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[Corwin]

"Impressive," Seira notes. "Let's give Kascha a chance to be impressed as well? And in the meantime you can give me your superior's answer, perhaps?"

[Anastasia]

"Ah!" Kascha cries as she's brought into it.

"Such a situation would-" Chrona 42 begins, only for Kascha to look about and talk right over him.

"Oh, do you see the differences, Seira, it's remarkable!" Kascha gushes, "I get it now, especially how - oh! How remarkable!"

"Ahem," Chrona 42 clears his throat loudly, getting Kascha to pause and blush. "May I continue?"

[Corwin]

"Please do," Seira says, gesturing for him to do so. Even if Kascha is being adorable.

[Anastasia]

"My superiors note that they would prefer that you did not, both to respect the Compact and to avoid strife in the Astral." Clearing his throat, "The delicateness of the situation must not be underestimated. The Compact concedes the Astral because we lack the ability to change it. There was not a deity in the Astral at the time, therefore the Compact did not precisely address this issue, beyond barring deities not native to the Astral from using it in that way. A loop hole used weakens the entire structure, and may well require corrective action to preserve the Compact."

[Corwin]

"Are your superiors proposing a suitable compromise to bolster the Cauldron in other ways?" Seira inquires. "The phrasing suggests there is a desire to reach a mutually-agreeable accord rather than force the issue and, in turn, require alterations to a Compact that's worked quite well for millennia."

[Anastasia]

"What is it you want?" Is the answer back, "We would prefer mutual cooperation without requiring such things, but we will hear you out."

[Corwin]

"Would the Compact allow you to give me a room in the Cauldron where I could use Chronomancy that didn't spill beyond its borders?"

[Anastasia]

"No," There is no give in that, "Exceptions like that are not allowed for anyone, barring a teaching situation like this."

[Corwin]

"What if I wished to practice Chronomancy in said room with your direct presence, say once an objective month? Would that fall under teaching situations, or are they a one time deal?" Seira taps her lips. "I can't see that, though. Kascha could come here, but she's not able to exert her divine will to cast the spells, so presumably she would get a chance all of her own to try them out in her future."

[Anastasia]

"That is likewise impossible," Chrona 42 says. "Should further teaching be desired or required, we contact you or simply arrange it to happen."

[Corwin]

"If you're not willing to help me with practice, providing the actual magic would have to do," Seira muses. "Creating an avatar for the first time takes a while. Speed up the process for the first avatar of any deity following me, and I'll consider it worthwhile enough to forget any thoughts of merging the Cauldron with Astral."

[Anastasia]

"A moment, please," Chrona 42 says, "That sort of offer would need to be approved by my superiors."

[Corwin]

"Certainly," Seira says graciously, showing nothing of her cautious optimism. Amaryl might get her wish, now! And Kascha and Sanzha wouldn't need to be hobbled when they come into their own.

[Anastasia]

And like that Chrona 42 is gone.

Sidelong to you Kascha says in your mind:

Do you think they'd agree to something like that? It would be so helpful!

[Corwin]

Lixer sure had some outside help with his avatar upon ascending to the throne of Lord of the First.