This guarding routine was pretty comfortable, all things considered. It didn't mind gliding along on the tunnel's blustering winds, weaving by the worn-smooth walls of sandstone. Hemlocke certainly didn't mind having explicit directions and orders; they kept it on the straight-and-narrow. There wasn't any time to loiter around the desert rose resting in the back of the Warren, wondering what he'd think of all that was striking the Sentinels, what their little gathering of Champions had become.

Secretly, too, it didn't mind being able to work alongside the garnets and the selenite. Superiority was turning out... to not be a color it enjoyed wearing, even if the title of - "Commander, I saw Bloodstone go talk to that boar outside. I'll keep an ear out." Hemlocke's head snapped towards Delta, ears pricking. It chirped and nodded in acknowledgment, and kept a careful eye.

It listened as the hydra moved to engage, only one head really interacting (it'd never figured that out) and half-expected the whelp to start attacking then and there. But, no - it had the NERVE! It had to have known that Hemlocke was right there, and that it wasn't some half-wit deformed creature that couldn't hear it divulging secrets and talking all that it was down.

Feathers bristling along its spine, the garnet snapped out its wings and called sharply to Delta's departing form - "Garnet-Delta! To me!" Which one's here - oh, "Overseer!" It swept down from its perch, innards getting blisteringly hot.

Hemlocke practically dived at the boar, snapping its wings out at the last possible second to slow down enough and aim a nasty fireball at her. No concept of a warning shot came to mind in the moment, and it landed just slightly to Bloodstone's side. Ruby-red eyes flickered to the hydra for a moment, a low hiss rattling out of its mouth, "don't say another word." There was a dangerous promise in its voice.

It turned back to Sora. "If you want to keep your gem intact, you're going to leave before I light you on fire, before Garnet-Delta's magic rips you to pieces, and certainly before the Overseer gets here."

Please wait for @Garnet-Delta to post as well!
Orthoclase-Alpha will arrive next round.

Garnet-Delta swept through, back and forth on patrol, tirelessly performing its job. It had seen Sora briefly with each pass, but it had mostly ignored the boar as long as it kept its distance. It had, after all, only been a day. The dumb thing was probably making sure that they weren't going to come after its family (though, Alpha and it had made perfectly clear that they were to stay the hell away) but it was starting to get irritated. On its last pass, it had seen Bloodstone go to talk to it, and it swept back into the tunnel.

Bloodstone was probably about to prove itself, like a good little thing. Overseer had trained it, so naturally Garnet-Delta wasted zero energy worrying about it. It did, however, mention to Hemlocke as they passed one another, "Commander," it had chirped, "I saw Bloodstone go talk to that boar outside. I'll keep an ear out." What it meant was "you keep an ear out too", but it still hadn't climbed to a position above its Commander, and that meant... it had to word things respectfully, and not boss around its superior.

And keep an ear out it did. It was a good excuse to practice its magic, anyway. It would be able to sweep back in a second, but for now it reached out and tried to prod at Bloodstone's mind. It couldn't be harder than the steel trap of Overseer Alpha's empty skull... Like a radio being tuned, Garnet-Delta locked in on Bloodstone's thoughts, catching the glimpse of warmth for the stranger, and the distance it felt from the Sentinel's.

Garnet-Delta locked in on it immediately. It recognized the poisonous seeds of treachery (how often it had caught itself, in its youth, considering such in moments of weakness) and its presence became sharp and defined. BLOODSTONE, it yowled. In the next second, Commander Hemlocke called for it, before it had even gotten a few yards down the tunnel.

A hiss in the back of its throat, it swiveled in the air and dove after Hemlocke. Its thoughts slammed further into Bloodstone's thoughts, berating it viciously, I am disappointed in you. Really? Is this how you repay the Master for giving you a home and a purpose? Garnet-Delta landed in the dirt, wings kicking up dust and fur bristling as it glared at Sora, teeth drawn back threateningly. Do not say another word.

The boar... This one, had been one of the ones that Delta had thought was okay. It had left without causing any trouble, without necessarily insulting Master Vargas. However, it being here now, and interrogating one of their newest members? Garnet-Delta prowled forward, a low growl in its throat as it positioned itself between Sora and Bloodstone. That is a spy. Its friends with those that would sooner see Master Vargas dead. Its tone softened slightly, but still firm. See all of us dead. Exaggeration, perhaps? Yes, but certainly not unlikely. Right now, distrust was more than warranted, and the fate of the whole caves relied on keeping gembound like the boar away from the tunnel. Even if that wasn't their goal, any interruption could cause the whole nest to be wiped clean. Do NOT trust it.

@bloodstone @sora

tw, sora does big swears

The words of Bloodstone had struck her. "You deserve a family," she said softly. In fact, Sora had been right about to offer her own. Until... until she heard/saw/felt/sensed two others approaching. Winged creatures, and then the snap of wings and the pain fire scorching at her side. Sora let out a roar of pain, thrashing blindly through the smell of burning hair -- Hemlocke was moving to fast for her to hit anyway. She rose to her feet and bared her teeth, all of her fur bristling. Scorched and in pain, still smoldering, but certainly not in a mood to take this sitting down.

"What," she spat, pacing back and forth, "you fucking pricks are gonna puppy-guard Canis, too? What are you going to do, kill me? For standing here? For being nice to a kid?" Venom seeped from her voice, and she looked Garnet-Delta in the eyes. "And you. You cast magic on my brother. You're lucky I haven't decided to make you regret it," she growled, taking a chance and trying to brandish one of her new spells for emphasis.

Black smoke poured off of her body in waves, her glowing eye seeming to shine brighter. The smoke didn't obscure their vision of her or anything (it wasn't thick enough for that), but it certainly made a wicked intimidation attempt. Hopefully, they'd be cowed -- because she wasn't backing off.

@bloodstone
@garnet-delta
@hemlocke

Hellfire found the boar rather refreshing, in all honesty. The conversation was nice, and warm. Something rather new, especially with everyone so stressed over what was happening.

You deserve a family.

A fireball crashed down, and Bloodstone reared, three heads snatching back and snarling in surprise, backing up on it's hind legs before landing back down and scuttling away, tail sweeping out in front of it as Garnet-Delta and Hemlock aimed their words at it.

Hellfire's mouth snapped shut and he huddled back, the grey head, deemed Luci, stepping forward to control the body, utterly furious at the other for daring to talk to the boar in the first place. They wanted to snap, to bite and beat up the center head, but a glare from Koi made him bite down the fire in his throat, grumbling instead.

Though, only one set of thoughts had been active enough for Garnet to feel, since the others were really just dreaming of fish and flowers. Now, Luci's thoughts were raging, threatening to bubble over like a boiling pot, while Koi's were like a still pool, trying to silently calm Luci and very gently berate Hellfire.

The two left Hellfire to take the berating from Garnet-Delta, however.

Eyes down, the head bowed, ears pinned and legs shuffling gently. In the softest voice he could muster, he said, "I'm sorry."

They looked at Sora with hardened eyes, growls welling up in all three throats, chest glowing with the threat of fire. Not that they had enough magic to conjure any true fire as of yet. Mingling thoughts clashed, opinions warred and waged, before forming something of a final answer.

They were a Sentinel.

Luci felt satisfaction welled up, pleased to see it mirrored in their counterparts as well.

@Hemlock

The fireball hit its mark, and Hemlocke couldn't deny the thrum of satisfaction that coursed through it; charred insides or not, it'd been worthwhile. It kept its wings drawn out - and out of reach - to seem larger, taking notes from the landing Delta.

Sora continued to squeal, and suddenly it became convinced that this might be a distraction, or some sort of ploy. Oversized ears pricked far forward (versus their being laid back like before) and ruby-red eyes darted around for a moment. Bloody signatures smeared into view, but none were larger than rats, nor close enough to be considered assassins or assailants waiting in the wings. Its ruff didn't smooth down with that assurance.

"We might," it spat in warning, "but that's up to our Overseer - if you're around for it." Hemlocke didn't have to glance over its shoulder to know the armored beast was on its way. Its eyes narrowed at the bout of shadows, but it wasn't at all intimidated - it was a Champion that'd endured countless Trials and communed with far more monstrous and powerful creatures on the daily; and currently stood guard for what may very well be the most important being to ever enter the caves.

But, unlike the bloodstone whelp, it wasn't about to divulge that wildly. That, and... it was a display of magic. Unpredictable stuff - it knew. The garnet sniped to either of the creatures next to it, "careful, watch it."

It lifted its head and stared back at the boar, "it's hard not to be suspicious of something constantly staring into this tunnel and feeding lies to our Master's assets." Subterfuge - it had to be. There wasn't anything at the other end of it that could possibly appeal to any ordinary Gembound. (Secretly, Hemlocke yearned just as much as any other being in this drip-fed system of privilege. What would it be like if it'd been born into this age? Come out of the chrysalis with a name and self-determination?) "This is your last warning from me: get away from this tunnel."

Leave with what you have. A name. Independence. Everything we could ever want.

@Garnet-Delta
Will post Alpha after Bloodstone's posted!

Garnet-Delta's pelt prickled on end, hackles raised as it stood firm in front of Bloodstone, shielding the younger Sentinel with its body. Internally, its attention was drawn more to listening to Bloodstone's internal struggle, but it still hissed as Sora accused them of casting magic on her brother. "Who?" It sneered. As if she had proof. A bold claim and half-threat.

The boar began to transform-- no, it was just magic. Black smoke poured out of her, eyes alighting, and Delta's tail puffed up to a bristle brush and another startled hiss came from its throat.

You're okay, Garnet-Delta sent the thought to Bloodstone. Be more careful in the future. If the spy attacks, stay behind me. No matter what, it would protect the younger Sentinel; protect the future of their group. That was the goal, and precisely what Garnet-Delta had been completely focused on nonstop since Master Vargas's plans had begun.

It was expendable.

Bile rose in the back of Garnet-Delta's throat, and it tried to draw venom to its jaws just in case. Still, Sora's showing had shaken it, even if it stood firm in front of Bloodstone. Trying to keep track of too many things at once wasn't helping either. At least the Overseer wasn't too far away; good luck to anyone trying to mess with the Sentinel's with it around.

@Sora

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

traumatic childhood

strong language

gore

but like, trial related

Sora's blood positively boiled. "Lies?" she echoed, her voice falling to a lethal calm. "Assets?" Her eye narrowed. "That is not an asset. What sort of fucking monster raised you? That's a child, who deserves to be protected and cared for. Is this how you raise your children? To be assets? Marched into Hydra and slaughtered?" In Hemlocke's eyes, she saw a beast -- a beast who might have been her, without her siblings. "That is a child who needs to be defended from those who seek to harm them. You sick fucks make them afraid to have a name, and you're telling me about lies?" She took a step forward, and then another one. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to about lies?"

Sora laughed, sharp and humorless. "I'll tell you what a lie is. I was raised with eleven others in a tiny cave totally cut off from the outside world. All I knew was my family. I was given life, and I thought that was the way the world was. Eleven animals with rocks in their bodies and a masked monster with a chrysoberyl in his hand. Then, when we were old enough, all we knew was ripped from us and our sister was murdered because she didn't want to play his little game." A nearly audible grinding of her teeth. "We were thrown into the shadows and fed to a monster of ice and hatred that tore my brothers away from me. It stole their voices and begged me to help them, to follow them into the shadows. I saw the blood dripping down their bodies from where the claws had torn in. I saw internal stones exposed to the air. I saw them turn into black Oil and I still hear their fucking screams. That is a lie. And you know what?" Her ears flicked -- she could sense the approaching of the other monster, too.

"Your master had the audacity to call that a fucking privilege. They stole my face from me and made me some kind of freak, and told me I was a hero? A fucking champion?" she spat, every hair standing on end. "That is a lie, little bird. The only lie you're being told is that you can keep that monster from leaving Hydra." She shuddered involuntarily, remembering the claws as they dug into her pelt. Remembering the fear, the instinct, the adrenaline. "So fucking forgive me if I feel the need to keep watch over what little family I have remaining, considering I seriously doubt you lot would do more than try to save your own waves-forsaken skin."


@bloodstone
whoops big text

Bloodstone perked up at the words of Garnet, the childish instincts of the beings latching onto the comfort and nodding solemnly. The creature was trying to trick them, that was all.

... That was all.

As Sora talked, they felt nervous, even scared. Ears pinned and teeth barred, their body leaning back, both trying to get away but also stubbornly staying put.

"We don't have names, not for others to call us," Luci spat, the grey, star-patterned head rising up to glare at Sora, "Names are for those who earn them. But we will!"

Hellfire and Koi remained silent, Koi feeling sympathy for the boar, but too afraid to actually say so. Hellfire... didn't know what to think. But they didn't like the yelling, the threat of attack, the confusion of who to listen to. Once Alpha was here, it would be okay. It could chase Sora off and the hydra could maybe even go inside to take ten after the ordeal was over.

Though... a chat with Garnet-Delta might be due, as well. Later, they thought.

Claws dug into the dirt as they stood behind and to the side of Delta, trying to be brave. Courage didn't come without fear.

@Hemlocke

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

death

strong language

violence

Ruby-Beta could watch over the chrysalises for however long this took.

The Overseer thundered down the length of the tunnel, clearing any obstacles with ease. There were no false alarms with Hemlocke - it wouldn't call for more unless they were vastly outnumbered. A massive assault certainly laid at the entrance, full of the physically or magically strong. Indistinct voices clamored back and forth, but there was no slash of claws on claws. Just a brief squeal of pain and continued speech.

Alpha slowed down to a low, slinking pace. Toxic eyes immediately zeroed in on the porcelain-white boar; ignoring Bloodstone's hesitant stepping forward to meet the challenge, or Hemlocke's near-immediate fluttering out of the way (not without closing any remarks.) The orthoclase knew her. She'd been with those that didn't bother to defend anyone but their own individual selves. Those that emerged as a fuck you from the universe. That'd been mere days ago, and she was back.

It didn't fight for Vargas's honor (because he wasn't here to defend himself against this moronic fucking pig, and it wasn't about to start doing that again) but to grieve; to rage instead of let itself marinate in mourning for just a second. The monstrous hybrid stepped over the other Sentinels without hesitation, jaws parting to bare its teeth. The front few were still stained by Morganite's blood. But, it wasn't that that went for Sora.

No, it swung an arm out for the pig, aiming to pin her under a cage of hooked talons. Alpha wanted to go further, too - to rip this damned creature to shreds. But, it wasn't deep enough into a blind haze of fury to completely forget its own position in the Caves and earlier lessons about biting off more than you could chew. It wasn't disposable like she was - and it couldn't afford to be so forgettable. Killing her now would bring those other three on its head.

Growling, the orthoclase lowered its head, teeth dangerously snapping in Sora's direction. It didn't wait for context from the others for what it'd missed in coming here, merely spitting in the other three's direction, "watch. out."

Once the others took watch in whatever way they pleased, Alpha leaned in close again. "Get away from this tunnel," it hissed, every syllable another warning, "before I rip you to pieces, and your family, after that." Family - the word was spat like acid burning its throat, nearly garbled with the vile hatred twisting it. Quills rattled vehemently, almost louder than its words. "There won't be stones left when I'm done."

It'd shatter every single one of them, if it could. If Elyon didn't deserve to live on, why shouldn't they? Spite churned through it like the furious nausea in its gut. Would it go so far as to keep all of them from living on? It could slip away into Hydra...

This pig couldn't say it didn't warn her - didn't give her every single warning shot it had. Hemlocke had fired at her once, warned her twice; and it had nothing to continue with. Any semblance of authority it once had over the Overseer (as its babysitter) was completely gone. She continued to squeal and ramble, and every word had it growing more and more... miserable. Weary.

"That's what living is in these Caves," it spat. Survival was a privilege to fight for; assets were made and destroyed; they were cogs in an eternal machine, even as the Spire turned and changed, even as arbitrary creation emerged all across the caves. It was a privilege for the thing to have lived, all things considered. No Trial before had been filled with suffocating, killing darkness. No Trial before had held so many variables like those conducted by the Master Vargas and Merchant.

Living through that was its own reward. Hemlocke certainly wouldn't do it again, now that it had been given a chance to retire from testing and stand as an Eye of the Overseer (wait, it wasn't that anymore -) and Commander of the Sentinels. It was artificial superiority, but it was enough.

The odd alien fluttered away from the turbulent Alpha, vanishing up into a ledge to watch the tunnel's entrance... watching for any beasts waiting in the wings. Magicka sparked and misfired - was it too frazzled? By some foolish, misguided words? - and sent a procedural seizing through its entire body. Hemlocke trembled in place, muscles twitching and contracting painfully with shooting pains behind the eyes. It damn-near collapsed on the stone, but stiffened and locked its elbows in place to keep itself from falling - to keep itself watching.

hemlocke will be watching on unless directly addressed!
@Garnet-Delta
(fuck my rng luck goddamn)