Once they had reached the village again, Janius gave no response except for a quick glance at Kaleeth. His expression was still stern as he walked off to the common hut. He couldn't bear to be around Kaleeth anymore.
Fendros angled his head and nodded in fairness to Ahnasha's point. "I'll keep that in mind for next time then," he said in a tone that warned Ahnasha to be careful of what she might encourage. He stayed in his pose for a little while without much else to talk about immediately, but after a few moments, Janius walked by. Fendros nodded as he passed, "How did the hunt go, Janius?"
Though Fendros expected Janius to be amused at his current position, he didn't even look at either of them, let alone speak. On top of all of the dried blood, Janius simply looked angry and unresponsive. When he walked into the common hut, Fendros looked at Ahnasha with a concerned expression. "Something bad must have happened." At first, Fendros thought that the worst had happened, but he could clearly smell that the blood that covered him came from an ogre, not an Argonian. Still, there was no reason for there to be such stains on his chin and torso unless he transformed. Perhaps that Argonian girl he was hanging around with was scared away by him. That didn't bode well if she was going to tell the village leaders. Especially the master-hunter.
Janius threw down his equipment unceremoniously before walking out of the common hut heading to the body of water he had swum in yesterday. "Hey! Janius! What happened?" Again, he did not acknowledge anyone on his way there, even Fendros shouting out to him. Once he reached the water, he inspected it for any unwanted life as usual, then waded to the point where he could wash off the blood. He cleansed himself with jerky and angry movements, escalating until he broke down and lowered himself into the water. He sat with his head above the surface and his face buried in his hands. Why did he let this happen? It didn't have to go this far, he could have refused earlier. Silently, tears started to mix with the water on his hands.
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Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
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I'll leave the outcome in your capable hands :)
So, it might be all gloomy now, but Janius would probably be more agreeable with a midnight visit. Do you think that would work? It would give some time for Janius to mull over things, and perhaps for Kaleeth to procure some remedies if she really wants to persist.
Remembering the discussion that he had with Ariel and Meesei on the matter, Janius held a glimmer that it might be possible. It faded into the ambiguity of the situation. The cure might be taken too late. She might contract the disease anyway. Janius closed his eyes and sighed, feeling horrible for putting a mark on Kaleeth's day like this. "The risk is enough," he said finally, before letting her go and retrieving his belongings so they could get going. "Let's head back to the village."
When he turned, Janius had an epiphany. He hadn't felt this way in a long time, but it was recognisable. He wasn't just attracted to Kaleeth, he wasn't just feeling bad for giving up the opportunity of finally bedding someone in year, or for hurting her feelings. He was afraid all along of falling in love with her. He was acting this way because the pack would leave eventually, and he knew that if he let himself fall for her that it would hurt even more to leave. In his feelings, he didn't realise that he had already fallen in love with her until now. He knew it was probably for the best that he tried to keep her away, but it didn't stop it hurting worse than any wound he had sustained. He bowed his head and kept silent on the way back.
"Hmm..." Fendros' mouth curled into a more sly smile. He toyed with the thought of what he could get Ahnasha to do. This time, though, there wasn't much else that he thought Ahnasha would refuse to do that he would like her to do, so he let it go. "As much as I'd like to see you in a dress just to get you back, I don't mind much." He turned his head to her briefly, "How about a kiss, then we can call it even?"
When he turned, Janius had an epiphany. He hadn't felt this way in a long time, but it was recognisable. He wasn't just attracted to Kaleeth, he wasn't just feeling bad for giving up the opportunity of finally bedding someone in year, or for hurting her feelings. He was afraid all along of falling in love with her. He was acting this way because the pack would leave eventually, and he knew that if he let himself fall for her that it would hurt even more to leave. In his feelings, he didn't realise that he had already fallen in love with her until now. He knew it was probably for the best that he tried to keep her away, but it didn't stop it hurting worse than any wound he had sustained. He bowed his head and kept silent on the way back.
"Hmm..." Fendros' mouth curled into a more sly smile. He toyed with the thought of what he could get Ahnasha to do. This time, though, there wasn't much else that he thought Ahnasha would refuse to do that he would like her to do, so he let it go. "As much as I'd like to see you in a dress just to get you back, I don't mind much." He turned his head to her briefly, "How about a kiss, then we can call it even?"
Janius couldn't bear to look Kaleeth in the eyes as he spoke. "Argonians... Saxhleel. They catch it as well. I know because Meesei is also werewolf." As much as he wanted to reduce the amount of information Janius gave to Kaleeth-Rei about the pack, he needed to convince her somehow. "And taking a potion, like I said, it would make it less likely, but what if it doesn't work?" He motioned to her swiftly, "Then I have not only forced this condition on you but an entirely new way of life as well. You would probably have to leave your village, stay away from them for their protection, as well as yours. You might never see your friends and family again. You would always be under threat from groups of werewolf hunters. You would need to isolate yourself from much of the world just to survive!" It was at this point that Janius realised that he had let his voice rise to shouting at Kaleeth. He didn't need to yell, but frustration had got the better of him. He took a breath and lowered his head, than took Kaleeth gently by the shoulders, "Kaleeth-Rei..." he spoke quietly and looked at her with a pain in his soul, "You are such a beautiful woman. I can't take this risk. I'm sorry."
As Fendros returned Ahnasha's stare, he lost composure in sync with Ahnasha and laughed along with her. The topic of conversation turned more serious in comparison afterwards. Fendros nodded while trying to keep still otherwise. "I know, but there doesn't seem to be any other way around it. It makes me wish we had thought to seek instruction while we were back in Thorn, but... spilt milk and all that. As long as we don't get held up in the city and as long as what we hunt doesn't get to close to the city, then we should be okay. Unless any night travellers or patrols get unlucky. Hm, risky." Fendros agreed. Even though his pose was looking away from Ahnasha, he moved his eyes to look at her momentarily. "You don't suppose that it would be worth asking the wise woman, Reanaseer, if she knows anything about birth, or if she knows anyone who might? We might get lucky and not need to head to Stormhold in such a hurry."
As Fendros returned Ahnasha's stare, he lost composure in sync with Ahnasha and laughed along with her. The topic of conversation turned more serious in comparison afterwards. Fendros nodded while trying to keep still otherwise. "I know, but there doesn't seem to be any other way around it. It makes me wish we had thought to seek instruction while we were back in Thorn, but... spilt milk and all that. As long as we don't get held up in the city and as long as what we hunt doesn't get to close to the city, then we should be okay. Unless any night travellers or patrols get unlucky. Hm, risky." Fendros agreed. Even though his pose was looking away from Ahnasha, he moved his eyes to look at her momentarily. "You don't suppose that it would be worth asking the wise woman, Reanaseer, if she knows anything about birth, or if she knows anyone who might? We might get lucky and not need to head to Stormhold in such a hurry."
After accepting Kaleeth's embrace, Janius looked back into her eyes. Their lips were barely an inch apart. It had finally come to this. He could just pretend that the condition would not be transmitted, he could just kiss her. "...I like you too," Janius mumbled slowly, caught in the moment.
Unfortunately, for as long as he had claimed this outcome with females to be some sort of objective, Janius looked away and sighed in frustration. This wasn't going to happen. "I'm sorry, I can't," Janius' words were so quick and cold that he felt a pang through his chest again. He had really come to like Kaleeth more than he intended. All at once, he was frustrated, embarrassed and remorseful. These emotions came through in quick words, "The condition is passed on through transfer of blood. There are methods to reduce the risk, but there will always be a chance that you would become a werewolf if we... you know. I can't do that to you if you don't understand what being a werewolf is. I'm sorry." Janius stood up and held an angry expression, he kept his eyes away from Kaleeth. Even though he was trying to be stoic with his expression, he wanted to escape. He was saddened to the core, but he needed to look strong.
He picked up his belongings and started towards the village again, but he waited to see if Kaleeth had anything else to say. He needed her to lead the way back anyway.
Fendros smiled and glanced Ahnasha for a moment at her compliment, keeping the pose. He tended to stay humble with her compliments, but he appreciated them. As for the pose, he thought he could hold this one.
The reply to his question cause Fendros to raise an eyebrow. "What? I didn't mean-" Fendros was caught off guard by Ahnasha's sudden change of mood, but he stopped before he let his tone become defensive. He didn't want to induce a full mood swing. Even though Ahnasha sometimes joked around, it was occasionally difficult to tell. Nevertheless, the same slower and more considerate approach tended to be the best option for all times. "I was just saying that you've had more energy today. You look brighter." He lowered his head and his eyes looked up at hers, a consoling expression, "But you're always beautiful, Ahna."
Unfortunately, for as long as he had claimed this outcome with females to be some sort of objective, Janius looked away and sighed in frustration. This wasn't going to happen. "I'm sorry, I can't," Janius' words were so quick and cold that he felt a pang through his chest again. He had really come to like Kaleeth more than he intended. All at once, he was frustrated, embarrassed and remorseful. These emotions came through in quick words, "The condition is passed on through transfer of blood. There are methods to reduce the risk, but there will always be a chance that you would become a werewolf if we... you know. I can't do that to you if you don't understand what being a werewolf is. I'm sorry." Janius stood up and held an angry expression, he kept his eyes away from Kaleeth. Even though he was trying to be stoic with his expression, he wanted to escape. He was saddened to the core, but he needed to look strong.
He picked up his belongings and started towards the village again, but he waited to see if Kaleeth had anything else to say. He needed her to lead the way back anyway.
Fendros smiled and glanced Ahnasha for a moment at her compliment, keeping the pose. He tended to stay humble with her compliments, but he appreciated them. As for the pose, he thought he could hold this one.
The reply to his question cause Fendros to raise an eyebrow. "What? I didn't mean-" Fendros was caught off guard by Ahnasha's sudden change of mood, but he stopped before he let his tone become defensive. He didn't want to induce a full mood swing. Even though Ahnasha sometimes joked around, it was occasionally difficult to tell. Nevertheless, the same slower and more considerate approach tended to be the best option for all times. "I was just saying that you've had more energy today. You look brighter." He lowered his head and his eyes looked up at hers, a consoling expression, "But you're always beautiful, Ahna."
Gersh dermed drop outs.
Fair enough, I'm heading off in half an hour anyway. G'night!
"It's not magic. At least, not like magic normally is. I think. I didn't learn it, I..." Janius itched at the back of his head. He was very relieved that Kaleeth seemed to have an open and uninfluenced mind about it. "I suppose you could say it was given to me. Some people call it a gift, some call it a disease. Blessing, curse. It's all of those things. Most people associate it with daedra worship, with uncontrolled killing, or just with plain hate. Many people are scared of me and others like me." He looked ahead, he wasn't sure he was comfortable with her intense look. Especially because he knew exactly what it was, even on an Argonian. "Yes, I'm a werewolf. There are many details, but essentially there is a spirit in my blood. A beast. I can summon it to help me fight or hunt, but it's only under my control if I feed it regularly. It's a creature of instinct, like a wolf. That's... that's why I ate most of the rest of the ogre. I couldn't get at the wamasu because it was too tough, but that's your kill anyway."
Janius put a hand on Kaleeth's shoulder and looked at her directly. "I know it might seem powerful and wonderful at a glance, but its not like that. Not completely. I didn't want to let you know because... well, like I said, werewolves aren't trusted. If the word got out, then we might be driven away before Sabine could finish her ritual, and that's the entire point of us coming here. I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone else about me being a werewolf." His eyes glanced to the cave, then to Kaleeth again, "We can say that I drove the wamasu back with some fire magic some more before you got it, but not a word about a werewolf, okay?"
Once the point sunk in, Janius' expression became a bit more jovial. He slid his hand off Kaleeth's shoulder, held his arms beside himself and looked down at the spatters of blood on them. "Now then, I would hug you to congratulate you on becoming a hunter, but, as you can see, I don't exactly smell of roses." He laughed, and smiled at Kaleeth, "Well done."
Fendros rolled his shoulder and laughed. "I was wondering why I've been feeling sore," He remarked, before standing up from the log and removing his clothing. He was glad that the Argonian villagers didn't seem to have a problem with nudity. It made Fendros feel as if he didn't have to be disguised so much. "Well, you know Lorag. He's been trying to sculpt me so much that I'm surprised I haven't turned green and developed an underbite."
Once he placed all his clothes on the log behind him, he clasped his hands together and pulled an exaggerated pose that flexed his arms. "Like this?" He asked, wondering if it would actually be possible to sustain such a tensed pose for long enough. Deciding that perhaps his current pose would leave him with a pinched nerve, he instead assumed a pose that he had seen on a small statue once. He moved to pose as if he was in the middle of hurling an unseen javelin as far as he could, then looked to Ahnasha again, "...Or like this?"
Fendros smiled warmly at Ahnasha. He still enjoyed seeing her smile. "So, how have you been feeling with the day off travelling? You certainly looks like that sleep did you some good." Fendros said while trying to stay still.
Janius put a hand on Kaleeth's shoulder and looked at her directly. "I know it might seem powerful and wonderful at a glance, but its not like that. Not completely. I didn't want to let you know because... well, like I said, werewolves aren't trusted. If the word got out, then we might be driven away before Sabine could finish her ritual, and that's the entire point of us coming here. I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone else about me being a werewolf." His eyes glanced to the cave, then to Kaleeth again, "We can say that I drove the wamasu back with some fire magic some more before you got it, but not a word about a werewolf, okay?"
Once the point sunk in, Janius' expression became a bit more jovial. He slid his hand off Kaleeth's shoulder, held his arms beside himself and looked down at the spatters of blood on them. "Now then, I would hug you to congratulate you on becoming a hunter, but, as you can see, I don't exactly smell of roses." He laughed, and smiled at Kaleeth, "Well done."
Fendros rolled his shoulder and laughed. "I was wondering why I've been feeling sore," He remarked, before standing up from the log and removing his clothing. He was glad that the Argonian villagers didn't seem to have a problem with nudity. It made Fendros feel as if he didn't have to be disguised so much. "Well, you know Lorag. He's been trying to sculpt me so much that I'm surprised I haven't turned green and developed an underbite."
Once he placed all his clothes on the log behind him, he clasped his hands together and pulled an exaggerated pose that flexed his arms. "Like this?" He asked, wondering if it would actually be possible to sustain such a tensed pose for long enough. Deciding that perhaps his current pose would leave him with a pinched nerve, he instead assumed a pose that he had seen on a small statue once. He moved to pose as if he was in the middle of hurling an unseen javelin as far as he could, then looked to Ahnasha again, "...Or like this?"
Fendros smiled warmly at Ahnasha. He still enjoyed seeing her smile. "So, how have you been feeling with the day off travelling? You certainly looks like that sleep did you some good." Fendros said while trying to stay still.
So, I may have drilled a peephole in the fourth wall slightly. Please forgive me -_-
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