>>6092145>"Take me to your leader! I've a proposition for him or her!"- Ambassador Aksel Durbawey addressing an ant carrying his traveling pack away,
"Farces And Triumphs In The Arts: Vol 1"
Months pass...
>"I will get to the point. We wish for an alliance of bloodlines">"- To start: Mutual non-interference. You will vacate our territories and cease stealing our property, we will stop lacing your subjects and belongings with yucky crystals.">"- To follow, you will grant us two queen eggs. They will be put through the ritual of Tenebrism. We will return one egg. The spawned queen should be able to birth a new race of shadow ants, which while nigh-helpless in loathsome Solaire's rays, will be moste fearsome and capable in Terra's bosom. The egg that remains and her bloodline will be ours, to raise, rear, and put to work".>"- To conclude, a train of your peoples may be allowed passage through the outskirts of our territories, and into the borders of our neighbors. For as long as no war erupts through that border, the train will be allowed to pour through and initiate trade and transportation, which we will tap into just as many others might.">"What say you?">The Skrit indicate acceptance to third term, but wariness and puzzlement to the first two>"Each term requires the one prior. I beg you reconsider">"Avenues of interaction would remain under the third term, but we require ourselves be excluded. Not all things are meant to be learned, and your forceful trades are predatory and inconsiderate to others' property besides">"Shadow ants would be Shadows that are ants. Shadows are our Eschato forms, for when Solaire doth die, they shall inherit Terra and her lost lambs!">"For an alliance, equality is a must. If you wish a settlement in our territory, then so too there shall be a settlement in yours. If you wish for three Shadow queens, then we too must receive three of our own. If you wish your trade 'rivers' to not be interfered with, then so too must you not interfere with our own properties">The Skrit propose a joint colony>"A joining would require joint or compatible beliefs and ideals. Ours are to sequester ourselves from Solaire as soon as possible, to prepare our empire come Tenebrium. What are yours?">Their answer is to learn all there is to learn>"To what end?">They wish to resolve an arcane pattern of some form. Food for our scholars, not our diplomats>"Then for as long as your seeking does not impede the prosperity of our nascant empire, our goals must align. For when the prophecy[1] is fulfilled, and Tenebria is upon us, nigh-all shall die, barring those who have prepared ahead. Your goal would die as the world does. But should you join hands with us, and prepare for the eternal night, then you will have all the time you may need to seek your solutions. What say you?">The Skrit acquiesced1. "Chronicles of Our Origins"
- Ambassador Aksel Durbawey,
"Farces And Triumphs In The Arts: Vol 1"
