She'd been in Pegasus before. She had not been in Draco. She knew it would be different, but here, the ground moved. Why was it supposed to..?

Worried, she stayed close to Aethril and Obieth, vine-whip at the ready. Her other arm still stung from trying to get some honeysuckle vine to attach to it back in the palance- the bleeding had stopped, at least, but it was definitely sore. Ah- she'd forget it in a few hours, anyways, as she kept her attention on the rest of them.

There was a little thrill at seeing Vargas in person. He was so... big. Pollen's mouth hung open for a moment as she considering asking him about her favorite show, but- no, this was a meeting, and Aethril wanted her to be polite.

And so, Pollen adjusted her sparkly new bandana and stuck by Aethril's hip, fiddling with her braided whip with both hands.

There better be no rebels here..!

It was very obvious to know when and where the meeting would take place. To her it would be near impossible not to hear the bellowing call of The Leviathan through the expanse of Draco. She had been waiting for this meeting, nowhere near as long as others as she was informed of it just a few days ago from when she had first met the Leviathan, Master Vargas. She had been getting acquainted with her new surroundings and a few of those who too lived within it. She was to be acclimated before too much training would take place if she recalled what Master Vargas had told her just a few days prior.

Regardless she took off in a gallop, hastily making her way to the meeting; aiming to be at least one of the first handfuls that arrived to the Master's call. Her eyes soon taking in the many new shapes and forms of each creature that made up the Chaos Forge. A few she recognized immediately, Vargas of course, and The Sentinel was another too. Though there was many, many new ones, each one she would nod to in acknowledgement and greeting. One in particular though Master Vargas was pining down to the floor below while they writhed and hissed. She glanced over them for a few seconds before dismissing the sight. It was not her place to concern herself with their actions she mused, Master Vargas had it under control after all. Though there was another, an individual who seemed to walk on two and wore armor of brilliant gold- was that armor...or plating?...Scales maybe?

She spent a few moments, smiling towards them and nodding- perhaps a bit to low where it turned into a small bow of sorts towards them in curtsy when their eyes met. Though she didn't linger long, still looking for a spot all her own, soon catching sight of her Overseer Cain. She smiled, taking note that they seemed to be sitting a bit on the sidelines alone. She couldn't help but join them- well still giving them room out of respect but she couldn't help but sit the closest to them out of all the other attendees. Waiting for the announcement with baited breathe and excitement that once again caused her pale skin to writhe.

The Chaos Forge had been a bit on the backburner, hadn't it? At least, as far as V-Selenite-One was considered, it thought so. Of course, it hadn't taken any initiative upon noting this fact some time ago.

Because what does a half-monster, half-humanoid creature do with all its time following its life-giver and Overseer's departure? Why, it continues with business as usual. A few passing lessons or practice sessions here, some menial labor for the good Doctor and his protege there (at risk of handling poisonous materials by the latter). It whisked itself off to Leo whenever it had free time, to either go fishing with Talys or prospect for new bits of metal scrap to fool around with.

It was quite comfortable with the state of things, and there was no point in disrupting the status quo by complaining to the Master that there was not enough lessons or that its clutchmates were losing faith. (It promised it didn't really care, didn't really attach—but, that was a bit of a white lie.)

Selenite swung its legs over the edge of the Womb-pocket it had been sharpening a knife in, blinking in acknowledgement of Vargas's bellowed summons. Quills prickled along its mane as it made good time padding over to the gathering crowd (and when had the group gotten so big?) Its gaze fluttered around the group before fixing on Chaos-Two's form; it dropped onto all sixes and crept up to sit on its haunches about a foot or two off from the immense beast, tail swaying from side-to-side with merely vague interest.

If it briefly studied Chaos-Two, searching them up and down for anything to indicate upset, that was for it and it only to notice.

It was not apathetic, really. Just a bit... stunted—even with the help of it and Talys's brotherhood. The Forge didn't offer much encouragement for relations.

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

drac eats a profaned creature tentacle she accidentally grew on herself :/
From the depths of the Black Spire's underbelly, the wretched beast slithered out.

She'd been glaring out of the overcast hole already—had been since the shadow of Vargas passed by. Lip peeled back in a faint snarl, mane bristling, hide shuddering. Disdain rocketed through her body as peals of black electricity, coiling through flesh and bone; but, it wasn't wholly for the Leviathan. No, no... while he made what she thought to be weak beasts in futile pursuit of perfection, there was not yet enough hatred in her to be so baleful.

(Strange, how she'd felt so much less inclined to spontaneous acts of terrific violence as of late.)

Vargas had watched as she fled from Ursa, entrails dragging in the frigid wastes. Watched as she clawed her way back to the closest approximation of home. Watched as she seemed to vanish entirely for months at a time to reform, to shore up power, only to—lose it.

Draconua did not have any desire to speak to the master.

But, he was standing before the Spire, and he was summoning the masses. A gnarled twist of MINE bubbled up in her throat as they came—and that was despite their keeping their distance from His reservoir of power.

Talons bit into the earth as she heaved herself from the abyss, wings flaring out as they came into the open air. Sanguine faceplate lifting up, the valkhound grimaced, peeling back her lips to glare past Vargas and to the gathering. The pinholes that were her eyes fixed on V-Chaos-Two longer than they did the others. She shuffled to face it from behind (and a little to the left) Vargas, the remainder of her tail end slithering out of the dark.

She stared at it for a moment, teeth bared in a horrible grin, before twisting away. A touch of will directed at the burrow, and—

Her mouth snapped shut to muffle a wheezing gasp. Blackened flesh twisted from the middle of her spine, Oilslicked and lined with grasping suction cups.

Almost immediately, she flopped onto one hip to contort herself backward. With too practiced of an ease, the Sleepless Chaos set her teeth about the base of the tentacle and jerked her head back and forth; effectively shredding the limb at its base by way of amputation.

It battered against her skull, but she pulled nonetheless.

It squirmed in her grip even as it was separated and began to decay into oil, but she tipped her head back anyways.

Its amputated base shuttered and leeched sputtering gobs of Oil down her hide and onto the floor, but she swallowed anyways.

And just like that, Draconua stood there and licked at her chops like a well-fed dog, lurking horribly ominously in the backdrop of Vargas's speech—whatever it was. She didn't particularly care.

V-Zoisite-One was here.

They slept here, still, in Draco. They kept to themself, sometimes speaking to Labradorite, but usually silent. They brought food to the nest, even if it meant getting blood on their jaws. In a lot of ways, they filled the oppressive gap their life-giver old overseer used to fill: one of the hulking, six-legged things that said nothing and lurked about, filling space and rattling when others drew too close.

Master Vargas called a meeting. Meetings were rare, and rarely good. Often they meant death, or moving to somewhere terrible, or repeating a bunch of goals that seemed abstract and impossible to meet. Usually, it meant standing around and feeling the sweltering proximity of others.

Zoisite settled off to the side of the crowd, crouching down low to the earth with their quills scrapping the stone. They looked a bit like they were cowering, perhaps, except their head was tilted as far back as it would go, and six golden eyes stared out at the rest of the Forge.

The sound of heels drew their attention, and they looked toward the oppressive presence of the Valkhound. They blinked once, and had an uneasy sensation crawl under their carapace. It wasn't the same being as Lady Dhracia, which made their quills rattle. After all, they knew what she would bring. This was an unknown, and it was frightening in that way.

... it was immediately less frightening, because there was a friend with her. Taller, than Zoey remembered, but an unforgettable face all the same. Zoey's six eyes gave a slow, calm blink toward the fuzzy green Pollen, and her magic stirred in her gem.

Zoey didn't move at all, and nothing particularly gave away the fact that it was Zoey who was casting the magic, except maybe the fact that she was staring or... that it was light that bloomed around Pollen.

But still, the small field that burst around Pollen in shimmering gold among the voidlight would be instantly recognizable to Pollen. Soft grasses formed patches around Pollen as she approached, and right in front of the Valkhand's righthand companion bloomed a single flower: a golden Starbud, with yellow petals forming a pretty star shape in full bloom.

@Pollen for visibility

Cirrus

They finally made their way into Draco- having recently swam back to the surfaces of Leo, made their way across caves and back to Draco to say... something to the Master about their task. One that seemed so simple, and yes was impossibly difficult because they were too soft because The Seven were absurdly tight knit for a group. A Family in all senses of the word, as they'd learned, and they wing into the aperture of Draco along the echoes of Master Vargas's summons.

Gone was the golden-tan and black spotting and splotching across their body, now a deep brown that looked more than black in the Voidlight, with their new tendrils along their tail almost gleaming as they alight amongst the masses, and remain towards the back.

Hopefully, what they'd managed to leave behind for James would be enough of a goodbye, if they don't get to go back. Or ever leave Draco again.

Every member in attendance gets a glance, the more aggressive getting a small crinkle of their nose, the more elegant getting an appreciative once over- especially the new individual, bearing armor and a companion.

Overseer Garnet-Delta, though... at them, the hybrid stares, only to offer a nod of respect and refuse to look back at them when their eyes meet. A part of them is bitter that the two would never be friends, let alone family. But that's partially their fault.

- THE LEVIATHAN -

He watched as they gathered. Most of them he simply observed, but a few earned brief nods--the Desert Rose and Aethril among them. His gaze settled briefly on Pollen, a faint and unsettling sense of recognition trickling in--that posture, that whip. Where did he know that from-? That damned hunter, he realized, abruptly--that loudmouthed fool. Were these similarities mere coincidence?

He had too much to go over to consider it.

Even Draconua was there--good, Vargas thought. He could offer her the concept he and Desert Rose had considered. Ah, and Garnet-Epsilon-? "You live," he observed, and glanced off to Cain. "Overseer Cain will discuss your absence and what to do about that later." Delegation, folks.

Was Esther glowing, slightly-? Before Vargas could look more closely, he was distracted: Nidhogg--hissing idiot that he was--tried to scramble past in a mad dash to... eat someone, most likely, Vargas thought. He slammed one hand down, grabbing the serpent, and glared at him briefly. "Sit. Settle. Obey," he commanded, and put all his Master's power into it. Though most of the Forge did not know it, Vargas was more than capable of simply controlling a Gembound's body through their magic--and he did that now, releasing his grip and forcing Nidhogg flat against the ground. He then disregarded it, and looked out over the gathering.

Time, then, to begin.

_________________

"Chaos Forge!" he bellowed, a greeting, enthusiasm, his voice ringing through the cave. "We have much, today, to discuss. Welcome, first, a Hand among us: Aethril, and her servants. They are to be treated with the same respect that you would show Lord Dhracia! A higher rank than I, for those who are new." Acid eyes cut a severe line across the faces present. "Second: Overseer Garnet-Delta has earned a name! They will now be known as Overseer Cain, and you will all treat them with the respect, too, that they are due! Overseer Cain will, as before, oversee the training and testing of our scouts, assassins, spies and so forth." A nod was sent Desert Rose's way. "Desert Rose Thirty-Five is rejoining us--some of you are new members and you will introduce yourselves in your own time, but know that Desert Rose is an old Champion who has survived Hydra more than once."

Introduction complete, Vargas moved on, with the smooth surety of one who had rehearsed this dozens of times in his head. "There are several things I will be announcing today. I will be going over three topics: first, my plans for Draco and the Forge as a whole. Second, jobs that need doing--roles that need to be filled for those who have not truly settled in one." A glance was cast, here, over those like Labradorite and Selenite who had not quite claimed a role in the Forge as yet. "Lastly, new punishments and rewards for incentive."

He shifted in place, rising up a little higher, looking them over, still, as he spoke. "I am MAKING these changes because many of you, without structure, seem to only languish. Our reputation in the caves is not what it should be. Failing is not being punished enough, and those of you who fear punishment fear only death. Overseer Cain has suggested laying punishments out more clearly so that you know what to expect: for fairness! So that you do not all fear death from a simple misstep! So that you are not disheartened by a colleague who fails to work and is not punished! So there will be new punishments--and rewards."

_________________

"Now, on to my PLANS!" he boomed. Again, his voice held enthusiasm. Whatever Vargas was about to say, he truly believed in it. "We will make the Chaos Forge, and Draco as a whole, the center of life in these caves! As they SHOULD be! Master Astraea, first, has agreed to visit periodically and offer to teach you--and any visitors that want to come!--reading and writing, here in Draco. Everyone--Gembounds and Valkhounds both!--will be welcome to these lessons. Second, I will have structures built here. Housing, so that this cave is not only an empty pit of dust." He turned, gesturing one overly-long forelimb to the Climb along the western wall. "Those of you who perform well will be allowed your own homes in these, where others are disallowed to visit without your permission. A place to decorate as you see fit, to serve as your den. These will be earned," he added, with emphasis, "and you will choose which you want on a first come, first served basis." With luck, they would scramble to prove themselves so as to choose the homes they most liked--that was the plan, at least. Productivity!

"I will also be arranging--with the assistance of V-Chaos-Two--farming. We will arrange our own steady supply of food to support what I intend to become a growing population, here, without everyone needing to forage for themselves. These changes will make Draco self-sufficient and a draw to visitors, allowing us faster recruitment and a closer watch on potential rebels--and more loyalty throughout the caves. The Gembounds are more likely to report a threat to something that they respect rather than something that they hate. It will allow us stronger control!" he bellowed.

_________________

"This brings me to the ROLES that I will need filled! V-Chaos-Two, for example, failed its trial--badly," he added, with a glance its way. It was not meant as a personal insult, or to put it on the spot, but as an impersonal example, and Vargas continued without pause. "But since its reformation, it has chosen to pursue a different role going forward. That option is available to all of you; if you want to do something new, TELL me! You may also RECRUIT from outside the Forge for temporary aid! We will need-" he began, and raised his voice...

"-More guardians! Someone new to raise our new spawn, and to watch over them, training them in the basics of all disciplines! This member may rise to Overseer, eventually, in their own time--serving as our main trainer of our forces. I will need those who wish to build! -To create structures here in Draco. I will need those who can dig out farmland, and guardians for our farms, to be established in Pegasus! I will need those who can make and string lights! Those who can create clean water sources for us here in Draco! Those who can tan hides, and skins, and provide those for bedding! I will need dedicated hunters for feeding the Forge! Gardeners--I believe Chaos-Two is recruiting several already! And lastly, I need messengers and scouts, more than ever. To bring messages to the Palace," and here his gaze sought Aethril, briefly, "and to find suitable recruits for the work that I want done."

"DRACONUA. I also require someone to guard the Black Spire itself. I offer you the role of Black Spire's protector, if you desire it." A glance was cast her way--maybe Desert Rose was right and she just needed a touch of responsibility, preferably (Vargas hoped) for something she already cared about.

_________________

A pause, then, as he looked around and regained his breath.

"RECRUITING an outsider to aid us is allowed but bring them to ME for approval. I will not tolerate spies. But for each worker who aids the Forge--or is recruited to our ranks directly--and REMAINS with us, the one who found and recruited them will be granted a reward! A name, a home, reproduction rights, the right to travel--as before you will choose which you wish. For every truly completed task--a farm fully built, the buildings completed--then the WORKER, if Forge, may choose a reward!"

Another breath, a slow look over them.

"PUNISHMENTS! From now on, the following will be set in stone. Disobedience: one right will be revoked, temporarily, be it wandering from Draco, or your name! If repeated, you will be demoted! DEFIANCE--if you are openly defiant of my orders, outside of constructive criticism in a measured way, you will be dragged before the Forge and PUBLICLY forced back into your chrysalis to be made an example of! FAILURE to perform your duties will result in more duties being assigned to you--and if you fail at that you will be further punished! If you harm another Forge member outside of a designated spar, and without good reason, I will drag you out before the Forge and inflict those same wounds on you! If you assume unearned benefits--if you use a name you have not earned, if you create spawn or wander from Draco without earning it first--you will have one right permanently removed and will need to regain it all over again--or be demoted, or be given additional duties, or more." That was a tough one--it depended a lot on circumstance, he knew. He could hardly demote someone who had no rank to begin with.

But on that note--"If you are demoted and you have earned nothing, you will be the servant of the other Forge members! You will follow the orders, at that point, of any Forge member who demands it of you. FAILURE and weakness of the sort that Chaos-Two displayed will, in the future, be tested further in trial by combat! So I do not want to see any of you quitting your tests," he added, and this time he did fire a severe glance at V-Chaos-two.

"Finally, if I find you plotting to rebel, or rebelling outright, you WILL be punished by death. I do not recommend it," he added, with a darkly amused tone. There was a pause, and then--"-And those of you who turn in those rebels will be richly rewarded. -Oh, there is one last thing."

Vargas abruptly lurched into motion. He swept for the Black Spire itself, and from beneath a pair of arching boulders, he grabbed... something. What looked like a massive Oilstone collar (or shackle?) attached to black chains was dragged out from beneath with a hefty rattle. "For those who break the rules repeatedly, or in a way I have not foreseen: you will learn what being shackled to Chaos is truly like. Or," he added, tossing them down with a crash, "perhaps I will use you to test the physical limits of your design." This was said darkly, his gaze travelling across the faces of those present.

Then he was striding back to where he'd been.

_________________

"RANKS! I have mentioned some rewards--they are as much INCENTIVE as these punishments. But I will be granting new ranks among you. First: those who join us fresh will be known as MEAT! Those of you who have passed at least one test, I will title Hound. Meat must obey the orders of Hounds. And remember that a failure might get you demoted back to Meat, and then YOU must obey your betters... Those of you who wish, may choose a further rank as a new reward for passing ANY test. Instead of a name, or rights to travel, or reproduction, or after earning those!--if you wish!--you may choose to be known as Proven in rank. Then those beneath must obey your commands, as well. Above them there are only Overseers," Vargas added.

"REWARDS!" he went on, never faltering, his voice again booming. "From now on, capturing and returning a rebel or any true spawn of Order to Draco will always garner a reward--you must have proof of some kind that they are rebels. You may also keep their gemstone to do with what you wish, to create spawn or to destroy, or as a trophy! If they are a member of the Forge, you will be granted any two rewards of your choosing, along with the rebel's stone! And, there will be competitions to offer frequent rewards. For now, I will present you with the first!"

He drew himself up to his full height. "The FIRST OF YOU to recruit a new Valkhound to our ranks, from today, may choose a reward! They seem to be spawning all over the caves, these days--and they should be here, with us!"

"There is another reward now to be offered: those who perform well will be allowed a short vacation in Cepheus's palace. You will be fed, sheltered, and have access to their theatre and more, but you may not damage anything within, and must obey the Guardian of Cepheus--Isra--while you are there."

"Last: the Deathmatch! This will be a series of 'everything goes,' except magic, battles in the Orion arena to test the strength of combatants. Those of you who take part in this: the winner, if they are of the Forge, may choose their reward--and there are additional rewards for those who finish in a high rank--and alive! If you perform well enough, even if you do not win, expect to be rewarded!"

_________________

Vargas paused yet again. He had spoken for what felt like ten minutes straight, and so he offered a brief huff of amusement. "Are any of you asleep yet-? LET ME SUMMARIZE: there are new punishments laid out for failure! New tasks to be done and roles to be filled! And new ranks and rewards for those who prove themselves worthy!" He took a breath, and looked them over. "Tell me, then: are there any questions; and any of you with ideas? Do any of you hold interest in the listed roles?"

With any luck, he'd get them filled fairly quickly.

@V-Chaos-Two (Kethri) @Vander (Pollen) @Aethril @Esther @Cain (V-Zoisite-One) @The Sentinel (Nidhogg, Obieth) @Aurelia @V-Selenite-One (Draconua) @Garnet-Epsilon @Mirac (maybe)

It was torture, standing here. Immediately without Khavur, they felt naked, exposed, even more so when Draconua stared at them, opening them up for all to see. They fought to keep from curling in on themself, only allowing both hands to rest on their spear so one crossed over their exposed chest.

She was terrifying, almost as much as she had been when she'd just barely held herself back from killing them. That stare... that awful stare would linger in their nightmares.

Movement appeared in the corner of their eye, making them turn to face Selenite, a face they hadn't seen in far too long. There was relief as they saw them scoot forward, and the Valkhound quickly joined them, glad to have an ally among those who were either entirely indifferent or just wanted to see them suffer.

Relief turned to dread as Vargas said their name, and ducked their head, eyes averted as Vargas so blatantly called them out on their failure. As if they weren't humiliated enough, now the whole of the Chaos Forge and a Valkhand herself knew of their mistakes. When they were used as an example they deflated, but the worst was yet to come.

"This brings me to the ROLES that I will need filled! V-Chaos-Two, for example, failed its trial--badly."

A wince and another wave of hot shame, their quills flattened against their back, allowing the outline of their spine to show. They could barely pay attention to everything else as they tried to stave off the feeling of eyes boring into them, trying to push away the whispers that wormed their way into their brain, the touch of chaos that lingered on them strengthened by their nearness to the Black Spire. It was torture.

At least, somehow, they'd just barely managed to avoid trial by combat. They weren't a fighter and whoever they were pitted up against would inevitably be stronger than them. Even Overseer Cain would be able to crush Chaos-Two in a one on one fight. They were too soft.

When Vargas finished, Chaos-Two did not raise a hand. Both because they already had a role to fill out and because they didn't want anymore attention put on them. They were already afraid that Selenite would move away after this. Was this part of Vargas' punishment? Humiliation? Most likely.

’I wish I could just sink into the ground,’ they thought to their sibling, their eyes thankfully dry despite how sore they were from the urge to cry, ’Caves... I wish I could just disappear.’

@Khavur for vis

Kethri looked up as her name was said, turning her head all the way around to face Overseer Cain. She was surprised, honestly, no one in the Forge ever talked to her if they didn't need to, let alone with fondness. It was refreshing.

"They could be going better," she said dryly, gesturing to the soot all over her pretty feathers, "Thank you for asking, Overseer. I do hope that I can do something more... exciting. I find I'm rather bored as of late."

For once she wasn't bitchy, most likely due to being rather tired. Sleep hadn't come easily recently, leaving her yawning as she preened, half-listening to anything being said.

She felt eyes on her and looked up, eyes spotting Aethril and narrowing. Was that... disdain? Hmph, who was this blue idiot and how dare she look upon her this way? Sure, she was covered in soot but she didn't deserve that look.

After a moment she regretted calling her, even in her mind, a blue idiot. But not really.

’You only wish you had my plumage,’ she thought, turning away from the woman to face Vargas. If her brain didn't pour out her ears by the end of this meeting she'd be surprised.

"Master Vargas!", she hooted, taking flight and perching on Chaos-Two's head, ignoring their soft growl. They were sulking too much to actually kick her off their head, and she was taking full advantage in order to gain some height for herself.

"I would like to be a messenger for you! I'm both fast and silent and I know the layout of the caves fairly well,", she asked, probably the most civilized she'd been in a long time.

Garnet-Epsilon


The rush of relief makes their vision swim as they offer a deep bow of their head in acknowledgement of Vargas's order.

They... aren't dead.

Epsilon is so relieved, in fact, that they nearly miss the rest of the speech. Nearly, due to the sheer volume of Vargas's orders and voice, but also because their fur crawls at the statement of being called... meat. Ew.

That will have to be fixed, when they are finished with their punishment.

A Hand, then, someone who is above Vargas in rank like Lord Dhracia, and they can see the elven resemblance from their spot, wary to offer a respectful dip of the head should they be glanced at.

But, speaking of roles and moving up -

Better to show initiative and a desire for improvement than cowardice, right?

They will wait for whatever Kethri, the owl, says, before they take a deep breath.

"Master Vargas, whenever I am done with whatever Overseer Cain assigns me as my punishment, I would like to train to be a messenger and scout. I realized during my attempts away from the Forge that I have quite the memory, and agility to bring whatever I find, be it information, ideas, or small object, to wherever I need to be." The small hybrid steps forward into the only open space it can find, eyeing the large chain and shackles with one bright eye. "I... also wish to state that I have a preexisting reputation among some of the larger groups, so I will be able to more efficiently fulfill that role, should I be deemed fit."