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(no subject)

Characters: Esther, Mab, Bres, Arthur, Ogma
Date/Time: Late morning, Monday, October 22, 2012
Location: Parlor of La Maison Jeu Ancien
Rating: TBD
Warnings: TBD. Depends on how it goes.
Summary: Esther brokers an alliance with the Celts.

Mab had said 11, but of course there was no way to determine exact time in this place. So, Esther gave it her best guess, hovering near the area until Mab and the others arrived.

"Thank you for coming," she said graciously, hoping not to betray her nervousness.

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She nodded regally. "Ogma is correct. Phrasing is everything. If you aren't more specific in your requirements, then I - we could interpret it as we saw fit."

"Very well, then." Esther tucked back a lock of her dark hair.

"If any one of my pantheon is threatened, we will expect at minimum an offer of assistance from the Celts. If the assistance is accepted, we expect it as soon as absolutely possible. The same goes for any necessity: food, clothing, shelter, transportation or other basic requirement--an offer will be expected and should arrive posthaste if accepted."

"This will be especially true for all inter-pantheon children that may be born. Both pantheons will work directly with the parents to ensure no harm comes to the children and that they have everything they need. Exactly what this entails will be left up to the parents themselves."

She listened, not finding anything she was against in the request. Of course, despite the slightly more detailed nature of Esther's requests, Mab found them to still be remarkably bendable. And that was an advantage still. She'd not warn again. She disliked repeating herself.

"Very well. In exchange, we would require loyalty from each of those in your pantheon who wishes to receive our aid. By this I mean, each individual of your group would need to guarantee that the promotion of the Celts in the race for power would be their priority. Even beyond your own pantheon."

Without allowing any time for an object from any in the room, she continued. "This would not mean abandoning the Judeo-Christian portion of this race. But it would be set as a secondary endeavor. You, nor any of those of your group seeking our aid, will seek to set yourselves before the Celts in the race for power. You will work to ensure that we succeed over all other groups. That means plying your influences and skills to the benefit of us, keeping our confidences against all outsiders, including mortal family, friends, and members of other pantheons. Your group will hold no loyalty higher than ours, making no bargains without our consent, and us to you in return. Thus you will be ours, not only to protect and provide for, but to utilize for our benefit. We shall see to your safety and well being, and your group will see to our success. Those who refuse this, forfeit our aid. Those who agree are bound by it, even against other members of your pantheon. Is this acceptable to you and yours, Queen Esther of Persia?"

"You would have us act as underlings rather than equals," Esther observed. "That does change things. I offered myself in contract, Lady Mab. I did not offer the others, and demons... do not take kindly to being fettered. Especially without their knowledge or consent. I'm afraid I cannot agree to your terms without first securing their acceptance of the arrangement. Put the terms in writing, and I will submit them to my fellows. I would ask for three days' deliberation, as this is not something into which we enter lightly."

"I have no desire for them to be consigned to any arraignment without their consent. In fact, I require it if they wish any aid from us at all. Indeed, you offered yourself, but would you be held hostage to the whims of your fellows? I would not, nor shall I take on good faith that each of you have the same intentions. In addition, you ask for aid and protection and therefore admit to being weaker and not equals. I shall slightly amend my terms by saying that should ever any of your group decided to dissolve the arrangement, you each would have but to say as much. A mutual withdrawl of aid would occur. However, you cannot expect us to offer up such assistance without getting something of value from you in return."

"Let me just say I know a thing or two about risking the one for the greater good," Esther said. "We are fewer, and our powers are on different levels than those of the Celts, but I would not consider us lesser. I understand you also have a Greek sworn in knighthood to you. Still. I would expect something more... symbiotic between our groups. A mutual level of advancement gained by working together. The quests are shared, and the resources pooled."

"The Greek is not sworn by proper magical oath, and therefore remains suspect." She spoke that a bit snappishly. She didn't care that the doctor had practically saved her life. As far as she was concerned, he was a spy until proven otherwise. "In any case, our resources are not balanced between us. We have an abundance of wealth, tactical knowledge and abilities, over all resources and practically applicable powers. You offer a single useful political position of influence and a great deal of sexual prowess. I would say we are not on equal terms, and what we would gain would be a far cry from what you would. What I propose is symbiosis. You wish protection, we wish to solidify our power base."

Her tone softened a little suddenly, there was even a hint of what might have been gentleness in its undertone. "At this current time only one group can win, Queen of Persia. Do you really think your group should be the one to do so? Are you three capable of leading a whole world? Ours is the one pantheon with a stable leadership mentality. We would not wreak havoc upon humanity with our ascension, nor make it suffer from indecision, apathy, or inability. And by the terms laid out, none of us could break our word or use you unjustly, without risking consequences even I cannot imagine."

Bres took this moment to speak.

"Perhaps not immediately, but perhaps we should consider a formal union of our two groups. The Greeks are immense and will likely pass us by if we allow it. We could use the additional allies. Perhaps a power-sharing arrangement. Mab would remain overall leader, but Esther would have a consultory position and would make certain the needs of her fellows are represented within the greater union."

"At this point in time, there isn't a lot that's certain. We have no way of knowing who will appear or disappear next. It's still anyone's game, so to speak," Esther said.

"What I would also suggest would be the political equivalent of your tradition of a handfasting. The agreement is fully binding, but, after one year's time, we re-examine our positions and needs."

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