ORIGIN

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The large bird stood quiet at the edge of Tunnel P, staring at its entrance. He'd been and gone to the edges of Hydra, but never entered; he'd waited, feathers ruffled by its hot winds, but never seen anyone come or go from it.

Now he stood eyeing the bones--some of which were full skeletons--laid out along the tunnel's exit. He could see, with his single good eye, the glitter of gemstones here and there; in other places scraps of metal and stone tools lay silent.

Believing himself to be alone, he began to speak: to address them, allowing his more poetic thoughts to run free. And why shouldn't he? He'd been alone for many cycles, experimenting only with the health and injuries of lesser gembound. He hadn't had all that much time to socialize, after all.

"Ahhh, creatures long-dead; what befell you? If you could but speak of it; your wounds, your trials, your battles hard-fought." Doctor didn't know how accurate he was, quite by accident, with his thoughts of trials; and he went on. "And still we are no closer. You had no medic to help you, I'd wager? No one to tend your wounds, your sickness. And what have we now, hm? Ahh--but you are but bones! Of course you cannot answer." He chuckled at his own humor. And on a whim--a lighthearted, grimly-amused, poetic whim--he arched back the vast wingspan of both wings, calling on his magicka and flapping, feathers sweeping the invisible cloud of bacteria up toward the long-dead trophies.

"Healing" them. Healing the dead. He laughed again, quiet, his quirky mirth half-lost in the rush of hot wind that blew out as if in response, ruffling his feathers.

"But in good time, my long-dead friends; in good time we will have the means to prevent such deaths. I will keep working on it... -If only I had the opportunity," he lamented, and then lapsed into silence. If only he had access to high numbers of sick, of injured, so that he could put his medical theories to the test! To help, to build a knowledge base of medicine and care!

"We know so little," he murmured, "despite all the time that has passed."

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five and/or @Garnet Five-Seven-Nine

DESERT ROSE THIRTY-FIVE
how quickly the hawk becomes a dove
when faced with the barrel of a gun

Desert still found himself unsettled by the idea of creatures thriving in the boneyard of Canis. These bones held nothing for the new creatures- no nutrients, no structural integrity for houses, not even good ground up as paste for anything, as far as Desert was aware. But, for the ancient Champion, they held painful memories of near escapes and old comraderies lost to the sands of time.

But, no matter wallowing in the past. It hadn't been long since Garnet and he spoke- he had yet to even exit Canis too far, circling about its premises to hear explanations for what others were doing in the area. There were few, yes, but none that explicitly approached; perhaps it was his thorns, despite the few having fallen off his sides, the shedding process done and over while new ones pushed into place. Any number of factors could be at blame, really.

One thing he did know was that he couldn't leave his den- not yet. Something bound him to it, like an anxious canine protecting its territory, some process hidden below his genes screaming at him not to wander far from Hydra. Not again- not after somehow distancing himself from his brother for the last time.

It was through one of many fly-throughs that he caught not only an eye, but an ear of a bird creature by his home-tunnel's entrance. The words were lost through the wind, however- he could decipher that it was doing something about the items strewn about haphazardly, at least. Might as well approach.

Aligning his trajectory, Desert reared his body to parachute down and let his tail slap under him, taking the brunt force before his study body lowered itself down shortly behind. A few snaps sounded here and there- a wince from Desert, he'd surely destroyed a bone or two in the process. They were thick here, thick all over. But, that wasn't the main concern; for now, he was focused on the creature before him, approaching with quick steps and glances about the area.

Letting himself approach nonchalantly, Desert lowered his head in deference to the stranger while keeping both blue eyes on them. This could be another older being, coming to mourn over the bones; it certainly felt like it, its visage reminding Desert starkly of the eyehooks in Hydra itself. "Sorry for the interruption-" he paused, clearing his throat quietly. "I haven't seen you around here before." His eyes wandered to the bones of the creature's ministrations, head raising back to its natural position. "May I ask what you were doing?"

Granted, he hadn't seen much from that far away. A flick of movement, yes, murmurs of words far away- but nothing he could pick out on his own. He still held tightly to the belief that perhaps this creature was old- or, if not, it could at least fill in some gaps of his own knowledge. Careful to set off a sense of ease, Desert let his wings rest loosely against his sides, tail lowering to the ground and sweeping to curl around his hind legs (and careful not to brush over any bones, wary about breaking more).

Might as well open room for conversation while they were both here.

@Doctor

The vulture turned, at the clattering of bones, dark eye shifting this way and that for a brief instant before settling upon the strange being that had scattered them. It was most certainly a strange creature--one unlike any that Doctor had ever seen, before. At its apology he tilted his head.

"Oh, no, no, it isn't an interruption at all. Merely... pondering, you see," he offered in a friendly tone. It didn't escape him that this other being might be a predator, but he strode forward nonetheless, offering out one four-taloned foot with open toes. He'd met very few that would clasp limbs in a handshake, of sorts, but he delighted in showing others what he meant by it, and it always seemed a friendly gesture.

He didn't explain, though, just holding his foot jutting out as he answered Desert's question. "I am Doctor. A scientist, I hope, and a medic; I am wondering what befell these poor creatures. It seems we know so little, do we not? Of injury and treatment; of illness and its cures. I aim to change that, but with only Lessers to work with, it is... time-consuming."

He sent a drifting cloud of the same bacteria, on a whim, toward Desert Rose. "This, for example--can you feel that? The strength of it? It isn't merely magic, but something natural beneath. To heal, to mend, to strengthen! It is good, yes?" Doctor seemed energetic, friendly, pleased; and he was. "And may I ask your name?" he went on, just as cheerful in tone.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

DESERT ROSE THIRTY-FIVE
how quickly the hawk becomes a dove
when faced with the barrel of a gun

Desert found his head tilting in curiosity along with this being's. It must be a vulture- only one covered with feathers instead of leather, all but its bare neck and face. It was an interesting arrangement; Desert gave brief thought to what had designed this vulture before words exchanged between them.

Pondering- yes, he could understand why, perhaps, if this creature was newer. Its body- birdlike- held the same structure of those younger he'd seen about, yes, but he wasn't going to make assumptions right away. He'd made his fair share of mistakes doing that.

His head dipped ever so slightly more as this vulture approached, only to raise it again to witness an odd movement- a foot held out- was this a greeting? No- digging deep in his memories, he could remember particular bipedal creatures in the trials approaching him in nearly the same way, using one of their upper limbs to grasp his own front ones supporting his body from the ground. Friendship, allies, his mind supplied. However, a mind wasn't all that was needed for a handshake; cautiously, the dragon reached out a mirror set of claws, moving the grasp at the bird's talons with his own in a firm (yet unconventional) handshake.

It felt good to do such an ancient gesture.

Doctor- so this creature was named. He had to wonder, though was it earned through privilege, or bestowed upon him by himself? Depending on the age, Desert wagered the latter, returning his foot back to its rightful place below his body. As he spoke, though, his attention wandered towards the bones. He never considered healing- out in Hydra, an injury meant death if you didn't hold magic within you to repair or an ally to assist in the short time both of you had. It was best to abandon those; no sense in wasting time and risking your own life for the sake of one that may be lost anyways.

He let Doctor finish his thoughts before interrupting with his own, however. He had an eloquent way of speaking, it seemed; it fell easy on Desert's ears, drawing the dragon into a sense of peace and interest in a subject he would otherwise abhor.

His wonders weren't the only things to fall sweetly on Desert. No- along with the healing magic, the champion could feel his scales flaring in renewed energy, a deep inhale spurred on as he reveled in the results. It... It felt good to heal. Perhaps he could reconsider, momentarily, of his previous thoughts on aide- no, this, this felt heavenly.

Though, he was waiting for an answer. "Yes," was all he could sigh out, wings relaxing at his sides as he let the bacterial magic run its course. Of course... With powers along these lines, of course they were interested on its effects on others.

He had a conversation to continue, however. Blinking back into his senses, Desert straightened his spine and stood taller, wings snapping back up to their normal places. "I haven't earned a name yet- though, Doctor is a nice one." Of course- he was careful to pay out a compliment for this oddly positive stranger. "My designation's Desert Rose Thirty-Five- any shortening of it will do." Turning his body slightly to a more intact piece of skeleton, he let his eyes roam over its form before continuing. "As for these, I assume many of them are- were, rebels and past trial-goers or any other form of creature deigned to be killed by those above us." Of course, his memory was more foggy out here- but, it made sense, seeing as Canis was and still is such a graveyard.

He paused as his previous sentence ended, ears flicking back and tail raising. "On looking for others to heal-" No- he was looking for champions, not going about hiring every random he saw. But he posed a valuable asset- if there were no beings other than Vargas to oversee these trials, there was little chance they could be forced back into their chrysalis if the need arose. No- a medic... That could be what he and Garnet needed to enact this plan in the first place. "I may have a- hm, I suppose a proposition, if you'd like to hear it?" He eyed Doctor as he awaited a response, tail thumping against the ground in thought. It didn't seem like he had any previous hookups, but it was best to know before the offer was extended.

@Doctor

The vulture clasped claw to claw, firm but certainly not rough, and after a polite pause he pulled away. He listened, too; attentive, curious, his single eye bright with interest.

"Designation-? Designated by whom, may I ask? I have only heard of self-given names." The tone, too, was polite--not pressing--and Doctor found himself more and more fascinated by this stranger. What mysteries he seemed to hold! What strange facts had made up his life--facts wholly unknown to the vulture, as if their existences had been formed of two wholly differing sets of building blocks, of truths.

He glanced back, too, at the bones as they were indicated--and blinked, or was it winked? his eye. Rebels? Trials? 'Those above us?' Burning with curiosity, now, he looked back to Desert, listening to his last--his proposition. Or rather, the explanation that he had one.

"I wonder--" he began, venturing a guess--"are you from the cave recently opened, here? Hydra, is it? I know it has been sealed off for a very long time; has it a different culture, perhaps? Many of the phrases you are using--well, I simply haven't heard them before. I'm fascinated, I admit. And by all means! Your proposal," he went on, dipping his head. It was a simple gesture--and again, a polite one; it invited Desert Rose to go on. To explain what his proposition was--and anything else he cared to share.

Doctor, for his part, watched and listened with utter focus. He hadn't found anything this interesting in cycles.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

DESERT ROSE THIRTY-FIVE
how quickly the hawk becomes a dove
when faced with the barrel of a gun

The past champion's ears flicked once more as the question was posed. Avoidant of making a face, Desert's head reeled back ever so slightly as he emptily glanced upwards, rolling through memories. "I'm not sure," he admitted, returning his gaze to Doctor and shuffling in place. "It's been... a long time." Far too long, he supposed, if he was forgetting those simple answers. He could only truly remember the trials, and the thought of that being his entire being set an unsavory taste on his tongue.

But, well, he wasn't wrong- that was his entire being, the complete opposite of Doctor. The irony of a killer standing by a saint was not lost on the dragon. He could only imagine how the vulture would be like if he were born in a different time, if he weren't as lost upon entering Desert's world.

His guess was spot on, at the very least. He could only affirm with a simple "yes," a brief nod offered. "Different phrases- Ah, I suppose a lot of the things are unfamiliar; it's... Certainly different, yes. With our return, with Vargas roaming in these caves, and with us being locked away for so long, I am concerned with the state of these caves as the Masters... Return?" Orange talons dug into the soft, sandy dirt below, uncertainty running through his nerves. "Though- Vargas, Masters, this is... More unfamiliar words to you?" Shaking his head before letting his pelt follow suit, Desert tilted his head to the side to clear his mind. "It's a long story- I'm afraid we aren't meant to be as loose as we are now. If everything's instilled back to how it was, many of the caves wouldn't survive," he could only pause to bring a bone forward for an example. "It would be for the better for everyone to band together and assist in smoothing out this process, reduce any abrasions we'd find on our way. Abrasions like rebels, like I mentioned. Many of them went in hiding here and found their end by the hands of the Masters; those above us, as I mentioned."

"That brings me to my offer-" Now, he had to word this carefully. Taking in a deep breath, he pushed the bone he had retrieved back to its resting place. "I, with the aid of a fellow companion, are gathering fellow- Ah, you call yourselves Gembounds now? We are looking to bring a sense of understanding back into these caves." Absentmindedly, Desert toyed with a smaller, lizard-like skull as he spoke, the gem that was embedded in a hole of its head long since gone. "Without purpose, it's easy to become lost and aimless- we used to have purpose, given to us by our Overseers and Masters. And idle mind is prone to self-destruction, I've found, in the few cycles I've been left to my devices." A brief shake of his head peppered into the conversation veiled his exasperation with the thought of independence. Sure, he was playing himself up, using frilly language, but most of it rung true in his heart. "I can't imagine how life has been for you all, for however long it has been. We need purpose to live- and yours could easily help us in helping others in theirs, assisting with healing and the like, and perhaps room to learn on beings that could speak their thoughts instead of only trying to run away."

In truth, Desert didn't know how he could prepare an entire cave system for a return to status quo. He had yet to approach Vargas about this; he wasn't even sure where to start there. Leaving the skull alone, the dragon returned to all fours and let his full attention rest finally back on Doctor. "If this aligns with your views, I can offer a communal housing and hunting- as well as my own protection for you or any others you would know who would think similarly." Otherwise, it'd best for him to get going- the last part hung on his tongue, his ears twitching in place. A brief memory of murmurs of rebellion rippled throughout his being- a recent one, in the past trial held by the merchant. Ah, but what a pleasant vulture; one looking for a place to practice his purpose, no doubt.

@Doctor

Doctor listened with what might have been rapt interest, or polite attentiveness. It was hard to tell; he hardly moved, staring intently at Desert Rose, and his single eye did not shift or blink.

He only interjected now and then, and only when it seemed polite.

"Hmm--no, you are quite correct. 'Vargas,' 'Masters'--I have heard murmurs of the latter, but nothing specific, and I haven't heard of the former, I'm afraid." and, "'Gembounds,' yes, I do believe so!"

Rebels? A sense of understanding? A thrill ran through Doctor. "How exciting," he murmured, glee glinting in his eye, a little theatrical shiver running through his feathers.

But he did not truly respond until Desert Rose had finished--and then, he did so carefully. It did not even occur to him that the stranger might himself be a 'rebel,' manipulating him; no, Doctor took him wholly at face value, his mind swept up in the possibilities. "Please," he began, waddling a little closer on his taloned feet, "Do allow me to summarize, to-" and he gestured, slightly, with one wing, tilting his head politely to one side; "-to see if I understand?"

He waited a beat, polite, and then went on. "The caves were once more--structured; and you wish to return to this structure. Or rather, if I perceive you correctly, they will be returned to this structure, regardless; and one might, let us say, 'get with the times' or be swept away by them, hm? And you are being, it seems, quite generous with your rewards for cooperation?"

Doctor ruffled his feathers in a thoughtful gesture, tilting his head a little, that single, keen, dark eye piercing as it watched Desert Rose. He seemed to be almost staring through him--going still, thoughtful--and then he suddenly shook himself again, and seemed almost to smile. "You are saying I would have a chance to exercise my studies, yes? To tend to the wounded; but also to test, perhaps, more-... unlikely scenarios on such subjects as would be otherwise cast aside, regardless?" He considered. "That would certainly seem a waste. Ahh--that latter, I mean, of course. Simply throwing away lives that could be better-used for the betterment of all! I would not know, mind you, about the idleness and the destruction of a mind," Doctor went on. His tone was energetic, and even now he'd begun pacing back and forth, as if the excitement wouldn't allow him to simply stand still. "For I have my own purpose, as you see--may I ask--"

Doctor froze, staring intently again at Desert Rose, curiosity bright in that dark eye. "You had a different--culture, yes? Was your, ahh, your science, more advanced? Your medical knowledge? I seek to create a standardized bed of information! To learn the best practice for treating any illness that may come up! To know what works, what does not; to formulate a... a standard procedure for any injury! Did you have that? Did you know these things? Was it lost to you--is there anything available?"

He then blinked. "Oh, but of course, regardless of the answer, I will join with your efforts! By all means, afford me these benefits--I care only for my science. For my work! For knowledge," he added, ruffling himself up with joy. "Anything that I can possibly do--anything you can offer--to further our collective well-being in that regard would be most appreciated." But he waited, still--rapt--to see what Desert Rose might know; to learn if knowledge had, truly, been lost to the ages, or not. Ahh, the things that I might have to work with, if even a little knowledge has survived! he thought, wistful and hopeful all at once.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

DESERT ROSE THIRTY-FIVE
how quickly the hawk becomes a dove
when faced with the barrel of a gun

It'd been a long time since Desert felt he'd been listened to with such enthusiasm. Actually- no, he couldn't exactly recall a point in his life that he truly enjoyed talking with anybody his brother. Garnet, perhaps- but that was more akin to a business relationship than friendship. Perhaps he'd swept himself up in his speech- was it a speech, at this point? No matter- he did talk for some time about his explanation and offer.

At the question of repetition imposed, Desert bowed his head in agreeance, eyes never leaving Doctor's one bright one. Ah- was he blind in the other? He hadn't noticed until now- there was some shine to it he couldn't place- who would design a creature with an eye replaced like that? Then again, he was one of the newer one...

The implications would have to be considered later. For now, the dragon's ears faced forward in full interest to the vulture's words, giving him the attention provided earlier.

In truth, Desert really did not know if there was going to be any reformation, but- "I believe so, yes," he spoke. With the return of the champions after so long, didn't that mean a return to the old ways had already started? Besides, how long was so long?

He paused as Doctor did, spine straightening and wings shuffling closer. The thoughtful look didn't pass over him; it unnerved him, almost. It as if Doctor was perhaps performing some arcane magic far away to him. Some could read minds, could they not? He was more familiar with telekinesis- ah, he's getting lost in his mind again. Forcing himself out of his thoughts, Desert returned to the present to focus on Doctor.

As for studies- Desert took a step back as his companion begun to pace, eyes tracking him all the while. "There will certainly be opportunities," he managed to slip in an answer to the first two questions before the vulture moved on. There may be any number of unlikely scenarios- unless, perhaps, Doctor was speaking of practices requiring patients of the volunteering type. Desert- well, he could only be mildly thrilled at the idea of testing medical procedures. With the lack of overseers (other than Vargas, but the sentiment still stood), there was no way for him to know how others would heal from more unique injuries. Heat stroke was a major concern- lack of water for specific species also persisted in his mind, too. But, this was all for consideration when Doctor decided to join with them.

Desert could feel a lump in his throat as he was confronted by Doctor's one good eyes, both eyes locking onto the vision before him. It only passed as his intensity passed; quickly moving on to acceptance. A sigh he didn't realize he was holding hissed out through his teeth, his wings relaxing at his sides. "I would be honored to have someone like you with us. As for sciences- medicines, I'm afraid I don't know much." With a quick shake of his head, he lifted his eyes in thought. "I'm certain Orion may have had medical facilities for those granted boarding, but... As for many of us? We were usually thrown back into our chrysalises. There may be some interesting study there; otherwise, I wouldn't know too much. There's perhaps... I remember, sometimes, we would have creatures able to grasp that could sew together their wounds, but," he glanced down to his clunky paws, lifting one and flexing it. "Well, even with talons I don't think I'd be able to hold the things to do it." Perhaps with Doctor's talons- "But, uh, this is probably a discussion for another time. I'm sure the string used for it's decayed by now- if I manage to recall anything or other, though, I'll make sure to make a note of it." He gave a final, affirmative nod, tail swishing back and forth.

"Anyways." He cleared out his throat, lifting his head to look past Doctor. "As for joining- we don't officially have a group recognized by our Overseer just yet. I was hoping to gather more Gembound like you and I before approaching him, and it seems things are going well." An encouraging half-smile was thrown to Doctor- Spire, how long has he actually genuinely smiled like this? "Any case- I was hoping to send those who could travel to the den in this tunnel, but I've told Garnet my- ah, Garnet's another who woke here- I had plans to send everyone to the forum in Orion." Truthfully- wouldn't it be better to gather everyone in the den they should be in anyways? Giving a moment to think, he paused before minutely shaking his head. "It wouldn't matter if you wanted to come along, but either of those places- Do you know what I'm talking about when I mean the forum?- either of those would be fine to stay near until the time comes." It seemed like Doctor would have the patience for either. "Which shouldn't be long- I'd think, at the very least. At the longest it'd be by the end of this cycle when we have everyone together." Hm- he should have told Garnet that time-frame. Ah, well.

@Doctor

Doctor thought about all of this, for a moment. He could see no downsides to any of it. A group, alone, was a good thing: other minds to bounce ideas off of, a scientific community (or so he imagined) to share in his experiments and results with enthusiasm, others for socializing, shared protection, and so forth. All very efficient; all very pleasant. (Doctor had very little experience with unpleasant Gembounds. To him, others would all be like himself: getting along in a vast commune of Progression™!) And aside from just a social group, it seemed that he'd be afforded opportunities to pursue his passion, and not restricted in any way.

There was no drawback, no; and he said as much.

"It sounds excellent, my friend. I will gladly wait here; when you eventually do gather to work, where will it be, properly? Here-? Or in Orion? I do know the forum, yes," he added; he knew most of the caves and the tunnels, by now (though this one had been new to him).

There wasn't much else to say; but his body, his voice, all brimmed with excitement. Truly, here was a new chapter in his life; and certainly, Desert Rose and his allies would become good colleagues to the Doctor.

He couldn't wait.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

DESERT ROSE THIRTY-FIVE
how quickly the hawk becomes a dove
when faced with the barrel of a gun

Desert would have waited patiently for the answer, but it definitely seemed that Doctor was on board with this full-heartedly. He admired the enthusiasm; he hadn't expected it of the newer creatures (especially since that interaction in the trial) and he certainly didn't expect to acquire an ally with medicinal interest. It gave him the rare spark of hope in his mind that this plan would actually work. No; it had to, otherwise what would the masters think?

Closing his eyes briefly and forcing his body to stay still, Desert took in the confirmation with a light heart and clear concious. As for central locations- "Here, I expect. Where it's closest to Hydra; you're free to make a permanent place there if you'd like." A nod was offered towards the winding tunnel behind them. "The entrance has a few gemstones collected, so it shouldn't be too hard to miss." He couldn't stop the tip of his tail flicking in a minute wag, dust and dirt collecting on the stray hairs near the tip.

"Is there anything else I can do for you? There's a trough for water I was working on, but right now the priority's gathering up anybody willing to listen, for now." The last addition was a quick one; he hadn't devised up any true water system, but it was worth the mention if the Doctor needed something to do if he didn't end up coming along. Or- Desert could finish up his work he'd started. That'd come later.

Otherwise, he was about ready to head out, and it showed in his body language. His head reared up straight, eyes glancing out towards where he knew Canis's other tunnel was, wings spreading out to his sides; while he didn't want to end the conversation here (he could probably talk forever with them), there was a duty to get to.

@Doctor

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