When Vargas responds with one word, it's probably not as worrying as it should be. They're tempted to use their magic to look into his mind, to see how much trouble they'll be in later. It would be a stupid move and put them in even more shit, but not knowing feels dangerous. Esther decides they can't let the unknown bother them - focus on the now not the later.

They straighten up further when Vargas speaks again. Get yourself together. Esther's done a good job of it for the most part, the fight with Helion was the first and the last. Never again.

But... They can't help but wonder who exactly they're setting an example for. It's certainly not Helion, or pretty much any of the Chaos Forge in general. Acting it is easy - they've been doing it this whole time. Snuffing out the fire that waits behind their claws, lifting the weight of their own pressure by will alone.

They will find a way to make this better, to prove themselves once again.

"I will do better." What will V-Ruby-One say? The only thing they can do is wait.

Only now does the crushing weight of the pain fully settle in once again. Normally Esther can ignore it, but they're frankly, completely charred all over. "No, Master Vargas. Thank you, i'll work on healing for now."

They'll go find somewhere more clean to recover = the rocky floor of Draco probably is a bad spot. Maybe theyll go hole up in Tunnel K where they corrupted originally.

Exit if Vargas allows next post!

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas could say, or do, little in response. Just a nod of approval, a grunt, and--as if in afterthought--another "Good."

He let them go. His mind was already back on V-Ruby-One, and the disappointment that he felt. Admittedly neither of them had outright died, which was good. But he'd need to find Ruby-One's chrysalis, and see what he could do about this.

exit Vargas too, @Esther for visibility