EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"That is the amount I would offer anyone who could bring me a permanent solution to this weapon." Meesei responded. While it was true that she expected Ariel would have the best chance of creating a cure, she would reward anyone else who could complete that task as well. "I will admit, forfeiting that amount would have a definite impact on us, even if I source the coin from multiple clans, but the cost of not curing this poison is far, far greater than every single coin in every clan's coffers combined. Anything I can do to motivate a quick and effective antidote for the poison, I will do."

Suddenly, fear was not the only thing on Rukeewei's mind. The talk of the reward had rendered him speechless for a short time, and while he was still unmistakably afraid, he was now willing to talk about more than just his fear. "So you will pay us ten thousand septims, and all my wife has to do is make a potion?"

"I imagine it will be a more complicated task than that, but essentially, yes. However, to be able to work on it effectively, she will need to be able to join us in Skyrim for at least a year's time, unless she devises an antidote sooner. Just to compensate her for the work, I can offer to pay all of the debts both you and Ariel have in the city, and help make sure your businesses remain stable in that time." Meesei explained.

Rukeewei stared ahead blankly, his expression doing little to hide the conflict within him. "That is...a lot of coin. But, what will all of this entail?" He began, turning to Ariel and grabbing her hand in both of his. "I don't want to lose you for a whole year. Even more with travel. To imagine you across the world, surrounded by lycans...I would worry myself to death."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rukeewei did not exactly settle, but again, he did not run. He gripped Ariel's hand tightly, looking over Sabine in particular with a mix of fear and suspicion. "How do you know? They say the moons make them go crazy; how do you know its safe?"

"We are always very aware of the moons. Even if you cannot trust my word, the moons will not be full for almost another month, regardless. You are not in any danger from us right now. You will never be in any danger from us." Meesei said reassuringly.

Rukeewei remained steady, though his tone was at least slightly calmer. "Just...what do you want with Ariel? What kind of help do you want from her?"

Meesei was calm and diplomatic, and made sure to stay calm in her voice. She could see there was a chance of getting through to him, so she did not want to make any mistakes. "Alchemical help, naturally. There is a poison that is a great danger to us, which is being used by our enemies. Ariel is one of the few people who stands a very good chance of being able to develop an antidote. We would like her help. We can offer considerable financial help in return, and I can even offer a large reward for a completed antidote."

"What kind of reward to you mean?" Rukeewei asked hesitantly.

Meesei responded in an almost matter-of-fact tone. "Ten thousand septims."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Though Ariel had so far been brief in her explanation, Rukeewei’s mood started to turn just as quickly. It was just a few seconds after Ariel mentioned that they were lycanthropes that his eyes widened and he became distinctly nervous. He shifted in his chair and looked as if he were ready to bolt up and flee at any moment.

Rukeewei responded in Jel as his emotions started to naturally take over. ”Wait, lycanthropes? Aren’t…aren’t they those crazy cursed beast people that go around eating people? I don’t…that doesn’t sound…”

Before Rukeewei could build up too many thoughts in his mind, Meesei intervened to at least make an attempt of settling him down. “That would be the popular conception of us, but there is only a partial truth in it. Feral lycans, those without any training, discipline, or experience, can be just as you describe. But, for those like us, we are organized and…civilized. We do not attack common travelers on the road, or raid farmsteads to kill families. We are just people with a complicated condition.”

Meesei’s words had mostly only seemed to prevent Rukeewei from running out of the room. It was not as simple as just a few words to dispel what was quite literally thousands of years of myths and traditions. Rukeewei’s eyes were darting around the room and he was breathing as if in a panic. Meesei could smell the fear on his very breath.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The rooms could potentially provide some privacy, though Meesei would be sure that the rest of her pack kept an eye out in the main room to ensure that no one was listening in. Even Meesei had to admit that it was a level of caution bordering on paranoia, as it was highly unlikely that anyone would be following them or otherwise eavesdropping. However, for matters as important as this, she was beyond careful.

Meesei headed into her own room, signaling for Sabine to join her, Ariel, and Rukeewei inside. Rukeewei was mostly confused as to what they could need to talk about that would require such secrecy, but he went along with them. There was not much furniture in the room, aside from a small table, so Meesei took a seat on the side of her bed as she waited for the others to join her.

"I have to say, I didn't really expect anything serious like this out of your visit. Is there something wrong, or..." Rukeewei began, looking to Meesei questioningly.

"That is actually something of a complicated question. There is nothing immediately wrong with any of us, no. We are all safe and in good health, but we are in danger. One of the greatest reasons we came here was for something you might consider a business offer. We spoke with Ariel about this earlier, but as this involves her, it also involves you as well. Do you want to start, Ariel?" Meesei asked, reasoning that Ariel would know best how to reveal everything to her husband.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Also, I'm finding myself rather busy today, so my post may be a bit delayed.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I don't have anything else in mind for Gallus until one of the others can speak to him, so you can do as you will.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I agree that discussing it with one of the more major characters would probably be more meaningful. Meesei would be able to explain the context of Argonian culture to him. Though, I suppose Cuts could also do the same thing. Regardless, having Gallus talk to both Cuts and Meesei would probably just end up repeating the conversation.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Did you want to have me continue to post for Cuts, or have Gallus have a conversation with someone else about it later down the line?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I can certainly imagine that would be difficult." Meesei commented. "Your poison would have to be able to differentiate between the Hist and other plants. The Hist are fundamentally different from any any other living thing on Nirn, but they are still physically plants. I am personally curious how you solved that issue."

The conversation went on for a while as the pack exchanged stories and questions with Ariel and Rukeewei. Despite being bored by mundane city life, even Lorag found topics he could chime in on. It was only after they had their lunch that Meesei started to feel that they should focus on the more serious business they had.

"Rukeewei, Ariel, do you think there is a more private place we could talk about our other business here?" Meesei asked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei smiled. "That would actually be something I am educated on. Your children, no matter the race of your partner, will always be Breton first and foremost. A child always takes the race of the mother. Personally, it is not clear to me how an Argonian is even able to have a child with anyone other than an Argonian, but I suppose the Hist would have something to do with that. They did create us."

Rukeewei was increasingly uncomfortable with the topic of the conversation, mostly because he did not want to have said conversation publicly. Fortunately for him, Ariel changed the topic fairly quickly. Ahnasha was the first to answer. "It's quite nice, remote, and safe. Best attributes for any home for us. I really wish I could talk more about it. Suffice to say there is plenty of room for all of us."

"Yeah, place is gigantic." Lorag added. "Neighbors aren't always friendly, but..." He began, giving a grin and a quick glance towards Rukeewei. "...they're good to go hunting with."

---

Cuts shook his head. What had transpired was uncomfortable enough that he would have liked to avoid talking about it at all, but that was probably unreasonable to expect. "No, no rituals. For an Argonian, returning to the Hist is just...what happens. Unless something can claim our souls, we return to the Hist and are later reborn. We don't keep our memories or anything, of course, but I guess most of our souls are pretty old. He really did just want to end his suffering and return to them, I think. The way you talked about it back there was..." He started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "...kinda very offensive. We don't really see death like Imperials, or most anyone else."