Chaos-Two had returned from their journey with Khavur, wandering the caves and learning. They'd felt a gut-wrenching sort of anticipation upon their return, the sound of their staff hitting stone echoing loudly in their ears.
For they were going to have their 'test'. They had no idea what it was even going to be. Fighting, stealth, healing- they'd learned so much and it was scary to think that Vargas was going to make a test to put all of that together. They just hoped they didn't fail.
There were plenty of opportunities to try again.
Vargas turned, head lifting, and began long, sweeping strides toward the distant voice. He was in a good mood today, and hearing Chaos-Two's return sparked an almost playful humor in him.
Now, if only Orthoclase-Alpha would finally turn back up.
When he came into sight, it was quickly clear that Chaos-Two was nervous. Vargas greeted him with blunt bluster, in a good-natured sort of way.
Was it a joke? Hard to tell; his eyes glowed, so any spark of mischief was hard to make out. But there was humor in his tone, and he turned and swept around into a sitting position before Chaos-Two, regarding him with interest.
Others who had been given time to wander the caves had come back to report myriad lessons learned. Cave biomes explored, fighting styles observed, Gembound behavior and drives noted down. But Chaos-Two had only been gone perhaps a week; he didn't expect quite so much from it. Still, he hoped there was something of use, because--as he'd warned his spawn--it wouldn't have much time for travel soon.
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two blinked and held their spear close to their chest, looking awkward and a little like a child who'd broken something, or hadn't taken the chicken out of the freezer.
They bit their lip and stared at their hooves, reluctant to admit that they hadn't managed to actually make a choice. On one hand, having a name would be wonderful, but they hated to be selfish. On the other, making a child would be wonderful, but to have it raised under Vargas' militaristic ways? They'd seen what happened to Alpha and were so... scared for Khavur. Was their sibling's mind falling apart too?
But none of that would even matter if they failed. They didn't even know if they'd get a second chance.
Chaos-Two presented the stone, a cordierite, belonging to a kooru with blue fur. They were rather fond of it, if nothing else than because they'd killed and retrieved the stone all on their own. A prize, maybe? Or perhaps a way to give life back from where they'd so easily taken it.
Vargas stared, listening in silence.
From what it sounded like, Chaos-Two had indeed not learned much at all, but that was its problem and not really his. He would have preferred an actual list of caves the babysitter had learned: the biomes were important to learn about. To that end he pressed, a little.
He made no mention of the gemstone, bar the briefest glance at it; he wasn't sure what it mattered, really, though he always appreciated detail in reports.
And then on to the more pressing matter at hand:
If Vargas could grin, he would have; as it was the twist of features was, though exceedingly faint, enough to those who knew him well. He had something planned, that much was for sure--and whatever it was, it did not dampen his mood one bit.
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two looked up and nodded,
They bit their lip and looked down, knuckles white as they gripped their staff.
As opposed to them. Born mostly blind with legs that barely functioned and a gemstone that still cut their mouth. Vargas hadn't fixed that either. But then again, they'd worked harder than anyone to prove themselves, pushing until they quite literally dropped.
They weren't going to give up now.
Hi please note that the threads Chaos-Two is referring to don't exist so they literally can't answer the things Vargas wants Chaos-Two to, and if they do I'm being very vague for that reason. Unfortunately said threads have been delayed.
@Vargas
Vargas gave a soft snort of amusement at the mention of Khavur's name.
@V-Chaos-Two
Chaos-Two breathed out slowly and nodded gently. They'd considered that. Time to explore, time to think, time to... distance.
How to get their own food, water, and shelter was obvious. But maybe Vargas wanted more? Maybe Vargas wanted them to teach a child to utilize their strengths, to figure out their weaknesses before anyone else. To teach them to be a weapon or at the very least useful.
They were definitely nervous about Vargas' look. It was difficult to judge the facial expressions of one who emoted similarly to a rock, which was to say, not at all, or at least very little. But Vargas acting coy? It was a whole new experience, like being presented with some odd food and being asked to tell if it was toxic or not. Dangerous.
That Chaos-Two sensed some sort of ulterior motive behind the question was a testament to its cleverness, or at least, its empathy. But there was no trick, precisely, and Vargas made no attempt to be sinister or sly as he answered.
There was still good nature in it, it seemed--or at least, some sort of amusement.
Whether Chaos-Two would find that reassuring or foreboding, only they could say.
@V-Chaos-Two
Now Chaos-Two knew what to say.
They weren't anymore relaxed but they didn't feel like a deer being stalked. It was strange to have such a feeling despite their 'predator' sitting before them, muscles slack and simply asking questions.
Vargas listened. He was still, silent, his body language giving away nothing of his thoughts. When Chaos-Two finished, he spoke in booming tones.
Vargas began to step backward, to clear the space between Chaos-Two and the Black Spire.
@Draconua