EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

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Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You'll have as much of my time as you need, dear. I promise. There is nothing more important to me here than you right now." Nytala answered, at least sounding genuine in her tone.

Meesei was not sure exactly what issue Lunise had with staying, or if she was simply reading her reaction wrong. In any case, Meesei was genuinely as grateful as Lunise stated she was. "Thank you, Nytala. And I do hope to be able to get to know you as well."

"Certainly." Nytala smiled. "Whenever you feel you would like to be shown to your room, just speak to the two of them over there. They also have another matter they need to speak with you about, but it is nothing that should take too long." She explained, gesturing to the other two Psijic monks that had arrived with her. The Altmer and the Human, by this point, looked to be simply looking out over the water, conversing with each other to pass the time.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I...cannot ask this of you in good conscious. I know exactly how you feel. I am going to be out there, right alongside my pack, fighting to protect them. I understand completely the worry you will have to suffer if you stay behind. But...I can say, truthfully, that I do believe in the strength of myself, our friends, and allies. I trust my pack, and I believe they could do it even without me. There is wisdom in your mother's words, and if you do decide to follow her advice, you will have my complete support. I am sure we could find a way to hide your absence from your superiors." Meesei answered. She did not sound quite as certain when she was giving her own perspective, but she still made it clear that she was fully supporting Lunise.

While she did appear hesitant to do so, Nytala nevertheless interjected once silence fell between them. "I understand this is a major decision for you. If you need time to rest and think on the matter, the council did agree to allow you to stay for a few days. We already have quarters prepared for you."

Meesei appeared surprised by the offer, though her first thoughts naturally went to all of the problems that accepting might cause. "I...that is generous, and I would love to stay, but our portal is already being completed today. I do not think we can afford to stay away for that long."

Nytala simply smiled. "Oh, that is no worry. Time is malleable between Artaeum and Tamriel. Even if you are here for a few days, I can see that you arrive back near the time you left."

There was even more obvious surprise from Meesei. Obviously, she did not have a complete understanding of the capabilities of the Psijics. "Well, I suppose that would change matters. If...nothing else, I would love the chance to spend a few more days unhindered with you." She replied, looking to Lunise and gripping her hand.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala spoke softly, and somewhat cautiously. There was some sympathy, or perhaps even regret, in her expression, but it still did not dissuade her from making her argument. "I understand why you are making that comparison, but the situation is not the same now as it was then. Without being able to see the events to come, I understand why you feel the way you feel. Why you want to protect them. But, your war goes beyond just Vile. Your life is too valuable to risk right now. I know why you want to be there to protect the people you care about, but how would your spirit feel if our future efforts to protect Mundus failed because you were not there? I...wish I did not have to be the one to say these things, but these are not easy times you live in. To protect your world...demands sacrifices I so greatly wish you didn't have to make."

Despite the flurry of doubts and questions that Nytala's argument had given to Meesei, she had been silent thusfar. Nytala's position did make undeniable sense and, on a personal level, Meesei knew it would be an immense weight off of her shoulders if she could know that Lunise would be safe during the battle. But, it would also be hypocritical for her to try and ask that of Lunise. In the battle ahead, she was going to be able to fight alongside and protect her pack in the same way that Lunise wanted to do for her. She did not feel she had a right to ask for anything different.

Ultimately, however, Meesei realized exactly what she needed to do, and it did not require some revelation of which course of action was the most "right." What Lunise needed from her was not a decision, but support. She needed to simply make it clear to Lunise that she did not have any secret opinions, nor would she be upset at whatever decision she did make. Lunise just needed to know that she was free to decide without any lingering worries tugging at her mind.

Meesei reached over and grabbed one of Lunise's hands in both of hers. Meesei pulled her attention to her and stared into her eyes for a few, long seconds before finally speaking with absolute conviction in her voice. "Lunise, I trust your judgment completely."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Indeed, the success of the battle ahead is vital to the continued survival of Mundus. But, in the same way, if you win this battle, only for the Thalmor to bring about Mundus' end in short order, then what meaning would your death have had? You, more than most, should be able to see the bigger picture, Lunise. The war with Vile is not the end, and there will be many more battles to be fought. Should a battlefield commander devote all of his most skilled and experienced soldiers to the very first fight of a battle, or pace their deployment to endure through whole of the conflict? Your challenges are still ahead of you, Lunise. For the well-being of the people of the Dominion, you need to be there for them. For the people you have come to care about now, you need to be ready to do your part in the future. I know that you have spent the majority of your career relying on yourself, but if you stop, reflect, and ask yourself truly and genuinely...do you not believe that you can trust them to be able to succeed without you?" Nytala gestured towards Meesei, again without hesitation.

It would be easy to simply believe that Nytala was making her argument simply to ensure the safety of her own daughter, but Meesei was doubting that idea. At the very least, she did seem to genuinely believe that Lunise's place was not in the invasion itself. Her arguments were, admittedly, sound from a strategic perspective. If Lunise would be comparatively more valuable in future struggles, then it would be prudent to ensure that she survived. But, Meesei still understood completely why Lunise would not want to leave them to fight without her. Meesei herself was not sure she would be strictly rational, in Lunise's place.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Once again, Nytala did not hesitate in her response. She was prepared, though one did not need to see into the future to predict Lunise's objection to her particular suggestion. "If that is true, then it should be clear to you why you cannot go. Among those who would oppose the mortals who threaten the plane of Mundus, you hold a unique position, dear. You are a Thalmor Justiciar. You have earned respect and trust among both the leaders and people of the Aldmeri Dominion. Out of everyone who may act, you are the closest to the rogue Thalmor faction you oppose. I know that you seek to fight them without inciting chaos and destruction onto your own people, and for that to happen, your people will need someone like you. Someone with your values, in your position."

"I...am not permitted to share the details of the futures we can see ahead of you." Nytala added regretfully. "But, it should be enough that I am giving this advice to you based upon them. You have a role to play in the times ahead, and if you step into Vile's realm, we have no way of knowing if you will live to do so."

On Meesei's part, she appeared rather uncertain. From her point of view, the conversation had taken a rather sudden turn from the heartwarming reunion she had just witness. Although, she did realize that she had no real concept of how long the two of them had been out of time, and they could have been discussing anything in that instant. But, for her feelings on what Nytala was saying, she could not deny that she had some of the same fears as her. If Lunise were to die, or become otherwise unable to help going forward, the impact may well be felt far beyond Lunise's own friends and family.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala waited for Lunise before saying anything, likely to see how she was going to approach informing Meesei. At the moment, it looked like she was going to wait to talk to her in private. With no objections, Nytala simply answered Lunise's question. "Yes, I do have some advice that I have been permitted by the council to give you. Now, understand that we cannot see in perfect detail, so I know it is possible you may have already came to the same conclusion I am about to give you. I apologize if I am just repeating things you already know. But, we cannot scry into Vile's realm. There is an immense power there which is clouding our vision, so we cannot see into any future that takes place in his realm. If you were to enter into Vile's realm, Lunise, I do not know what would happen. It is for that reason that we want to advise you not to take part in the invasion yourself, Lunise. I know it may not be easy for you, but you need to stay behind."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala answered Lunise right away with a hug, just as much to comfort her as to reassure her. "It's all right. I know you will do everything you can to help her. You are being permitted to stay here for a few days, if you would like to take the time to rest and think on the issue, perhaps with clearer heads. We are not going to be free to communicate easily after you return home, so the two of you will need to make your decisions before you leave here. Oh, and if you are concerned with your responsibilities back home, do not worry. Time is more...malleable between this realm and Mundus. If you are just here for a few days, we can still place you back in the correct time and place. And...just carefully consider the approach you are going to take. Meesei is smart, and she may come to the conclusion that her gods betrayed her, regardless of what you do or do not say. She is going to need your love and support, now more than ever. There is another matter I am permitted to speak with you about, but there is no reason to speak in private about it."

Regardless of if Lunise wanted to continue in private or not, Nytala was finally showing the signs of her growing fatigue. Time manipulation was taxing, and Nytala did not appear keen on maintaining it any longer. The points of light around them faded out of existence as the color seemed to flow back into the world. Meesei started to move once more, but stopped in place halfway stood up, without finishing her sentence. She recognized something had happened, if not by magic, by the simple fact that both Lunise and Nytala had, from her perspective, moved rather suddenly. Meesei slowly lowered herself back down onto her seat and cleared her throat. "Oh, so...that is what that feels like." She commented, still cheerful in ignorance of all that had been discussed.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala remained rather calm, despite Lunise's anger. It stood to reason that she had plenty of time to prepare for this conversation, so she likely had expected the turn in Lunise's attitude, and already knew how to respond. "It is not a matter of how I view her, dear, but a reality of how these beings view us. The Hist, the Daedra, even the Aedric spirits do not value our lives in the same way as we do. Her soul was created, knowing she would die the most permanent kind of death. Whether she dies in battle, or in old age surrounded by friends and family, these beings use her knowing that she would never be rewarded with the eternity she worked her life to earn. They do this because they value her task over her existence. So yes, she is viewed as a pawn on a game board, but not by me. By her gods. Right now, Meesei is a Hist-chosen warrior, dedicated and doom-driven towards her eventual task, and inevitable end. I want to give you the chance to change that. It will not be easy nor simple, but you can do it, Lunise. From one who can see into the future, I can tell you that fate is a lie."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala looked down in silence, apart from the long breath she exhaled. "I did not say it would be an easy task. There is no path forward that will not be greatly demanding to her, in some form or another."

After a moment, Nytala returned her focus to Lunise to speak, though it was as if she was hesitant to do so, and the content of her suggestion soon showed why. "But...you may consider this. Meesei herself is essentially a sacrifice to Hircine, from the perspective of the Hist. We cannot know for sure if Hircine and the Hist communicated directly prior to all of this, but it would stand to reason that they did, given the role that Meesei was meant to serve for the Daedra. That would mean that Hircine knew of the fragility of Meesei's soul, but still accepted her. It would mean that he accepted her loyalty and devotion, with the promise of an eternity in his Hunting Grounds that he never intended to fulfill. With one of his own Daedric beast spirits bound to her soul, there is no denying that he would have to know the truth, and yet has not revealed it. That could easily be seen as a betrayal, even to the most devout. It will not be...easy for her to hear, of course, but it is an option for you."