ORIGIN

With the new quadrants open, he was comfortable spending time in the alcove at the top of the waterfall, letting the chill of the water massage him in a comforting way that was just as relaxing as being engulfed in its depths; fresh air versus the hug of a womb. Both good.

When his name reached him, beyond the roar of falling water and the distant echoes of other things, he shuffled gently to eclipse some of the crescent-shaped hole in the ceiling, water rushing against his scaled legs. Ah, this one. It had been a regular to his lagoon for some time. He grew accustomed to those who visited frequently; they each disturbed the water in unique ways, from the tread of their legs to the depths they could or could not reach.

Tenzin spread his wings to descend, a gentle beat or two to reach the edge of the lagoon with the grace and softness of light, falling snow. His attention focused on her and he tilted his head, asking, "Yes?"

"Hello Sora," he greeted, and listened as she explained with a low and rough voice where she had come from—and narrowed her eyes at him, with some kind of accusatory statement that she was giving him the benefit of the doubt. He waited to respond, and then nodded knowingly.

Tenzin did not bother himself with Hydra, or any of the things that went on in there—as much as he did not like it, it was a mercy on them if they died there, instead of having to serve elsewhere in likely worse conditions. And they got to die a real death, a permanent death...

"You're referring to what we call the Hive," he explained after a moment of thought. "It is in part, a direct counter to the magic you are born with, and the magic that Astraea and I possess. So to us, it might feel like an invasive pain, or an infection. Your magic is weaker and more susceptible to being... ah, infiltrated, though. I think he may have just been trying to protect you all, but, I find myself wanting to be neutral to such parties. If you liked the Hive's influence and inclusion, it is not necessarily bad."

Echoes of the pain Dhracia inflicted on him raked across his skin like searing claws; he winced instinctively, to know that if She had heard him speaking in such a manner, he may be evicted from the nest altogether. He'd lose this life he fought for and be mixed back into the primordial space-dust from whence they all came. Well, maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Again, a mercy not everyone was afforded.

He shook out his newly grown feathers and gestured with his beak toward her. "Would you return to the Hive, if you could?" Its presence in Ursa was unmistakable, but he had not reported it.

As he listened, he nodded, noting certain points where she struggled or stuttered. When she seemed to be finished speaking, he nodded again.

"To clarify, so that it is not misunderstood, it is the antithesis to your magic that birthed you. The Hive is just another form of magic, but it is still magic." Magic was not exactly the right word for any of it, but the closest they had and the easiest understood. "But yes, unfortunately, it is a hivemind and therefore controlling, but not all aspects of your life are taken from you. You still retain your own being, it just... if the hivemind chooses to do something, you all do it together. In a way, it is like acting with your family, but there is not a choice involved. However, you will not notice this; you will just be compelled to do so. After a time, you will forget it is controlling you, and you will find it a very accepting and connected magic."

Tenzin was not for or against Dontacael, but if he had to choose for any of them between the Creator's magic and the Hive's, they may prefer the Hive. Both were controlling. There was no true freedom from either. Except, perhaps, being purged by the Spire and accepting a non-elemental, neutral body. But Tenzin would not recommend that himself.

He shifted on his feet, rustled his wings, and thought some more.

"I think you may still be able to find a family again, even if you do not wish to join the Hive. There are certainly like-minded gembounds within the cave, you just need to find the ones that you get along with. You said you have been pushed around for so long, but at least know that will not happen with the Hive. Not in the sense that it will bother you. Again, it is a hivemind, so you will not know the difference."

Was that a good selling point for someone who didn't like being controlled? Probably not. But forgetting certain parts can sometimes be better. The hivemind looked after its own, much like a family does. While its goal is to spread and conquer, it has companionship, unlike the chaotic frenzy that valkhounds are born into.

He blinked and tilted his head. Did she misunderstand him again? His body shuffled to lower itself, chest resting against the cool ground so that he could view her as eye-to-eye as possible.

"You don't forget the things you already know," he said softly. At least, that his was his understanding. Admittedly, he didn't know everything about the Hive, but from what he had seen, it seemed like they remembered everything just... joined a hivemind. "Hibernating is an option. You do not forget things if you hibernate."

There were many things he wanted to say for her pain and suffering—he had felt similar throughout many points in his long life.

"There are certainly others out there who would make good friends for you, and family—but you have to let them in, Sora. Inside here, where it is soft and vulnerable and painful." His head tilted, watching her carefully. "Healing and growth only start if you want them to. Nobody else can do that for you," he continued, his voice still gentle. "But they can help, if you let them. You were strong enough to make it this far. You can overcome this." A smile formed on his beak. "Whether it's with the Hive or not."

"Someone is not right because they are older than you," he pointed out quickly. "Always trust your own judgements." He didn't have much to say about her opinions though, even if he agreed with them—it was fearful to think what could happen to him if he shared his feelings about the nest out loud. It was damning enough that his link with Astraea had severed. Tenzin only nodded in sympathy. When she mentioned being a lamb for slaughter, his eyes closed slowly, a pained expression twisting his face for a moment before he willed himself to let it pass. When she sighed, his eyes opened again to view her.

"I will stay with you. Feel free to rest or meditate here, if my presence helps with that." A small smile formed on his beak. "And Sora? You are always welcome at the lagoon. If you need a partner in meditation or just a presence, I am always here."