Janius blew some air out of his nose, amused. "Me neither. Wolves don't kiss." He paused for a step. "But I did not know Argonians did, either. Not before I met you."

They danced three more slow steps before Janius twirled Kaleeth under his arm and out before him, holding onto her hand. After bringing her back towards him, he leant her back and gazed into her eyes.

"I should change back," he said quietly. "This is far too romantic for this form."

[hr]
Calia drew in a breath as her eyes visibly lit up. She even brought a flat hand halfway up to her mouth. "Fendros, you learned magic as well?"

Fendros nodded, a little abashed.

She looked to him with equal happiness and disbelief. "But how? You never liked the taste of magicka potions and you could barely puff a gout of fire from your hands! We had you written off as a locked away atronach."

An abashed Fendros shrugged. "I guess the different perspective helped me get around the parts I couldn't understand. Meesei sees magic differently. She also knows as spell to replenish my own magicka as needed, so that helped me practice."

"Show me." Calia grabbed her dress and stood up abruptly.

Fendros looked up at her. "...What?" 

Calia beckoned him. "Come and show me how you do it! I simply must see for myself." She hastily walked a few paces away from the group and pointed to her right. "Stand over there and let me see your ward."

Fendros reluctantly followed her up to the spot she indicated and faced her. After trading an unsure look with Ahnasha and Llarasa, he held his hand forward and brought the spell to his hands.

The sound of another spell made Fendros flinch. Calia flourished with one hand, sending some sort of red draining spell out towards him. The spell impacted and was absorbed almost effortlessly. There was no telling whether it was a particularly harmful spell or not.

"Mother!" Fendros protested. "You could have warned me-"

She tossed another spell, this time more intense than the previous one. Fendros caught it just as easily, albeit on guard this time.

"One more, my son!" Calia said with a beaming smile. She used both hands to bring together a bright red spell that she tossed before her in a roiling, dangerous-looking orb.

Fendros braced. The spell struck, and though Fendros tensed on its impact, the red completely dissipated into the bright light of his ward.

The next moving object to come speeding towards Fendros was Calia herself, laughing with outstretched arms. Her the decorum in her accent gave her wild laughter something of a malignant tone, but there was no doubting the sincerity of it. Fendros lowered his ward with some relief and they joined in a tight hug.

"Oooh, I never thought I would see the day. I'm so proud of you, Fendros!" Calia was almost crying.

Fendros' response was less excited. "Please don't ever do that again, mother."