The Survivor had been taking their time in exploring the caves. With how important its directive was, it was important it was done correctly. Mother would understand - she only wants the best.

Polaris, Polaris - it would not do for the heart of a new node, with how the Skystone Spire's magicks reject any new Order. But this one needed to know the caves, inside and out. How they connected, what went where. And this was the heart, luminous rocks buzzing with energy.

That otherworldly pulse was both thrilling and maddening. It beat with no Order, but still made Survivor feel alive. How strange. How strange.

A pang of hunger snaps it out of its thoughts, and someone distant along the link urges it to eat. Pink eyes dart around, before settling on a patch of glowing moss. That will do, for a short while. They reach out with their claws, scraping the stuff off. After wincing at the way it squishes and coats their hands with moisture, they snap up the ball with their jaws.

This one will have to clean themselves...

With all their thinking, it seems the drone has not realized it has company.

@Doru

Kafziel had fallen asleep in Polaris during their explorations, intending to take a nap, only to end up waking up inside a chrysalis and breaking out who knows when compared to the cycle he had fallen asleep during. At least, he thought, he was fully grown, so his parents were not likely worrying over his absence.

The faun with draconic wings was nigh symmetrical, bar the parting of his hair and their odd naturally tattered wings. But he never really thought about that. It was simply how he has, how their father, Blight, was as well. It made sense for their wings to look as such.

Still, the young adult (for he still felt new to adulthood), was frustrated. He had lost out on so much time when he could have been learning how to heal and make art, and all sorts of things.

They paused at the sight of an interesting looking gembound. "I wish I knew how to carve," he voiced aloud, forgetting his manners. "You have an interesting shape to you," Kafziel added, in explanation.

"Perhaps I should learn..." they were still lost in thought, foggy from the chrysalis sleep.

@Survivor

They're in the process of trying to shake their hands clean when the voice makes them look up. Another gembound. Company. The link bristles, eyes turning to them however far away. This is the Survivor's first test. Be kind, be gracious, and above all else, do not give away your allegiance.

"Oh," they blurt at Kafziel's first statement, not sure how much that was directed at them or just a statement of fact. At least, until they clarify. "This one thanks you?" It isn't exactly sure how to react - something tells it of course it is a good shape, made good and Ordered by Mother herself, but something else says don't let it get to your head.

Idly, it twitches its fingers, looking at the sideways part of the older Gembound's hair. How it wants to shift it to be more even - though of course it doesn't, because that would be rude to someone not in their family.

Though that final comment gives Survivor an opportunity. "This one doesn't know how to carve either, but maybe you and this one can learn, together?" they offer. If they can get into his good graces, that would be wonderful.

@Kafziel

The confused way the other responds lets Kafziel know they've said something odd, perhaps. They go over their words, and their grey-skinned face flushes a vaguely pink-grey sort of shade. A blush. "Sorry, that was a bit strange to say aloud, wasn't it?" They run a hand through their pale hair, a bit embarrassed, and fussing with their hair helps them. "I just woke up from chrysalis. I fell asleep, I guess," their voice is soft, vaguely musical as well.

But then comes the offer to learn carving, not as a teacher and student, but as two friends maybe, together learning. Their green eyes, bright with amazement, stare the other. "That would be wonderful!" they exclaim, but still in a soft-spoken manner. "I would love that, friend. What is your name? This one is Kafziel," they tell the other gembound.

They glance around, seeking some wood or something of the kind. A tree is near enough, and they go and fly towards it with a flap of wings, snapping off a large branch with some effort to gain leverage and dragging it back over. It's not a hollow branch, but a good thick branch. Yet soft enough it could snap despite it's size.

"This should work... We could both take a big piece of this branch, and use..." they glance around. "Either our claws or a sharp rock as the carving tool, I suppose?" they consider, tilting their head thoughtfully.

They seem very invested in this idea, but they pause. "Only if you are certain, though, I do not wish to bother you if you were busy," they add, but their gaze holds a quiet and hopeful enthusiasm.

@Survivor

Their hands twitch, pink eyes looking Kafziel over. Strange, how they change colors. It's all very strange. It doesn't know what they are thinking, and it is scary. Are they doing it right? Being good enough? It is all so confusing.

"Name?" they parrot, head tilting. A name. They have no name, beyond their designation. Should they give the designation? Or a false name, so that others do not catch wind of its family? They hesitate, plates clacking nervously. But no, if they give just the title part of their designation, that would be fine, right? "This one is... Survivor."

Though the other doesn't seem to stay waiting for long, already coming back with a large, hefty branch. Carving it is, then. "You are eager to get started," it observes. "But now is as good a time as any."

There's a small tinge on the link, as Survivor worries that this would take time from its duties - but they also offer that maybe they could get an ally through this. And that is as good an argument as any, that maybe someday this Kafziel could be brought into Mother's fold. So they nod to him, saying, "This one has time to spare. Let us find a place to work."

@Kafziel