ORIGIN

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The desert rose found himself in Orion, albeit late to the party, apparently. Fire marks were scored across the sides of old, fallen buildings, blackened roots of vines clinging in death to their walls. Something had happened here. Something recent. Last he'd been through here, these walls were crumbled yet covered in green.

Now, the only thing left was ash and soot. It curled around Desert's wings, flew into his eyes and nose. This was unsettling. What had he missed..?

He'd made his way to the forum, blue eyes scanning the floor the whole way. He had some people to talk to- seven of them, he presumed. What he had to say ran over in his mind like a pacing being, running back and forth with different iterations, all the way down to the inflections. This had to be utterly perfect. he couldn't muss up his appearance, muss up their perception of him so early. Hemlocke and Vargas knew him- he was able to challenge the one, and the other- well. Okay, he was still conscious around him, but he knew his patterns. Not knowing who he was going to talk to gave him nervous butterflies rising up his throat.

His wingspan, as wide as ever, fluttered as he circled down to the forum. This would be a good place to meet. He could see others coming- if anybody decided to attack for his intrusion, he could easily escape before they came for him.

Digging inwardly, Desert drew up his head and roared out, his voice ringing clear and loud. "Members of the Seven!" He paused, looking around for movement. "I seek a meeting in the forum!" It wasn't much louder than his loudest was, but at least he didn't have to strain his vocal cords drawing on his magic for this.

He could've sought one out personally, but he had no clue who existed in it other than an 'Envy'. Perhaps they would make an entrance. Cautiously patient, Desert lowered himself to his hindquarters and folded his wings around him like a protective shawl, his claws interlocking.

Now to just sit and wait.

He was... fidgeting.

Zothra hadn't returned. Not from finding the Children of Rot, nor the Bonebound; and Pride was now intending to head off and find them himself. Had they killed her..? Could that be? And Raheerah--the dragon had come and gone, but left death in his wake. Pride's worries were very real.

Desert Rose's call, distant as it was, pulled him from his thoughts. He could feel Mischief trying to alert him, too, but he hushed her gently (through his mind-link with her), a reassurance that he'd heard, and pushed up from where he'd been laying.

Was it a trap? Seeking a full meeting, like this? Had Zothra been captured; was it a demand to be laid on them by Rezik's agents?

Pride moved forward, quiet, and then paused. Magicka swelled and broke from him, pouring from his gemstone, forming a second, ethereal him. Oh, it looked like him; it was as though he'd split in two, but he'd found it hard to have any impact on its surroundings. He could see through it, though, and now he did.

Delicately, other-Pride stepped forth, gleaming white, into the space within the forum. Diamonds glittered across its throat, diamond armor shining over its hide, antlers pale in the dim 'star'light. The white stag paused, looked around, and... vanished.

It didn't look like a trap, at least. He saw only one, and none waiting in the wings to ambush. Careful, Pride stepped (now himself, now the real-him) to the forum's edge, and then down into its open floor. He had no idea if others of the Seven were close enough to hear.

"I am Pride, of the Seven..?" he called out as he approached, his voice flutingly melodic and exactingly polite. On its tail end hung a question, an invitation for explanation, and he drew closer with his head held high. "I don't think we've met?"

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

Despite standing attentively, his ears were his focus rather than his eyes as he waited to hear for approaches. He'd missed the holographic impression of a deer glancing about, instead keeping his eyes trained ahead of him, of where he expected an entrance to be made.

Careful steps of hooves meeting rock alerted Desert, who's head strained not to whip around and instead tilted with a regal quality to look upon whoever had approached.

A quick glance over told him of a particular king-like quality that far outweighed whatever he was trying to make, the white coating catching his eyes easily against the dull colors of Orion. Though, Pride? Why were many of the beings in these caves named after nouns?

The irony of the desert rose having not one, but two nouns in his 'name' was not lost on him. Perhaps he could change that. If Vargas gave him permission, of course- and it wasn't like he wanted to change it. He was proud of it.

Desert's body followed his head as it stood to face Pride, his tail curling and hovering above the ground below. "We have not," Desert replied, dipping his head in respect. "My name-" The word caught in his throat for the briefest of moments- "Is Desert Rose. I've only heard about you and your partners- if only to sate my curiosity, what do you do here? He was prepared to tell Pride what he did himself- but for now, he hesitated and waited for a response, an kindness in his words that was unusual for him.

@Pride

Pride studied the stranger briefly. He had about him a strange, if faint, demeanor--nothing very telling, but the sort of appraising, almost stand-offish air that he might expect from the truly self-sufficient. Pride wasn't sure if Desert Rose was nervous, or simply attentive--he wasn't a mind reader-... Or rather, he was, wasn't he? Idly he prodded his magic out, even as he drew himself up and offered a truthful answer. He had no reason not to, and should this stranger be seeking alliances, well--that was always (with the right individuals, of course) welcome.

"We aim to protect would-be victims against would-be aggressors, and any other dangers, where we can," Pride explained. He didn't say "we are" because, honestly, there'd been no real call for the Seven to do anything, as yet. Which was good, really; peace was good. Raheerah-... well, he'd done what he could but there wasn't a lot to be done, there.

He prodded at his magic, aiming to shape it--not out of any suspicion of anything in particular, but an idle sort of motive-check. He was very guilty of prying into minds to satisfy his own curiosity, though this time, at least, nothing came of it. "Are you seeking company?" he asked, at length, pushing his failed magic aside. "Either way, I am happy to answer any questions that you might have."

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

Desert was unaware of any incoming magic. He simply dipped his head to Pride in the brief silence that followed, eyes looking over the deer. He'd wanted to know what the Seven aligned with the masters- this answer didn't help, not much, yet he wasn't all to disappointed.

Just had to work at this, then. Not all answers came free, and he couldn't risk offending the deer or Seven. Would would-be aggressors be the masters?

The question gave him pause. A brief crack in his formal facade shined through at it, his eyes squinting at nothing when he sat in consideration. "I suppose it wouldn't be bad," he chuckled for a moment, thumb claws tapping at the rock below. He had time.

Questions, though. He didn't want to interrogate the kind fellow, but he did have some more to give. "I have a few, if that's alright? I can answer some of your own, as well, if you'd prefer." After all, an equivalent exchange was often the best way to promote genial relations, as far as he knew.

This was more Desert's speed. It was a casual discussion, both parties considerate of one another without threat of danger or a higher rank looming above them. He could speak to someone he wasn't already a servant nor commander of here and now- and despite his previous mission to come here to pry into their group, he relished the freedom simply sitting in the forum gave him.

He silently hoped that Pride could give him as many questions as he could, simply to give him an excuse to stay longer.

@Pride

If Pride had humanoid features, he'd have undoubtedly perked a brow. As it was, he offered Desert Rose a rather quizzical peer. "Well, I do not mind a conversation, but as to questions I would not know what to ask. I know little of you. Perhaps you would wish to tell me of yourself, and give me a place to begin?" His words were confidently polite, with gentle humor in it, as though he were greeting Desert as an equal. "So you are aware," he added more solemnly, glancing around the charred forum, "we usually gather closer to the Throne."

Pride paced closer, and then settled himself in the blackened dirt, gingerly, as if afraid it might stain his white fur. He did not bother, for now, again trying to pry into his visitor's mind--he wasn't suspicious of him, and instead his mind turned toward hospitality. A flicker of invisible power, a moment of focus, and there was a large, plump, sweet-swelling banana between them; Pride nudged this Desert Rose's way. "A bit of refreshing food, if you wish, Desert Rose," Pride offered; he studied Desert for a moment before adding, "I suspect you may be of the carnivorous persuasion, but these are magical, if you have not encountered them prior and, I assure you, quite delicious."

The stag made himself more comfortable, adjusting long legs here and there, moving to lay the diamond armor more sleekly across his back and neck, and went on. "Please, do ask your questions; I would, I'm sure, be happy to answer them."

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

Desert hummed softly to himself in thought, laying down in mirror to Pride. They should be safe here, no? His tail curled about him to brush away dirt from in front of him and between them, idly listening while trying to make the area a bit more suitable to them. He paused when the Throne was mentioned, before continuing like nothing had happened. "Perhaps a change in scenery should be nice." His tone held amusement under it as his head tilted. "Though, as for me-" he sighed out, lost for words and claws grabbing lightly in the air. "Are you aware of the Trials that occurred this era? They woke me to take part." He softly huffed with humor off to the side. Pride was pleasant enough, and he could feel his guard lowering slightly. No need to lie, not right now. "A lot of this is new to me."

Speaking of which, his attention snapped to the banana that popped into existence, blinking rapidly with his satellite ears pushing forward. He hadn't seen anything like it before- and it'd been so long since he'd smelt anything sweet. Actually, he couldn't remember a time that he'd smelt anything like it. "Thank you," he offered sincerely with a dip of his head, taking it in careful teeth and putting it in between his folded claws.

"Desert is fine, if that's easier to say." Oh, imagine Vargas hearing him now! Telling someone to refer to him as a shorthand of his designation? Even that would earn him at least a demotion. With that said, though, he sheared his teeth into a good third of the banana, chewing it thoughtfully as Pride got comfortable. When he spoke again, the dragon's head flicked back up with a smile.

"First question," he began softly, "What is this? It's great." It was delicious- nothing he'd ever had before, that was for certain.

Putting that aside mentally, though, he craned in his head in to regard the deer. The armor hadn't off-put him- he practically admired it, now that he was looking at it. It reminded him of the bracelets he'd left back in the Warren. Had he made the- was that diamond?- armor himself? It was beautiful.

"In all seriousness, and I hate to sour the conversation by mentioning them, but how do you stand on the Masters?" He glanced to Pride's face with an intense look, not entirely meaning to look as serious as he did, before taking another bite of the banana and leaving it with nearly only the stem and a part of its flesh. Were they listed under the potential threats? In any case, however he was answered, he'd follow along with it despite his true standing on them.

Which was a bit of a fanatic following, perhaps, masking a fear of questioning. Not that he'd let it flare up here, right?

@Pride

"I am," Pride answered, in response to Desert Rose's question about the Trials; "though I do not know much detail. I know that one of our old... acquaintances returned with wings. From what little I know she escaped or was freed from captivity--a punishment for posing a threat to us--and joined the 'Trial,' and returned a cycle or so later with wings. A pity she did not use them," Pride added, with politely distant black humor, "or she might have stayed alive. We are not murderers, but she held one of us hostage, and well-... it was unwise." It wasn't a warning, or a threat, but the way he spoke so off-handedly was slightly calculated. He felt nothing about Desert Rose one way or the other, bar that he seemed quite polite, but Pride felt no compunction about making it clear that the Seven could defend themselves. "Welcome back to the caves, though, in any case. You say you were awoken; does that mean you have been resting for a long time?"

'Desert is fine...' Pride inclined his head. "Desert it is, then," he amiably agreed. "And that," he added, with an amused glance to the fruit, "is a 'banana.' It is a fruit, I think, but magical in some way. You may find yourself sparkling, but it will not last long."

He waited as Desert asked his next question, and though his expression remained the same, Pride's mind froze for a moment. He reached for his magicka again without hesitation, as if to slam the brakes on the situation to give himself a moment to think. The magic flared, and for a moment Pride could see that the dust and ash motes drifting here and there had slowed to a near-halt, glinting like crystal in Orion's dim light; Desert's breathing seemed to have stopped, and he could feel his own heart surging for its next pulse.

He had a moment, then, to think.

Why is he asking about the Masters? -To ask it is to hold a stake. For them, or in rebellion. He is feeling us out. Part of Nemean's test-? He could feel the magic already fading, but remained studious in his concentration. What to do? Rapidly, his mind flicked through several options. He could lie, but there was no reason--the Seven held no real opinion on them, no real knowledge. And lying would side them with one or the other, and there was no way of immediately knowing Desert Rose's loyalties, or motives. Even mind-reading would take a moment further of magic. If he wants to sway us one way or the other, telling the truth will get him to open up regardless.

Time snapped back into reality, but Pride was satisfied enough with the moment. It would seem as though he had hardly thought about his answer--a snap response--though of course that wasn't true.

"In truth, we know very little of them," he began. "I personally know only that they vary, apparently in their motives, though I could be wrong with this. Tenzin has aided us, quite kindly, on occasion, and I have heard vague tales either way about Astraea. Nemean has made demands of us, rather recently, but after Raheerah's attack here, I do not know that she will follow through on them," he added. This thoroughly and mildly-given, he presented Desert a half-indifferent, curious face. "So, now I am curious: why do you ask?" And then he went the extra mile, opting for simple honesty; "I presume that to ask the question, you must hold stakes one way or the other?"

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

Desert's attention remained on Pride as he swallowed the last bit of banana. Sure enough, he noted he was sparkling with a soft 'huh'.

More changes were given to more trial-goers, and Desert glanced down to his recently modified claws in thought. Why was this incentive being given? Was it not a waste of powers? Hm. The example of defense wasn't lost on the champion, however, and he returned to watching the deer as he spoke. "I commend you for taking her down, then."

He hummed in thought. "I believe so. A lot has changed- we didn't have cats back then," he added in with a flavor of amusement. Why did Vargas love them so? They had cat-adjacent beings, yes, but not these current designs. However, turning the conversation back- "May I ask who threatened you?" That'd give some insight as to who the Seven had opposed, then, and who opposed them.

Pride approved of the name, and Desert committed the fruit's own to memory. Watching his arm, he was in the brief moment of smoothing them down when time paused.

He didn't notice- how could he? Magic was a fickle thing, and his mind was as frozen as his body in the moment. Instead, he only heard what Pride took precious time to think over, considering the rapid response as an example of honesty.

It was true that their motives were a mystery, yet perhaps they all simply stood on different paths on bringing back the life they used to control. So Nemean had gone to the Seven? Hm. "So that's what happened," he offered under his breath on Raheerah, concern flashing through him. Why would he attack? He didn't ask, not yet, as he had his own question to answer.

Why did he ask? He was prepared to answer, and yet he gave pause. There was still no way of telling how Pride stood on the matter. Yet, in this forum, he had a moment to think about his own answer. "I grew up under them- it seems the general consensus is against them," he began with a sigh. "I'm not sure where I stand on them." His nostrils flared in discomfort. He should be singing their praises, yet in this area of truth they laid out he wasn't sure of his own. "They have... Unbearable power. If Raheerah had attacked, there's no telling if Nemean or Astraea or any of the others wouldn't either." His ears flicked back. "I... Think I'm afraid of them."

Nice therapy session, Desert.

"I only wish to protect the others like you do." But how much could he do? He could just train them and hope they'd survive, while Pride was out here actually doing something unprompted. "I can't do much," he admitted quickly, claws interweaving with each other, "but I've taken up a group near Hydra to prepare them for what may come. I fear for this generation if they're not prepared for whatever lies ahead."

Perhaps the Seven and the Sentinels had much more in common than previously expected.

@Pride

"The one we killed-?" Pride queried, not quite certain; "She was known as Greed, or Reseda. She held no goodness in her: only cold cruelty, and greed, per her namesake. She wanted power, and cared little for whoever got in her way." Pride sighed, a little. "What Reseda failed to understand is that none of us stand alone. Our greatest strengths--if you will permit me the brief and foolish speech--lie in our bonds with others. The strongest Gembound I have encountered are always those with many allies; even the strongest individual can be taken down by a group." Pride looked around, nodding back at the charred landscape. "Raheerah is an example of that: from what I know he has been defeated before by an alliance of Gembound like you and I. I have met some of those who took part."

He shook himself, a little, drawing himself off his tangent and turning polite attention--with that solemn politeness--back to Desert Rose. He listened, and then thought, for a time, giving the stranger's words their due consideration.

"From what little I know of the Masters," Pride began, slowly, "I would not think it wise to group them under one heading. It is hard to 'like' or 'dislike' or 'approve or disapprove of' the Masters when they include such beings as both Tenzin and Raheerah," he pointed out reasonably. "Raheerah attacked this place, and demanded things of Nemean. I do not think they are allies. And Tenzin has helped us, and I have never heard of him offering anything but kindness. Astraea I have not met, but I have heard both good and bad." Pride gave a little shrug. "I presume they are individuals, like you and I, but with far greater power--no gods, and certainly not devils." He paused, thinking. "Of course, that leaves us at the whims of the stronger Masters who might choose to harm us. If you are uncertain, perhaps you ought to seek out Tenzin?" Pride suggested. He peered at the cat-like dragon before him, its sandy tones somehow holding a brightness that its tense demeanor did not share. "He is good at heart, I believe, and may be able to enlighten you as to our position here, and perhaps also offer his advice." Pride left it unsaid that gathering powerful allies was always a good thing when one might later face powerful enemies. He'd already covered that part; Desert, he knew, could put that together on his own.

Pride studied Desert for a moment longer. His admission of fear had held something in it--as if Desert himself had not expected to say it, though perhaps Pride was assuming too much. "As for fearing them--I think it would be foolish not to be wary of a creature that can take control of your body at a whim, or burn a cave near to ash. And though I do not know you well, you do not strike me as a fool." A compliment--though Pride didn't know Desert well enough to gauge him not a fool, either; the words were spoken with the intention of logical reassurance. "As for your group--may I ask your specific goals? It sounds as though you wish to train them in case the Masters turn on us?" Pride asked, canting his head slightly to one side.

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five

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