NTR Quest - Odyssey 34 - Diplomatic Powerhouse

“Stop, stop. Both of you.” You looked between the Merfolk and Squidfolk delegates with a calm, diplomatic expression. As you were capable of living among them with your gift of being part elemental, you were perfectly situated to be on their same level. Rather than picking sides, you felt as if you were in a position to completely overpower both of them with your presence. Not just one. You smiled once you had their attention.
“There's no reason to fight, since both of you will become my supporters, regardless. We can work out any disagreements within that context. I'm not going to choose either of you.”

“Oh.” The Merfolk lowered her head a little. The Squid had nothing in particular to say. He just nodded.

You motioned towards the structure. Despite being shattered it looked like it could still be in use. “Well? Let's go.” They stood at either side and began to walk you into the building. There was a long hall, then a few chambers. Finally it opened up into a large oval room with seating along the sides.
“This is a commons chamber, or something?”

“It's where the alliance meets.” The woman confirmed.
“How are you so unified?”

“The threat unifies us more...” She stared at the Squid.
“And divides us in other ways. However, even before this started happening we have a logical incentive to work together.

“Do you?” You questioned curiously.

“You see, above the water your ecosystems are connected, but you do not feel it or realize it until it is too late. You would not know that hunting the animals of a forest until they are gone can kill the forest or harm the other animals. Here, however, everything has a direct effect on everything else. Anything that comes into the waters or leaves it can have grave consequences that we can feel very immediately, when compared to the surface. This necessitated consensus. No one can act selfishly because everything is connected.”

“I think I understand... But, you're also saying the surface is like that and we just don't realize it?”

She closed her eyes and nodded solemnly. “We've heard stories. You all wage destructive wars and harm your land only to realize the consequences years later. Because it is not happening to you 'now' you ignore the problems until they arise.”

“To be frank... All you're saying is that you would be the same way if things didn't get more drastic more quickly down here.”

“I never said otherwise.”

You smiled. “Perhaps we on the surface can learn a thing or two.”

“You are too humble.” The woman bowed while crossing her hand over her midsection. The Squid bowed as well. You looked around the chamber.
“What's the highest position in the Alliance?”

“The Grand Chamberlain oversees all debates, legislation and is in charge of acquiring consensus in all circumstances. It typically goes to the figure with the most influence.”

You nodded lightly. “But, hidden within that explanation is the fact that the position does not grant that influence, it is the influence that guarantees the position.”

“You are very wise, Master.” The Squid spoke.

“Who is the current Grand Chamberlain?”

“While our 'Leader', The strongest of us, was killed, the Chamberlan still lives. I am she.” The woman motioned to herself.

You narrowed your eyes at her. “You were testing me?”

She bowed her head, folding her hands in front of her lap. “The issue that I face is that... We can not follow someone with poor foresight and ignorant views. However... You show that you seek consensus instead of strife by choosing to mediate instead of picking sides and you also showed immediately understanding of our principles. For that reason, I will use my influence for you so long as you help us.” She placed her webbed hand over her heart.

“What else were you lying about?” You asked, floating forward to place a finger under her chin, lifting it. She turned away, blushing.
“Everything else was truthful. Those three truly acted on their own.”

“Hm. Alright. That's fine, I suppose. Are you willing to back your words?”

“Of course!” She sounded offended.

“Ashur.” You waved him forward. He swam a bit awkwardly towards you.
“we're going to use the Authority on her.”

“Sure thing!” He looked her in the eyes as you spoke.

“Look at him. Do you swear to be loyal to me and to act within my interests for as long as those do not conflict with your peoples health and safety?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to become subjects of my Family under those conditions, but to also reserve judgment of fault from us, and allow explanation from my side of things before action is due?”

She cringed a little but offered another short nod. “I swear.”

“Do you swear to forsake all oaths and promises that contradict my interests and desires, in line with the previous agreements?”

“I swear.”

“Good! Good job, Ashur.” Your hand passed through the bubble to ruffle his short, messy hair. He grinned happily.
“I don't need the position at the top. You can continue to work as you have been. What we need to do on our end is stop Cao Young, the Aoian Hero... Even when I am like this it sounds like fighting him underwater is already disadvantageous.”

“We are built for underwater combat, and even our strongest warriors failed to stop him. I would advise fighting him in a place that is most comfortable to you and yours.”

“Worth asking, but what do you actually want out  of this?”

“We would settle for a ceasefire in the worst case. However... The damage done exceeds anything we ever did to him and his people. Therefore we would seek restitution.”

“Restitution.”

Marrien stepped forward. It appeared she had been taking notes as best she could. “Where it concerns restitution, we can discuss the actual damages and come up with a number. Let's... Be a bit more generous to ourselves in judging the values of all that was destroyed.” Marrien winked.

The Chamberlain covered her mouth as she chuckled. “Yes. That would be ideal.”

“That's good. Mom can handle that.” You conferred with Djir and Fiona.
“The fundamental goal here is something we've already basically won. We've gotten the actual deal that will secure this place for our interests, now we just need to satisfy their own requirements to keep it. That means we need to either beat Cao Young or...”

“Beat him enough that he'll  accept our terms.” Djir stated.

“It's going to come to that, yeah.” Fiona shrugged.
“But, since that guy's Heroic Trait is adaption, beating him in a non-committal faction seems foolish. If we beat him once, get him to come to the table and he's stronger than us all the next day we're fuck.”

“My thoughts exactly. To be frank, we probably gotta kill this kid.” Djir nodded to Fiona, who winked up at him since they were of the same mind.

You crossed your arms over your chest. “As much as I hate to admit it, you're both right. Fiona, if we use our resonance ability once and he lives to the next day we will probably have no way to stop him.”

“Resonance?” Djir looked at the two of you.

You grinned. “It's something that twin siblings can do. Resonance, so long as we remain in sync with one-another, combines our Auras and multiplies it ten-fold.”

“Holy shit...” Djir's eyes went wide.
“Got it. So you use a resonance technique like that, it's gonna be a one-shot. And if he happens to live through it...”

“We never get a chance after that. So, it's probably decided.”

“We finish him no matter what.” Fiona nodded.

“You even need me, Love?” Djir cackled.

You smiled. “In fact... We do.” You motioned him and Fiona in close.
“Because we're going to trick him.”

“Hoho...” Djir seemed pleased. Fiona as well.
“Me and Fiona will temper our intent to the extent that he should think we simply want to beat him and negotiate. If he fights with that in mind we can surprise him. Fiona and I will use 'That' and the moment we come out of it, if he lives at all, Djir will kill him.”

“What's 'That?'” Djir asked curiously. Fiona whispered it in his ear.
“Hahaha! I was fucked if I went up against you two!”

You gave Djir a kiss and the three of you broke the huddle. He gave your rear a slow, underwater smack as you walked back.
“Trita, walk with me.”

“Yes, sir.” She began to follow you.
“What do you need right now?”

“Show me around. Is the city in complete disarray?”

“Not quite. Mostly the soldiers and the governing structure was affected.”

“Silver linings.”

“I am not familiar with that expression.”

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

“I have never seen that to be true, but I will agree, then.”

“It means... Even bad things leave some good behind... I don't know. It doesn't sound right as anything other than Silver Linings.”

“I apologize.”

“No reason to.” You looked around as the two of you walked out into the street. Much like any busy street there were merchants and customers. The place was short on guards, but it seemed as though they were not extremely necessary. The reality of the sea made the street a bit more interesting. While in a normal city the shops would be at ground level with a structure over head going up three levels at most, here there were multiple levels of shops with open designs and the went up five levels like that. Then, stretching back behind them were the dwellings and homes hidden in cave-like buildings. The sound of the place was surprisingly quite alive, since vibrations carried effectively underwater. Staring down the street was like seeing a light-show and hearing an orchestra all at once.

You both slipped into what you guessed was a street-food vendor. “What do you all eat down here? Do you cook?”

“Cook?”

“Like... Heating and frying.”

“Rarely. There is a style from far below of heating a stone with volcanic material and searing the surface of the food. Mostly, however we simply cut things and eat them raw.”

“Raw?”

“Freezing most items to an extremely low temperature kills parasites, then it's basically safe to eat once the item has been gutted and prepared.” She began casually removing her clothes within the street vendor stall.

“W-what are you doing!?”

“Oh... I guess you do not know. You need to remove your clothes and wash yourself before entering.”

“Before...” You looked around. You thought you had entered. There was a flap and a small standing bar. . Trita reached over and grabbed something that looked like soap. She began scrubbing herself. You got the message and took off your clothes, as well. She chuckled.

“You are actually very clean due to your constitution.” She lead you inside.
“You see, what I said back in the chamber is true for all of society. We have these places, but when sharing a space, everyone has to suffer from what you bring in with you.” As you got in you stared at the neat, clean dining area. The water was far more pristine in here than outside, somehow. It was a preserved environment.
“Since the food we eat is sitting in the same environment that we are simply existing in, cleanliness is actually a big deal. It's very rude to enter a building without cleaning yourself first.”

“Interesting.” You both stood at a spot. There were no chairs, since the concept of sitting was not a convenient thing under water. Trita ordered something and you simply nodded along. After a few minutes of idle conversation you were both brought a tray of some sea-weed wrapped fish.
“Seaweed?”

Trita smirked, popping a piece into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed before explaining. “I understand you sprinkle your food with seasoning on the surface? Here, it would fall off. The techniques they use to season or flavor food is to either to season, then roll it, or to trap flavorful ingredients under seaweed or some other medium to keep it in. That way you bite in and the flavor is all there. In this place they do both. There is also a method of imbibing food with flavor by storing it in some ingredients overnight. That way, some food keeps and can be served with no flavoring at all, since the flavor is inside.”

You popped one into your mouth. “Ah...” It had a strange, unplaceable flavor.

She covered her mouth, laughing. “Well... Yes. It's usually not good for people used to surface food.” She watched as you found it far easier to absorb the food. She smirked at you as you did.
“That's one way to do it. Typically, Elementals don't even eat this type of thing. Just raw materials and... Others.”

“I'm a mix, so... You know.”

Trita looked at you. “Would you possibly wish to... See some of the more personal accommodations?” You knew without asking that she was asking you to have sex with her somewhere. You thought it sounded fun, but at the same time, you had been neglecting Teuta and Jeane.