Time, eh? It was said that time healed all wounds, but apparently, in this case, it did nothing but erase history and destroy the order that had worked well enough before. Time had healed the world, sure, but apparently it had healed wrong. Like a broken bone that hadn't been treated. And how do you fix a bone that'd healed wrong? Break it again.

The comment about the Spire surprised Palefur, however. She had disliked the Spire when she'd first walked past it with Jay, but she had no idea that it wasn't the same one that had been there before. "Even more reason, then, to bring about the old world. The Spire now is chaos incarnate. It's most likely the reason the caves have fallen into disarray."

She nodded through Hemlocke's explanation, ears twitching every so often as she thought of the ways she could contribute. "I could...speak, perhaps. As you pointed out, I'm of the younger generation. And, as I mentioned to the Overseer, I'm good with words. I'll help spread the word in a way that they would understand."

@Hemlocke

It was odd, finding a Younger so completely fascinated with the ideas of hierarchy and order - many of them were fanatical about their anarchic desires, wanting nothing but the freedom their own four paws (usually) lent them. Palefur, it believed, hadn't even been around at the time of the Champions' reemergence and the Merchant's trial. There was no way she could have been conditioned to think so. Hemlocke took it as some of these strange creatures having the common sense to know when they should serve, where they should lie in the world. To follow whatever purpose was given to them, even if it was anticlimactically titled (see: Cat of the Overseer.)

"Perhaps," it hummed, "but I'm not certain. The Masters may know, but it isn't our place to ask." The last bit was tacked on, like a warning. Advice to know one's position. "Speaking might be the best way to bring your generation into the fold. Feel free to invite them to Tunnel P - once we're established properly - so that they may be tested, trialed, so on. But, of course, whatever duties the Overseer - and any Master - assigns you come first."

@Palefur

A single twitch from one of Palefur's ear was enough sign that she'd caught the warning. Do not pry, do not try to ask for more then what you are given, especially when it came to information. That was fine, she was not concerned with the workings of the Spire or what Spire came before. She was only concerned with the world these old gembounds spoke of, a world she wanted to help bring back.

Palefur nodded, respectfully. "Of course. I am simply without any particular duties at the moment. The Overseer was thinking of a use for me, which I will wait patiently for. In the meantime, I'll do whatever your group needs of me at the moment." And if that meant creating cat hybrids, well, she was not opposed. In fact, she was curious as to what the Overseer might do with these new creatures.

@Hemlocke

Palefur was receptive, that much was certain. Hemlocke only hoped that she wouldn't listen to any false-Masters or Overseers, if any being out there dared to claim as such. It stood atop the boulder, paws preening at some invisible speck of dust on it. Ears flicking to and fro - mostly towards Tunnel P, it nodded.

"If there's nothing else, I best be going -" it chirped, for idle paws led to darker thoughts it did not want to have at this time.

@Palefur

A clear dismissal that Palefur wasn't too willing to follow, but still, she gave Hemlocke one more respectful node before padding past it, towards Tunnel P. She had nothing better to do now, so she might as well check out the place that would most likely be her new home, if she ended up joining their ranks.

She hoped that the Overseer would come to her with a purpose soon.

*exit

@Hemlocke

No more questions. Good.

Hemlocke unfurled its wings before Palefur started towards Tunnel P, and ascended with a few flaps. The broad span and light weight made for rather easy liftoff. While it wasn't suited for quick flight, the champion could still put on quite a burst of speed. It soared overhead of the cat, pressing quickly to a wind-carved, sandy pathway.

;exit hem