This place was too close to home of CHAOS. Mother had warned them of this, before they entered Pegasus. But they still - though with great trepidation - marched onward. It wanted to know every inch of these caves, even 'unfavorable' territory.

Knowing your battlefield was a very important part of wartime strategy.

Though thankfully for the Survivor, they had been very careful of keeping allegiance hidden. And Mother was careful to not make their design as a Drone too obvious. Perfect for the task, just as intended.

Their familiar, a small bird, perches upon their back, singing a song to the rhythm of Survivor's clinking plates. "Prophet, what do you think?" they'd ask her, and receive a chitter back. "Oh, yes, of course. This one will be careful. Thank you for your concern."

She yawned lightly as she walked, shaking out her fur with a lazy grumble. There wasn't too much to do recently and she hated it, more than anything. She enjoyed doing things, wanted to always be up and moving, so it was always hard when there wasn't really anything to do.

She thought about finding something to eat, but even so, her mind was already working on what to do next, where to go and what to explore. The only thing that pulled her out of those thoughts was the voice of another, her ears perking up instantly.

Hello? She called out as she came through some bushes, pausing for a moment to look around, eyes falling upon the creature in question. She raised an eyebrow for a moment, cocking her head to the side curiously.

The rustling of bushes makes Survivor jump, and they turn, pink eyes wide. But seeing a Gembound emerge only to greet it gives them enough time to ease frayed nerves. Probably not a threat. Probably.

They let Eira look them up and down, let her take in one of Mother's masterpieces. There'd be a beat before they respond. "Hello. You startled this one," they state in a flat tone. Something or someone nudges at them to be a little more polite, so they continue, "But that is fine. It happens sometimes."

It'd blink, taking in the wolf in front of it. Maybe it should get introductions out of the way. "Do you have a designation? This one is Survivor."

@Eira

Her heart dropped for a moment when she saw the stranger, instantly tensing but not reacting, not yet. For a moment she raised an eyebrow at their words, taking it in a bit of a rude way, but she didn't say anything about it. Right, sorry. She muttered slightly, trying to keep herself from sounding like a bitch.

However she cocked her head to the side in confusion at the way they spoke, finding it very odd. They spoke in third person, but also used words she didn't understand yet. Of course she wasn't going to ask for information, that would just make her seem stupid and therefore weak. Not happening.

If Survivor was their name, it was only made sense that they were asking for her name. I'm Eira. Why do you speak like that? She asked genuinely, her tone much less annoyed than usual and more curious.

They fold their hands together in a nervous manner, feeling so very awkward. Survivor rarely gets the chance for chit-chat, and they're starting to feel out of their depth. Someone distant on the link reassures it, and it takes a deep breath before going any further.

"You are forgiven," they murmur back. Pink eyes follow the tilt of Eira's head, and they realize their appearance is likely very strange. It has to temper itself, thinking, Be kind and understanding, like Mother.

"It is nice to me you, Eira." Her question makes it pause though. It doesn't really have a good answer. They have to fish for one. "...It is how this one is. A way of doing things. Not inherently wrong or right. It just is."

@Eira

She cocked her head to the side, looking at this creature curiously. They were odd to her, the direct opposite of her in all regards and that confused her. While she was aphotic in coloration, this creature was as bright as the sun and the snow. She walked on all four legs while this one seemed to lean mostly on two. Then there was the way they spoke, which was even more confusing than anything else, but it seemed there was no good reason for it, at least none they could give her.

Right, uh. She hesitated for a moment, not very good at social interactions. I'm still new to these caves and this... place. Do you know anything you could... give me info on? She really hated asking for help, but she figured asking for information was different. She needed that to survive.

It likely isn't helping Eira's anxiousness, with the way it watches eagerly with big, bright, eyes. Someone probably should have reminded it that it's rude to stare.

But either way, the Survivor is plenty patient, and does not mind letting her gather her thoughts. And it is more than willing to help. It first acknowledges Mother's hushed whisper to not share about the Hive, first, assuring her that it will be careful.

"Oh yes, yes. There are two types of Gembound. Greater, like us. Who talk and use magic. Then there are Lessers. They live just the same, but aren't as smart. Less people, more just... alive." It wasn't exactly sure if there was a better way to explain it, but Mother had strayed away again. She had decided it was best for them to handle this on their own, without guidance.

So it treads carefully, continuing on a different topic. It would not tell of the Hive, not yet. But maybe the drone could prepare Eira, for another. Or atleast turn her into an ally for itself. "Some Gembound congregate. Form groups, families. Safety in numbers. Others prefer the quiet."

It knows Mother is watching them, watching its tongue. But if it does this right, she will be more than happy with it.

@Eira

She nodded slightly and listened, flicking a single ear as she did so. Lessers... Greaters... Gembounds. It was all weird to her, but she didn't mind, it was knowledge nonetheless. She had seen so many small, misshapen little creatures, some that were rather uncanny in their forms, so she figured those were lessers. Good to know.

Her ears perked up for a moment as she heard the comment of groups, finding herself rather curious about that. She loved her independence, don't get her wrong, but perhaps finding a group to rest with, to work with, could prove useful in the long run. Do you have a group, or family? She questioned, figuring that was why they had talked about it. Or perhaps they wanted a family and that's why they brought it up.

Only made sense of course.

@Survivor

Eira is attentive, so the Drone decides maybe it's not doing this too bad. She's also quiet, letting them meander around the topic as long as they like.

But she's clearly interested at the mention of banding together. They have to tread carefully - conversion is not its purpose. Though good might come of this. "Oh yes, this one does have a family. But they are far away, right now," it admits, a partial truth. "But this one doesn't mind. Family will be there to return to."

It realizes belatedly that might have been a bit heavy for a first meeting, so it follows up, "If you're looking for company, this one would be happy to give you some. And maybe you might be able to meet some of this one's family, in the future."

It wouldn't bring her into the fold immediately, if Eira accepted. But maybe, down the line... more family.

@Eira