Garnet-Delta stood at the cusp of Hydra, where the shards of chrysalis from Champions remained half-buried in sand that had been blown into the tunnel. It was here that Garnet-Delta stared out into the blinding light of the Hydra, buried deep into its own thoughts. Among the scattered remains, there were a few tiny pieces of garnet, but not a scrap of ruby.

It's life-giver was dead.

Parentage was not a thing among the Sentinels. It did not matter if you were the offspring of the Overseer or of an untested new generation; all that mattered was results. Results weighed heavy in the young adult's mind. It's tail twitched, it's black face keeping the glare of the lights from hurting too much.

So why was it upset? It had clawed its way into the interest of Vargas; it had found its niche, and it knew the path forward. It had no reason to be upset. Palefur had never said a single word to Garnet-Delta; only half of it's design came from the feline. Yet... Yet. Ruby-Beta was wildly regarded as a failure in comparison to Orthoclase-Alpha, everyone could sense that. Selenite-Gamma was lazy at best, and completely incompetent at worse. How could it not look at its blood and feel that tingle of apprehension?

It was small, and every inch of its DNA had been tainted by outsider. Its fur prickled at the thought, sinking claws into sand, hating how the hot grit stung at its pawpads and refusing to move out of stubbornness.

How it wanted to run into the belly of the Hydra and come out proven the exception.

Wasn't that exactly how its predecessor failed it? A low hiss escaped its throat, and it crouched low to the ground, lowering its head, chin pressing to its chest and hiding its stone like a thick lump for it to choke on. It pulled for magic, but only gagged on the sensation. Frustrated, it shook its head. It needed to focus on its tasks. It needed to overcome this terrible sensation, and put all of this useless emotion behind it.

It would be the exception. It would be more. It would not fall into failure. It would do better.

@Garnet-Epsilon

Garnet-Epsilon

Epsilon had been... wandering, As well as one could in the Tunnel, but they had been hopping from ledge to ledge in the walls, and had made their way closer to Hydra, eyeballing a small creature to torment and catch for dinner before their sibling catches their gaze.

Gliding down and coming to a skidding landing, thanks to the loose sand and the many shards tinkling under its small paws, Epsilon takes a few steps closer to its darker sibling and chirps to announce its presence.

A small pause, and the piebald hybrid takes a seat, holding a small shard of some other chrysalis in its hand before speaking. "It's tempting to go out there, isn't it." A statement, not a question.

The heat had pulled at Epsilon, and it was sure that they'd laugh at themselves later in life, but for now thoughts of using the heat to hover effortlessly above the sand and leaving the Uninitiated behind tempted them in their dreams.

@Garnet-Delta

Something landed behind it. On instinct, it pulled on its magic, preparing to defend itself...

A chirp caught Delta's rabbit-like ears, and one twisted to turn toward the sound. Epsilon. It raised its head, and swept its tail around its paws. Otherwise, the alien-cat dug its claws into the earth as it turned stock still, letting its hatchmate approach and take a seat beside it. It let Garnet-Epsilon speak, crimson eyes staring out into the burning desert in icy silence.

Tempting? Did Garnet-Epsilon think it knew what was going on in its fellow Garnet's head? Did it think it understood the depth of its struggles? Born of Hemlocke and Desert-Rose, two tried and tested Champions, it had no idea what it was like. "Of course, you think you could handle the Hydra," the feline growled softly under its breath, turning its head away. Precious child, practically created for the Trial.

"I have other purpose," it replied sharply, rising to its feet. "I just like the warmth." Too defensive? Maybe. Its gaze snapped to Epsilon's face, eyeing it warily as it stood tall and proud and kept its fur flat. Did it think it was funny to come and bother it while it struggled with its new reality? Hah. As if it would let Epsilon have the pleasure. "If our Handler decides that I should take the Trial, then I will."

With a flick of its ear, it turned back toward the tunnel, and kept its tail still. "What do you want?" Garnet-Delta demanded shortly, literal venom at the back of its throught. It was plainly obvious what its hatchmate wanted though; it wanted to continue to pick and mock it for the death of Palefur, as though that had any meaning on anything. Well, it could make itself look like a fool if it wanted. Delta didn't give a single speck of crusty sand for the dead cat.

@Garnet-Epsilon

Garnet-Epsilon

A harsh snort rolls through their beak, and Epsilon shakes its head at the other's aggression, the others venom rolling off it's back. "It's tempting to me because heat makes it easier to fly. I'm not arrogant enough to think I'm warranted better survival then anyone else here. We were made with purpose in mind, no? So why is it bad I appreciate mine like you, yours."

Admittedly, the heat from Hydra burns less against it's scales and fur than the scathing glare it can feel against their back, and they sigh, their whole body drooping as they get to their paws and take some steps away, scuffing feet through the tinkling shards once again.

"We will see what our handlers want from us, for our Overseer. But I came to speak to you, so that we could have a solid alliance."

It's not like me saying I just want a chat works with anyone, here.

"Also," they take a seat, a few steps further away from its sibling, shaking our fur and wings before resting, ears drooping off to the side. "I'd like for us to be able to learn from others mistakes. I may be built for the Hydra, like all of us are, but in the end I have just as much experience with the place as these stupid rocks," a hiss, and a sudden and sharp snap of their tail to strike a particularly large pebble, sending the thing flying into the sand beyond. Their mane is spiking slightly in agitation, but they're keeping their breathing even as they look out into the hellish sands once more.

@Garnet-Delta

Epsilon either had the sense, tact, or ignorance to leave Delta's sharp snap as nothing more than a bristle of a cat caught off-guard. The siblings stood in opposition, one turned away from the glare of Hydra and the other turned toward it. At first, Epsilon used its words against it, and it held its tongue. I never said it was a bad thing.

But the adolescent was surprised by the jolt through its own skin as Epsilon led with wanting to speak to it in particular. Oversize ears twist like elongated radar dishes toward Epsilon as the half-dragon sits a safe distance away.

Learn from other's mistakes? Palefur. Epsilon had some nerve.

Delta inhaled, the breath rushing into their throat rumbling with a low growl of warning. It is not a second after Epsilon's hiss before the cat-descended Garnet whipped around toward its sibling, teeth drawn and claws scratching across the rough earth.

"We have no idea what it's really like out there," it agreed, lips pulled back into a sardonic grin. The pebble, cast out into the thongs of sand, drew a brief glance from its crimson eyes. "But if we want to talk mistakes, maybe you should watch your tongue if you're looking for an "alliance"." Tail lashing behind it, it raised its head and laid back its ears. Did Epsilon really think that it could sneak that insult past it? Delta knew that its fellow garnet looked at it and saw only it's predecessor's failure. Maybe on a better day, it could have held its tongue and let its sibling underestimate it. Unfortunately, it was already on a hair trigger.

"Regardless-- We're already on the same side, aren't we?" Delta inquired, raising a paw to point a claw toward the feathery, scaled hybrid. "Unless you're worried that we'll be tested against each other."

It let that statement sink in for a moment, before stepping forward. "If you think for a second," it growled, "that I'll ever go easy on you, you really are as stupid as that pebble."

@Garnet-Epsilon

Garnet-Epsilon

A sigh, and they roll their head towards their sibling - looking tired.

"I'm saying we need to agree to not treat each other as threats. I won't take it easy on you, either. Commander Hemlock and Desert Rose seem to make an efficient team, from what I gather. I feel we have that adaptability, or at least the possibility of it together."

A beat, and then, "I mean the mistakes of forcing others we align with into enemies, Delta. Palefur is gone, consumed by the sands. You are not that cat, or you wouldn't be here," a sniff, again, and a rub of the nose, ears both facing it's sibling.

"I am also not either of them. I have none of their benefits. I don't know everything that I inherited from them. You and I will be tested against each other, if only to figure out what we got from our Commander."

They state this like a fact, no inflection other than resignation in it's voice, but their features seem... drawn, almost like Epsilon is holding something back... a thought? Regrets that it's sibling is so hostile? That the cave before them is so hostile? A statement? The sinking suspicion that they feel that this second generation of the Sentinels won't make it?

Yes.

But they seem to also note that Delta does not like being questioned. Pity. Leaves less room for learning.

"Besides, you and I could practice mid-air combat at some point. It's nothing that Selenite could do, and it's something the two of us could possibly add to our arsenals of surprises. After all, I wouldn't trust anyone other than yourself or Commander Hemlocke to practice with, but what if we surprised them?"

A bribe, yes, but also a genuine offer - crowned by a mischievous grin.

"Not now, and not here of course. But it's an idea."

@Garnet-Delta

Garnet-Delta had expected a kick back. It had been subconsciously looking for a fight, but its sibling couldn't even bother looking irritated. Just... Exhausted. The feline's long ears pricked up an inch from the back of its skull to entertain Epsilon's words regardless, and its eyes never left their face.

It wasn't about to be convinced that Garnet-Espilon hadn't meant the mention of Palefur to be a dig. But it wasn't going to keep treading that ground and make a scene. I don't care.

More importantly... Would-- Could-- Epsilon be a benefit to Delta? Or would they simply hold it back? Its nose twitched with the thought. Garnet-Delta was thinking about this all wrong. It didn't need to let itself be weighed down by the possiblities. It needed to see the opportunities, and take them.

Its fur flattened, and it blinked slowly as Garnet-Epsilon went on to suggest practicing mid-air combat. The urge to take flight on to the hot sands and divebomb some unsuspected piece of prey rushed through it, flexing its claws as it was swept up by the sensation. It was still frustrated, and it still wanted to prove itself.

A quick scrap with Epsilon would help get some of the pent up energy out. "I suppose I can see the merit in it," Garnet-Delta said smoothly, though it resented Epsilon for making it say that they had a good idea.

Not now, though. Not when Garnet-Delta would probably rip off its siblings fur given the chance. Maybe Epsilon actually was smart. "Canis would be a better spot, more room to practice," it allowed Epsilon to wriggle their way out of the conversation then, if that was what it wanted. Less dangerous than Hydra; not that either of them were afraid of the sands. It was just an unnecessary risk.

"Just name a time and I'll be there," it offered. It rose to its feet, spine arching with a stretch as it flexed out its wings. A twinge of egging in its voice gave away its own desire to race and tussle, as it watched for the same reaction in its sibling, "Unless you're ready to start now."

@Garnet-Epsilon