ORIGIN

Chaos-Two had been here before. Once, when the whole of the Forge was journeying from the tunnel just outside Hydra to Draco, where they resided now. And again with Khavur during their brief 'vacation', hunting for the item their sibling called 'mangoes'.

But today they were alone, having traveled a while to get here, to this garden.

"Hello?", they called out, afraid to walk among the plants lest they weren't welcome, "My n- my designation is V-Chaos-Two, may I speak with you? I believe you bear an onyx stone."

They fixed their sling and made sure their music box was secure in it, having used it instead of Khavur to soothe the constant anxiety they felt about being alone. Going out into Pegasus was normal, was fine, but out here? With no backup should anything happen? It made their stomach twist just thinking about it.

Chaos-Two stumbled for a moment, clutching their spear in two hands as they looked down at the small creature (compared to their massive thirteen foot height, at least). When they heard 'dog', they expected something like Sentinel, larger than... well, Oliver.

"Er... you, I think," they said, lowering themselves onto all fours and setting their spear across their back instead, "Uh... I've come to make a request, on behalf of... um... m-myself?"

They were asking Oliver to assist them, technically, so all their normal speeches about helping the Chaos Forge would really only be by extension. They looked back at Oliver and found kind eyes waiting for them, and they faltered, expecting impatience, perhaps even annoyance.

"... I-I'm looking for a gardener," they said, averting their eyes, avoiding Oliver's gaze, more afraid of it than they were of Vargas'. At least they knew why Vargas looked down upon them when they stumbled over their words, but not this creature.

Chaos-Two caught sight of a flower, ears perking forward as a small butterfly crawled over it, seeking the bloom's sweet nectar. They hadn't really seen the insects since Pegasus, and they were a sight sorely missed.

While Oliver was gentle and shy, Chaos-Two was anxious, afraid to step into such carefully made beauty in case they stepped on something and ruined it. They were terribly aware that they were a monster, a thought that hadn't really crossed their mind until now, standing before this very normal gembound. They felt terribly out of place and it made them uncomfortable.

Chaos-Two didn't know the names Oliver gave them, but they nodded anyway, "I see... well I am searching for a gardener because I'm going to become a medic for..."

Should they tell them? Honesty was best, right?

"For the Chaos Forge," they said, peering around the garden curiously, "Master Vargas sent me to find people willing to grow and tend a garden outside of Draco in Pegasus, the cave with fields and forests all throughout it. As a medic I will have too many duties to care for the garden, but I will have need of the herbs that I wish to have grown, so..."

Slowly, Chaos-Two sat down, clearing their throat and hoping their heart wasn't beating as loud as they thought it was.

"There is something else," they said, "The Sentinel- he is dog-like, and black in color, like yourself. He shares the same stone you do and he says you have met. He would like it if you were to come to Draco to meet him."

"It's surprising, but yes," Chaos-Two said, "I don't know his intentions, but I don't think he means any harm. And if he does, then I'm certain that he would not be allowed to carry through with it, as unlikely as such a situation would be. He is tasked to protect, and so long as you do not threaten Draco, then you have nothing to fear."

They shifted and raised a hand, flashing a rather derpy smile, one that hadn't been used in far too long, "Ah, that would be me. Vargas simply wanted me to find a gardener and tell him when that was done. A gardener or multiple, it doesn't matter."

They shed their sling and spread it out, setting their music box aside and nearby so they could present the herbs they'd gathered on the way, "I want each of these grown. They are all useful, some more than others."

Their head snapped up and they grew attentive, eyes widening, "... You would teach me? I know a little from a vulture called 'Doctor' and an owl called Kethri, but not as much as I'd like..."

If they came back with a gardener and a mentor, Vargas would surely be happy with them.

"Y-yes!", they said, enthusiastic, their small tail shaking with excitement, "Um- thank you! Ah... does this mean you will come to be a gardener?"

Chaos-Two nodded and tapped their fingers together, "Mhm. Master Vargas put me in charge of it. But as for the plants..."

They pointed at a sprig of Cormint and held it out, "This is Cormint, it's a pain reliever and a plant I relied on heavily in the past due to an... injury. It relaxes the muscles, too."

When Oliver went on about the garden and the plants, they paused, holding the small flowers close to their chest and looking rather... unsure.

"Erm... you can do whatever you'd like to ensure the healthy growth of all of these plants," they said, "But we can talk about healing later! Perhaps on the way to Draco? I'm experienced enough with my spells, I think."

They carefully laid out the plants and lay down on their belly, their hind legs sprawled behind them as they pointed at each plant.

"This is Taumusen, it's also a painkiller, the leaves of an Iceberry Bush bring down inflammation and fevers and ward off infection," they explained, pointing to each plant as they went along, "This Domire Flower makes you go to sleep, it'll be useful in case of a gembound who is in too much pain. Honey Reeds soothe sore throats, Spiny Salvebrush soothe burns and encourage healing, Creepvines are excellent for bandaging and closing wounds with, Iceleaf brings down swelling and cures headaches, Azure Blueflower cures nausea and vomiting, and Dusty Chamomile helps with anxiety."

Chaos-Two pushed forward an Iceberry towards Oliver, "And um... perhaps you can start with this? It'll look nice in your garden and the berries are rather delicious to eat. I-I'd like to see your magic in action, if possible."

They seemed more comfortable, their fluffy tail flicking excitedly and their ears perked forward attentively. Honestly if you just ignored the knife hands, sharp quills, and menacing tusks, you could probably call them cute in that moment.