Never heard of Master Vargas-? It was unfathomable, to one whose world revolved around Draco and serving the nest. A sneer sculpted his scowl into mockery. "He is a Master," came his words, thick with disbelief. "One of those who runs the caves-? He does not make the light," but even as he said it, he felt doubt. He wasn't actually sure where the light came from. It existed in Cepheus; there was no Black Spire there, though he'd felt something similar beneath the Palace magically. Truth be told, he didn't know where voidlight came from, or how it worked, but he sure wasn't about to admit that much. He hastened, instead, to change the topic. "They told me my name. My stone. ...I would not recognize them on my own," he admitted. He had no idea how to tell one gemstone from the next. Vargas simply seemed to know them offhand, at a glance. "As for this," he sniffed, plucking at his robe, "there is a tailor in the Palace. Mimosa. They will make things for you, if you ask them. They are the best tailor in the caves and beyond." This was said with a mix of pride--given that Mimosa had made his clothing--and dutiful repetition, since the tailor had told him specifically to spread the word as part of his payment. It was a kind request, more than a demand, but one he honored nonetheless.

He listened as Renasci laid out the terms of their agreement, but frowned and shook his head. "I rely on my magic. But... no maiming or death," he half-suggested, half-agreed, instead. "My magic is that of light and shadow, not flame or the like. It won't harm you, it is... tactical." As if in demonstration, a faint golden glow wreathed Onyx-Two's form. His speech, still, was overly formal and stilted. He hated to admit that he'd never really used his magic in combat, anyway--but he knew the very basics, from what The Sentinel and the Master had explained to him. Even now, his fists tightened around the handles nervously.

He almost wanted to descend into solidarity with Renasci, to admit he'd hardly used his own scythes, either--even to laugh about it. But pride and shame kept him silent, jaw clenched almost as if he were angry.

For the first time in their conversation, the feathers along the back of Renasci's head and down their spine rise at the tone taken about this so-called Master Vargas.

"To claim authority, he needs to claim responsibility. I raised myself after Morgoth sealed themselves away." An irritated flick of both their ears, and they make a concerted effort to flatten their feathers once more. "Wander further as you age- use your wings. You'll see more. As it is, I wonder what does make the light. It's... something." And they shrug, any sort of anger or discomfort blowing away like the breeze of the sea. "Maybe I can ask him what mine is." A tap at their own stone in thought.

Both ears flick again, this time not as sharp, at the mention of a tay-lor and the Palace. Good excuse as any...

"Ah. Then I'll see about that, my gauntlet can chafe and heat with my magic, so possibly they could help me with that. Should I mention you sent me, you think?"

For seeming distracted for a moment, their attention snaps right back to the situation at hand.

"I'll allow you to use your magic on me- but I won't use mine on you. I'd simply burn away your feathers and be done with it. We're similar enough that I know that would be devastating, and I don't have complete control of my flames to guarantee I wouldn't do that." At the mention of feathers, they shift their posture and open both wings, shaking them out for a moment as they look them over- some of the bright blue and white of the feathers is singed, other parts a charcoal grey already and hiding most of the ash that comes with their magic.

Then they smile- a competitive edge and sharpness behind their eyes. "I can't wait to see what you can do. Let's wing further from the lava and the Blacksmith, yeah? They might not appreciate us fighting on their doorstep, and lets give you some shadows to work with."

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Two

"I've never heard of a Morgoth," he answered indifferently, with the dismissive tone of one declaring that since he's never heard of it, it must therefore be unimportant. "If you do not know what the Masters are, it's you who should travel further." There was a faint challenge in this, or again mockery, with a confidence he didn't feel--but his own hackles were up, a little, now. Just... more figuratively. But he was not all confrontation: "They are in Pisces and Eridanus, Fornax, Cepheus and Draco, and more." This was rote learning, easily rattled off. "As for your stone? Go and ask him." A shrug. "He will not harm you for asking. He'll know, and... maybe he can offer some education on the Masters." There was a sneer in this, at least, but he pressed on. "As for the Tailor? I'm sure. And if you want. Yes," but his shrug was indifferent. It wasn't honest; he sort of hoped Renasci would mention it, if only so Mimosa knew he'd kept his word.

The mention of fire piqued his interest. V-Onyx-Two hadn't met someone who wielded that element--well, Nidhogg did, but he didn't use it as a rule. He mostly just bit things. The idea of being simply burned apart, having his feathers seared off, was honestly frightening and he tried not to shrink away from the slightly smaller bird-person at the concept. He struggled to stay straight-faced, to stand tall, despite the worry that threatened to tighten his jaw and widen his eyes. "Use it, if you want. It would be good practice," he said, and tried to sound challenging, though the idea of it was a little terrifying.

"I don't need shadows, but--yes. Let's not make a mess here." He lifted off, and it was immediately apparent from the heavier thuds of his wings that his flight did not come as easily for him. It was not only that he hadn't worked his muscles quite as much, though that was most of it--but he was also still struggling with the clumsiness of youth, his balance a bit askew and his weight a bit more bulky than Renasci's.

He gestured to Renasci with one of the sickles, indicating that they should lead on. "Pick the place," he said, a more playful lilt to his words.

"Of course not, they're gone now," A small shrug. "As far as I know, I'm the only one who remembers them. If I can live as long as I have and not see any of these you speak of, I think something else is at work other than unobservant eyes. I've seen every cave there is, pardoning Draco." Never let it be said that Renasci doesn't also have an ego, and a pride about who they consider important. They do seem oddly certain about something, though, having come to the conclusion that the Masters can't be all that if they hide. But they keep that to themselves.

One shake of their wings to discharge the ash and attempt to let the embers they hopefully ignite flare, they watch the other take to the sky with now sharply slitted pupils. A hiss at the lack of embers, but instead a crackling heat-like pain under the skin, and they hope that won't bite them in the tail feathers later.

"We'll see. Keep up yeah? We'll head down this way." A one, two step and then leap as they bring down their wings at the same time and take to the air, they circle once to allow Onyx-Two to get their bearings. The only warning they will change course is a close lipped smile and a short banking maneuver like a shorebird, headed down the slope and towards some of the surviving mountainside foliage.

I'll give the cheepling credit- he's got nerve. Question is, how much of it is actual steel and how much gives like a mirage under the heat...


"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Two

It certainly was a facade, but the sort that was drawn up like a shield--the kind that, when his self-esteem were pressed, would only be solidified further into place.

As for Renasci's insistence about the Masters, he scoffed, a short and dismissive laugh. "They did say the Gembounds of this place were ignorant of the truth of their very home." He said this with supreme arrogance--as though he, and his 'family,' were several tiers higher and above the rest of the measly animal-like scum of this place, with their scratching in the dirt or whatever.

It was snobbery, and nothing more. Although, perhaps, there was a grain of truth behind it.

That was hardly Renasci's fault, but Onyx-Two felt the need to bask in his 'rightness,' for just a moment.

Okay, moment over. He followed, his actual physical ability trailing far behind what his mockery implied--he struggled simply to keep up, already panting with beating wings as he fought to follow Renasci's nimble banking. Rather than call out and request that the harpy slow down, however, he gritted his teeth--driven by pride--and pushed himself to catch up.

His hood flipped back with the wind, revealing black hair pulled back into a short ponytail and point-tipped ears; he squinted against the wind, working his wings hard to even pull even with Renasci's speed.

Keeping one feathered ear pointed in Onyx-Two's direction, they can pick up the struggling, and the odd whistle of wind over under-developed wings.

Casually, they fan their tail open to slow down and drift upwards slightly, pulling to the front right of Onyx-Two and attempting to catch the younger flyer on their current and make it easier.

"You're fighting it too hard, V-Onyx-Two. Cup your wings, don't push. We're headed down hill and following hot air, this is the easiest it'll be," They call, and tilts their head for a moment to eye the other, quickly facing front as they sputter their hair out of their mouth and eyes.

"Ptthpthhhft. Plpppth. Bleh. Think I'll tie my hair back when we land..." they grumble, but they do sound like they're laughing at themselves.

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Two

He cast a sour glance forward, cold anger lacing his face briefly. Pride dictated that unwanted advice was bad-... but he had to admit, as he adjusted his angle and flared his wings, it was helpful. He huffed a soft "bah" and fixed his eyes ahead. He tried to thank Renasci--he really did--but when he worked the words from his mouth, what actually came out was a muttered "Leo must be different." It might not even have been audible above the wind of their flight.

...Still, as a sort of olive branch, he reached into his robe. He had a few scraps of thin cloth--black ribbons, really--he used to tie up his own hair. "Do you need one of these for it?" he called forward. And then--"For your hair," he clarified. His own simple pocket only had these--but perhaps Renasci had more, even cords or some such, in that pouch that they had been carrying.

Even as he held it out, he realized just how much easier the flight was, now. The warm air was buoyant, even, so that he barely had to fold those wings to let him plummet--or flare them out to rise. Flapping was hardly even necessary, and he looked away again, hating just how little he clearly knew.

"Hm?" Their ears both perk, hearing some mumbling but they don't quite push it yet- Onyx-Two is prickly, and though Renasci can't quite understand why, they are in a more forgiving mood than their usual personality simply because for the first time... ever, they feel useful. And not alone.

Sure they don't need to be useful, or not Alone but it's a nice feeling none the less.

The question from Onyx-Two makes them tilt their head to look over their shoulder, watching what the other offers with some curiosity.

Oh, like what they seem to have! Ren has a moment of visible confusion, but they chirp and grin quickly upon their realization, all creased cheeks and crinkled eyes and no teeth shown.

"Yes, thank you! I usually just... tie my hair with my hair. I'll make sure to get it back to you." They stretch one clawed foot sort of in Onyx-Two's direction, telegraphing their movement clearly and explaining as they do. "If I fly closer, I'll knock us both out of the air, but I can grab with my feet. My talons are blunter than normal since I've been walking so much, so you shouldn't nick yourself on me." And they make a little grabby grabby motion with those same hooked toes to punctuate the idea.

They chirp again, or really it sounds more like something between a red-tailed hawk's shriek and a hiccuping chipmunk, as they then point with their left hand for Onyx-Two to see. "There seems good up ahead, wan- wanna land on the rocks or in the trees?"

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Two

A smile touched his face despite himself--something about the harpy all twisted up midair, foot jutting outward and grabbing nothing, was an amusing picture. He forced it away. It wasn't dignified. But it was replaced not by anger, but rather with a studious concentration as he set about the delicate task of midair ribbon-transfer.

He tipped to one side, wings beating with constantly fluctuating tips and adjustments, and slid forward. It was a challenge, getting that close without collision, but after a moment he'd managed to tie the ribbon loosely, quickly, to one of Renasci's talons. It wasn't a long gesture or a deliberate mistrust of the talon-grab so much as a knowledge that if he didn't affix it even a little, and it went flying, they'd never get it back up here.

Tying hair with hair, hmm? he thought; he'd never considered it and wasn't quite sure how it'd work, though he could sort of imagine it. He'd have to remember that.

"Rocks," he called back, sliding away again across the thermal gust. "Let's land on the rocks." He had no experience with trees; Draco had none of that. But rocks, he knew. Trees were liable to see him crashing through branches, cut and bruised, but rocks--those should be okay.

Onyx-Two is lucky Renasci didn't see the small smile, the harpy would be fully insufferable knowing they'd managed to crack that facade.

At least for a small bit.

"Rocks it is then," and with a snap of their wings Renasci gains height once, then twice, and they tuck into a roll that is all simply so they have time to slip the ribbon from their toe. Of course they drop during the maneuver, but manage to even out after a moment and bank towards the rocks.

Once close enough, they relax their wings and let themselves drift down, fluttering their wingtips a few times for the smoothest landing they can muster. They await V-Onyx-Two while tying their hair back, trying a few different things before frowning and starting a simple three part braid from their forehead to the crown of their head.

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Two