ORIGIN - Vigilance

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It came when called, moreso out of curiosity than anything else. Although it did, vaguely, understood that it had to listen to the big purple thing if it didn't want to get punished. The crowd was overwhelming- more creatures in one spot than it had ever seen in it's admittedly short life, most of whom it had never even seen before in passing.

So, it sought out one of the most familiar faces it knew. And found another.

"What the fuck?" It echoed, looking rapidly between Nidhogg and El. Then, to Nidhogg. "WHAT. What do you mean? You're /my/ dad." It wasn't entirely clear if it was just jealous or genuinely didn't understand the concept of siblings.

@Nidhogg @V-Chaos-Eleven

It had spent the last however-many cycles keeping busy by doing absolutely nothing at all. It had trained it's spawn until they no longer needed it, and then it was back to its usual duties. Hunting, patrolling, training sessions and spars. It would find excuses to help Zoey in the farm whenever it could, but, truthfully, it didn't belong there. It could help harvest crops and clear farmland, but it didn't have a touch delicate enough to grow life like they did.

But it wasn't sure where it did belong. In the Chaos Forge, obviously, ~~despite how it felt more and more surrounded by strangers.~~ But what sort of task was it suited for? What did it want to do with it's life?

It found it couldn't answer. So it kept as busy as it could with whatever meaningless tasks it could find, so it wouldn't think about it.

It came promptly when Scion called, not wanting to risk the wrath of Master Vargas and most certainly not having anything better to do. There was... a certain amount of dread. Large meetings like these never went well. Almost automatically, it would begin to search the crowd for it's clutchmate. The Zoisite was easy to find, the glowing orb of their magic acting like a beacon that drew in the Labradorite. It would sit down nearby, offering a curt greeting with a dip of it's head, but otherwise waiting quietly for Vargas to begin his announcements.

@Zoey

On the tail-end of most of the other valkhounds and Forged creatures arriving, The Warden stepped in, smelling like grass and blood, its breathing a little hard from the gallop, but its eyes bright. It was accompanied by a stark white and black creature that had yet to be seen in Draco - this reminder had it pausing before going to join the group joined by the Spire. It turned to Shrike and inclined its head. "Looks like we arrived right in time. Stick close to me - I'll introduce you to Master Vargas once the meeting's over."

Assuming she followed, the Warden would step forward to take a place closer to the back of the gathered Forge, resting the glaive against the spikes of its lower shoulders and crossing its arms, glancing at Shrike through the corner of its vision.

@Shrike

Shrike had been in awe from the moment they'd passed through the pulsing Aperture. Now she was staring around her like a tourist, her eyes wide and her beak--and mandibles--slightly parted.

All of it enthralled her: the strange light, the breathing nature of the cave, the ominous (but wonderfully powerful) Black Spire, and most of all... the monsters.

She saw long-bodied monsters, some Oil-slicked and some spined. She saw mandibles that could sheer a tree in half. She saw strange heads with a multitude of eyes, and glowing quills, and-...

...Shrike leaned in toward The Warden, and murmured quietly: "...Is that a sword?"

Once Vargas began to speak, she turned his attention to him. He appeared to be the leader here. And some part of Shrike was still not taking this too seriously; she almost saw it all as entertainment, or as a vacation. Or... An adventure, maybe. Not to say she wasn't already dedicated. She'd told The Warden she would serve the victor: and he had victored. So, here she was, at last.

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas waited as they gathered. He noticed a few new faces, and took note of these with interest. He'd sensed the knight-like creature forming--but he wasn't sure if it was a creation, or an old design that had only now begun to form. Interesting, even if it had not yet approached the meeting.

But for now, there were more important things to address. Once everyone was present, he cleared his throat and began to speak loudly, his words booming through the area. "Forge. We have newcomers here. I ask you to introduce yourselves, or to be introduced by those who led you here," he added, with a glance to The Warden. "I will otherwise be brief. Scion," and he nodded toward it, in case others did not know the name, "has led the final push in burning Order from the cave of Canis. All those who took part will be rewarded; but it has been so, and is now Proven. Those of you who are Hounds or Meat will now answer to it. I will leave it to deliver its full report," he added, "but the reason I have gathered you here is that the Valkhand, Aethril, has requested we send patrols to ensure the Hive does not reestablish a foothold there."

He paused, looking them over. Some of them knew Aethril. Some of them knew how serious it could be, to defy her commands. Not that this was a particularly distasteful task. "It is a good idea, and as long as you are smart about it, it will be easy work. I will ask volunteers to move in groups of, at a minimum, three. It is likely that the Hive will send their drones, or even Praetors, to reclaim it! We will actively patrol for three cycles. Those of you who patrol for at least one cycle will advance. You may claim what reward you wish, once you return from your duties. I will send scouts to check on you periodically--for your safety. I will ask Scion to deliver its full report; after that, offer if you wish to volunteer, introduce yourself if you are new, and make suggestions as you see fit."

It was, for Vargas's speeches, pretty blunt and to the point; for all the Leviathan was a brash predator, he did tend toward being long-winded.

@Scion (if Scion can post first it'd be good!)

OKAY @V-Labradorite-One (and friends) @Mirac @Zoey @Rue @V-Chaos-Thirteen @V-Chaos-Eleven (hopefully I didn't miss anyone) and uh @Shrike for myself, later-

Scion nodded, looking very very serious in that moment and stepped next to Vargas, turning to the Forge. And it was at that moment that it realized it did not like standing in front of crowds. As eyes turned to it, multiple sets from singular creatures, eyes that towered over it, glowing eyes, furious eyes, so many fucking. Eyes. Expecting something, especially with the Master looming over them all. And all of the bravado was just immediately sucked right down the drain, with terror taking its place. Oh, fuck. Who knew this beast had stage-fright.

Still, it had a job to do. It cleared its throat and tried to get the words out without sounding like he was so much as nervous. "Uh, yeah so thank you to those that helped cleanse Canis - Esther, The Warden, and uh. V-Ruby-One." Its absence was suddenly painfully obvious. Whoops, maybe it should have left that name out. "The last of the surface fungus has gone - we felt the air of Chaos returning in its wake as we finished up. There is most likely still some small patches remaining - hiding in crevices, buried under bone, where we couldn't reach. It's not significant but...probably good to keep an eye out and destroy when sighted." The more it talked, the more confident it felt and the stronger its words came. Still, there was a manic energy singing beneath its skin and it wondered if it was trembling. If it wasn't now, it probably would crash out a little later.

It didn't think it had anything else to report, outside of Miss Aethril's commands, so it glanced back to Vargas, without really knowing what else to say.

Esther arrives to the meeting fashionably late, but early enough to thankfully catch Scion's speech. There's so many gembound here - it's almost overwhelming. Many faces Esther knows at least a little bit, and some they've not spoken to before.

They decide to stay quiet, even as their own name is mentioned - Yes! I helped! Regardless they can't help but feel a little bit of pride when it comes. Even with the mixup with Helion - who's notably absent - they do try their best. Hopefully helping cleanse the caves will get them back on the good list.

They wonder if they should go look for Helion to apologize. Then again, causing another scene could be detrimental to both of them.

Labradorite came and settled beside the Zoisite, and they returned the nod of greeting, drawing their orb to settle between them, as if to share the warm glow. Their attention turned toward Master Vargas as he spoke, stilling their quills so that they made not even the faintest rustle.

Order was no longer in Canis? That was... Good. They had not returned to Canis since...

Well, they didn't want to think about that right now. It would be good to do some work in maintaining the territory, as they had not put forth any effort in the cleansing process. It would be good work, going with other Forge members, and making sure that everyone stayed safe.

They glanced to Labradorite again, before stepping forward as Scion finished, and walked up before the crowd.

Master Vargas had stated that those who were new should introduce themselves, but the newcomers-- and there were faces they did not know-- did not know all of the old blood. So they turned, gaze sweeping over the gathered group. There was a relief in the peace that seemed to hold out for once during this meeting. If they could just keep that going...

"I am V-Zoisite-One," the Zoisite said, "I have earned the name Zoey, as well." They were fine with either name, it seemed. "I would volunteer for these patrols, for the first cycle." A way to prove themselves, before they went on a different mission, a task that they had mulled over for a long time. "Our food stores are well-established, but any extra help with the farm in Pegasus would be welcome while I am on patrol would be appreciated."

Presenting the most unified, cooperative front. It was an energy that Zoey hoped would spread among the crowd. Others would volunteer, she hoped. They clicked their mandibles closed, and bowed their head, stepping back for someone else to step forward. Please, she hoped.

Rue's eyes lazily flick over the gathering Gembound. There's a bunch they've never seen. Familiar faces too, like ~~the Zosite~~ - Zoey, now - and Esther. They still wonder about Esther, with how similar the two look.

They don't stay in their own head for long. With a stretch, they'd rise, ear flicking. "I will go. I can fight, I can see," they declare. The invitation to leave is always alluring, even when they are free to go. Especially since there's the possibility to burn some more Stupid Hive Bugs in their Stupid Face!

It's not like Rue's exactly hiding the way they paw at the ground with anticipation.

He listened, stoic, silent for a time, glancing at the many that had gathered, and became much more attentive as soon as the Hive was mentioned. He snorted and uncrossed his arms, advancing forward a couple of paces to lean in. He had not taken a role in cleansing Canis at first, busy trying to raise his spawn (and failing miserably, it would never not be a point of discontent), but where the Hive was concerned, Azrael would step forward. They would be destroyed by his hand.

"Patrols in Canis I can do," he announced, loudly. "But when are we going to attack the Hive proper? We should root them out! Cut off the head of the snake - if Mother is killed then they are nothing!" He wasn't ashamed to admit it was less about the destruction of order as it was his eternal grudge and need for vengeance to be sated. His jaw clenched and fire burned in his belly, the smoke ever-encompassing him darkening as intimidating firelight spilled from his eyes and heart. "This cavern clean-up is a waste of our time - we pushed them back once, we can do it again!"

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