Vargas turned, regarding Aurelia with interest.

She showed potential--there was no denying that. Her form and her demeanor, both, screamed success. And he, being who he was (judge and jury, sometimes executioner) was impartial and fair enough--in general, at least--to give credit where it was due. Certainly, he killed or harmed, when he felt it merited; but he granted praise and encouragement, too.

And Aurelia had, in the meeting, earned it.

"I am ready for you," he confirmed, turning and sweeping the few strides to close the gap between them. He lurched to a halt a few polite paces away. "You represented yourself, and the Forge, well today! Your respect, yet fearlessness, in the face of our Hand's... intervention, is to be commended." He wondered, briefly, whether Aurelia had been disturbed by Kethri's death--if she were like the soft, new creatures, quailing at blood and gore. Or if she were of an older mentality, one that saw another's death as opportunity--or even as a meal.

May as well ask, he thought. "What did you think of the meeting; of our rules, our punishments? What did you think of what Aethril did to the owl?" he asked, studying her. It wasn't an intentional test, really--there was no right or wrong answer, here. Well, none that he had planned. But it'd be a useful insight, perhaps, into Aurelia's mindset.

"I would also like to know if you are content, thus far, with the Forge and what it offers; if you hold suggestions or requests; and if you have any role in mind for yourself, as yet. It is all right if you don't," Vargas added. "I still intend to give you basic training in several roles to let you find one that suits you, but if you hold a specific interest, we will focus on that," he explained.

Each word, each twitch, each little swell of flesh or wrap of tail, ticked his estimation of Aurelia a little higher. By the time she was done, he was convinced that here was a gift, a treasure, a wonderful find that the Forge was exceptionally lucky to have. His only interruption was a short, loud, hearty laugh (a very genuine one) at Aurelia's opinion on Kethri's fate.

When she had finished, he replied, his mood bolstered and his tone reflecting this. "I approve of the way you think!" he declared, and then shook his head with amusement. "She certainly did bring it on herself! Meat, indeed." That wasn't to say he'd hated Kethri, or even would've killed her himself--he just liked Aurelia's attitude.

"As for the shackles..." Vargas leaned a little closer, his voice dropping down into conspiratorial humor. "Let us just say that they are a more direct link with the Creator's power than some of our creatures might prefer." Oh, how he'd have loved to see Chaos-Two inflicted with that particular punishment. Maybe it would strengthen it.

What a lovely thought!

"You may keep your name. Those rules apply to those within the Forge. Removing newcomers' existing names is hardly a way to inspire new recruitment. In any case, I will be sure to let you know when Master Astraea arrives with his lessons; in the meantime, I think there is one question you did not answer," he went on, but there was no hostility in it. Perhaps he'd missed it; maybe she'd given the reply as a smaller part of something else she'd said, and it simply wasn't clear.

"Did you have a role in mind? A task you wished to perform in the Forge?"

He was interested, now.

A faint nod was his response to her thanks; and to her longer response, her explanation, he listened quietly and intently.

It was good information.

Either she held multiple interests--a possibility--or no real, strong, single interest at all. He was leaning toward the former, given her phrasing and her demeanor, and he considered how that might work. We could rotate her? he thought; send her hunting with V-Chaos-One--or alone--and then time spent patrolling Draco before heading out to recruit-? But no; that seemed... inefficient. It may be better to have her pick up on any duties left by those travelling--if Khavur wants to travel, she can take up its duties until it returns, and so forth... Hm.

But this brought up another question, and Vargas considered this one, too. What, exactly, had she been trained in? He hadn't had a chance to teach her much, himself. "What would you say, then, to training with a specialist in each?" he asked. "I need to give Chaos-One-" (that was Nidhogg) "-further lessons in hunting; you could join us. The Sentinel can teach you the best ways to patrol, and guard, and Overseer Cain can teach you how to seek while remaining unseen, for recruitment. Once training is complete we can look once more at your decision; if you still wish to do all three we will find a way to make it so, and so on. Do you agree--is this suitable to you?" he asked, with the same tone of measured patience--as if he actually valued her response.

"Good!" he boomed--and he was pleased. She was lucky, in truth, but it sounded arrogant to say it. "Then go now and rest; when you are ready, seek me out for training in hunting; seek out the Sentinel for guarding, patrolling; and Overseer Cain for stealth. This will be your responsibility, but if you find that you have trouble finding them, come to me!" He paused, eyeing her over--so much potential!--and added, "If there is anything else that you require! Advice, answers, guidance. Come to me! Find me. I will likely be by the Black Spire, most days--working. This has, I think, been fruitful."

A final nod, and a gesture of one clawed hand: Aurelia was dismissed.