ORIGIN

Of all concepts, travel was one in particular Halcyon had come to decide was emotionally conflicting. True, the idea of it had sent a thrill through their body, but the reality revealed to them of its nature possessed as many positives as negatives. To lay eyes and claws entirely their own upon environments so different from the frigid, snowy expanse of Ursa proved as novel as predicted by their young mind. Experiencing the myriad accompanying issues that came with these places being so much wilder and uncontrolled by Mother's influence, although equally new to them, was far less pleasant for the Drone. More often than preferred, they'd found themselves suppressing gasps of shock and disgust at the disorder encroaching their every side. If not for the resolve to ensure Ananke felt safe as possible in their care, they might have been more inclined to remark upon how much worse the rampant chaos was than when perceived through others' lives.

However where there was great disturbance, lovely tranquility was just as likely to dwell around the corner. For the tunnel they'd taken to Gemini and the cave itself, it happened to stretch on for a good while. A welcome reprieve from the constant worry and sympathy they harbored for those of their family who endured messy surroundings on a daily basis, elation could be heard in their sigh as they took in the beautiful view of geometric shapes and reflections wherever they turned. Celebration trumpeted to Ananke over their link.

"At last," they murmured, lowering their chin to the rabbit's ears. "Peace where there is little."

Or there would be once they properly introduced authentic Order to this place that clearly desired to be a haven for their kind. A warning for their next movement—pardon—and Halcyon shifted their passenger to the crook of one arm, freeing the other so it could reach out to the surface of the nearest crystal pillar. With a delicate claw, they traced a flaw marring the almost perfect mirror image.

"Fixable." Tolerable for a work in progress.

"These will provide good cover, protection from those who might seek to uproot our efforts. But a hidden spot would be ideal for the initial growth."

As Ananke made to disembark, Halcyon withdrew their claw from its examination of the crystal it was set against. Usual straight-backed posture abandoned, they slouched forward, knees bending so that her drop would result in a slightly easier landing, one less jarring to the bones upon impact. Seeing no harm befell her after the jump, height low enough to cause no obvious issues, they rose to resume their stance. Hands clasped together while observing the rabbit hop about the scene. Their head tilted in a show of polite interest to her as she, in appropriate fulfillment of her title, took initiative in determining where best to establish their new node.

They had lapsed into a deep and still calmness, any nervous energy accumulated from their journey dissipated by the valiant attempt at perfection the surroundings possessed, their attention too on task to revisit unpleasant experiences. Mind unclouded, the soft shudder of worry felt could, for certain, not be attributed to their side of the link. A finger reached out across its length to skim over the concerns present, and a physical one crooked beneath their goatee-like fin in quiet contemplation.

At the discovery of the geode and Ananke's request of input, a rare behavior thus far from the Drone was evoked: they put aside stiff formality for the sake of practicality, the air of a servant on eternal wait brushed away in favor of something keen-eyed and bestial. Instead of padding forward on two light feet, four were slid much swifter upon. Their lithe body, pressed low to the ground, slithered beneath the bowl's rim. If not for the angle the potential hiding spot was lifted to, they could have disappeared completely within its shadow. Able to fold themselves so well inside there anyway, the occasional glint of pale scales and golden fins were the only indications of their presence.

Then a glow emanated, similar in hue to those aforementioned fins. Long jaws and gleaming red pupils peered out soon after. Praise from Halcyon lacked the euphoric kick Mother's possessed, but they offered it all the same. A figurative squeeze of the shoulder followed a low hum of considering approval that existed in both throat and thoughts.

"A fine option," Halycon said, "though it'd be best to ensure there aren't any better before committing ourselves."

They began hauling themselves out from the geode's cover.

On the topic of undesired snoopers finding and ruining the cultivation process: Loathe as I am to suggest sacrifice of future prospects, would a distraction be worth your consideration? A false positive of activity elsewhere might direct suspicions away so that our toils go unbothered.

Everyone in the Hive had a place, a part to play in Mother's grand scheme. Each strand of web linked to her and bound to each other possessed its own virtues that combined would no doubt bring their collective goals to perfectly crystallized fruition. With sheer numbers came the inevitable: those whose qualities were similar or perhaps even identical. However these instances were not redundancies but reinforcement, strengthening what already existed for the benefit of all. Individuality only went so far before it blended into such, and Halcyon knew from their observations it must be the case too with them. Being specially made for their tasks did not preclude them from unity, as they were meant grow and learn to bolster others' efforts.

So it came from a position of polite confusion that Ananke had her remark responded to. Fully extricated from the shadow of the geode, Halcyon shed their predatory slink. Hands lifted from the ground and claws laced together as they settled back upon their haunches. They regarded the rabbit with a head tilt, processing the positivity in the content sent their way, and chewed over the implications as best as a developed but naïve mind could.

I can recall no others comparable to you as well, was the statement they decided upon—truthful, neutral, and not unkind. Despite their tendency toward friendly interaction, there was still much to understand yet about the nuances involved. Whatever pitfalls existed could be circumvented for now through the connection their peers had to them, a way to study how best to avoid the worst upset and offense, but the future would no doubt eventually reveal they wouldn't always be able to lean upon that crutch.

They continued to keep watch over their comrade as she navigated the crystals, softly padding footsteps never too far behind her hops. Her discovery drew them beside her, and the need to examine the alcove for themselves caused the Drone to hunch forward and probe at where the hidden space began. Ananke continued to prove her value, and they would have expressed so if not for the input of their Mother taking precedence, quieting their mind and stilling their tongue.

Of course, no fault could be found in the strategy revealed. Playing the role of frightened creatures while amassing power in secrecy was a sensible tactic. Properly carried out, it'd make their chaotic enemies out to be oblivious fools, too caught up in their loud and messy ways to recognize carefully woven plans until the many invisible threads proved their downfall.

Mother's affections receding brought forth an alteration to their original train of thought: "Yes, this too is a suitable place. Both, I suppose, would do well for our needs. We can fan out from here after"—and ensure our influence is properly distributed throughout if any more discreet areas are available.

For all of Halcyon's patience while they stood by and allowed their fellow Hive member to work her will and begin spreading the glory of Order, the questions asked of them caused a minor unsettlement in their bearing. Fingertips, pressed together once more, now tapped a couple rhythmic beats. A small inward frown made its presence quietly known. None of the displeasure was for Ananke, of course—she fulfilled her role with ease. The sense that inexperience was making them fall short of their own duties directed the discomfort to themselves, perfectionism strong despite their fledgling status.

In theory, I should be fully capable of producing it, as any of us so connected to our Mother can, they explained. Knowledge dictated this, and their gut agreed. However, when put to practice, it seems I've yet to form the proper connection that would allow me to do so.

Perhaps it was a matter of will, desiring strongly enough to carry Mother's influence far and wide that the final link finally clicked into place. The line of thinking seemed too wishful, though, and not logical enough when they considered how little sense it made to call their own devotion into question. Not a single doubt stirred within their heart or mind as to how much they wanted her to succeed, so how could their convictions be too weak to muster the primary source of their unity and strength?

No, they must be missing something else, a factor not yet apparent to them. If they maintained diligence, it'd be eventually understood and revealed in time.

As for carrying the fungus—While I'd be honored to be a host, I am under the impression it would be detrimental to my service.

Although they held no ill will toward the prospect, an aversion to the actual act had existed for as long as they'd been living. It originated as an instinct coded into the very fiber of their being: engage, be discreet, remain helpful. Unless the growth could be hidden well enough, the second of those refused to allow any attempts at its violation.

Having answered twice in denial of possible contributions to the project at hand, there couldn't be much of a surprise when the concern as to their new node's food source resulted in ready response from the Drone.

"If we must, sustenance from outside could be provided, laborious as it would be," they said. Their head turned this way and that. All directions were at first combed at eye-level before lowering their gaze to the ground. "Hunting. Or, much as we raise this, we could grow what it and the others would need to feed upon. Something simple to cultivate so challenge and suspicion can be avoided."

Stooping forward the slightest to obtain a better view of what lay beneath their feet, Halcyon walked around the area, steps careful as they usually were. Their face must not have been peering close enough though, since not long after they began, something pricked between their toes. Taken off guard, they stumbled back with a breathy gasp to reveal stiff blades of vegetation, their structure crystalline enough to blend into the surroundings. If their hardy nature had rendered it entirely inflexible, the grass might've been crushed. Instead, it possessed just enough bend to not break.

It appeared to be in flower, so Halcyon plucked a glinting petal from it and took an experimental nibble. They hissed at the cool taste that hit the back of their throat.

A claw pointed at the grass. "Like this, perhaps. Native to the area. Unlikely to be questioned."

Yes, rather, Halcyon was inclined to agree with Ananke's own assessment of her alteration to the plant.

Settling onto their haunches beside it, they hazarded brushing a claw against another of the petals there to test the effects so clearly wrought upon its structure. Unlike before, all give had been removed. Only resistance met their probing, and the slightest bit of effort—a more forceful than usual flex against the hardened exterior—shattered it easily. What'd once been a glossy oval disintegrated into myriad tiny, glistening shards and settled as a fine dust at their feet. They gathered a handful off the cold ground and watched it filter through the spaces between fingers.

Though perhaps visibility should be a secondary concern, they mused, mild humor edging their thought. It was a fine effort, but we may simply have to forgo applying Order to our crop. That is, unless we're content with sprinkling the fungus with its meals.

Or, they continued, unless our Mother's insight provides us a way to do so without such messiness.

Surely there had to have been a time when a similar situation had arisen, the needs of the Hive demanding more food than could be acquired through hunting and gathering in order to maintain its growth rate. When there had been no need for secrecy due to their influence being vaster and more definite. They might not be able to exactly replicate the methods used then, but they could prove instructional for the present quandary.