[A strange manner of vacation indeed. And like an utter fool, Emet-Selch has accepted it. Not without question, mind you, but far more willingly than one of his position and experience should. Perhaps he really is a slave to sentiment.]

[He sighs in turn. This again.]

Yes, a circumstance which I've discussed with both you and your Au Ra friend at exhaustive length. One which I cannot recall, given that I have yet to pull the trigger. For what little it's worth, I see no reason to hold you hostage given the present situation, nor am I in the mood for target practice.

[He offers a half-hearted shrug. Make of it what you will.]

But I would disagree on the topics of titles and goals. Though nothing we accomplish here is likely to affect Etheirys on any grand scale, that hardly means there aren't projects worth taking on.

[And a gesture at the aetherytes in progress.]

As for titles, while you may be more than ready to step down from your previous role, I've no desire to discard mine. For we of the Convocation, our titles are our identities until another succeeds us.

[So don't you lot go around calling him "Hades" all of a sudden. You've not received his permission.]