ORIGIN - [Hatch] The Business I'm In

Anyone unobservant could have missed the tiny chrysalis sitting amongst the stones paved on the floor. It was small, dark black and bright red, and could've easily been some spare gemstone dropped there who knows how long ago. Abandoned, like so much else in these caves, to the relentless march of time.

But this little stone had only sat there a month or so. It pulsed with magic, just like any other Gembound's stone. Alive. So of course, in time, it too, started to give way. The thing inside wanted freedom after all.

Little Moros inches out, oh so small but oh so real. She stares up, at the fake stars in the roof, at a world she does not yet know. There is something for her to do, surely? She was put here for a reason, right? Her mandibles click in anticipation.

@Tectus

She heard the crack, tiny as it was. It was not so dissimilar from the clicking sounds she produced to navigate the deepest dark the caves had to offer. And so, of course, she turned to investigate. Another gembound, perhaps, to catalogue. Had the Masters set another one in her path? Maybe to work for her. She missed having workers.

She tried not to think about how it made her feel useful again. Because she was useful! Again, what's this again nonsense! She is Overseer Tectus and she has no doubts or fears! None!

She didn't see anything, where the sound had come from. She swung her head, trying to find some sparkle against the light to show the presence of a broken chrysalis. But none. Her magic flickered on, trying to locate the source and...it was at her feet. A gembound here, at her feet. She had almost stepped on it.

Even with the magic on, she literally could not see anything, so she carefully maneuvered herself so that she could effectively lower her head, right side facing the stone so she could peer at whatever it was with that set of eyes. And then, mere inches from the creature itself, she could finally see it. About as big as the eye itself at the moment. A worm. A literal fucking worm.

You gotta be fucking kidding me. Who had set this one here? Or was it just some random one, that seemed to be happening a lot these days. She could kill it so easily, just a quick smash against the ground. And what could it do against that? But...she didn't really like killing without reason. And she had, well, nothing else to do and nobody else to Oversee so...

"Who are you, little one?" she rumbled. "You are addressing Overseer Tectus."

@Moros

The ceiling is quickly blotted out by pink scales and hide. And in time, pink became the peering depths of a great cyan eye. It fills Moros's little world, casting them in a bright glow. It's overwhelming, but also breathtaking - something so big and real and alive. Almost divine.

She reaches out, little caterpillar stubs lifting up, and her magic does too. A small glowing wisp of light, just a bit bigger than her, manifests, a beacon for the Overseer. "I am... Moros," she chitters, voice small but not inaudible. "Are you... my Overseer? Are you my purpose?"

@Tectus

The thing reached for her and she was intrigued by the motion, and even more intrigued by the magic. If it was of the arcane, perhaps then it would be useful to her one day. Not as a pure destructive force but as a more subtle one. She knew the areas she lacked and that was one of them. Besides, she was running quite low on allies - she would take what she could get.

As carefully as she possibly could, the Overseer moved one of her feet over, extending a single claw, for the caterpillar to climb upon. She thought of its uses - perhaps of intel gathering, penetrating minds and whispering into the Overseer's ear the secrets it heard. Perhaps of a secret, quiet dominator, that would break wills while staying small and invisible atop her shoulder. Heh, this could be quite useful after all.

"If that is what you want. But you will be redesignated - names must be earned! I will designate you..." She glanced over the body of the caterpillar and spotted it - there, upon its back, a bloodstone. "Bloodstone T-One. I will be your purpose if you have none. You have potential."

@Moros

The claw is moved to her, and she eyes it, before inching on. "I want a purpose," she affirms. What better way to see the world, then on the back of her Overseer, a chosen disciple?

"I will earn my name, then!" Her voice is confident, despite her size. "Bloodstone T-One! I will serve you proud, Overseer!" Even if she was just a child, throwing herself into the arms of something she barely understood, she did it with eagerness. A child yes, but she could understand the promise behind earning her name. A home. A purpose. And a sort of safety - Tectus would surely be interested in keeping her overseen healthy. It seemed a good enough deal.

@Tectus

Once the caterpillar had crawled onto her giant claw, the Overseer moved into a more comfortable position, sitting back upright, almost dog-liked in the way she sat down, one foot raised so she could continue to look at her new charge. It might be a little terrifying, the way the floor would suddenly drop from beneath the worm, suspended far above, the only safety being that of Tectus herself.

"Alright, then." Her voice had a hint of amusement in it as she observed the little creature's eagerness. "You are small. Weak. But your magic has the potential to make you strong. Learn it, and we will decide what purpose you will serve in the long run."

She was quiet for a moment as she considered what to do with it for now. She could leave it here, of course, but it would be defenseless. And would she ever be able to find the tiny thing again, if she walked away? It had taken everything just to see it. Maybe it would get bigger one day. A lot bigger. She didn't know, and that not-knowing made it dangerous to leave behind.

Besides, it would take no extra energy to hide it under one of her spikes. It would be safe there from predators and it would learn. And she would not lose it before its usefulness came to fruition. If it would be useful at all.

"For now, you can stay with me. There is plenty of room for you on my back. There are things I must attend to, and from me you can see and learn, but you must not be a nuisance or I will drop you off on the nearest flower and leave you to your learning alone."

@Moros