Meesei required hardly any time to think of how to respond. "It was the most rewarding experience of my life, without a doubt." She answered, smiling in the direction of Sabine with her head resting upon Lunise's shoulder. "She was lost, alone when she found us. She had been through such horrible suffering while just a girl. I can still hardly bear to think about it. I did not step in to the role of being her mother immediately; it took a while for me to start seeing her as more than just a quiet girl who had some usefulness to the pack. Perhaps it was just my relative inexperience with Humans at the time, but I could not see the pain behind her eyes right away. But, well, like you said, people change. I am a different person now than I was then."

With her ruminations on the past, Meesei's emotions were quickly getting the better of her. "Once I started to know her, to understand her, I felt such pain for her. I wanted to help her, and did everything within my power to do so. So many years it has been, to experience her grow and develop into the woman she is now. Every birthday, every accomplishment. Every new friend, every new spell, every potion. All of the failures and successes, all the pain and joy. She has shaped my life just as much as I have shaped hers. I would not be near the woman I am now were it not for Sabine, of that I am certain. She has been my motivation, my drive to be better. I have long wanted to give her the world I want her to be able to live in. But all of my power and discoveries are nothing compared to the pride I have in her. She has become a powerful mage who will one day surpass me, and is already a brilliant alchemist. And above that, she is such a kind and compassionate person. Sabine makes me feel...fulfilled. No accomplishment I ever attain will surpass her, and because of her, I could die happy right now without a single regret."

As she spoke, Meesei's eyes started to well with tears. 

---

"It's hard to disagree, unfortunately. And worst of all, the whole thing is hinging on the chance that one of them might turn disloyal based on what's in that book. Sure, I guess I could sneak in there with a dagger instead of a book, try to finish one off, but that would be even riskier. Our only other option is to attack, but I have no idea how to keep them from running away again. We could attack, but bringing in more warriors just guarantees that people [i]will[/i] die. This is the least risky plan we have, even if it is still as dangerous as the lakes of Oblivion." Ahnasha answered with a sharp sense of frustration in her tone. 

True to her word, Ahnasha led the way straight to the kitchens and grabbed herself a strong bottle of alto wine. She was quite understandably stressed, and did not hesitate to take a swig as soon as she had a seat.