Knowledge shall lead the...

[Corwin]

Mildly regretful that Vayley had not accompanied them on this trip, Seira does so.

[Anastasia]

Thus in you go. Past finery to a room filled with...dragons?

Dozens of dragons of all color and metallic shade are here, chatting. They're all sized so they're about equal to Hanna, several snacking on finger foods or drinking from wine glasses. A pleasant buzz of conversation fills the air.

[Corwin]

That seems like fun, so Seira transforms while keeping her side reduced comparably! Then, it is a matter of finding a wine glass, for conversation will surely follow....

[Anastasia]

Looking for any particular subjects or the like?

[Corwin]

Let's find out who the host is and what's the occasion!

[Anastasia]

You wander and come up to a black dragon and a silver dragon, chatting away. The black dragon is overheard saying, "...and I really have to hand it to our host, she has this in claw."

The silver dragon pops a gold nugget into her mouth and quietly chews before, "It's the best party this century. None of the riff-raff got in."

[Corwin]

"Doesn't it add some spice to life, though?" Seira voices, sipping from her wine glass. "Keep things from falling into familiar patterns by shaking them up?"

[Anastasia]

"Ah, Seira. Wonderful to see you here," The black dragon smiles, as your companions hold back and just stare at at it all. "How has that miserable mess in the elemental planes treated you?"

[Corwin]

"Quite well, actually! I came out ahead, which means my ideals came out ahead, which means a great many people are better off now and that leads back to me coming out ahead."

[Anastasia]

"Splendid," The silver dragon remarks, "Such a beastly affair, I heard what happened in the Battle of Father and Son."

[Corwin]

"Imix threw everything he had against me when we clashed, and lost his army and his precious artifact before running away," Seira laments. "Zaaman Rul didn't even have time to scold him properly. What is the point of attacking your enemy if you run before you do any serious battle, I ask you?"

[Anastasia]

"Survival," The black dragon says, "Nothing more, nothing less. Why, what else could it be, unless he forgot a pressing engagement. Though I find the encroachment of Baatorian interests into the City of Brass most vexing. Vexing and confounding I say, several enterprises have had to draw back and reassess in light of this change. I'm afraid I may have to pull out my interests in Fire altogether, though the Baatorians have been extremely generous offers." A sniff, "But I will not work with Baatorian barbarians. I prefer a more civilized people."

[Corwin]

"I just so happen to be planning to expand my interests in Fire," Seira notes casually. "Perhaps that would provide new opportunities without distasteful compromises."

[Anastasia]

"Perhaps," The black dragon says thoughtfully.

"The Baatorian offers are more than generous," The silver dragon says, "I've made several profitable agreements with them recently and expanded my interests in Fire. Be what they are, but they also understand that business is business, and our business is our business."

[Corwin]

"The efreet also thought that, until their business became Baator's, and their relationship turned to one of... master and vassal is the kindest way to say it," Seira says, giving the wine in her glass a swirl with a practiced flick of her wrist. "I would caution against listening to them, given the numerous instances of these offers turning into something else entirely when one least expects it."