Alpha watched as Elyon both told the Overseer "no, thanks" and left of her own accord, looking almost bewildered. Just like that, she'd leave. A mild prickle of annoyance (why is that?) twitched through its quills, though its head snapped back up when addressed.

"I should keep my opponent from getting up by restraining its arms and using my weight," it reported dryly, then added with a mild note, "and that fights last too long if I don't." It was starting to wear out some towards the end, what with all the grappling and twisting. Elyon was lighter and had the endurance and agility to outlast it, if she'd thought to.

The orthoclase's gaze trailed towards that metal plate, a distant ringing starting to sound in its head again. Alpha shifted in place, plopping down onto its rear and turning its attention back onto Vargas. "My opponent might use things as weapons against me. I shouldn't let that happen."

@Vargas

Were Vargas a different being, he might have bellowed on and on about how Orthoclase was turning down the Overseer's grand offer, etcetera etcetera. But as it was, he was himself and he did not care--it didn't affect him. If he wanted her aid later, he'd come back and demand it. As it was, she'd done what he asked--and well--and he just dipped his head at her and shifted his attention to his creation.

Vargas grunted in acknowledgement of Alpha's words, and then launched into a commentary of his own.

"A true fight will always, despite skill, hold some element of luck! A lucky strike; an unlucky trip. Finish it quickly, decisively. On your terms. And then luck won't be a factor--as well it shouldn't!--and neither will be your own exhaustion," he added dryly. "So that is a good lesson learned, as you say: do not let the fight drag on. Your weight will be an advantage, yes--in most fights. Use it. You will not always have the option to 'not let' your opponent use weapons. If they start with one you cannot take it away from them. Weapons are a powerful thing, and it would be wise to learn them--perhaps from her!--so that you can learn how to counter them. You have six limbs. If you find a way to lean back, to wield them, it may do you good, but swift movement and fierce weight is also good. Your weapons are here," Vargas added, lifting a hand to display his own six claws, "and here." He reached out to lightly flick one thumb against Alpha's teeth, or jaw, at least.

"But weapons add momentum! Length, to the swing. Has your balanced changed, at all, as you've grown? Do you think you can stand as she does?" and he nodded off toward the departing Orthoclase.

@Orthoclase-Alpha

Finish your fights before they finish you, had been something it already toyed with before, but this was further proof to not mess around with elaborate movements. Brute force and sheer power would lend it victory, but so would - "venom-making magic helps, too," it observed quietly as far as ending fights quickly. That was, though, in the cases where it worked as intended and didn't waste valuable time that could've been spent putting its teeth to someone's throat.

The orthoclase thought, though, about the notion of returning here. She had more weapons than just scrap metal? (Nevermind the whole bit of helping out a blacksmith.) It didn't move as Vargas flicked its teeth, though it worked its jaws once against the strange feeling it provided. "May I come back to spar with her again - with weapons?" Requesting felt foreign.

"Do you think you can stand as she does?"

Alpha shook its head without missing a beat, immediately twisting as best as it could to indicate towards the plates on its back. It rolled a middle shoulder - not the one that'd been punched - and shook its head again. "I've tried," it admitted, "carapace is in the way, even if I do hold myself up." The orthoclase hadn't made any further attempts to keep its upper half and forearms free for an extended period of time since the week following Vargas's thinking of it.

@Vargas

Vargas grunted his acknowledgement--venom was good, yes. He briefly leaned over to inspect Orthoclase's plates, and nodded once.

"Spar? Yes, of course. You're diligent; that's good. Keep improving yourself. If you do, let me know how it goes or bring me to watch, if you can." He paused, and then stood, indicating that he was likely about to leave--or to accompany Alpha back, perhaps. "Thus far, you are the most capable and diligent of all those created with you. You are doing well, and should I be asked to cull all but one child you would be my choice to survive. Continue your improvement, and you will be a worthwhile Champion," Vargas told Alpha, bluntly.

High praise, indeed.

Granted, much of the rest of the whelps were useless, or near-so, but some he did hold in some regard, nevertheless. Beta, while of fine physical form, was lax in developing it; Garnet-Delta had an excellent attitude, but he hadn't seen it around enough to know how well it had improved. On that front--"Tell Garnet-Delta I would speak with it, incidentally--I need to see how it's gotten along."

With that Vargas turned to go--whether Alpha accompanied him, and kept chatting, or not.

@Orthoclase-Alpha
exit Vargas (tag me for visibility if it replies!)

Alpha dipped its head, giving one last glance to the crevice its stone-giver'd disappeared into - perhaps cataloging its location for later. Better to not have to prowl through a number of caves to find her again, and much better to know where to wait. Vargas shifted, and it stood as well. It had no reason to loiter around in here, except maybe to investigate the life signs down in the gorge.

The orthoclase decided that wasn't much of a concern. Probably just a group of Lessers. Bats flew around, snarling and attacking one another blindly.

Its eyes widened slightly, quills pricking up, at Vargas's praise. Alpha set its jaw and gave a deep bow of the head, inwardly preening at the words. "Thank you, Overseer. I'll continue to work." Bold promise, but it did not have plans to fail. It'd knock every obstacle out of its way to remain up to snuff and in such high regard.

As for the other children - "I'll find it," it chirped obediently, padding after Vargas quietly, with little else to say but some quiet commentary on weaponry they passed by in Tunnel J.

exit Alpha
@Vargas (well it sure says words)