ORIGIN - what's a champion without anything to win?

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To describe Gatto's ambition as a "plan" was, well, being very generous. Gatto had, after all, been wandering around old stomping grounds, being generally bored and itching for a fight like an under-stimulated zoo animal. (Which, frankly, was a good visual on what the Agate considered themself to be.)

... They were going to do their best to, er, avoid admitting that their "plan" had gotten as far as, "stay alive until you find some like-minded, capable guys to gang up with"... But, hey, check one and check two. They were well on their way in their plan, weren't they?

... would Garnet Five-Seven-Nine, maybe... The thought drifted through their mind, thinking about the other Champions. Many of them slipped past, but Garnet... Garnet had always reminded them of themself, two sides of the same coin.

Regardless, Archimedes's plan was much more structured, planned out and thorough. It was a plan of action, of society-forming. (And isn't that what Gatto wanted to see? A society, one that matched up with their worldview? One of freedom, and mutual respect.)

Moreover, this was a plan that Gatto could work with. Many could work with. There was the possible, well, 'morality' to consider, but Gatto hadn't survived this long without getting their talons dirty, and they had come to terms with that many, many iterations ago. As far as they were concerned, this was more than fair game.

It also didn't seem to involve backstabbing, excessive cruelty, and suffocating loneliness. A group that worked together to become invaluable.

"A brilliant idea, Archimedes. No notes!" Gatto chirped brightly. "It is the nature of animals to see to their own needs and wants. We could provide a genuine service, and control the costs. The more we benefit the caves, the more we benefit in return. It's simple, but brilliant."

Not to mention, it would give Gatto something to actually do with themselves.

"Who else has show interested? I may see if I can find some old contacts, though their loyalty might lay elsewhere... They would still make valuable allies."

@Archimedes

He tried not to cringe. It was nothing that Gatto said; it was, rather, the answer he'd have to give. Everything up until that final question had bolstered his hope, giving him the idea that perhaps this Champion would be exactly what he--what they--needed. But that question...

He'd have to admit the truth, there. But he tried to put a positive spin on it, at least. "I have only just started sounding others out," he began, "but thus far, a pair of cats--one quite large, one relatively small; and a bipedal predator creature." He wasn't quite sure how to describe Deli. But, either way, he hastened to turn the "ah, really nobody" around: "I imagine that if you have others you might contact, that would aid us greatly, and I will intensify my search, too. I admit I wasn't hoping to find someone so valuable so soon," he added, hoping that added touch of flattery might help to smooth things over and to explain. (If, even, the Champion cared that this wasn't already an enormous organization.)

"Do you know of the tunnel that leads between Cepheus--the palace cave--and the snowy mountain cave, Ursa? I was thinking it might be perfect for us. Not many travel through Ursa, and Cepheus offers a great deal in terms of amenities," he reasoned. But his tone was clear: he was open to suggestions.

"If that sounds viable to you, I was proposing to the others that we meet there in a few days' time. It would give us a place to gather, and a chance to get to know one another, and to plan our further steps from there. What do you think?"

@Agate Two-Three-Six

Gatto was surprised: not with the how small the group was, but how many numbers had already shown interest. Felines, and a bipedal creature. With Archimedes and themself, that made five strong. The rat may have faltered in his confidence, but Gatto had faced much, much worse odds and come out on top.

If they could prove loyal to their cause, that was a wonderful start. It might even be enough to sway some of the more uncertain to their side, if everyone had a strong enough conviction. The cockatrice nodded along as Archimedes continued, explaining the plan in further detail.

Gatto was, if anything, eager to be getting in on the ground floor. They could officially be one of the founding members... and perhaps, Archimedes's right-pawed-bird.

"I wonder if a more central location would benefit us further," Gatto stated, more thinking aloud than offering any actual critique. "Then again, we could always have meeting points and smaller locations spread out through the caves, for convenience-- especially in Polaris's connecting tunnels... If we did, then having a smaller, off-the-beaten path location would benefit us. It would give us the benefits of the Palace," (which Gatto had heard of in passing, but never been) "while also providing a safe haven for ourselves and our goods while we build a name for ourselves..."

And so, Gatto had convinced themself that Archimedes's idea was sound, while offering up a potential solution to the drawback they found.

"At any rate, it will work for our meet-and-greet," the cockatrice squawked, though it would mean quite the adventure. How fun! "You can count on me to be there. I'll see if I can garner any interest, in the meanwhile."

@Archimedes