Unfortunately, Kaleeth's reaction was not exactly what Janius had expected. Even though he had managed to stun her, she didn't release him until his lungs started to yearn for the surface. Once he tasted the air again, he took a quick, deep and wheezy breath, then paused to breathe until he recovered.

That was a bad idea and Janius knew it. He acted rashly and selfishly. How was he going to explain himself? Kaleeth's tone afterward only seemed to make things worse. Janius would have preferred her to be angry rather than simply inquisitive, then he could play it off as a joke, but this was different. He rubbed himself on the shoulder and pulled a remorseful expression, looking away from Kaleeth. "I'm... I'm sorry, that wasn't called for. I thought it would be funny, but... I didn't mean to make it seem like..." It was incredibly awkward now. Janius wished he hadn't run ahead of his rational mind.

Speaking of his rational mind, it was only then that he realised just how much he was two ways about his current feelings. He felt a pang in his chest just knowing that even if Kaleeth didn't mind, he couldn't be in that sort of relationship. Not unless she wanted to join the pack, but she didn't even know that there was a pack in the first place. He wasn't going to force that on her. It would be best if she didn't know, if only to maintain their welcome in the village. It was all spiraling out of control due to his own rash stupidity.

That or Kaleeth was actually hiding seething anger for his actions and would prefer not to reciprocate his actions. That was the only small hope he had.

---

Pouring the tea into small clay cups once it finished infusing, Tunxeek passed them around, to the guests first, then his father.

Sabine held the steaming tea cup in her hands and looked into the flecks of canis root at its base. While Thorantilth spoke, she blew on the tea and carefully sipped at it. Thorantilth's explanation made a few more things clear, but she was still unsure. If it was impossible to say exactly what the Hist's reactions to her would be, perhaps she could never know until she was in the ritual. It certainly confirmed her fears that she might encounter her bad memories again. Her hands began to tremble once more, even when holding the cup in both hands. When it looked like she was about to spill her drink, Tunxeek reached out and closed his hand around the cup and her hand.

[i]"Easy now,"[/i] Tunxeek said reassuringly, until he realised that he needed to speak Cyrodilic. "You are shaking," Tunxeek said slowly, his face was a concerned one, "Are you well?"

Sabine looked at him with wide eyes. She did not appreciate the attention she was getting, but her shaking hands were only making things worse. She slowly and shakily pushed his hand off hers and put down the tea before she could spill any. Her mind screamed for escape. She tried not to panic, but her breathing became shallow as she slowly stood up. Without a word, she walked out of the hut. Tunxeek looked on with confusion, "I am sorry. You do not have to leave." She paid no heed. Once Sabine was outside, broke into a run for the common hut.

Tunxeek stood by the door as he watched Sabine run away. He had confused guilt pasted all over his face. He turned his head to his father and Meesei. [i]"I don't know what I did. I... she just panicked. What should I do?"[/i]