EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala gave a nod. "It is a plausible theory, which would be consistent with my observations. Hircine's connection with the affliction would allow him to grant greater power to those that exhibit his preferred character traits. Though, it would require much more study to prove."

Meesei, meanwhile, elected to make use of telekinesis instead of her much more cumbersome hands to hold on to her cup of tea: a fact that garnered Nytala's immediate attention. For a few seconds, she stared in fascination at the simple levitating cup. "How marvelous. Simply marvelous. To even be possible goes against every observation I have made or shred of information I have scrounged up, yet it is the reality I must accept."

Nytala pulled herself back from her continued scholarly curiosity for long enough to give a smile towards her daughter. "I really do suppose that it should not have surprised me so that someone as exceptional as you would end up with someone as exceptional as her. You both are capable of such great things. Although, I still must admit that it did surprise me when I learned you were going to end up wed to an Argonian, and a werewolf. I had the Psijic Order to teach me how to put aside my preconceived notions about other races and peoples, and it makes me proud to see that you were able to do the same, even from within Tamriel. Although, even more than that, I have found myself surprised by how your personalities seem to attract one another. The competitiveness, the...pride in your abilities. I would have thought that would lead to more arguments."

"Personally, I would say that is a part of the attraction. Lunise is capable, intelligent, and she challenges me. Among many other reasons, of course. I am accustomed to having people look up to me; it is necessary for me to fulfill my role as Champion. That made it all the more refreshing to have someone like Lunise in my life..." Meesei explained. She took a moment to hover her cup up to her muzzle, though Lunise was correct when she alluded to the difficulty Meesei had showing manners in this form. She attempted to take a sip, but ended up drinking half of the contents at once. Nevertheless, she attempted to ignore it and move on, now with a grin. "...even if I am the stronger mage."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even Meesei's acute hearing strained somewhat on Lunise's words, though she understood them regardless. It seemed she may have been right in her guess that Nytala had changed greatly during her time with the Psijic Order. The ways of the Psijics were far different from the culture of Summerset. It sounded like they may have been changes for the better, but it still may not have made up for losing her to begin with. Nytala obviously felt that it was worth the sacrifice, but hearing Lunise's thoughts on the matter only reaffirmed Meesei's decision not to join the Order. She would not want to put Sabine through the same loss if she could help it.

Nytala did eventually find the writing implements she was looking for and took her time to jot down whatever notes had come to her mind. However, it did at least seem like she was making an effort to get the words down as quickly as possible to return to the others, albeit with a parchment in hand. "My apologies, I just had to make sure I did not forget that. I am sure these observations will bring me closer to understand the mechanisms behind your particular shapeshifting. I am just...not entirely sure how yet."

Nytala had to look up somewhat to make eye contact with Meesei, and her form was overall imposing compared to both of the Altmer present. Even for someone who was meant to be familiar with lycanthropes, Nytala still seemed slightly nervous. "I can see why you frightened some of our initiates. I...did not expect a werewolf to be quite so large."

Meesei could not laugh in quite the same way as usual, but did let out a non-threatening grunt. "I am a rather large werewolf, to be fair. I am honestly not certain what trait confers a lycan form its size, since it can vary between individuals. I personally believe it to be a blessing from Hircine."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I am sure I can handle some crude etiquette, my dear. The life of a Psijic is not all fine and proper." Nytala chuckled, standing up from her seat along with Meesei. In preparation for Meesei's transformation, she charged what felt like a restoration spell in her hand. Although, it became somewhat weaker when Nytala lost her focus, once Meesei started to pull off the Psijic initiate robe she was wearing and tossed it aside.

"Oh my..." She began, briefly startled. Evidently, she had not thought in complete detail about what her request would require, or how Meesei would choose to fulfill it. Nevertheless, she soon straightened up and cleared her throat. "Well, I...suppose I did ask for this."

Nytala's distraction did not last long, as the moment Meesei's transformation began in earnest, Nytala placed her hand on her and used her spell to feel through Meesei's entire form amidst her transformation. The whole process only lasted a few seconds, but the wide-eyed Nytala looked as if all of her expectations had been shattered. "That is...that was...not at all what I had predicted. It's close to a few of my earlier theories, but I had discarded those..."

Suddenly, Nytala rushed over to one of the tables on the other side of the room and started frantically searching through its drawers. "Where does he keep his ink? I have to write this down!"

Meesei was tempted to start laughing, but instead quietly walked up alongside Lunise. She reached her arm around Lunise's back and lightly nuzzled her nose against the top of her head. "So, how much is she like the woman you once knew?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It took some effort for Meesei to avoid laughing. Being that Nytala was not her mother, the unintentional awkwardness of her question was more amusing for Meesei than it was for Lunise. "By my judgment, I would say that Lunise is to the point of being comfortable around werewolves. Or at least, comfortable around me." She remarked, keeping her tone even enough to hide her amusement. "The ring does give me near perfect control of my beast spirit, so it is, perhaps, easier to be comfortable around me. Most lycans, with enough practice and mental discipline, can gain control over their beast forms. But, even then, taking control of that form is not just like moving around in your own body. For example, a werewolf might be able to consciously move their arm, but it can still feel almost like it is not like their arm that they are moving. As if they are seeing and acting through another being's eyes. I do not experience that any longer, not when I wear the ring. For me, I feel perfectly like myself, regardless of my form."

"Fascinating..." Nytala remarked. Even a quick look at her would make it easy to see that she was thoroughly engrossed in every word of Meesei's description. If this was truly her primary topic of study right now, and had been for centuries, then her interest did make quite a bit of sense. Meesei could sympathize with Nytala's desire to study her, as her help could well be the equivalent of decades of progress for her, if not more. "I have only been able to guess at the psychological dynamics that occur in a lycanthrope's mind. I had some ideas close to what you describe, but now to know for sure...I, well, I do not wish to impose, but would it bother either of you if Meesei were to transform while we speak? I promise I will try not to allow my curiosity to interfere too much with our time together."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala nodded towards Lunise. "Go ahead, feel free. This is actually Zyausak's chamber, but he would not mind."

While Nytala ultimately would respect Lunise's answer, her dedication to her research and academic curiosity did make her reasonably persistent. Although, her attitude did suggest that she wanted to avoid upsetting Lunise, more than anything. "I would be grateful for any assistance you would be willing to give me, of course. I have been able to learn a great deal about the history of lycanthropy from here, and the behaviors of those afflicted with it, and any amount of study that you would allow me onto a live subject would be invaluable to a detailed analysis of the Daedric machinations behind the affliction. Your ability to enjoy your time here should certainly come first; you both deserve that."

"But..." Lunise hesitantly continued, after a short pause. Her tone made it seem like she was trying to frame her following words more as a suggestion, than as a request. "...well, I do not presume to know how comfortable you are interacting with werewolves, dear, but it is true that the Daedric artifact Meesei wears grants her perfect control over her beast form, yes? That in itself is such an interesting concept, but...would that not also mean that she could socialize just as easily in either form?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala nodded along as Lunise spoke. "Yes, I have seen many possible futures of your people Meesei. I wish that I could give you specific details, but unfortunately, being told an outcome can often change that outcome unpredictably. It would not benefit you for me to tell you by how much or how little you may achieve your goals. Even if it would, I cannot guarantee how helpful my sight would be. The future is in flux right now, and a great deal depends on what happens relatively soon."

Nytala soon appeared hesitant as she turned her gaze towards Meesei once more. As innocuous as it was, Lunise's joke had caused her to think twice, though she still ended up following through regardless. "In all honesty, though, I would not mind observing a few transformations myself. It could do a great deal to further my research. But...it could take some time, I will admit."

Meesei did not need to think for long to determine that she was willing to help; the fact that it would be time consuming that gave her more pause. "Well, I certainly would not mind allowing you a few observations." She began, reaching over and taking a hold of Lunise's hand. "But, I also want to be sure to make the best use of our time together."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala shook her head. "There were no coincidences there. I took up my studies into lycanthropy as a direct result of learning of your future bond with Meesei."

Pausing a moment, Nytala lightly chuckled. "I admit, I was...surprised, at first, for a multitude of reasons. I would not say there is as much of a stigma against lycans, vampires, and the like here as there is in Tamriel, but I realize now it is not something I truly understood. The connections that such conditions give to various Daedra are not...preferred among Psijics. I admit, it is still a matter of concern for me now, but I have come to find the condition of lycanthropy to be simply intriguing. Your soul is bound to a Daedric vestige, and although Hircine could bind a Daedra with far more control of your mind, he allows you a chance to learn control yourself. And the transformation itself...I have been trying to work out the actual magical process through which your affliction transforms your body, and how it protects your life in the interim. It is not immediate, so there has to be some mechanism for the affliction to tether your soul, at least for a moment, to your physical form. Although, I have not been able to make proper observations on those processes without an actual lycanthrope to study in person."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Oh, but what you describe is likely the easiest method." Nytala answered, her voice taking on a more even tone befitting a "scholarly" discussion. "The Hist are particularly in tune with the bodies of their creations, and they can effect that transition quickly and seamlessly. And back again, I might add. Although, there exists magic that can transform the bodies of any race in such a way, in either direction. I have known individuals who have lived centuries as both men and women. I would not look so surprised at that knowledge, my dear. Your soon-to-be wife can transform her body to be multiple times her own size, into a giant wolf. I would say that goes several steps farther than simply becoming an Argonian of the opposite sex."

Meesei cleared her throat, fairly nervously. Although the idea of having children of her own by itself was not something she inherently opposed, what Nytala was describing made the concept seem alarmingly possible. "Well, that is not something I have ever...considered before, I can say. I am not entirely sure how to feel about the idea."

Perhaps as a way of "encouraging" the pair to consider the idea, Nytala quickly moved past Meesei's hesitation. "I am sure it is not nearly as drastic as it may sound to you. It is possible there may be a way to use magic to take one's essence and use it to impregnate another, but I am not sure. That would not be my area of expertise."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Based on Nytala's reaction, she simply accepted Lunise's answer, or was undeterred by it. In either case, she did not seem to be disappointed. "Oh, certainly. I do find that I have such respect for your people's approach to family, Meesei. Even the orphaned and the spurned can find the love and comfort of a new family. It does sadden me that I will never be able to meet Sabine in person."

"Sabine is a daughter to be proud of, without a doubt." Meesei replied. She had been briefly distracted by the thoughts swirling through her head on how Nytala could have possibly intended for her to have children, but the subject of Sabine was one that could quickly draw in her attention. "She is really the pride of my life. It is hard to even imagine her as the frightened little girl she once was. Although...I will say that it sometimes also hard for me not to see her as my little girl. And instead as the woman she has become. She did not truly start her magical studies until I started teaching her, where as I was trained since I was a hatchling. Yet, she has grown into a more powerful mage now than I was when I had the same number of years of experience. I have taught her all I know, shared with her all of the different, new forms of magic I have discovered. Even the Psijic magic I have learned, I am sure she is making good progress on studying. As a mage and a scholar, I look forward to seeing how she injects her own creativity into her research, and eventually seeing what she may be able to teach me. As a mother, I also look forward to her perhaps having her own family. She is already forming her own pack, and it may be that I will be the one looking forward to grandchildren soon. Just...my own guess."

Meesei had almost forgotten that he was still present, but Zyausak made enough noise standing up that she still glanced over to him before he spoke. "I feel I should stop intruding on your family bonding any further. Though, if you feel you would like to talk later, I would certainly like to. I do have some...ideas that might be of some small use to you with this matter of your soul, Meesei. And I am reasonably sure I would be allowed to share them." He explained before quickly looking to take his leave.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As amusing as the conversation had been to observe, Meesei's laughter quickly subsided as Lunise's tone became more serious. For Meesei, Lunise's question was not as emotionally difficult for her as she might have expected. The bonding between mates that Meesei was accustomed to among her clan was just as meaningful as a marriage, and she was already resolute in the knowledge that she wanted to be Lunise's mate. To call herself a "wife" was just putting another word on how she already felt.

Meesei placed her arm around Lunise. "As long as it is physically possible for me to do so, I will make my schedule free, my love." She said, punctuating her answer with a brief kiss.

Nytala, at this point, was grinning practically from ear to ear. "Oh, you two are just so...cute together as well. It almost melts my heart seeing you so smiling and romantic with one another. Not to mention that it renews my hope in grandchildren."

Naturally, Meesei was understandably confused by Nytala's comment. She had once before made a comment about grandchildren, and it made no more sense now than it did then. This time, it was Meesei with the awkward and hesitant tone in response to Nytala. "Um, well I would normally consider this to be an obvious conclusion, but...it is quite impossible for us to have our own children together."

"Oh, come now Meesei, I am sure you have strong enough knowledge of the depths of the arcane to know that is not strictly true." Nytala replied, rather vaguely.