"Yes, come then," came the more distant call.

Vargas was checking over the oily chrysalis--it had grown, and was nearing its hatching size. Large. Another week--maybe two--and it would be ready.

He waited until Tahi-shei was nearer to speak again. "Give your report, then," was all he said, for now--attention, and the direction he was facing, wholly on the chrysalis.

Vargas turned to hear the report, and found himself surprised. He stood patient, waiting for every word, and only then did he speak. "You surprise me, Tahi-shei!" he boomed, "-pleasantly so. I would not have thought to blame you for your choice, but taking responsibility is always important. No; I do not blame you at all. You did well. Aethereal would have been a powerful tool in Dontacael's hands. As for your threats, I doubt he's bothering to listen at all." The Creator heard them, at times, he was sure; but this was his nest. "I imagine 'Mother' is a tool left here simply to be a thorn in our sides, but we'll see. It's a dangerous assumption to make, if it turns out to be more than that." He shook his head, a little. "It has given us time to fortify a base, in any case. The horse had said that your chrysalis was protected. I assume Aethereal aided in that-? When will you be ready to assault, then?"

A nod, and again it was of approval, or at least permission. "Good: at least you are aware that you need rest after... rest. A strange contradiction, but it seems to be a truth." The mention of a contingency plan took him somewhat by surprise--given that Vargas had his own. He hadn't thought that any of the Gembounds would have bothered to think of such a thing. "What is your contingency plan?" he asked bluntly. He saw no reason it ought to be kept secret, particularly with their plans intersecting as they were.

As for James--"Yes. I told him that if Aethereal returned to the Hive, it was on his head. They seemed eager to leave together, and I have no intention of letting her roam, under his eye, without such a warning." His voice was imperious, his eyes unblinking: this was a warning; his decision was final. As yet it was no threat, nor hostility--the deer had asked a question, and he was granting that an honest answer. But it was clear from his tone that it brooked no argument.

He listened, and was equal measures impressed and disappointed. Somehow he'd thought that Tahi-shei had a CONTINGENCY plan, like he himself had prepared. But he should have realized that the deer wouldn't have planned something... quite so drastic, or destructive. No; his own plan regarded only himself, but the note on smashing himself back into a chrysalis was a good one. "Good; either of those will do. I imagine they would kill you. If you went missing in the assault, and simply turned up unharmed later, undoubtedly there would be suspicions even without a link--but it is a good idea, regardless, to have it as a safeguard." As for the destruction of self, the success of that would very much depended on where the chrysalis landed--but they'd have to take that as it came.

He was silent for a moment, studying Tahi-shei. "Do not mistake my tone now for complacency. I meant my words to the horse. However, if all goes well in Ursa, you may return to me--if you wish--for an... elaboration on my motivations regarding this threat. If you care to." His tone was measured indifference: he was offering a little reassurance, a note that he had some unspoken reason for his threat to James. But what it was he didn't say; nor why he wouldn't speak it now. Whether Tahi-shei asked him or not mattered little to him, but his usefulness had apparently warranted at least this offer; and the measure of his voice, as if to an almost-equal, suggested that it wouldn't have been an offer afforded to very many.

Vargas dipped his head sideways in acknowledgment. "That is not my intention, but I am aware. Was there anything else?" His question was not a dismissive one, but businesslike, and after asking, he waited for a beat.

It wasn't clear how he'd have known about the pair--either an assumption on body language, or a spy, or maybe he hadn't known at all. He wasn't mentioning the 'how,' in any case, only watching Tahi-shei patiently.

He simply had little more to say, or perhaps he did, and was waiting to see if the deer did, first.