She followed her Overseer, listening with purpose and intent. They had informed her that yes, they were going home. To a place called Chaos Forge- in the heart of Draco. She hummed with interested, rather loudly- mind racing with excitement that would show in her gait. Almost a dance in each step as her body writhed just beneath the expanse of pristine and glistening pale flesh. Though Aurelia calmed- somewhat when Overseer Cain spoke of danger, it was a serious matter- she could feel it in the tone of their words. There was also an entity of destruction and chaos, another Valkhound slept just beneath the Black Spire?- Evidently a place that would...stabilize her? She knew not the answer or why she would need to have stabilization but- she trusted and clung onto each and every word her Overseer spoke. She was a child after all- so new to this world...and her Overseer evidently knew Valkhounds quite well... so no doubt they would know how to care for her and what she would need.

She would be sure to remember this, as well as anything her Overseer spoke outward to her. Information that rang out importance, dire information of danger and of expectations- and of her soon to be Master. She was a sponge more or less- absorbing each word with such eager and ravenous curiosity. A hunger that mimicked her stomach's own with each twist and pull of flesh beneath skin as time passed.

Aurelia nodded along, eyes having not once wandered from the feline who led her happily home. Overseer spoke of Master Vargas, and if she was to show respect- well in turn she'd be treated fairly too. Of course, she would dare not spit in the face of her soon to be Master- already she held the unknown Master in high regard- and from the sound of it they were not a capricious leader either. Not to mention they were after all Overseer Cain's Master too. And if an entity of Cain's stature spoke of them with such pride then so should she.

It was of course evident that she held the feline in high regard- clinging to them for purpose, hope and comfort with such fervor even just moments out of her chrysalis. They were her Overseer- it was to be expected was it not?

Overseer Cain spoke of training once she would settle down- either Cain or one of the others would teach her... and she hoped it would be Cain to do so. Even though something told her she would maybe have no choice-regardless of who did or did not train her she would do great work to make her Overseer proud- and her soon to be Master as well. She waited with baited breathe for her turn to speak once again. Inhaling deeply- calming the squirming muscles that spasmed beneath her skin.

"I offer nothing but respect my Overseer."

She bowed her neck just a tad, still following the feline onward to their new home.

"If-it is you Overseer who trains me- I would enjoy that- immensely."

She rolled the s's with a hiss- not one of malice or anger but excitement.

"But I welcome any in the Forge's guidance- under your's and Master's watch."

She was eager to learn, to grow- and to meet the family she would soon have in the Chaos Forge. Which only caused more curiosity to bubble up to the surface, flesh writhing as she thought her next question.

"How many- of us are there? In the forge? There are others? Like me?"

There was...Overseer Cain...and Master Vargas- as well as...well she wasn't sure if the one called Draconua was part of them too- especially with the warning her Overseer had offered her earlier.

Cain approved quietly of Aurelia's eager, quick attachment and loyalty. Hopefully her blind faith would not be easily abused by others, but training could make her learn caution. She was still young and malleable, and despite the chaos that made up her Oilstone, the Overseer was finding itself confident in her potential future.

"If Master Vargas approves, I am sure I can train you. You may find that others of the Chaos Forge would be able to teach you different skills from my own. There are plenty of paths that you may decide to take, and it will be important for you to find your niche." Maybe that was asking a bit much of Aurelia's fresh mind, but it couldn't help itself. It wanted to see what would happen to a Valkhound given opportunity, challenge, and the direction to seize it in the name of the Forge.

Master Vargas would be quite pleased, Cain thought.

"There are over a dozen of us, in the Forge. As for Valkhounds, there are a handful, but more by the day," the winged feline answered patiently. "Draconua is one of them, and both the Black Spire and Master Vargas are capable of creating more. Most Valkhounds work under the Master who made them, or directly for Chaos. Then there are those like you, that are born under different circumstances. I believe that you will be able to decide your own path," a privilege it offered due to her already eager desire to belong. Cain figured that if it was her own free will and decisions that formed this bond, nurturing it in this way would only make it harder to break.

"You are different from me," Cain explained, "not better, nor worse. But, can you tell? Your stone, it is Oilstone. You're a creature made of Chaos, for Chaos. There are others in this cave that are born from various other stones and erratic magic. I was created by a Champion to be apart of the Chaos Forge," it explained, skipping over some details that would muddy the story, "But many simply come into being from magic and gem. There is a difference, in both what we are made of, and our magic. You will come to see that in time." It seemed important to express these details to the young Valkhound. "To put it simply, you will know a Valkhound by their magic and their Oilstone, if that helps."

"Still," it wrapped this up in a nice bow, "you will be capable of your own greatness, Aurelia. Be patient, and together we will see it done."

@Aurelia

Aurelia listened, she was after all quite eager to hear anything that left her Overseer's maw. Her attachment only grew and would continue to do so. Especially with how kind and patient Overseer Cain was to her. When they spoke of the possibility of being able to train her, under Master Vargas's approval of course- she practically beamed. Tendrils of muscle writhing once again beneath her skin in silent celebration that was only matched by her evident eagerness and focus. Clinging and hanging onto every word that was thrown her way. Especially when they spoke that there would be plenty of paths for the young Valkhound to take- granted she would need to find her niche as well. Though she didn't seem particularly worried with the prospect of that challenge; even if it seemed a bit too large for her to wrap her understanding entirely around it.

Aurelia after all was still a child, she had time- and she had her Overseer Cain's guidance. She would do well by them, to make them and others proud. Which to her amazement there was apparently over a dozen others within the Forge. The one known as Draconua was one of them- and apparently the... Black Spire and Master Vargas could create more Valkhounds, others like her. She did tilt her head inquisitively when they mentioned that Valkhounds work under a Master who made them, or for Chaos directly. Had...Vargas created her?-She wanted to inquire, questions sprouting up and blossoming in her mind. But, she held her thoughts, Overseer Cain hadn't finished speaking; and she may very well obtain the answers from them still.

Turns out she was different. Born under well evidently different circumstances than what she had just been told. She hummed, a low purr and thought as her Overseer believed she would be able to decide her own path. Even so young she felt that to be a privilege, and she would do well to make her Overseer proud with choices yet to come.

Aurelia focused again, she knew she was- well different than her Overseer; that much was obvious to the child. But then they stressed that she was not better, nor worse. This to her, felt incredibly warm. She was different yes, that much was obvious- but it did not make her worse. It just made her, well her! And now that her Overseer had mentioned it..they did have a brilliant gem nestled over their throat. Though- she wasn't particularly sure where her stone was... at least not at this current time.

Regardless she listened, information that would no doubt help her on future endeavors to determine who or what an entity was within these caves. She apparently had something called an Oilstone, where Overseer Cain evidently did not. She eyed the brilliant ruby for a few moments, in admiration and curiosity. But apparently Oilstones were...reserved for creatures of Chaos- and this was told to her so matter of factly. She had no choice but to accept it. It didn't bother her, nor did she think it ever would. She was after all on her way home to Chaos Forge...the name itself seemed fitting if her element was born of the very same chaos. In fact she seemed- rather proud? Chest puffed out a bit with a smile on her maw of pride as her Overseer told her this.

Though the bit of information of her Overseer's origins- that they were created by a Champion to be apart of the Chaos Forge. Inspiring she thought, and no doubt amazing- she opened her maw slightly; perhaps a bit in awe. What was it like, to be created by a Champion she wondered. Blinking perhaps a bit rapidly she did her best to listen and remember every scrap of information her Overseer was so generously giving her, patient explanations and kind guidance. There was apparently a difference between what one was made of and their magic, but she wouldn't worry about that yet. She would learn it in time as all things.

Aurelia smiled, a wide cracking grin that seemed to stretch a bit farther than before, it was polite and her gaze was that of determination. She would be capable of her own greatness, all she had to do was be patient and trust in her Overseer. And that, she could very well do- just as easy as she could breathe.

"It helps me greatly Overseer. Thank you."

She bowed again, giving respect and gratitude to the feline before her.

"I will be patient, I know in time with work my determination and your guidance there is nothing for me to fear."

She paused for a moment, breathing in deeply. She did perhaps, have one fear- or maybe a few but those weren't particularly important right now. But all she had to do was her best, and learn from it. Even in failure one may better themselves and she so desired to be the best that she could be. Especially for those who she would soon call family.

"I will make you proud Overseer."
@Garnet-Delta

"You're welcome," Cain replied. It could not shake the feeling that Aurelia would present some interesting problems down the line-- a creature of Oilstone, of Chaos, how could Cain not expect to see some difficulties? It would not dismiss the chance that it was being misled, of course, but it found it hard not to swell with both pride and excitement.

Its whiskers twitched with amusement, tail curling at the Valkhound's words. "Nothing to fear," it repeated, letting that feeling of confidence sink in. Fear could be healthy, but a creature like her would have little need of it. In fact, it suspected she would be a source of fear, and rarely the other way around. Let her have that confidence, then.

So Cain nodded, leading the way out of Polaris. It would take the shortest path back to the Forge; a decent trek, but at least she had something in her belly to keep her energy up as they went. If she had further questions, it would answer as clearly as it could... And if they needed to take a break, then the Overseer certainly would wait, but the feeling of eager excitement seemed to be getting the better of both of them.

Hopefully Master Vargas wasn't busy with other matters.

@Aurelia ; a quick lil exit

She smiled at the repetition of her words, nothing to fear. And her smile only grew wider when it was evidently time to leave. They would be heading to the Forge soon enough. She knew not how far it was, nor what would be along the way, but with her Overseer leading the way all would be perfect; there wasn't a doubt in her mind. Luckily she had already ate a small meal, enough to provide her with the energy to get to the Forge in relative peace. Though she would need to partake in meals soon after, that wasn't something to worry about at this particular moment.

Still with excitement writhing beneath her pale skin she trotted after Overseer Cain. Taking care to keep an eye on where they were heading, but also the very sights and creatures they would no doubt see along the way. She would hum and breathe with awe and curiosity at the many sights. And stare at a few lesser gembounds with perhaps a bit too much focus and unknown hunger along the way.

She was on her way home and she couldn't wait to see what the Forge had in store.

[exit]