ORIGIN - the crowd, they gather on the street, and they want blood

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Dear reader, I could tell you with ease on any other day that Cain oft strove to be more; to rise in Vargas's shadow and become its own master, to hone its magic beyond compare, to continue to rise and grow and succeed like no other before it. On any other day, yes, this would be the truth.

But for the same reason why Vargas tampered down his emotions in case Cain was peering at them, concealing his hidden sadness, to avoiding hurting the Overseer in this moment... It was why Cain did not peer into Vargas's feelings. It did not seek disappointment, did not want to find anything that would wound an already incredibly weakened ego.

Today, after having woken up to missing nearly half of its own lifespan, when Cain said that its entire life was Master Vargas's Overseer... It meant it, with every inch of its body. It was equally as a good a thing that Vargas did not prod into Cain, to see the shambles being held together with a conviction that did not dare reach further out on a branch that had proven unstable.

This was thankfully, something between you and I, dear reader, for Cain was distracted by the Leviathan's recounting and did not allow itself to linger on emotion.

The number of tasks-- Master Vargas did not offer them as tasks, but Cain counted them upon a mental list of things to keep tabs on-- was extensive indeed.

The Hive.
A rebellious spawn.
Needing a trained scout. (Noted.)
Archon. That little humanoid boy. How grown it must be now-- Cain would have to ask him about the new cave.
There were other caves. Its tail twitched. Much to explore, to catch up upon.
Another Overseer?
And Master Nemean. Nemean had been around, right? Cain hadn't had the pleasure of interacting with her.

"I haven't seen these new caves," Cain nodded, tail swishing back and forth as the gears churned in its mind. "Nor this new overseer. What is their name? Which master do they serve?"

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

"Overseer Tectus." Vargas was about to warn Cain, just in case, to remember to treat her with respect--when with a start he realized that they were now of equal rank. Overseer Cain. Overseer Tectus. Amused by this thought, and a bit surprised, he looked to Cain and switched tacks entirely. "Perhaps you could find her and discuss some things with her. You are her colleague, now. She might be able to offer stories or advice, or speak of her responsibilities in the past. She is working on cleansing Order, as well, and though I believe she is answering to no specific Master now, she is in contact with Astraea."

He paused. Then realized Cain would have no idea who it was looking for. "She is in color something like myself, her glow cyan; she is very large and very bulky. Built for tunneling, or fighting against numerous smaller foes. She is not so quick but she is very tough. -Tall ears," he added.

"As for the caves, it may be worth asking Archon to show you around Centaurus--or you can go and see it yourself, if you wish. But he can give you more information. It is a training cave, with its own guardian and workers, and it shifts its... entire nature, would be the best way to put it, periodically. The others-... hgnh. We need a map," Vargas said, irritated. It was well overdue, and he glanced at Cain again. "Maybe I'll task you with finding us someone to serve as cartographer, at some point--keep an eye out for one, I suppose. Andromeda is... different. Arcane magic is concentrated there, and the Lessers are different. Magical, in different ways, unlike elsewhere in the caves. Think--mirages, vanishing from sight, that sort of thing. It is dark and echoes of the past gather there from time to time. And Cassiopeia-... It was one of those intended for the leadership. It was beautiful. Waterfalls, rivers and white stone--well, they're ruins, now. But the old city still stands. The old prison is still there, if likely half-collapsed. There is an entrance from there to Draco--I have not bothered to force it open, as yet, because I do not mind Draco being as defensible as it is. The opening was... a weakness."

He looked to Cain. "During the rebellion, the tram connection was severed. We had to collapse the caves and retreat. Those of us who pursued-... many were killed. I believe Cassiopeia was fully lost, at the time. The prisoners were killed as our forces withdrew, to avoid them joining the rebels. -Most of them. The ones that we could handle in a hurry. But the cave fell into slumber shortly after, and I don't remember everything. Aethril has not mentioned the place," he finished, with a slight shrug. In other words, Vargas didn't particularly care to reopen the place, and without a command he was content to leave it, for the time being. "Maybe once our numbers grow enough. Or perhaps it is something Tectus can take over."

@Cain

Overseer Tectus. The description was acutely memorized, though with some humor: many valks shared Vargas's color, and Cain could only assume that more had been created in its absence. Cyan glow and tall ears, more stout for digging rather than lanky for stalking. Understood.

It nodded at Master Vargas's suggestion. Speaking with Archon would do it good anyway, to get a better grasp on the current state of affairs in the cave beyond Master Vargas's particular perspective.

"There are some in the palace," Cain spoke up at mention of needing a cartographer, "if they are still around. They were researchers, I recall. I'd expect a map-maker among them, or at least one willing to divert resources into recreating something with accuracy." It had not interacted among them, but it remembered with a keenness their ranks among those who had come to teach "writing" and "reading" to the Chaos Forge. Yes, perhaps it could hunt down one of them. There was always the library, otherwise.

The mention of a prison also strikes Cain as a curiosity. It turns the concept around in its mind, and makes a mental note to investigate the ruins on its own time. Knowing that there was once another entrance through Draco is enough to merit a detailed exploration when it has the spare time.

"I'll ask Overseer Tectus when I get the chance," Cain agrees, "if Cassiopeia is on her radar. If not something she wants to delegate herself to, then perhaps we will find another suited to the task." Its tail swished as it thought, glad to have so many small threads to tangle its thoughts in. It could drown itself in work, detach itself from the agony of the flaws of flesh. Its mind, keen and hungry, chased these ideas with all the vigor of a starved predator.

"You have given me much to think on, Master Vargas," Cain said with a faint rumble in its throat. Its eyes narrowed into thin, blood-red slits. Content. Thoughtful. "Is there anything you would want me to consider first priority?"

If not, it had quite the list already that it would start to tackle.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas considered only for an instant, almost immediately shaking his head. "No; if any of it were particularly urgent, I'd have had it addressed already. Take the time to reorient yourself to the current situation. Rest if you require it, and then choose what appeals. I trust your judgment," he added bluntly. "Just report back if you complete a task. After any, and each. I wish to be kept appraised."

He considered for a moment, mulling everything over, wondering if there might be anything he'd missed. "It may be worth getting to know some of our new members. Seeing if any of them are useful to you. If they are and they have not yet chosen a role, and if they are agreeable, perhaps you can claim them for your work; check with me if that is the case." He didn't bother listing all of them. There were... quite a few. But that was the way of the Forge; monsters came, and monsters went. And then more were created.

"I believe that is all, from my end. Is there anything else you would ask, or mention?" He was not deferential as he asked: he was authoritative and brisk, as always. 'Professional' was likely the best term for it. But the way he spoke, and the manner in which he paused and waited afterwards, suggested that he still respected his Overseer despite their long absence--respected Cain's mind and loyalty both. In fact, in the way he regarded Cain, it was as if it had never left.

@Cain

Cain nodded as Master Vargas handed the metaphorical reins into its paws. The faith and trust so easily given by its Master soothed the few last stray hairs that were bent out of place by ridiculous and unnecessary anxieties. It was a wonder how well the Master understood exactly what to say.

It was, in part, due to Cain's own molding around Master Vargas's expectations, its own desire to become something worthy of its Master. Seeing how well that went with others who did not share Cain's particular brand of single-minded loyalty, well.

Perhaps Cain would one day come to see its Master's own failings in itself, and not immediately believe it to be surely from its own blood.

Regardless, the idea of rest-- well, it wanted to jump straight into work, but its muscles protested the idea, weak from hatching, terror and flight home. Perhaps rest was a good notion. It did want to investigate its den-roost, and ensure that nothing had messed with its sleeping quarters. Yes, rest was sensible. Even two years of hibernation had not been true rest. It could spend that time planning just as well.

Once rested, it would certainly take stock of the current membership among the forge. It would be good to establish itself with the newest ranks. Its tail gave a single swish, considering the potential amusement it might be able to gleam from the fresh blood.

"Very well," Cain replied. "I've no further questions."

But...

The Overseer considered, blinking round, thought-filled eyes. "... thank you," it added after a moment. "For your time and guidance." It was short and to the point, but the meaning held between those words was the depth of an ocean.

"I will report back." That seemed an appropriate goodbye, and it spread its wings, bowing its head before it turned away, crouched, and leapt into the air to fly off.

@Vargas - exit? :3

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas gave the faintest dip of his head, a nod of acknowledgment--and then stopped whatever he was going to say. I should probably warn it, he thought, suppressing a grimace. "Ahh-... In regards to the rebellious spawn I mentioned. If you should run into V-Ruby-One--tall, four-armed, spawn of Azrael and Scion-... Ruby-Beta, as you likely last knew it?--be warned, I am working on its temper. It, on the other hand, is not. It may well attack first and ask questions later if it does not know your rank. It has already been itself warned that if it loses control again, I will kill it. But I would rather it not come to that." He hefted a heavy, irritated sigh. "Feel free to interact with it, of course but be wary it does not harm you."

He considered for a moment longer. "I will be here in Draco, for now. Some of the Forge may be in Canis, patrolling for Hive by Aethril's orders, if you require them. Feel free to note who is actually keeping watch, if you find yourself bored. I think that is all... You are dismissed," he finished.

He thought that was everything, at least.

exit Vargas?
@Cain (mostly for visibility)

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