[IC] Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

[Muttonhawk]

Everyone was quiet. The Cathay's news was perhaps just as worse as it was better than everyone expected. To be told that Meesei was likely going to die soon, that the next few hours would be all they would have left to speak with her, was almost more difficult than hearing that she was definitely gone, if only for the suspension of closure. Still, perhaps more closure could now be afforded with speaking to her. Few enough lycans with silver wounds are given the same opportunity.

Though, no one was thinking that deeply. They were too scared, looking at the ground or into the distance.

Perhaps it was Ahnasha's words or maybe she just wanted to get things over with, but Sabine was the first to start walking in the direction of the tent. She did not wait for anyone and her pace was brisk. Strangely, she wasn't crying. She looked determined. After exchanging some glances, Fendros and Janius followed behind.

[EliteCommander]

Ahnasha was not far behind Sabine, though she allowed her to go in first so as not to crowd Meesei too severely. Kaleeth was behind most of the others, sticking close to Janius. She was already in tears from the news the healer had given, and she was not sure how she was going to handle speaking to Meesei. She was clutching the Ring in her hand so tightly that it was leaving an indentation in her palm. Even though she had not known Meesei nearly as long as any of the others, she still cared for, and deeply respected her.

Lorag was the last to stand, and did so in complete silence. Since they had arrived at the camp, he had shifted between bouts of anger, hints of despair, and long rants about what they should have done differently. Now, since the Cathay's announcement, he had spoken not a word, and his face was entirely devoid of any emotion.

Inside the tent, Meesei was laying on a makeshift bed, consisting of a padded bedroll atop a table, in the center of the tent. All of her wounds had been mended to the point that they were no longer bleeding. There were many scars, though those could be healed easily later. But, the real damage to her body, according to the healer, was internal. She was weak, undoubtedly. It seemed to be an effort for her to even turn her head when Sabine stepped inside. But, despite everything, the first thing that Sabine was greeted with was Meesei's smile.

[Muttonhawk]

Again, an attempt at communication as the pack entered the tent was held by hesitation. Meesei didn't appear much different to how she was before she began the treatment, but seeing her weakness in her movements brought her fate to the forefront of the minds of all present.

Sabine remained standing away from the bed for a few moments. Her next steps were slow and silent. She padded up to Meesei's side, swallowed, and then reached to take her hand. She squeezed it hard and took in an uneven breath.

"Meesei," Sabine began shakily, "I am scared." Her voice raised slightly as she continued, "I want to take the silver out of you. You can locate it. You can help, can you not!?"

Janius and Fendros stayed back for now. Janius took Kaleeth's hand and held her close as he watched on.

[EliteCommander]

"Sabine..." Meesei said weakly. She squeezed Sabine's hand as well, though her grip felt as soft as her voice. "I can promise you, without any doubt, I will not give up. No matter what, I will not give up tonight, you have my word." She held some determination in her tone, though even she did not have any illusions about her chances.

Meesei leaned her head back on her bedroll, then breathed in deeply. "But, for now, I want to know about you. Were you hurt at all? Is everyone else okay? Was everyone in the courtyard able to make it away from the fortress?" She asked. Despite her own condition, it made sense that she would want to know about her pack, and the rest of the warband. After all, her purpose in joining the final fight during their escape was to ensure everyone's survival. If that action ended up sacrificing her life, she wanted to know that the sacrifice would not be in vain.

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine's mind flashed back to being physically attacked by the Khajiit mage and Fendros helping her. Her eyes flicked to her wrist, still scarred by her own dagger from the hands of the mage. Still, she closed her eyes and shook her head. "I am okay. None in our pack were badly hurt, but..." Sabine turned her head away slightly, "...Peiter lost his arm. I remember hurting Gallus when he was trying to help because I was so scared. He is recovering, though. You told me to help him and I was able to. I feel horrible."

That experience was one of many that was repeating in Sabine's mind constantly, compounding her stress.

"But, there is also...We..." Sabine blinked a couple of times and a tear fell, "A Senche-raht attacked Irenya in the courtyard. She...her body was left behind. Uthri and Tzirret are so, so sad. Gallus has...I have only seen him twice. He is not showing anything." Sabine sniffed and tried taking another breath. She didn't want to give in to emotion again yet. "Those left in the courtyard...a few fell, but almost everyone escaped. There were a...there were many that died before that. In the keep and..." Sabine trailed off.

[EliteCommander]

"We saved everyone we could, then. Everyone in the courtyard at least. Good...good." Meesei interrupted as soon as she felt that Sabine had said enough. Then, as much as she wanted to hide it, Meesei felt a sharp pain, then cringed as she clutched her side. After a few quick breaths, her body started to glow with restoration magic.

Even as she was attempting to heal herself, Meesei reached up and placed her hand on Sabine's cheek. "Sabine, I...know it is not easy, but do not blame yourself for anything. Everything you have done, all that you are, all that you have become...I could not be more proud of you. You are my greatest student, my closest family. There is nothing in this word, or any beyond it, that can come close to breaking that bond."

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine's face began to tense up with Meesei's praise. "No," Sabine shook her head again and her voice quivered as she nearly shouted, "Do not...talk like that! You promised not to give up!" Sabine took two short, strained breaths and her face reddened fully, "I do not know what to do if you die! You were always there! Ever since I found the pack!" Sabine could barely keep her eyes open and focussed with how clouded they were, "I have to get the silver out! Show me where it is!"

Without consent, Sabine brought her hands over Meesei's torso and began to search her body with healing magic. It was not harmful at all, but it was clear that she was in no state to perform precise surgery, let alone try anything that the warband's best healers would not have already tried themselves.

[EliteCommander]

"The silver is like dust now, in my heart, and a few other organs." Meesei answered. "But do not worry, I am not giving up, Sabine. I did give you my word, and I intend to keep it." She said, smiling, though that expression quickly turned to one of uncertainty. "It is just...there are some things that I feel I should say to you all while I know that I can. Just...in case."

Meesei placed her hand atop one of Sabine's. As much as she wanted to promise Sabine that she would recover, it was simply not something she could do. Meesei was doing the best to hide the constant pain pulsing through her body, and to avoid coughing up blood in front of them. "I know you will not give up, on me, or anything you have set out to do. I know that you will be an exceptional mage, and a brilliant alchemist. You are the model of everything a lycan should be, and I feel safer knowing you will be here to help me."

[Muttonhawk]

Meesei's hand caused Sabine to stop and look at her again. She was mollified by Meesei's words to the extent that her voice was lowered, but she still sounded croaky and distraught. "I will not let you die, Meesei. I love you."

At that, Sabine brought both her hands around Meesei's hand and pressed it to the bridge of her nose. She closed her eyes, unsure of what else to do after being informed of how difficult the silver would be to get out. Another pair of tears was pushed down her cheeks and dripped off her chin.

There was a persistent silence. In that pause, Janius looked either side of himself, and then murmured to Kaleeth. "How about you offer the ring back, dear?"

[EliteCommander]

Meesei managed to give a chuckle. "My plan is not to die, but..." She began, her voice trailing off. "I love you, Sabine." Though it took considerable effort on her part, Meesei managed to lift up her upper body enough to wrap her free arm around Sabine to give her a hug.

Kaleeth, meanwhile, slightly jumped upon hearing Janius' voice. The mixture of intense sadness and fear she was feeling had kept her entirely stiff and silent, so the nudge from Janius had been necessary to get her to do much of anything. Even so, she stepped up to the table slowly, and with rapid breaths.

"M-Meesei. I...this is yours; you should have it." Kaleeth said quickly, only scarcely holding back tears. She reached out and placed the Ring firmly in Meesei's hand, and made sure she had a good grip on it before letting go.

Meesei grinned, then carefully slipped the ring onto her finger. "Thank you, Kaleeth. You have been a good caretaker for it. You used it well during our escape. I know you were brought into our world, this...existence of struggles and war, without really understanding what it was you were getting into, but I have been glad for your company over the past few years. You are among the most kind and caring people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. And, while I know it may be hard for you to see at times, I have also seen you become strong. Capable. Whatever life you choose for yourself when this is all over, I think it will suit you well."

Shifting her gaze to Janius, Meesei continued in a voice that at least sounded upbeat. "And Janius...despite all odds, you have grown so much since we first met. Due in no small part to a certain crocodile, no doubt."

[Muttonhawk]

When Meesei motioned to try and sit upwards, Sabine immediately stopped her and bent down to hug her instead. The hug was interrupted by Kaleeth, but Sabine didn't mind. She let go and stood quietly while the others began to interact with Meesei.

Janius smiled widely and glanced to the floor. "If I remember correctly, you were the one who made me realise how to grow, Meesei." Janius stepped up, wrapped an arm firmly around Kaleeth's and rubbed her upper arm with his hand. Janius gave Kaleeth a smile, but it faded as he turned to Meesei on the bed. "Even before we went to Black Marsh, you gave me a family. Now..." He chuckled to stave off other feelings. "...it's grown."

There was a moment where Janius took a deep breath in and out of his nose. He looked as if he was going to say something more, but he settled on something simple. "You're the best leader I could imagine," he said, before glancing briefly to the others. "The best any of us could have had." He turned back to Meesei, frowning. "Thank you."

[EliteCommander]

"You will both be excellent parents." Meesei responded, smiling at the pair. "Admittedly, even I still have a hard time imagining you settling down as a family man, Janius. But, that seems to be closer and closer to reality. I am just hoping that you continue building your magical knowledge, and perhaps pass that along to your son, if he has an interest in it. You know how I love to teach others of the arcane; perhaps you might enjoy it as well?"

Moving on to the other members of her pack, Meesei's eyes settled on Fendros and Ahnasha. "Of course, I do not want to diminish your parenting skills. I think you have all been learning from one another. I know I have not given you as much advice as I perhaps should have, but you have all done quite well regardless. Four years ago, back when you were still living at the vineyard in Cheydinhal, I do not think you could ever have imagined were you would be now. Hmm, I must admit, even I underestimated you. I did not expect you to be able to calm the raging tempest of passion and pride that was Ahnasha."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros' expression had been a repressed blank face, though now he raised an eyebrow. He tilted his head to look at Ahnasha with a curiosity as if he had missed something. He brought his gaze back to Meesei. "Who ever said I managed to do that?" he asked.

Like Janius, Fendros flicked his eyes to the floor as he took on a more serious tone. "You're right, though. Parent to a Khajiit, partnered at this age, and...deathly worried for an Argonian. All the way in Elsweyr, after travelling through half of Tamriel. I couldn't have imagined it if I tried." He sniffed and peered back up. "Thanks for finding me in the forest. Thanks for...everything."

Fendros then reached out and weaved his fingers with Ahnasha's, noting her missing finger and all. He breathed in to continue, "What do you think, Ahna? Have you become a sleepy, tame..." He smirked, despite the situation, "...housecat?"

[EliteCommander]

Even seeing that Meesei and Fendros were trying to have some humor about the situation, Ahnasha was having a hard time reciprocating. The whole situation, everything Meesei was saying to the others, nearly had her in tears. When she finally did give a response to Fendros, her levity was obviously forced. "Not on your life."

"Hmm, true, I will admit that you are still like a thunderstorm, Ahnasha." Meesei commented. "It is just, you used to be a hurricane. Do not take it as criticism, of course. I think we can both agree that your life has been improved by some stability. You have a son, more time to relax, but...well, I know you are not going to let Fendro's life become boring. Just try not to cause too much trouble for them."

With some hesitation, Meesei began to look at Ahnasha more seriously. She leaned slightly closer, and spoke more softly. "And Ahnasha...I understand why you are doing what you are doing. I cannot begrudge your decisions, but please, promise me that you will not allow yourself to fall down a dark path. Just...take care."

"Of course...Alpha." Ahnasha answered meekly. She held her head low, and despite her best efforts, could not hide her shame as she glanced to Fendros.

[Muttonhawk]

Janius shifted his eyes between Meesei and Ahnasha as if he was unsure, but he didn't ask any questions about it. It was obviously sensitive.

Sabine, on the other hand, didn't seem to react at all.

When Ahnasha looked at Fendros, there was the implied promise of a talk in his face as he peered back at her. He had not forgotten the thrall that she had raised from a fallen lycan during the battle. Still, he held onto her hand and looked to the ground as well. It was not as if he wasn't complicit either.

The only one left to talk to, it appeared, was Lorag. Everyone knew why he was being silent up until now. However, no one was sure exactly how he would behave.

[EliteCommander]

Lorag had been standing in the back of the group in silence, but having spoken to everyone else, he did not escape Meesei's sight for long. "Lorag." She said simply, calling clear attention to him.

In a truly rare display of weakness, Lorag appeared to be nervous as he stepped between the others to approach the table. As a soldier, he had dealt with death many times before, but his demeanor now made it seem as if he had never even seen a corpse before. The notion that Meesei was likely to die broke down most of the barriers he placed between himself and others. He was not in tears, by any means, but a keen eye could spot his hands quivering as they spoke. "Alpha, this...you can beat this. If there's anyone in this gods forsaken world that can beat it, it's you."

"I will do my best, Lorag. But, if the worst does come to pass, I will rest easy knowing you can keep everything together. You are a rock, in more ways than one. Perhaps you are not the most eloquent or outgoing individual, but you are inspiring. You possess a strength that any soldier can recognize. More so than my own, in many ways. Magic can inspire awe in the average person, but for those who are not mages, it is not something they can relate to. Your strength comes from your deadly skill and iron will. If there is someone behind whom Tamriel's lycans can rally, it is you." Meesei responded. Though her words were entirely confident, there was still a certain sadness in her expression, especially as her gaze turned back upon Sabine.

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine was still silently weeping with Meesei's knuckles pressed between her closed eyes. As if she could feel Meesei's gaze, her eyes opened slightly to look back, no doubt clouded by her tears.

With a breath in, it seemed like Sabine was going to say something. She paused to hold it before shuddering it out. "I cannot let you die," Sabine repeated in a squeak. She breathed in again. "I will find a way to help. There has to be some way. I can...I can try to make the potion that Ariel gave you when you were stabbed. That got rid of the silver."

Fendros' voice gently chimed in past Sabine. "Is there anything we can do for you, Meesei? Anything to make you more comfortable? Anyone else you need to see?"

[EliteCommander]

Meesei closed her eyes for a few seconds and allowed herself to simply breathe for a few moments, and focus her healing magic onto herself once more. Opening her eyes again, she addressed Fendros first. "You can tell anyone that might want to speak to me that I am awake. I will speak to anyone who comes to me, but I do not want to compel anyone to come to me if they do not desire it. I understand situations like this can be...uncomfortable. Otherwise, try to get some rest, and tend to your own health. I can see a few wounds on you all that look to have been left alone. I know you worry for me, but consider it my request that you worry about yourselves as well."

For Sabine, Meesei gave her a comforting hug. She spoke softly, in that distinctly motherly tone that tended to surface during their more tender conversations. "Sabine, you can help me in whatever way you feel is best. If you want to spend this night with me, I will enjoy your company. But, my advice to the others applies to you as well. Before you worry about me, you need to tend to yourself. I do not need magic to see that you were hurt in the fight. Your face was bleeding, broken nose, perhaps? You took a few more heavy blows, at least three to the chest, a few to the stomach. Nothing made with silver, but that just means it should not take too long to tend to. You treat yourself, then I will let you help me however you like."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros dipped his head forward. "Very well," he said.

"You can certainly be depended upon not to impose for your own sake." Janius let out a breathy laugh. "Even here, eh?"

Sabine moved her head from side to side when Meesei addressed her. Despite that, she couldn't exactly deny her wounds when Meesei named every single one of them, save for the grazes on her knees. She was sore all over. She had not been paying attention to her wounds between being in shock and keeping Meesei alive. At least her nose had popped back into place when she transformed.

Meesei's last condition made Sabine look down and away belligerently, slowly letting go of Meesei's hand, and then wordlessly set to work shrinking her bruises to healthy pale skin.

"I think I'll let Ri'vashi, Gallus, and his pack know that you're awake in a moment. Ra'kalesh, too," Fendros said. "Peiter's still recovering, but I think they might want to at least come by."

There was another long moment of dreaded silence that let the sadness of the situation creep back. Only the sound of Sabine carefully healing herself could be heard. After a while, Janius spoke up, attempting to bring some levity again.

"So, Meesei," Janius said. "If you...you know, end up joining the eternal hunt tonight, is there..." He shifted his shoulder. "Is there anything that you're going to ask Hircine? Anything you want to talk to him about?"

[EliteCommander]

Meesei shook her head towards Janius. "No, the thought has not really crossed my mind. One of the prominent attributes of eternity is that there will be quite a lot of time for me to think of questions...when that day comes. For now, I am more concerned about this moment; I foresee myself maintaining healing spells for quite a long time tonight. And of course, I would much rather spend my time talking to you than speculating on my future."

With Meesei's insistence that the others deal with their own injuries, there were a few who actually started paying attention to them for the first time. Ahnasha had been favoring one arm since being trampled by the Senche, and when she rubbed the back of her neck, her hand returned with fresh blood. The wound she had received at the beginning of the attack had not been severe, but it had been closed by her regeneration and reopened a few times as she moved around during the fight. Kaleeth, meanwhile, had even more obvious wounds. She had picked up a few bruised, and some superficial cuts from the time she spent transformed, but her largest wound was received when one of the enemy thrust a steel sword straight into her abdomen during their escape. Since it lacked silver, the blood had already clotted; however, the wound was one wrong movement away from reopening. Lorag had received his own set of bruises, but his armor was hiding any trace of them. He was still having a difficult time facing Meesei, so he let out a sigh and looked towards the exit of the tent. "I'll, uh, go see about some potions or somethin'."