ORIGIN - learning to run all over again

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The thundering advice of Master Vargas made Khavur leap in his own skin a bit. How did someone say "DRINK WATER" with that tone of voice? After the startle passed over, Khavur almost felt like laughing again. It was a terrible idea to laugh at something Master Vargas did, however, so it would just keep that humor to itself. "Yes, Master Vargas," it-- um, the Reaver would call back, accompanying the response with an affirmative nod in the Master's direction.

Fortunately his request didn't seem too great for Maximus. They agreed and Khavur grinned... twice! Once bemusedly, and simultaneously -- with another set of teeth -- deviously. When Maximus sprang into action, Khavur sprang right after them. Pegasus was big enough to sustain their monstrous force. They could go as wild as they wanted here.

Marveling at just how much Maximus was capable of now was slowing Khavur down, but honestly, how could he not? Look at that lamb! Loping like the healthiest deer in the herd. There was an undeniable and elegant force to it. Were Khavur less motivated by... by love for his little sibling, he might have let himself be jealous of the grace, since it made his own racing look clunky by comparison. But love was what saved them, and thus Khavur would live, tucking in his wings, lowering his head, and speeding towards Maximus with the power Master Vargas gave him.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

They held a bond, that much, at least, was clear. The whispers, the murmurs, the laughter, the joyous play. He took note with a sort of vague, sour disapproval, but then shifted his gaze--and attention--back to the fields.

The two were healthy, at least: moving fast, strong, and play--all else aside--was good practice.

Still, their behavior solidified an idea he'd been forming in his mind. A concept, really, a guess. It was a simple enough assessment: the fondness he saw them sharing the last few times they'd interacted, and now, held something far beyond what he'd created in them.

Was it the effect of the new Spire? Of its magic?

Did another Fate have its hand dipped into this nest's doings?

Hmm.
He pondered this, then rolled his shoulders and went back to simply watching.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two looked behind them to see the outline of Khavur, seeing the color of them and nearly slowing down to stare again, but looked forward, tried to figure out where their feet were going to go, where to step, before misjudging a stride and tumbling down a hill with a bleat.

They rolled to the bottom and shook their head, struggling to their feet.

"Oops," they said blandly, and decided to try something else.

Wings spread from their back, golden and massive, with pieces of shining armor across their head and legs. They grinned and took to the air, flapping leisurely to hover. They smiled down at Khavur, waiting for their sibling to process what had happened, and laughing.

"Catch me!", they cried, and flew off, grinning.

@Khavur

AH--! Maximus wasn't watching where they were going!!! What had held them up -- why had they slowed? And now they were tumbling-- AAAAAH!!! Khavur rushed to the "edge" of where they had tumbled down and halted, looking over, worry overwriting every other expression he wished to display. "M-- Ch-" The tone of that simplistic oops assured him of their safety, and as such, he bit off the rest of his exclamation and swallowed it fast.

That's when he got to watch them sprout wings -- actual wings, and plates of armor like his own. A silent, soft gasp escaped him as it sprawled into being. "Magic...?" The awe was... awe-bvious, hehe. They were flying, like Khavur could do! The challenge made the Reaver beam. He backed up, started with a sprint, spread his wings and leapt into the air. He was almost surprised to see his own flight function worked after all this time. Carried through the air like a creature of myth, Khavur maneuvered towards his little sibling. They had chosen the wrong fight, or flight, in this case, for you see... Khavur's wings were built for the chase.

If Maximus' domain was to be the land, then perhaps the Reaver's should be the sky. Give that Master Vargasan title some meaning.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

He'd been lowering his head toward his forelimbs, considering resting it there--not sleeping, not even shutting his eyes (the Master did not require as much) but simply to half-relax, for awhile.

Then, V-Chaos-Two-... took flight.

WHAT-

Vargas's head shot up, and an instant later he was on his feet, lurching into a swift lope to follow V-Chaos-Two (and the Reaver) from the ground, wide-eyed.

He had seen the Sentinel take flight, once before, in a similar manner (with blue, instead of golden); how had this spawn, too, learned that trick-? Was it some gift of Draco? Something he, himself, had accidentally imparted..?

"V-CHAOS TWO?" he bellowed after them, astonished. He had to shout, loudly, to cover the rapidly-growing distance between them. "HOW ARE YOU FLYING?! WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS MAGIC?" His surprise was clear in his tone.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two very suddenly had the thought that they'd done something very, very bad. They froze mid-air and remembered the Leviathan's great hands grabbing Vedette by the wings, wrenching them to prevent her from flying away despite them not being capable of it. To prove a point.

And they dropped, wings snapping shut and disappearing with the armor, leaving them falling down to the ground rather suddenly. For a moment, they didn't even seem to notice, before they hit the ground and wheezed, the wind knocked out of them.

Despite that, they backed away from Vargas, ears pinned, quills raised, tail tucked down low and eyes averted, trying to act submissive, as if that would prevent the anger that was sure to follow.

"The hunt, Master Vargas," they breathed, "I-it passed through Pegasus weeks ago, when the leaves turned different colors. Those of us who participated received magic depending on what we did, different kinds of wings. I-I received these ones."

They prayed to anything merciful enough to hear them that they wouldn't be punished too badly.

@Khavur

Master Vargas' surprise in turn came as a surprise to the Reaver, and to his sibling. Khavur quickly landed behind Maximus-- V-Chaos-Two, standing beside them. Watching them fall was scary, especially since there wasn't enough time to dive in and save them, but they seemed to be alright every time. If Master Vargas lashed out, Khavur didn't know if it would leap to the defense or not-- no, that was a lie, it- he- uh, would leap in an instant. But Khavur didn't know why Master Vargas would be mad. Surprised made sense, Khavur was too (so it was magic). The Reaver hadn't seen him with Vedette, didn't know what there was to fear.

And yet, Maxi-- Chaos-Two seemed afraid. Maybe Khavur was reading it wrong? Why else fall from the sky upon being bellowed at though? And now they were trying to make themself look smaller and docile -- yes, they had to be afraid. 'Of what?' Khavur trusted Chaos-Two to know more about Master Vargas' rules than it did, since it had missed out on so much of being in the midst of the Chaos Forge. Chaos-Two started explaining, Khavur remaining in silence to listen, looming somewhat defensively over the lamb as a shepherd might. The beast kept one head on either end of the conversation, watching especially for what Master Vargas would do.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

V-Chaos-Two hit the ground hard, and the impact and subsequent cringing was impossible not to notice. Vargas was taken aback, and after it had spoken, he considered. Was it afraid because it had left Draco when it hadn't been allowed to-? He wasn't sure exactly when this had been, so he was a little puzzled. The "hunt," too, was of interest; he hadn't heard of this.

There was still no threat in him, only curiosity, as he lowered himself to his haunches. "You seem frightened that I will harm you in some way, though I don't recall having ever done so before," he remarked, a mere observation. For now. "Was this a misstep of some kind? Were you out without guardianship when you were not meant to be?" His tone held no judgment, as yet; it was as one would speak to an equal, neutral and seeking information. Other than that, he glanced briefly at Khavur--silent, waiting--and then back to Chaos-Two. "Tell me more about this Hunt! The Sentinel gained similar wings, but did not mention any hunt. Who was hunting, and hunting what? -Did they catch it?" he added, hopefully.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two remained on guard, eyeing Vargas warily, head down.

"... V- Agate. Agate-One, sir," they said, "Her wing, you wrenched it despite her not being able to fly yet. I thought that your yelling and running meant I was in trouble too. Apologies for not telling you sooner, it slipped my mind."

They swallowed and shifted nervously, glad to have Khavur hovering close by.

"The Three Kings, they called themselves. It was they who organized it. Spectral hunters riding steeds of shadows chased after a prey of mist. Sometimes it was a rabbit, others a fox, and their hounds chased too. There were those who chose to aid the hunters, and those who aided the prey. But with the help of some kinder gembound, the quarry escaped and the hunters left the caves empty-handed. They ran across the caves, through Pegasus to the swamp cave and all the way to the cave with the stars. I struggled to keep up, but it seemed my determination granted me the wings too," they said, "It was... fun, Master Vargas. A challenge for everyone involved, and an exciting one."

@Khavur

Khavur did nothing more than watch over and listen, a sentry. It hadn't known about V-Agate-One... couldn't even provide a face for the designation. Master Vargas had done that... well no wonder Chaos-Two had been afraid. There had to be a reason, as there always was with Master Vargas, but the Reaver wasn't expecting a good one. And then there was the Hunt, which Khavur had no recollection of attending. Perhaps it had happened after its chrysalization... or perhaps its chrysalization had muddled its memories. The hope was for the former.

The Hunt, a challenge of the chase that granted wings? Khavur privately admired its sibling for participating, especially before its mutation. The Reaver could only imagine the struggle. How could Master Vargas be mad at that kind of determination? It seemed that Chaos-Two should be safe, but that didn't mean Khavur was going to relax now.

@Vargas

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