EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Despite his confidence, Hiritus reacted to the pain of being beaten just as most others would. He did not take the hits without the accompanying groans or coughs, and his expression easily showed the pain. However, even with that, he was still ever defiant once there was a break in the attacks.

"So, you do have some spirit. Did I hit on a nerve?" He said, pausing to spit out some of the blood pooling in his mouth. "How will your master react to learning her dog is misbehaving? You think she'll put you on a leash as punishment? Heh, or maybe that's exactly what you want? You do strike me as the submissive type..."

---

Ahnasha looked down at Rhazii sternly. "If you're good, Rhazii, I'll find you another sweetroll, but only if you're good. Keep acting up, and you'll be heading straight back to our room after this, are we clear?"

Looking back to Fendros, Ahnasha shrugged her shoulders. "Really? That's all a bit hard to believe, honestly. I mean, a little girl gives her a necklace and all the sudden she's no longer a hateful bigot? I have a hard time accepting that. There must be some other reason for her to suddenly approach you like that. Maybe she wants something from you? I don't know what it could be, but...there has to be something. Perhaps Gallus forced her to come talk to you? Whatever it is, I'd rather just stay away from her, myself."

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Well, Ssarak might be able to help more directly now. The ridge hounds aren't focusing on the Naga, so he is free to step away for a moment and help with their flank.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

<Snipped quote by EliteCommander>

At least he neutralized the threat instead of just refusing it. I couldn't think of any way to use the thing without leaving me open to attack from ridge hounds and demons and shit too. I gotta keep firmly pointed in that direction.

@Freeshooter92

The doppelganger was bringing it around behind the shapeshifter, so it would attack the shapeshifter by default, simply because it is closer.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hiritus had to pause only briefly to conjure up more creative ways to avoid answering Gallus' question. "Well, I really like Surilie Brothers wine, the classic works of Rythe Lythandas, moonlit walks on the beach, and the color blue. Oh, wait, you asked about my goals. No, I'm afraid I don't have anything to say about that. I'm not going to be giving you any bones to carry back to your master; sorry if that means you don't get a treat." He taunted.

---

Ahnasha seemed at least moderately frustrated when Fendros grabbed her attention, though it did not seem to be directed at him. Rather, she held an equally annoyed Rhazii in her arms who was staring intently at a sweetroll with a single, small bite taken out of it.

"Oh, sorry, I've kind of had my hands full here. Rhazii has had his eyes set on that sweetroll, but I can smell the moon sugar on it. Getting him to eat a cut of mutton and some leeks with that thing nearby has been like pulling teeth. He managed to get a bite out of it when I wasn't looking. Anyway, I didn't hear too much, just a few bits here and there. Though, I have no idea why she'd want to talk to either of us to begin with. I heard something about a wedding; did she actually manage to find someone who would put up with her or something?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Hmph, now you know that wouldn't be effective." Meesei responded as she walked around behind Hiritus, scraping her claws roughly across his back. "Now, I know with certainty I could break him. I can cause pain in ways he could never hope to imagine, but I also know he would simply lie to make it stop. If we want the truth, he will need some motivation.

Hiritus leaned his head back to look up at Meesei. "Motivation, eh? I'll take some gold, a few bottles of ale, and an evening with a voluptuous woman. I still won't tell you anything, but it would all be very motivating."

Meesei shook her head. "No, I believe I have something else in mind. Gallus is right about one thing: you are not going to talk...for now. But, I have a suspicion that you will talk for the sake of your friends. Myself and Ri'vashi here are going to have a conversation with a few of them. Gallus, stay here and see if he has a change of heart." Meesei ordered before starting to step out of the room with Ri'vashi.

---

"Yes...the truth." Irenya repeated, once again looking away. Upon the suggestion that she speak to Ahnasha, her expression grew tense and she shifted uncomfortably in place.

After a few more, silent moments, Irenya stood back up to her feet. "I could talk to her...later. I think I've...taken up too much of your time for now. Yes, I should get back to my duties. Good luck in finding a priest." She said, not so much as waiting for a response before turning away.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Meesei commented to Gallus as she walked around the prisoner. "He will die, yes, but there are worse things than death. If you cooperate with us, Hiritus, I will allow you to die on your own term. Painlessly, with your soul going wherever you like. If you fail to cooperate, however, I will be sure to capture your soul and use it to enchant a cheese knife. Do you know what happens to one's soul when it is used to enchant an item?"

Hiritus gave a single huff. "Oh, that's a tough one. Let's see, does it...go into the item?"

"Yes and no. The soul's energy goes into the item, yes, but the remainder of it, the essence of who you are? It goes to a place called the Soul Cairn, a desolate place of eternal torment for those unfortunate enough to find themselves there." Meesei explain.

"Hmm, doesn't sound much worse than the hunting grounds, or Vile's realm for those who've failed him, so...I'll be fine staying silent, thank you." Hiritus responded defiantly.

---

"That...is sensible, yes. It's just...the things I have always been told about the Dunmer and the Khajiit, as well as the Argonians. It feels like it has all been lies. It all seemed true enough in Senchal, with the thieves, outlaws, and skooma users on the streets, but nothing else since then has made sense." Irenya explained.

Irenya looked directly at Fendros, finally seeming somewhat confident in making eye contact. "After thinking on this for so long, I just did not want to leave things between us, and your...mate, as they were last time we spoke."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As the three entered the cell, they found the Imperial bound against the wall, much as the Argonian had been. All of the impostor's companions had the scent of lycans, but they did not know for certain how many actually possessed the condition. Regardless, they chained them all as if they were lycanthropes out of caution. The Imperial had been sleeping as they entered, but started to stir as soon as the cell door was closed.

Meesei had questioned the Imperial briefly the previous night, but had only managed to learn his name. "Hiritus, wake up." Meesei ordered.

Hiritus let out a long, exaggerated yawn before looking up at Meesei with disinterest. "Oh, it's the important mongrel..." He began, glancing to Gallus and Ri'vashi. "...and her sycophants. To what do I owe the displeasure?" He said with a sarcastically polite tone.

"You know well what we want. What were your goals here, and who do you report to?" Meesei asked.

"Yeah, yeah, can we just skip the whole interrogation thing? We both know that's not going to work. Let's just skip to the part where you try to torture it out of me, then I can get back to sleep." Hiritus answered dismissively.

---

Irenya did not immediately accept the notion that she had been kind to the Khajiit, nor deserved any kindness from them. "I was just...performing my duties. My role was to ensure the health and well-being of the clan to expedite our journey. I was just doing what I was supposed to do; I did not need nor want gifts or gratitude. I tried explaining it to the girl, but she wouldn't listen. None of them would listen."

Again, there was another pause as Irenya finally finished off the remainder of her meal, after which she looked at him somewhat indirectly. "Are they all like this?"

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Hmm, I did not expect Grey to squander the distraction. I'll need to figure out what to have Ssarak do.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I'm about to head to bed. Goodnight.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, either would be acceptable, but I believe the second would be more likely to work. You could make him think you are dissatisfied with your subordinate position. Likely, it would be best to go through a few sessions of interrogation before letting on to that idea, but it could lower his guard. He might begin to see you as a vector of escape." Meesei explained. The three started to walk in the direction of the Imperial's cell, while still keeping their voices down.

"Now, if you find this plan agreeable, we should all head in together, question him for a short while, then we will leave you alone with him. Are you comfortable with trying it?" Meesei asked.

---

Irenya had enough discomfort in her expression that she almost looked like she was in pain. When she started to speak, she did so slowly, and without making eye contact with Fendros. "Because...these people are not what I expected. The clan, both of them, they're not...they're not like I was told. It's...confusing. I expected to be met with hostility, with anger, but...the clan hasn't been like that. The only ones who have given me any trouble are those former Thalmor soldiers."

Pausing a moment, Irenya pulled a small object out of her pouch. It appeared to be either a small necklace, or a large bracelet, which was made of string threaded through the teeth of a small animal. "During our travels, a little Khajiit girl, about nine or ten, likely, twisted her ankle. It was nothing serious, and I treated it when requested, but then she just...gave this to me. It's just some trinket, not very well made, but...it looked like it was quite literally the only thing she owned, and she just gave it to me with that...disturbing feline smile."