EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala shook her head, though Taryenar was the first to answer. "I am afraid not. Or at least, it is not likely. We had a difficult enough time convincing the council to accept her into the order. You may not be able to appreciate how few initiates the Order accepts from your perspective, but to refuse this offer now will likely close it for good. The Order does not accept visitors often as well, and never for long. To allow you to remain in Artaeum for as long as would be required, without being an official member of our order, would simply be...against our ways."

Meesei released a sigh, then gave a slow nod. "If that is the case, then I regret even more strongly that I cannot accept. I regret that I will likely never have a chance to work alongside you, but it still does not change my answer. Rest assured, I have thought through this issue thoroughly, and joining the Order is simply not something I can do at this stage in my life. I am thankful for the warning you gave me, and I promise I will work to repair my soul, but it will have to be in Tamriel."

Meesei started to move to stand up, only for a frustrated-looking Inelwen to wave her hand in front of herself. Lunise would recognize the magic immediately as the color of the world faded somewhat, and everyone in the room was taken out of time, with the exception of Meesei. This time, there was no courtesy of asking permission before they were all brought into a private conversation, without Meesei. "This is going nowhere. You are making a mistake, Lunise. I ask this because I know your mother will not, and everyone else is too concerned with being polite. Have you allowed your biases to unduly influence you, Lunise? Can you say that your feelings for her did not influence you to encourage her to refuse our offer? I am sorry to say that what is best for her, may not be best for you."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Exasperated, Nytala had something of a difficult time answering quickly. Despite the fact that Lunise had expressed her reservations about Nytala's plan before, it seemed like she had still expected Meesei to come around to the idea. "I...am not sure I understand, Meesei. This is the answer to the fate you have been cursed with. I respect your ability, and those of your friends, but you do not understand the kinds of resources you would have access to here. This is your best chance of surviving beyond death. The council...I can not make any guarantees this offer will always be available. The council only extends offers of membership to those they believe will be a benefit to the Order, and to Tamriel. It is not only because of your soul that you are being given this chance. Please, reconsider."

Although Meesei did give the courtesy of genuinely considering what Nytala was asking, her answer still remained the same. After a moment, she shook her head. "I am sorry, but even knowing I may be giving up the opportunity, I still cannot accept. To make the kinds of sacrifices that come with joining the order, to choose myself over the people I care about, and to leave what I have built in Tamriel, all without even trying to solve the problem on my own, would go against everything I believe. I have faith in my abilities, and there is still much I need to do in Tamriel, even after the invasion."

The other Altmer woman, Inelwen, interjected quickly. Her tone was less pleading and kind than Nytala's, and instead more stern. "You do not have the perspective to understand what you are denying. We can all but guarantee that your problem will be solved before your death. You will not age meaningfully here, nor will you encounter danger. Not to mention, the council does believe that your skills and knowledge will be an asset to us. Discoveries you have already made could help us, which in turn helps Tamriel. Even from here, you may still be a benefit to those you would leave behind."

Evidently, neither Nytala nor her associates intended to merely accept Meesei's answer without argument.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Of course. I am sure you have already met Marcaano and Zyausak." Nytala began, gesturing briefly to the pair nearby before turning her attention to the Altmer that Meesei and Lunise had not yet met. "This is Taryenar and Inelwen. The council had been interested in you for some time, Meesei, especially after scrying into the role you would end up playing in events. And not to mention the...unfortunate circumstance you now find yourself in. But we do want to help you, Meesei. I know it may seem that the Psijic Order is distant and impersonal, but we do have compassion for the people of Tamriel. It is just rare that we have the chance to express that. That is why I am glad that I have been given permission to offer you a place in our Order."

Meesei took in a deep breath. Even after discussing the matter in-depth with Lunise, she had needed to mentally prepare herself for what she intended to say. To join the Psijic Order was an amazing opportunity, and one that felt painful for her to decline. "I am greatly appreciative of everything you and your Order are offering, Nytala. I fully understand the kind of honor it is to be offered a place among you, and I am grateful that you are willing to help me preserve my existence beyond death. But...I know you also understand the kind of sacrifice required to join your order. You have experienced it yourself. I fully intend to repair my soul, but if I give up everything I love and care about just to continue existing...then what kind of existence would that be? I thank you immensely, but I will have to decline the offer."

Evidently, none of the Psijics present had expected Meesei's answer, based on the looks they gave one another. Nytala looked almost hesitant to speak, especially to Meesei, and instead turned her head quickly to Lunise. "Were you able to...speak with her on this matter, dear?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei leaned her head somewhat off of the bed, shamelessly admiring Lunise's form as she stood up and making no effort to mask her staring. However, as much as Meesei wanted to remain lost in the moment, Lunise was correct that this was something important they needed to deal with. Sooner, rather than later.

Reluctantly, Meesei did finally shift herself back into her Argonian form. Although, before saying anything to answer Lunise, she did allow herself the pleasure of embracing Lunise once more time to pull her into another kiss. That was one thing she could not do well in her lycan form, so she did make her first, proper kiss of the day into one that would last. Nevertheless, she was still in agreement with Lunise. "Okay, we can discuss it together. I was not there for Zyausak's tour yesterday, so I am not entirely sure where we can even take a bath. So, I shall allow you to lead the way."

---

Once the pair was finally ready to speak to Nytala, it was actually mildly more difficult to find her than they might have expected. They had to ask around to find her, but once word got to Nytala that both Lunise and Meesei were looking for her to speak with her about a serious matter, she had Zyausak seek them out immediately. Evidently, there were a few others aside from Nytala who were interested in Meesei's answer, as she told them to follow Zyausak to meet them in Ceporah Tower.

Even considering the circumstances, Meesei could not help but to be impressed by her first visit to the tower itself, not the least reason being that the method for entering was to step into a strange portal underneath the tower itself. It looked like a large, but shallow pool of water, but with just a small magical activation from Zyausak, it enveloped them and brought them up into the tower above. Both inside and out, the architecture was completely foreign to any that Meesei had seen in Tamriel or beyond. It was entirely unique, and no description Meesei had ever read had even come close to giving her an accurate picture of it.

The interior of the tower used smaller versions of the same type of portal to navigate, so they were quickly brought into the room with Nytala and the others. Meesei had expected a large meeting chamber for this discussion, though interestingly, they were instead brought to a much smaller room. The bed in the corner suggested it was someone's private quarters, though there was plenty of equipment for enchanting and spellcraft that would make it into a perfectly good arcane laboratory. In any case, it did make their setting feel more casual.

Zyausak did not leave and instead pulled up a chair to take a seat, suggesting he was staying. Marcaano was also present, along with one Altmer man and an Altmer woman they did not recognize. And, of course, Nytala stood up immediately from her chair to greet them the moment they arrived. To Meesei's surprise, the first thing Nytala did was to hug her, then moved to give a longer hug to her daughter. "It is good to see you both up and around again. I did hear the two of you were walking around outside earlier this morning and...perhaps scaring a few of our younger initiates."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei and Lunise ended up spending quite a lot of "quality" time alone together. They were not expected anywhere else on the island, so there was no one to interrupt them. It was only after a few hours that Meesei started to consider that they might need to leave their room. She and Lunise had been resting for a while, though she did enjoy the simple solace of being with her mate. She was still in her werewolf form, laying on their bed with both arms wrapped around Lunise, who was using Meesei's chest as a pillow. It was peaceful enough that even Meesei had almost forgot that she was still in the form of a werewolf. It was a distant memory for her to the time when she needed to give any worry towards control. She realized that she often took for granted the benefits that the Ring of Hircine gave her. This kind of peaceful silence would not have been nearly so tolerable for her beast spirit without the perfect control that the Ring provided.

"So...do you think we should let Nytala know my decision today, or can it wait for tomorrow? I know that she will want to know, though...on the other hand, that would require us getting out of this bed. So, I am conflicted." Meesei briefly chuckled.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala mentioned that the council was interested in some of Meesei's achievements, though really, it is Nytala herself that is most interested. The last scene I have in mind in Artaeum is when they give Meesei's answer to Nytala.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei's grin widened. Her suggestion was all Meesei needed to start taking on an almost hungry gaze. She spoke more softly, and for a few moments, almost looked like a predator ready to pounce. "Hmm, I certainly can shift back, if you really want me to. I do not think there is anything that a werewolf could offer you that you are currently missing out on." She answered in a sarcastic, thickly suggestive tone.

As if trying to make her point more strongly, Meesei reached round behind Lunise and started to massage the muscles on her back, which she could reach pretty much all at once. "And you know, just as an unrelated thought, compared to a Mer, or even an Argonian, this tongue really is quite exceptionally long, don't you think? Ah, but I'm not sure why I even brought that up. I doubt that would influence your thinking. Completely unrelated. I should just go ahead and shift back now..." She grinned.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei put her arm around Lunise, holding her close, while she began to rub her shoulder gently with her free hand. "I promise I will try my best. That is all I can say. Of course...my best is pretty damn exceptional." She chuckled, although, soon enough, she returned to a more serious attitude. "I do not want you thinking about this too much right now. What I expect is that you will put that away somewhere safe and forget about it for a few centuries. If I am still with you heading into your old age, then I can just give you my blood myself if you decide you want it. That vial is simply insurance that you will always have that choice."

After a few moments, Meesei allowed herself to simply enjoy being close to Lunise. She moved her hand away from her shoulder and moved it down Lunise's side, eventually resting it on her hip. Meesei nestled her muzzle into the nape of Lunise's neck and began to "kiss" her enthusiastically, though not frantically.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Okay, I edited.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

One moment, didn't mean to post.