Quoted By:
>I have altered the deal. Pray I do not alter it further
>16, 32, 26 vs. DC 85 — Failure
Is it all? It won't be all until you make it so. You would like to make your life simpler. "No. I must ask that you temporarily evacuate all employees."
"Er..." Glances exchanged. "Your Eternalness... why?"
"Because I ask it of you. Are you saying it cannot be done?"
More glances. The Managers are pale. "Well..."
"Evacuate them where?" a bold one asks.
The old Namway manse. But you don't want to show your hand too soon. "Outside?"
"They cannot— they are fully acclimatized. To remove them would be to kill them."
"It'd make a big mess," someone mutters, to furtive nods.
"Er, then assume there is a place to evacuate them to. Could you then—?"
"Your Eternalness—" The one in front, tensely. "Could it be that you misunderstand the nature of our operations? We are not slipshod. We are—"
"Efficient," someone provides.
"—efficient. We do not allot room for error, let alone such an enormous disruption as a— a 'temporary evacuation'. I say this with all merited respect, Eternal One, but it could <span class="mu-i">not</span> be done. I believe that if you knew of the purpose behind it—"
"It's for <span class="mu-i">you,</span> Sun-bringer!" The lone Manager on his knees half-rises. "We do it all for you, great Gate-opener! Page-turner! WYRM-waker! We knew there'd come a day—"
"Shhh!" The one in front snaps her fingers. "Do not disrupt the conversation!"
"Who got 'cyked and left you boss, 24?" It's the peanut gallery. He sips from his cup before continuing. "Last I checked, you're the one who called the Herald a dog—"
"You called It a <span class="mu-i">doggie,</span> 32! I heard you!"
"Yeah? And would I have done that if you hadn't started the whole—?"
"Forgive them, Patient One," hisses the kneeling Manager. "These chassis— they muddy the mind, they inflame the passions. We suffer them for your sake. We have broken orthodoxy, all for your sake. The Bright Epoch— is it still coming? Can you promise us that?"
You look down at the top of his pathetic balding head. You consider your words. "As long as I live it will come. I promise you that."
"Thank you," he says to the ground. "Thank you."
"...But NOT—" You raise your voice. "—while there's SQUABBLING!"
Several Managers freeze, mouths open. "Thank you," you continue. "Will you evacuate this place?"
The Manager in front shuts her mouth. Then, very slowly, she turns her chair to face the others. She remains in that position for a long time. Then she swivels back. "Eternalness—"
"Is that a <span class="mu-i">no</span>?"
"Eternalness, it cannot be done. It would destroy the work of our lives— our careers. Could we show you, before you judge us so?"
Defeated. You could twist your hand and make it go as you liked. It could warp around you, O Gravid One. But it is early, and you are weary. You may have done too much as-is. "Very well."
Oh, thank God, says every Manager's face. "Then we shall lead you to where you requested. Please, Great Herald. After you."
>[END THREAD]
