EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I wish it all could have been different, but...trust me when I say it could not. I had to be here, and you had to be in Tamriel, doing all of that important work you are doing. I do wish your father could have been here with me, but...he needed to be there for you, when I couldn't be." Nytala replied, not releasing her grip for a moment. "I just want to say that I am proud of you, and I am glad that I have had the chance to tell you that in person."

Nytala did eventually pull back from Lunise enough to be able to look her in the eyes. They were both in tears by that point, but Nytala was still smiling. "There are some things I want to say to your father as well. I still cannot speak to him in person, or even as a projection, but if it is not too much trouble for you, I would appreciate it if you could give him a letter from me when you do go back to Tamriel."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Nytala did not react quickly, but was instead patient. Though Lunise spoke only a few words, she listened closely, and paid attention to all of the subtle emotions that Lunise was trying to hide. Along with those that were not so subtle. The fact that Nytala had always been scrying into Lunise's life likely gave her context for how Lunise was feeling, even had Lunise been successful in hiding it.

Moving directly in front of Lunise, Nytala placed her hands on both of Lunise's arms, looking her straight in the eyes. Her tone, while compassionate, also felt like a command. "Lunise, dear, we are not in Tamriel. Not your superiors, nor anyone you have to impress, are here. There is no punishment for showing 'weakness'." Nytala pulled her fully into a hug. "Stop trying to hold back."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise would know very well that Meesei loathed to refuse a challenge, so unless something or someone stopped them, it was all but assured that Meesei would be expecting that challenge soon. However, Meesei did not yet say anything about it, instead taking a metaphorical step back from the conversation, which seemed to be taking a more personal turn for Lunise and Nytala.

Nytala bowed her head, simply breathing slowly for a few seconds. Lunise had obviously touched on a deep regret for her mother, but she did not avoid addressing it directly regardless. "I know, if only it were possible. I do honestly believe your father was a candidate as well, but there are so many highly qualified candidates that are never offered the chance to join, through no fault of their own. The Order simply does not accept many, and only rarely do they accept anyone at all. I didn't want to leave him; I didn't want to leave either of you."

Again, Nytala started to appear nervous. She looked around the room, despite the fact that there was certainly only the three of them, before continuing. "I am not sure how much of this the council would want me to say. But...I was not always sure I would stay, especially early on. I did not want to leave either of you, and I probably would have come back, were it not for the future I saw ahead. I...can't reveal details, and I have to be careful what vague words I say, but I decided to stay once I saw your role in this, Lunise. Once I saw that you were going to be involved in something so important and dangerous as this, I had no choice but to stay. I could not speak to you, I could not interfere directly, but...I hope it is enough for me to say that I have done and are doing things here that help you. I cannot tell you about it, and you may never even see the effects yourself, but I had to do this. For you, and your father."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei slowly and carefully lowered her cup back down onto the table. "I have done my best to make Lunise's task as easy for her as possible, but I still do not envy her. Not only do you have to deal with judgment from the Imperials, and the more Imperial-supporting members of my clans, but you have to deal with how your own superiors as well. I know you have been doing your best to try and improve our standing with them, and make it possible to actually have the lasting peace we are wanting. An especially difficult task, as I know my people are not perfect. There are those without control, who are dangerous against their will. And those who let the power go to their head, and become dangerous willingly. But, our clans serve a purpose, and if they are allowed to persist in the Dominion after this is over, it will almost certainly be because of you, love. Your experience in magic does impress me, but your experience in diplomacy has done so much for us."

Reaching around Lunise's back, Meesei hugged her somewhat tightly with one arm. "Although, speaking of experience...you have long claimed to be more experienced than I. But, as we have learned, I have thousands of years worth of experience in my mind to call upon. Apparently."

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."