Another that had been two. Whose kind had known the touch of civilization, the stroke of pampered hands, the murmur of a master; and whose kind had known wildness, to go where they wished, yet always on the knife's edge of survival. Captivity and security; freedom and danger. The nature of dichotomy. Of multiples formed into one. An impossibility; a necessity.

This shape formed within the Skystone piece that had split from the towering Spire. The shimmer of its chrysalis was no less brilliant. That shape was neutrality, as it had come before: separate from the disruption and anarchy of Chaos and again, from the stagnant yet beautiful fractals of Order. Separate from change; separate from stability.

Though no dreams of purpose or promise slid through this one's nascent mind, nevertheless there was a feeling of safety, as though it were cradled by four unseen arms. Asterius was different. Asterius would be different. The others here held hints of it, drifting motes of what made it itself, but they held other things, too. Asterius would hold neutrality. Between these other things, apart from them, yet benevolent. Benevolence. That was what the child felt, as it began to waken.

It stood apart, but it was benevolent.

For an instant it was as though a stranger stood above Asterius: pale, centaur-like, and smiling. A fleeting glimpse, yet the hum of the Spire seemed a remnant of its embrace.

Asterius hatches knowing Detect Radiation, by nature.

Its own radiation is that of Natural Order, cradled within a Skystone gem.

This thread is marked AW, but Asterius should post first. This thread can be maked private upon Shadowlugia's request.

@Asterius

Benevolence.
That is their purpose. A light in the dark. A knight in shining armor and bearing a gleaming banner. Someone willing to give hope.

But being hope is a heavy mantle to bear. The fleeting hands were both a promise of a kind master, and an apology of the burden saddled on Asterius. That they could not have taken it instead.

She however, is not angry. No. She accepts the mantle with grace, splitting open her chrysalis to breach out into the caves. This her place. They will do what is right. What he was made to do. They shake their fur clean of chrysalis fluid, standing up with a confidence and steadyness not common in newborn Gembound.

Snow-white eyes sweep over Polaris, in the shadow of the Spire behind them. Their beacon, their guardian, their purpose.