Mechanus Trip

[Ebiris]

I can think of a few artifacts that might have done it, but nothing Roelas was wearing seemed to fit. Of course he could have changed their appearances, but I wouldn't want to presume so without any evidence.

[Anastasia]

Ah politics. What is said is less important than what is unsaid and implied.

[Ebiris]

And what do you think was implied from all of this?

[Anastasia]

The mercane are strong, capable and we want them as a friend. Oh, and we can't simply boss them around or overwhelm them with our power. They want to be seen as peers, helpful peers but still peers. Along with the unstated reality that if we become their enemy, they're capable of fighting back effectively.

[Ebiris]

A cogent analysis, Alicia agrees. I've no desire to rely on them, and of course understand that anything their branch discovers in Sylica can and will be sold to our enemies. But similarly it'll give us an option to purchase knowledge picked up on the other side, as well as provide another avenue for the trade of material goods in and out of Sylica.

[Anastasia]

So they want us to play the game. Fine. We'll play it. We'll just have to win it and come out ahead. Even all of this posturing aside, we can gain from this if we handle them properly. Perhaps we can even convert a few and learn more about them.

[Ebiris]

Perhaps. Either way, the Consortium is a useful resource and not worth spurning if they're going to the trouble of approaching us like this.

[Anastasia]

Another goal. Now, onto something just as important: Cantenora is a far better name than Martin.

[Ebiris]

Alicia vacates the throne room and returns to see to said pet, finding Marie there already.

"Who's a good boy, Cantenora! Oooh, who's good little boy!" the eladrin coos while delivering belly scratches before looking up with guilty wide eyes at Alicia's arrival.

"Martin is a good boy," she says firmly. Leaving aside the bad pun/reference, it's too long a name. Pet names should be short and snappy.

[Anastasia]

Syala appears, smiling, "Cantenora is the best kitty," Syala says, "Want to bet that Antenora will agree with that, Alicia? A small, friendly wager?"

[Ebiris]

"Fine, Antenora can decide the name. You ask her - if Marie or I do it we'll incite bias," Alicia says, crossing her arms.

Hopefully she won't go off on one about Martin being too close to Martinet and picking the stupid joke name because of that.

[Anastasia]

With a working of magic, "Antenora?" Syala speaks aloud.

"Yes? I'm rather busy with Seira, Waukeen and a mercane right now," Antenora's mental voice is heard aloud.

"This won't take long. Alicia's adopted a cat. Which is a better name for the cat, Martin or Cantenora?" Syala asks, voice perfectly neutral.

A moment later...

You adopted a cat? What did you name it? You can hear Antenora in your mind.

[Ebiris]

I owed Sharess a favour. Answer Syala's question please? Be honest.

She doesn't want anyone saying she influenced the judge later!

[Anastasia]

As you wish.

"That depends. I defer to Alicia, as that's her cat and her responsibility." Antenora says back.

[Ebiris]

"You should have just asked her which name is better without the context, we'll never get an honest answer out of her now," Alicia says with a smile. "That's fine though, it means Martin is here to stay." She leans down towards the kitten.

Which makes Marie whine, "Noo, but Cantenora is too cute!" She frames her hands around his head. "Look at his little face! Doesn't he look like such a Cantenora?"