You don't think much of it when Iso asks you to come back to the Falls with her. Well, no, actually you do - you just don't think the right things. Naturally, the assumption you make is that Isopia is nervous calling her first herd meeting as Czarina, and she simply wants you to be there because you're such good friends. This idea is touching, almost enough to make up for her not telling you about being Czarina in the first place. So you oblige her, following her home to the Falls where for the first time you walk freely, not a trespasser but the Queen's friend.

The meeting begins as most meetings do, with an assembly of strangers and near-strangers, all staring at their Sultan Czarina. To you, Isopia's discomfort is almost palpable- even if you couldn't see it in her uneasy expression you'd know, because you've never seen her at ease in a group larger than her and yourself, and now she's hosting an entire herd. You try to make it easier, exerting your naturally friendliness and charm like a buffer, greeting people you don't know at all and grinning broadly and mostly, staying firmly rooted to the right of your Mountainous friend. A kitsune runs up and rolls upon her back, grinning wildly; you grin in return, and reach down to blow raspberries on the exposed belly, totally unable to help yourself. A boyish smile is thrown at his pink bonded- even though she addressed Isopia, you cannot help but join in. "Her belly's so soft! Alecto? What's your name? I'm Zero!"

The Falls is full of very pretty, fantastically decorated strangers, and you find yourself admiring many of them while simultaneously feeling a little bland. Your wing is tucked tightly against your side, as if trying to hide itself; you've casually situated yourself so that your silver side is against Isopia, in an unintentional attempt to shield it from view.

More people come, and you continue to greet and watch and support, casual and comfortable in the absence of any real obligation. You don't have to be cool or strong or serious for these people - you're not their leader. You don't even live here. And you don't envy Isopia her position as Czarina at all, let me tell you. You've never dreamed of being a king.

You're much more comfortable in the role of friend.

Words are spoken, assignments passed out. Isopia speaks eloquently and concisely, appointing positions with a firm certainty that you admire. You try to follow her gaze, to catch sight of those who have been promoted and offer them each a congratulatory smile. Your attention bobs from stranger to stranger, and by the time she gets to masons (hey, you kinda know Ranjiri!), you're too caught up in the rhythm of it to realize she's looking at you.

Huh? What?

For a minute you just stare pleasantly, utterly bemused and at a loss for any proper response. In fact, by the time you realize what's happened she's moved on (Macaria, someone else you remember from your childhood), and you're still smiling and confused, your poor slow mind working overtime to make sense of it all. Part of you is delighted. Rocks? Magic? Flattery? These were a few of your favorite things.

Another part is bewildered. Stay here? But what about Ma, and your siblings, and the Throat? Is Isopia really asking you to leave them behind?

And wait- did Isopia just ask you, when everyone else was told?

The rest of the promotions gloss over you, and you barely register any names. You stand in stunned silence, your face still a dumb expression halfway between happiness and confusion, your sunbeam eyes still trained on the profile of your friend. It's not until she looks back at you that you move, your head jerking unbidden into the mockery of a nod, agreement-

And then you turn to stare at the trees, a sudden expression of dread falling over your face.

"Ma's gonna kill me." You swallow.