Well, the first half of Vargas's speech was fair criticism (which it took with considering nods) of things that were out of its own control, followed by advice for how to deal with those things - which could be summed up (at least in Alpha's mind) as be a stealthy wrecking ball and you'll be fine. It could overwhelm anything in its way and creep up in deadly ambush. The orthoclase had figured out that much on its own, at least, but the knowledge was reinforced. Efficiency was here purely due to brutish strength. At least Alpha tried to have the brain cells to compensate for its lack of agility and aptitude for climbing.

The second half would have completely lost its understanding and subsequent attention, had the Overseer not explained properly what in the caves a shock trooper was. Alpha seemed like it was pleased with the position, judging from widening eyes and the spirited rattling of once smoothed-down quills.

"Shock trooper attack first," it gleaned and repeated, "break other attack." The child paused, considering, "small sibling do magic and look." Alpha turned abruptly to face Hydra, then twisted its upper body to peer back, "we do our Hydra test together?"

We, of course, referring to all of the Sentinels-spawn, all at once.

@Vargas

Vargas paused at the question, not responding for a moment. It wasn't clear what he was thinking, only that he didn't move, staring out into the shimmering wall and the snowfall beyond.

When he replied, it was with the same matter-of-fact tone as before.

"That would be wise. But remember, cooperation should never become reliance. Practice on your own, as well. If you can protect an ally and they can protect you in another way, this is good." But it doesn't always translate well into trials, he thought, grimly.

"But if, somehow, your ally dies, or is in too risky a situation to rescue, you must be able to carry on on your own. The Hydra trials are as much about environmental threats, about awareness and cunning, as about combat. They test everything. You do not want to die to save a weakling, even if its strengths complement yours."

@Orthoclase-Alpha

Alpha didn't dare voice the quiet disagreement brewing in its little baby brain as Vargas suggested it leave an ally behind if the situation called for it. The orthoclase was under the impression that the only companions it might find in Hydra were its own siblings, and let this be known: it would kill anything that dared to touch them. For all its hard-ass attitude and annoyed grunting, Alpha was attached to and adored its hatchmates.

But, to say as much would be untoward.

The child just sat down, nodding and bouncing back to the promise it'd made earlier, "will be strong enough alone." Of that, it was certain, if not simple-minded and focused.

Alpha didn't seem to have anything else to say, though - it just sat there, staring blankly at the Overseer before shuffling on the spot to stare out into the barrier and Hydra's blinding whiteness.

@Vargas

Vargas nodded once, his eyes back on the barrier.

"Good," he replied. The child had nothing more to say, it seemed. "Now unless there is anything else, let us watch this trial."

The Overseer, magic flickering invisibly, went back to staring raptly at the white wall of snow.

exit? maybe???

@Orthoclase-Alpha

Alpha sat there for quite a while, quietly hacking away at its magic (to no avail, currently) and trying to see the heartbeats beyond the veil. Once enough failed attempts had been made, the child glanced up twice at Vargas before starting back off towards the Warren.

It'd likely only been a half hour, but the Overseer was clearly busy and it was just plain bored of sitting there for so long.

lmfao adios