Hell conference (Moore, day 87)

[Anastasia]

Morniel is found in Aurora's library, studying a thick tome. His attention is fully on it as you approach, yet he murmurs softly, "Greetings, Moore. Do you need guidance today?"

[Nephrite]

"I have a... mm." He shakes his head. "I would like to hear your thoughts on how the rest of Hell will respond to Bel's violation of..." Moore clears his throat once. He takes a breath and decides to try something -- surely, he can manage this...? "The Competition."

He waits for a moment to make sure he didn't just ruin the fabric of reality or anything.

[Anastasia]

Morniel frowns, "I'm sorry, repeat that, please."

[Nephrite]

He nods. "The Competition. I... don't think the name is anathemic knowledge, but you never know." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

"No, I was merely woolgathering," Morniel confesses, "I have many things on my plate. You mentioned the Competition?" He sits back and closes his book, a glance at the page he's on before banishing it back to the shelves with a wave of his hand.

[Nephrite]

"Yes. I am curious on your thoughts of what Hell will do." Moore explains. "I think even Asmodeus himself would find it difficult to support Bel in this situation -- though, considering what will happen if Bel falls..." Moore leaves the rest to imagination.

[Anastasia]

"The answer is that no one's sure," Morniel admits at last, "Save for Lord of the Ninth himself. What little I've gleaned from sources suggests it's a political scandal for Hell's highest nobility, but nothing telling beyond that. It may be something that is tolerated if Bel triumphs, or will lead to his downfall. More importantly, he feels he had to take that risk and do that, which is even more telling."

[Nephrite]

"I realize this is distasteful and likely sounding down-right sacrilegious, but do you think we should try and set up a meeting with them to simply find out what their 'official' stance is?" Moore asks. "I know they could lie about it, but... I wonder if they actually would lie in a setting like Vlaakith's court."

[Anastasia]

Morniel clicks his tongue and slowly shakes his head. "Tempting, but if we desire that, we can find out indirectly. More importantly, they may not have an official stance fully delineated yet. Still, it's not hard to find and I have a few friends who will pass it onto me if when it becomes known."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "All right, please let me know if something of that nature is going to occur. I'd like to help if I can. On that subject, is there anyone else you'd like to petition for aid? I... honestly worry that asking for too much aid will put us in a position where the stakes will get raised too much."

[Anastasia]

"The stakes can't get much higher," Morniel remarks, pausing to rest his head in his hands. "A moment, please."

[Nephrite]

Moore does just that and gives him a moment!

[Anastasia]

It's more like several moments, but details.

"I think we will have allies enough now," he finally says, "What we may need is personal strength, for all our armies will be merely the background for when Aurora faces Taelfagn, Gathgorian or even Bel. For against them, armies will melt like ice before the sun."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I understand. If there are any matters you'd like me involved in, please let me know." He says with a smile. "Otherwise, I'll just help out around here for right now. I will be going back to Celestia in 10 days time."

[Anastasia]

Next move then?