ORIGIN

Equinox was using "we" and not "you," which was surprising but a pleasant development. It considers itself one of us, even if subconsciously.
He glanced between the two, and when both had finished speaking, Vargas pushed slowly on. "I can offer you a place among the Forge, if you wish it. We can give you training, depending on what you would want to do. A guard, or a fighter; one to raise children, or to hunt food. We would train you and test your abilities and decide on your level of authority as we go. In turn you would have a place among us, with the rewards that represents--and a chance to keep this nest afloat."

He could, of course, list out all the rewards, but a creature who had already been living on its own might see those as a removal of freedoms, rather than an incentive, so Vargas didn't bring it up for now. He was still debating whether to force newcomers to earn their freedoms all over again, or simply offer them the rewards they did not already have.

For now, he'd take it a step at a time--he'd ensure Equinox held interest, first.

"Then you may join. I welcome you," Vargas said, his voice smooth and calm. "Chaos-Two will not be tending the farms, but they will be gathering others who will do so. You would be welcome as a guard or a plant-tender, or both. I will, if you like, instruct the other gardeners to teach you; and I will teach you how to fight, as well."

He considered, for a moment. "For now, I will give you our most basic rules and information, and then, Chaos-Two can take you to see the location where we will build the gardens. When you have done that, you may rest, or eat, or whatever you require--then come back here, and find me for a lesson in how to fight. I will see what you know, and teach you what you do not. All right?" he asked, hoping that it understood. It seemed to speak rather simply, but if its words were to be believed, it understood him well enough.

"Our rules are relatively simple. Our members earn their rights--their rights to wander the cave, or to procreate, or to raise their rank among us. This is motivation; these rights are for those who have proven their worth. Most must earn their names, but I will not take yours from you. And there are rules--but they are common sense. Do not harm your fellow Forge members outside of a spar; obey those who outrank you. Perform the duties assigned to you, so that we do not fall into decay as a whole. If there are any issues, bring them to me to solve them."

It seemed simple enough. Of course, there was much more to it, but it boiled down, really, to this.

Vargas glanced around, and took a breath. "And remember not to touch the Black Spire."

"Do you understand? Do my plans for your next few days, and your training, sound suitable to you?" he asked Equinox, studying him.

"Good," Vargas answered, and for once his tone was not the snap-shut clap of a bear trap, booming in cheerful finality. It was almost gentle, simply by way of adapting to Equinox's tone. The creature was either simple or somewhat soft, or both, and Vargas felt no need to bellow at it--positively or otherwise.

Instead he was calm, somewhat quiet.

"We will train you in both, then. When you are not working," he answered, "you may do whatever you wish--just do not wander far, in case you are required. You can earn the right to travel away, to halt your duties for a time, but that comes later; for now, you may rest, play, eat, train, whatever you wish, when your work does not need your attention."

That was that, then--unless Equinox had other questions, he would see them a little later--for training.