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

[EliteCommander]

"Certainly." Meesei answered, nodding in agreement. "And aside from all of the matters of business, I am sure the others would like to catch up with you as well."

Once Ariel had time to close up the shop completely, she led the way to Rukeewei's inn. It was a fairly short distance, given that it was in the same district. Not everything in the city was exactly as Meesei remembered, but the inn itself was familiar enough. There was perhaps a bit more wear on the wood from water, which would require some maintenance in the next few years. It was nothing unusual compared to the other buildings around it, so it likely was not enough of a problem for business to be a priority.

Stepping inside, the inn appeared to be about half-full at the moment, including Meesei's pack. By this point, they had packed away their supplies into the rooms they had rented and were now simply enjoying the time they now had to relax in the inn's main room. Lorag in particular was enjoying the ale he had purchased. Rukeewei was behind the counter, giving the occasional nervous glance to Leaps curled up on the floor next to Kaleeth's leg. Though, his attention immediately went to Ariel as soon as she entered with Meesei and Sabine in tow. "Hello, dear. I see you closed up early. I wish I could do the same. Actually, I will if I can get my brother in here to take over."

---

"It's my fate." Yizan answered confidently. "Doesn't matter if it happens now, or a hundred years from now, my soul will return to them. My soul will get to swim in their waters, to be a part of what connects every Saxhleel, then I'll be hatched again. The body doesn't last, but our souls do. We are always connected to each other, to the Hist. It doesn't matter where or when we are. My body is going to die, but I'll be fine."

Yizan leaned his head back against the root. He closed his eyes, though it did not hide the few tears he started to shed. "I wish my mother was still part of us. I wish she was with the Hist. She loved me more than anyone ever could. But...I know I've had many more mothers and many more fathers through my lives, and I'll have many more. Maybe I won't ever have anyone as good as her, but I can't help her now. I just...I feel like it's time for me to let go."

[Muttonhawk]

By habit at this point, Ariel looked to the counter as soon as she walked in the door and approached Rukeewei with a wide smile. "Hello, darling," she said, putting a hand on Rukeewei's arm and shoulder and placing a light kiss on his lips. "Yes, I couldn't leave today for work with my sister visiting." She flashed a grin for a moment, but it did not last. "There is also some important business that I want to share with you, but first..."

Ariel let Rukeewei go and turned to the rest of the pack. "Hello everyone! It's been too long." She approached with another wide grin and visited each around the table with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"It's good to see you again, Ariel," Fendros said.

"And you too. Oh! Sabine and Meesei tell me you and Ahnasha are wedded now! Congratulations!" Ariel placed a hand each on Fendros and Ahnasha's shoulders. She then took a long inward breath and her grin broadened when Rhazii looked up to her from Ahnasha's lap. Ariel leaned in to speak with an endearing voice. "Rhazii? My stars, Meesei told me you had grown like a Cathay, but you were so tiny when we last met! Hello!"

Rhazii stared blankly up at the woman he was too young to remember.

"This is auntie Ariel, little one," Fendros explained. "She's Sabine's sister. I promise she's nicer than Monderyn. Say hello."

"Hello," Rhazii said in his still high voice.

"Hello," Ariel repeated with a giggle.

Around the table, Ariel's greetings continued. "Lorag, greetings to you as well." She placed a hand on his shoulder as well. "You look like you haven't changed a bit."

After hearing Lorag's reply if there was one, Ariel gave his shoulder a pat and moved on to the remainder. "Ah, Kaleeth and Janius, I've heard so much. And this must be little Newt. I couldn't imagine anyone more cute!"

Janius smiled just as broadly as Ariel and gave her a nod. "It's good to see you in health, Ariel. How has your shop been faring?"

"Well, very well," Ariel kept her eyes and grin on Newt. She leaned in to speak to the toddler at a high pitch. "Hello!" She gave Kaleeth-rei a glance. "You have a beautiful child, you two."

---

For all the comfort Yizan-Lei had about his fate, Gallus knew a grieving child when he saw one.

After giving the others a quick look, he carefully lowered himself to sit next to Yizan's prone body, making sure not to accidentally touch the root. If he was listening to the Hist, Gallus knew that his comfort would be one in a crowd, but he tried anyway.

Gallus reached and placed a hand lightly on Yizan-Lei's arm, looking at him with a frown. "I am sorry. I did not know your mother for long, but as someone with sons of my own, I think she would appreciate any less suffering you held."

After another quiet moment to allow Yizan-Lei to weep, Gallus spoke softly again. "Even if you do not wish to leave the Hist, I still made a promise that I would help you. If there is anything I can do for you, anything at all, let me know."

[EliteCommander]

Lorag raised his mug in greeting to Ariel, as all of the others also gave their hellos. There were a few glances from some of the other patrons in the inn, but they were not being loud enough to really disturb anyone else. Rukeewei also gave his greetings to Meesei and Sabine as they approached, but he soon had to step away to take drink orders from some of the other patrons.

Newt acknowledged Ariel briefly, but he for the most part was looking around at the rest of the inn, specifically at the majority-Argonian patrons. He appeared wide-eyed and confused. "There's...so many of us." He said. Seeing as they had always lived in Bruma, and now Skyrim, this was the first time they had been to a place were Argonians were not a rarity.

Kaleeth grinned widely at Ariel. Unlike the others, she had only met Ariel very briefly as they passed through Thorn, but she had heard plenty about her from Sabine. "Thank you. I hope we can get to know each other better than before. We were only here a day or two last time, right? Maybe you can show me around this city? I never would have imagined there was a place like this in Black Marsh.

After he had delivered another round of drinks, Rukeewei walked up beside Ariel and put his arm around her. "You know I don't want to take you away from everyone, but would you mind heading over to Neercana-Rei's shop and getting my brother to take over here? I think that's where he is right now. I'd like to join you all too."

---

It was difficult to tell how Yizan felt about Gallus' words, or his offer of help, as he remained silent for a while. He leaned his head up to look around, and though he still did not say anything, he did finally place his gaze on the Hist tree that towered over the district.

"Yes...she wouldn't want me to suffer." Yizan muttered to himself before speaking up more clearly. "Aunt, uncle, I want to go to the Hist tree."

Najan-Ja gave an uncertain glance towards the sky. "Yizan-Lei...it is getting late. We should really get inside; I don't like being outside around here at night. I'll take you to the tree in the morning."

Yizan shook his head slowly. "I don't want to go inside anymore. I don't want to...hurt anymore. I just want to let go. Please take me to the tree."

The meaning of Yizan's request was easy enough to see, and it almost immediately caused his aunt to burst into tears and lean onto her husband's shoulder. As for Najan, he stood speechless and uncertain.

[Muttonhawk]

Janius chuckled at Newt's bewilderment. "Well, son, this is the Argonian homeland. Your mother's blood family if from these lands." He tilted his head. "Although, not this city, or any city."

Ariel responded to Kaleeth first. "I would love to. There is quite a bit to get done, but fitting in a little tour shouldn't be too hard."

It was that moment that Rukeewei approached. Ariel stepped to stand up against him and listened. She still smiled, but tightened the corner of his mouth. "I doubt he'll be happy about it, but I'll go and fetch him, sure."

Ariel turned to the table. "I'll be back in a short while," she said, before sliding from Rukeewei's arm and walking out of the inn.

Before Rukeewei strode off to other patrons, Sabine caught him with a question. "How have you been, Rukeewei?" Her assertiveness was a jump from the social anxiety she had the last time they had interacted.

---

Gallus' reaction to Yizan's request broke his solemn demeanour for confusion and shock. His face shot between Yizan-Lei and Najan-Ja. "Now, Yizan-Lei, that's not right, surely. You don't want to just give up, do you?" Gallus gestured to Najan-Ja. "Najan-Ja, surely this isn't proper! Tell the boy!"

[EliteCommander]

Rukeewei kept an eye on the rest of the inn as he stopped next to the pack's table. No one needed him immediately, but if any of the other patrons called for him, he would have to step away fairly quickly. "My inn has been getting slowly busier. It has caused some stress, but I am glad for it. I am hoping to build up some savings before I have to do any maintenance on the building. I always like to make as much time as I can for friends, though. Especially the people who brought my wonderful wife to me."

Looking down near Kaleeth's feet, Rukeewei gave a wary look to Leaps. "So, he is, uh, trained properly, right? I know this is The Wamasu's Nest, but I did not plan on taking that literally."

---

Najan-Ja might have snapped at Gallus for his forwardness in a private matter if he also did not agree with Gallus. "Yizan...surely you cannot mean that. You don't know what's going to happen. There might be a cure. I don't want to give up."

Yizan lightly shook his head. "There's nothing to give up on. My body should be dead. It's just the alchemists keeping it alive, and all it is doing is making it take longer to die. I'm always so hungry, always...hurting so much. I just want to be able to go to the Hist. Please...take me to the tree."

"Yizan, I promised your mother I would take care of you." Najan said, sounding more defeated.

"You are taking care of me. It is what is best for me." Yizan responded, giving a pleading gaze towards his uncle.

[Muttonhawk]

Janius grinned and looked down to Leaps. "Leaps-On-Elves can be excitable at times, but he is well trained. We'll make sure that he doesn't cause any problems."

Sabine's question had one come to Janius' mind. "And how is the rest of your family, Rukeewei? Is Neercana-Rei still running her little boutique?"

---

Gallus breathed a curse and pinched his nose. He wish he had an answer. The best he could think of was to carry him to Blackreach and get the alchemists and mages there to help, but not only would they be working on the soul tearing gas, the journey would just take Yizan-Lei away from the family he had left for a false hope.

He wished he had a cure. One that didn't take Yizan-Lei away from the Hist. Nor away from his family.

"Wait." Gallus said bluntly. He lowered his hand and gave Yizan-Lei a frown. "This way would give you peace, Yizan-Lei. However, Dar-Tzesa is in the hunting grounds. No one she knows is there. Not her family, not you, not even the Hist. She's there forever. You could go back to the Hist, lose yourself in all those voices, and get hatched again. But you still have a chance to help your mother in return for all she sacrificed. Are you sure you want to throw that -- throw your life away when you can still help her?"

Gallus' distinctly non-Argonian views on life shone through in his desperate words. Even if Yizan-Lei didn't see any further value in his life, Gallus wanted to make him think otherwise.

An instant after that moment, Gallus even decided to say something that he did not wish to accompany with his original offer. "I can tell you one thing going for you, Yizan-Lei. You have a better chance of finding a cure for lycanthropy than you do for this...wasting curse."

[EliteCommander]

"Honestly, nothing too much has changed here in the last few years, apart from our marriage. Neercana's shop is doing the same as it always has. I can't say it has grown that much, but she has a lot of loyal customers. With my business being an inn, loyalty only really applies for the regulars that like my drinks, so my business fluctuates a bit more. But, as long as Thorn remains a good place to visit, I'm sure my inn will be fine. As for the rest of my family, my parents are getting older, but they..." Rukeewei began, but he interrupted himself when he noticed another patron enter the inn.

Rukeewei sighed. "Actually, it looks like I have another customer. I'll come back over when I can. Hopefully Ariel can get my brother over here. I doubt he'll refuse, given that you all just got here."

---

Yizan-Lei did not quite seem angry, but he was not receptive to Gallus' insistence. If anything, he looked disappointed. But, regardless, he lifted his head up to look firmly towards the tree. "I want...to go to the Hist. Mother was wrong. She was like you, she just looked at right now. She didn't think about the future, about our souls. Please, I want to go to the tree."

Najan-Ja was still distraught and confused over his nephew's sudden will to die, but Gallus' outburst was enough to give him something definite to act upon. While his wife ran up to Yizan wrapped her arms around him, crying into his shoulder, Najan approached Gallus and practically forced the sheathed weapons he had confiscated into Gallus' arms. "Please just leave us be. I will thank you for the news you brought, but this is a matter for family, not a stranger that knows nothing about our ways."

[Muttonhawk]

The wait for Ariel and Rukeewei's brother was shorter than expected. The pack spent some time conversing, but Ariel returned before Lorag had finished his next drink.

When Ariel returned to the table, she practically dragged Rukeewei over and placed him in a seat between herself and Kaleeth. "Now, should we stop to enjoy a meal or shall we get down to business?"

---

Gallus was so angered at this point that he threw his weapons down to one side and stood up to Najan-Ja with a clenched fist. "What do you think you're doing!? You have the means in front of you, another chance! What is the point of souls if the lives they live are to be thrown away in spite!? Is that what your Hist wants? I didn't come all this way to see Yizan-Lei die!"

[EliteCommander]

Rukeewei turned his head curiously. "What kind of business do you mean? Is there something going on, or are you just wondering if we should talk or eat first?" He asked.

Ahnasha gave a shrug. "Probably a bit of both, really. But I know I'd like to catch up. We talked a bit with Rukeewei before you got here, Ariel, but I would like to catch up with you all. It's been a while."

"And I'd just like to get to know you at all." Kaleeth added. "I didn't really get to meet you all for that long last time we were here. You can probably tell that I've gotten a lot better at Cyrodilic. There are still some words that stop me sometimes, and I'm not always comfortable in cities like this, but I've just seen so much over the last few years. Things I never would have dreamed of outside my little village in the marsh."

A movement from Newt beside Kaleeth caused her to look down at him and smile. "And of course there's our little Newt. Are you two going to have any children?" She asked Ariel and Rukeewei bluntly.

---

It did not take long for Najan to become visibly angry, and even Yizan may have possibly been irritated at Gallus' shouting, though his emotions were harder to read.

"This is not your business, leave us!" Najan shouted through his scowl at Gallus. "You outsiders, no matter how ignorant you are of us, are always prodding where you are not needed. Interfering where you are not wanted. I don't want my nephew to die, but he is not going with the likes of you. How quick are you to dismiss the Hist, one of the most important parts of our lives, and then claim to know what is best for Yizan? Leave! Before I report you bests to the guard."

Yizan simply looked at Gallus with all the same confidence he had been holding so far. "Death is not a waste for an Argonian; it's just a way to live again."

[Muttonhawk]

The question was not quite as shocking as to make Ariel breathe in liquid as before. But, by the way she chuckled nervously gave Rukeewei a confirming look, it was clear that it made her uncomfortable.

"We've talked about it at times," Ariel said, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. "Each time, we, um...well, we are both very busy running our businesses. Perhaps if things get better, but not now."

Janius grinned. "That's nothing unusual. I had my own worries, but Kaleeth eventually convinced me after about...how long of trying?" Janius gave Kaleeth a curious smile.

---

Gallus stared down Najan-Ja with a scowl. He listened to him, then to Yizan, and was quiet for a tense few seconds.

Although passive up until this point, Cuts stepped up to put a hand on Gallus' shoulder. "I think we had better leave, Gallus."

"I wasted my time here," Gallus muttered.

Gallus then huffed, picked up his gear, and walked around the house to the street with Cuts, not saying another word.

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth gave an uncertain glance towards Janius. "How much trying for what? To convince you to have a child? I remember asking you about it before we even left Black Marsh the first time. It took until after we had settled down at Bruma for you to agree. If you mean how long it took for me to get an egg, that probably only took a day or two. It was the right time, I think." She answered, again quite directly.

Kaleeth looked at Rhazii as another thought crossed her mind. "I'm glad Argonians have eggs instead of...not having eggs like all the other races. It just seems a lot less painful than giving birth to a whole baby."

Ahnasha crossed her arms and chuckled. "I imagine it is."

---

After his departure, Gallus would not be able to tell exactly what decisions Yizan and his family had come to. For as long as Gallus would be able to see them, both Yizan's aunt and uncle were holding him as they sat atop the root in their back yard. Gallus had any number of option for what to do after he left. There were inns in nearly every district in town, from the wealthy districts to the slums. There were taverns with the same kinds of Imperial drinks Gallus would expect back in Cyrodiil, as well as stronger Argonian spirits if he wanted to drink away his problems. There was even a brothel, if he was so inclined, or he could just leave the city entirely and start traveling that very night. In any case, the only option he did not have was to return to Najan-Ja's home, as that would certainly end with the guard being warned that he and Cuts were lycans.

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel shrank a little and added. "I was wondering about that, actually. If it would be like a pregnancy or...come out like an egg." Ariel blushed and frowned as if only just realising that she had spoken out loud. "Anyway, how are you all finding your new home? I heard some things from Meesei and Sabine, but is it to your likings?"

---

Gallus was visibly cross as he stomped through the mud in the direction of their inn. He didn't so much as face Cuts until about half way there.

It was at that point, in the middle of the street, that Gallus started to slow down and stare ahead with glazed eyes.

"Hey, Cuts, I have a question," he said as he strode along at a weak pace. "Going to the Hist. Did Yizan-Lei just want to die, or is there some process to it? Is he going to drink any of that sap before going or anything of that nature?"

[EliteCommander]

Meesei smiled. "That would actually be something I am educated on. Your children, no matter the race of your partner, will always be Breton first and foremost. A child always takes the race of the mother. Personally, it is not clear to me how an Argonian is even able to have a child with anyone other than an Argonian, but I suppose the Hist would have something to do with that. They did create us."

Rukeewei was increasingly uncomfortable with the topic of the conversation, mostly because he did not want to have said conversation publicly. Fortunately for him, Ariel changed the topic fairly quickly. Ahnasha was the first to answer. "It's quite nice, remote, and safe. Best attributes for any home for us. I really wish I could talk more about it. Suffice to say there is plenty of room for all of us."

"Yeah, place is gigantic." Lorag added. "Neighbors aren't always friendly, but..." He began, giving a grin and a quick glance towards Rukeewei. "...they're good to go hunting with."

---

Cuts shook his head. What had transpired was uncomfortable enough that he would have liked to avoid talking about it at all, but that was probably unreasonable to expect. "No, no rituals. For an Argonian, returning to the Hist is just...what happens. Unless something can claim our souls, we return to the Hist and are later reborn. We don't keep our memories or anything, of course, but I guess most of our souls are pretty old. He really did just want to end his suffering and return to them, I think. The way you talked about it back there was..." He started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "...kinda very offensive. We don't really see death like Imperials, or most anyone else."

[Muttonhawk]

"Is that so?" Ariel responded, oblivious to what was under Lorag's tone. "It sounds nice that you have set your community there."

"It is not as good to farm, but we have found...other ways to sustain ourselves," Sabine said.

Fendros leaned forward onto his forearms. "Last time we were here, you seemed to be doing well with your cosmetics. Are they still your main products? Have you come up with anything else unique?"

Ariel's eyes went up to the ceiling. "Well, the pigments are still quite popular. The cosmetics have been going steadily, but there isn't an awful lot more in the range. Well, apart from a few tweaks." Ariel levelled her head. "I have had some success with a defoliant. A kind of alchemical plant poison for making sure that gutters do not get blocked by roots before floods. The trick was to make sure that it didn't affect any people living in the area, and of course not to do any harm to Hist roots."

---

"Yeah," Gallus said without joy. "I did lose my temper. That does not often happen, I just...I thought I could help." Gallus lifted his hands and looked down at his palms. "After all that pain I saw. From Dar-Tzesa, and from Yizan-Lei back there, I thought I could help somehow." He sighed and closed his hands. "I feel like I've failed them both."

Gallus had slowed to a stop at this point. He simply stood, open mouthed and staring at his lightly closed fists. He stayed that way for an uncertain while, disconnected from the all the bustling of the street around him.

Taking on a stronger face, Gallus swallowed hard, lowered his arms, and lifted his head to keep on walking.

[EliteCommander]

"I can certainly imagine that would be difficult." Meesei commented. "Your poison would have to be able to differentiate between the Hist and other plants. The Hist are fundamentally different from any any other living thing on Nirn, but they are still physically plants. I am personally curious how you solved that issue."

The conversation went on for a while as the pack exchanged stories and questions with Ariel and Rukeewei. Despite being bored by mundane city life, even Lorag found topics he could chime in on. It was only after they had their lunch that Meesei started to feel that they should focus on the more serious business they had.

"Rukeewei, Ariel, do you think there is a more private place we could talk about our other business here?" Meesei asked.

[Muttonhawk]

During the conversation to catch up, there were a number of small events that returned to Ariel and Rukeewei's memories that contradicted their claims that 'not much' had changed. Mostly innocuous events to entertaining anecdotes were shared with joy in recounting. In turn, the pack found that they had plenty to talk about once they settled into the exchange. In particular, Sabine shared the more publicly safe details about her previous relationship with Peiter now that she and Ariel were able to speak face-to-face about it. The more general details life in the new clanhome as well as the sojourn south to Elsweyr was also discussed further.

While the catch-up did take a while, Meesei's words signalled that it was about to wrap up for now. Ariel's smile lowered, but she gave an understanding nod.

"Right, um," Ariel looked to Rukeewei unsurely. "One of the rooms, if one is free, maybe? There aren't many private places here that can comfortably fit everyone, aren't there?"

[EliteCommander]

The rooms could potentially provide some privacy, though Meesei would be sure that the rest of her pack kept an eye out in the main room to ensure that no one was listening in. Even Meesei had to admit that it was a level of caution bordering on paranoia, as it was highly unlikely that anyone would be following them or otherwise eavesdropping. However, for matters as important as this, she was beyond careful.

Meesei headed into her own room, signaling for Sabine to join her, Ariel, and Rukeewei inside. Rukeewei was mostly confused as to what they could need to talk about that would require such secrecy, but he went along with them. There was not much furniture in the room, aside from a small table, so Meesei took a seat on the side of her bed as she waited for the others to join her.

"I have to say, I didn't really expect anything serious like this out of your visit. Is there something wrong, or..." Rukeewei began, looking to Meesei questioningly.

"That is actually something of a complicated question. There is nothing immediately wrong with any of us, no. We are all safe and in good health, but we are in danger. One of the greatest reasons we came here was for something you might consider a business offer. We spoke with Ariel about this earlier, but as this involves her, it also involves you as well. Do you want to start, Ariel?" Meesei asked, reasoning that Ariel would know best how to reveal everything to her husband.

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel sat close to Rukeewei, but she looked down and held onto her wrist. "Sabine, Meesei, you're sure?"

Sabine smiled. "We are sure, sister. You can explain as much as you know."

Even with the assurances, Ariel was hesitant. She took a moment before beginning.

"Where to start..." Ariel sighed. With a twinge of guilt on her face, Ariel turned her head up to Rukeewei. "Rukee, you know how I told you about Sabine's condition? Well, even though I told you that it was a private matter of hers, I...wasn't being completely upfront about why she was with her diverse, travelling foster family. You see.." Ariel bared her teeth with tension and lowered her voice. "They're werewolves. Sabine and her family. Well, Kaleeth is a werecrocodile and Leaps is just a wamasu, but...well, they are lycanthropes. That's the first thing."

Partly feeling guilty and partly wanting to pace the information for Rukeewei's sake, Ariel paused to see his reaction.

[EliteCommander]

Though Ariel had so far been brief in her explanation, Rukeewei’s mood started to turn just as quickly. It was just a few seconds after Ariel mentioned that they were lycanthropes that his eyes widened and he became distinctly nervous. He shifted in his chair and looked as if he were ready to bolt up and flee at any moment.

Rukeewei responded in Jel as his emotions started to naturally take over. ”Wait, lycanthropes? Aren’t…aren’t they those crazy cursed beast people that go around eating people? I don’t…that doesn’t sound…”

Before Rukeewei could build up too many thoughts in his mind, Meesei intervened to at least make an attempt of settling him down. “That would be the popular conception of us, but there is only a partial truth in it. Feral lycans, those without any training, discipline, or experience, can be just as you describe. But, for those like us, we are organized and…civilized. We do not attack common travelers on the road, or raid farmsteads to kill families. We are just people with a complicated condition.”

Meesei’s words had mostly only seemed to prevent Rukeewei from running out of the room. It was not as simple as just a few words to dispel what was quite literally thousands of years of myths and traditions. Rukeewei’s eyes were darting around the room and he was breathing as if in a panic. Meesei could smell the fear on his very breath.

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel didn't need a lycan nose to pick up on Rukeewei's panic. She leaned forward to take his hand and look him in the eyes. "It's okay, Rukeewei. They are not those things at all." She brought her other hand to her chest and spoke softly in lisped Jel. "I travelled with them for long enough to know that they are not going to harm anyone, okay? Trust me."

Ariel switched back to Cyrodilic for Sabine's sake, but did not take her worried eyes off Rukeewei. "Sabine and her pack are here because they need my help. I want to share this all with you so you know what is going on, but it is complicated. Is that okay?"

"We will not hurt anyone, Rukeewei," Sabine quietly confirmed.