EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even after Meesei's admission of her own feelings, she was practically speechless through Lunise's response. A part of her might have been uncertain about the true depth to which Lunise cared for her, but those worries had all but been erased. They both had their own reasons to care for each other in the way they did, but it was now certain what they shared. And with how stubborn and determined they could both be, it would take quite a large challenge to pull them apart.

Though Meesei's response was wordless, it could not have been clearer. Lunise's outpouring of emotion had moved Meesei to the point that her own tears gently fell onto Lunise's cheek. No response she could give seemed to be more appropriate than another kiss. Then another. They had only intended to step away for a short, private conversation, but Meesei was certainly not going to be counting the seconds. She would much rather be demonstrating her newly-confessed love.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I do." Meesei answered, her tone just as soft, but resolute as when she had spoke those words a few moments prior. She now had her arms around her neck, giving her perhaps the most intense, loving gaze that Lunise had seen from her yet.

Meesei was well-aware that her statement may have been unexpected, but she was not intent on going back on it. "It has been quite a long time since I have felt this way towards someone, but I still recognize it. The last time I felt this kind of love, I let it slip away out of fear and uncertainty, and I do not want that to happen again. I am not someone who believes that every person has a singular 'soul mate.' There are likely many people in the world who would be the 'right match' for both of us, but regardless of how many there are or who they might be, I know we are the right match for one another. We are two women who live our lives in command of others. We wield authority, and demand respect and loyalty. One might think that we would clash with one another, but I think it only helps to keep us together. I do not always want to be in charge. I could not be a mate to someone who is submissive and subservient to me. We challenge each other; we do not merely bow to each other's whims or demands. I know it may seem strange, but the fact that you do not have to listen to me is...oddly attractive. Not only because of any sort of 'official' authority, but because you are a willful and strong woman in your own right, and you do not take my judgment as law. That strength of character is one of the many reasons that I love you, and why I am overjoyed that our relationship had a real chance of working out in the long run."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei grinned. "I think that, given their expectations of a Thalmor Justiciar, pretty much anything you could have done would be better than their expectations. You showed them that you are a person, not just a political or military figure. And I do not think it will be such an effort for you forever. The more you are around them, the more you will learn about them. You will learn what they like or despise, their quirks, traits, and flaws. And they will learn the same about you. It will just be natural to be around each other. Although, once you are all comfortable with each other, I would expect a few of them, especially Lorag and Ahnasha, to start firing back when you find yourself being, how did you say it...uncharitable. Do not worry, they can take an argument in stride. You would be surprised at the insults those two have come up with for each other."

Meesei leaned into Lunise, resting her head on her chest. "You have no idea how happy even the thought of all this makes me. The prospect of you getting along with, and perhaps being a part of my family, even in a limited sense, gives me hope that we can really do this. As a Daedric Champion and a Justiciar, we can still be together. We can be mates. Nothing has to inevitably drive us apart. It seemed insane just a few months ago, but it is reality."

With a somewhat different flavor of a grin, Meesei put her hands on both of Lunise's cheeks to pull her into a kiss as she rolled herself onto her. "i love you, Lunise."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You have no idea how much I appreciate this." Meesei responded, still wanting to hold tightly onto Lunise. "I was frightened going into this about...how everything would go. But tonight...it has given me hope. You are well-aware of how singularly important my family is to me, my clan. I have hope that, well, you can be a part of that family. Not in the exact same way that they are, of course, but that you will not always be a stranger or an outsider to them. Nor they to you."

Meesei finally relented with her hug, though her expression was still locked into a smile. "I know it will not be terribly frequent that we will even have the chance to get everyone together safely like this. Though, it could be possible if we were to meet in the security of my clanhome. There is plenty of space there for us to meet without being noticed. As long as I do not show you an entrance, it would not present any real security risk that my council would need to be concerned with, so there would be no need to inform them of our secret."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"If you do not wish to join, then you need not. I can take you back if you wish." Meesei answered in a reassuring tone. She paused a moment to stand up back to her feet, then extended a hand down to Lunise. "Although, before we leave, I would like to speak to you, just for a few moments, in private. If that is not too much trouble, of course." She said before motioning in the direction of her tent on the other side of camp.

The pack had set up tents at the bottom of a hill on one side of the oasis, with trees and foliage, along with the hill itself, raising above them on one side. They had also been erected in such a way as to be sturdier in the direction that the wind was most likely to be coming from. Even though they were camped at an oasis, it was still possible for a sandstorm to kick up, and their tents would keep them and their supplies protected in that event.

The moment Lunise entered her tent, she would find herself being hugged by a particularly overjoyed Meesei. She had been unmistakably happy for most of the night.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth laughed towards Fendros. "Well, with three Argonians among us, would you really expect anything different? Especially in a desert like this. The dry air is just so unpleasant. I remember it used to be just torture going to dry places like this before we could teleport. If we found an Oasis like this back then, I would never leave the water until we packed up camp."

"Probably wouldn't be able to bring Leaps at all." Ahnasha added, reaching out to rub the wamasu on the side as he walked past her. "It was hard enough to get him enough water back in Anequina when he was young. With how much more he needs now, he would dehydrate."

Meanwhile, Meesei put her arm around Lunise. "I would not mind a swim myself, but it is her choice if she wishes to join us or not." She said before looking at her encouragingly. "Would you like to relax in the water with us before retiring for the night?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei was smiling along with much of the pack as she was watching Julan. While he was still squeezing her, Meesei looked over and made eye contact with Lunise. "A cute child, is he not?" She commented.

Although Julan was far more bold, and perhaps naive about it, Meesei had to admit that her desires mirrored Julan's assumptions. Ultimately, Meesei wanted Lunise to feel like she could be a part of the family, as strange as that might be to both Lunise and the rest of her pack. Meesei was beginning to understand why Sabine's relationship with Peiter years ago had less of a chance of succeeding than even Meesei had expected. With the kind of lifestyle they lived, it was difficult to live a life where one's lover was so disconnected from their pack. With as close-knit of a family as they were, having a mate who could not be a part of it could ultimately drive them apart.

As Meesei was ruminating, Julan backed away with Lunise's encouragement, but that did not stop him from remaining just as enthusiastic and friendly. "Oh, okay. But...after we eat, we should all go for a swim!" He suggested. Meesei simply looked to Lunise as well, awaiting a response.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Hmm, okay." Julan answered, not quite picking up on the awkwardness in Lunise's response. Lunise already acted unusual by Julan's standards, so any change in her attitude seemed no less unusual than before. But, he was at least accepting of her answer, so he did not dwell on the topic. As such, Meesei did not feel the need to comment, wish would have likely kept them talking about it.

"Well, it's always great to have a bigger family. I guess you're helping the pack with all the dangerous things they have to do? It does make me feel better to know that it's not just the pack or the clans that are helping with it. It makes me feel...safer I guess. The more people that are helping, the less of a chance of our family getting hurt somehow." He paused, looking away for a moment as he realized that he might have started rambling. However, it only took a few seconds for him to look back at Lunise, wide-eyed and smiling brightly. He had the kind of expression that made his joy hard to see as anything but genuine. "Anyways, I'm excited to have a new aunt!"

Enthusiastically, Julan, not being one to hold back his affection, gave Lunise a sudden, tight hug.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although she contained her excitement, Meesei could not have been happier about how the evening was proceeding. Lunise seemed to feel that their dinner had turned out well, and there was no shortage of topics for them to discuss. Research was an easy topic for Lunise to relate to, but they certainly had more of interest to talk about. As they all still had responsibilities the next day, even Lorag kept his drinking to a reasonable level, for him at least.

Eventually, their feast came to a close with dessert. Much of the pack were easily feeling too full to eat much more, though Julan had ensured he left himself enough room to finish his share of the sweets. Unlike the adults, he had not spoken much at all to Lunise, but he had been listening to them speak to her, so he had gradually been growing more comfortable around her. Even after their awkward and startling introduction, he was curious about her. She was far from the first non-lycan that had been so close to the pack, as there were non-lycans in their clan, but he was particularly confused about her relationship with his aunt Meesei.

After finishing his dessert, Julan worked up the courage to walk right up to Meesei and Lunise. "So you're, um, aunt Meesei's mate, right? I didn't know two women could be mates." He said bluntly. There were other couples of the same gender within the Blackreach clan, but Julan was still young and had never noticed before.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei rubbed her chin curiously. "Hmm, so you would get a view onto the destination without needing to be there personally. It would still have the limitation of needing to form a connection to the destination itself, but...it would be quite useful for viewing a destination before teleporting there personally. We would not necessarily have to step through a portal blind. We could see what we are walking into, if it is uncertain."

"Or..." Meesei started, pausing for a moment as another thought suddenly came to her mind. The idea was starting to seem more and more like a useful subject of research, rather than just a passing thought. "If the portal is visible from only one side, it could be used as a form of reconnaissance. Imagine being far from a location, but still close enough to wee it and create a portal to it. With that type of light portal, one could use it to get a closer look from safety. And as an alchemical concoction, it could be given to anyone, instead of just the two of us." She reasoned.

By this point, Meesei was beginning to stop thinking so much about Lunise and encouraging her to engage with the others, as that seemed to be just happening naturally. The awkwardness that had permeated the camp at first had faded, and she felt they could all speak normally. Meesei took a moment to take a drink from her wine, and start on the fish soup she had been served. It seemed to have turned out well, though unlike Lunise, she did not have anything specific to compare it to.