EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Indeed, you are correct that my role involved me closely with the care of our eggs. Although, I should preface this by saying that many customs can be exceptionally different between each and every tribe of Saxhleel. For instance, most tribes have several Treeminders, but in my village, there was only one at a time to bear that title. That said, I was not the only one responsible for our eggs. Were that the case, it would be all I would have time for. My role entailed being a spiritual and arcane leader for our tribe. Now, as for the specifics, I should probably address a small misconception the second author you referenced made in regards to our bonding rituals..." Meesei began, leading into an answer even longer than Pircalmo's question.

While Pircalmo's "one" question could have easily been overwhelming, Meesei quickly proved herself more than able to answer it. She followed along effortlessly with more complicated magical concepts, and naturally tied them in to her people's lifestyle and development. Although, as Lunise might have feared, she did admittedly become carried away at times, in the interest of wanting to give a perfectly clear answer.

Eventually, the conversation started to stray enough from the original question that Lunise could have reasonable cause to interrupt them...after about half an hour. Their conversation on the treatment of their eggs inevitably involved their common religious beliefs on Sithis, which led into Meesei giving a more historical account related to Sithis. By Meesei's claims, the ancient Argonian civilization that built the Xanmeers fell not out of some kind of internal strife or external pressure, but because of a fundamental change in their religion. The Hist, according to Meesei, revealed to their ancient ancestors that their views on Sithis were wrong. Instead of a force of destruction, he came to be seen as a force of pure, unbiased change. Instead of building temples that attempted to remain unchanged by time, their civilization shifted into one that focused on being able to bend to the currents of change. It was a compelling and rare account of their history, and by Meesei's own admission, she felt that her people cared too little about history in general. However, Lunise would be able to firmly say by this point that it was time to move on.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I've never been to New York myself, it's quite far away. I don't know what would be interesting to visit that isn't too "touristy". I've always wanted to visit an upscale sushi restaurant, but that's more something I would want to try on the west coast. The fish is better there.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Are you in New York yet? You said you are going on holiday, so my guess is that you are going to New York City. From what I have been told, the rest of the state does not have much else to do. At all.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei grinned towards Lunise. In truth, Pircalmo had reacted pretty much exactly as she had expected. While he was looking for parchment, she closed up and took the book he had given her, deciding to take him up on his offer to borrow it. Pircalmo had already helped her more than she had expected, and being that he was Lunise's father, she did fill the need to repay that gesture. She did understand Lunise's concerns, but she did feel that she could spare at least some time. "We can spare at least a few minutes I would say, Lunise. If Nytala sent us back at the proper time, then we still should have hours before we are expected."

Despite Meesei's own assurances, she did give a reluctant sigh as she returned her attention to Pircalmo. "Although, Lunise is also not incorrect. Nytala gave us both a great deal to think about, and much to do in a short time. I expect that I am going to be getting in touch with many contacts and calling in many favors over the next few days."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even in the midst of such a serious and important conversation, Meesei gave a subtle smile as she started to thumb through the pages of the book Pircalmo gave her, looking for anything that stood out to her. "Hmm, Thorn? Is that so? Well, I will certainly not turn down any potential source of information. I will say that my clan has studied our condition extensively, though...this does remind me of one individual who has more knowledge of lycan souls, specifically, than anyone else I have met, and perhaps in all of Tamriel. Someone I may need to speak to soon, I think."

Meesei gave a slow, somewhat somber nod. In Apocrypha, she had obtained Ayleid research notes on some rather cruel experiments performed by the Wild Elves on some of their Argonian slaves, so she was familiar with what Pircalmo referred to. Ironically, it gave Meesei more insight into the nature of her own being than she would have otherwise, even with her knowledge of restoration. "As a Saxhleel, my connection to the Hist is certainly, fundamentally strong, but not insurmountable. Lycanthropy draws me closer to Hircine, for instance. What I wonder is if I could more intentionally and directly bind my soul to the Hist? Or any other entity, for that matter. If my soul would be torn apart if not bound to something, then perhaps it is as simple as binding my soul to something other than this body? something more...permanent. Although, I cannot think of a way of doing so without ending my life. It might be that I will be forced to choose when I die, and I do not know if the Daedric wolf spirit I am also bound to would interfere with such an effort. That bond is also not insurmountable, granted. I do know how to cure lycanthropy and separate the beast from the soul, but it may still be a complication."

Meesei's mind was practically buzzing with questions and uncertainty, and she did not expect that Pircalmo had an answer to most of it. Certainly, her problem was a difficult one to even begin to address without the sort of lengthy, detailed research that Meesei may well not have time to carry out. She knew that she could not and should not expect any one person to have the whole answer. "I do realize that I have been asking you questions that fall outside your expertise, but I do thank you for your efforts to help. I know it may not seem like it, but you have helped already. I do feel like I have some...direction, now. Any ideas you still might have, even if you are not sure they are pertinent, I would be glad to hear. But, you do not need to worry if you cannot think of anything else. I am already grateful."

While Meesei did force herself to smile, it was at least convincing. "And this need not be an entirely one-way conversation. I did not come here expecting all of the answers, and I do feel it would be somewhat rude of me to come to you expecting something for nothing. At the very least, I do want to return the courtesy you have shown me. Knowing you are a scholar, I do have to wonder if there is any knowledge I possess that would be helpful to you? If you are curious about the Saxhleel, I was once a Treeminder, early in my life. And now...well, I am sure you can imagine by my unique situation that I have had many unique experiences."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei followed Pircalmo's explanations closely, as well as reading through the section of the book he pointed out. She had not been too optimistic about finding useful help for her issue before, and even now, it was not as if she had been given the answer to her woes outright. However, Pircalmo's ideas were actually surprisingly encouraging for Meesei. She realized now that she had been approaching the problem from too narrow of a point of view. She had been focusing too much on how she might re-create the effect her own, living body had on her soul, but there were other approaches. She might have come to that conclusion on her own eventually, perhaps, but his perspective had opened up that option for her sooner.

"This is...interesting. I am not sure if anyone knows the precise metaphysical mechanism that allows a normal living body to so easily bind to a soul, but we might not need to." Meesei remarked. "What you said about Dwemer constructs and soul gems, I had not been thinking about that. I have been concentrating too much on trying to find ways for my soul to exist on its own, but that may be the wrong approach. Maybe...maybe I just need to find some other way to bind it. I know of multiple ways to keep this body from aging, but that would only buy me time. Even if nothing kills me, the world itself may eventually come to an end, and I would still be destroyed along with it. No, I need something that would still allow me an afterlife. Maybe...bind my soul directly to the Hist somehow? Or some part of myself that is connected to the Hist? I am not sure if that would keep my memories intact, and I am not sure if...another part of me might interfere."

Giving a soft sigh, Meesei turned her attention towards Lunise. "It may not be possible to keep all of my secrets, Lunise. If we want your father to truly be able to help, he may need to know about everything that is bound to my body."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Without approval from Lunise, Meesei did not want to share any more about her situation than was needed for Pircalmo to help her. She was not sure if Lunise wanted her father to know about the work they were doing to fight against Vile, but at the very least, Meesei was sure that Pircalmo would be accustomed to the restrictions and secrecy that came with being a Justiciar. There could be dire consequences for sharing restricted information, and she doubted that Pircalmo would want his daughter taking that risk. With Meesei at the very least being associated with Lunise, that risk could also reasonably extend to her in Pircalmo's mind.

"As you said, the Hist certainly has a destiny in mind for me. One of importance to them that requires me to be capable." Meesei answered vaguely before shifting back to the subject at hand. "Lunise did inform me that you do not have as extensive of expertise in matters of souls, but I still have a suspicion that your knowledge of the physical body may be helpful. My soul is clearly kept stable in this body, and I find myself curious on what exact properties of a physical body, or even my specific body, would keep a soul together. Perhaps there is a chance that I might use that knowledge to protect me beyond death? In truth, I am not sure that it is likely, but I am sure that you can understand why I would want to explore all of my options."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei gave a single nod, along with letting out a slow breath. "Yes. If that were the end of it, I might be annoyed at the unfair advantage, but I could accept it. There is more to it." She answered. Honestly, she was reasonably surprised that Pircalmo understood her situation as well as he did, though she supposed she should not have doubted Lunise's assessment of her father. She knew better than to think that any of Lunise's personal biases might have prevented her from giving an honest answer.

"According to Nytala, the Psijics do not believe my soul is stable in its current state. True memories or no, a mortal soul was not meant to be created with the experiences of thousands of lifetimes. It is just...too much. In my mortal body, I am kept intact, but Nytala does not believe my being will survive death. My soul may well be torn apart by it. At best, I might be left with no memories nor any of my personality, and that may as well be the same as destruction entirely. That is why I wish to seek help from you, and any expert in esoteric magical subjects that may be even vaguely related. As you might imagine, I take my continued existence too seriously to leave it to chance." Meesei explained. Although she had not called attention to it directly, she expected that Pircalmo would be able to figure out that there was even more going on than he had been told. He had already reasoned that the Hist had a destiny in mind for Meesei, but for the Hist to form one of their own creations in a way that would potentially doom her to destruction implied a destiny of dire importance to the Hist.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

In all honesty, Meesei felt that this might be an inelegant way to go about bringing up the issue to Pircalmo. Although, in fairness to Lunise, she was not sure there was an elegant way to bring it up. If Meesei wanted to get any actual, useful help from Pircalmo, there were certain truths about herself that would have to be revealed. Otherwise, any information he might give would be flawed.

"Well, I am a restorationist myself, and I am familiar with my own anatomy, of course, but I find myself in a rather unique situation and I feel that I may benefit from an outside perspective. One that does not share the same assumptions that may cloud my judgment." Meesei began. Out of Tamriel's races, Argonians had some of the most unique and, frankly, confusing physiology. Like Khajiit, Argonians could take on different forms, like the large-mouthed Naga, or even massive behemoths, but they were all still Argonian. However, their forms were not always fixed. An Argonian egg, born from one tribe but taken to the Hist tree of another, would be hatched with a body befitting that of the new tribe. To the Hist, their forms were malleable. Adaptable. Argonians were cold blooded, yet they could survive in at least reasonable comfort even in a harsh environment like Skyrim. From many of the writings that Meesei had read, there were not many outsiders who truly understood the actual nature of their existence. Some who had examined Argonian cadavers even remarked that they did not understand how they were even alive in the first place, but that was a question with an answer most Argonians just accepted naturally. The Hist was what shaped them to begin with, and their bodies were intrinsically infused with the Hist's magic. The Hist was the missing piece that most outsiders failed to consider, or at least, failed to understand. An Argonian could be hatched away from the Hist, but it was still an inescapable part of them.

Quietly in her mind, Meesei had to wonder how much Pircalmo had truly learned about her people. Despite his experience, it was still possible that his knowledge was fundamentally flawed. However, Meesei's questions were still worth asking. "The problem I face relates to my body, though it starts with my soul. Nytala was...well, she was kind enough to share with me an unfortunate truth about myself. Do you know of how our souls pass on through death? Instead of some other destination out of Mundus, we return to the Hist. Our essence, our memories, become a part of the Hist until such a time as our souls can be reborn again into a new form. According to Nytala, from the Psijics' understanding...my soul was not reborn into this body as a clean slate, as it were. I have memories, or...templates, as she described them, from potentially thousands of past lives. They are not true memories, I do not believe, as I cannot recall them in the same way as my own memories. However, they are still there deep in my consciousness, just waiting to be...nudged awake by the right inspiration. If I attempt to learn something that one of these past lives once knew, it is more like trying to recall a memory than learning a new concept. It is much easier, and quicker."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei could not help but to smile, if subtly. She took her tea cup in her hand and blew over its surface before answering. "To be honest, I am not completely certain myself. Time has been quite...fickle for me, especially as of late." It was true that she did not remember the exact amount of time it had been since her last visit, though she was also not quite certain that she even remembered what city they were in. In both visits, she had arrived through a portal in which someone else had given her the destination.

Given how Lunise had described her father, Meesei could see how Pircalmo hid the vast majority of his emotion. She had to admit that he was quite masterful in putting on a facade. Were it not for Lunise, Meesei had to admit that she likely would have been fooled by his act, and she could see where Lunise had developed that particular skill. Before they had began their relationship, and even for a short while in the beginning, Meesei had tended to be left guessing on Lunise's true thoughts on any matter, important or no.

Meesei did not want to come across as accusing Pircalmo of hiding anything, but she did want to at least present the fact that she did not blame him for the emotions he may have been hiding. "Do not worry. I know of the nature of Nytala's relationship to you, not to mention the fact that she is a Psijic mage, and I do not blame you for taking the time to appropriately address whatever it is that letter may have contained. I can only guess that it was important. I can say that I did enjoy the garden; I am someone who does appreciate natural beauty."