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

[Muttonhawk]

"Master Kaj-Julan, I will show you to where the servants usually take their meals," Harald said. "Please come with me." He confirmed looks with the others.

Janius raised a hand. "You can go ahead and find him, son. We'll start finishing up here. Let Rhazii know that we won't be staying too much longer." He turned to Remus and Aeramina. "It has been wonderful to meet you all again, but we will have work to do tonight. We can stay a little longer, but we will not take up space for too long."

"Understood," Remus said. "Take all the time you desire. You may be guests, but you are still family."

"I'll come with you two!" Aurana briskly walked to catch up with Julan and Harald as they left the dining room.

The sudden exit left Remus and Aeramina alone with Janius and Kaleeth. Aeramina, in a display of quick recovery from her previous emotions, immediately went back into light conversation.

"So, Kaleeth-Rei. Tell us, did you see Imperials often in your home tribe?"

---

Meanwhile, Harald's march through the house with Julan and Aurana did not go upstairs, but instead took them behind the doors of the more decorated house. They came upon a large, if low-ceiling room that contained the kitchen and a rough trestle table.

One portly Suthay-Raht Khajiit man in an apron and white clothing was busy scrubbing discarded plates in a trough. "That you, Harald? His portion is at the end of table. Still some warm, but he always spend too much time serving, yes he does!"

"Duty calls as always Carajjo," Harald responded. "Have you seen Jatinha and her charge, Rhazii?"

Carajjo sniffed at the air. "Hmm, skittered off like alley cats. Didn't see where. Quarters maybe." He raised his head and sniffed more. "Carajjo smells stranger..." He turned around. "Ah, milady Aurana. Carajjo sorry, but new friend?"

"This is Kaj-Julan," Aurana said with a smile. "He's my nephew."

"Huh, nephew?" A wide, open-mouthed grin curled up his face. "Right!" He clapped his wet hands. "The boy is back! And he had an Argonian kitten! Daha! Ha!" He held his head back and burst into hysterical laughter. "Greetings Janius son! Kaj-Julan. I wonder if you steal Carajjo's kitchen like your father, eh? Heheh. Anyway, maybe not good to find Jatinha and Rhazii. They gave as many eyes to each other as they are probably giving now in forms of k-"

"Okay! Good! Let's go then!" Aurana cut Carajjo off rather loudly. She was motioning for them to leave, but Harald waited for Julan to start moving.

---

Unlike the last time they embraced, Lunise did not flinch at Meesei's touch. She settled against her, letting her shoulders and lungs relax. Even though there was some wet sand on her back that made their contact abrasive in some places, they were both warm. They could feel each other's heartbeats if they stopped to listen in the unnaturally silent air pocket.

Lunise placed her hand over Meesei's hand on her stomach and stopped its movements. She had her eyes closed. Her breathing through her mouth took on more force. "Meesei..." She murmured. "What could you possibly prove to me about myself that I have not found out in...over two hundred years?"

[EliteCommander]

Julan did not understand Carajjo's expressions, and was particularly confused about what it meant to give "many eyes" to someone. Given his education as a hunter to use every part of the creatures they killed, it would not seem strange at all for Julan to take Carajjo's words quite literally. They had just eaten dinner, after all. Carajjo could have also been confused, as he seemed to be an eccentric man. He had referred to him as an "Argonian Kitten", which did not make much sense to him at all.

"I guess we're going to the quarters then?" Julan commented as he started to walk right behind Aurana. "Let's go, you're walking slow."

---

Meesei started to move her hand on Lunise's shoulder down her back, softly and rhythmically rubbing it. Her hand that Lunise was holding on to was glowing slightly as a result of the magic she was using to maintain their air bubble. For a few moments, there was silence as Meesei took in a deep breath, and Lunise's scent along with it. For someone with an acute sense of smell like an Argonian lycan, scent could communicate just as much information as someone's words or body language. Even moreso, usually, since it was involuntary.

Meesei nestled her snout comfortably against Lunise's neck. "I think there is much I could prove to you about your true opinions and your...passions. Particularly about non-Elves." Meesei moved her hand from Lunise's back, pushing it underneath Lunise, then wrapping her arm upwards across her chest to let her hand rest just beneath her neck. Meesei wrapped Lunise more tightly into her embrace, closed her eyes, and smiled as she spoke quietly. "Is that what you want?"

[Muttonhawk]

"I'm not walking slow! I'm walking normally, see?" Aurana visibly changed her gait to speed up to a natural stroll.

"Thank you, Carajjo," Harald said before leading them out of the room.

Aurana kept glancing around nervously while they walked. Occasionally, she tried to stop Harald and Julan to interest them in some part of the house or another, but there was no erring them from eventually heading to the servant's quarters.

They entered into a plain wood and stone hallway at the back of the house. It was quiet, yet Aurana spoke loud enough to wake anyone up who could have been behind the few doors in the hall. "Oh! Jatinha's room is on this floor! Right over there!" Aurana pointed for Julan. "I hope they have been able to keep themselves entertained!"

Harald spoke over her, despite doing so at a lower volume. "Lady Aurana, please be courteous. There are servants trying to sleep."

"Yeah, I know, I'll be quiet," she said, clutching her elbow.

As they walked to Jatinha's door, there were a few dull bumps on the wooden floor beyond. Julan could faintly hear the sound of frantic brushing and unintelligible whispers.

Harald knocked on the door. "Jatinha, master Rhazii. Aurana and Julan are here to see you." He opened the door with no more warning.

Beyond, Rhazii and Jatinha were knelt either side of some kind of game board within Jatinha's cramped living space. She had a bed, a candle, and a desk with drawers, but little else. They both turned to the door and smiled.

"Hey brother, hey Aurana," Rhazii said.

"Hello." Jatinha looked ill-at-ease. A strand of fur was poking out behind her ear and she looked like she was catching her breath.

Apart from such small details, the scene before them looked entirely innocuous.

---

Lunise lifted her middle just enough for Meesei to wrap her arms around her. Meesei could feel Lunise's heart racing in her chest beneath her arm.

She rolled onto her back again. She was face to face with Meesei, gazing gently into her eyes, a bare distance apart. "I could plausibly deny it later," she said at a near-whisper. "But...I would see you prove it anyway. Now, do not waste my time. Prove it."

[EliteCommander]

As the group approached Jatinha's door, Julan could hear the movements inside the room, most likely more clearly than either Aurana or Harald. He was curious what they were doing, and became even more curious after Harald opened the door. The room was smaller than Julan had thought it would be, and they were sitting around some kind of game. He had no idea why they would have been moving so much in such a small space.

Julan took a step inside the room, though there was nowhere really for him to stand aside from in the doorway. "Um...hello. We, uh, all had a dinner together, after my parents talked to my grandparents. It went great, actually. There was some shouting and...anger at first, but Remus actually agreed to let Aurana do more things. Everyone is getting along now, so we don't have to be nervous anymore." He explained, though he certainly seemed distracted. It was Jatinha's nervous behavior in particular that caused Julan to be on-edge. He looked around the room, and his nostrils flared out slightly. Rhazii would be well aware that Julan's sense of smell was just as acute as his own.

"Is...everything okay? You look tired." Julan said to Jatinha. He honestly did not know what was wrong, but the situation just gave him a strange feeling.

---

Meesei's immediate reaction to Lunise's next request was a toothy grin. All of this was strange, and certainly not what she had expected at the start of the day, but Meesei had already made up her mind on what she wanted. Lunise, in some ways at least, reminded Meesei of someone from her past. Her confidence, her determination to achieve her goals. Most of all, she was not subservient to Meesei in any sense. Meesei had neither official authority over her, nor did Lunise simply defer to her for any other reason. That was something that Meesei quite liked.

Seeing as she had permission, Meesei quickly rolled herself over onto Lunise, staring into her eyes the entire time. Moving a hand behind Lunise's back, she started to tug at the strings to begin removing the last pieces of clothing that Lunise had remaining. "With pleasure." Meesei responded, just before pulling Lunise into a long kiss.

---

It was after dark by this point. Meesei and Lunise had migrated back on shore, through the course of events. Meesei could not maintain the air bubble forever, and even if she could, it would not have remained easily breathable forever. They had remained underwater for a while before ending up on the sand, the waves occasionally brushing over them. Meesei was not sure where Lunise's underwear had ended up, not that she particularly cared. Mirroring Lunise's thoughts from before, Meesei did not think she needed the.

They were laying together, facing one another, with Meesei holding tightly onto Lunise. She had her eyes closed and her forehead pressed against Lunise's, her breathing light and relaxed. "So, are you...convinced?" Meesei said, speaking lightly.

[Muttonhawk]

Jatinha's whole face lit up at mention of Aurana's success. "You did it? Aurana, I am so happy for you!" She stood up and stepped to give Aurana a tight hug.

Aurana giggled and returned it in kind. "Thanks, Jatinha. Things are going to get better from now on, I think."

Even though Julan's news erased the initial nervousness in Jatinha, she was still short of breath. Julan's observation was not unfounded. After the embrace, she looked a him with a wordless open mouth, saying nothing but an unsure, "Ah, um..."

"It's alright, brother," Rhazii stood up and left the room, taking Julan under one shoulder on the way. "Jatinha told me that she, uh...has uh...has a thing in her lungs." He waved a hand over his chest. Rhazii reeked of Jatinha, every detail of him had a hint of her. "When she gets worried, she gets puffed out." He bent down to whisper quickly. "I will tell you more later, just don't say anything to mother and father, okay?"

With Julan out of the way, Jatinha and Aurana immediately spoke about what happened and what Aurana's lot was for the future. Harald waited patiently and neutrally.

---

Lunise let her eyes open halfway. She held Meesei just as tightly as she herself was being held. She looked just as peaceful as well. Their legs were entangled such that their entire upper bodies were pressed together.

"Hmm..." Lunise's voice was smooth and elegant. "I was convinced as soon as you became forward." Lunise hinted at a rare smile, now that particular game was over.

Looking at the ground, Lunise ran a hand up and down Meesei's back, her smile fading. "Meesei," she said. "We are both very vulnerable to each other now." Her eyes turned up. "What does this mean for us? What are we?"

[EliteCommander]

Rhazii's attempts to explain the situation to Julan did little to placate his doubt and curiosity. While Aurana and Jatinha were conversing with each other, Julan continued to speak with Rhazii. "Something in her lungs? Like a...disease, or wound or something? Well, if that's true, shouldn't we take her to aunt Sabine or aunt Meesei? They must be some of the best healers in the world; surely they could do something to help her? She would have to love it if you were able to help heal her."

At that point, Julan picked up on the odd scents on Rhazii. Specifically, he noticed that the smell of Jatinha was not only coming from Jatinha. Julan did not even attempt to hide what he was doing when he leaned forward and started sniffing Rhazii.

---

Meesei hummed lightly with Lunise's touch. A part of her wanted to just lay with her for the rest of the night, enjoying the feeling of her smooth skin against her scales. However, Lunise did have some serious questions that they needed to address. "What it means for us? I do not think I can answer that by myself. It means what we want it to mean. For me, well, I think I have figured out that you are someone special to me. You have a passion about you, a...determination that is undeniably attractive. You are unique, and...well I suppose it is difficult to put it all into words. There is just something about you that makes me not care if it makes me vulnerable. I...do not want to give this up, Lunise. I do not wish to just bed you once, then go our separate ways. I think...I want us to be together. I know that is going to be difficult in a myriad of ways but..."

Meesei's expression became somewhat lighthearted as she shrugged her shoulders. "...well, I can teleport."

[Muttonhawk]

"Uh, no, it...it was something she was born with." Rhazii realised what Julan was doing and recoiled a step, "Hey! What are you doing? Don't...ugh." Rhazii reaffirmed his hold of Julan's shoulder and took a few more steps down the hall. It only caught more attention from Aurana and Jatinha, so he lowered his voice. "Julan! Lay off!" Rhazii whispered anxiously through grit teeth. "I said I'd tell you more later. Don't get me into trouble here, okay?"

---

"Together," Lunise repeated. She did not reflect Meesei's lighthearted turn. "I agree. In so far as it is what I want. I want it, my heart bursts for it. Even if it is just for your lifetime. And I trust you. I do not know why, but I trust you with what I could not trust with anyone." Her breathing shallowed. "Though...if anyone knew, we could both be ruined. We have to decide if we can keep this a secret. If we know we cannot...this would be the least painful time to end it."

Lunise avoided Meesei's eyes. Subtle tensions were clear over her body, indicating her usually well-hidden fear.

[EliteCommander]

"Get in trouble?" Julan repeated, immediately confirming his suspicion that there was something wrong. Already, he was going through his mind to try and figure out what it could be. He had a strong suspicion that Jatinha's "condition" was just a lie to cover it up. Regardless, if Rhazii was being honest about telling him what was happening, then he supposed that there was no need for him to try and figure it out himself.

"Okay...as long as you tell me." Julan whispered back to Rhazii, glancing back towards Aurana and Jatinha. "Let's just...find somewhere private soon and you can say it, okay?"

---

Meesei's expression slowly adopted at least some of Lunise's severity. "I will be entirely honest, this would be much less of a risk for me than it would be for you. My authority would not be removed by me taking on a Justiciar as a mate. Some may disapprove, but I have done more than enough in my time as Champion to prove my loyalty to Hircine. Even my opponents do not question it. Only Marod would pose some risk if he learned, if he felt that I was not going to be impartial between the Empire and Dominion. But, it would also be easy to hide it from him. No, my concern would be your well-being if you were discovered. But, I also do not expect it to be difficult to hide our relationship from your superiors. You work independently, most of the time. There would be plenty of opportunities for me to teleport you away to an exotic, isolated locale. Or my bedchambers, depending on our mood."

Meesei reached one of her hands up and placed it gently on Lunise's cheek. "But, even if it were more risky, I still would not wish to give up on us. It may not be comfortable to think about, but...it may be the case that neither of us is going to live through an entire Argonian lifespan. What we face, Vile, the Thalmor, they want to end our world entirely. Kill everything. We are going to fight to the last to stop them, but it will not be easy, and there is a...significant chance we will fail. If that is true, and our days truly are numbered, then I want the life I have remaining to be one I was glad to have lived. For me, that means staying with you, for however much time I may have." She explained, punctuating her speech with another kiss.

[Muttonhawk]

"Sure, sure," Rhazii nodded confidently. He let Julan go and pat him firmly on the shoulder, relieved that he had finally taken the hint.

Rhazii breathed in and turned around to the others. "Sorry, um...So, Aurana, what's the situation for you now?"

Aurana was not too far into telling Jatinha the same thing, so started again for Rhazii. She was still smiling and jumpy from sharing the good news with Jatinha that she didn't mind repeating herself. "Well, father has told me that he wants me to learn to shoot a bow, as well as do some other things out with him. Mother still wants me to go to court, but she is okay with doing this new stuff. At least, she was after father convinced her." Her eyes lit up. "Anyway, father says that if I'm good enough, I'll get to go the Imperial City with him!" She grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet. "I've always wanted to go there!"

"The Imperial City, huh?" Rhazii did not quite see the special nature of the prospect, seeing how close it was to Bravil and how many times he had been there before, but he couldn't quite stop himself from sharing some of the excitement. "That's great! Do you think you might travel to other cities as well?"

"Maybe later. I really want to travel the world, I've decided." Aurana gestured to Julan and Rhazii. "After talking to you both, I just want to go and see all the wonderful things you've seen. All over Tamriel. I'm so glad you two came along."

Jatinha was not exempt from the excitement. She wore a wide grin and pert ears, even with her usual quietness. "Thank you, Rhazii. Thank you, Kaj-Julan. And thank you especially, Kaj-Julan, for convincing your parents to come."

---

Lunise returned the kiss for as long as it lasted, though she was evidently distracted by her thoughts. When they separated, she wrapped her arms more firmly around Meesei and closed her eyes again. "I had always thought about it in the long term. You're right; that may not be correct. If this reality is what it is like to think as a short-lived person, I choose to be glad for living it as well. Just...do not underestimate the damage this may do to you, should it be revealed. I do not want you to experience the retribution that will come."

Reaching up, Lunise ran a hand over Meesei's feathers. "You are such an exception, Meesei. A beautiful exception. I should be ashamed to be with you. Perhaps it is because we are alone, but...I care not. You have succeeded in overcoming my sensibilities. You may tout yourself as the first non-High-Elf to do so. Although..." She opened her eyes. "...You are still an Argonian. And not a young Argonian. If this decisive scheme against Vile is successful, I shall still have business to attend against the Thalmor government. That will take time. So much time that you may not even see the end of it, even if it is age that takes your life. So...I..." Lunise winced and blinked hard, trying to think of the right way to convey her point. "To be realistic, we discovered our feelings today. It may not be the same relationship one year from now, or even one month. But...if it does work between us for longer, you will be with someone who shall never be at peace in your natural lifetime. I will be in danger almost every day. Are you willing to accept that? And are you willing to keep this secret even if it has to last forever?"

[EliteCommander]

"The Imperial City is nice, but very big, and very crowded. Really, there are just...SO many people, everywhere. A lot more than in Bravil. I hope you like it there, just be ready to always have strangers around you." Julan commented, though his eyes kept glancing between Rhazii and Jatinha. He had agreed to wait until Rhazii explained everything before doing anything, but it was clear that his curiosity would not be sated until that happened.

To Jatinha, Julan smiled in response to her thanks. "You're welcome. I'm glad they were able to help. I wasn't really sure it would work at first, especially once Remus started yelling. But I guess he is different now than my father remembers. I hoped he would be."

---

Once more, Meesei's mouth turned to a grin. "Lunise, I have spent every day of the last sixteen years in danger. I have lived just on the edge of death enough times that I likely should start paying for room and board in the Void. I have been stabbed, shocked, burned, and sliced. I lived for most of a decade with silver shards quite literally burning through my heart, and my first act as Champion was to recover from being impaled by a silver spear. Were it not for my natural regenerative traits, and skill with restoration, my...beautiful and seductive Argonian body would be mangled by those scars. There is a literal god in Oblivion that wants me, specifically, dead. If us being together somehow brings up more enemies that would see me dead, then, well, they will simply have to wait in the queue."

Meesei rolled herself over on top of Lunise again, though this time, she simply intended to wrap Lunise more completely in her loving embrace. "My point being: the risk is not enough for me to want to give this up. I think we are both intelligent and creative enough to make this work. I would think that a werewolf and a Thalmor Justiciar should be two people who are more than accustomed to keeping secrets. And it may not be that we have to keep the secret forever. It depends on how successful we are in our goals. If we are able to reform the Thalmor, then perhaps we would not have to be afraid to show our affection?"

Thinking for a moment, Meesei gave a light chuckle. "You know, I believe I now understand why Ahnasha went through such trouble to extend her own life to be with her mate, Fendros. Perhaps after Vile is stopped, I might do the same."

[Muttonhawk]

Julan's description only made Aurana's grin grow wider. As for the mention of Remus, Aurana closed her mouth and shrugged. "It sounded like they maybe had both changed. I don't know. Either way, it's turned out great!"

"Say," Rhazii said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't you...want the freedom to come and go from the house on your own, though? It sounds like your father is still controlling what you get to do."

To that, Aurana tilted her head to one side and brushed one foot against the floor. "Well, yeah, but this is the first time he's ever let me go out to the Fighters Guild. And I never would have imagined him inviting be to the Imperial City, of all places." She tilted her head to the other side. "From this, I think father just wants me to be ready. I'll get to go out on my own eventually. I'll try later. For now, he understands better what I want."

"Well, if you're happy about it, I guess it's fine for now," Rhazii said, turning his palm up.

Aurana nodded and addressed everyone. "Shall we head back now?"

---

While Lunise let her lungs empty of some clear worry with Meesei's declaration, she was not as convinced on Meesei's ideas of reform. "I think you overestimate the effect of a government back on a society, at least on the Isles, Meesei. There are traditional families that see romance with other races to be abominations. At best, I would be a deviant to the average Altmer." Still, Lunise angled her chin down, aware of Meesei's light heart. "I shall focus on making sure Mundus continues to exist before thinking about making our relationship palatable to my compatriots."

They paused, exchanging a stare. The corner of Lunise's mouth quirked.

Lunise raised an eyebrow at Meesei's mention of Ahnasha. "Is that what she has done? I should have known. I do not see her often, but she was aging far slower than the average Khajiit. And all for the Dunmer, you say? Hmph." Lunise looked away, unsure of how to think about Meesei's thoughts on trying it. She sighed, pondering. When she met Meesei's eyes above her again, her voice stopped and started in a stilted fashion. "Do not...do that just for me, Meesei...if that is what you intend." Her eyes danced back and forth. "Do not even decide yet. I know not what it takes to extend one's life, except that the resources are not simple to attain. But also...be considerate of yourself and what that would mean for your life as a whole. Only decide if it is something you personally desire."

Lunise was trying her hardest to maintain her stern official face. "If you thought I had not considered your lifespan when I first saw you as a woman drawing my heart, you have me mistaken for a weak and naive youth. Fendros might have been as such. He could not hide his young age if he tried."

[EliteCommander]

Julan had remained attentive to the conversation, but he was also particularly eager to leave when Aurana mentioned it. Although, he tried to make it at least seem like he was not that eager. "Oh, yeah, we probably should get back. It's, um, getting late. I'd...love to stay as long as we can, but I don't know how long my parents want to stay here."

Julan had already been standing, so he walked out of the cramped room and into the hall. For the sake of his brother, he tried not to act suspicious in any way that would make it seem like he wanted to leave. Whatever happened, it was apparently something that could get Rhazii in trouble, though Julan was still trying to figure out what that could be. Julan gave Rhazii a short look as he stepped out of the room. He hoped that Rhazii would pull him aside soon to explain everything.

---

"Oh, I know precisely what it takes. Ahnasha conferred with me over the years enough that I was able to keep up with what she was doing." Meesei explained. "It requires souls, is the short answer. Most associate the practice with the black souls of mortals, but from my understanding, strong enough white souls of powerful creatures serve the same purpose. They are simply more difficult to acquire. But, you are correct. Until Vile is dealt with, there is no point in setting such long-term goals. If I manage to survive that task, then it will take much longer to deal with the Thalmor. Perhaps then I will actually have the time to go mammoth hunting."

Meesei gave Lunise another, quicker kiss, with her hands on both of Lunise's cheeks. "I will just be glad to have you for as long as I can. I am going to devise a way for us to stay in regular, close contact. I believe all of the knowledge I have on teleportation should be enough to give the answer. Perhaps an enchantment of some sort; something to...connect us over any distance."

Meesei finally decided to pull away from Lunise so she could sit up straight, giving a quick glance around the area. The only sources of light were the stars and the moons above, though Meesei's natural night eye still allowed her to see Lunise quite clearly. It was certainly late, and as much as Meesei would have wanted to stay on the beach with her for the rest of the night, they would have to get back eventually. Still, they were at least not in an immediate rush. Meesei was sitting with her knees on either side of Lunise's hips, looking down at her with a grin. For a few moments, Meesei made it quite obvious that she was admiring Lunise's body. With one hand, she started to lightly rub Lunise's stomach. "You are like an Elven goddess, you know that?" Meesei complemented. She had no doubt that it was an exceptionally rare event not only for someone to outwardly admire Lunise's appearance, but to directly comment on it as well.

[Muttonhawk]

Rhazii did not display any rush to fill Julan in on the mystery. The group walked back to the dining room with Harald in the lead and rejoined Julan's parents and grandparents.

A short while of civil conversation passed over some tea that solidified their acceptance of the new state of affairs. During this time, Rhazii and Jatinha noticeably exchanged smiled, despite their attempts at hiding it. The group would have stayed for longer, perhaps even until sunset and beyond, but Janius soon picked up on Julan's impatience and began the ceremonies to leave. Aeramina had a knack for continuing their talks such that it took twenty minutes just to get to the door.

When Harald pulled the front door open for them, it was the final step that Aeramina did not hold them back from. They stood standing ready to leave in front of their reunited family.

"Well, this will be goodbye for now," Janius said with a smile. "We move around a lot, but we will write to you and tell you where you can send responses. I want to hear about your adventures, Aurana."

Aurana opened her mouth to speak and only managed a shuddering breath out. She instead threw her arms around Janius, tears forming in her closed eyes. "I'll miss you all."

Janius returned the hug. "I'll miss you, too, sister. I'm glad I got to finally meet you." Janius spoke carefully. Kaleeth, at least, could tell that he was holding back his emotions. They separated and Janius clapped a hand on Aurana's shoulder. "Welcome to a new chapter of your life."

After a laugh, Aurana turned her tear-streaked face to Kaleeth. "You have been so nice to me, Kaleeth-Rei. I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law." Julan got a similar treatment when Aurana hugged him again. "That was really rash, coming here without telling your father. But I'm glad you did, Julan." She chuckled. "You're my favourite nephew now." He was her only nephew.

Meanwhile, Janius stepped up to his parents. There were no words at first, only an awkward staring contest. Remus extended a stiff hand. Janius looked at it, looked at Remus, and grasped it. Both their expressions faltered and they stepped into an unpractised, yet still genuine embrace. Aeramina skipped the little ritual and went straight for holding Janius and quietly sobbing. She didn't look like she was in any hurry to let go.

During the distracted moment, Rhazii took a risk and gave Jatinha a quick hug as well. He murmured something under his breath in Ta'agra that made her giggle while embraced, but they made it quick before separating. Their hands slid free of each other last. Rhazii stepped back. He was smiling, but his eyes kept flicking between the floor and Jatinha's face.

---

Lunise let her hands slide down to the sides of Meesei's legs as she sat up. She hummed at Meesei's touch and let her eyelids lower and rise. "Meesei," she said at a low pitch. "You exaggerate too much." Her cheeks flushed just enough for Meesei to see in the dim light. "Perhaps it is telling of you exaggerating your magical power." Lunise's hands ran gently up Meesei's sides.

As if the sentence made her realise something, Lunise halted her ministrations before they could escalate further. She looked up at Meesei and turned her head slightly. "I am your first Altmer partner," she said curiously. "It is obvious now that I ponder on it."

[EliteCommander]

It was not the first time in the evening that Aurana had given Kaleeth an emotion-filled hug, but she returned it all the same. Any hint of anxiety was gone from Kaleeth at this point. They had all been getting along quite well for a few hours now. Though, Kaleeth had to admit that she was becoming at least mildly agitated by Aeramina's endless talking. It was not as if Kaleeth did not enjoy being sociable, but there was something about the topics that she chose and the way she talked about them that could not hold Kaleeth's interest. She supposed it was because their drastically different backgrounds meant that they had little in common. Regardless, Kaleeth maintained her friendliness towards both Aeramina and Remus through their farewells.

Aurana's hug prevented Julan from paying close attention to Rhazii and Jatinha, as he had been doing since they left her room. He did faintly hear some words of Ta'agra, but did not understand them. It was not a language he had been taught, so he could recognize only a handfull of words he had heard Rhazii use in the past. Nevertheless, he refocused back on Aurana. "And I'm really glad it all worked out right. If I ever get to come back and see you, I'm going to teach you how to swim." He said with a smile.

---

Meesei nodded down at Lunise. "Indeed, my first non-Argonian partner, in fact. I have been alone for, well, the majority of my life, in terms of romance. I would not say I have truly had a partner since before I left my village. The last was an Argonian woman, and the person I was considering marrying for a time. No doubt my life today would be unrecognizable had I accepted that offer."

Acknowledging that they did have to leave the beach eventually, Meesei finally stood up to her feet and extended her hand down to help up Lunise. Though, Meesei still could not help but to remain close. As soon as Lunise was on her feet, Meesei had her arms around her, with her hands resting low on her hips. "Overall, I cannot say I am disappointed. Your skin is soft, your body nice and warm. And you may not be a lycan, but you are certainly in good shape. Hair is...new to me, but not unwelcome."

Meesei hesitated a moment as a thought came to her mind. "And speaking of lycanthropy...it would be quite unlikely for the condition to spread between two women in such a manner, but seeing as you have just bedded a werewolf, I feel I should make sure you have not contracted the condition. There is no need to worry, even if you have. Unless one drinks, or otherwise contacts, a large amount of infected blood, then it takes about three days for the condition to set in. In that time, it is as easily curable as any other common disease."

[Muttonhawk]

Aurana laughed. "I look forward to it. Come back to visit any time, okay?"

"There there, Mother," Janius comforted Aeramina's emotional display. Even with his own feelings on leaving again, Aeramina let hers be known almost to the point of melodrama. "I'm sorry for all the trouble this has been," Janius continued. "I left without saying goodbye. That was wrong in the end, no matter how I felt at the time. I might be back, but...goodbye for now."

"You are forgiven, Janius," Remus said. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, son," Aeramina finally stepped back. "We are proud of you. Of what you have become."

Janius pursed his lips and nodded. "Come, everyone." He addressed his packmates. "We should head back to the keep."

"Goodbye, Remus and Aeramina." Rhazii remembered to add. "Thank you for the meal."

He was given an acknowledging nod from Remus. "Farewell, all of you."

"Farewell," Aeramina repeated, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.

As Janius, Kaleeth, Rhazii, and Julan walked from the Aetius manor, the residents filed back indoors out of the cool air. Aurana remained outside to watch them with a smile.

The walk was quiet until they had lost sight of manor. Janius took Kaleeth's hand in his and gave her a smile. "Thank you, dearest. Thank you for your support. And for putting up with my parents." He raise an eyebrow. "You were very assertive back there. I liked that."

---

"The lycan queen without a mate for so long. I would not have predicted it." Lunise took Meesei's hand, eager to embrace her again with her arms around Meesei's shoulders.

"Naturally, I shall cure myself," Lunise acknowledged. "It is not the first time I have contracted the disease. The preliminary stages, that is. Not full lycanthropy."

Lunise's upper diaphragm twitched with a single, stillborn laugh. She stifled a smile. "No, what gave you away was your look of surprise when I did this earlier..." Lunise's hand drew over the side of Meesei's neck and charged with a simple restoration magic. Under Lunise's caress, Meesei's scales became unusually sensitive for several fading seconds. "I thought it was a pejorative stereotype that we Altmer use magic for everything. You are clever enough to know that, are you not?" She teased.

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth smiled, though she actually looked somewhat embarrassed at Janius' complement. "Well, I've learned a lot about keeping up an act over the years. I've had plenty of examples to go on. You, Meesei, Ahnasha. I even took that Justiciar, of all people, as inspiration. It just...didn't seem like your father would respond to someone being passive. He seems like the kind of person who likes to be in charge of people. Not too different from my father, really. You have to be able to stand up to him, or he'll just walk all over you. I'm just glad we didn't have to stay so hostile forever. I'd much rather get along than act like some heartless Imperial agent."

Julan was not intent on allowing Rhazii the chance to get out of living up to his word. After they got back to the keep, they would probably be heading straight to bed, so he saw talking to Rhazii now, while his parents were distracted, was as good of a time as any. He walked up close beside Rhazii and looked up to him, silently but expectantly.

---

Meesei chuckled lightly. "I have learned not to underestimate your creativity, certainly. Strangely enough, that was not a form of Altmer magic that was mentioned too frequently in the texts I have studied. Though, do not think you have exhausted my particular cleverness. I have some tricks of my own that you might find...interesting. Hmm, you know, I expect quite a few challenges between us in the future. Friendly ones, of course. We are two mages who simply do not like to be outdone. Granted, it is not only magic that I have experience with. I would say that my lifestyle has given me a connection with the more carnal elements of life. I have complete control of my mind, of course, but there is something about pure, raw instinct that is...captivating. Invigorating. I think I might find a way to share that experience with you, even without you being a lycan."

"Personally, I find myself curious of the opinion of a Justiciar on having an Argonian mate. It would not surprise me if you were the first. I know for a fact that you are pleased with it, so do not even try to downplay it. I can, in the most literal sense, smell it on you." Slowly, Meesei wrapped her tail forward around Lunise's left leg.

[Muttonhawk]

"It was fortunate for sure," Janius agreed. "Well, heartless Imperial agent or no, it's good to know that you could stand up to someone like my father." He looked ahead. "I am still surprised that I was able to. But...so much has changed. He has changed, I have changed." Janius breathed in and sighed, casting his eyes down and lowering his voice. "I never thought I would live to hear either of them say they were proud of me." He squeezed Kaleeth's hand.

Julan had to sustain his look for a while. Rhazii caught it out of the corner of his eyes and double-took. "What are you looking at?" Rhazii stared back until his red eyes widened. "Oh, right, back there. Um..." Rhazii looked ahead and put his hands in his pockets. "What do you want to know?" He asked cautiously with a shrug.

---

Lunise hummed apprehensively at the thought of what Meesei implied. She did not have an answer by the time Meesei moved on.

"If there has been such a coupling before, it was kept just as closely a held secret as us," Lunise responded. "As for me...it is complex. I was raised in a society where Altmer were the superior mortal race. Being close to another race is debasing oneself. Stooping down to a primitive level. It is not unlike marrying an animal, to most Altmer." Lunise frowned. She was avoiding eye contact, though still spoke confidently. "The utilitarian reasons are simple; we do not grow our population fast, so to reproduce with a lesser race was to produce inferior children that would not have two parents over the majority of its lifetime, reducing the numbers of Altmer overall. But I am attracted to women -- I have known that since I started forming attraction to others -- so a birth child is practically infeasible. And like I said, I have accepted your limited lifespan even before you consider extending it. So that only left the shame."

She huffed from her nose. "There is no reason to lie. A part of me is still ashamed to be attracted to an Argonian. And yet, you were the one who was there for me, asking nothing in return. You are helping me come to terms with he biggest change of my life. You are talented enough to answer my challenges as a peer and not a barbarian. I would go as far to say I would be debasing myself by courting an average Altmer woman in comparison to you. Even if all of that was not justification enough, no one else is here to shame me."

Lunise cupped Meesei's cheek in her hand. "And before you let anyone think that, for a moment, I would resort to being with an Argonian because there are so few Altmer women that would reciprocate romance with another woman, know that you are a fitter specimen than the bulk of them. I adore the texture of your scales, the softness of your feathers, the shape of your figure, and your rich, exotic eyes." Her hand brushed up over Meesei's snout. "It was this that I found strangest," she said bluntly. "Your face. I think I had to kiss it before I could look past it. You should count yourself fortunate that, even after your long period of loneliness, you share exceptional kiss."

Once again, Lunise brushed her hand through Meesei's feathers. With her lips open, she placed her hand behind Meesei's head and drew her into a passionate kiss. Lunise held Meesei tighter as they continued. By now, they had enough practice with each other's lips that the differences in their faces were not a barrier to passion. Their hands wandered, pressing them further.

However, another thought made Lunise draw back early. "It occurs to me that the notion may have gone both ways." She laid her fingers on her cheek. "My face does not look...Argonian to you, does it? For an elf, that is?"

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth leaned herself slightly against Janius as they walked. "You don't have to put on an act to be strong like that. It's just who you are. Strong, firm when you need to be, nice when you need to be. As a father, you are fair and compassionate. As a warrior, you are fierce and frightening. As a mate, you are loving and supportive. I was nervous and uncertain going into that meeting with them, but looking back on it, I don't think there's any other way it could have gone. It didn't really matter if you were or weren't part of some special Imperial group, he was proud of you because you became someone to be proud of."

Given how close he was walking to Rhazii, Julan was able to make his whisper soft enough that only his sharp, lycan ears had a chance of understanding him. "Well, I want to know why you were acting so weird back there. The both of you. Apparently it was something you can get in trouble for? And why do you smell so much like Jatinha? You know, the rest of the pack will definitely smell that if they start paying attention to it."

---

Meesei shook her head. "No, you do not look much like an Argonian. It is interesting to think of how I must look just as exotic to you as you do to me." In the aftermath of their kiss, they were holding each other quite close, as they had been for the better part of the last few hours by this point. Whatever physical differences they had between them, they certainly did not drive them apart in any sense of the word. "And I would not downplay the passion that you bring to a kiss, among...other things. That fire of determination you have in your professional life still burns strong in anything else you do."

"And I...appreciate you giving me a chance, Lunise. I have been around Altmer long enough to know what this can mean for you. With how they see me, with how they would see us, I know how severely this could destroy your life, without even considering what the Thalmor would do. With how lycan clans bring together so many different types of people, bonds between races are not terribly uncommon. I would not face the same shame they would place onto you. There is a part of me that feels guilty for placing this burden on you. And an even greater part of me that finds it exceptionally romantic. It is one of the many reasons I have discovered to admire you, and no small part of the reason that I am attracted to you. You certainly have your appealing physical features; your wide hips, smooth skin, your shapely breasts. But, between Argonians, attraction carries a distinctly spiritual element. Our minds are linked on a basic level by the Hist, so we can feel each other's minds on an instinctual level. That becomes just as strong of an element of attraction than one's physical form. You may not be connected to the Hist, but through your actions and your words, you could say I have seen into your mind. I have seen the person you really are, beneath the deceptive facades that your profession has cultivated. What I have seen is beautiful. You say I was exaggerating before, but when I look at you, I really do speak truly when I say that you are one of the most gorgeous women I have ever laid eyes upon." Meesei said with no hint of hesitation.

Another, somewhat mischievous grin came across Meesei's face. "I will not mince words. The only reason that I do not tackle you to the ground right now and mate with you under the moonlight for another two hours straight is because I acknowledge that we do have to return to Bravil somewhat soon."

[Muttonhawk]

Janius' response was to nod. He did so for several seconds, blinking back a glaze on his eyes. His brow knit and he took a quick breath. "After all this time..." He cleared his throat to try and keep his voice level. "After how they treated me when I was young, hearing it..." He raised his brow and smiled at Kaleeth. He was holding back tears that had been stored for a long time. "It's nice. It's a relief."

"Come on, we just..." Rhazii caught his tongue, flustered. He lowered his voice and craned his head down to mimic Julan's whisper. "We just talked, had lunch, and played a board game." He shot a glance at Julan. "And...kissed for a bit." He shot a hand up. "But-it-was-nothing-bad! Nothing that...you know, would infect her or anything. Look, please just don't tell mother and father?"

---

Still catching her breath, Lunise stood with her jaw dropped and her eyes focussed. Meesei's words brought a bright flush to her face and a quickness to her breath. Her heart thumped against Meesei's chest at a gallop.

"You talk too much." Lunise pressed her lips against Meesei's, inhaling a deep draft of her scent. It took considerable willpower for her to break the kiss. "We will be here all night if we do not return now." She closed her mouth and swallowed.

Lunise looked off to the side, where Meesei's neatly folded dress and shoes sat next to the scattered articles of Lunise's thrown uniform. "Here, I will help you," Lunise said, finally stepping away to pick up Meesei's clothing. Garment by garment, she dressed her. Lunise's words were spoken with sincerity, though the way Meesei was dressed held an air of care and affection. For those few minutes, the usual adversarial and acerbic side of Lunise was replaced by uncharacteristic nurture. She gave Meesei one last kiss on the neck and the side of the head before she saw to her own coverings.

Lunise cast small smiles to return Meesei's looks. "You owe me a set of undergarments," she mentioned while pulling on the first article.

[EliteCommander]

"Wait, you kissed her? Why would you kiss her? I thought only mates did that?" Julan remarked, not even thinking about the prospect of infection before Rhazii mentioned it. Although, once Rhazii did say the word, it quickly became all that Julan could think about. At his age, he had been given at least a basic education about what his body would be going through at his age, and how it related to more romantic matters. For lycans, it was particularly important for them to understand, as biting someone was far from the only way they could inadvertently spread their condition.

"You just kissed her, but...you smell a lot like her. And lycanthropy can spread through, what is it...saliva. What if she had a cut in her mouth or something? What if she did get infected? If...if that happened, she'd transform. She wouldn't know what to do. She'd kill my aunt, she'd kill my grandparents. She'd kill them all." By this point, Julan looked as if he was on the verge of panicking. He looked almost desparate as he turned his head back to Rhazii. "Are you sure she isn't infected?"

---

Meesei chuckled. "Oh, I don't think you need them." As much as she enjoyed being dressed so intimately by Lunise, it did signify that their evening together was coming to an end. Meesei decided to return the same favor to Lunise and "help" her with her clothes, though her Thalmor uniform did not take quite as long to put on as Meesei's dress. While it was proper and stylish, the uniform was also designed to be a functional, practical garment. The enchantments it carried made it into just as much of a tool as it was clothing.

After they were both dressed and had collected their belongings, Meesei started her work on their portal home. They had spent most of their time together in the water, so their scents were not too strong on one another. At least no more than one might expect from two people who had spent the day in close proximity. Of course, Meesei was not terribly concerned about either her pack or Marod discovering the truth, since the truth would be the very last thing that any of them would have suspected they had been doing for the day. If Meesei said the truth out loud to them, they would probably assume it to be a joke at first.

This portal was no less magicka-consuming than the first, but fortunately, Meesei had been given plenty of time to recover from the last one. When the magical charge in the air reached it peak, Meesei ripped open the portal. It was bright enough to light up the whole beach in a deep red glow, and just as before, Meesei could only keep it open for a short time. As such, she grabbed Lunise's hand and pulled her through with her.

Meesei had taken Lunise back to the castle in Bravil, though not to the exact same spot they had left from. Instead, Meesei had opened the portal within the room that Lunise had claimed. Just as Meesei had expected, there was no one else in the room when they arrived, so Meesei did not need to worry about putting on any kind of act.

Obviously fatigued, Meesei did not take long to take a seat on the edge of Lunise's bed. Even now that they were back, Meesei was still not in a hurry to leave. She assumed that the door was locked.