ORIGIN - The Morning Report

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Being an Overseer's second (well. Fourth.) set of eyes meant always doing something. While sometimes Moros would hitch a ride, to learn from Tectus herself while staying hidden, as she did when she was a just a caterpillar, now she often would flutter around, taking notes before returning with valuable information.

Though this time, she hadn't been sent out too far. Just to survey Canis faster, to determine the extent of the purging. And now she was returning to her master, fluttering along.

As usual, she'd reach out with her magic, conjuring that little whisp she'd always used to make herself that little more visible, a flicking purple light following her. I am here, Overseer.

@Tectus

The Overseer was stepping around the edge of Canis, eyes alert and nostrils flared as she searched for any bit of the infestation that still clung to the edges of the dumping ground. Here and there she spotted bits of white fungus barely clinging to life, small collections of mold trying to restart and regain their hold, but a quick flick of her massive claws ended that there. Order had been purged and she would ensure it stayed that way.

A flicker of movement made her pause and glance up. The small purple wisp caught her attention and she recognized it immediately - Bloodstone was here. Her little scout, her little spy - she had found, once the grub had transformed, not unlike some species of Lessers - that having a very small winged underling was actually quite useful for gathering intel.

She sat back and raised a claw for the Bloodstone to land, moving her head to the side so she could properly observe her. "Bloodstone T-One," she greeted her, lowing her voice a bit so it was not booming for the little moth. "Do you have something to report?"

@Moros

The claw was offered, and Moros would take her place there. Wings would lower, showing her stone perched on her back - the closest she could do to a bow of respect.

She'd prepare to channel their magic, to link out to Tectus, to inform them of what they wish to say. But Moros would twitch with irritation as it promptly fizzles out into nothing.

Well. Her Overseer hadn't asked what she was reporting, just if she was. And she can answer that easily enough anyway. They'd fan their wings twice, the signal they'd agreed upon as yes.

Please be patient with me, Overseer.

@Tectus

Tectus observed the moth's behavior, finding that she was patient - she had learned to be with these gembound, as long as they were loyal and put in the effort. And she could see the effort displayed here, the best bow a moth could do, and the wing-signal. Perhaps old dogs could learn new tricks.

She had nothing else to say otherwise, however. And simply gave a nod of her head as she waited. "Then report. What have you seen?"

@Moros

Tectus's invitation to speak gives Moros just enough time to channel her magic again - and this time, it slides neatly where it should. "Yes, Overseer Tectus. I have surveyed the far side of Canis, and seen no holdfast of Order. Only small patches like you just destroyed, weak and insignificant."

She was careful, to be honest - pieces remained hidden deep in crevices and fair beneath bones and rubble. But the carpet of rotting snow and the pervasive feeling of being watched had disappeared.

"I'm sure you can feel just how different the air is. It is no longer like we are held captive by an audience."

@Tectus

Tectus nodded as she listened. She had noticed the removal of Order - it was a little obvious - but it was good to know that it had gone from the cave. An oddly sour feeling welled up, a faint bitterness that she had not done this, that her own work in Eridanus was not quite finished. But...that was okay. Astraea had mentioned Canis was farther along to being cleansed. Perhaps it had been Master Vargas and his associates.

"Did you see who was working on it," she murmured back to the moth. Tectus herself glanced around, looking to see if she would spot any further workforce, any stragglers behind, any patrols. But, for now, the bone cave was silent as the grave (heh).

She hadn't actually quite noticed the feel of the air, so she paused, taking in a breath and doing as Moros had pointed out, feeling the air and...it felt like any other cave. Which she realized was significant, as something in Eridanus felt off, the air had energy, like someone was always watching every move. That pervasive feeling was absent here, which could only mean Order had truly been chased away. She nodded again. "Good. Although there is no telling if Order will return to try to regain their foothold. We also must keep an eye out for any small patches that may try to regrow into something else." She regarded the moth for a moment, considering. "We may need more, as well. More eyes, more bodies. Not just for looking for and destroying the fungus, but keeping eyes around the caves. We are too in the dark, all the structures in place to keep people informed in my day are all but gone."

@Moros

She thinks back to various Gembound who had come and gone - not that she had the exhaustive list. But Moros will give what info she can, once she reinforces the magic she's holding up.

"There were several. Some of them wielded black flames, and spoke of the Master Vargas." Though how many of them were underlings, Moros wasn't exactly sure. "Perhaps you should speak with that one? He might have further insight."

Tectus had given her the basic run down - that Vargas was in a similar position to Tectus herself, save for his recent promotion. Moros's antennae flick some as her Overseer continues. Eyes I can definitely provide...

The return of their enemies is a worthy concern. So was the lack of bodies on their side. "Then perhaps, what we need most, is to bolster our numbers. You have I, your Bloodstone, and a small few others, but perhaps it is time we looked for reinforcements."

@Tectus

She spoke was Tectus was already thinking. The Overseer could do work on her own, of course, but without any kind of numbers or significant strength in her ranks, there wasn't too much they could do. She had initially been hesitant to grow too many numbers, so as not to, as the gembound said, "step on anyone's toes", but the more time went on, the more she appreciated the use of having others working for her. She would not be given the numbers, as she was in ages past - she would have to get her own.

And the gembound seemed like a good place to start.

"If there were gembound here, then it was likely this was not just an effort by the Chaos Forge. You have a new mission, Bloodstone T-One - seek out the gembound that were here and either observe their behavior or speak to them and invite them to help further with the fight against Order. Send them to me if they are interested in the cause. If they are part of Chaos Forge, don't invite them. I don't want to provoke Master Vargas's ire."

She thought for a moment, wondering if she should divulge to the moth what she had back at the Tower of Orion, but she decided the fewer people that knew about it, the safer the chrysalis would be. Memories could be extracted, willing or not. Even if they weren't in active wartime, there was still a protectiveness in the Overseer for the three she had set in. Her first spawn - ever.

Instead she just nodded after a moment. "Right, those are your orders. Is there anything else you have to report?"

@Moros

She takes note to avoid the Forge. It is fine to discuss with them, but if they reveal their allegiance, back off. Tectus does not wish to poach from the ranks of her superiors.

It makes sense. Especially since they are all working towards the same goal.

Moros prepares to continue, but she finds the magic die out. Irritated, she has to turn back to the fallback. Three flutters of the wing respond a no. She understands her orders. She has nothing else to report. If the Overseer has no further need of her, then Moros will go perform those duties. She only needs to be dismissed.

@Tectus

She noted the lack of magical response and instead flicked her eyes to the movement of the moth's wings. A no - then that was fine, there was nothing else to discuss. She moved the claw out a little bit, a physical signal that she was done, and added on, verbally, "Alright then, dismissed."

As usual, as the report ended, Tectus wondered, distantly, if she was sending the moth to her doom. It was a valid thing to worry about over such a small creature in a cave with such large monsters. A stray step or magic cast could easily take out her little informant. But she had not fallen yet and Tectus put the trust in her to know how to keep herself safe from life-threatening danger.

@Moros

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