Chaos-Two felt a little better after the meeting since acquiring Nibbles. The rabbit seemed to know just what they needed to avoid falling into panicked states or retreating into their head as they were wont to do. They'd considered leaving him in Pegasus to be with his friends, but they doubted this talk would go very well. It seemed to just be trauma on top of more trauma these days.
They kept Nibbles close, hidden within a sling and nestled to their front. The rabbit had some greens to much on and a dried out nut filled with water, one of the seeds that had been within making a seal that could be pushed if the rodent wanted water. It was a smart little creation of Chaos-Two's, one that avoided getting cold water all over their fur.
Maybe Vargas would be satisfied but they didn't get their hopes up. They weren't funny, weren't useful, were barely even worthy of being alive, so expecting to be more than an example at this point was useless. They felt beaten down.
Nibbles squeaked and Chaos-Two put a hand over the spot he was napping,
They couldn't help it. Nibbles was weirdly empathetic for a rabbit, and even the slightest little doubt was picked up on. He was a nice companion for Chaos-Two to have, and they found they were more... comforted, as of late. With Khavur, Aurelia, and Nibbles looking after them, maybe they'd be okay.
After the meeting, Vargas had met with the Forge one after another after another. Planning, gauging, judging, training.
And then-... had come Lord Dhracia.
And everything had changed.
No one knew about it, of course. He'd shown no outward signs; he'd returned to his duties shortly thereafter and gone right back to relentless work. But as Chaos-Two strode in, Vargas's mind was truly elsewhere--not on training, now, or the farms, or Astraea's upcoming lesson. It was on Aethril, and Dhracia; on the nest as a whole. The only real difference anyone might have noticed was that Vargas had spent some time staring at bright lights, particularly out in Pegasus. Why was anybody's guess, but he'd made no effort to hide it.
Chaos-Two's voice took him from his thoughts, and he set down the Oilstone he'd been holding and pushed up, turning to stride toward them.
Hmm.
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two set their hand down and let it fall, choosing to meet Vargas halfway. They averted their eyes and sighed through their nose, still visibly sullen despite Nibbles' best efforts.
Nibbles stayed carefully still, his little beating heart able to be felt where he lay so close to Chaos-Two's chest.
For a moment they hesitated, as if reluctant to even ask. Did they deserve it? Would Vargas give it to them after all they'd done? They killed Kethri, surely Vargas would continue to punish them for the death of a member of the Forge.
He listened with that absent, not-quite-here feeling as Chaos-Two spoke.
Running on autopilot.
Filling information away.
As for the Oilstone, and the plans in regards to it, he gave a little nod and an agreeing
Now-... a reward.
He noted, distantly, that Chaos-Two was barely whispering, but it wasn't enough to comment on. Perhaps it was afraid of him, maybe it was something else; but Vargas's concerns were not with this spawn, at the moment, nor would he have remarked upon this if they were.
@V-Chaos-Two
Nibbles poked his head out of the sling and sniffed, shuffling to get into a more comfortable position. Chaos-Two shrugged gently and stroked the rodent's ears.
Oh no, Nibbles didn't have a cool enough name! Vargas would surely think them pathetic for it!
Chaos-Two paused at the compliment and balked for a moment, considering what was being asked for a moment or two.
This was it. This was their chance! Even Nibbles was getting excited, shifting about and sitting up against Chaos-Two's chest.
Vargas glanced down at the creature sniffing out of the sling.
The rest of the conversation would wait a moment; Vargas wanted to inspect this rabbit, first.
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two looked down at Nibbles and very gently put a hand over him, swallowing,
They stared at Vargas with distrust, holding one of the few good things they had in life close to their chest, afraid of what might happen if they handed Nibbles over.
Vargas flashed Chaos-Two a brief glance, one that shifted from idle and calm to warning, and authoritative, the Overseer in him sparked to action.
What was the point of it even asking such a thing-?
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two deflated and very gently picked up Nibbles, pleading silently for the rabbit to behave as well as he possibly could. He didn't understand why but he did so anyway, remaining as calm and docile as ever. On his best behavior for the Master.
Nibbles shifted a little bit, the only sign of his own anxiety, not very pleased to be held in massive claws that weren't Chaos-Two's own. But it wasn't for long and as long as Vargas didn't do anything to frighten him too much, he'd remain still.
Vargas lifted the green rabbit very carefully--even gently--and was cautious to keep a firm but not harsh grip so that it would not panic, jump, and break its bones. He examined it (albeit not too closely; he was well aware of the effects his looming jaws might have), for a moment--holding it relatively close to his body, tilting it this way and that--before offering it back to Chaos-Two.
He waited as Chaos-Two named its plans, then, and its reward, and when it had finished he was silent for a moment (thinking) before he spoke.
His mind was already wandering, again, but he had to admit a little bit of surprise, even past the distant thoughts. He'd assumed that Chaos-Two would have requested the right to travel whenever it wished--or a higher rank with which to defend itself, or the like. But a name was perfectly acceptable, as well--and certainly "V-Chaos-Two" had always been a mouthful.
@V-Chaos-Two