Chaos-Two felt a little better after the meeting since acquiring Nibbles. The rabbit seemed to know just what they needed to avoid falling into panicked states or retreating into their head as they were wont to do. They'd considered leaving him in Pegasus to be with his friends, but they doubted this talk would go very well. It seemed to just be trauma on top of more trauma these days.

They kept Nibbles close, hidden within a sling and nestled to their front. The rabbit had some greens to much on and a dried out nut filled with water, one of the seeds that had been within making a seal that could be pushed if the rodent wanted water. It was a smart little creation of Chaos-Two's, one that avoided getting cold water all over their fur.

"... Master Vargas?", they asked, their spear missing and their trinkets and decorations left behind, as they were not needed. Their spear needed repairs anyway.

Maybe Vargas would be satisfied but they didn't get their hopes up. They weren't funny, weren't useful, were barely even worthy of being alive, so expecting to be more than an example at this point was useless. They felt beaten down.

Nibbles squeaked and Chaos-Two put a hand over the spot he was napping, "Sorry... didn't mean to wake you. Must have been projecting again."

They couldn't help it. Nibbles was weirdly empathetic for a rabbit, and even the slightest little doubt was picked up on. He was a nice companion for Chaos-Two to have, and they found they were more... comforted, as of late. With Khavur, Aurelia, and Nibbles looking after them, maybe they'd be okay.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

After the meeting, Vargas had met with the Forge one after another after another. Planning, gauging, judging, training.

And then-... had come Lord Dhracia.

And everything had changed.

No one knew about it, of course. He'd shown no outward signs; he'd returned to his duties shortly thereafter and gone right back to relentless work. But as Chaos-Two strode in, Vargas's mind was truly elsewhere--not on training, now, or the farms, or Astraea's upcoming lesson. It was on Aethril, and Dhracia; on the nest as a whole. The only real difference anyone might have noticed was that Vargas had spent some time staring at bright lights, particularly out in Pegasus. Why was anybody's guess, but he'd made no effort to hide it.

I will need to create carefully. Baokrish was the last of its kind--henceforth one, two perfect creations a cycle. A focus on quality, not on quantity, he reasoned--that should work well enough for their purposes.

Chaos-Two's voice took him from his thoughts, and he set down the Oilstone he'd been holding and pushed up, turning to stride toward them. Damn it, Vargas thought, as his eyes found his spawn. If only it had not chosen farming. He could still force it back into its own role, he supposed; but that might raise some questions. Too many already doubted its weakness, and vocally, at that. He'd been asked several times why he still spared its life. No; best to let Desert Rose take over--that one might still work.
Hmm.

"Yes--what is it," he asked, voice distant--if nothing else, it would be clear that he'd been busy.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two set their hand down and let it fall, choosing to meet Vargas halfway. They averted their eyes and sighed through their nose, still visibly sullen despite Nibbles' best efforts.

"I went to Polaris to take Emuh's trial," they said, "I succeeded. I've also... acquired a familiar. A rabbit, one of the very fast ones that live in Pegasus. Apologies if you would have preferred a meadow deer or something with more teeth."

Nibbles stayed carefully still, his little beating heart able to be felt where he lay so close to Chaos-Two's chest.

"After this I intend on reviving the oil stone you've given me. I haven't had much time between searching for gardeners and the trial, but I've made sure to take a moment to revive it. I'll be bringing my extra stone along in case things go awry," they said, their voice soft and their words to the point.

For a moment they hesitated, as if reluctant to even ask. Did they deserve it? Would Vargas give it to them after all they'd done? They killed Kethri, surely Vargas would continue to punish them for the death of a member of the Forge.

"... If you'll allow me, I've come to... t-to collect a reward. I believe you mentioned when we spoke after my absence that I would receive one," they said, their voice barely above a whisper.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

He listened with that absent, not-quite-here feeling as Chaos-Two spoke.

Running on autopilot.

Filling information away.

Succeeded in the trial. Surprising. A familiar-? He'd heard of those, but- "A familiar? Why? And why a rabbit?" he asked. It wasn't a demanding question, disgusted, disapproving--rather, a little blank and aloof, as if he assumed Chaos-Two had some reason. Even if it didn't, Vargas did not particularly care, bar to note that rabbits might be a problem with farmland about. It was little more than a couple of idle questions.

As for the Oilstone, and the plans in regards to it, he gave a little nod and an agreeing "Very well. Do you plan to raise it with Chaotic magic, or with your element? Remember, where you lay it to hatch will determine this," he warned.

Now-... a reward. "Yes, a reward," Vargas agreed, and then--almost as an afterthought, his mind still elsewhere--"Well done. Emuh's trials are not known to be easy, or simple. What reward will you claim?" he asked.

He noted, distantly, that Chaos-Two was barely whispering, but it wasn't enough to comment on. Perhaps it was afraid of him, maybe it was something else; but Vargas's concerns were not with this spawn, at the moment, nor would he have remarked upon this if they were.

@V-Chaos-Two

Nibbles poked his head out of the sling and sniffed, shuffling to get into a more comfortable position. Chaos-Two shrugged gently and stroked the rodent's ears.

"Sentiment, at first," they admitted, thankful that Vargas only seemed to ask why, though not out of any negativity they could discern, "Emuh gave me a trial that had me use some of my medical magic. There were lessers all around who were ill and..."

Oh no, Nibbles didn't have a cool enough name! Vargas would surely think them pathetic for it!

"... A-and Runner was one of them. Later I found that he's very quick and smart for a rabbit, and is the perfect scout. He blends in well and is so quick and agile that he's quite difficult to catch," they said, hoping their false name was adequate.

"And as for the stone, I plan on it having my element. If later it wishes to go through with having the Creator's magic then that's what will happen, but it leaves it open to a more vast array of different spells and things and could give it more opportunities," they explained, "Since it won't be created like your creations with pre-planned abilities and such, it'll be semi-unpredictable. Leaving open multiple paths for it would be the most ideal way to ensure it chooses a path that is especially useful for the Chaos Forge."

Chaos-Two paused at the compliment and balked for a moment, considering what was being asked for a moment or two.

"... I would... I would like a name," they said, "Like Overseer Cain or yourself. I have one picked out already."

This was it. This was their chance! Even Nibbles was getting excited, shifting about and sitting up against Chaos-Two's chest.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas glanced down at the creature sniffing out of the sling. "Let me see it?" he asked, reaching for it. It was half a question, but half a command, if an idle one; there wasn't any threat in it.

The rest of the conversation would wait a moment; Vargas wanted to inspect this rabbit, first.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two looked down at Nibbles and very gently put a hand over him, swallowing, "Sorry if this is rude, but... are you going to hurt him? O-or eat him?"

They stared at Vargas with distrust, holding one of the few good things they had in life close to their chest, afraid of what might happen if they handed Nibbles over.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas flashed Chaos-Two a brief glance, one that shifted from idle and calm to warning, and authoritative, the Overseer in him sparked to action. "No," he answered, bluntly, "but if I was, you would turn it over anyway."

What was the point of it even asking such a thing-?

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two deflated and very gently picked up Nibbles, pleading silently for the rabbit to behave as well as he possibly could. He didn't understand why but he did so anyway, remaining as calm and docile as ever. On his best behavior for the Master.

"... Sorry," they said softly, fiddling with their hands as they watched Nibbles rest in Vargas' massive hand, his little nose twitching gently.

Nibbles shifted a little bit, the only sign of his own anxiety, not very pleased to be held in massive claws that weren't Chaos-Two's own. But it wasn't for long and as long as Vargas didn't do anything to frighten him too much, he'd remain still.

@Vargas

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas lifted the green rabbit very carefully--even gently--and was cautious to keep a firm but not harsh grip so that it would not panic, jump, and break its bones. He examined it (albeit not too closely; he was well aware of the effects his looming jaws might have), for a moment--holding it relatively close to his body, tilting it this way and that--before offering it back to Chaos-Two. "You will need to keep it away from those Forge members who still need to work on their control. I would, of course, punish them for killing it, if they did so knowing it was your familiar--but best to avoid that to begin with. The punishment, I imagine, would be little consolation." He considered. "I would not recommend keeping it in Draco." But in the end, it was Chaos-Two's risk, and their decision.

He waited as Chaos-Two named its plans, then, and its reward, and when it had finished he was silent for a moment (thinking) before he spoke. "When you plant that stone, inform the Sentinel. Do so in the tunnel--past the Door--and show the Sentinel where it is, and tell him to come to me. I will have him guard it while it grows, so it isn't left unwatched." He made a note that Chaos-Two had followed through on its decision to grant the new spawn his own magic, and then moved on.

"A name. Very well, then; what name?"

His mind was already wandering, again, but he had to admit a little bit of surprise, even past the distant thoughts. He'd assumed that Chaos-Two would have requested the right to travel whenever it wished--or a higher rank with which to defend itself, or the like. But a name was perfectly acceptable, as well--and certainly "V-Chaos-Two" had always been a mouthful.

@V-Chaos-Two