ORIGIN - Say Your Prayers, Little One

It's never quiet in Draco, but the sounds of the groaning Spire is familiar to Rue. By now, it is nothing more than background noise. Nothing special of note, there.

They paw and bat at a pebble, in an attempt to get some sort of stimulation. Sure, they'd recently earned the right to wander the caves as they pleased... but today, it didn't seem appealing. So here they are, knocking the small rock back and forth with black talons.

It's pitifully mundane, compared to the freeing chaos of battle. But Master Vargas told them to not get into trouble. But they want to see things burn!

They stop, instead glaring at the rock as hard as possible. It promptly erupts into a pillar of black flame, so violently it even catches Rue off guard, causing them to backpeddle away to not get caught up in it. Though once safely away, the devolve into a fit of laughter. Now that was fun!

@Esther

As soon as Esther reawoke, they'd taken to wandering. It'd been a very long time since they've come to this side of the caves. Not that they particularly want to avoid the forge, but that seems to be how everything's ended up since they found themselves awake from a long, long hibernation. For all they know, they could be the group's greatest enemy by now - of course those thoughts are an over exaggeration. Esther left on good terms, and gave them a replacement they hope is better than themselves. At least a little bit.

So when they felt the familiar pull of chaos, and the smell of the fire they knew oh so well, Esther was not surprised. This place will probably have chaos beasts in it for the rest of time. The pull of Him is strong here, which just creates the problem in the first place. Not that Esther thinks their kind is a problem - Everyone deserves a life. They just don't understand why it pulls them to do things they don't want to do.

Curiosity getting better of the maned wolf, Esther makes their way to where the scent is lingering. Perhaps it will be a familiar face, or maybe someone new.

But when they make their way there, Esther is surprised to see themselves or rather, a version of the thing they are. The stitches are odd, but Esther knows these caves do odd things to the creatures living within it. They're frozen, watching the cold flames burn whatever the creature caught aflame. Esther can see the void lingering around the edges of their vision.

Should I leave? They think to themselves, but what good would that do?

Esther doesn't move.

@Rue

As the flames die away, Rue continues rolling on the floor, still snickering at their now fading magic. But slowly, the return to their senses, the fun slipping away like the fire dies.

The sit back up, looking down at the rock, burned black but still somewhat intact. They stare at it for a good long moment, before pouncing on it again, knocking it along the stone floor, where it stops not far from Esther's feet.

Rue lunges again, landing on it, before looking up and seeing their parent, perfectly still. Green eyes lock together, as they sense the corruption hanging off Esther like it hangs off them. Another member of the Forge? is their first thought - but they've never seen this one before.

And the more Rue stares, the more familiar this one looks. Something nags at them.

At least they don't have that horrible stink of Order. They tilt their head, asking, "Who are you? What is your designation?" The question is practiced - something beat into them in their time in the Forge, that not everyone gets to earn a name, even if Rue finally has themselves.

What am I missing?

@Esther

Esther watches the gembound pounce on the charred rock like a child - their child - it makes them wonder how the kid was when it was growing up. Did they get to have a real childhood while in the Forge? There's not much of a childhood to have in these caves, not with the amount of things going on all the time, but they still wonder.

The question of their designation makes Esther snort, they vaguely recall Vargas asking the same question once upon a time. They still don't know what their designation would be, they've always had a name. They're not one of Vargas' creations, or one of the children of the Forge. Perhaps not needing to earn their own name was better, anyway. A headstart within a group who strives for the best.

"My name is Esther. I do not have a designation." They say simply.

Despite their words being calm, Esther's heart is racing. They didn't think they'd ever meet their kid this way, or at all. They do not reveal their lineage here, after all, the gembound don't really have parental relationships unless they choose to... But Esther might've, if they stayed within the Forge. Though perhaps they never would've reproduced anyway.

@Rue

No designation. Is this one an outsider, then? No, some of the others don't have them. And they doubt Esther would make it past the guards if they were dangerous.

"My designation is V-Kornerupine-One, but I have earned my name of Rue. I would prefer it if you used that one, Esther." They are firm about this, wanting to be who they've fought to be.

Rue backs up slightly, sitting down in a best attempt to seem polite - though its a thin veneer, as they tap with their feet, unable to keep still. "What brings you to the Forge? Do you seek Vargas?" they ask.

@Esther

Earned their name. Esther isn't sure how to take it, there's some sort of pride mixed in with whatever is currently going on in their head. Really, it just means the Forge has raised them well, and that Rue is going along with their reward system and doing things through the caves.

"I will do that."

The questions really don't bother them, it's good to protect the area your group resides in. Though Esther would've went calling for Vargas themselves if they really needed him. Surely they'd be able to track him down easy enough.

"No, perhaps another time. I can find him on my own."

Though, if there's enough things to do around the caves maybe ittl take more effort than its worth, if they need to see him.

"It's easy to stabilize here, I think you'd know that." Really, this one is more selfish, but they have to know. "Has the Forge been raising you well?"

At least, Esther thinks Rue would know about how their magic works in certain places. Less wild, but maybe Rue doesn't leave this area much. Who knows.

They just hope the Forge is actually treating them well.

@Rue

They nod. Good to hear Esther will respect their wishes. That's a point in their favor already.

"Alright. Yes, the Spire. Of course, we must return here," they reaffirm. It had slipped their mind in this moment, but it was something they did know. But Esther's question catches Rue off guard.

"...The Forge? They make me work. It can be soooo boring. But other times it's more fun! And I can go where I want now, when I'm not needed. I do what is asked, kick some rocks around or whatever they want to me do, and then I get to run around and do what I want."

They do tack on, "Rules are kinda lame, though."

@Esther