"I cannot say that I could defend you that much if that happens." Sabine brought a curled hand up in front of her mouth before she could stifle her own giggle, "I will try. Maybe."

"Tzirret knows that he does not want to be shaven," Tzirret commented, "It would be so cold and...exposed. He would be pink and mangy." He brought his hands up to rub his upper arms with just the thought of it.

Sabine turned her head to Ma'tanza and Tzirret again. "Maybe it is a good thing that La'khay is not painting you after all," she said jokingly. "Anyway, what did you say you wanted to do again?"

[hr]
A few more thanks and farewells had La'khay and La'tahne left behind as the rest of the group went to entertain themselves. Without much inspiration on the way to the pool it seemed as though they were simply going to enjoy a swim. However, what they had found there was something they didn't expect. Some of the clan children had taken a sheep's bladder, inflated it, tied it off, and sewn sheets of oiled leather around it to make a buoyant and bouncy ball. They seemed to be playing some kind of game in the water which involved two teams getting the ball to the edge of the pool and then sending it to a guarded goal on the other end. The rules were arbitrary and the game involved a lot of physical contact, but it certainly looked like everyone involved was enjoying themselves.

Upon investigation it was noticed that there were spare balls available that Tzirret, Ma'tanza, Sabine, and Peiter were permitted to use. They did not pretend to understand the game, but had enough fun passing the ball between themselves with their hands or fists. The game in the water even meant that it wasn't as much of a strain on Ma'tanza as it would have been out of the water.

Until then Sabine had resigned herself to not getting in any further magic practice that day, but she ended up having a lot of fun using telekinesis on the ball to play mischief with the others. Ma'tanza eventually joined in using telekinesis, turning the game into an impossible round of piggy-in-the-middle for those less magically inclined. Eventually, Tzirret became fed up enough to try and disrupt Ma'tanza's magic by employing some of the tackling techniques of the children nearby, to varying degrees of success.

The fun they had certainly took the edge off of Tzirret's anxieties about Ma'tanza's current feelings about him. If nothing else, he was too tired out that night to stay awake worrying.

[hr]
The next few days had Sabine and Peiter sit for their painting some more and accelerate their preparation to move out. It was always uncomfortable to sit still for so long but it was worth it to see the progress La'khay was making day by day. Sabine actually found the static kiss with Peiter to be a welcome relief from helping the alchemists make seemingly endless supplies. Just as she had predicted, La'khay's grooming resulted in uncomfortable itches as her hair regrew, but at least this time she had a partner in her discomfort. It must have been a very new experience for Peiter. At least the smooth skin was enjoyable in other ways while it lasted. 

Despite that, Sabine remained furtive in front of La'khay about what went on behind closed doors while Peiter or anyone else was present. La'tahne might have been fine, she supposed, as she got to know the gardener. Both La'khay and La'tahne had very similar mindsets.

Gallus did eventually come by to all the interested parties of the incident with Tzirret's assignment. He had secured Tzirret an assistant's role with the healers, given that he had shown an interest in the art. It was not a glamorous or advanced position, but he would have no shortage of things to do. Meanwhile, Peiter's makeover was acknowledged with a snort and a snide comment against his masculinity, but nothing particularly mean-spirited. Once that was sorted out, his schedule quickly filled until it was bursting at the seams. There was always another inspection to make, another meeting to go to, another drill to give, or another problem to help sort out. He did not envy his father's position when it came to organising an offensive. At least he could find some catharsis in sharing the experience with Meesei, Ri'vashi, and other officials that he interacted with. They were all kind people behind their official exteriors and they had to lean on one another often for moral support.

As for Tzirret, he was perhaps more cautious than he needed to be around Ma'tanza. This first big mistake did not feel properly forgiven. He still spent time with her, but between the upcoming march and his guilt, he became more tense and stressed. Thankfully, Gallus' advice regarding the issue had allowed him some measure of peace of mind as well as a touch of inspiration. Late at night, he began carving a gift for Ma'tanza and her little brother. He hoped it would be well received when he would give it the morning that they would march out.

Fendros and Janius had their hands full with the children as usual. The days leading up were often spent swapping watches with Kaleeth and Ahnasha while they would take turns to drill and train. Interestingly, Fendros' brief disappearances on mysterious business were increasing in frequency. Apart from that, time was spent getting the children and Jo'rashaad's family acquainted. Rhazii in particular had been rather quiet leading up to the march, but he was not immune to smiles and laughs when he could take his mind off his parents temporarily leaving.

[hr]
The get-together that Fendros and Jo'rashaad had speculated a few days ago was initially difficult to organise. There were a lot of competing schedules that were all in flux throughout. They eventually settled on breakfast on the morning of the day that the march would begin. They were scheduled to rally outside and get moving by noon, which gave plenty of time for family farewells.

They were seated around a cooking fire together. The couples were side-by-side, with Ciinriel next to her adoptive parents and Rhazii and Newt sitting on whichever laps took their fancy. Right now the two children were upon Janius and Kaleeth's laps so they could talk to each other underneath the adult conversations.

Janius opened up the conversation while they were about to begin eating. "I know this has been said plenty of times, but we cannot even begin to show enough appreciation for you agreeing to watch over the children while we are gone," he said with a gesture to the Khajiit couple opposite him. "Anyway, how have you been since we arrived in this clanhome? All talk up until now has been busy and related to the children."