Esther honestly hadn't considered coming back to this place - at least for their reasons today. Coming to Draco to stabilize is one thing, but coming to speak to their previous leader was a completely different one. It's not that Esther regrets leaving - they don't feel much of anything when they think of when they said their goodbyes.

They don't think of their child all that much - they weren't there to raise them. However Esther would be lying if they said Rue was not part of the reason. However since they did not raise the child, Esther does not feel as much attachment as they would if they were a proper parent. If you could really fully properly parent someone within the forge anyway. At least the hybrid seemed to be doing well. (They should've stuck around to help.)

They hibernated for a long time, lingered in their thoughts for a long time. At this point if Esther runs into Master Vargas they'll pull the question. Thinking and not doing isnt something Esther likes. Just like the Forge quests, Esther does not like leaving things in limbo. If he says no, Esther will move on - just like they should.

The draw of chaos in this place makes them feel a bit better. More normal.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas was not far off, his focus on a pile of bones beneath him. It wasn't clear where they'd come from; the land around him was broad, flat. But a number of gemstones lay at his feet, and just on the other side of those stones, the bones seemed to be arrayed in a roughly ordered fashion. Each set of bones was separated from the rest, though another pile lay haphazardly before them, and Vargas--holding up a massive, jet-black femur--appeared to be trying to decide which pile to add this one to.

If he knew that Esther was coming, he didn't speak. Maybe it was some attempt at appearing dramatic; more likely, he was merely absorbed in his task.

@Esther

After some time of movement, Esther did end up finding Vargas. Sorting through... Bones? Had someone died? No... Those were stones. Is Vargas planning on creating more spawn? It's not Esther's place to ask, but they've never been afraid before.

"Master Vargas." They say, despite not being in the forge for cycles. "Are you planning on creating spawn?" They ask mostly to curb the curiosity. Where does someone even get that many stones in the first place?

Whatever... They won't question him about that. It's probably not worth the trouble.

"I hope you do not mind me coming here." Esther has never caused problems so of course he wouldn't mind, but they feel like they're encroaching on something that does not belong to them anymore.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas lifted his head and glanced around, surprised. His many-eyed gaze settled on Esther, then, and he regarded them for a moment before answering. His mind had to race a bit to catch up; he'd been so focused on what he was doing (a puzzle full of multiple skeletons made for a rather frustrating jigsaw, and was an exercise in long-term patience) that it took him a moment to realize who it was.

"Esther," he greeted, with a pleasant tone. "This is a pleasant surprise. No, I do not mind; and no, though it is good to be prepared." He turned, gesturing to the skeletons. "If we have need of more, or one of the Forge wishes spawn, it is best to have some idea of what the stones once held. Though this is... a tedious task." Not only matching skeletons together, but figuring out which bone had gone with which. Not always impossible... but it was a puzzle with, sometimes, missing pieces.

He looked back to them, studying them for a moment. It had certainly been awhile.

"Is this an idle visit, or did you require something?" he asked. Level-headed, that's how he had thought of them. They had given more than they had gotten, and considering some of the Forge, that was saying something; if they needed something from the Forge, he would listen.

@Esther

Esther had to hold back laughter when it took some moments for Vargas' brain to catch up to the question. A large leviathan so focused on his task that he does not notice all of the things around him (even if he knew Esther was around). He is right, though, preparation is good. Esther remembers the Forge being always-growing, and having the stones to supply for it is a good thing.

"That does look... Difficult." Esther almost asked to take a crack at it. Almost.

They look down at the skeletons. A mixture of bones laying across the ground - mixed and matched - some in the correct place and some seemingly out of place. Yeah, really tedious.

"Oh, yes." They pause, thinking. "I've come to ask my way back into the Forge, if you'd welcome me? I ran into my spawn some cycles ago, it seems they are doing well."

They feel good asking about it, at least.

"It feels different doing these... Missions. Without a purpose." Quests they've been skipping out on. "I'd like to help the Forge again." There's a glint of darkness in the corner of their eye - product of one of the spells, ignorable.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas stared for a beat. "Unexpected," he said, at length. "But yes, of course. We would reinstate you at the same rank--you were Hound, I believe?"

He would have asked why, but they had already answered that, and he appreciated that about them. Esther was direct, to the point, but clear. They left nothing out but nor did they flourish their words unnecessarily.

"Rue has been doing well enough," Vargas confirmed. "They have fought alongside the Forge, trained with its young, earned a name and freedom to travel." And they seem content, he thought; but to keep up appearances, that was one thing best left unsaid.

@Esther