At this point, Marod had raised his defences. His spine had not so much as twitched since Meesei approached. He clasped his hands behind his back as Meesei transformed, looking occasionally at the more noticeably warping and shrinking parts of her body, until finally looking at her face when she was back to her Argonian form.

By his apparent lack of a reaction, Marod had evidently witnessed both lycan transformations and the subsequent nudity that followed through some other point in his life. Being a Penitus Oculatus agent of his age and experience, he would be lucky not to have beheld worse sights.

Lunise crossed her arms and frowned on.

Marod craned his head down and to one side to confirm that Meesei was okay, but straightened and smiled when she resumed speaking.

"Of course," Marod responded. "I am looking forward to meeting more people in this splendid community." He looked to Lunise. "And perhaps you might benefit in being a little more social, too, Lunise. We cannot have me being your only friend in the city until the Thalmor force arrives, hm?"

Lunise kept her eyes on Meesei's. "I shall take it into consideration, Marod," she said without any hint.

[hr]
Sabine leant closer and lowered her voice. "I want to talk about how you feel," she answered. "Not about council decisions. Can we speak in private?" Sabine knitted her brow. "Please?"