The caves had been quiet, for one. Not that the Survivor minded. The silence meant it could wander in peace, taking stock of every nook and cranny. Mother's duty for it still sat squarely on its plated shoulders, and while She surely understood that it was task that took time... They still felt they were talking too long. Doubtless sooner was better than later...

The dancing lights and darks of Andromeda, while not exactly orderly, shifted in shimmering waves and patterns. Crystals and coral grew in (flawed) fractals. Even if some of it was an affront to a Drone's straight-edge sensibilities, there was still beauty here. Perhaps somewhere here, between the black and the grey, could be the Hive's perfect holdfast?

Creeping between two pillars of gem-encrusted rock, Survivor reaches down to nudge a pile of scattered debris. They originally intended to sort it out, but to the Drone's surprise, they've actually been piled deliberately, and covered in straw. It's a humble nest, for a small, perfectly pristine egg.

"Oh," it blurts with belated surprise. Who left this here? Eventually they weren't careless, at least making a place for it to sit - but who would leave something so defenseless by itself? No caretaker should leave a child to itself... There was no warmth here, anyhow. No safe embrace. No mother.

And so it finds itself curling around the egg, nestling it in its fur. The rattling of Survivor's plates as it settles down is the sound of safety. It purrs to the little egg, "You are safe now. Mother will take care of us. I will take care of you."

And what more could one want, than safety?

It wasn't long before the egg began to hatch.

A few hours, maybe, and the shell cracked and split, and out popped a fully-grown, perfectly dry bird far too large to fit within--almost the size of a crow. It tried to snuggle up against the drone, chirping and chortling a softly affectionate song.

Compared to other 'Lovebirds' hatching throughout the caves, this one would be unique. Each bore differences in color (from pink to purple to white), in the color of the patch at its heart and the shade of its eyes, to the shape and length of feathers at head, tail and wings. Some had differently shaped beaks, from parrot to finch to toucan and others had long, thin legs or the short, strong legs of a songbird. All of them were friendly, though; and all of them could sing.

Whatever form Survivor's took, it could--regardless of its knowledge of the related magic, and so long as it did not already have a familiar--bond as a familiar for the drone. Otherwise, it could be a companion and a friend, or whatever else Survivor might wish to make it.

---

Survivor has hatched a 'Lovebird!' If they do not already have a familiar, and regardless of whether they know the Familiar Forge spell, the Lovebird can--if they wish--bond as one. Otherwise, it can be a companion, meal, or anything else Survivor wishes. (The image can be clicked to see one without a background, in case one wishes to try and piece together a version of the Lovebird for their character.)

@Survivor

It had fallen into a light slumber in those hours. So when the egg began to gently shake, it blearily blinked its eyes open. Looking down at the splitting shell, Survivor would smile, twitching its tail to make a soft series of chimes.

"Hello, little one," it would coo, watching the little thing shake free. The little lovebird was white and red, a fitting match for the drone. Survivor found it staring at them expectantly. Did it want food, or affection - no, something else. "Do you wish to stay with me?"

Either way, the little creature pulled on their heartstrings (ha), and the promise of company was welcome. So they tell it, "I think I'd like you to stay, too."

Survivor is Familiar Forging with the Lovebird.
@Game Master Dark

The little lovebird would chitter in response, and then Survivor would feel it. The distinct way it tugged on their magic, bridging the gap between the two of them. They blink once, and see their own face through the little bird's instead of their own. It goes away in a moment, but it can feel that it can call upon that at any time.

"You are mine, and I am yours," they smile, the warmth of their own little family a delightful embrace. No longer would they be alone when their Link to the Hive is strained with distance.

Idly, they wonder if they should bring the little birdie into the hive. But they dismiss that thought. The Survivor must stay hidden. Best to keep their new companion separate and unassuming. It could be useful, in the long run.

"Well then, This one supposes one should give you a designation... How does Prophet sound?" it asks the lovebird, to be met with a song in response. Beyond that, it can sense the lesser's joy distantly.

Prophet. You are my family, now.

Exit Survivor