EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei did not only return Lunise's smile; she also stepped up to her and embraced her with a quick hug and a kiss. They had to keep their relationship a secret the majority of the time, but whenever Meesei was afforded the opportunity, she was eager to show her affection. "Indeed I have. I returned to Skyrim for a few hours to complete a particular...project I had in mind. A gift, for you."

As Meesei gave her explanation, she reached into a pouch on her belt and retrieved a small, gold ring. It was not an exorbitantly expensive item by any means, but neither was it a simple, cheap ring that mages often chose when enchanting jewelry for a practical purpose. It had a single ruby at its center, with a few simple designs etched around it. When Meesei placed it in Lunise's hand, she would feel the unmistakable charge of an enchantment within it. "Many years ago, I used an enchantment to bind two rings together, and used it to track down a traitor. Although, it only worked across a short distance, relative to the size of Tamriel. Since then, however, my research into teleportation has allowed me to improve that design."

The enchantment that Meesei had placed into the ring was a simple, modified version of the enchantments she placed on her propylon chambers. It, of course, did not have the capacity to teleport a person, but its enchantment bound it to the other ring she had selected to be its counterpart, which she also pulled from her pouch a moment later. It was not identical to the ring she had given Lunise, but it was also a gold and ruby ring. "These two rings are bound together, and will remain bound together across any distance. With that bond, I am able to form a connection with the location of the other ring, just as if I were able to visualize it. Essentially, for as long as you have that ring, I will be able to teleport to you."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

For much of the next day, Meesei spent her time with Areldril, Lunise, and Marod refining their plans for the coming days. Areldril gave a detailed account of everything he knew about Vile and his plans, along with his own suggestions for how to proceed. They would, of course, need more than just the Rueful axe to invade Vile's realm, but it was a vital piece of the puzzle. Since Meesei's pack was the most free to act, and did not require approval from the superiors that Marod and Lunise were bound to, it was decided that her pack could undertake the task of searching for the axe. It would not be easy to find, but Areldril was able to give a few leads as to where it might be. Marod and Lunise also agreed to give whatever assistance they could, once they were able.

The three also discussed what to do about the Thalmor documents, and Areldril himself. Meesei maintained that it would be unsafe for the Thalmor to know that the documents had been recovered, or that Areldril had been found. She recommended reporting the mission as a failure and allowing Areldril to be taken somewhere safe and hidden.

For the remainder of the day, Meesei also had her own, personal project that she was in something of a rush to complete. Luckily, she had all of the knowledge in her mind on how to complete it. She simply had to find the time to teleport herself back to her chambers in Blackreach in order to retrieve the supplies she would need to create it. She had managed to do so as discretely as possible, so as not to raise any questions among anyone else, even her own pack.

It was near dark by the time Meesei was able to make it back to Bravil. To ensure her return was subtle, she had to open her portal to a place outside the city, then walk back in on foot. Fortunately, she had been gone long enough that no one who saw her realized that she had never actually walked out to begin with. She made her way into the castle, then straight to Lunise's room without any distractions. Meesei maintained a professional demeanor for as long as she walked through the halls, but her business with Lunise was quite personal. She knocked on Lunise's door, and could not help but to smile.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I don't think there is anything more I really have to accomplish for the current day. There is one quick thing I will have Meesei do before they leave Bravil, but otherwise I am ready to move ahead to the next part. I think when they head back to the Blackreach clan, I will only have us play out the meeting with the leaders, and summarize everything else.

Is there anything else you would find important to play out before they leave Bravil?

Also, I think I am tired enough that I need to get to bed. And probably not the fake kind of tired where I still post anyways.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Julan shrugged his shoulders. "I mean...I don't know." He answered, actually quite honestly. He was not sure what to make of the situation. He had no personal experience with romance, and had only recently started feeling any desire for it. He did not understand why Rhazii would apparently want to be the mate to someone they had just met, and he did not know what to say about it.

Kaleeth glanced back at the children behind them. While she had been talking to Janius, she had heard them when their voices raised behind them. However, they had been quiet enough that she had not quite been able to understand what was being said. Although, Janius had better hearing than her, so she was not sure what he might have heard. "Is there anything wrong back there?" Kaleeth asked.

---

Meesei did not say another word as she stood up from her bed and walked up slowly behind Lunise. She placed her hands on her shoulders and rubbed them gently as she leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I am going to go walk down to the barracks and tell my pack I am back. I am going to let them see that I am safe, so they are not concerned about me being away all night, then I am going to tell them that I have some more work to do tonight, and that I will probably be back in the morning. Then, I am going to come back here." She explained, softly but clearly.

Meesei gave Lunise a kiss on the cheek, then turned away towards the door. Despite Lunise's general tendency for caution, she was not expecting any objections.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Potions? I guess, then...I mean..." Julan stammered, still surprised by Rhazii's admission. He was aware of the uses of alchemy for a variety of forms of protection, but, although he had been educated about it, he was not yet at a point in his life where he would need to apply that knowledge. Rhazii, however, was a few years older, and at their age, those few years meant quite a lot in terms of their maturity.

With Rhazii's reassurances, Julan was now significantly calmer, though no less confused. "I guess there's nothing to worry about, but...you kissed her?" He repeated, though he did not actually expect an answer. The real concern now was whether or not his parents had overheard them.

---

As Lunise started to speak in her normal, proper tone, Meesei looked around towards the door and walls. She lifted up one hand, which started to glow lightly with an alteration spell. She was magically exhausted from creating the portal, but there was still enough left in her for a simple life detection spell. It had enough range that she could pick up more than just Lunise, but she saw nothing that concerned her. "There is no one nearby, you need not worry." Meesei said reassuringly.

When Lunise mentioned her bed, Meesei leaned back, supporting her upper body with her hands and grinning at Lunise. "Indeed. While the beds in the barracks are far from terrible...these castle walls simply do not insulate. It just gets so chilly in that room. Personally, I much prefer to have something to keep my bed warm."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Wait, you kissed her? Why would you kiss her? I thought only mates did that?" Julan remarked, not even thinking about the prospect of infection before Rhazii mentioned it. Although, once Rhazii did say the word, it quickly became all that Julan could think about. At his age, he had been given at least a basic education about what his body would be going through at his age, and how it related to more romantic matters. For lycans, it was particularly important for them to understand, as biting someone was far from the only way they could inadvertently spread their condition.

"You just kissed her, but...you smell a lot like her. And lycanthropy can spread through, what is it...saliva. What if she had a cut in her mouth or something? What if she did get infected? If...if that happened, she'd transform. She wouldn't know what to do. She'd kill my aunt, she'd kill my grandparents. She'd kill them all." By this point, Julan looked as if he was on the verge of panicking. He looked almost desparate as he turned his head back to Rhazii. "Are you sure she isn't infected?"

---

Meesei chuckled. "Oh, I don't think you need them." As much as she enjoyed being dressed so intimately by Lunise, it did signify that their evening together was coming to an end. Meesei decided to return the same favor to Lunise and "help" her with her clothes, though her Thalmor uniform did not take quite as long to put on as Meesei's dress. While it was proper and stylish, the uniform was also designed to be a functional, practical garment. The enchantments it carried made it into just as much of a tool as it was clothing.

After they were both dressed and had collected their belongings, Meesei started her work on their portal home. They had spent most of their time together in the water, so their scents were not too strong on one another. At least no more than one might expect from two people who had spent the day in close proximity. Of course, Meesei was not terribly concerned about either her pack or Marod discovering the truth, since the truth would be the very last thing that any of them would have suspected they had been doing for the day. If Meesei said the truth out loud to them, they would probably assume it to be a joke at first.

This portal was no less magicka-consuming than the first, but fortunately, Meesei had been given plenty of time to recover from the last one. When the magical charge in the air reached it peak, Meesei ripped open the portal. It was bright enough to light up the whole beach in a deep red glow, and just as before, Meesei could only keep it open for a short time. As such, she grabbed Lunise's hand and pulled her through with her.

Meesei had taken Lunise back to the castle in Bravil, though not to the exact same spot they had left from. Instead, Meesei had opened the portal within the room that Lunise had claimed. Just as Meesei had expected, there was no one else in the room when they arrived, so Meesei did not need to worry about putting on any kind of act.

Obviously fatigued, Meesei did not take long to take a seat on the edge of Lunise's bed. Even now that they were back, Meesei was still not in a hurry to leave. She assumed that the door was locked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth leaned herself slightly against Janius as they walked. "You don't have to put on an act to be strong like that. It's just who you are. Strong, firm when you need to be, nice when you need to be. As a father, you are fair and compassionate. As a warrior, you are fierce and frightening. As a mate, you are loving and supportive. I was nervous and uncertain going into that meeting with them, but looking back on it, I don't think there's any other way it could have gone. It didn't really matter if you were or weren't part of some special Imperial group, he was proud of you because you became someone to be proud of."

Given how close he was walking to Rhazii, Julan was able to make his whisper soft enough that only his sharp, lycan ears had a chance of understanding him. "Well, I want to know why you were acting so weird back there. The both of you. Apparently it was something you can get in trouble for? And why do you smell so much like Jatinha? You know, the rest of the pack will definitely smell that if they start paying attention to it."

---

Meesei shook her head. "No, you do not look much like an Argonian. It is interesting to think of how I must look just as exotic to you as you do to me." In the aftermath of their kiss, they were holding each other quite close, as they had been for the better part of the last few hours by this point. Whatever physical differences they had between them, they certainly did not drive them apart in any sense of the word. "And I would not downplay the passion that you bring to a kiss, among...other things. That fire of determination you have in your professional life still burns strong in anything else you do."

"And I...appreciate you giving me a chance, Lunise. I have been around Altmer long enough to know what this can mean for you. With how they see me, with how they would see us, I know how severely this could destroy your life, without even considering what the Thalmor would do. With how lycan clans bring together so many different types of people, bonds between races are not terribly uncommon. I would not face the same shame they would place onto you. There is a part of me that feels guilty for placing this burden on you. And an even greater part of me that finds it exceptionally romantic. It is one of the many reasons I have discovered to admire you, and no small part of the reason that I am attracted to you. You certainly have your appealing physical features; your wide hips, smooth skin, your shapely breasts. But, between Argonians, attraction carries a distinctly spiritual element. Our minds are linked on a basic level by the Hist, so we can feel each other's minds on an instinctual level. That becomes just as strong of an element of attraction than one's physical form. You may not be connected to the Hist, but through your actions and your words, you could say I have seen into your mind. I have seen the person you really are, beneath the deceptive facades that your profession has cultivated. What I have seen is beautiful. You say I was exaggerating before, but when I look at you, I really do speak truly when I say that you are one of the most gorgeous women I have ever laid eyes upon." Meesei said with no hint of hesitation.

Another, somewhat mischievous grin came across Meesei's face. "I will not mince words. The only reason that I do not tackle you to the ground right now and mate with you under the moonlight for another two hours straight is because I acknowledge that we do have to return to Bravil somewhat soon."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth smiled, though she actually looked somewhat embarrassed at Janius' complement. "Well, I've learned a lot about keeping up an act over the years. I've had plenty of examples to go on. You, Meesei, Ahnasha. I even took that Justiciar, of all people, as inspiration. It just...didn't seem like your father would respond to someone being passive. He seems like the kind of person who likes to be in charge of people. Not too different from my father, really. You have to be able to stand up to him, or he'll just walk all over you. I'm just glad we didn't have to stay so hostile forever. I'd much rather get along than act like some heartless Imperial agent."

Julan was not intent on allowing Rhazii the chance to get out of living up to his word. After they got back to the keep, they would probably be heading straight to bed, so he saw talking to Rhazii now, while his parents were distracted, was as good of a time as any. He walked up close beside Rhazii and looked up to him, silently but expectantly.

---

Meesei chuckled lightly. "I have learned not to underestimate your creativity, certainly. Strangely enough, that was not a form of Altmer magic that was mentioned too frequently in the texts I have studied. Though, do not think you have exhausted my particular cleverness. I have some tricks of my own that you might find...interesting. Hmm, you know, I expect quite a few challenges between us in the future. Friendly ones, of course. We are two mages who simply do not like to be outdone. Granted, it is not only magic that I have experience with. I would say that my lifestyle has given me a connection with the more carnal elements of life. I have complete control of my mind, of course, but there is something about pure, raw instinct that is...captivating. Invigorating. I think I might find a way to share that experience with you, even without you being a lycan."

"Personally, I find myself curious of the opinion of a Justiciar on having an Argonian mate. It would not surprise me if you were the first. I know for a fact that you are pleased with it, so do not even try to downplay it. I can, in the most literal sense, smell it on you." Slowly, Meesei wrapped her tail forward around Lunise's left leg.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It was not the first time in the evening that Aurana had given Kaleeth an emotion-filled hug, but she returned it all the same. Any hint of anxiety was gone from Kaleeth at this point. They had all been getting along quite well for a few hours now. Though, Kaleeth had to admit that she was becoming at least mildly agitated by Aeramina's endless talking. It was not as if Kaleeth did not enjoy being sociable, but there was something about the topics that she chose and the way she talked about them that could not hold Kaleeth's interest. She supposed it was because their drastically different backgrounds meant that they had little in common. Regardless, Kaleeth maintained her friendliness towards both Aeramina and Remus through their farewells.

Aurana's hug prevented Julan from paying close attention to Rhazii and Jatinha, as he had been doing since they left her room. He did faintly hear some words of Ta'agra, but did not understand them. It was not a language he had been taught, so he could recognize only a handfull of words he had heard Rhazii use in the past. Nevertheless, he refocused back on Aurana. "And I'm really glad it all worked out right. If I ever get to come back and see you, I'm going to teach you how to swim." He said with a smile.

---

Meesei nodded down at Lunise. "Indeed, my first non-Argonian partner, in fact. I have been alone for, well, the majority of my life, in terms of romance. I would not say I have truly had a partner since before I left my village. The last was an Argonian woman, and the person I was considering marrying for a time. No doubt my life today would be unrecognizable had I accepted that offer."

Acknowledging that they did have to leave the beach eventually, Meesei finally stood up to her feet and extended her hand down to help up Lunise. Though, Meesei still could not help but to remain close. As soon as Lunise was on her feet, Meesei had her arms around her, with her hands resting low on her hips. "Overall, I cannot say I am disappointed. Your skin is soft, your body nice and warm. And you may not be a lycan, but you are certainly in good shape. Hair is...new to me, but not unwelcome."

Meesei hesitated a moment as a thought came to her mind. "And speaking of lycanthropy...it would be quite unlikely for the condition to spread between two women in such a manner, but seeing as you have just bedded a werewolf, I feel I should make sure you have not contracted the condition. There is no need to worry, even if you have. Unless one drinks, or otherwise contacts, a large amount of infected blood, then it takes about three days for the condition to set in. In that time, it is as easily curable as any other common disease."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Julan had remained attentive to the conversation, but he was also particularly eager to leave when Aurana mentioned it. Although, he tried to make it at least seem like he was not that eager. "Oh, yeah, we probably should get back. It's, um, getting late. I'd...love to stay as long as we can, but I don't know how long my parents want to stay here."

Julan had already been standing, so he walked out of the cramped room and into the hall. For the sake of his brother, he tried not to act suspicious in any way that would make it seem like he wanted to leave. Whatever happened, it was apparently something that could get Rhazii in trouble, though Julan was still trying to figure out what that could be. Julan gave Rhazii a short look as he stepped out of the room. He hoped that Rhazii would pull him aside soon to explain everything.

---

"Oh, I know precisely what it takes. Ahnasha conferred with me over the years enough that I was able to keep up with what she was doing." Meesei explained. "It requires souls, is the short answer. Most associate the practice with the black souls of mortals, but from my understanding, strong enough white souls of powerful creatures serve the same purpose. They are simply more difficult to acquire. But, you are correct. Until Vile is dealt with, there is no point in setting such long-term goals. If I manage to survive that task, then it will take much longer to deal with the Thalmor. Perhaps then I will actually have the time to go mammoth hunting."

Meesei gave Lunise another, quicker kiss, with her hands on both of Lunise's cheeks. "I will just be glad to have you for as long as I can. I am going to devise a way for us to stay in regular, close contact. I believe all of the knowledge I have on teleportation should be enough to give the answer. Perhaps an enchantment of some sort; something to...connect us over any distance."

Meesei finally decided to pull away from Lunise so she could sit up straight, giving a quick glance around the area. The only sources of light were the stars and the moons above, though Meesei's natural night eye still allowed her to see Lunise quite clearly. It was certainly late, and as much as Meesei would have wanted to stay on the beach with her for the rest of the night, they would have to get back eventually. Still, they were at least not in an immediate rush. Meesei was sitting with her knees on either side of Lunise's hips, looking down at her with a grin. For a few moments, Meesei made it quite obvious that she was admiring Lunise's body. With one hand, she started to lightly rub Lunise's stomach. "You are like an Elven goddess, you know that?" Meesei complemented. She had no doubt that it was an exceptionally rare event not only for someone to outwardly admire Lunise's appearance, but to directly comment on it as well.