THIS WAS A CHIPTUNE IN ANCIENT

Vestyge paced hastily down the cobbled road and towards the entrance to Tunnel N, claws clicking loudly against the stones like high heels. He would lose himself in his work again, like he was built for. Like what was right, something that these caves had forgotten.

No competent overseer would've left Canis in that state. Where the hell had Vargas been?

But bitterness was only a few degrees better than social anxiety. He needed to reset. Vestyge needed to remember himself - but of course he'd be interrupted. Because nothing was ever easy, never for him. He was always the one drawing the short straw. Ever since he'd been born.

Ok, we're getting a little dramatic. Let's dial it back.

Umbriel had heard rumors of a recently rediscovered cave, so of course she was obligated to investigate.

Swooping from Tunnel N was a silent blur of black and white. If this was a stereotypical meet-cute then perhaps they would've collided. However, only one of the two present could be considered anything near cute, and Umbriel was FAR too elegant to do something so clumsy and uncouth. Instead, she quickly veered to the side, her wings just barely brushing against Vestyge as she avoided collision and landed nearby.

She took a moment to gather herself, smoothing down her feathers as she looked down upon Vestyge. She was able to clock him as a valkhound by ugliness of his mug alone, but he didn't recognize him from Vargas's lot. Interesting.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't expecting to run into anyone here. From what I've heard this place was abandoned until recently." She'd hum, "Do you live here? Or are you simply investigating it's reopening?" She'd watch him expectantly as she waited for a response, tail swaying idly.

If Vestyge knew what, who or why was Jesus Christ, he might've referred to him in shock as he was dive-bombed by a MASSIVE bird. His vision flashed black and white for a moment, and he paused to blink the contrast out of his eyes before it was burned in.

He stared down at the bird, only barely able to manage the task. The size and the Oilstone sitting proudly at her breast told him all he needed to know - she was one of those ones.

Umbriel wouldn't be able to see Vestyge's distaste on his face. "You are ill-informed, then. Or late. I am here to investigate."

"Tell me, do the Masters still create us with a purpose in mind?" All those pristine feathers... He wondered if she'd ever dirtied them.

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Even if she couldn't see it on his face, it leaked into his tone much like his rancid breath. "Ah, well, that's why I came here to investigate myself."

The valkhound's next words peaked her interest. Perhaps the reason why she didn't recognize him wasn't because he was new, but rather because he was ancient. It certainly peaked her interest.

He had asked for her purpose, and she was more than happy to oblige. "I am Umbriel, The eyes and ears of Valkhand Aethril herself." She declared, with no small amount of pride. "Who might you be?" Whatever his own purpose might be, she doubted it'd be anything nearly as prestigious.

The rusty cogs in Vestyge's head churned in recognition. A Valkhand. The kind of creature you avoided if you wanted to live a good, long life. This was a helpful indicator regarding the intelligence of the creation before him.

"Umbriel. I am Vestyge. The name will be unfamiliar." Just in case she was expecting a celebrity.

"I was active in Canis during The Rebellion." He wondered if she could even imagine the smell of it - the corpses upon corpses - but it was all still on his breath. "I was sent to chrysalis in an ambush. I've been sleeping ever since."

It felt worse to say out loud. What an embarrassment.