- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas paced, grunting. He went again to the now-empty chrysalis, and stared at it. Where did it come from? he asked himself, for the twentieth time. It had simply appeared, and the creature within had hatched at precisely the right time to leave with a new Hand.

"OVERSEER GARNET-DELTA?" he bellowd, at the top of his lungs.

For the third time that day.

It was troubling him, still. Had it been a trick-? A trap? He'd not created that one--had he? Trickles of doubt struck him again. The thing had been a cat, there was no doubt of it; a Valkhound, but a cat. ...Had Garnet itself made it, without his knowing?

He paced away again, long strides carrying him toward the Aperture, instead. He'd check the door, ask Sentinel if he'd seen the Overseer.

In passing, his eyes cut toward the Black Spire; groaning in its shifting, as it took on yet another incomprehensible shape. He grunted, and disregarded it. He had much on his mind, really--much beyond the mystery Valkhound. For one thing, the Hand. A new Hand, out of virtually nowhere, and hadn't that spiked up his stress levels just a little? There's a new Hand, and oh, she's staying in the nest itself to evaluate. No pressure, Vargas, he thought sarcastically to himself.

Then there was Chaos-Two's utter failure. It would undoubtedly need replacing, but with who-? He'd come to the abrupt realization that they simply didn't have enough functional creations in the Chaos Forge to work reliably. They had--what, a half-feral chaos beast and a gate guard? Esther could be useful, he mused, if I find something for them to do. And as for the rest? A few scattered spawn of Alpha's mainly. I wonder if it would be pleased if it came back to find them elevated in station, and well-trained, he thought, and the idea was almost wistful. He made a note to ensure that was the case, regardless; they'd all been rather neglected, really.

And there was more to discuss, as well, but for that he needed--"OVERSEER GARNET-DELTA?"

...Really, they needed shorter names.

@Garnet-Delta

Ooh, what was this? An important moment? Surely the Overseer had been watching from a far, ears pricked and eyes narrowed, tail twitching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to weasel its way over and make itself made known.

Actually, Overseer Garnet-Delta was... Taking a cat nap, in its usual perch. It could hardly be called a nest; the feline had no interest in soft bedding, and simply laid on whatever relatively flat (or otherwise) surface that would hold its weight and pass out. It liked being up high, and that was as far as preference went.

The Leviathan, Master Vargas, its Master, belted out its name, and... for once, it barely stirred. It had actually be asleep, not just dozing for once, and aside from a twitch of an ear, it barely stirred. There had been a lot of yelling as of late, and well, the Overseer needed its rest too. No shame in that.

The second call, however, was more than enough to stir it from its already disturbed sleep. Ears snapping up like springs, bleary red eyes blinked open. Immediately, magic stretched out for it, seeking the heartbeats of every creature in the room both big and small. The possibility of a threat or threats was immediately thrown out; only the usual lessers and Chaos Forge spawn were out and about. Less than usual, as of late; it seemed like their numbers were dwindling, didn't it? They were the largest group by a huge margin still, but it was worth noting the lack of actual members about the forge.

Regardless. Master Vargas was calling, and it, a loyal dog, would come at his beckoning. With a yawn, and a stretch, Garnet-Delta spread its wings and leaned over the edge of its perch. A bit further and... swoosh, to the air it went, sweeping its way over to its Master.

Overseer Garnet-Delta landed neatly at its Master's feet, nose twitching and whiskers curling as it resisted the urge to yawn again. When it did open its mouth, the yawn fought it for words as it spoke. "Mah-ster, ahem, Master Vargas," it cleared its throat. "Is something the matter?" It inquired in a business-like mimic of Vargas's usual tone, polite and formal, tucking its little toe beans into line under its chest. It sat up straight, meeting the glowing, putrid green eyes that loomed over head.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas turned, relief trickling in faintly at his Overseer's arrival. He was about to launch into his list of points to address almost at once when he paused, noticing the condition the Overseer seemed to be in.

He forgot, sometimes, that these creatures needed sleep.

"Ah--I did not know that you were sleeping. -Were you sleeping?" he asked, uncertain. It seemed that way. A faint yawn, bleary eyes. "If you were sleeping, return to sleep, and come to me when you are awake. We have business to discuss and I will need you attentive, but it is not urgent to the point of hours making much difference."

There was nothing in his tone to indicate disapproval. Sleep was, as Delta reasoned, quite necessary--for Gembounds, at least.

@Garnet-Delta

listen i'm sorry for the 0 content but vargas knows his employees need off-time-

Hm. It was fairly generous of its Master to put the Overseer's needs before whatever was weighing heavily on his mind, but Garnet-Delta had already pulled itself out of bed and scrambled to its Master's feet, and sleep was well beyond its present priorities. It would be difficult to settle and rest, knowing that something pressing was waiting to be addressed.

How to express this to Master Vargas? A long sender ear swiveled and flicked, and its eyelids shut over its crimson gaze, dipping its head politely. "No need, Master Vargas," came the respectful refusal. "I was only taking a short rest." A cat nap, if you will. "I take brief, frequent breaks to ensure I can function at peek capacity when needed." Certainly, the winged feline had fallen into a deeper slumber that its typical kips... perhaps due to its recent exertion, but, ah. That was neither here nor there.

Overseer Garnet-Delta raised its chin, meeting its Master's gaze once more with a flutter of its lashes. Whiskers curled back and its thoughts of sleep were thoroughly banished. In their place, a keen hunger crouched in the wings. "I can assure you," it said with a faint rasp on the edge of a purr, "you have my full attention."

The Overseer's curiosity dug deep. It tried to sink in its claws, but... its magic had become somewhat fickle. Patience kept its fur flat and expression neutral as it tilted its head to listen to its Master.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

The Overseer's dutiful nature was not lost on him, but then, it never was. He appreciated it, but given its state and its words, he was at once wary that it might be overworking itself. Then again, perhaps it was... overstating its activity levels. Overseers lying to their Masters wasn't quite unheard of, after all. "Be sure you get enough rest, Overseer. Do not repress your physical needs." It wasn't berating, or correction, so much as genuine advice.

But it claimed to be ready; on to business, then. Vargas turned, pacing away a bit, thinking; he went over a brief mental list of what he'd wanted to address. So as not to lose anything, forget something important. First, he was to direct it to go see the new Hand, Aethril; and to assess her new bodyguard--he had to explain that entire situation. Then he'd need to explain how short-staffed the Chaos Forge had become (and undoubtedly the Overseer would have noticed this much, already, if its intelligence met Vargas's expectations of it). Third, he'd address how he meant to correct this: looking for Orthoclase-Alpha, rewarding the creation of successful creatures, and lastly--perhaps most importantly--recruiting any of the newly-awakening Valkhounds springing up around the caves. The loss of Aethereal as a member had irked him. He intended to crack down on this; Valkhounds they found roaming and deemed useful were to be... returned to the Forge for assessment, and it was to be explained that they existed for the betterment of the Nest and would be used as such. If they rebelled they could be killed, their stones used to make something more cooperative. In practice, this might not amount to much--the caves were a large place--but they had to get ahead of this shortage before they were left in a clutch.

And finally, perhaps, the offer of some additional reward once they were up and running again. He also intended to check up on Garnet-Delta's finding of an apprentice--had it located, or created, one yet?

"We have much to cover," he began, at last. His pacing turned him to face the Overseer, and his words were both controlled and pensive. It was precisely the demeanor of a boss who had just met a new manager: a little tense, and very businesslike, but intent on getting a job done. "A new Hand--like Lord Dhracia--was in the nest all this time, and I did not know. She was asleep, in the palace; now she has awoken. She visited Draco yesterday. She asked to tour our work, to view our creations, and though I explained that Lord Dhracia takes the best, it was an unpleasant realization that we are... lacking, of late, in numbers. Chaos-Two failed its test utterly; I am still considering how to handle that, but it means that it is out of our equation for now. Orthoclase-Alpha has not returned, and of the rest, only a small fraction are truly useful for controlling a Nest. Others would make fine beasts of war--Nidhogg, for example, and Draconua-" (who wasn't really Forge, but never mind) "-but are useless for our other needs. We need to address this, so as not to fall behind."

He turned, paced, thinking. "First, you will need to visit the Valkhand at the Cepheus palace. I have spoken highly of you, Overseer, and she wishes to assess you personally. I can warn you of little about her, bar that she presents herself as far more mild than our Lord Dhracia. That does not mean she does not hold the same capacity for cruelty beneath."

Memories flicked through his mind. 'You must understand I had a point to make. Serving as the Hand of Disorder necessitates such mayhem, lest He finds one more suitable for the role.' Dhracia's cruelty was, in part, an act; he knew this, it was necessary. Would Aethril hold the same violence in her, beneath the civilized veneer?

"Second," his mind churned ahead, chugging relentlessly through his little list, "a Valkhound awoke precisely when she arrived. I do not know who created it," and here he glanced to Garnet-Delta--this was the only cat-like creature in Draco, and the Valkhound had been... well. "It looked rather like you, but in distinctly Valkhound form. Feline. But large, black. No wings. It presented itself to the Hand, and she insisted on removing it as her bodyguard. I insisted at least that it be evaluated, trained in its tasks. I wish you to assess it, ensure it is reliable--trustworthy. We cannot lose a Hand in our own damn nest to an unknown factor. And then, if it is, train it--both in assassination and against assassination. I want it to know what to expect. I want it able to recognize, and repel, such attacks--and you are our best in that. Understood?"

He paced, again. "I apologize for the length of this list. If you require repeating, inform me. But the next priority is to increase our numbers--and with quality, not mere quantity. My concept before had been to create many, and use the best. But thus far they are failing. I need Overseer Orthoclase-Alpha back--do you know where it is? If not, I task you with finding it. And I need a replacement for Chaos-Two. I will call a meeting. And I intend to make something clear," Vargas added, glancing back at Garnet-Delta. His demeanor was suddenly overbearing--but it wasn't directed at his Overseer, at least. "I have been trying to do things differently than was done in my era. It seems that these creatures are more sensitive, and I had hoped there would be positive response to potential rewards, in the near-absence of punishment. But most of them have hardly progressed. Chaos-Two's spectacular failure, in particular, was both disappointing and surprising. I have always treated it fairly--I have treated it well, in fact--and it flung accusations and fled sobbing." There was utter disgust in the Leviathan's tone. "We have no place for such weakness, and we will need to make that clear. If I have to go back to the old ways, then so be it."

A shrug, and a turn, a pace. "I also wish to again offer rewards for service, an... added incentive. Those who create worthy, loyal spawn. Those who have served well--that includes you. Those who find strong Valkhounds to recruit. I wish you to consider a name; consider having it ready to announce when I gather us together. Have you created an apprentice, yet--or found one?" He glanced it over, but there was no judgment in this either way. It should take its time to find one worthy--he believed that fully--and it wouldn't do to rush it. Still, he wanted updates.

"So let me cover what I have said," and he paced again, and this summary seemed more for himself than for Delta. "You are to report to Aethril, the Hand, for assessment at the palace. Then in turn, assuming she allows it, assess and begin training on her Valkhound guardian. Lastly, find Orthoclase-Alpha, unless you already know where it is. Then call the others together for a meeting, and I will do the same, so that I can lay out our future plans. We cannot be caught out by a new Hand checking on us constantly in our own damn Nest."

He looked to Delta, then; he respected its intelligence, its keen mind, and he wanted its perspective. "What do you think; do you have any questions?" And then--because it only now occurred to him to ask, and because he did value its input--"Do you have any opinions on how we might crack down on those within the Forge, without ruining their motivation?"

@Garnet-Delta

Garnet-Delta blinked as its Master repeated himself, urging the little alien-cat to be aware of its physical limitations. It swallowed the patronizing feeling it felt, accepting the words to its core despite the sting. It had been pushing itself lately, but not to any means that it was wearing thin. It was not as foolish as its predecessor. It nodded anyway.

The silence hung for a moment, but then, the Leviathan began on his long checklist. The mention of a new Hand filled its ears, and both antennae snapped to attention. For a heartbeat, it thought: does she need to be taken care of? Removed? Would the Overseer be capable of assassinating something on the level of Lord Dhracia? Perhaps, if she was still weak from cycles of slumber...

The Overseer couldn't contemplate it for long. The news that Chaos-Two had failed its test left a bitter taste in throat. What of the Zoisite and Labradorite? Khavur? All of them seemed scrambled, less put together than they had been before the move and before Alpha had left. Garnet-Delta was keenly aware of their lack of numbers; it had taken stock the moment it woke up, and found itself noting the quietness of the nest. The tip of the feline's tail twitched with consideration. The direness of the situation reached its Master, and that made it a priority for the Overseer as well.

But Master Vargas snatched that away from it to return to the first matter. The Valkhand. Its pupils turned to saucers at the mention of its Master's commendation and its body fell still with anticipation. "It would be my honor, Master Vargas," it answered. It was curious to scope out the Valkhand, this new Lord, and to impress her. Oh, it would be its pleasure.

On to the second point (it felt more like the third,) Garnet-Delta was surprised to learned that it had missed out on so much. Master Vargas seemed to implicate that it had been involved with the creation, but the cat-hybrid gave a small shake of its head. "Though it has remained in the back of my mind, Master Vargas, I would tell you before I attempted to create my own spawn. I have not found anyone that satisfies my requirements thus far. If this Valkhound was impressive enough to think it was related to me, then," the feline's whiskers twitched with humor-- how many creatures of its stone or blood had let the Forge down? Two, three? It kept that jab under its tongue. "I will assess it privately," the Overseer repeated, "and offer it training, for the good of the Nest and the Forge. Should it be ill-suited, I can speak to the Hand about replacing it." And, of course, removing it before it could cause harm to the Hand.

Topic three. Their numbers, and the fact that they had been suffering as of late. Though Master Vargas was being verbose, it wasn't difficult to keep track of the knowledge, at least, not for the Overseer. Information fed into the feline like a sponge, lapping up every word like the sweetest cream.

It did not blink at the mention of the other Overseer. The Orthoclase... Was in no state to return. The vacation had done nothing for its health; but Garnet-Delta felt no inclination to tell Master Vargas this. In fact, it kept this knowledge private from its Master. Was it mercy that led it to do so? Weakness? Or was it something else? The Overseer-- the one that was here, present, and actually important-- did not linger on this thought. They needed quality creations, and unfortunately, the latest batch seemed...

Oh? Master Vargas was actually seeing the truth of the matter. Its Master had offered positive reinforcement instead of leading by fear and punishment, and what good had come of it? The Forge had been weakened by this mercy. Its nose crinkled at its Master's description of Chaos-Two, who had been given opportunities well beyond what it would have been given eons ago. Will he make an example of it...? Garnet-Delta wondered, flexing its claws into the stone.

As an aside, its Master asked about a name. (Oh?) And about if it had made or found an apprentice. ".. I have not. I have been making other progress, however," the Overseer responded, and let its Master continue.

Three tasks. Aethril-- it almost missed this name. One task, already completed, but it moved past that fact with a coldness in its chest. "I understand," it said instead. Master Vargas asked it for questions, and then for opinions, and this was where the Overseer rose to its feet once more, tail raising with a flick into the air.

This time, when it sought to claw into its Master's heart, to judge his feelings on the situation as it spoke, the daggers dug in deep. Crimson eyes met vibrant green, opposite and yet complimentary. For a moment, it soaked in its Master's emotions and spoke clearly. "Master Vargas, I believe that they are lacking motivation," it declared simply. "Or, perhaps clinging to the wrong motivations. I believe that the lack of punishment is hampering our progress. You tell them that they will be safe, treated fairly, but it is only natural for misdeeds to have a consequence. Without, they fear retribution that does not come, and it... I suspect it drives them mad, waiting for you to lash out. They are aware of the Old Ways, and fear their return. It would be productive for them to have... clear, concise punishments laid out. If there is a mistake made, allow them punishment so they may clear their conscious, move on, and have reason to behave properly in the future."

Oh, Garnet-Delta was being kind to them, truly. If it was up to it, it would gleefully take back the old ways. After all, they had shaped its Master from Overseer to his new position, and how could Garnet-Delta not be keen on them? "I find myself frustrated," it lowered its head to admit, "when I work hard, and my fellow companions slack off, with no penalty. Why, I can understand why they do not try. What motivation have we given them, Master?" It prodded, speaking bluntly. This was not criticism, though; its Master was right to try a new way of teaching and raising new spawn. They had learned much from it, and he had raised Garnet-Delta with great success, but it didn't work on creatures who were not predispositioned to succeed for the satisfaction of greatness.

"Secondly," the Overseer added, "I believe that competition could, potentially, give them a motivation. They would need goals to achieve, goals that perhaps only one or two could reach. Of course, we would have to discourage sabotage, but... Having clearly laid out punishments for harming another outside of declared spars would be enough, I think."

Now, it was spitballing. "Rather than offering rewards for individual progress, we could seek progress for the Forge as a whole. Rewards, and acknowledgement, given to those that separate themselves from the rest." It had sought to become Overseer all its life, despite the overwhelming sense that it couldn't become like Vargas or the Orthoclase-- and wasn't it a failing, that it had felt that way? "The first to recruit a new member that proved itself, could be given a title," it suggested. "Or a name. The younger ones seem keen on names."

It tilted its head, looking thoughtfully off into the distance.

"I care not if I have a name," the Overseer said, "but if it would inspire them, I can decide on one now."

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

The emotions in which Garnet-Delta would bathe were varied. It began with a simple note--neither pleased nor displeased--when the Overseer promised that it had not created Obieth. Was it watching, yet, at that point-? Listening in on Vargas's stream of emotional consciousness?

There was acknowledgment, and general satisfaction, at most of its words--the agreements, the notes it made aloud, the assurances that it would take on this task or that. And Vargas was, as always, attentive to the Overseer's words: he set great stock in its keen mind, and in the dutiful, insightful nature it always provided him. But it was when it began to give its own opinions that this attention sharpened, other emotions and concerns stilling, for the moment. And then there came interest, thoughtfulness--and relief. These ideas were good. He could make use of these--they might even aid the Forge, as a whole. Vargas had long fretted--surprisingly deeply--over the chaotic emotional state (and wasn't that ironic?) of his people. Now, suddenly, a narrow span of hope was offered by the Overseer's words.

Lay out solid punishments, and adhere to them. Offer competition between them. "These are good ideas, Overseer," Vargas said, and he meant it. His words, his demeanor, were sincere. They were not, either, condescending, though he still spoke to Garnet-Delta as his Overseer, not quite as an equal--a boss to his most favored employee. He thought about this. "It is insightful. I admit I don't grasp their... psychologies. It may be that I am too used to a... faster pace; you are fighting, or you are dead. This fear they feel, if it is as you claim, is utterly foreign to me!" There was approval in all of him, strong, a drug for Garnet-Delta to lap up in its own time, if it so chose. Vargas was busy thinking, for a moment.

"Tell me," he began again at length, and his tone was again thoughtful; "do you have any punishments in mind? What would you think was fair for neglecting one's duty; where is the line drawn for simple execution? I do not mean to shift all of these decisions onto you--they won't be. But your insight has proven sharp in this. I would like to know what you think." Again, genuine; he held respect for the Overseer, a respect that ticked up a fraction each time he spoke to it.

It had yet to fail him.

"As for a name, you do not need to choose one. But I am finding Garnet-Delta chewy on the tongue, and I imagine something more impressive would better suit your rank. That is not an order, however. I won't think less of your capabilities if you prefer to keep your current name." He paused, eyeing Garnet-Delta with a keen gaze, for a moment. "You mentioned making other progress. Do you wish to cover it?" he asked; and again, it was not a demand. The mention had sounded, to him, like an offer (even an invitation) to discuss it, and so he opened that door to the possibility.

@Garnet-Delta

Garnet-Delta stood proud and attentive, ears pricked as its Master responded. "I think I understand them, but to be truthful... I find their lack of drive disturbing. I have always sought my own success. I don't truly know what it is like without ambition," the Overseer answered, all while soaking in the approval that washed over every inch. It was hard not to purr when the Leviathan showed such praise, but Delta carefully showed restraint.

Punishments were far from its mind at the moment, but it had ideas. "A small punishment would be limiting their freedom for a time, keeping them in Draco. Perhaps giving them duties like cleaning or hunting for others. Demotions. Stripping of names for a time." It paused. It had its own opinions, but respected Master Vargas, and so weighed its understanding of its Master's decision in its own ideas, "Corporeal punishment should be reserved for severe infractions; such as harming another Forge member outside of sparring, or aiding our enemies. You are against waste, and so I would not suggest for execution at the first transgression no matter the severity; but we could send them to their chrysalis. A show of force, a taste of death, but not permanent. Should they not show improvement then, then they should face death."

The Overseer nodded at Vargas's remark that its name was too long, and that it could come up with something better. It... was fond of its designation, but it had outgrown it. Overseer Garnet-Delta was, unfortunately, a mouthful. So its name would need to be short, snappy. Memorable. Powerful.

... hm. Master Vargas returned to the comment of other progress, and the cat perked up. "Yes! I did not want to interrupt. I have learned some new magic," it explained. "A way of seeing into other rooms, of spying. I have a few ways to do so, but... One would be difficult to demonstrate." Its whiskers twitched.

"Secondly, I met with a canine; I did not get her name. She told me of a cultist group in Polaris, and so I investigated. I found no sign of them, so I suspect they have moved on, but I plan on keeping an ear out for them." The Overseer was only slightly bothered by the small cult; they seemed insignificant for now. That could change. "My investigations did lead me to find something else. A powerful creature named Emuh. Do you know of him?"

Overseer Garnet-Delta's tail twitched. This would be easier to show Master Vargas, to demonstrate both its ability to see from afar, and also to share knowledge, but its magic refused to so much as spark. Disappointing, but all the more typical after the encounter with Emuh. It pushed the thought down, and its respectable pause for its Master to answer out of the way, it went on: "He offered me a Trial and, with my success, Transcendence. His task for me was to obtain three stones from obvious traps and place them in an altar, and I used nearby lessers to trigger each trap, and succeeded without so much as a scratch. It was incredibly satisfying. I wish that you could have seen it." If its magic did not fail it, it could recount it for Master Vargas then and there.

Alas.

"My magic has changed since," it noted. "A bit more unpredictable, perhaps due to the newfound capacity. I should adjust." It was not worried about this; it's magic was still mostly reliable; it had simply become accustom to rare failure and was stumbling a bit more than usual.

"But as for a name, Master Vargas," it said, tail twitching. Concise. Decisive. Something... Individual. This was not a matter that it desired to put off. While it wasn't particularly important to the Overseer itself, it could see the value in a name. It could understand why others desired names, and it agreed that terms like V-Chaos-Four, while descriptive and useful in some situations, made conversation fail to roll off the tongue.

It thought for a moment, and then decided.

"Cain will do."

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas gave little remarks, here and there, but for the most part he didn't interrupt. When Garnet-Delta spoke of not knowing what it was like to be without ambition, the Leviathan uttered an ironic grunt. "I share the same issue of perspective. You have always had a drive to succeed, to survive. It is like half of these creatures do not care to live at all." And it was ironic, really; they clamored for little freedoms but they didn't take the simple steps necessary to achieve it.

The ideas of punishments he simply noted, with slight nods. It was a starting point--good ideas, but he'd make adjustments here and there, come up with ways to pad that list. He'd need to finalize some of that before announcing it, but overall, "We will see something like this implemented very soon. If it does not work we will need to find another way."

"Can you tell me more about this 'cult?'" Were they against the Masters, against the Nest-? Or for something else entirely? "Their purpose, any names? Descriptions?" It was not demanding, really--that is, he wasn't blaming Garnet-Delta for offering this up to begin with. He wanted elaboration but he imagined that if it had known, it would have reported--or perhaps this was just a summary, the Overseer leaving it to him to ask clarification on specific points. "As for Emuh--yes! To succeed in his trials is a notable achievement, Garnet-Delta. Certain powers are kept locked off from us until he--he is the gate-guardian, so to speak--judges us worthy in His eyes to bear them. For that, I would usually offer a reward. If there is something more you wish you need only speak it," but in truth, the Overseer had earned almost everything Vargas could've offered. "But as you say--you will adjust. It will take practice; let me know if you wish to train."

Ahh--a name. He waited, patient, but it only took a few seconds more for his decisive Overseer to redefine itself entirely.

'Cain will do.'

It... suited. It was short, simple. It held some vague ominous threat Vargas couldn't have quite identified. He liked it.

"Good. Overseer Cain. It suits you," he offered, with both humor and approval. "It will be announced when I gather the others."

@Garnet-Delta