EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well...she was created for the specific purpose of doing impossible tasks." Nytala replied, allowing herself a slight grin, though it did fade quickly. "That is one reason I wanted to tell you privately. I think you are the one best suited to convince her that it is necessary. If it helps you, I can say that she would be a candidate to join the order, regardless of this situation with her soul...for the most part."

Again, there was some concern hidden within Nytala's expression, along with some signs of fatigue from maintaining the spell keeping them out of time. "I don't even fully understand the selection process for new members; that is not my role in the Order. But, I do know that there is a long list of potential candidates that are observed closely in Tamriel. Any and all people, no matter their race or where they are from, are considered equally. It is true that the majority of our number are Altmer, but that is simply because we accept so few new initiates. An initiate must have enough potential in their knowledge and wisdom to be able to be a contributing member of the Order. They must be capable of following the Old Ways, taking care not to effect bad change onto the world, and to act with equal consideration to all people of Mundus, regardless of any personal attachments they might have with them. The vast majority of candidates are denied an invitation without ever having known they were being considered. For Meesei, I do believe she can fulfill every criteria for an initiate, but for one potential trouble. Her fealty to Hircine places her potentially at odds with some of the tenets of the Old Ways. As I said before, Hircine is hardly the most insidious of the Daedric Princes, but he is still a Daedric Prince. Serving a Daedra, to us, is not too different from serving any mortal lord, but we do not tend to serve mortal lords either. We place value on being observers and advisors to lords, but a Daedric Prince will heed no advice from mortals. If she wishes remain a Psijic, she may not be able to remain in his service."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"It is...possible." Nytala answered, though she did not hide her own uncertainty well enough to inspire much confidence with her words. "I doubt I would have been permitted to share this information if there was not some possibility of changing the outcome. If she survives the coming invasion, if we are allowed the time to try, then we might be able to come up with a solution. But, understand that this is not like any problem we have faced before. It is a new problems, and we would need to start from the very beginning to solve it. It could take years, decades, or even centuries depending on the true complexity of the problem. And Meesei would unquestionably need to be involved in the process, from start to finish. If she does survive the invasion, then she can come to us, join the Psijic Order, and work on the problem with us for as long as it takes to solve."

Nytala reached out her hand to Lunise's cheek, gently turning her head to look into her eyes. Unlike Lunise, Nytala was unable, or perhaps not attempting to hide her emotions to near the same degree, and what she showed in her eyes was overwhelmingly regret. "And you already know the...costs of joining the Psijic Order."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"No, I cannot be sure if Meesei is in any specific danger. In Vile's realm, there is a source of power so strong that it obscures our scrying. Not I, nor any of the other Psijics can give you any insight as to what will happen within, so I cannot tell you if Meesei, or anyone else, will survive. But, that is not what this is about." Nytala answered, finally looking back at her daughter directly. "The council did not allow your visit purely so we could have a reunion. There is some specific information that I am permitted to share with you, including this. Meesei is...well, you first have to understand the nature of Argonian souls. They are somewhat different from us. Everything about them, from their bodies to their souls, were created by the Hist. The Hist are mysterious entities, even to me, but they hold a greater sort of power than most people realize, and the Argonians are intertwined with them. When an Argonian dies, their soul is returned to the Hist, and along with it, their memories, experiences, everything about them. The Hist as a whole learns and grows from every single Argonian lifetime. Then, eventually, each soul is born into a new body, and the process starts over again."

Nytala paused, collecting her thoughts as she went through her explanation once more in her mind. "Understand that everything I am about to say is our best guess. It is based on libraries worth of collected knowledge and decades of scrying, but despite our reputation in Tamriel, the Psijic Order is not all-knowing. But we believe that Meesei's soul is not a normal Argonian soul. The Hist can see ahead in time much in the same way as we can. During the previous Daedric threat Tamriel faced, they prepared their armies well-ahead of Dagon's invasion, and defended their borders quite successfully as a result. So too have they seen Vile's intentions, and for this, they saw the need to respond as well. They placed men and women with the right capabilities into the right places and times to help in the fight against Vile. But, for what Hircine needed in the Champion they were giving him, they decided something more than a normal soul was necessary. Meesei's soul was selected, or perhaps even created specifically for this task. Instead of a blank slate, the Hist gave Meesei's soul memories from dozens, perhaps even hundreds of past Argonian lives. These are not memories she can access with her mind; she cannot consciously remember these lives she did not live, but they influence her nonetheless. These memories are like...templates placed within her subconscious. They allow her mind to quickly re-form memories that those past lives once had. Spells that they once knew, successes and failures they had, she can learn exceptionally quickly if the knowledge being presented to her is something one of those lives once knew. It is an incredible ability for her, and it has allowed her to grow centuries beyond her years, but...there is a price."

At this point, Nytala looked like she was struggling to continue, and seeing the fear that Lunise showed in her eyes did not make it any easier. However, Nytala had prepared for this, and she could force herself to see it through. "A mortal soul was not meant to be...assembled in this way. Even without being true 'memories', these hundreds of lives worth of experiences places a toll on the structure of her soul. Her mortal body gives her soul a stable form, barely, but if she were not in that body...Lunise, I am not certain that Meesei's soul can survive death."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala laughed, smiling back at Lunise despite wiping a single tear from the corner of her eye. "I suppose you are right. Or, perhaps I was just seeing one or both of your desires? In any case, you do not know how happy it makes me to see you, well...happy."

Regardless of the spell freezing them in time, Nytala was evidently still able to move enough to give Lunise another hug. Lunise would feel as if the air itself was resisting any movement she made, except when Nytala herself was the one moving her. "Hearing you talk about her, the way you describe it all...it really does settle any doubts I might have had left. I want you to be able to have the kind of life you deserve to have together. I know how much she has helped you, but she may need your love and support even more before the end. Believe me when I say that I would sacrifice anything to guarantee that happiness for you. Even if interfering meant giving up my standing in the Order, I would do it for you to give you that guarantee."

Nytala's tears were no longer the tears of joy she had been shedding. It was no longer a celebration of her daughter's happiness; this was different. She stared into Meesei's unresponsive eyes, her voice practically quivering as she continued. "Not all of her illusions are so far from the truth. She did not find her way into her position randomly. She does have a higher destiny, but for the mortals that act on behalf of higher spirits...that is not always a good thing. There are truths about her that even she does not know."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Regardless of her own surprise, Meesei gladly joined, sitting down close beside Lunise. Thusfar Nytala had not shown anything that hinted at disapproval, even in regards to their relationship. Meesei still could not be sure, but it did at least make her somewhat more comfortable than Lunise was at the moment. "It is such a pleasure to meet you. I have been looking forward to coming to this place, and meeting you, ever since I first started to entertain the idea that it might be possible."

"And it is an honor to finally have you here." Nytala replied, smiling back in kind. "I must admit, it does feel somewhat strange to meet you here in person. Your name has been in conversations here since before you were hatched, along with those of many of your friends and allies. Of course, I would say I have been watching you a bit more closely than most for...obvious reasons. I am looking forward to getting to know you better, though I was wondering if you would mind if I speak to my daughter in private for a few moments."

Meesei found herself with even more questions, though she had no problem with being patient to ask them. "Oh, of course. I wi-"

Quite suddenly, Meesei's words not only ceased, but her entire body froze in place. Indeed, Lunise would see the whole world around her freeze in time. The colors of the world appeared faded, and small points of light danced around the peripheries of her vision. The only movement she could perceive was from herself, and her mother.

"Do not worry, she has not been harmed. I have merely taken us out of time for an instant." Nytala explained, grinning as she leaned forward. "So...tell me all about her. I know all about her power and purpose, but it is so difficult to get a clear picture of who she is. After all this time, what has finally convinced you to settle down?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Every word Lunise spoke had Nytala's full and undivided attention, even though her answer still lingered on her career, for the most part. "Oh, I do know all about your most recent work as well. Such strange allies for such strange times, though I suppose Hircine is hardly the most nefarious of the Daedra. And it is not the first time Tamriel has needed to ally with the Daedra. A few thousand years ago, the Psijic order allied with Clavicus Vile against an even greater threat. Ah, but I asked about you, not your work. There will be time to discuss more serious matters later, and if there is not, I will make more time. I want to know more about the friends you have been making. Have you been adjusting well to living in that cavern? And of course, I want to hear all about the woman who managed to tame your heart." She grinned, gesturing over to Meesei.

Even Meesei felt briefly startled from the comment. She had not known in how much detail Nytala had been able to see into Lunise's life, but evidently it was enough to learn of their relationship. Meesei was not sure if she should include herself in the conversation at the current point, though the thought did come to her mind that Nytala's question about children was now rather vexing.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala started to laugh, reaching out forward to place a hand onto one of Lunise's. "Of course you haven't been, why do you think I am proud? You have the determination to help your people, the wisdom to see their shortcomings, and the compassion to love them anyway. I do see the Dominion for what it can be, not what it is, and I am hopeful you will help make it so."

Nytala leaned back and let out a long breath, looking up at the stars in Artaeum's strange daytime sky. "Isolation is one of the prices we pay to be what we are. To follow the Old Ways. I cannot fault you for not knowing, or for being nervous. In all this time, from your perspective, I could have become anyone. You should understand, the Psijics are more than just mages or scholars with particular views on magic. This order was established because Altmer society was becoming...different from the Old Ways. Our ways are aptly named, as they are the ways of the Altmer as we were when we came from Aldmeris. Now, to the Altmer of Summerset, the 'Old Ways' is just a name. None remember the meaning behind it; the beliefs we once held. Modern Altmer society might judge your choices harshly, but it is not by their standards that I judge you. I see you through the lens of our people's ancestral ways...and as a mother. That is why I can only be proud."

After just a few moments' delay, Nytala straightened up her posture, then reached out a hand under her daughter's chin, lifting up her head and forcing their eyes to meet. "Now, I know the broad strokes, so why don't you take a finer brush to the canvas? Enough about politics or the fate of the world, I want to hear about you. Are you happy? Have you finally started to make friends? And do you have any thoughts on when I am going to start being able to call myself a 'grandmother'?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I would have replied sooner, but a storm knocked out power in the area.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Looking on, Meesei could guess that Lunise was surprised by her mother, and she supposed it made sense. Lunise had never spoken in detail about Nytala before, so Meesei did not truly know what kind of a woman she was. Or at least, what Lunise remembered her to be. The Psijics were quite different from most other groups in Tamriel, even the Altmer themselves. They had chosen to isolate themselves, even before removing their island from Tamriel, precisely because of their growing divergence in culture from the rest of the Altmer. Over two centuries among them may have made Nytala into a strikingly different woman from what Lunise remembered.

"It is hard to describe exactly, but I have seen the...broad strokes of your life. Scrying can only show me so much, and not always what I choose to seek." Nytala answered, still smiling despite Lunise's worry. She interrupted herself briefly and gestured over to a small, flat area near the sand with two benches that looked out over the water. "Let's sit down, we have time."

"I know you have grown accomplished in your career." Nytala continued once she was settled down. "I will admit, that did have me worried for you for a century or so, but the closer in time we came to the present, the clearer my sight became. I know you have grown in wisdom to catch up to your knowledge and power. Now, you work against the forces that seek to bring harm to the mortal plane. I will admit, I've found myself...jealous of you at times. Even though I can see the likely futures ahead of us, I am not free to act in the ways you can. In the ways you are."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I have no more scenes to move on to, not before they take the portal to the Hunting Grounds. If you had anything in mind, we can put it in now.