EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha started to laugh. "Steal my heart? Gallus, you underestimate me. If anything, he was the one who didn't want to see me go. Now, whether he actually cared about me or just saw me as a way out of poverty, I don't really know, but...well let's just say there was a reason my parents didn't like him. He wasn't that bright, and had a personality as interesting as a wooden post. Like I said, I think I just wanted him because my parents didn't. In the end, I had to kick his tail to get him to finally leave me alone. Literally. The healers had a hard time getting it to heal back right. His friends ended up nicknaming him 'crook'."

Looking over to Fendros beside her, Ahnasha nudged his shoulder. "Your face looks like you swallowed a lemon. Something wrong?"

Peiter rubbed his chin, his eyes scanning over the docks. "The Khajiit are rather famous for their acrobats. Never seen one myself, but...I imagine they would perform somewhere that a lot of people would see them. If there isn't a festival or anything going on, and they're not being hired by anyone, then they probably are making their living through donations from their audience. They would go somewhere with a big crowd. Honestly, the market seems like the best place to look. Some cities don't allow performances in the middle of the market, but they might set up just beyond it. I don't know exactly where that would be from here, but I imagine we can just follow the crowds. In any case, it's going to be somewhere inside the walls."

The trio finally moved away from the docks and through the gate into the city proper. What Peiter noticed rather quickly was the sheer vibrance of pretty much everything around them. The architecture was unlike anything he had seen in Cyrodiil. Imperial structures were strong, but simple. They often carried a sort of military uniformity that reflected the structure of the Empire itself, but in this place, the buildings seemed to flow. A lot of their walls, supports, and decorative designs were curved and fluid. And, most of all, everything was so colorful. The buildings, the decorative banners on the streets, and even the people's clothing were all a mix of bright colors that made the entire place feel alive. "Well, the Imperial City almost seems boring by comparison to this, and certainly Bruma. Have you ever been to a place with such vibrance?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei grinned at the question, though said nothing before Ahnasha spoke up. "Honestly, I don't think any of us have stories as bad as Janius', at least nothing like that. Maybe Gallus, but..." She began, looking to Gallus. "You would have a hard time besting Janius in a contest of youthful stupidity. I'd hardly call it boring, but a lot of my stories just come from hunting and exploring beyond the walls of the city. It's nothing special for us with our lifestyle, but for a young city dweller who was destined to be a merchant? I felt like an adventurer of legend."

Ahnasha glanced to Fendros beside her. "Of course, I was young and trying to come to terms with all my new desires. I did have some experiences worthy of a bad romance story. Just nothing as spectacular as Janius. The closest I can think of was this Khajiit 'vagabond,' as my mother described him. He was from a poor family, and may or may not have been a thief. My parents hated him, so of course, being relentlessly rebellious, I just had to have him. Not all that different from Janius' stories, I suppose, except that we weren't stupid enough to have our meetings in our houses. No, we met a fair distance outside the walls. With Khajiit males, it's quite a...painful experience, so we did need the space."

Meesei gave a nod to Sabine an the other two when they approached her. "Very well, just be cautious. Make sure to keep track of how to get back here; it is easy to get lost in a city like this." She warned.

Heading outside, Peiter stopped at the side of the street to look around at the landmarks, particularly the taller ones. "Okay, so we're currently outside the northeastern wall of the city. Make sure to remember that; I'm pretty sure that once we're back here, I can recognize the landmarks to get back to the tavern."

As they started to walk through the street, Peiter did so with a bit more confidence than before. They were still strangers in a new place, and still did not know the local customs, but his words of inspiration to Tzirret had actually inspired himself. They were all strong, capable lycans with training at least on par with any military. After all, Sabine was the apprentice to one of the strongest mages Peiter had ever met. They were not likely to encounter trouble, and if they did, he was sure they could handle a few thugs. "So, what do we want to see? I'm sure this place has a massive market, but there is sure to be other kinds of entertainment. Though, I'm guessing a lot of it will be the kind of entertainment that appeals to pirates and the like."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although she did not know that particular story, Kaleeth knew well how Janius once was. It was not a secret hidden from her, and while she had been uncomfortable with it at first, she accepted the past for what it was. Now, all there was to do was to laugh at his youthful foolishness. "Part of me wishes that my life had been as exciting as yours...but most of me is very glad that it wasn't. I wasn't nearly as much as a troublemaker as you. When I ran naked through the village, it was to rush to our favorite swimming hole, and not from guards. I didn't have any secret lovers to run away with in the night...until you." She smiled. "No, I was mostly alone until you arrived. There were relationships before, but they never went anywhere. Being a...mediocre hunter and the daughter of the master hunter made me hard for boys to approach."

Kaleeth reached over and put her hand on top of Janius'. "Again, I guess that was a good thing. If I wouldn't have been alone before, I might not have taken so much interest in you."

Peiter nodded to Sabine confidently, then reached over and put his hand on Tzirret's shoulder. "Ah, come on. There are thousands of other people in this city, and we're no different from any of them. If anything, we're even more dangerous than any of them. I mean, look around at all these people. Pirates, thugs, criminals, I guarantee you could overpower any of them." Peiter waved his hand across the crowd, though when he reached the large Cathay-raht bouncer, his lips curled. "Uh, well, maybe not him. But all the others wouldn't hold a candle to even your strength. Plus, you'll have us at your side: the valiant and handsome Breton warrior, and the lovely and dangerous Breton mage. It will be like we're your royal guard."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I need to go to bed soon, but hopefully I can write a quick one.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Indeed, but in that case, no one is wrong.

Of course, both spellings of Peiter are legitimate as well. I could have swore it was Pieter you used first. I'm not dyslexic, but I suppose bad vision is enough to explain it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth gave a laugh. "Well, you clearly don't remember the day we met. Bowing down, kissing the hand of a young, naive Argonian girl. I didn't even know what it meant. Good thing too, or I might have laughed you straight out of the village. Or father might have, with less laughter, and more spears." She teased.

Surprisingly, it was Meesei who next commented. "Oh, he has been through worse than that, I assure you."

Grinning mischievously, Kaleeth leaned in towards Janius. "Yes, why don't you share some of those stories? That sounds like a great way to pass an hour."

Almost as soon as Gallus mentioned food, a familiar Khajiit voice sounded out from halfway across the tavern. "For the last time, anything you like." The waitress said, quickly making her way over to their table. It did not seem like she was paying any particular attention to their conversation, but when it came to her job, it appeared that she was quite on point. "Anything else you'd like to get?"

Before Gallus could speak, Ahnasha gave her answer. "Yes I...think so." She paused, deliberating in her mind for a moment before continuing. "You serve food with moon sugar as well, yes?"

"Heh, not a local, are ya? Don't worry, I ain't one either. Yeah, anything you can get without it, you can also get with it. That goes for anywhere in Anequina or Pelletine, 'cept maybe near the border to Valenwood." The waitress explained.

"Of course, right. How about...beef stew then, with moon sugar." Ahnasha answered. The Khajiit nodded, then waited for any more orders.

Peither grabbed the bottle of brandy, slowly swirling it in circles as he looked at the liquid inside. "That game was fun, and I definitely want to do it again, but...we should really avoid getting drunk. Especially now. No telling what we might run into. I think I'll just finish off this bottle; it's not like I got much of it during the game." He chuckled. "I wouldn't mind exploring, honestly."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Alright, done.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ah, one moment.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei became noticeably more relaxed once Ra'maranja and his friends had left. When meeting with strangers, particularly fellow lycans, she always seemed to have an uncompromisingly serious demeanor. It was a part of the appearance she wanted to give to others for the Champion of Hircine. "We do, Janius. Remember where we are. We can leave...specific details for when we are truly in private." She answered. Indeed, few of the other patrons in the tavern seemed to be seemed to be anywhere near actually trying to listen in on their conversation. In a place like this, most were probably criminals in some form or another, but regardless, avoiding specific terms in public places was standard for them.

"Regardless, I am in mind with Gallus." Meesei continued. "There were some details of this meeting which did seem...strange to me, but we know too little to make judgments. We just need to proceed with caution. Keep watch for any hint of treachery. We would not have been...sent here if this were a simple matter to resolve. I intend to stay here, but everyone can do as they wish while we wait. Just be sure to be here by the time the hour passes."

For a few moments, silence lingered in the air as most everyone thought. Having to approach this clan with such scrutiny brought back memories of when they first arrived at the Bruma clan all those years ago. They had a traitor confirmed among them, and they had no idea who they could trust. Hopefully, this situation would not end up the same way.

Lorag broke the silence when he slammed his now-empty mug of mead down on the table. "Well...at least 'lizard-Janius' was there to lighten the mood." He said, producing a few light chuckles among the pack. Ahnasha was not the only one to make that connection. Even Kaleeth smiled and nudged Janius with her shoulder. She was still terribly worried for Newt, but she could at least attempt to get her mind off of that fear.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei was not opposed to Gallus' plan, they would just need to proceed with caution if they were to attempt it. "That is a plan that could work, but we should perhaps not set ourselves too strongly into any particular plan before speaking to their leader. As long as our meeting has appropriate security, we should be able to make such plans in secret. Perhaps, if the leader could do so without suspicion, we could have this meeting outside of the...headquarters?"

Ra'maranja nodded. "Yes, that may be possible. But, as Khajiit said, we need to inform him first. This one will make sure that possibility is suggested."

"Thank you, Ra'maranja. I believe I would like for us to leave as soon as possible." Meesei responded.

"Of course." Ra'maranja responded. "There are a few quick matters that we must tend to in the city, but meet here in an hour and we will take you to the outpost. You can wait there until our leader is informed and ready. Come, Colors. This one will require your assistance."

Colors let out a sigh. "Of course you do." He muttered before standing up and following the Khajiit. The rest of their group followed suit, once more leaving Meesei's packs in the tavern.

Ahnasha looked around at the others with some uncertainty. "So, what do you all make of this? It's not what I expected, certainly. After so long out of contact, I didn't expect them to still be here at all, honestly."