EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha looked at the small feline on the balcony, but did not stare, just in case. Having never seen an Alfiq before, she honestly could not tell if it was a cat or Khajiit. Just being Khajiit herself did not give her the ability to automatically differentiate. "Sorry, I don't really know, Rhazii." She answered.

Turning back to Fendros, Ahnasha shrugged her shoulders. "If you can't smell it yourself, just run anything you want to eat by me first. It's not that every single food has moon sugar in it, just that most meals have at least one part that does. I'll gladly take anything you don't want."

Pieter nodded in agreement with Sabine. "Yeah, there are quite a few of us, and we're all armed. As callous as it sounds, there are just a lot easier targets out there for muggers than us. Pickpockets might try something, so just make sure you have a tight hold over everything, and don't just let go if someone grabs your bag. I guarantee you'll be stronger than them. Unless it's a Cathay or something, but they're not really the sneaky types.

The packs reached the correct part of the city fairly quickly, but they did have to do some wandering around to actually find the correct tavern. Meesei had studied the city map, but seeing landmarks in person and on a map were two entirely different things. They walked at least one complete circle around one block before she spotted the warehouse that indicated the correct street. Heading down that road, she finally spotted the large and colorful sign of the tavern they had been searching for, the Pale Moons Tavern. It was encouraging, at least, that they had managed to find the correct location, though stepping inside made them seem even more out of place than they already were. Based on the clientele, it was quite clearly a sailor's tavern. Almost all were in rough, often torn clothing, and were invariably drunk. There was no shortage of raucous laughter, and gambling at a few tables.

"Hey! That beast makes trouble and Bhisharr here'll toss it out with a brok'n back." The barkeeper shouted at the packs entered, pointing to Leaps, then at an almost comically muscular, shirtless Cathay-raht at the end of the bar. With how completely this Bhisharr towered over everyone else in the tavern, he probably believed it as well.

Meesei gave a nod, then turned her attention back to the pack. "I don't smell them here now, but there is a trace of their scent. And it is fresh. Let us wait here for a while, just find a few tables and try to stay out of trouble."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha's grip on Rhazii's hand was about as secure as it could be without hurting him. She could see that Kaleeth had decided to forego the risk altogether and just carry Newt in her arms. It was sensible for a hatchling of his age, but as much as Ahnasha would rather have carried Rhazii, he would likely grow restless trapped in her arms. Being bound by her hand was already bad enough. As they walked along, she nudged Fendros' elbow as she observed the docks around her. "So this is Elsweyr, my kind's homeland. Not sure what to think, really. The amount of trade and wealth passing through here is impressive and everything, but the fact that this place is a hub for some of Tamriel's worst pirates, thieves, and general scum...really doesn't help to dispel any stereotypes. Everything seems to vibrant and alive, but...decaying at the same time. I can smell the skooma from here, in the crates, and off the clothes of the addicts we're walking by. At least I won't have any problem finding moon sugar; it's in, well, pretty much every meal, really. From what I've heard, at least." She commented once there was a break in Rhazii's questions.

Pieter shook his head. "No, only Suthay-raht. And Rhazii. It's what most people think of when you say Khajiit, at least outside Elsweyr. I saw one walk by that looked like a tiger, which is really just...surreal, almost. And all Khajiit are smart like you? It seems like they would be more accepting of...our kind with how many forms of Khajiit there are. I guess that is different, though; it's not like they can change it."

As they walked, Pieter noticed a Suthay-raht woman they passed by sitting on the ground, leaned up against a barrel. From a small bottle, she drank what he smelled to be skooma out in the open, as if it were normal. He of course said nothing, but it did certainly give a clear reminder to him that he was far from home. "I've never felt more like an outsider than I do right now. This place is nothing like Bruma. I'm bound to make some kind of mistake, I just hope it isn't too...major."

Mass Effect: The Face of Injustice

I apologize for not doing anything over the past week, I've just been rather busy, and a bit distracted. Although, I'm not entirely sure what to have Avatar do at the moment, being that it is otherwise occupied. Rtron, do you want to perhaps have Voira inspire the others to go ahead and board the shuttle?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I am serious, Gallus. Stay close, and remain watchful. If we become separated in this place, even we will have a difficult time finding each other again." Meesei warned. Based on the way the ship was moving, it appeared that they were finally going to be heading into dock. Meesei had spent considerable time the previous night studying her map of the city, so she made sure to make note of exactly where they would be docking so she could guide them to the correct tavern. "I do know where our main destination is located. Much like home, it is secluded a few hours outside the city, in a rather thick portion of the Tenmar forest. However, I do hope to be able to make contact with some of its scouts in the city. They will be able to lead us to it more quickly than I will be able to find it with just my map. As well, they may be able to inform us of the current situation."

Once the ship was docked, the packs were able to simply disembark and head about their business. Meesei had expected to at least have to speak to the docking authority about Leaps, but they hardly gave him a second glance. The only mention one of the docking officials made of him was a simple, quick warning to keep watch over him. It was a surprise, but it did make sense considering the volume of exotic goods and creatures that passed through the city. The port officials likely saw even stranger creatures than Leaps on a daily basis. Not to mention, the Senchal docks were hardly the pinnacle of security. Smugglers could often bring their goods through the port without even attempting to hide them from anything but thieves. For a bribe, a docking official might even assign the normal security to them.

Most of Senchal's population was, of course, Khajiit, but the docks themselves were as diverse as the Imperial City, at least for the races whose provinces were in southern Tamriel. What did stand out to much of the pack was that not all of the Khajiit on the docks were the Suthay-raht that most outside of Tamriel were familiar with. Cathay and Cathay-raht towered over the rest of the crowd, while the tiger-like Pahmar walked through the street just as casually as their bipedal brethren. There were a few individuals who appeared Bosmer at first glance, but upon closer inspection, were the Ohmes breed of Khajiit, and even what appeared to be a housecat could actually be an Alfiq.

As usual, Pieter was with Sabine and Tzirret, and he was just as astonished with Senchal as many of the others, especially those not used to traveling. He reached over and tapped Tzirret's shoulder to get his attention. "This place is...interesting. I never knew there were so many kinds of Khajiit. Were all of your family, um, whatever you are, or were there other...is breeds the right word?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha shook her head. "No, I don't think so. What's done is done. If all goes to plan, then they will never actually meet any of you. The last thing we want is for them to come up to Bruma to see a non-existent hunting supplies shop. It is a risk, but...I am still still glad I sought them out. Getting closure on that part of my past was something I needed."

Taking in a deep breath, Ahnasha pushed away from the railing. "I think I need a rest. Thank you for the offer, and for understanding. I'll be fine, we're going to need to start focusing on our task soon enough." She added before turning to head down below decks.

---

From Leyawiin, Senchal was not at all a long voyage, as they needed only cross the Topal Sea to reach the city. It was a journey of only a few days, which, compared to the previous voyage Meesei's pack had taken, was nothing at all. As well, their stop in Leyawiin had refreshed them enough that spending just a few days trapped aboard the vessel was easily tolerable for most. Pieter had picked up a deck of cards, and a few other items, in Leyawiin to help keep them occupied. Overall, they had hardly even grown bored by the time Senchal was in sight.

The captain had made sure to send a crew member down to wake up his passengers about an hour before they were set to arrive, as he had no other business in Senchal but to drop off his passengers, so he did not intend to stay any longer than necessary. It was not unreasonably early, so there was mostly no protest, though Leaps seemed annoyed at being shaken awake.

Most of the group's supplies were already packed, so they had plenty of time to have their breakfast, and wake themselves up in general. As usual, they distributed their packs of supplies fairly among the group, with even Leaps taking on a share of the baggage. Even if they could carry it all themselves, Meesei preferred to ensure that Leaps was always at least wearing his specially made harness. Seeing bags on his sides made him seem much more like a pack animal than a warbeast to any onlookers.

Both packs were already above decks by the time Senchal was within view. As they drew closer, the remarkable nature of the city's port became quickly and readily apparent. While the Imperial City might have been the largest overall, Senchal possessed the single largest port in Tamriel. Its position on the Qwin'rawl peninsula made it a hub of trade between the Empire, the rest of the Dominion, Black Marsh, and anyone else who wanted to do business along Tamriel's southern coast. The city was surrounded on three sides with water, and all three were densely crowded at nearly all times. Most of the goods were traded in the city, or from warehouses on the docks, and shipped back out across Tamriel, while the rest were sold in the city or transported through the rest of the province. Meesei would not have been surprised if more wealth passed through this city alone than the rest of Elsweyr combined.

Even with the size of the docks, there was a wait to actually be able to dock. From their view in the harbor, they could see the bustling crowds that seemed to fill every square inch of the docks. Crates, barrels, animal cages, and a myriad of other types of cargo were constantly being loaded and unloaded from ships in a way that, to the untrained eye, seemed entirely disorderly. It was hard to comprehend how a harbor of this size could possibly be managed. Evidently, the harbor masters of this city were some of the most skilled in Tamriel. Otherwise, it all would fall apart.

Ahnasha leaned onto the railing, looking out over the docks in amazement. "Just...wow. My father described this place before, but I always thought he was exaggerating. So much wealth goes through this place, it is almost unbelievable, and undeniably dangerous."

"Indeed." Meesei commented. "Senchal is a hub for trade of all types, legitimate and otherwise. Pirates, smugglers, thieves, and all other kinds of criminals can be found here. It might be a large city, but I warn you all not to think for a moment that you are safe. Keep a tight grip on any bags you are carrying, and make sure to tie them securely shut. Pickpockets will attempt to prey on outsiders like us without hesitation. It is going to be hard to find anyone in this city, but luckily, I know where a potential contact can normally be found. If they are still here, then the...group that normally resides in the city should frequent a specific tavern on the docks on the northwestern face of the city. Once we are close, it should not be too difficult to...detect them."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Just a decorative pattern.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

You know, I just thought of something. S'nashi gave Fendros an engraved silver candlestick. That would probably burn. I suppose I can assume he just was careful in where he grabbed it, if it wasn't solid silver.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hmm, Sydney. Always a place I've wanted to visit. Being half a world away, though, it is difficult.

I think the business in Leyawiin is concluded now. I could move us to Senchal.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha had a difficult time answering at first. She stepped onto the deck, then leaned against the railing beside Janius as she looked out over the docks, towards the city. Closing her eyes, she released a deep breath. "I don't know, honestly. It was better than it could have been, not as good as I wish it had. They were shocked and angry at first, of course, but they did forgive me. That much, at least, is good. I was able to talk to my family again, to...laugh with them, to catch up with everything that has happened. My brother, he finally has a fiance: an Argonian woman who he is going to open a restaurant with. They were able to meet their grandson for the first time, and to learn that I am alive, safe, and...happy."

Turning her head, Ahnasha looked to Janius nervously. Her eyes were red, and the fur beneath them moistened by her tears. The normal confidence she carried did not seem to be with her in the slightest. "But...I couldn't tell them everything. There were certain things I had to keep secret, so we lied. We had to grow those lies, and now we are going to have to maintain that illusion. I'm worried about the future, and what will happen if they find out. They are giving me a second chance, but I don't know if I'll get a third."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even before saying anything, Ahnasha had already begun to tear up. The past day had been fraught with intense, often opposing emotions, and now, sadness was taking its turn. She had gone nine years without so much as thinking about seeing her family again, but now, she was having a hard time letting go. They had been an integral part of the first sixteen years of her life, after all, and even though her opinion had turned against them before she left, she could not say she did not love them.

"Mother, father, brother. I...I don't even know what to say. I didn't know what to expect when I came back here. I thought you might be angry, or even denounce me, and I would have deserved it. But...I am glad I came back. I regret everything I did, and I hope to never let go of you again. Even if I can't be here, we will keep in contact. As soon as we're back in Bruma, we'll send a letter letting you know where to send the response. I love you, and I promise I will do whatever I can to come back here and visit someday."

"Wherever in Tamriel you are, we will always be with you. At night, whenever you look up at the twin moons, know that we will be looking at them as well, and we will never be apart." S'nashi answered, immediately stepping forward to give her daughter a hug. Gwindir and Vasiq quickly joined in, and for a silent few moments, they all embraced one another. When they all finally separated, no one found any words that would be more appropriate for their final farewell.

As Ahnasha left the store alongside Fendros and Rhazii, she closed her eyes and let out a deep, shuddering breath. Despite the fact that a wound from her past had been healed, the reunion with her family had been bittersweet. She was still living a lie, and she hoped those lies would not come back to haunt her.