EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha shook her head. "They did not get that specific in their letter. My father said that he would be in the city on business, so they intended to stop in for a visit. I suppose it will depend on how long his negotiations take him...and how long they decide to keep their trip going after that. I have no doubt they are mostly just using business to justify a long family trip. It is not often that most people have the luxury of traveling, I suppose. That would be the only reason I could think of that my brother will be coming as well."

---

Lorag had his eyes firmly on Narsi for every step she took out of the cabin. Her tears left little doubt that such a drastic change was unquestionably frightening for her, though Lorag showed not a hint of sympathy on his part. He just watched her, judging everything from her posture to how much muscle she had managed to put on. He narrowed his eyes, then finally returned his gaze to Harriet. "Well, then as much as it sickens me to say it, there's at least one thing in this world that you and me actually agree on."

Taking a few steps closer to Narsi, Lorag stared down on her once more in silence for a few seconds. "In that case, maybe she'll end up stayin' a bit longer, then. We'll walk down to the city, we'll meet with the Champion, and she'll send us back to our clan. Can you control yourself in a city, girl?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha felt somewhat awkward speaking of her family as she was, and she did worry that she might give the wrong impression of them. Although, most of what she was saying were guesses based on what she knew of her family from her childhood. Contact through letters could only tell her so much of how they might have changed across decades. "I don't think it would go well. They're not like you. The Dunmer people have a long history with Daedra, but to my family, they're all just evil beings. They don't see much...nuance to it. And I don't think they'll be able to handle the idea of my soul being bound for somewhere else than theirs. It was very hard for me to go back to them when I did, and I...just want to keep them happy."

---

Lorag narrowed his eyes somewhat. Even if Harriet had been behaving perfectly predictably, he still would have been naturally suspicious of her. Her reaction served only to fuel his skepticism. "Hmph, figured you'd be fighting to get her back as quickly as possible. 'Course, I didn't expect you to agree to any of this to begin with, so I guess you're just one big surprise to me. Thing is, however much I've missed with Narsi, I can guarantee you've missed a whole lot more with the clans. You wouldn't even recognize 'em. While you've been out here gettin' soft in the city, we've managed to put together a force that has almost completely pushed back the enemy that you only managed to accidentally serve. Heh, I mean, you've really got no idea how outmatched you even are anymore. By me, by our soldiers. Unless you've managed to pick up a lot more fighting skills out here by yourself than I'd expect, I'd pick any one of my officers over you in a fight."

There was a brief pause as Lorag glanced quickly over to the cabin. "Point is, there's a lot there to impress the girl, if that's your aim. If you've got somethin' specific you want to accomplish with this, then go ahead and spill it. Don't turn this into a guessin' game."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha hesitated, picking through her words carefully in her mind. "Um, well, they don't know too much about you, really. I've avoided telling them too much about our real personal lives. They think we once owned a hunting shop up in Bruma, and have since moved to Skyrim. I didn't want to give them too much to be curious about. I did try to convey that your father might not be someone they would...get along with. But, it's hard to say what they'll do. They're optimists; at least my parents are. They think they can win people over, and they have in the past, but not always. I do think I can convince them not to try to convert you worshiping the divines on their first visit, at least." She said with a chuckle. "But, I know they'll want to be social."

---

"You couldn't change it." Lorag said back to Harriet. "But there was always another choice. You definitely were quick to act. Quick to run. Quick to hide. But, when you ran, you denied justice to the people that deserved it. Did you ever call Vera a friend? I didn't know you back then. Still, you ran from your judgment. 'Course, the choice to come back never actually went away for you. You could go back to the clan...it just means facing that judgment. The Champion let you live, but if you came back, I know very well what she'd do. She'd make Vera your judge. Let her choose her justice for you. Maybe she'd execute you on the spot, or maybe you could manage to argue for her to let you fight Vile one last time for some attempt at whatever meager redemption Hircine decides to give you. You'd be surprised how well that seems to work nowadays..." He said, grunting lightly to himself and crossing his arms.

"Anyways, I'll have the girl back tonight. Maybe tomorrow, depending. Meesei can teleport." He explained, his words as flat as they were brief.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha appeared slightly embarrassed, awkwardly running a claw through some of the fur on her arm. "Yeah, I might not have been so worried about it if they knew, but...I could imagine some scenario where my parents might frustrate someone, probably your father, enough for him to tell them in anger. If my parents are still anything like they were when I was a cub, I know they can be frustrating. And stubborn. I don't mean to speak too badly about them, of course, they are well-intentioned. Just...frustrating."

Ahnasha let out a short sigh. "They mentioned the day they were leaving in their letter. Based on how far it is from Leyawiin, I would imagine they will be here in just around a week. Give or take a day or two. We do not need to be in too much of a rush to prepare, but I wanted to give enough warning."

---

For a while, Lorag just glared back at Harriet, but his own thoughts about Narsi distracted him from whatever anger he felt, at least somewhat. He uncrossed his arms and dropped them to his side, though his expression remained focused. "Maybe there was some time where I could've been a father. Some...other reality where I would've been here. I never wanted it. Still don't. I would've complained, denied it for a while, but if she's my blood, then she's my responsibility. Even a younger me couldn't deny that." He said, though his soft tone soon gave way to a much more stern expression.

"But you can't even pretend like you can put this on me. You can't even pretend that you would've just let me take the girl ten years ago, when we found you here. You can't say that you would've let me take her, and if I'd have tried to make you, you would've fought me to the death to keep her. No, the only reason she hasn't had a father in the last fourteen years is 'cause you couldn't stay in the clan too. Because you murdered Jerrick. Yeah, the girl deserved to have had a father all this time, but don't try to pretend it was because of anyone but you." He said, stepping ever closer to her as he spoke and pressing a finger into her collarbone.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei waved a hand at Rhazii. "Oh, do not worry about me. I have come to find that there is nothing wrong with relaxing from time to time. You just need to keep...appropriate caution in mind. In fact, I can give you some advice, Rhazii. Do not chase the kind of responsibility that I have, at least not yet. Let yourself be young and free. Live, make mistakes, and do not rush to jail yourself with duty. Responsibility is something you...grow into." Meesei said, even if her final point did not follow completely from Rhazii's statement.

When Monderyn and Llarasa finally arrived, Meesei, for the most part, simply smiled at the exchange between the siblings. She was not as completely attentive as usual, but she did at least not appear to be overtly drunk. She was relaxed, lighter in both her mood and movements. It took her a second to notice and react to Monderyn, but she nevertheless shook his hand cheerfully. "Thank you, it is good to be here. And it is always...wonderful to see a family reunited."

Ahnasha, meanwhile, could not remain as tense as she had been in the face of Llarasa's friendly greeting. Although, it did remind her of yet another potential point of contention in regards to her own youth. Regardless, she had no intention of harming the current mood. "Yes, well, I can certainly say I have put a lot of effort into it. It is good to see you again, Llarasa. I am sure we all have a lot of catching up to do. I can't wait to hear about what you have been doing."

---

For the first time since he arrived, Harriet managed to throw Lorag at least slightly off of his guard, as he looked to be almost as surprised as Narsi. A part of him wondered if it should give him cause to be suspicious of her. "I'm...not gonna lie, I didn't expect you to agree that quickly." He commented; however, he regained his composure just as quickly as she had shaken it.

Lorag cleared his throat. "Hmph, well, maybe you just got smarter in all this time." He continued before focusing his attention squarely onto Narsi. "Point is, girl, you ain't seen what it is you're saying 'no' to. Your mother lived in a clan once, she believed in it. Believed in it enough to kill for it. Only problem is that she decided to kill like a cowardly Elf, instead of like a true Orc. If she'd challenged Jerrick to his face, you'd be the daughter of a clan leader instead of an exile. But you ain't her, and you didn't inherit her crimes. You've still got that choice, so it's only right that you see the choice with your own eyes."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although Meesei was sure that Ahnasha and Fendros both were still nervous, likely Ahnasha more than Fendros, she was simply glad to have more time away from her responsibilities. She had not been able to escape them entirely back in their clan, but just like her day with Sabine and Ariel the previous week, she was free to simply enjoy her present company. They did have some time to wait, so in the hour after they met up in the inn, the group found a table and had a light lunch. Ahnasha, of course, was focused on planning for the week ahead for a time, but even she ran out of things to say after about half an hour. Meesei decided to fill the time with less serious discussion in an effort to at least attempt to calm Ahnasha's nerves.

It had been over an hour, so they were expecting Fendros' family to arrive at any minute. It was only Meesei that was not giving glances to the door every minute or so. "Hmm, I know that my main purpose in being here is as a means of transportation for you all, but nevertheless, I am glad to be able to take some time with you. And I am glad that I allow myself the ability to relax." She said, holding up her half-empty mug of ale. "For so long, I have been so...restrictive with myself. I never allow myself to loosen my guard too much, or drink too much, especially. Given what happened the last time I became truly intoxicated, it could be argued there is a good reason for it, but I no longer feel the need to be so strict." Meesei explained. Her voice was soft and unusually relaxed, though that was perhaps influenced by the fact that she had allowed herself to order more drinks than usual, and certainly several more than anyone else.

---

Lorag's eyes narrowed sharply upon Harriet. "A 'mistake'. That what you call it when you murder your alpha in cold blood with a damned poison like some scheming Elf? Like to see you say that to Vera's face. I don't think you'd have the courage to face her again, though it'd probably serve you well to grovel at her feet begging for forgiveness. Or at least be entertaining."

Lorag grunted, as if to interrupt himself. "But this ain't about you, or your crimes. No, the whole point of this is that she's not you. She didn't commit any crimes, and she didn't betray anyone. She doesn't have to run like you did. Sure, I'll believe you told her about us. She probably knows she has a choice to come to the clans, but she doesn't really understand that choice. Hmph, you don't even really understand that choice. It's not like you know what the clans are really like now. I might not be much of a parent, but in my pack, I'm surrounded by 'em. I've seen how they raise their kids, and they may not do it like proper Orcs, but...even I can see that it's not the right way to do it if you're just takin' the kid out into the woods with just you. She's got no one her age to challenge her. Just you, and you'll always have to hold yourself back. She's got no one to compete with, no one that can make her push herself to get better. Can't grow strong like that, not as strong as a girl with my blood should be. She needs better training than you can give, and to be able to hone herself on opponents who can really go all-out. She needs to see the choice she really has with her own eyes."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

In the interest of avoiding any confrontations, Ahnasha let Monderyn close the door without another word. After the last time they had visited, she had no reason to doubt him. Although, she was glad that they had come as early as they had to speak to them; if they had waited until later in the week, there would have been a chance for them to run into her own family at the inn.

Ahnasha started off away from the door right away, just to make it less likely that Fendros' father might see them out of the windows. "Well, so far so good. If we're lucky, this will all go smoothly. And, I suppose it will be nice to see your brother and sister again. Even your mother, if she comes along."

---

"Call it the 'wisdom of age', or whatever." Lorag answered. Just seeing Harriet in her more familiar Orc form was enough to flare up a small measure of anger within him again, but he kept it in check. "Besides, everyone else is goin' around tying up their loose ends. Figured I may as well too."

Lorag eyed the small cabin. If being around the other children in his pack was anything to go by, Narsi would not be keeping her ears to herself for long. Still, he had no intention of holding anything back in the conversation; he had not come here to maintain whatever illusions Harriet may or may not have. "If you think I've come here to try to be a father after lettin' you do all the hard work, then you're probably giving me too much credit. I never asked for children, but I've still got my...responsibilities, I guess you'd call it. How much does she know? Does she know her options? Does she know about you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Just so posts don't get too long, I'll wait until one scene ends to continue the last.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha was far more on-edge than she likely needed to be. Strictly speaking, the stakes of today, or indeed, whatever happened in the next week, were far lower than their average mission. There were no life or death situations, and the most that was in danger was some of their family members' opinions. However, that sort of rational perspective was doing nothing to calm Ahnasha's mind. She was relieved that it was at least Monderyn that answered the door, though she still glanced past him to look for his father several times while he spoke.

"That will probably be fine." Ahnasha answered. "I don't think it is anything to worry about today, it's just...I'll give you the short version. My family has finally found an excuse to come to Cheydinhal, and I just know they are going to want to introduce themselves. I guess we can talk more when you can get away."

---

Lorag huffed, and gave the first hint of any measure of uncertainty that he had shown since he arrived. Although, he still showed no signs of influence from their aggression. "Hmph, now ain't that a good question. Not too sure I know the answer myself. Could've gone the rest of my life without laying eyes on a traitor like you again, but, well, here I am." He glared sharply at Harriet, but that anger left his expression after only a few seconds.

Lorag sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Look, things have happened. Things are going to happen, and it's all got me thinking about...things. You can calm down, I'm not here to hurt anyone. Trust me, if someone ever decides its time for justice, it'll probably be Vera comin' and kicking down your door. Maybe her son. Or maybe Gallus. Just not me. I wanted to just forget about all this, but I've got that irritating voice in the back of my mind nagging at me, tellin' me that I can't go into what's to come without...dealin' with things." He said, his eyes focusing squarely on the younger werewolf as he spoke.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The vineyard was not far, being that it was within view far down the road, but they did yet have time to exchange at least a few words. "Different from home? Of course. We're in, or at least near, a city, so you should behave like we've taught you in cities. Act like that, and you should be essentially fine. You just have to accept that there is no pleasing your grandfather, and you should just avoid speaking to him if at all possible. Let us handle him. I know you, Rhazii, and I know you still have it in your head to talk to him, but really, your time is worth more than him."

At this point, the three of them were hardly a minute away from stepping through the vineyard's gates. Ahnasha stopped for just a moment, resting a hand on Fendros' back. "Okay, I think I'll let you go first. Hopefully, we can find your sister first, or your mother."

---

Despite hearing her approach well before she revealed herself, Lorag did not react with any particular vigor. He turned his body almost lethargically and settled his eyes on the werewolf. He looked her over for a few seconds, but did not give the slightest hint of fear, or even any degree of anxiety. He did not seem to raise his guard, or even shift his stance to make him more ready for attack. He simply looked at her, appearing almost as if he was unimpressed. If she had ever come into contact with another person in her current form, Lorag showed none of the terror that she might have come to expect. In fact, he gave no indication that the interaction was even unusual for him. "Hey kid, your mother home?" He asked directly.

---

"Hmph, I know, I know." Kaleeth replied, still holding onto a smirk. "I guess I just didn't think you'd have the answer to the questions I had. I mean...you didn't, but I also guess I didn't need that answer near as much as I thought I did. And I'll admit, we do have a way of figuring out things together."

Kaleeth lifted her head up just enough to plant a quick kiss on Janius' lips above her. "Well, I guess there's no reason to just lay here anymore. I don't think it's going to be suddenly inspiring my memory or anything. It's just a river. I should probably get to sleep soon. My village has to be somewhere close around here, so we might end up finding it tomorrow if we can find a fresh scent."