EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The rest of the group was fairly clear on their roles, so there was little left to say before they all got into position. Malithus' pack moved around the shop to watch any exits, but made sure not to make it obvious that they were doing so. The streets were more crowded than the previous night, which made it easier for them to find places among the crowd where they would not draw attention to themselves. Although, it would also make it more difficult to tell if any of Vile's hunters or the Thalmor were also on approach.

Nevertheless, everyone who was joining Sabine followed close behind her. Kaleeth had her helmet in her bag, a blade on one hip, and a mace on the other. While she usually carried her shield with a center grip, she had buckled it to her arm for simple convenience while in the city. She kept her expression blank for fear of seeming too friendly, or too threatening. Either extreme would call more attention to her than she wanted at the moment. Colors was also going in with Sabine and Kaleeth, though he was mostly just going to stay back and only comment when needed. The Breton would have an easier time empathizing with Sabine, so she would have a better chance of getting through to him.

A bell rang above the door as the group stepped into the shop. Of course, the sound of heavy metal boots would have been enough to draw attention to the door even without it. The shopkeeper's eyes were immediately drawn to the group, particularly Kaleeth. But, adventurers were not terribly uncommon in the city, so he treated them as any other customers. "Welcome. Feel free to browse, and tell me if you see anything you like." He greeted. There were two other customers browsing the clothing, so Sabine would have to convince the shopkeeper to speak to her in private without making it obvious to the customers that he was a Talos worshiper.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors nodded at Sabine as she started to leave. "If that's what you want, then that's what you want. I'll not argue with you about it." He said, finishing off the last of his wine. "Goodnight, and I...might need a hangover cure at some point. Probably." He did not stay at the table for much longer with no one else to talk to, and instead retired to his room shortly afterwards.

The next morning, the group was quick to start preparing for the day's tasks. True to his word, Colors asked Sabine with help for his headache before even having breakfast. Regardless of how Sabine acted, there was not a single hint of awkwardness from Colors. It was almost as if nothing had happened at all, though after such a long conversation with her, he was a bit more apt to be friendly with her. Still, it was obvious he had felt no sort of surprise or discouragement from her rejection; indeed, he likely had expected it.

The group remained in the inn until Kaleeth was able to make it back to the city, before noon. She had left early that morning, so she had been awake for hours longer than the others. Unsurprisingly, the sight of an armed Argonian warrior in bronzed armor attracted the eyes of nearly every patron in the inn for at least a few moments, but grabbing attention would be her purpose during this confrontation.

Once they were all ready, the group left the inn and started towards the market. Most of them were going to be watching the exits, but for the ones that were going in, they needed to be sure of their roles beforehand. Since Kaleeth had been away the previous night, she had been the first to question Fendros. "So I guess I should stand a bit behind everyone? I probably don't want to be too threatening at first if I don't need to be."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Once more, Colors simply laughed with a considerably more lighthearted tone than the tone that Sabine's brief threat had set. He picked up the pastry and took another bite. "Oh this? It is just a bit of sweet bread, fortunately not stale yet. It contains no moon sugar, or anything of the like. Has the scent of it, yes, but only because it was in the same bag as my other one. I just set it down as an, uh, invitation. A bit of a joke, really. Sometimes, people will 'feel' moon sugar that doesn't exist, just because they think it does."

Colors became a bit more serious, but still certainly friendly. "But yes, I can say that I want to. I can say it without any shame, since you're a beautiful woman I respect. I would love for you to join me in my bed, and be my countess for the night." He said, never breaking eye contact, and his friendly expression never appearing to be non-genuine. It could at least be said that he did not fear her. "I like talking about women because I'm attracted to them. No more complicated than that. I enjoy my time with them. Can't you say the same about the men you've been with? But like I said, I want to speak honestly with you. There is a part of you that feels you would enjoy joining me, yes? Just...really take a moment to think about it. I promise, I won't harass you about this if you don't want me to, if you just answer one question. If, at any point, you want to back out, to quit and go your own way for the night, I guarantee you could do so and I wouldn't stop you. So, would you say there's any harm in trying?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors continued to laugh, despite Sabine snapping at him. "Oh? I said nothing about doing anything of the sort. I was merely...admiring your beauty, as I usually do to those with plenty to spare." He said, a sly grin coming over his face. "You are the one that made the assumption. But...since you've gone ahead and brought up the topic, I don't mind discussing it. True, there are many women in the world to whom I, uh, caress with words. To whom I must place great effort to woo so that we can share in such pleasures. But not you, Sabine. No, because you are different. What is different with you is the...immense respect I hold for you. You deserve nothing less than to have the company of the most genuine and honest side of Sees-No-Colors that exists. With you, I feel we have the maturity to broach this topic directly and with true candor."

When Colors smiled, it was, at the very least, indistinguishable from one that one genuinely friendly. "You see, the world, it uh, places a certain stigma on the carnal pleasures two people can enjoy together. It tries to make us avoid it, but I see many flaws with that. Why should we deny ourselves such things? If you take a moment and think back on it, can you say you've missed the feeling of another's, uh, intimate embrace? There is no requirement to bind such enjoyment to a relationship, and what's more, neither of us have any current loves we would be betraying. I will...I will say clearly that I would never try to force you into it, if such a thing were even possible. But, is there anything wrong with talking about it with mutual respect?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Colors reached forward and grabbed the pastry to take another bite before replacing it. He was not yet showing any obvious signs of the effects of moon sugar, especially since the alcohol's effects were far more obvious. "Well, it sounds to me like you don't have much experience with, uh, experienced men. Peiter was your first, right? I'd assume he'd have gotten better eventually. You ever end up finding someone who could give you a better time than he did?" He asked.

As he awaited Sabine's answer, Color's eyes started to wander over Sabine. He was clearly giving her the same looks as he did to women that he had a particular interest in. Granted, he had a tendency to give the same looks to many women, regardless of his actual intention to pursue them.

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.