Lucy's magnificent rod (Lucy)

[Corwin]

Lucy doesn't really know Canderella except by distant reputation as an explorer, so she just makes a noncommittal noise. Then, changing the topic, she asks, "Miss Ebony, has Miss Canderella shared those circumstances with you, and not in confidence?"

[Anastasia]

"Those circumstances? Could you be more specific?" Ebony asks, finishing off her cake as she calms from her mith.

[Corwin]

"The divorce from primal evil must have been a messy one, and I doubt it was as simple as following Talos. Since I can't remember either way, I must admit I got a bit curious here."

[Anastasia]

"As a matter of fact, it was that simple," Ebony says, "When Talos rose, some chose to go with him. She's nostalgic for her past, but her nature does not allow her to reclaim it. It's just not the same anymore."

[Corwin]

Strange. Then again, in that situation, what wouldn't be?

"And has Miss Canderella shown any interest in exploring the other side of the spectrum?"

[Anastasia]

"Canderella is content where she is," Ebony says, voice a little softer. "I have tried, but she is set in her new ways."

[Corwin]

"I suppose knowing your place in the greater scheme of things and liking is important," Lucy muses.

[Anastasia]

"Mmm." Ebony murmurs and rests back a moment, eyes closed. "Be cautious. Not all denizens of the Abyss approve of what you are done."

[Corwin]

"I doubt there is a single one that does," Lucy says rather dryly.

[Anastasia]

"You have a remarkably good head on your shoulders," Ebony says, quite dryly. "Whenever did a succubus find common sense?"

[Corwin]

"It's not that the race is entirely deprived of it, Miss Ebony!" Lucy protests. "In fact, studying the racial connection to evil might be worthwhile. Perhaps it acts as an addiction, or a powerful external influence overriding otherwise sensible instincts."

[Anastasia]

"That assumes it is consistent," Ebony says, considering. "It may not be, especially with how it manifests in devils versus demons."

[Corwin]

"It probably is, if we treat all external connections to something primal as affecting in similar ways. In fact, this probably messes with the minds of elementals. It might be hard to stay rational when the first answer to every question is 'fire' or something along those lines."

[Anastasia]

"Mmm-hmm," Ebony says, "Simmer wrote a diary once about that. I think I still have it somewhere," she remarks, "Or a copy of it, would you like to see it?"

[Corwin]

"Certainly!"