Palefur was quiet again, thinking about Vargas's question. "Well, for a start, you could offer yourself as a source of help. Or strength. Save someone from something, help somebody out. Your first impression is the most important and if they see you as a benevolent force rather then a malevolent one, then you can twist things far easier in the future. Or, perhaps not twist, but do what you like. As for fear, I think that may come naturally considering your size and appearance. But show off some brutal acts, perhaps not towards the ones you are trying to rule over, but perhaps to their enemies or to the ones that refuse to listen either way...and I think that will instill enough fear to keep them in line." It was a half-baked strategy, more off the top of her head then anything, but it was something and she was incredibly nervous that she was saying too much or overstepping her boundary.

She tilted her head. "The Creator? I apologize - I have not heard of this Creator." But within her chest sparked something feral. So there was a higher power, she wasn't just crazy or reaching for answers. Nobody had ever told her about it, she'd never even heard a whisper of this Creator. She leaned forward just a little bit, eyes wide. "Can you tell me about him? Please?"

@Vargas

Vargas listened, quiet aside from a soft snort--at the mention of benevolence--that might have been laughter.

When Palefur had finished, he tilted his head, a little, thinking. "We have no need for benevolence. We kill what disobeys; they are not our equals, but our subjects," he explained, with a tone of harsh dismissiveness. It wasn't directed at Palefur, though; it seemed to be Vargas' scoffing at the entire idea of kindness.

After a moment, however--and with faint reluctance in his tone--he continued. "...But I will bear it in mind. It is true that this is no longer the world that I know, and your perspective, at least, is useful to me." And so it was. They thought themselves autonomous, then; they thought that they were above obedience, that they were free. That their respect had to be earned. And it will, he thought, with grim pleasure and the memories of blood and shadows.

"The Creator," he went on--and then paused, turning to stare up at the glittering quartz above, much the way Palefur had been doing when he'd arrived. There was obvious reverence in his tone--even fear--and he looked back down at the little cat. "The Creator is not mine to speak of. But know fear; know respect. Know his power," Vargas added, in a low and secret tone. The six eyes closed, for a moment, and Vargas' entire body seemed to shrink down, a little--as if to hide from the very thought of this 'Creator'--and yet, his rigid jaw pulled up in what almost looked like a smile.

Admiration? Devotion? It wasn't clear quite what it was, but when Vargas opened his six eyes again, his face slipped back into sternness. He eyed Palefur quietly, for a moment. "Do not speak of him openly," he advised, and then changed the topic entirely.

"Your perspective is useful to me. Come with me; let us test your theories." Vargas abruptly twisted one unnaturally-long forearm, turning the palm upward, opening the six clawed digits to bare it to the cat. It seemed an invitation to climb into his grasp, and there was no indication on Vargas's face as to what he intended to do should Palefur follow through.

@Palefur

Palefur snapped her mouth shut at the dismissive tone. Oh shit I stepped too far. Her ears twisted back slightly but she kept her composure and stared up at Vargas evenly. The tensing in her limbs, however, released when Vargas actually acknowledged her opinion. He acknowledged me! She felt the sudden burst of fear that she had royally screwed up flood away. It looked like she would be okay for now.

She nodded, solemnly, not really understanding why he couldn't speak about it, but she wasn't going to push. Perhaps she'd ask later, more subtly, or find someone else that could tell her about him. After all, if the system of order Vargas had spoke of was truly to serve him, then she felt like they should at least know who he was. Or, at least, her, if she was to work for him in this way. "I won't ask, then. Thank you for telling me this."

As Vargas reached forward a hand, she instinctively took a single step back before pausing, staring down at the palm of his hand. All her instincts screamed for her to not because this was a VERY large predator that could crush her easily or swallow her whole. But she knew at this point that he would not do this. So she took a deep breath and stepped forward, climbing into his hand. "Thank you for this opportunity, Overseer Vargas," she forced a purr into her voice to calm herself. This was what she wanted. She was going to have a purpose.

@Vargas

Vargas took the cat in hand, and then lifted her to place her atop his shoulder. It was a careful gesture, for the spines along his back would be deadly to the touch; he set her down well before them.

"We will see if you live up to it," he answered her, mostly indifferently. But now it was time to find other Gembound, and to put Palefur and her ideas, if he could find a decent enough opportunity, to the test. He doubted they'd find anyone in immediate need of rescue, but perhaps he could manufacture a near-fatal scenario, and then spare their lives-?

These (rather questionable) thoughts running through his mind, he stalked forward, the cat on his shoulder half-forgotten.

exit Vargas
@Palefur

Palefur tried not to unsheath her claws to dig them into Vargas's skin when he lifted her up, instead tensing her body to brace for the movement, trying to keep her balance as she was raised. He set her onto his shoulder and she immediately threw herself forward to find a stable spot to sit herself, keeping away from those odd looking quills. There was no way they could mean anything good.

She managed to get herself a good, stable spot on Vargas's shoulder and held on tight, trying to keep herself from freaking out as he began to move. She'd get used to this. Hopefully.

And, hopefully, she's be useful to him soon.

*exit