Burrowing ahead

[Corwin]

"We're actually thinking of finding the right time to help Xera ascend," Seira voices. "I'm glad that you have a positive outlook on me, though. Despite my best efforts, too!"

Grinning at her guest, she says, "I think I'd like to push my boundaries a bit further, if you don't mind the attempt?"

[Anastasia]

With the slightest smile back, "Go on, Seira," he says, awaiting your words.

[Corwin]

"I've been feeling an increasing affinity with time, so I figured I'd make it official," Seira tells him. "I know it's not just something your group hoards given Labelas Enoreth shares said affinity, but it's always polite to see the resident authority on the matter if there are any hoops one needs to jump through to avoid needless conflict."

[Anastasia]

"There are several," Grandfather Time agrees, a pause as Vayley comes in with a tea service. She puts it down, an array of little cakes, cookies and snacks with the tea.

"Dinner will be Braised Rainbow with a cricket reduction, potatoes and greens," she comments, a lull in the conversation from it.

[Corwin]

"Thank you, Vayley, that would be lovely," Seira tells her, waiting to hear the several conditions every aspiring time lord needs to abide by to avoid getting murdered by all the others dogpiling him or her.

[Anastasia]

"First, you must vow to support the Temporal Compact. None of us have a desire to see the troubles of time travel return," Grandfather Time helps himself to a single bit of bread and butters it as he talks, forsaking the sweeter options. "Nor is this meant to be a way merely to gain access to chronomancy freely. If that is your desire, confess so now."

[Corwin]

"I remain committed to the Temporal Compact," Seira responds. "Mind you, I still believe it should've been done with different restrictions, but that's hardly new." Perking up, she says, "This is actually a good chance to ask whether the specifics are ever open for renegotiation, and if so what the process is. Gaining a plurality of the vote? Unanimous agreement from all signatories?"

[Anastasia]

"Before that," Going on, "Tell me how you feel the Compact should have been done," Grandfather Time says, "I wish your position to be clear."

[Corwin]

"Without knowing all the little details it would be difficult for me to get very specific, but I see two possibilities that would have each been better," Seira responds, playing along. "The first would be to ban specific magic from Chronomancy while keeping the school of magic itself. The greater understanding of magic, and through it, of Creation itself... that it was lost makes us all poorer for it. If the ban were in place properly, what would Detect Temporal Distortion possibly harm? Why couldn't some spells that were retained be dual-school?"

She takes a sip of her drink, silent for a moment. "The second goes a bit beyond that. Aside from, say, Haste and Time Stop being dual-school and teaching the tenants of Chronomancy, I see no harm in using informative spells. After all, from my understanding the actual issue was rewriting time. Time travel is disruptive and blatantly unfair, as we must have a chance for agency. However, how does Hindsight differ conceptually from a Chronomancy spell powering my gift from you, the Orb of Yesterday? Why ban wonders like the Book of What May Have Been, even as divinations that reveal far more information remain? Why couldn't I experience the first sunrise on my Prime of birth? Barred from interaction, from making changes to written history, yet coming from the experience with a renewed outlook on life. Can you truly say this is a great harm that must be prevented at all cost?"

[Anastasia]

Grandfather Time listens to your words before he merely goes on, no comment on your opinions. Instead, "It would take all the deities to decide to call another Convocation of Time. Any agreement would require vast support amid the divine to be considered and enacted." A bite of his bread, a pause for those words to be heard. "You understand that agree or not, should you take on time, you will be responsible for upholding the compact. If anything, you will be under stricter scrutiny, as you are meant to be an exemplar of it."

Another bite, a moment's pause again.

"Understand that this is not a threat. There is no malice to this, only the cold inevitability of those bound by mighty oaths. Should you violate the Temporal Compact, we will ensure justice is done. Those who would otherwise have no reason to battle you will take up arms against you. As you are not a mortal, changing the past is not possible, any solution will be in the present time. Up to and including a war if we must, a war you cannot win. Do not think it will be us Keepers alone, but deities from Celestia to the Abyss have vowed to enforce the Compact should one who upholds time violate it."

Another bite, a moment's pause a third time.

"Bahamut and Tiamat were bound by Io's will, and thus took them into conflict with Aurora. That would be the palest shadow of the reality should you take on time and grossly violate the Temporal Compact." Grandfather Time goes on. "All the divine came together and spoke that time shall no longer be open to revision. That will be enforced, no matter the cost in blood, tears and death. Do you understand, Seira?"

[Corwin]

"Whereas if I were to try and force a violation of the Compact now, nothing would happen to me?" Seira asks skeptically.

[Anastasia]

A mildly amused look, "You're smart enough to know the answer to that question."

[Corwin]

"I've always abided by the Compact out of a healthy belief in mutually-assured destruction. If I were to destabilize the agreement, Shar too would find it acceptable. Or Asmodeus, perhaps? And that would be a net minus." Seira shrugs. "If you tell me I must uphold the rules as you've described to me, that's fine. If I must stop good people from violating it, I would do it, assuming my means are left open to me while I act in good faith to discharge my duties."

[Anastasia]

"As they say, the devil is in the details," Grandfather Time agrees. "But are you clear on this point?"

[Corwin]

"Yes. Just arrange for a detailed account of the duties and obligations that I'll be sure to go over?"