EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay held up her hand and pinched two of her fingers together. "Um, a little, yes. Something like that would be sweet to say to someone you've been with for a while. Try complimenting her eyes, or the vibrance of her fur. And be sure to be specific about it. Tailor your compliments to the person you're trying to impress. And don't just say it randomly either; make sure it fits in the conversation."

Above them, La'khay heard some rustling in the leaves. She briefly glanced up and saw that Gallus was probably making his way down as they spoke. [i]"Looks like we are running low on time. Any last questions? We can pick up later tonight. You can ask La'khay anything you like, practice your compliments, mate with her, whatever you desire. La'khay would talk to you while we walk, but we really should focus on searching then."

A few months before, Ahnasha really would not have known where to begin, but between talking with her family and dealing with Irenya, she was staring to become more comfortable with the idea of what was likely to be a very difficult conversation. "Hmm...well all of that is assuming that you have this conversation on their terms, in their home. Or even in Cheydinhal at all. If you can make this conversation happen somewhere else, away from the city, then you, or we, depending, will not be in as much danger. We could simply run away if things went wrong, without raising the suspicion of the local guard. My family was accepting of you, but from what you're describing, it seems like no matter what you tell them, your family isn't going to like it. I...know I may not have much room to talk, since I didn't tell my family everything, but there was still a chance for us to have good relations. With your parents, it might be best to get it all out in the open to start. If you somehow did manage to get them to accept part of the truth, but found out you lied again, I don't see that relationship recovering. If your father wants to try to kill me, well, let him try. He won't get anywhere."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Sure, La'khay can explain everything when we have time, back at camp." She answered. Though, as to Tzirret's next question, La'khay did not have quite as definitive of answers. She rested her head on her hand and gently stroked her own whiskers as she thought about what to tell him. "Well, that is a harder question. In Senchal, La'khay would mate with anyone who had the coin. What you want is different. If you want advice on those...long-term relationships, there are a few in the Champion's pack who could tell you better than this one. But, as for just getting someone to be interested in you, that is easier. You just need to capture her attention. La'khay recommends finding someone you like. Not just a pretty girl, but someone you get along with. Some people would never say yes to you, just because you're not right for each other. See if you can find someone who likes the things you like. Other than that, La'khay can tell you what she likes. Someone who is humorous and confident, this one finds attractive. She likes someone who can pay attention, and won't forget everything she tells them. This one likes to feel beautiful, but just saying 'you're beautiful' isn't enough. Khajiit had heard that thousands of times. You have to be creative. Why don't you try it? Think of ways to tell this one she is beautiful."

Ahnasha sighed and shook her head. "You're right, it is stupid." It seemed like even he knew that he had no reason to keep the secret other than the fact that he had kept it in the first place. It upset her, but nevertheless, she decided just to focus on the real issue he had been wanting to talk about. "Alright, whatever, about this visit. You want to go to Cheydinhal, to see your parents I'm guessing? What exactly do you want to tell them? Obviously you'll be revealing that you're alive, but there's more you have the option of saying. Would you want to tell them about me, your...wife, as you would probably describe me? Would you want them to know that they have a grandson? And of course, there's your lycanthropy."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay grinned and gave an affirmative nod. "Of course, La'khay can teach you anything you like, especially about mating. It is what she knows best. She can tell or...show you how to be as good as you can be. Anything to make you more confident in yourself. Now, just tell La'khay what you want to know." She answered. The way she spoke about it was exceptionally casual, given the subject. While Tzirret was practically paralyzed in his fear, La'khay acted as if her answer was perfectly normal. Certainly, she did not seem to be bothered in the slightest by any of it.

Ahnasha's worries were at least partially satisfied by Fendros' answer, but it was clear that she was still upset. Her first concern had indeed been security, but beyond that, she was still offended by the situation. It made no sense to her why he would want to keep these letters secret from anyone in the pack, let alone his own mate. Even as he started to ask how to go about the meeting, Ahnasha's expression still remained distinctly cross. "Fendros...don't get me wrong, I don't think visiting them is a bad ides, but why in Oblivion didn't you tell me about this? You're exchanging letters with your family for two and a half entire years and you don't think it worthwhile to tell your own mate? Did you not trust me? Did you think that I...actually I can't even really think of an excuse or reason you would want to keep it from me. I don't know if I'm more confused or angry." She responded.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Goodnight.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay leaned herself against the tree as Gallus started to climb it. Though, almost as soon as Gallus was out of earshot, Tzirret slowly and nervously started to speak up. She kept a warm and friendly expression the entire time as she was listening, hoping to lessen his obvious fear. Once he had given his thanks, she responded in Ta'agra. "La'khay does not have to, but it is the least she can do. What your packs did for us is...beyond words. Khajiit does not think you really understand what you...saved us from. Nothing La'khay could ever do would match what you did for us, but she can at least do what she can. It's a shame to see you so nervous like this; you are such a kind young man. La'khay hopes you will find a lass who will appreciate it."

With a grin on her face, La'khay reached out and scratched lightly under Tzirret's chin. "And of course, if you still want to go through with it, La'khay is certainly...eager."

At first, Ahnasha actually liked what Fendros was suggesting. As uncomfortable as it was when she spoke to her family, she had felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders after it was over. Even though she had not shared the whole truth, she felt closure to what she had done to them all those years ago. She was enthusiastic about the idea that Fendros could do the same thing, but as soon as Fendros mentioned that he had been exchanging letters with his sister for years, her expression soured.

"You've been...what? Did you say two years? Do I even..." Ahnasha began, letting out a sigh as she ran her hand down her face. "Do I even need to ask what was in those letters? You know how much of a security risk that could be." Ahnasha protested. The safety of the clan was a top concern for her, and though she knew that others in the clan, such as Sabine, had contact with others across Tamriel, they were not doing it secretly. Ariel was known to be trusted, and from what Ahnasha understood, Meesei made sure that Sabine included no information that could endanger either the clan, or Ariel herself. However, Ahnasha had no idea if Fendros was taking those precautions."

"Hey, um, sorry to interrupt, but...we need to turn south soon...I think. If someone wants to help...me..." Colors began as he stopped between the two, exceptionally nervously. "Actually...actually, you know what, don't worry. I think, uh, I think I'll just go over there and, um, climb that tree...over there. Get our...bearings and everything. You just stay here and keep watch, or, um, you know just keep doing what you're doing...I'll just go over there now...yeah."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay also pat Tzirret's back along with Gallus. "Yes, the most important part is just talking to them at all. If you like, you can always practice on La'khay. Or, if you really want a challenge, Do'ajee." She chuckled.

Gallus' group too experienced difficulty traversing the thicker parts of the forest they were entering. It slowed their pace, but fortunately, Ra'kalesh had accounted for the difficulties the forest itself would present when he advised Meesei on the search pattern. Again, La'khay, as a member of the pride, did not have near as much difficulty navigating. When the forest grew thicker, she guided them through quicker paths through the foliage. At a glance, she could tell exactly which way to push the vines or other flora to move them aside without even needing to cut through them. Evidently, even La'khay had strong knowledge of these wilds.

Eventually, their group had gone far enough East that they were reaching the edge of the area they were meant to search that day. They would need to change direction soon in order to comb over a different part of their search area. "We are going to need to turn...north soon, correct? La'khay asked as they walked along. Although, the tree cover above them currently did somewhat obscure the position of the sun.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Alright, I don't have any more for Sabine, Peiter, Uthri, and S'ajira. Although, I did have a specific event in mind with Gallus' group.

I am also about to eat dinner, so the next one might take a bit longer.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, Kaleeth was the only werecrocodile there until that representative from Black Marsh arrived." Peiter commented. "It doesn't surprise me the children would take interest. Anyway, I'm sure S'ajira is used to finding ways to communicate. Let's just make sure to keep a sharp eye out...or nose, or whatever else we can. We definitely don't want to miss anything important."

As they headed deeper into the forest, the foliage started becoming thick enough that Peiter grabbed his halberd near its head and started using it to cut through the vines and brush ahead of him in some of the thicker spots. There was a veritable cloud of insects buzzing around them, though they at least weren't as bad as the fleshflies of Black Marsh. And of course, the heat was an ever-present annoyance. Only S'ajira seemed to have no trouble maneuvering through the foliage, and her fur protected her from many of the insects.

La'khay grinned widely at both Gallus and Tzirret. "But of course." She said, looking over Tzirret from head to toe. "La'khay will not say you're the most attractive man she's met. You want an honest evaluation, after all. But to say you're not handsome is just you belittling yourself." She said, reaching out her hand and putting it on his cheek. "You have a nice, youthful face. Good structure, especially if you grow out your mane. Your fur is thick and healthy, though one of the big things is the muscles. You're not the strongest lycan, true, but you're still a lycan, and a werewolf at that. Your condition puts a good set of nice, firm muscles on you." She continued. As she spoke, she squeezed his bicep with one hand, while patting his abdomen with the other.

"Werelions don't get as strong of muscles as you werewolves. La'kay thinks your competition in the clan won't be as...strong as you think." She chuckled. "And of course, you have a nice, long, and fluffy tail." Again, she ran her hand gently down her tail with her compliment, followed by a bit more of a mischievous grin. "Give La'khay your loincloth and she'll give you an even more...detailed assessment."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Spreading out in all directions, the groups began their sweep of the surrounding area. They would all need to keep a good account of how far they had been, and their location relative to the camp in order to accurately cover their assigned areas. At the very least, something that none of them were lacking was wilderness experience. As long as they were attentive to their surroundings, they would each be able to determine where the clan wasn't with each sweep of an area.

S'ajira responded with a nod, then gave a brief grunt as she raised her snout up towards the sky. Stopping for only a brief moment, she raised her paw to point to the canopy above them. She was calling attention to the treetops, as it was a potential location for the clan's current hideout.

Peiter too was amused by the interaction between Uthri and S'ajira. Although, he was also rather curious. He wondered how S'ajira managed to get by without the ability to speak. He expected that she was talented in body language, and Jo'rashaad did say she could write. Even so, it was hard for him to come to terms with the fact that she was still Khajiit; her appearance simply threw him off too much.

"No, I can't say it has come up before." Peiter responded to Sabine, shaking his head. "What about you? I wasn't around her all that much at the time or anything, but I seem to remember that Kaleeth had a hard time speaking in her beast form back when you all first arrived at the clan. I think I remember some children talking about her putting on some demonstrations for them."

For La'khay, there was much that she could say to Gallus. She thought it was a shame that Tzirret was such a timid and seemingly depressed young man. It was not randomly that she had mentioned her gratitude to their rescuing packs the previous night. She was genuinely grateful to be out of Vile's clutches, and she wanted nothing more than to return the favor. Many of the others in her pride could provide their aid in combat, but she lacked that ability. She wanted to help build Tzirret's confidence, and had intended to perk him up in the only way she knew how. For the moment, La'khay intended to tell the truth, just not the whole truth.

"Tzirret here wants to find himself a nice Khajiit lass." La'khay explained. "This one thinks he has been watching the two Breton lovers and wants something like that for himself. La'khay has told him he is too kind and handsome to be nervous, but he is stubborn."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It was very difficult for me to keep track in my head of who was going with who, so I just left a few unmentioned and assumed they made it into a team.