Soft come the dragons

"I'm pretty much dehydrated now," he joked. "We snagged ourselves a pretty big hunk of land!" And how cool was that? As ill a fit he might've been as alpha - too young/immature/inexperienced/etc. - he was prepared to defend not only his pride but the ones who depended on him now because of it. While he looked fondly at his friend he couldn't help but wonder when she'd feel as though she was 'good enough' for the alpha role; a humility that Ariston had failed to acquire in life.

"Not gone to bed?!" he squawked with an exaggerated toss of his head. "I wasn't aware I needed to assign you a bedtime!" His approach was a mild sort of scolding...one that softened its blow via chummy humor. And despite her statement he snickered and thumped her side with a playful slap of his paw. "I'll have you know that I've taken one - no make that TWO - naps since we got here!" He didn't mention the massive panic attacks in between those siestas but he figured Koontz knew him well enough not to think he was a total buffoon.

Gliding past her he made no note of her shiver. He would've loved to coddle the younger female but knew by now she was rather opposed of the sexist treatment. She wanted to be tough. She was. "Let's find you two a den then," he instructed upon breaking out into a trot. "Since you're too busy to sleep!"