ORIGIN

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Vargas waited patiently.

As he did, his mind was working. Gears were practically visible inside. The purpose of his creation, of his design, had demanded two things: a powerful body, and a strong intellect. Secondary to the second was a flawless memory: keeping mental track of hundreds of Trialgoers was imperative. Their gemstones. Their elements. Their designations, their strengths, their weaknesses; how many trials they'd run, what their offspring had been like.

So when his six toxic-green eyes slipped shut, Kera's words came flooding back with crystal clarity. This meant that he could answer the 'how many groups' question with ease, though the information he had was secondhand, at best. Still, Kera had been a good source of knowledge, and he knew it should be enough. Or close to, at least.

"I did not see, but my Hand has told me enough. The Bonebound are in Canis. The 'Seven' are in Orion, and are led by a small, green weasel calling itself 'Envy.' 'Rift's Lot,'" for Kera hadn't quite given him their name, "are in Eridanus, and Aquarian's creations are in Cetus. I do not know which the Masters will approach, or have approached already. Do what you will, but do not seem to side with one over the other, or it will reflect badly on us all."

This was said in a tone of warning, and its meaning, he hoped, would be clear enough: that the Champions--and the... cat--should not all aid the same group, lest it appear that Vargas and his underlings were favoring one Master over another. Doing so was a surefire way to make a very powerful being potentially very pissed off.

And he really did not want that.

He studied Doctor only briefly, half-curious, once more; and then looked to Palefur. "Find me when you are ready to discuss new cat iterations. I wish to see what a large combat-hybrid would be like--potentially my own self crossed with yours--and something small, scouting, such as Hemlocke or Desert Rose, here." He sounded distracted, though--he had other things on his mind right now, and though trials and creations had to continue onward, he was more worried about the more serious problems of the here-and-now.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

Desert resettled himself as the rest of his group spoke, listening to them while keeping his eyes on Vargas. Each mirrored his own thoughts- well, except for Doctor, who he gave a small, understanding nod to. Although the sentinels were designed to be more survival oriented, not all survival involved the work being requested of today. Perhaps, then, he could be the sentinel to stay behind and coalesce the incoming information offered. Yes; that would work, that way they wouldn't have to wait to talk in a set location.

As for gatherings, he knew of one- the Bonebound, whose king he spoke to about... half a cycle ago. Others were provided by Vargas himself. Aquarian's name stirred vague memories in him that were lost upon pressing a claw upon. Was it the 'aqua' part? Still, he had a vague idea of the locations spoken. Cetus and Eridanus were to the east, with Orion and the nearby Canis to the drier west. Both of the former were forests (he thought- he had no inkling of a hint towards Cetus's current state). The cat and Hemlocke would slot in well there among the trees, while Desert could use his previous knowledge with Aure to simply speak and learn through osmosis. He'd just have to direct conversations that way, then. With the Seven, though... He could manage, though he may need to do something about his coat. It'd stand out way too much in any place that wasn't sand filled and teeming with danger. The name posed a smaller-sized group, at least.

Hm. That was his mind made, then. "This would be easier if we had more of us," he began ever so softly, only intending for himself to hear before he shook his pelt and stood up straighter. "I've spoken with the Bonebound's leader before. I may be able to keep an eye between them and the Seven- Aure has a pattern with his food, I believe- a strong change with that could mean something. Otherwise, familiarity may help in this case." He hmmed to himself, bringing a claw to his antlered chin. "As for the Seven- if it's just seven of them, and with their closeness to Canis, I may be able to see what they've been tasked with once I'm done with the Bounebound."

After explaining his reasoning, he turned to Hemlocke and Palefur beside him. "Are you two able to scout between Cetus and Eridanus? There's more chance to hide in the trees there; I'd crash through with my scales and make a nuisance out of myself."

Okay, no, he didn't have that low of self-esteem, but it was good to make them feel like they were much more prepared for the task than he. Plus, really? Desert just didn't want to interact with anywhere wet. Turning his attention between Palefur and Doctor, now, though, Desert tightened his wings' muscles against his sides. "As for you, Doctor, would you mind receiving our reports to coalesce our information? I doubt we'll be able to meet together like this much more while we're busy with the groups. That way you don't have to leave your work, and we don't have to scramble around to find one another." That seemed reasonable; Doctor wasn't willing to scout, but he could still be put to use if he desired. That gave Vargas his own leisure to do what he needed in this endeavor.

"And for cat breeding. I wager we can cross that bridge when we get to it." They had much more important things at stake, here, than offspring. Yes, felines would have desirable genes, but that didn't deserve a division of worry for at the moment.

With his plans laid out, he watched between the rest of them for inputs.

@Hemlocke

Doctor blinked at the question. (Again, was it a blink-?)

"Oh, yes, of course! Of course I can. I shan't leave for more than a few minutes at a time, then, to hunt or what have you; I will gladly nest here, unless of course it grows too hot, then I may need to spend a little time in Canis. And of course I will need to go and get water--ah, but that counts under 'what have you,' I suppose," and here, he laughed.

Nervously.

In fact, he was rattling on and on because, quite frankly, he was growing a little more nervous about all of this. And yet... more eager, too. He was getting the impression that this group was a little more militaristic than he'd expected, and for the first time was worrying about what that might mean for him, aside from the obvious opportunities he hoped to be presented.

Yet, wasn't that a good thing, too? There ought to be a system in place already, then--protection, coordination, cooperation--this could be good. He drew himself up, pulled himself together, and quickly amended his statement. "Yes, I shall be happy to. Whatever you say, of course, will remain in strictest confidence and I will be sure to transmit the reports with accuracy."

Better.

That was better.

@Hemlocke

Hemlocke had been anticipating more groups, more assemblies of Gembound than just four others: The Bonebound, the Seven, Aquarian's creations — creations? I thought that wasn't happening anymore? — and Rift's Lot. Eridanus and Cetus were accessible by the same tunnel, and Canis was just around the corner, as well as Orion. It was still strange to it that some Gembound would find comfort in the decayed rebels of the grave, but… ah, well.

The desert rose was a strong tactician and strategist, at least; he could formulate a plan catering to each of their strengths, where Hemlocke would have considered only its abilities and taken a task independently. Teamwork was not its forte but… with these Sentinels, it may have to work on that skill. Ruby-red eyes flickered over to Palefur, breeding stock and momentary assigned scout. The creature was on quiet paws, and the travel could perhaps provide more time for discussion of the Old Ways. Hemlocke would dare say it would even boost their working relationship as servants to the Overseer. While giving stone was an impersonal thing on its part, it had no clue as to Palefur's take on it.

These Youngers seemed to really enjoy the concept of familial relationships and bloodlines, taking on second names to prove their lineage. Designations did that job for them, but oh well. Hemlocke didn't understand it, regardless.

"I am willing and capable," it said simply, looking to the cat for agreement. It wouldn't mind going alone. Hemlocke then turned to its Overseer, bowing deeply, "we will not fail you, Overseer Vargas, sir."

@Palefur

Palefur listened silently, internally beating herself for spending so many cycles uselessly staring up at Orion's stars. She could have been out there, learning, gathering information, but no she'd simply been waiting for a purpose to come to her. Stupid. Lazy. She would not repeat these mistakes.

She dipped her head towards the Overseer. "Yes, Overseer." It was all she offered, but there wasn't a need to say anymore - the Desert Rose was correct; breeding was not of a top priority at the moment.

She considered the options that Desert Rose was setting before her. Yes, she would do well in Cetus or Eridanus, much better then in Orion, at the very least. She glanced over at Hemlocke, considering its camouflage and light body, formulating a few plans in her head. "Yes, I can do that," she first said to Desert Rose. "We could go together, but I think it would be more beneficial to split up and scout each cave separately - it would save us precious time. Your colors would blend in well with both caves, although I think more so in Cetus. Unfortunately, I would stick out a bit in both, less so in Eridanus, but in the swamp I could cover myself with mud to blend in. I am willing to do whatever needs to be done, but these are the options I see."

@Vargas

Vargas waved one clawed limb as Desert spoke, not dismissively, exactly, but as if about to make a point of his own while Desert was still talking. He hastened to clarify: "No, no, we needn't know what they were tasked with. You aren't spying on the MASTERS. Just see what they're up to! Make sure they're doing as they were told, but also find out about them. It's nothing more than that." He paused, then added, almost reluctantly, "You're thinking well enough, at least. But yes, we will see when we see about breeding--when I say it is time," he added, giving Desert a brief and hard stare. "As for the rest, I leave it up to you to decide." He gestured at all of them as he said this--a plural "you," then.

They seemed to have their heads on straight enough, at least, in terms of using their prior experience, natural talents, and camouflage. That was something, anyway.

"Remember, you can avoid it all entirely. I don't care. Just don't get in the Masters' ways. I will be back."

Vargas turned, sweeping out without awaiting a response--off into Canis, clattering bones aside as he went.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

exit Vargas

Desert paused at Vargas's input first, his scales tightening against his back as he'd realized what he said. "Er- yes, I see." The words choked out. He didn't overstep his boundaries, right? All at once the budding leader reduced to a emotionally shrinking lily to the creature who could decide his life then and there. He should have left conversation about breeding to Vargas only- he hadn't had the elevation of status so far yet.

Besides, he didn't even have a name.

"Very well," he added as the overseer spoke on avoidance. It was something to keep in mind, yes- but Desert? He wanted to know these caves. Wanted to understand them, to comprehend their ways, to see how they themselves interacted with masters. They hadn't overseers of their own to instruct them to do anything- would masters even lower themselves to that point?

He shook his head to clear it, turning to his small group as Vargas strode away. First thing's first- a small "thank you," with a curt half-bow was offered to Doctor. "You can leave for a while, I'd just prefer for you to stay in the area, is all. Hopefully, with the way the weather's going, things will cool off before long." He made to turn to the other pair before pausing. "Well- uh, cool off as much as it can." This was Hydra he was speaking about. That damn place would never cool. His body posture though, his speech- "And don't worry too much. It's just a small task, and I trust you well enough to do it well. It shouldn't really demand much!" A small, barely encouraging smile with all of his pointed reptilian teeth was given to Doctor before his attention was finally pulled away.

He was quick to listen to Palefur's remarks. There was a planning mind under that light fur- perhaps they were more alike than he'd expected. "That would be excellent," he spoke to her thus. Part of his mind rolled over in thought at Cetus being a swamp, but the fact was quick to be filed away under 'more things to investigate while looking for your brother' time. Which would come... Probably never. Clearing his throat, he continued while looking between the two of them. "If Cetus is... A swamp, as you say, Garnuhhh- Hemlocke would have a better time flying over it, I'd imagine. Make sure they're doing as told, find out what group is who and all, and most importantly stay safe." He couldn't risk losing members of his tiny group already.

Time to become the fun police. With that, Desert nodded to the rest of them. "I'll leave you to your own devices; if you end up completing any survey early you're more than welcome to see about other areas. Or- meet back here if you feel you've done enough." The dragon bit his tongue at saying some awkward goodbye, only turning on his heels to bound into the air and soar out behind Vargas.

@Doctor
;exit desert

Doctor listened quietly, and when at last he was addressed, he gave a down-and-up bob of his head that could be interpreted as a nod.

"I will be close," he assured Desert; "I can't leave my experiments untended for very long, regardless."

He glanced back. The two rats he'd paralyzed (with a breaking of their spines) and infected had done all right, so far, but nothing spectacular. Doctor suspected that heat was good for the bacterial growth, but a dryness was not. The wound surfaces had dried, some, but beneath was still wet. It was-...

"Ah--lost in thought," he apologized, looking back. "I eagerly await the reports."

The vulture seemed all cheer and good will, and just waddled off to his corner of the tunnel--not very far, but politely at a distance from the conversation now.

exit Doctor
@Hemlocke

Desert Rose had overstepped a little, though he received a chiding compared to a myriad of other punishments. It'd be remembered, at least.

Hemlocke hummed as the Cat didn't have a particular opinion towards either cave - which was a little annoying for a peer with little to no agency or free will (outside of whatever confines its current task had, at least.) The fox-dragon, at least, had further suggestions: Cetus would be more viable for the use of its broad wingspan. It hadn't chanced entering the room of mists, the champions' tales of a great behemoth lying in the murk (even if he was apparently a drama queen) were enough to dissuade it from entering out of casualness.

Assigned a duty to observe, though, it would be forced to do as such. "I'll go to the swamp, then - Palefur, you'd seem less out of place in Eridanus, I believe." The place was full of cats, and plenty of places to climb. Far too many trees for its own personal liking. Hemlocke enjoyed the possibility of cover, but not for such a large array of predators.

With a pleased huff, the odd alien cantered off down the sandstone hall, easily taking to the air - after yet more Gembound.

;exit hemlocke
@Palefur

Palefur glanced at Desert Rose as Vargas chided the seemingly throwaway words, without much of a care. It didn't seem to make much of a difference to her - if they were spying to make sure they were getting their tasks done, it would probably be useful to know what the tasks are. She did not, however, comment about this.

She dipped her head towards the others. "Then to Eridanus I'll go." It didn't make any difference to her at all and as the meeting began to part, she turned and trotted out of the tunnel, mentally trying to pull up what she knew of the cave.

She'd been in it once or twice, briefly, and she knew of "Rift's lot," calling themselves a kingdom or something. They didn't do anything and mostly kept to themselves, although she guessed that the oasis of vegetation that had appeared in Canis had something to do with them. Gardeners, then, would be easy. Easier, at least, then dealing with whatever the hell was going on in Cetus.

*Exit

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Vargas

Vander

Doctor

Hemlocke

Palefur

Vargas

Vander

Doctor

Hemlocke

Palefur