ORIGIN

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The drake glanced to the others as Vargas studied them, coming to it last. Here, Gamma stood tall, strong eyes staring right back at the Overseer- but he wasn't wrong. Gamma had been rather... useless. Pestering Alpha was all it was good for, it seemed- and it really only got beat up for it in what always ended up being a slideshow of slapstick responses.

The moment it was told not to do something, however, it immediately felt the need to do it in childish defiance. It'd go right in there and implant itself into the dragon... People! But, with the steely stare Vargas gave them, it reset its mind with the seriousness he brought over them. It might not fear dragons, but the Overseer? It feared him.

It looked to Hemlocke as it was mentioned, though ears flicked up to the mention of its body. Choice to do what it wanted? Finally, a direction? It went back to peering up at the Overseer, drawing up further. It didn't cringe at news of its life-giver failing in her task, not giving itself the room to worry, instead an intense, asshole-ish determination of, 'well, too bad!' Just because it was related to her didn't mean it'd fall to the same fallacies she faced. In-fact, a bit of pride came from the fact that the opportunity to fill the gap left by her, to be something so much better than her.

It seemed both egos from its parents made a bit of a monster. In any case, it paid attention to Vargas's tasks being handed out, ears turning back over its neck. All involved talking- a skill it'd been training itself at, but still seemed to fail, delivering nothing but looks from its peers. Well, then, it'd just append that to the tasks! Messaging seemed useful in particular, involving getting people coming to it rather than hiding and being stealthy. Plus, if people found it too rowdy, it'd have an excuse to fight! Infiltration would need careful curation and gauging, well, it wasn't sure what exactly would appease the Overseer there.

But, it turned to Hemlocke as it came in front of its view, deep green eyes looking at it. A messenger- yeah! Just like it was thinking! A toothy grin came over it as it stood taller yet again, only faltering at the idea of its magic. 'But, my magic isn't strong,' it mulled. 'Not yet,' it convinced itself not a moment after, gritting its teeth with dogged determination.

To all of them, magic was suggested, and it seemed a small size would need to be supplemented by it. Well, magic could be strong, after all, and the selenite never had good luck with physical altercations. "I will train my magic," it began, giving a sideways glance to Hemlocke before returning to the figure looming over them all. The others spoke before it and it waited, looking to Delta for a moment too long. It wanted to do even more than what it was asking- but it was already daring too much to even consider doing anything without proving itself first.

It cleared its throat. "Overseer Vargas, I'd like to be a Messenger." Both of the feline descendants had come to the same conclusion, but perhaps with different paths. "Finding others, directing them back, would be useful to... To get new people to willingly give us their stones." It blinked hard in thought, eyes coming open with a furrowed brow. "We'd be stronger." Read: It'd be able to prove itself against the weaker, new designs the caves offered. Maybe it finally wouldn't be the brunt of all the slapstick it received.

Desert sat quietly, tail curled around his body as he watched the conversation. When he was mentioned, though, his mane ruffled as he sat up, eyes wide and proud. He was to infiltrate, and he gave careful note of the story established to them all.

The evaluations were given, tasks taken, and Desert turned his head to Vargas after they had all given their reports. With Delta offering for training of defense, Desert found himself rather proud of the child (no- adult, he corrected), looking over it in study for a moment too long. "In addition to those tasks, I stand by my belief that Garnet-Delta would be the best to accompany me as a Messenger for my infiltration." The other garnet would be preoccupied by its own duty and the selenite- well, the selenite he simply didn't trust.

Inhaling softly, he looked back at the garnet he'd mentioned, watching it and looking over it. "Messages can be left in a specific building in Orion, perhaps- I will be able to workshop several ideas of how to arrange meetings at a later time. For now, you do seem the most worldly- I've seen you with the orthoclase often, and you know how to react around larger beings, as well as successfully hiding in its quills with proof of your camouflaging magics." Really, that was the extent of what he'd seen, but he'd been watching the whole of them off and on for a while now to make sure his decision was sound.

He was going to stick to it this time.

@Vargas

The Overseer remained silent, through all this, attentive first to Hemlocke's assessments. He was in agreement, himself, with most--from what little he knew, at least.

He eyed Gamma, then Delta, appraising--then Epsilon with slightly narrowed eyes, thinking. Garnet-Epsilon chose "infiltrator," in alignment with Hemlocke's suggestion. Garnet-Delta--his favorite, thus far, of this brood--seemed to want to be "messenger plus." He wasn't entirely sure what it meant by going beyond, punishing those who would rebel, but he would give it the chance to explain.

"You speak of going a step farther. This step sounds much like infiltration; would you be averse, then, to training in both? You can then combine them as you see fit. If I am misunderstanding your suggestion, tell me." Eyes briefly narrowed, though it wasn't accusatory, it was interested. "If you mean in assassination, instead, then I will take you on personally in that respect," he added, pointedly. "You have shown the most potential so far. I would find this... acceptable." He didn't worry about the feelings of the others--why should he? Feelings were pointless to even consider.

He looked to Selenite-Gamma last, and offered it little more than a grunt of acknowledgement.

Time to dole out their tasks, then, properly.

"Very well, then. Here are your orders. Hemlocke will serve as your handler, for all of you. It will detail your assignments, tweak them as it best sees fit and you will report back to it weekly, at a minimum. Garnet-Epsilon, you will work with Hemlocke to choose another group to infiltrate. I care not which," he added, with a wave of one clawed hand in dismissal. "The two of you will decide how to handle sneaking reports back. You are to make a backstory, claim you have left us, and stick to that as best you can. Your duty will be to gather general information about the group's numbers, goals, and abilities. Hemlocke, you will give it two additional goals--their difficulty and substance at your discretion."

Six-eyed gaze shifted to Garnet-Delta. "Garnet-Delta. You will serve the very real purpose of gathering all reports from Hemlocke and from Desert Rose Thirty-Five, and delivering them to me in a timely manner. If you intended to say that you wish to learn to kill, I will teach you, in lessons that take place after each report. CORRECT ME," he abruptly boomed, "before we move on, if I have misunderstood your intent. Regardless, before we leave here, Desert Rose, Hemlocke and yourself will decide the best method of collecting reports in secret. Desert Rose will then immediately depart to his infiltration task. That is long overdue," Vargas added, though it seemed not to be reproach so much as a reminder, a warning, of urgency.

"Selenite-Gamma," Vargas went on, at last coming to the least-favored child, "You will work with Hemlocke toward your chosen goal. That means that Hemlocke, and yourself, will decide how to most efficiently canvass the caves to find the stones of the willing. You do not KNOW the caves, yet; Hemlocke, I believe, does. It also means avoiding areas of active infiltration--meaning, Monoceros and wherever Garnet-Delta winds up," he explained.

Vargas' gaze then moved to Hemlocke. "If any of these creations utterly fail in their task, it will reflect on you, Hemlocke. Ensure they receive the proper guidance. It is up to you to decide the details--what they can, and cannot handle, and how to best direct them. You are their handler; their training is now in your hands."

He looked them all over. He couldn't think of anything he was missing, but it was best, he knew, to ask: "Any questions?" he half-bellowed, the words ringing through the tunnel. Aka, "did I miss anything," but without, you know, the personal responsibility.

@Hemlocke @Selenite-Gamma (and Desert!) @Garnet-Delta @Garnet-Epsilon

Gamma - a messenger.

Delta - a messenger, as well.

Epsilon - an infiltrator.

All in accordance with its counsel. All in part adding to the pressure suddenly on it. Don't make me wrong, Hemlocke's bitter thoughts rang, a peculiar stiffness running up and down its spine and straightening its posture. The selenite sought rather standard message delivery skills, while... ah, its spawn suggested that it be exactly as advised: a stealthy, dangerous little thing, difficult to see and more difficult to catch even as it slung spells at those that refused to bring themselves for reproduction.

It nodded slightly in approval. A messenger being its own bodyguard, rolled into one tiny package on wings and quiet feet.

The garnet couldn't help but be a little pleased with Desert choosing its spawn over his own. No bias, it thought, nor preoccupation with his own legacy. Even with the drake being somewhat of a disappointment. Delta seemed not to be hindered by Palefur's inclusion (or, more arrogantly, was lifted by Hemlocke's own bloodline) so perhaps it was a matter of attitude whether or not it was successful.

Hm.

Delta was receiving a fair bit of attention - and Hemlocke preened a little at that. Even with that small amount of training, it showed enough promise that the Overseer offered personal training in his own craft. It best not pass that up, especially after not so much praise.

It straightened further upon hearing its name - assigned as a handler for the smaller three of the Initiates. A mental checklist was forming, a skill it'd personally honed after numerous large spiels by the Overseer; it was easier to come up with important tasks and pare down as he spoke, rather than try to remember what was said later.

It went somewhat like this:

One, equip Epsilon with the skills needed to infiltrate a group - perhaps the one in Cetus? Or the Seven... so as to not bother the Master Aquarian - assign two further goals.

Two, teach Delta messaging skills and establish a schedule for reports and collection while it isn't busy with the Overseer.

Three, work with Gamma on surveying - magic? - Gembound and checking their abilities. Keep updated on infiltration sites...

The Overseer then gave validation to its worries of - well, failure. As their handler, flunking out reflected poorly on it. This was the first of a new generation of scouts, creatures of subterfuge - the like. It wasn't optional whether or not they succeeded. If Vargas were to be seen as failing in his duties and she was to catch wind... you can do the math. Delegating was the best move - even with all this pressure.

Hemlocke tried not to let it show, merely bowing its head in response with a quick "yes, Overseer Vargas, sir."

Garnet-Epsilon

Epsilon listens to its siblings- and tilts its head as Delta asks for more on their plate. If they're gagging for failure, I won't stop them, They think, disliking the way their gut twists at the thought of losing another family member so soon. The Overseer agreeing, however, causes them to look up and up at the large, toxic purple beast, and they come to their own personal decision. I'll learn to defend myself and maim others if need be as well. It would make sense, more than giving me a Fake job anyway.

Are they a little salty that Delta is getting something actually important to do? Yes, but it makes sense to not have either of the other kids be their messenger- too easily spotted as related.

A small pang of disappointment thrums in their chest at their Selenite sibling being brushed aside, like he had been so many times physically by the largest of their hatchmates.

No questions, no comments, no concerns worth bothering the Overseer with - not now, anyway. They nod and show they've taken to heart what Vargas has been saying, their mind already spinning as they try to think of good ideas for their own training. No- one that knows Hemlock, I look too much like them. Or maybe that would be the goal, make them pity me with saying they drove me away... Many ideas, for one who hasn't often left the Tunnel they hatched in, but it's what they have right now.

And they hope to have more to give in short order.

" No questions from me, sir," still raspy, but slowly waking their voice from it's un-used slumber, ears flickering in mild pain at the Overseer's sheer volume.

@Garnet-Delta

Patiently, Delta listened, ears craning forward as the Overseer spoke to it first. Yes, it wanted more. It wanted to be more than merely worthy. It didn't want to settle for good enough.

It wanted to be more than just a paltry Champion, offspring of a dead cat. It wanted to rise above the expectations set for it. Already, it was off to a good start, it nodded in response to the notion of training for both. It would train in all three, if it would not stretch it too thin-- it needed focus. It did not need to act desperate.

The word assassination made its fur prickle, raising its chin proudly as the pride washed over it. Its magic pulled, trying to sense what the Overseer wanted. Something about the sensation it received grounded it. Calm. It did not need to preen and gloat. This was the obvious choice; it had earned this.

... Or, maybe it hadn't quite earned it yet, but it would. As far as it could tell, it had risen to the top of the totem pole. Ruby eyes remained fixed sharply on the Overseer as it went on, not wanting to interrupt.

Briefly, Vargas addressed them as a group, putting its Gem-giver in charge of handling them. As Vargas gave it more specific instructions, it soaked in every word. Gathering reports from the higher ups, delivering them to Vargas personally. Everything about the order showed that it was being given a very serious opportunity.

Finally, the opportunity to speak came, and Delta glanced toward its hatchmates, and back up to Vargas. A jitter ran through its veins, heart pounding in its chest. It did not want to say the wrong thing. "I want to learn," it spoke clearly. "It would be an honor to be taught by you, Overseer." It tried not to waiver in its voice.

Vargas gave one short, sharp nod.

Meeting over, then.

"Come find me when the lesson plans, such as they are, are complete, Hemlocke. Garnet-Delta, find me when you're instructed to by your handler, and I'll give you the first of your lessons."

He cast a brief eye over them all. Grunted.

And turned to stride away.

exit Vargas
note: hawkweed is away for awhile, finishing off this thread!

@Garnet-Delta @Hemlocke @Garnet-Episilon

Hemlocke bowed its head in acknowledgement, awaited its Overseer's exit, and turned to the rest: "I will approach each of you individually in the coming days to discuss your training and refine what tasks you wish to prepare for."

Until then, went unsaid, but it primed its wings and chirped, "keep yourself busy."

If none of its charges pressed any further, the garnet took off.

exit Hemlocke unless stopped
@Garnet-Epsilon (bc dark's tag didn't go through for some reason?)

Garnet-Epsilon

Epsilon bows to Vargas as he turns to leave, and swivels its ears to Hemlocke as the group is given further instruction.

A nod to show understanding. As the commander leaves as well, Epsilon gets to it's feet and shakes itself off- eyeing Delta before croaking, "Good luck," and walking off towards it's burrow down the tunnel. Gamma gets a soft brush of Epsilon's tail- a sort of silent goodbye, as they pass.

;Exit Epsilon

((It seems Geppie's name is being misspelled. I do it all the time lol.))

@Garnet-Delta

And so, it was given the plan of action: Impress its stone-giver, complete its lessons, and earn the next step... Practicing under the Overseer himself. It could feel the electricity in its whiskers, its ears fully erect and picking up every word with absolute clarity.

Hemlocke gave the first instruction: Keep itself busy. It would find Delta in due time. Patience. It held the mirrored crimson stare of its surviving progenitor, and again gave a nod. Hemlocke took off, and from its side, Epsilon made an unnecessary remark.

Delta's ear twitched. The remark needed no response; its success would have nothing to do with luck. Regardless of if the comment was made in good faith or not, it was beneath the Sentinel initiate to respond. Instead, it gave a passing glance toward Gamma, and then padded off in its own direction, toward the entrance to Hydra.

Of course, it wouldn't go too far.

;; delta exit

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Wolfsbane

Vander

Vargas

Hemlocke

Garnet-Epsilon

Cain

Vargas

Hemlocke

Garnet-Epsilon

Cain