Diplomatic aftermath

[Corwin]

"She's such a little darling, isn't she? So adorable!" Seira practically gushes at this happy topic. "I've actually sent her back to the Aurora recently, so you should be able to catch her if you visit."

[Anastasia]

Renbuu takes an entire strip of sushi and devours it daintily before saying, "She is favored by Baleruk. He seems fond of her, I see why you sent her back."

[Corwin]

"Donald here actually wanted to do a short stint with Aurora as well," Seira goes on to say, deciding to try Renbuu's favored sushi next. "Do you think he'd be a good fit? He keeps on saying he wants to fight efreet instead, but vampires are suitable targets."

[Anastasia]

Strong. Very strong with a pickled taste.

"Will he bear Baleruk's children as well?" Renbuu hums and considers, "No, the art would not work, not like that. The body can be art, but not always. Too many focus on it without understanding the true beauty of it."

Ben-Hadar seems content to sit back, smile faintly and watch the back and forth.

"Well....breasts?" Donald offers, shrugging, "If those aren't art, then the body can't be art."

> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d100=100]

That happened, huh?

Renbuu throws back his head and cackles, "YES! Let there be bosoms!" he declares, hopping up, the table knocked up and then down, almost smashing all of you in the face. In an instant they grow - bosoms, alright, all over the pink, slimy coral. ....huh.

Huh.

Huuuuuh.

Ben-Hadar looks on, expression sliding into complete unexpressiveness. All around you they grow and plump up on the coral, "There! The perfect touch to this masterpiece!"

Donald stares, and after several moments of dead silence, "Do they...are they alive?" Donald manages to venture.

[Corwin]

It sounds like they found the perfect souvenir!

[Anastasia]

"They are alive with ART!" Renbuu shouts, gesturing far and wide, all over. "Is it not a stunning and bold new direction to go in? It is truly a new wave in artistic work! Long has unreality and flesh weaving been in disfavor, but now it is time for those to return to artistic favor!"

[Corwin]

"Congratulations!"

Meanwhile, Seira decides to strike while the iron is hot, and sends a mental request.

Istishia, I humbly request a few minutes of your time

[Anastasia]

Before you, the strange coral dissolves into water. In instants it is all gone, Renbuu whirling on Ben-Hadar. Slowly Ben-Hadar pinches the bridge of his watery nose, "No. I don't care if it makes me stodgy, Renbuu. I am not having those here."

The slaad lord throws his hands up into the air, "Artists are never understood in their time! Tell me that is not art!"

Meanwhile?

You may speak.

[Corwin]

It is my understanding that the powers of Water have been instructed to stay out of the war between slavers and abolitionists. May I inquire as to the reasons for such?

Seira decides to make her own contribution to art and conjures up a lovely elven woman mid-dance. Then, statues of her appear through the following actions, as if depicting her moving in slow motion. They circle the table at a good distance, before finally merging into a proper loop as the last image is the prelude for the first.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d100=59]

"My problem," Renbuu begins, turning to you, "Is that elven art is endlessly self referential and circular, the same core tenets always coming around and around." His voice is dry, like a professor lecturing. "Can you not agree that elven art theory is strong within its roles but hopelessly hamstrung beyond them?"

"Nah," Donald says, sitting back now, drinking from a goblet of water, "I mean, most of it's terrible, but within the themes there's a lot of variation that usually moves beyond them."

I will allow it. It is my choice. Let Fire burn its fuel while Water flows unobstructed.

[Corwin]

I've recently rescued the Great Xorn from captivity by powers from Air, by all accounts. Would Fire truly burn its fuel without acting on its designs upon Water? What if Fire is allowed to grow by a series of wins, and decides to expand its influence here by force? What would be of the marid, of the water elementals and the other inhabitants, given what the efreet and their devil allies think is acceptable treatment for their captives or those they see as lesser beings?

"Elven art is flowery, but there is a great deal of variation within. The act of coming around and around happens as the result of the way elves like to treat their art as not merely enjoyment, but also as a vital instrument of learning."

[Anastasia]

Fire will not grow. At best any wins will cost them too much strength.

Let a weakened Fire come and quench itself for all time within Water.

[Corwin]

If Air and Earth decide similarly, Fire would have a good chance of doing just that. I'll do my best, but my true strength lies in the support of my friends. It is over that support that I've approached you now. Please allow them to act upon their conscience.

[Anastasia]

No. Water shall flow freely, untouched by a war that will weaken Fire.

Meanwhile Renbuu looks at the image and rubs his chin, as if lost in thought.

[Corwin]

Seira breathes temporary life into the statues, causing them to animate their never-ending dance.

Even assuming things go as planned, Fire will not be weakened. My war is against the slavers, so once victory is achieved, Fire will be rebuilt to new heights. The winning side will have a say in how that restoration goes, but as things stand right now, Water will be kept out of post-war settlement and lack any ways of influencing the outcome.