EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors leaned back in his chair, thinking over Sabine's answer. The curious grin he had held slowly shifted into one that was notably less innocent. "Hmm, just those three things? But still, to have that magic, to be able to plant emotions into the hearts of others...or yourself. I can think of, uh, certain other feelings I would like to be able to manipulate, perhaps on those long nights where I lack the companionship of others. Oh, or maybe even for the times when I do."

"Have you ever considered using that, um, illusion magic on some more pleasurable feelings? Perhaps to enhance your next tryst with a handsome man?" Colors asked. Regardless of how a conversation developed, his intoxicated mind certainly always seemed to land back on the same few subjects, even moreso than when sober.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The effects of Sabine's spell were at odds with how Colors had been feeling up to the moment she touched him. He had not been angry or upset by any means, but the placid calm she gave him was certainly a stark contrast to the raucous laughter that had preceded it. For a few seconds he sat wide-eyed, staring straight ahead, but did not have time to come to terms with it before his mind returned to its former, drunken state. Given how brief the effect had been, Colors looked more confused than anything else.

"What in Oblivion?" Colors exclaimed, rubbing his head. "My head is spinning, or...was it already spinning? Can you make people feel anything with that magic?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It was taking more for Color to become as intoxicated as Sabine, though he was also drinking more. At this rate, it would not be too long before he would have to get another round for them both. He leaned forward onto the table to give a bit more support to his increasingly-shaky body as he laughed along with Sabine. "Me? In a dress? Well, there is another story I could...maybe tell at some point..." He started, though his voice trailed off as it was replaced with more snickering and laughter.

Colors watched with interest as Sabine's hand lit up with magical energy. Although nothing came of it, she had caught his interest. "Hmm, what're you up to there? I didn't know 'summon countess' was a spell. I'd've been studying magic since before I could walk if I knew that. Or are you don'...somethin' else? I bet you can really...misbehave with that magic of yours. Come on, give me a taste of it." Colors grinned. Although not as far along as Sabine, his speech was becoming notably slow and more slurred.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine may not have been as confident nor fluid of a storyteller as Colors, but he was laughing with her all the same. Her obvious embarrassment caused him to have to take a drink just to force himself to stifle his laughter. Once more, he pointed to her, this time with a grin. "See, I knew you could have some fun if you wanted. You're not nearly as boring as you try to make yourself."

Despite his response, it was uncertain whether or not Colors actually bought Sabine's story. His comment could have referred to her story, or the mere fact that she was willing to tell a story at all. Regardless, after a brief moment to collect himself, Colors reached to the table and grabbed the pastry, broke off a piece for himself, and ate it in one bite. However, he said nothing more about it as he placed it back on the table.

"You could pass for an Argonian with how red you are right now." Colors continued. "Anyways, it would not surprise me to hear that you get plenty of attention from men. You're not quite as untouchable as the Champion herself, but you're still powerful, important, and yes, beautiful. You're like...a princess. If princesses could single-handedly win battles with battle-hardened hunters. If I had your position; well, I daresay I'd be irresistible with all my charm and dashing good looks." He said confidently.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors tapped his claw on the table rhythmically. "Oh, let's see, let's see. Since you seem a bit nervous, I think I shall start with one of my most interesting tales. It is a tale that people do not often believe, but I am telling you it is true. It was when I found my way into the bed of a countess. Well...I don't actually think that was her title, but that's basically what she was. A ruler of the island of Stros M'kai. You see, this fair lady had a certain taste for the exotic. Her husband was a dreadfully dull bureaucrat, and she had taken to the company of men with scales and fur. All in secret, of course. I had to piece all of this together after the fact based on rumors I heard. Anyways, I had heard there were a few beautiful and, uh, valuable statuettes in the palace garden, so I managed to sneak my way over the wall and was delighted to find no guards awaiting me. I did not realize at the time, but the countess had cleared them out so she could meet with a certain guest."

Colors paused to take a drink. His story was certainly sounding far-fetched, but if he was lying, then he was doing a fine job of maintaining a confident demeanor. "Instead of her intended guest, however, the countess found me. I was clumsy and she spotted me. I was sure I was going to be arrested on the spot, so imagine my surprise when she greeted me not with a call for guards, but with a kiss on the snout. You see, she had never met the Argonian she had sent for to meet that day, so she assumed me to be him. I was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I shared some...quality time in that garden with that fair Redguard. Naturally, it came to an end when the Argonian she had called for finally arrived. It was perhaps a lapse in judgment on her part, but in her anger and confusion, she called for the guard on me, and in doing so, revealed her infidelity. The chaos that ensued was enough for me to slip back over the wall and flee into the city with naught but the scales on my back."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Colors leaned back in his chair and grinned at Sabine, eagerly awaiting her response. All the while, he maintained an expression that gave no hints to his honesty.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors held his hand over his chest. "Why, you offend me. My honor is, well..." He began, but was not able to keep a straight face for long. "...well, perhaps honor isn't the right word. Then I promise on the immense debt of gratitude that I owe, and will always owe, you and your pack."

When Sabine pointed to the pastry, Colors a simple shrug. "Perhaps, though I am not particularly in the mood for it. You may have it, or you may not. Perhaps it will just be a decoration for our table?"

Though Sabine had asked about the pastry, Colors was quick to move on to a new topic, after starting on his new drink in earnest. "Since we are without means to partake in any misbehavior right now ourselves, perhaps we should settle for simple stories of debauchery instead? I am sure you must have some tales from your live worth sharing. I would be eager to hear."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors' good spirits did not fade in the slightest with Sabine's hesitation. Instead, he just chuckled. "Well, it's not like you shall remain drunk all night. These drinks would wear off well-before the morning, with a good night's sleep. And with you here, it wouldn't even affect us in the morning. I mean, you did just finish telling me how you have been curing hangovers since before you left your coven, yes?"

Colors still did not make any mention of the pastry, nor did he even look at it. He did not suggest that she take a bite, nor did he as her to ignore it. It was simply sitting there. "You'll come to no harm from it, nor will anyone else. As much fun as it might be, I do agree that it would not be wise to get into too much trouble tonight, in the midst of a mission. We'll not even leave the inn. Just some drinks, stories, and the...pleasant company of friends. You have it on my honor that we'll do nothing to interfere with our purpose here in Evermore. Now, without any risks like that, can you really say that there's a good reason not to enjoy yourself? So, a toast?" He asked, raising his cup up towards her.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It really depends upon one's definition of bad.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Finishing off the last of his drink, Colors started to laugh quite genuinely. "That is what you consider crazy? Oh, Sabine, Sabine. You are one of the most important people among any of our clans, but it saddens me to hear of how dreadfully dull your daily life must be. Oh, the stories I could tell you about my time making the rounds through Tamriel's ports...defacing statues with paint and undergarments in the middle of the night, stealing pigs and letting them loose in the middle of the count's court, climbing out of lovely women's windows before we found ourselves discovered. All sorts of experiences I wouldn't trade for any amount of gold. I mean, after all, does anyone's accomplishments really matter in the end if they can't say they enjoyed the life they lived?"

Colors pointed his finger at Sabine. "You deserve some excitement. You deserve to be able to let loose, to give in to all your desires and not have to keep yourself so contained. You need to...misbehave every once in a while. You can still fulfill all your duties, carry out all your research, but feel free to have some fun too."

Colors reached into his satchel and pulled out a pastry, not unlike the one he had showed them heading into town. He placed it in the middle of the table, but made no comment about it. He simply left it there without a word as he stood up. "I'm going to get us some more drinks, and I'll hear no arguments about it."

It took Colors only a few minutes to return after he left, with two more drinks in hand. Both came in tall cups, though the one he placed in front of Sabine was different this time. "Here you are. A local wine; a pretty reasonably strong staple of Evermore, according to the bartender."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors was close to finishing his drink. Despite the fact that their current topic was not exactly uplifting, he was still keeping his spirits reasonably high. "Yeah, it would be hard not to miss them after spending so long there. They took me in when I had no one else. Everything after that battle, after you went your separate ways, it was hectic. Tumultuous. Losing Do'ajee, Ri'kalesh taking over the clan, but we all stayed as a pride even through it all. It just ended up that my place in the clan would take me away from them all. But, I do at least have my crew, and unlike others I've had, I'm going to have them for a while. But, I do think I at least kind of know what you're going through now. Back before I became a lycan, my crew was a lot more fluid, so to speak. I never really knew from one voyage to the next who would be staying on, or who would be moving on to some new job. People were always getting replaced, hired, kicked off the ship. There were few I could really rely on to stick with me. I guess it's kind of the same for you. You have for pack, but everything else in your life is kind of hectic."

Leaning forward onto the table, Colors had a smile that was both encouraging and confident. "But, you don't have to let that discourage you too much. I remember very well how I dealt with that. I remember almost every time we went to port, I would find a promising looking tavern near the docks. A place filled with sailors in just the same kind of position as me. We'd have our fill of mead, ale, or whatever else they had on tap, and on those nights, strangers could become the best of friends. Some of the best times of my life happened with people I knew I'd probably never see again. We all knew that we wanted to get the most out of the break we had, so it didn't matter if we didn't even know each others' names. Made it easier for us to find trouble, but it was the kind of trouble you end up looking back fondly on for years to come. Even if you can see your friends all the time, you can still find ways to live your life on the road. The opportunities might be rare for you, but that's all the more reason to jump on them when you find them. What would you say the craziest thing you've done over the last few years has been?"