Silence fell for a time, but Ten found it to be a peaceable silence. It was not a lonely quietness, not with V-Onyx-Three beside them.

They regarded yet more of the bad fungus, and they attempted to clear it yet again. Ten was not sure how much they had already cleared, yet there was still plenty. Perhaps their distracted thoughts caused their success to only barely succeed.

At the question, the valkturtle blinked. "I am carnivorous, so far as I have tested. What about V-Onyx-Three?" There was a reason that the valkturtle had such shark-like teeth, and it wasn't for a pretty smile, that was for sure.

@V-Onyx-Three

For some reason, Onyx-Three did not expect the valkturtle to be a carnivore. Even if the being did have shark teeth, it made for a kind of derpy smile, and they simply seemed too... nice. But it explained that the teeth really weren't for show. "You catch prey with magic?" Perhaps growing mushrooms on them? He was not sure how fast they were, or if they used ambush methods or something like that. Usually it was easy to tell upon looking at a gembound's build, but this time, he was unsure.

"I prefer meat. But I can eat berries if needed." That said, they had not actually eaten much fruit or anything like that in a while. Their hunts were almost always successful, so there was not really much of a need. But it sure did make for a good backup option should they find themselves injured and unable to hunt. "I have not tried mushrooms." They were going to ask, as well, if V-Chaos-Ten had any mushrooms they recommended, but reminded themselves again that they were a carnivore. They ripped up some more fungus but it was sticking onto rock and bone pretty stubbornly.

@V-Chaos-Ten

"Not yet," the valkturtle spoke, as they considered that idea thoughtfully. "Though that is a potential idea, perhaps," they added, giving credit where credit was due.

"I am faster than I look," Ten explained, as they realized V-Onyx-Three was confused about their hunting capabilities. Despite appearances, they were not actually slow.

They focused upon their task, the removal of the bad fungus. It worked much better this time around. They nodded contently to themself.

@V-Onyx-Three

Yet another surprise. That was something they could never have guessed upon looking at V-Chaos-Ten, but it was an interesting thought. They must have very powerful leg muscles to go that fast with the added weight of the shell and all. Looking at them now, the shell must be a powerful form of defense against larger prey. "What is the most dangerous lesser you have hunted?"

He reached for the fungus again, but his muscles were beginning to tire at the point, and he pulled weakly at the strands that refused to break. Would he have to start using his teeth? But getting Order in his mouth was a disgusting thought.

@V-Chaos-Ten

"Most dangerous?" the valkturtle repeated, puzzled by the question. "I don't go for anything truly dangerous, I don't think, just anything large enough to fill myself."

The idea of challenging oneself in a fight against prey was not a notion that Ten had truly thought of. They hunted as a necessity, nothing more.

Ten focused on yet more fungus. It was a weaker attempt from them as well. They paused, observing V-Onyx-Three's fatigue. "If V-Onyx-Three needs to rest for a bit, that's alright," the valkturtle kindly told the other.

@V-Onyx-Three

"Harder prey is good practice." Though they also supposed that it wasn't really something the valkturtle was into, so it made sense they would not engage in such things. Not to say it was bad. Their passion for mushrooms was a refreshing break from what the rest of the Forge could be like.

V-Chaos-Ten was right. This wasn't working out. He needed to refocus. He paused to stretch his arms and recollect himself. Deep breath in, then out. Then he returned to the same stubborn patch that had evaded him and raked his claws across it. It crumbled like dust beneath his claws, satisfying in its fragility. "Good now."

@V-Chaos-Ten

Practice... for fighting, Ten could assume, after a moment of confused thought. But Ten did not want to assume anything, not ever. "Practice for what?" they wondered aloud.

They focused on the bad fungi yet again. It was barely successful, but still successful, so they were content enough.

It was odd, to be listened to. V-Onyx-Three did take a break for a moment. But they said nothing, merely nodding happily when the other felt better rested.

@V-Onyx-Three

"Fighting Order." However, he had yet to see a drone. Not that he wanted to see one, but he did want to put his skills into actual use. "Ursa is close. Dangerous." Though it didn't seem to be a very good environment for mushrooms, so perhaps the valkturtle would have no reason to visit that place anyway. It was an unforgiving environment with the biting cold. His muscles ache, though he has no problem getting rid of the next piece. This was strenuous, yet boring work. At least it was alleviated by their conversation with the valkturtle, who was pleasant to talk to. They had learned a lot, as well, about mushrooms. And all information was valuable.

@V-Chaos-Ten

"I'm fighting Order like this," the valkturtle pointed out, but did not disagree. Fighting... Ten did not much love the idea of fighting, though they would if need be, of course. But magical fixes and conversation were much simpler than physical combat.

They focused on the next set of order fungus to fight. It was a particularly strong cast, removing a great deal, but Ten swayed a bit, disoriented from the unexpected amount of drain compared to the last smaller casts.

"I think... I am getting very drained, magically. Is V-Onyx-Three ready to head back?" they inquired. Maybe one more cast, but... maybe not. They were uncertain, and feeling the aftereffects of so much casting, especially the last strong cast.

@V-Onyx-Three

Onyx-Three nodded, thinking that the statement was very true. V-Chaos-Ten always gave them a new perspective on such things. There was more than one way to fight, and more than one way to serve. He needed to talk to more members who weren't so combat-oriented like the valkturtle. "Let us go. We have made much progress. It is a long walk." Plus, who knew what they might possibly encounter on the way. "Thank you for working with me." They would have to keep a close eye on the valkturtle in case they did come across any enemies. Tiredness could be deadly when they reached Ursa, where weaknesses could easily be exploited.

"Exit V-Onyx-Three"

@V-Chaos-Ten