The Oueiaaia Voting Trust gathered in the spiraling coral chambers to mark its own gradual fade. Delegates arrived with sensory stalks tuned solely to the repetition of their own names. Under dim coral chandeliers they passed a motion to adjourn until 2931 by 47,000 votes to three; the minority lingered to debate whether the word implied motion at all.
Aiouea set the single surviving flask of transmuted coral on the rostrum. A note reading 'use wisely' had been stuck to its side and was now serving as a coaster for champagne. One delegate remarked that the moment should be recorded for posterity, provided anyone later recalled the topic.
When the tower clock struck, the only lasting achievement on display was the decision to do nothing further. The delegates left their ambitions behind in the awkward quiet.
