Anvil (Afina)

[Anastasia]

Aurora's forces follow the back and forth, weapons brandished and at the ready. The gelugon does not pause and instead merely nods. "May we speak privately a moment? I offer myself as a hostage in good faith," he says, floating a few steps forward. "There are complicated matters at play here, ones beyond the mistakes of other fools."

[Ebiris]

Of course, she expected as such. "Alright Smrgol, lets keep going," she says to the constructed dragon before giving him more to recite. "One more devil in our dungeons matters little. We've had no dealings with your Lord, but until we see otherwise, all baatezu shall be treated the same. We will not be deceived by a false flag of truce again."

[Anastasia]

The gelugon merely nods - as much as it can, anyway. "I only ask that I have a chance to inform you of one sentence," It says, "If you wish to break off negotiations after that, so be it. If you do not wish to risk yourself, I can parley with one of your officers and they can pass it to you."

[Ebiris]

These devils, give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Not wanting to risk having any of her officers suborned by devil trickery, Afina calls forth some disposable elementals for the task.

[18:23] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4 water elemental swarm
[18:23] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 2d4 water elemental swarm --> [ 2d4=4 ]{4}

Four large water elementals appear before her and Smrgol. "Go and take the devil's message," she instructs one of them, sending the other three to guard the gate at the front lines. They can be disposable combatants if they do get attacked later, along with the other elementals that'll appear in a little while.

"Smrgol, tell him the elemental will take his message. Remind him they only speak Aquan." That should keep any contamination from horrible diabolic speech that makes people burst into flames out.

Not that bursting into flames is necessarily bad for her, but it depends what kind of flames they are.

[Anastasia]

The elemental comes forth, no words spoken. The elemental and gelugon merely meet eyes before the elemental turns back around and returns. In Aquan it reports to Afina, "It said, 'We wish make a permanent end to the root of this problem as well."

[Ebiris]

And what does that even mean? Closing the rift? Or by the root do they mean killing Lixer? Or the Duke of Destiny that set it all in motion, or Asmodeus who said Duke works for? Certainly it's nothing world shattering enough to change her stance.

"Go into the rift and kill any undead you see," she orders the elemental now that it's back, not wanting to risk keeping it here if it's been compromised in any way. Then she has Smrgol act as her voice once more, telling the golem to repeat, "We are taking steps to resolve matters. If you wish to be a part of that, prove yourselves worth the risk as previously outlined."

[Anastasia]

At this, the gelugon merely nods as much as it can and snaps its claws. The spinagons rise as one and turn away, hurrying off. The gelugon follows, letting them take the lead.

"Curious," Morniel murmurs, "But ultimately empty words, with as much meaning as we wish to inflect in them. Or as much as its superior cared to admit and hope we would grasp the meaning that would seem obvious to any devil."

[Ebiris]

"There was probably a reference to betrayal in there," Afina guesses. "I don't imagine Lixer's very popular with the other Lords of the Nine, but his father protects him. We'd be a useful proxy for eliminating him. I wouldn't even really mind but we have our plates full with Bel and Taelfagn. If they want our help they can take care of some of our problems in return."

"Now we just have to see if Glasya sends an emissary... if she does I'll try sending her lot against Willah, I think," she muses with good humour.

[Anastasia]

"A pleasing thought," Morniel says, "To see evil destroy itself, rather than to pay the price in the blood of the righteous."

[Ebiris]

"Just have to make sure we don't feel too grateful to them if they actually do the deed," Afina says. "Can't forget they'd do the same to us in a heartbeat."

[Anastasia]

"I confess I would prefer to remain removed from diabolical intrigues like this," Morniel continues, "It is another way to entangle you into Hell's chains. It plays into their endless works of damnation and worldview. Yet diplomacy often does not allow that luxury."

[Ebiris]

"Mmm, speaking of what do you think of how I handled that?" she asks Morniel. "Think that devil's going to go away thinking 'Aurora means business' or 'That jumped up fairy has no idea what she's doing'?"

It's not as if she's ever been one for diplomacy but she wears a lot of proverbial hats these days that she never imagined she'd ever have in the past. No harm in trying to learn what she can from an expert.

[Anastasia]

"I think sending the elementals in place of an officer made the point you were properly cautious," Morniel says, "Note that the devil did not protest a mere summon being sent, despite asking for an officer. Mephisto's forces value intelligence and logic, even more than typical devils. I say you came off as wiser than a fool that would send a valued officer."

[Ebiris]

"I thought that was a good precaution," Afina nods, pleased he agrees. "That's why I sent it off into the rift right after as well. No point taking chances. It was before you joined us that Mala appeared while we were on Air, invited us out for parley. Naively we went out there, myself, Jaela, and Muirfinn. She was only present via projected image, but after we declined her offer to become 'breeding stock' she set a hellfire engine and a few squads of devils and hellhounds on us. Said fools like us didn't deserve the protections of law."

She smirks here as she explains, "Expecting them to delay us she had portals open in Aurora's courtyard to disgorge the baatezu legions - this was before we had many of the defences we now enjoy. But as I said, it was a very temporary tactical advantage. The three of us returned and barred the portals within moments, and the devils that had come through were easily mopped up afterwards. Shortest battle Aurora's ever been involved in."

[Anastasia]

"That is a remarkably short-sighted maneuver for a baatezu," Morniel remarks, raising one eyebrow at it. "She is one of the transformed traitors, I believe? A true pit fiend would be unlikely to make such a move unless they were absolutely certain they could get away with it from all quarters."