A beautiful stone, and yet so very small.

Xenotime. Deep grays and brilliant browns made up the gem that was nestled in-well...not quite in Draco...Regardless the gem laid jutting out ever so slightly now that perhaps it was just small enough to be overlooked. Just out of reach of corruption that riddled the neighboring land within these caves but still growing ever rapidly- even if it managed to stay rather small. Time had passed and the little soul that tossed and turned just beneath the crystalline surface was alive and well- the shell crackling and breathing with what life laid just beneath.

A pulse, faint at first; trembling now almost as cracks began to creep and crawl over the chrysalis. Fluid slowly seeping out where it could escape, translucent, thin and pooling. It was time to hatch, even if the little creature within couldn't understand what or why.

A low hum began to build, but one so very small that it was vibrating from within the chrysalis as it pushed and pulled with life. The shell slowly collapsing and expanding with each and every passing breath.

The Sentinel had been tasked with a multitude of things. There were a few chrysalises here--hidden, nestled away just outside the Aperture, where Master Vargas insisted that the Black Spire's corruption would not quite reach. These were--all three currently present--on order from the Hand, Aethril; and Vargas had imprinted fully upon Sentinel just how important it was that all three remain safe.

Their lives, apparently, depended on it; the Sentinel had accepted this with his usual silent stoicism and taken to guarding them alongside the Aperture, patrolling up and down this stretch of tunnel to be safe. Now one was cracking--the old one, the oldest, the one brown-stained and hidden. Vargas had been careful to conceal it, and it was the Sentinel's task to uncover it so the child within didn't hatch beneath a foot of rubble.

A few quick strides brought him to an abrupt halt before the Xenotime. There he paused, and a moment's listening confirmed that this was indeed the stone about to hatch. Halberd butt was pressed to ground, and he leaned on it as he knelt, using it to balance himself. Free hand swept across the ground below--stones, bits of foliage, and dirt were all quickly cleared from the chrysalis's surface.

For a moment, nothing happened--nothing came; the stone was moving as though breathing, the fine cracks forming across its shining surface only gradually. "Can its voice be heard..?" the Sentinel asked, and it wouldn't have been clear whether he was addressing the stone, or simply voicing his thoughts aloud.

Skull-face eyed the stone, pensive, for a moment. Then, he spoke again. "If it can hear. It must gain its freedom. Destroy the stone. Survive." He would have broken it free, himself, but he wasn't sure if it was too soon, yet--if helping it too early would damage it, somehow.

How long did a hatching take? Was he meant to take action, yet?

"MASTER VARGAS," he roared, for Draco, but he wasn't sure if the Leviathan was anywhere within his range.

@Asher

Silence.

Save for the beating and hum of their own heart. Tossing and turning with each breathe and delicate pull of muscle that lurked below. There wasn't much to look at- at least when one was watching the chrysalis; for now anyway. But still the fine cracks continued crawling over and expanding their reach upon the xenotime's surface. Clear and brilliantly translucent fluid continued to slowly seep from it with each rise and fall the chrysalis seemed to give. It wasn't until a voice unknown was heard did the chrysalis slow in it's movement.

The child within knew not the words that were spoke, sound muffled through fluid and shell. But it was evident- someone was out there. Were they like them? Were they- a parent? Guardian? All unclear and yet the small creature within held their breath. They did not move, nor act. It wasn't until a roar was unleashed far beyond what they could fathom did they begin to stir with new found vigor.

A overwhelming desire to greet and see whoever this was ignited. The once faint hum now grew- a purr vibrating and rattling deep within the child's chest. And it only continued to grow with each passing second. The weakened chrysalis in turn began to vibrate too. Tiny shards began to flake free from it's surface as excitable paws began to push for a way out. They knew it was time to leave.

Paws pressed against the inner walls of the chrysalis, cracking it even further with each press of their weight against the weakening structure. Fluid continued to seep to the ground below, gushing out from widening cracks and missing pieces that fell too- till finally it popped! A pair of paws busting through the brown crystalline walls- immediately followed by something that came almost tumbling out end over end. So very small- the small feline attempted to right itself. Rolling over and flipping itself right side up, only facing the wrong direction; still unable to see The Sentinel- and whoever else was there if anyone.

It took them a moment while they frantically began glancing around as they wobbled in place even now- looking over their chrysalis with a tilted head of- did I do that? They looked up- more and more till they fell backwards; now evidently staring at The Sentinel before them- or well at The Sentinel's feet.

Hastily they scurried once again to right themselves- almost rolling over twice with their evidently plump body. Craning their neck they stared up at The Sentinel. Mouth agape and third eye now opened in awe- they were after all so very tall in comparison. Gaze unblinking- they watched- their intensity only matched by the purr that was rattling out from them. Tiny form wobbling in an act to balance and previously mentioned vibrations.

The child hatched--a gradual process, one through which the Sentinel merely stood and watched. That wasn't to say he didn't also watch the tunnel for danger; the eyes atop his ears were quite capable of that. But nothing required his intervention, in either case. The tunnel remained quiet, empty, aside from them. And the child--bit by bit--emerged.

A slow crack, and it occurred to the Sentinel that this was a very small stone--and then a gradual opening, shards falling away. He pushed back fully to his feet and stepped back, halberd stiffly by his side.

When at last the child emerged--wet, tiny--and faced him, he simply observed it, for a moment. Alive, then; unharmed, by the looks of things. Was there anything else he was meant to do-? Or just... wait for the Leviathan to arrive? Unless he is too far to hear.
But speak he did not: he presented only silence to the child, looming, observing--guarding. He might as well have been a statue, for all that he seemed to react--but perhaps he was only giving the little one a moment to process everything. Or maybe he needed that, himself.

@Asher

Intense.

That was how they were so called staring The Sentinel down, or well- maybe not down; they were a child who watched in awe and wonder to be honest. A small, wet and tiny child that could barely keep themselves still from the sheer force of their own purring. Regardless they sat as still as they could; round green eyes blinking slowly. The extra one atop their head blinked at a different pace, seeming to take turns with the primary two below. Never once taking their gaze off The Sentinel.

Matter of fact the rather tall individual before them didn't do much but stare back-they...they were who spoke weren't they? Weren't they alive just as he? Small head tilting almost comically to the side they nearly fell over. Taking a moment to push their little paws into the ground, steadying themselves they continued to stare The Sentinel down. At least for a moment before getting up to sprint towards them. Tail pointed straight in the air like a little antennae, they made their way over. Almost tripping over themselves once or twice they came to a near sliding stop at The Sentinel's feet.

Purring still ever evident as they tottered about the large gembound's feet. Pawing gently at the ground in an attempt to pat them once or twice- or well...as much as they could. If given the chance and if The Sentinel didn't shy away, they were going to climb and roll up and over The Sentinel's feet from sheer curiosity and well- happiness. They were rather happy to see someone else. And were trying to greet them in the best way their little brain could think of. And this certainly would be a way now wouldn't it?

@The Sentinel

The kitten's bumbling rush forward, tail up, into his legs, stirred something in the Sentinel. If someone had asked him if he had any paternal instinct, he would have been baffled--perhaps wondered if "paternal instinct" was something edible. But it did stir something in him, something he'd never felt and couldn't quite put a name to.

Careful--gentle, even--he leaned down, weight half against his halberd's haft, and reached his free hand to attempt to lift the winged cat beneath its belly. If Asher allowed it, he would lift the child to his chest--against his tainted stone, so that he could carry him into Draco.

"Come," he said simply; "The Sentinel will take you to the Master."

@Asher

When The Sentinel hadn't moved from their attempted onslaught of attention the child was more than elated! Happily rolling over their feet and gently pap paping them with playful vigor. Only pausing long enough to be lifted when the giant began to lean down. Still purring they stared up towards them with giant eyes, all three wide and round and nearly solid black with how excited they truly were. Pupils blown with just a sliver of green that remained at the edges they stayed remarkably still as The Sentinel began to lift them. The child almost going limp in a sort of happy fat cat splat as they were lifted from beneath their belly. Softly meowing once and only for a moment till The Sentinel brought them closer to their chest.

It was then did they meow once more- louder and more urgent only to cozy up and purr against the stone that sat upon the giant's chest. Who was Master? Only time would tell!

@The Sentinel

There was no sign as to whether the Sentinel approved of the cat at his chest. No sign, either, as to whether he disliked it. He simply held Asher, careful, as he turned and picked his way from the tunnel into Draco proper.

They slipped into the deeper voidlight, beyond the grinding of Spire stones, with the Sentinel occasionally calling out. "Master Vargas. The creature emerges from brown stone. Master Vargas..."

When at last there was a response, he curved toward it, his grip beneath the kitten's weight still careful, the halberd carried in his other hand. "Master Vargas," the Sentinel greeted, approaching the mass of (likewise approaching) violet. "It has awoken."

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas heard the call at a distance, at first, and turned to stride for the voice. "YES?" he boomed, and--ahh! Aethril's custom creation was ready.

It was times like these that Vargas wished he had some form of swift-winged messenger.

"Ahhh, good!" he called out as he approached. He came in close, peering at the kitten-

That is adorable.
Vargas did a mental double-take at himself. That was an unexpected sentiment. It wasn't gushing with awe and adoration, but it was a faint warm twinge nonetheless. He rocked back on his haunches, reaching out with both forelimbs--his hands attempting to pick up the kitten and take it to his own chest. "Good. Hello, little one. Sentinel--go and find Aethril in Cepheus's palace. Do not touch the deer or swans there and do not try to enter any locked rooms. Ask for Aethril and tell her personally that her creature has now hatched. See if she wants to pick it up now, or if she wants it trained first--and if so, in what."

Then he looked to Asher.

"Little one. I am Master Vargas. Can you speak yet?" he asked.

@Asher

Despite the amount of purring and cozying up to The Sentinel that the small feline did- there wasn't much that the giant did in return. Though in the mind of the child, being held- especially so close and safe was something that spoke volumes! Especially when they didn't try to stop them from nuzzling against their gem in warm greeting and thanks- never mind their sheer excitement and overly evident happiness. Matter of fact the tiny child was so preoccupied with showering The Sentinel in kitty affections that they weren't exactly sure where they were or where they were going- nor were they paying much attention to such.

The Sentinel did speak- though it wasn't exactly...towards them- granted the little feline didn't quite grasp this concept until they heard the booming voice of another in the distance. This led to curiosity getting the best of them as they leaned happily if not a bit lazily against the chest and gem of The Sentinel to turn their form slightly outwards to look out at someone so incredibly violet! And- by the ever-growing approach they were even larger than the giant they had just come to know!

The new giant came in close- and they couldn't help but try to reach a paw out towards them. Perhaps the child was a bit too slow as the violet giant sat back- away and out of their reach now. Though before they knew it they were being passed off into the hands of another. Something they went with willingly- or well they didn't exactly move though to be fair. All eyes were wide and staring up at who was holding them now. Silence. Maw agape in awe and curiosity they could only lean back a little more to try and get a better look as they sat in the palms of The Leviathan.

They listened to their words- Aethril? Who was that?-Well whoever they were The Sentinel was leaving now-and oh my god he was looking right at them. They spoke to them- little one; ah yes that was definitely them- oh could they speak? Truth be told they- hadn't tried nor felt the exact need to but...

They were silent for a moment, brows almost furrowing in thought and something else- unknown. It wasn't bad truth be told, they were just focusing so evidently hard they couldn't help but scrunch up their nose. A deep and rattling purr grew from the center of their chest, damn near shaking their whole body yet again- trembling in tiny kitty excitement as they suddenly but affectionately rammed and nuzzled their head into the chest of Mr. Master Vargas.

"Mah-stah Var-gas!"

The words were well slightly jumbled- from both evident age and the loud outpour of purring that rattled from their maw-nevermind the fact they were practically smashing their face against the chest of The Leviathan. But at least their actions were that of affection!

@Vargas