Imp listened with the requisite patience, though only just. His permanent grin was twisted upward a little more with excitement, his ridged scorpion tail sweeping to and fro behind him. Despite the fear and exhaustion of the swim down here, he just... couldn't wait to see what'd happen next.

"See" being a generous term.

Dad and Fahl had covered the most basic question; there was nothing, now, to do but wait. Nonetheless, Imp could be heard muttering cheerfully under his breath all the while: "Fuck yeah. I'm gonna kill that stupid fucking fairy."

Of all the questions they could have asked her, this one was perhaps her favorite.

Farina turned, each click of her claws as she walked a staccato crack that echoed through the room. To one blind, like Imp, it might've almost sounded like a few too many high heels, elegantly snapping away. To the others, it might've looked a little more grotesque. Whatever the case, she settled in atop her broad coral throne, turning back to face them. Fahl's eagerness she acknowledged with the slightest forward dip of her carapace: a nod, perhaps, of approval.

"Artio," she began, and her voice wavered with emotion. Anger? Love? It was something, certainly. "...is the most beautiful creature in these caves. She is pure, flowing with life and light." And did Farina sound calmer now, too-? Fiercely protective, but no longer raving and threatening. She had softened, a little. "You will know her by her grace! By the leaves and flowers she imbues with her own beauty... the life that thrives wherever she walks. Her skin is the soft bark of trees, and she is clothed in dresses made of leaves and ivy. She is queen of all she passes. And if she is harmed," Farina's voice darkened, returning to that low ferocity, "I will end you."

Ahh, true love.

Dragon listened quietly, glancing sidelong to muttering Imp and eager Fahl. He wasn't too sure about Fahl's willingness to serve the Masters--Dragon, of course, had echoed his own obedience but his was half a lie, and came with limits.

He looked out for himself and family first, but he'd do what advanced their own needs and goals. Fahl, though--had he been brainwashed, just a little? Or was he just excited? It wasn't that Dragon judged him, exactly; he just wondered. And worried, actually. I hope he knows they aren't to be trusted. It might cause him pain, in the end. Even real injury, or death.

But for now-... He took the description, and considered it.

"Thank you," was all he said: "We will find her, and we will aid her." With what, exactly, he still didn't know; but if it let them finally catch up with The Betrayer, Dragon was all for it.

Aquarian's screaming about Nemean was the first thing he'd heard upon hatching, and it'd stuck with him ever since.

@Fahl

Death—the most final of endings, and one likely everyone in this chamber agreed upon subjecting Nemean to. Imp had desired it for what seemed forever, whether in mutters or shouts of hurt and outrage. With that exact word, Farina sentenced the Betrayer to it when Fahl had been here before. And Fahl himself—out of necessity, loyalty, a smidgen of shared agony—was just as keen to put a stop to the long series of torments perpetrated by such a vile being. Only from Dragon had he never heard the sentiment expressed during their short acquaintance. As father to his teacher, however, the fires of revenge might still burn deep inside.

A common goal for all. Yet, even so, his slack-jawed grin faded as he listened to Imp's cheerful promise of a well-deserved execution, worry arisen as to how much satisfaction this combined effort might yield. Unless proven otherwise, a killing could be done but once; who was to say that the contributions to it would be equal, or that any of them would want their roles in the deed to be either?

He watched as Farina settled back in her throne, his shoulders braced against the compulsion to flinch as sharp clicks rang throughout the room, knowing that she'd made no indication that they would each have a chance to draw blood from Nemean. Vengeance for them might be obtaining the tool for the job and nothing else so that she alone could strike the finishing blow. For a Master, the possibility didn't seem unheard of. The disappointment could be real.

But for an angry soul, the crab had a way with words: elegant, doting, flattering for her subject of choice. Care resonated in every syllable and plucked a sympathetic cord, even as envy at her skilled description weighed upon his tongue. Palpable danger clung to her ending threat. Combined with what came previous, the emotion presented reached depths that could barely be fathomed. The surface was relatable, though, and it made Fahl stay the course despite misgivings.

"We'll be sure Nemean takes all the harm instead," he said, dipping his head in a last show of respect. Then, turning with awkward plodding steps, the iguana sauntered over to Imp. He leaned in to lightly butt against the other's feathered side. "The better to see with new eyes, right?"

@Imp

Imp turned, excitement roiling through him.

"New eyes, guy!" he hissed, that scorpion-tipped, feather-shrouded alligator tail lashing behind him exactly like none of the animals that had some influence in its appearance. It looked more like a cat's, enthused and energetic.

"I'm gonna get new eyes!" Almost at once he was scampering back toward the water, albeit at something of an angle due to his inability to see. He hit the edge, splashing, and turned. "C'mon--Dad, can you show me the way? Fuck I hate feeling like I'm drowning, but-... I wanna get back! I could have eyes in a MONTH!"

If Imp could only cry, he probably would've. Only joy was in him, now, so sharp that it almost hurt.

"I'm sure you will," was all Farina said. Whether it was confidence or warning was unclear, but her deafening voice trembled with intensity.

Other than that, she crouched still atop her throne and watching the Gembound in silence.

Dragon turned when Imp did, pleased with his son's level of excitement. He looked to Fahl, and--while Imp was at a bit of a distance--spoke quietly.

"Thank you for being a friend to my child. He is..." He hesitated, seeking a word that wouldn't make it sound like he was insulting his own son. "...Challenging, sometimes. But it is clear you have done much for him! If you ever wish to join us in Cetus, or if you need food, or a safe place to stay--you are welcome with the Children."

It was solemn, yet pleased, and the alligator paused a moment before speaking again. "Are you ready to go back?" Imp hadn't bothered to ask; the hybrid was too full of childish excitement. But Dragon didn't know how strained Fahl might be, or if the lizard needed time to rest.

He glanced after Imp, and called out. "Yes, I will show you--maybe wait to see if your friend needs a moment, first." It was a gentle correction, made with amusement. Be polite, kid, it said.

We can exit here, if you like?

@Fahl

"Whoa!"

Fahl lurched sideways, nervous laughter bubbling up from his throat, to avoid the wide arc of Imp's tail. Although built far lower to the ground than the batgator, the nonzero possibility of being nicked by its tip was not one he desired to court. It'd likely dull the atmosphere of the room, just as the joy that might cause this unintentional harm had brightened the place up.

In such a hurry to get out of the way and lacking the grace to dodge well, the throw to safety became a fall, and his shoulder slid over the coral platform. If not for the texture of his scales, rough despite the damp clinging to them, he might have skidded along for a fair distance. Friction warmed his flank as he slowed to a halt. Then, with a grunt of effort, he heaved himself upright. Legs not at their strongest, this was not the insignificant moment it'd usually be. Instead it could be considered a feat, accomplished in such a short span of time.

A feat that was short-lived—his back legs collapsed. Silver, white, red flashed over him as stability vanished. He landed flat on his ass. It was in this position, head swiveled to watch Imp splashing at the water's edge, that Dragon's quiet remarks were heard. He glanced over to him at the beginning thanks.

Grasping for a response, sucking upon the gemstone embedded in his tongue, Fahl lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. His body spoke more than him: base color deepened to dark brown while gold flushed his throat and chest. But next came a swallow, followed by a self-conscious grimace. "Oh, yeah. Challenging. Very tricky. Like there was this spar..."

Regret caused his voice to fade away momentarily. Somehow he had an inkling of an idea that this wasn't what Dragon meant. But what did he mean then? The question was not pursued in favor of plowing onward to more certain territory.

"I... With the Children..." Where his heart had withered from discomfort, now it swelled to a point verging on painful. "Well, uh, sir. Pisces is my home. But I'd gladly be a distant Child if ever there were a need... or rather"—not accustomed to familial terms, alternatives were not the most forthcoming—"Cousin?"

"Only when your son gets his eyes," he at last declared. "Then I'll have done much."

Imp had always done far more for him than he had ever returned: taught him, befriended him, helped him when he needn't have bothered. This act alone would amount to a fraction of what he owed. Who knew how long it'd take to repay the rest, however more additional tasks he might pursue in service to his teacher.

"I can manage the way back." A half-truth. The promise of Imp's sight would surely spur him on past his limits, but he could not guarantee his endurance would hold. However lingering here with Farina's eyes boring into his back seemed the worse option. Trying a Master's patience lacked sense.

-Exit Fahl

@Imp

Dragon winced, Imp oblivious to the near-miss of his tail. He eyed Fahl, and gave a little sigh of exasperated sympathy.

The iguana was well-spoken, and Dragon gave him his full regard.

"You do not need to call me 'sir!'" he assured him; "Dragon will do. We are all survivors, here, none above the other. And that is fine. I am not aiming to pressure you! But know that you are welcome, for an hour, a day, or many cycles."

It was warm, this assurance. Imp was his son; Imp was also an idiot who'd had exactly one other friend (ever) and that one other friend (ever) had betrayed him. Fahl, it seemed, was a better person than that, and Dragon could appreciate a good person.

Especially one who'd gone out of his way to help family.

"Very well--we'll head back. I hope to see you soon," he added, with a nod--and dragged himself forward at a crawling walk to get to Imp.

"Imp! Come on, then. Hold tight," he instructed, sliding into the water, Imp grabbing to his tail.

exit Dragon/Imp; @Fahl (for visibility!)