves needed attentive guidance, not one who stuck to the shadows and outskirts. “Pray tell, what’re the names of the others? How do they wish to serve the pack?” Perhaps Komodo was too harsh, especially in front of another pack member, but mental strength just as much a duty to the people was physical strength — and this was a requirement Komodo could not renege. Perhaps it wasn’t Komodo’s place to pass judgement upon the brooding Atlantian, who was a man in his own right and not entirely deserving of such a critique… but if Axolotl was capable of such understanding, then perhaps they could, indeed, share Undersea’s throne. With a clearing of the throat and a tightening of his gaze, the man continued.

“But if keepin’ up a public image ain’t yer cup of tea, perhaps we could all figure somethin’ out.”

Komodo sighed and rolled his shoulders, meeting Axolotl’s pelagic gaze. “Y’know the seas better than I could.” he acquiesced, not to seem entirely a braggart. “ ’n I couldn’t imagine taking this on alone, not when there’s someone interested in helping to shoulder the burden.” At this, his questioning gaze bounced from Cascada, to Axolotl, to Cascada again — she, too, had taken on many burdens for the sake of the group. If they were handing out titles, perhaps she was to be considered as well. He had always been a democratic man, anyways. “…but there is more to the task than a healthy sense of pride.”