strong language

"Order is hella weird."

Pyrosera blurted out. The brute strength went up her alley. In fact she was purposely a larger breed of canine. For brute strength. She wanted to use herself to throw enemies down. Though to use tools— to create from almost nothing. Though she thought more about the order.

"Does the order mean you listen to someone? What is the order thing?"

That she would not follow… the greatest. It wasn't in her best interest to follow what she was told, but if she could get something out of it? Pyrosera would be rather eager to see what else they could do. Red eyes kept themselves at the creature's paw. With a head tilt as they showed her what they made.

Yet her own paw didn't move far from the chunk of opal they dug out for her.

---

"Speaking"

@halcyon

Lacking eyebrows to raise at Pyrosera's inelegantly divulged perspective on their allegiance, Halcyon appeared nothing other than unruffled by the remark. "No more than anyone else might be." Their voice was even, unrippling like the calm waters of an undisturbed lake. "That viewpoint cuts both ways. To us Drones, someone like yourself might be considered strange. Those living here tend to lack a certain... discipline. They have no natural purpose which is something we take for granted."

"That is what Order is," they elaborated. "Purpose and a specific way of doing things. What we will into being exists because it is supposed to and since our own existence requires access to them. As for who we listen to, that is our Mother; she determines who we are, and we follow those expectations. Some might find that restrictive, but it is a fulfilling life. Without the listlessness lack of purpose causes, we can advance better and further than those who must discover themselves first."

Eyes drifted downward to the possessive paw planted on the opal before returning to the wolf pup's face. She remained fixated on their chitin-clad hand, so they flexed it. Slowly a glassy spike coalesced in the center of their palm. "A versatile option used for offense and defense alike," explained Halcyon. "Your kind's magic tends to favor one over the other in a single cast." The worst of the bunch revelled in violence most, a chilling mirror of their Chaos overlords. "I imagine you've an idea of your element? Most young as you already do."

@Pyrosera

strong language

Pyrosera listened, whether or not she fully intended to use the information.. well. Unfortunately she didn't plan to let it stick. But the way the other explained it..

He had made it seem like she wasn't there with a purpose. Pyrosera’s ears pinned back against her skull. They listen to an all greater thing he speaks of. Mother.

"You think I don't have a purpose!"

There was a snarl to her voice, a pitiful one. Her voice was rather.. high pitched, loud. Young. Inappropriate.

"Do you think everyone around here wanders freely not knowing what they want!?"

She stomped her paw downwards. A slash of her tail. Trying her bare luck to summon the heat she felt prior. To feel the energy that burned in her veins.

In which she was barely able to grasp it. Her body became very warm, yet her eyes switched to become flame-like. Bright red. Yet they narrowed to the creature before them.

"I don't need no shit for creatures telling me what I want or don't want! That's lame! Why do you listen to someone else? Couldn't you just get whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted?"

---

"Speaking"

@Halcyon

At first the unintended offense inflicted had no effect on their demeanor. Always primarily an observer, any action taken calculated, they simply gazed unblinkingly at Pyrosera, processing her upset at the slights she believed their words implied. How quick were these Gembounds to detect malice where none was harbored, they noted, just as it'd been during that bittersweet day in Gemini. While Order had successfully held the line there as commanded, the victory hadn't been without cost. They, the supportive roles of the Hive, hosted mental scars from the conflict that erupted there, courtesy of those they wished to sway to their cause. This seething response appeared a miniature version of the foolish retaliation that'd battered them then, not yet matured to the point of causing actual wounds. Uncertainty reigned as to whether it could be nipped in the bud before evolving into a far more destructive form.

"You confuse want with purpose though they are connected. Whims can eventually form into an overarching goal for life if repeated enough. Otherwise they are merely that. Would you call your entire reason for existence food or water? Or that stone you wanted and nothing else?" Halcyon directed a pointed look at the opal. "It takes time for purpose to develop for those without an immediate one. It is the distillation of many wants into a main one which triumphs over the rest and ultimately guides them."

But the pup was caught in the cyclone of her outrage and already charging into an assault on Mother's will long before the last syllable exited their mouth. Although no other overly visible sign of magic existed, flaring eyes twisted Halcyon's senses to another time and place. Heat pressed on them from all sides, and the stench of charred crystalline flesh wafted into nostrils, skin and scales rapidly burning away. Their throat clenched from oxygen deprivation worse than the humidity clogging the tunnel, flames of the past devouring the air before it could worm into lungs. The sight of a canine instead of a feline remained as their single anchor to reality, and fingers blindly sought for another to root them better in sensibility. Their unaltered hand grasped their staff, and the sensation of the perfectly parallel wood grain against their palm slowed a thundering heartbeat.

In contrast to internal turmoil, their face's expression remained unchanged. "As my purpose was predetermined, my wants align with them. I do not need permission to pursue them since it was already given when I was born. Mother established the basis of who I am, but you are mistaken if you believe I cannot operate without hearing her constant approval. She only actively directs on matters of benefit to all Drones. The remainder of my time is mine alone to use."

Nerves tingled, infused by Order. Claws plucked a pebble from the ground and rolled it between fingers. If suspicions bore out regarding the previous magical display, they crouched in the presence of that which had once nearly destroyed them. Unlike then, lack of preparation would not be their agonizing downfall.

@Pyrosera

strong language

"My existence?"

The white canine repeated back. Ears remained pinned against the back of her skull. As much as the creature had a point, she had no idea what her existence was for. What she planned to do. How she planned to do it. Though it didn't sound… entertaining to her to listen to some false order.

It wasn't like her. Why would she? Why would she live for something other than herself? She was the one who hatched all alone. All by herself. Fresh. No one but the master spoke to her. Not even an enjoyable conversation either. All she learned? To make candy?

“My existence is to do what I want!”

At least, she cared more for the stones than she wanted to admit. Something to help her hold a purpose. Even if it was little to nothing to this.. creature before her. It was for her, did he forget that?

As the flames changed in her eyes, she remained stone still. Her paws planted firmly against the stones. A swish of her bright tail behind her. Enjoying the feel and rush of the power that flowed through her.

"That's stupid!"

Pyrosera couldn't understand it. To be predetermined. To really know what that meant. To already know what you're supposed to do. Stupid! Pyrosera wanted to find out for herself where she should go. What direction leads her where? Will the caves give her more than just the stones? What can she learn? What's the limits on her power?

Her power was the most important to her. That's what she wanted to learn. To see the extent of the warmth she could make.

"There is no remainder for me, as all my time is mine!”

Consequences of her own actions would surely teach her later on. But right now, she didn't have to think of that. Right? She wouldn't dare move a muscle to fight, but she watched. Every movement they made. Her eyes flickered with it.

---

"Speaking"

@Halcyon

The canine wasn't the only one in this interaction keeping track of their opposite's movements. Gaze steady, Halcyon studied her posture, determining weak points and awaiting any flicker of hostility that grew beyond the petulant stomps of children. Acting out would be a waste of energy and goodwill in their position. Nevertheless they remained ready in case cold calculations decided a potential threat needed elimination before it risked many lives linked to their own. They listened to her sharp remarks, the cuts too shallow to be of great concern. Fingers idly traced the parallel grain of their staff.

"Very well," they spoke at last in response. "You've all the unrationed time possible. And what now do you want to do with it?"

Pity they weren't Jinyi the sales representative. A design intended for interaction with anyone, whether unruly or even-tempered, made them well-suited for the task of handling those of a more impulsive nature. No doubt they would've been enthusiastically offering a taste of Dontas in the hopes quelling hunger would dampen the foul mood on display. Dealing with those born more chaotically inclined often proved exhausting. At least Ace's tendencies, loud and braggart as they were, must have originated from a deliberate choice on Mother's part. Outside of the Hive, dispositions were tempestuous and destructive for reasons most illogical.

@Pyrosera

strong language

"I'm going to hunt! Whatever way I'm not supposed to go. I’ll start there."

Was this a good plan? No. Was it a plan? Yes. Although her goals were to steal and scavenge, she didn't know precisely what she wanted. Right now the hatchling wanted to prove she was strong. Prove she was better. To mess with life she shouldn't.

The chunk of opals for example, she wanted to use it and hide it. Find ways to make it worth something. Until then, she'd stand over her gift and wait. Maybe until this creature backed away from her.

"Well! Ima go that way, I saw something cool over there. Don't miss me too much.”

As she spoke she smacked her jaws rather loudly. Spoke as if she knew she had higher strength. She didn't, but don't let her hear that from you. Pyrosera purposely waited, just to see if the other had anymore words. But if not she would try to find a way to put her paws upon the opal and try to push(?) towards the cave she first came from.

---

"Speaking"

@Halcyon

Well, that was as simplistic as plans went. Expectations of the child hadn't been particularly high, though, her attitude and responses so far indicative of the usual mental development Gembounds exhibited. In search of the rare likelihood somewhat greater depths lurked behind basic desires, Halcyon directed a long, dissecting stare at her, utterly devoid of emotion. Concluding the shallowness was exactly as it appeared, they braced a hand against the stone wall they crouched beside, planted weight upon their staff, and rose once more to two feet. They wouldn't have mentioned much else, seeing as there was neither enlightening conversation nor recruitment to pursue in this scenario, but Pyrosera's insistence on wearing a trench into the tunnel with her new opal on the way to Polaris slowed their steps to a near halt after passing by. The golden glow of fins strengthened, and a glance was cast over their shoulder to her efforts.

"Oh, great huntress," they said, softly sardonic while noticing bluffed strength wasn't enough to easily cart away the rock segment, "prey often require all your paws to chase them. They don't linger for those who scrape about. Do you need someone to bring that to a safe place first before pursuing?"

The implication their services were offered was clear. Nevertheless if rejection came, it'd be no bother. Obtaining a better read on the central cave's current status demanded far greater attention, and they preferred devoting their full focus to the matter concerned over dividing it by assisting a creature cycles away from higher brain functions. Although they were trying their best to exhibit usefulness, the Hive came first above all, and learning of dangers to protect it against was a duty not to be ignored.

@Pyrosera

strong language

"Ima move it into this cave,"

Her muzzle pointed ahead towards where she came from. Did she have a plan to keep it safe? No. Absolutely not. But it.. it was something. Pyrosera did not move her paws from the opal however.

"Though I’m certain I got it!"

She huffed with a swift flicker of her tail. If she had hair, she would have flicked it too. The white pup's goal was to put the stones in a safe spot then hunt. Some poor mice or rats to eat.

Pyrosera didn't need someone stronger to do everything for her. (She sure did) Would that stop her? Absolutely not.

---

"Speaking"

@Halcyon

Stubbornness could be quite a hampering trait to carry. While it allowed individuals possessing it the willpower to push through great struggles, just as equally it dragged them into troubles more sensible creatures would have known better to avoid. Independence to an extreme degree, the end result of its use trended ultimately toward foolishness. Had they not better things to do, witnessing this pointless struggle would've been an interesting study of the myriad flaws in Gembound nature. But as is the life of a Drone, always more important matters required tending to.

"So I see," Halcyon said though they very much observed the exact opposite. While their voice never lacked a melodic quality, now it strengthened as amusement grew, a playful quality emerging in their soft lilt. "An interesting technique you employ. But I shall leave you to your devices. Farewell and good hunting."

A polite nod followed these last words, and eyes returned to the destination ahead of them, they proceeded onward to Polaris. Helping hand offered dispassionately, withdrawing it hadn't twinged a single heartstring they harbored. If this child wished to blunder, no attempt would be made to prevent the eventual bruises she incurred. Maybe a threat in the making would be purged from the caves due to plain cluelessness if that biting attitude worsened beyond offended nips and barks. Less work for them, and they could hardly complain about that potential outcome.

-Exit Halcyon

@Pyrosera