Meeting Hell (Afina, Jaela, Tryll)

[Corwin]

"Getting back on track, I take from this that having Vla'akith arbitrate is suboptimal but an acceptable outcome is possible and the chances of betrayal during the summit are surprisingly low?"

[Yuthirin]

"Sounds like it," Calleigh chimes in. "If they've been having Vla'akith arbitrate for them for this long, they probably wouldn't want to forfeit that option. That and she'd prooooobably squash them."

[Corwin]

"If we negate the Duke of Destiny, probably," Jaela agrees.

[Anastasia]

"There are enough powerful cards in play that violence is not a likely outcome, unless we ourselves initiate it. Duke Martinet is rather notorious for his diplomatic immunity and making appearances in places you would not expect a devil to be, all in the name of diplomacy." Morniel pauses to look at each of you, "I have no doubt this will be a war of words rather of blades, though we cannot discount the possibility of violence."

[Ebiris]

"I'm solely going to be present in case of a violent outcome," Afina says when Morniel looks at her. "Diplomacy is not my strength and we all know it."

[Anastasia]

Morniel smiles to you. "The wise prepare for the worst while praying for the best. Your reputation precedes you and will further deter violence."

[Corwin]

"Works. Morniel, let's move on to the actual format. How did the precedents you looked into go? A relatively quick meeting? Something that takes us a few days away from the Aurora?"

[Anastasia]

"They aren't quick," Morniel says, "We may be gone a few days. This is less of an arbitration and more of a negotiation-"

Mirajane cuts in, "There's a difference between them? Oh sorry," she says a moment later, "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"No harm done," Morniel clears his throat, "An arbitrator has a third party meditate a dispute. A negotiation is between two sides directly. It's possible Vlaakith may be invoked in that role, but for now she's solely the hostess."

[Corwin]

"I can't shake the feeling, probably from the wording, that this is less a negotiation and more like a high stakes gamble, something you'd be more likely to find in Brightwater. Is that just me?"

[Anastasia]

"It is unusual," Antenora concurs, "Aurora has vexed Hell enough that perhaps they wish a different tack? Bel's efforts have been lacking and the Lord of the Ninth's name was invoked on the invitation. This may be his doing."

[Corwin]

Jaela frowns. "I guess we'll see it when we see it. Anything else we need to know before we leave, Morniel?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Morniel says, "We will be greeted by Vlaakith's local master of ceremonies. There's going to be a fair deal of diplomatic ceremony. Full introductions with pomp and circumstance. If you have any titles you wish to be acknowledged and announced under your name, be sure to tell him."

"It may seem unimportant, but devils instinctively understand and seek markers of social standing. It's about social order. I'm still highly sensitive to them and notice them automatically." Antenora includes that with a wave of her hand, "They don't care about our titles, but what they say and represent about us says something to them."

[Corwin]

"General of Aurora, Champion of the Triune? That sort of thing?" Jaela confirms. "I think you can probably handle that for us fairly well."

[Ebiris]

Afina at least knows her own titles, minor as they may be. Should she make one up though? "I noticed Asmodeus had a lot of titles listed in the invitation," she says. "What's to stop us from just making up our own grandiose sobriquets?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes. Noble, religious and military titles are all valid," Morniel says. "Afina? Tryll? Do either of you have titles to add?"

After that Morniel clears his throat. "In theory nothing, but most titles are recognized or bestowed by an authority. Asmodeus rules Hell, his authority gives him whatever titles he desires. Your noble rank from Queen Ilsenine is another one given by a lawful authority. So on and so forth. In the case of kings and supreme rulers, it becomes rather...ah..."

"Masturbatory," Antenora says curtly, "We're all adults and Alicia help me but that's the best word for it."

"I was going to say indulgent, but that captures it rather vividly." Morniel concedes.