ORIGIN

Desert had to put his mind to it when he thought about the various caves. There were nearly too many changes- time had weathered the tunnels, and many had disappeared entirely from memory. The only reason he remembered Pisces, was- well. He didn't remember it. But, at least he probably got it right.

"Ehm- yes, the waterfall one." His coat shook at the thought of all that water, especially after travelling there for-- why was he there? He hated his amnesia- seemed like it had been affecting much more than his far past.

An ear of his flickered, rubbing his gem across worn down scales as he thought back over past betrayals. "Hm- yeah," came the distant answer. That smoke- wasn't it from the garnet itself? It's not like he could be mad; sure, it ended up facilitating other betrayals, but what else could Garnet do? Sit around and leave itself in harm? No- they all did what was best for them, and there was no one to blame. Except the people who put us through it, came across Desert's mind, veiled by a minor mental wince. No- they did what was best for all. They had no part in what they had to do.

Shuffling in place, Desert's ears flicked forward as the brief stint of thought from the garnet. "Yes," he bent his head forward in a languid nod, straightening his stance. Though, this time, he couldn't prevent the physical wince from escaping his brain. As much as he wanted to find the two- he really didn't want to go back to Pisces. Though, with a clear of his throat, he tightened his muscles across his spine and held his head high. "Mm- yes." The confirmation was more for himself than for the garnet. "Even if he isn't looking for us, it's best to get everyone caught up- for, uh, lack of a better term." He cleared his throat and glanced away, a claw raising to his neck. "Do you know if the Quartz and- Mm, I can't remember the particular designation- The cockatrice-" His mind did mental gymnastics, his face scrunching up. "Agate? Ah- anyways, do you know if they ended up surviving? You were a bit far ahead in that last trial."

There was that lizard that attacked him and his brother, as well. Were they a past champion they hadn't known about? Where were they now- if they didn't still want to kill them? Desert knew they put a bad taste in his mouth, but they would be a valuable ally if they proved to have a shared mindset.

Desert had it in his mind to tell Vargas what they were up to, at least; but, who was he to let Vargas know without others along with the idea? Just two- or three, if Vargas was on board- wouldn't be nearly enough for restoring trials to the caves. Plus, there was the possibility that some of the non-champions would be on board for restoring the old ways, just as they should be.

Though, his wings flared as he rounded the end of his thoughts, flapping ever so slightly in their half-folded state. He should go as soon as the conversation was over; the sooner he was in Pisces, the less time he had to spend in there, really. He had it in his mind to start, perhaps, assessing the rest of the gembound. Some interaction barely got him used to who actually inhabited these old caves now. Even if it was hoping against hope, perhaps some other older beings had awoken from slumber just as they had.

He just had to get out there and see for himself.