Janius was glad that he was able to discourage Kaleeth from becoming a lycan on whim, but her view of her courage made him stop to pause. Sure, in comparison, Janius was brave, but he also got terrified by the wamasu. What was different? On the surface, he simply acted as he needed to. He found options under pressure and he took one that he thought was the best in the few moments he had to decide. Kaleeth might have been so full of panic that she was frozen, but why does that happen to her?
"Kaleeth, have you ever thought about why you might be afraid?" Janius stared to think out loud, so he clarified, "I mean, apart from the sense that there's danger, that's normal. But, when you lose control, what is it really? Are you afraid of pain? Loss? Death, maybe? Or are you afraid of what might happen? Going back to the wamasu, what made you freeze then? And what made you act? Tell me as much as you can remember."
Even though he wasn't quite sure whether or not he could help Kaleeth with her bravery, he wanted to try. Not only that, but he was curious about what was different between the two of them to cause it. When did Janius become brave? He was sure it was before he turned, otherwise he would not have survived the spiders that served as his impromptu trial.
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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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"Pfeh, being a good hunter isn't just about speed and senses, much less strength." Janius retorted, returning Kaleeth's smile, "Granted, it makes some things easier, but no one could hunt if they didn't have other traits. Patience, cunning..." Janius paused and ran the tips of two of his fingers down one of the vine tattoos on Kaleeth's body, "...resilience." His eyes went from the vines to Kaleeth's eyes. "You don't have to become a werewolf to be a good hunter. When you become a werewolf, there is no going back, no available cure. I doubt that no one has made the mistake of thinking that the condition would grant them the world. It doesn't. It just... trades one set of problems for another, really."
Going back to Kaleeth's subtle discouragement of herself, Janius breathed a laugh through his nose, before taking another breath to speak quietly with encouraging inflections. "And who ever said you were a bad hunter, hm? You thrust a spear into a wamasu's skull, I know I couldn't do that. You have skill and bravery."
Going back to Kaleeth's subtle discouragement of herself, Janius breathed a laugh through his nose, before taking another breath to speak quietly with encouraging inflections. "And who ever said you were a bad hunter, hm? You thrust a spear into a wamasu's skull, I know I couldn't do that. You have skill and bravery."
Tazzak flinched severely when the blaster fire resumed. His synthesiser buzzed a response to Ruu as he frantically punched at the controls and got the skiff whirring to life, "-You don't have to tell me twice, scary lady!-"
Trying not to be completely exposed to the incoming fire, Tazzak lifted the skiff a short distance into the air. The other woman who had helped them came by and introduced herself as Zorris, but with no one else boarding the ship, Tazzak was confused as to what to do but wait. He couldn't shoot for bantha fodder, and he would rather not die here, so the obvious option was to fly away, but there were still allies on the ground. Well, strangers to him, but he didn't want this Ruu woman to fry the back of his head if he did the wrong thing.
To add to the confusion, there was yet another mysterious explosion. Was this an incident of friendly fire this time? Who was on which side exactly!? Tazzak pinched at a small dial on his synthesiser, then caused it to shout, "-Hey!- -Humans!- -Get on the damned skiff already!-"
Trying not to be completely exposed to the incoming fire, Tazzak lifted the skiff a short distance into the air. The other woman who had helped them came by and introduced herself as Zorris, but with no one else boarding the ship, Tazzak was confused as to what to do but wait. He couldn't shoot for bantha fodder, and he would rather not die here, so the obvious option was to fly away, but there were still allies on the ground. Well, strangers to him, but he didn't want this Ruu woman to fry the back of his head if he did the wrong thing.
To add to the confusion, there was yet another mysterious explosion. Was this an incident of friendly fire this time? Who was on which side exactly!? Tazzak pinched at a small dial on his synthesiser, then caused it to shout, "-Hey!- -Humans!- -Get on the damned skiff already!-"
Janius nodded, however impossible the notion of finding Kaleeth again. He couldn't see how this time, not with how far the pack travelled, but there was hope. "Maybe we will meet again, Kaleeth. Stranger things have happened."
Letting his eyes lull closed, Janius thought he could fall asleep with Kaleeth and himself in each others arms. "Hm? A werewolf?" Kaleeth's next question was something a bit more casual. Now that she knew and promised not to tell anyone, he felt perfectly comfortable talking about it, but where to start had him stumped for a few moments. "Well, er... it's... it has its advantages and disadvantages I guess. I was forced to become one, so I didn't like it at first, but I came to tolerate it, and eventually enjoy it." By habit, Janius started moving his hand while resting his wrist on Kaleeth's opposite shoulder as he explained. "You have to move around a lot. You have to hunt every so often in your wolf form to keep it from becoming restless. You... meditate as well to manage. You live outside of civilization in my case, but some werewolves manage in and around cities from what I've heard. Come to think of it, there are a lot of similarities to living in an Argonian village. Probably because that's how Meesei manages us; she was brought up in a place like this." Janius took a slow breath to think of what else to say, "You tend to eat meat all of the time; it's easier to live off with the lifestyle and you tend to... crave it more, I suppose. As a result you have to learn to work leather and hides well, because there's never any shortage of it. Of course, there are other differences, and plenty of downsides."
Getting to the positive, Janius took on a happier tone, "But the hook is actually experiencing the wolf form. The heightened senses, the strength, the speed. Not to mention the feeling of hunting as a pack. It's... exciting. Unstoppable. Swept up in the instinct. You feel like you have purpose. It's one of the greatest feelings you can experience. Your pack are like your best friends, as well as your closest family, and your most trusted companions. Others enjoy the challenge, the service to our daedric patron, Hircine, but coming from an Imperial family that had comparatively less love and care, the pack is what really made it all worth it for me."
Janius' hand stilled and his tone became more serious, "Though, like I said before, it isn't all wonderful. Taking care of your beast spirit is a big responsibility. One you have to deal with every day. Just like if you were to lock up a dog or a wolf, becoming eventually vicious and mad, so does your beast spirit behave. Except your beast spirit can break out and consume you, even if you try to hold it back." Janius opened his eyes, but kept his head leaning against Kaleeth's. "When werewolves lose control, bad things happen. Then people get upset. I already mentioned that few people trust us. That's because, put simply, we're dangerous. It's true that when both moons are full, we are forced to transform and we have less control, but any other time, my pack and I manage it well enough that we're actually in perfect control. That doesn't matter to plenty of people, though. There are those who hunt us for a variety of reasons. As long as there are those who have not learned to manage their condition, there will be those hunting werewolves."
Letting his eyes lull closed, Janius thought he could fall asleep with Kaleeth and himself in each others arms. "Hm? A werewolf?" Kaleeth's next question was something a bit more casual. Now that she knew and promised not to tell anyone, he felt perfectly comfortable talking about it, but where to start had him stumped for a few moments. "Well, er... it's... it has its advantages and disadvantages I guess. I was forced to become one, so I didn't like it at first, but I came to tolerate it, and eventually enjoy it." By habit, Janius started moving his hand while resting his wrist on Kaleeth's opposite shoulder as he explained. "You have to move around a lot. You have to hunt every so often in your wolf form to keep it from becoming restless. You... meditate as well to manage. You live outside of civilization in my case, but some werewolves manage in and around cities from what I've heard. Come to think of it, there are a lot of similarities to living in an Argonian village. Probably because that's how Meesei manages us; she was brought up in a place like this." Janius took a slow breath to think of what else to say, "You tend to eat meat all of the time; it's easier to live off with the lifestyle and you tend to... crave it more, I suppose. As a result you have to learn to work leather and hides well, because there's never any shortage of it. Of course, there are other differences, and plenty of downsides."
Getting to the positive, Janius took on a happier tone, "But the hook is actually experiencing the wolf form. The heightened senses, the strength, the speed. Not to mention the feeling of hunting as a pack. It's... exciting. Unstoppable. Swept up in the instinct. You feel like you have purpose. It's one of the greatest feelings you can experience. Your pack are like your best friends, as well as your closest family, and your most trusted companions. Others enjoy the challenge, the service to our daedric patron, Hircine, but coming from an Imperial family that had comparatively less love and care, the pack is what really made it all worth it for me."
Janius' hand stilled and his tone became more serious, "Though, like I said before, it isn't all wonderful. Taking care of your beast spirit is a big responsibility. One you have to deal with every day. Just like if you were to lock up a dog or a wolf, becoming eventually vicious and mad, so does your beast spirit behave. Except your beast spirit can break out and consume you, even if you try to hold it back." Janius opened his eyes, but kept his head leaning against Kaleeth's. "When werewolves lose control, bad things happen. Then people get upset. I already mentioned that few people trust us. That's because, put simply, we're dangerous. It's true that when both moons are full, we are forced to transform and we have less control, but any other time, my pack and I manage it well enough that we're actually in perfect control. That doesn't matter to plenty of people, though. There are those who hunt us for a variety of reasons. As long as there are those who have not learned to manage their condition, there will be those hunting werewolves."
G'night!
Sorry about the delay. I've had thing distracting me today. Any more twists or dialogue tonight?
As usual, there was more than meets the eye in this case. Kaleeth had made a decision based on her own principles, and it gave Janius a new respect for her, but it still would have been hard. Not to mention, Zharanthixil was otherwise a good person by Kaleeth's description. Perhaps he would be capable of understanding. Janius' first thought was that if he could prove to the Master-Hunter that he would be prepared to give his life for Kaleeth, maybe he would win his trust. How would he do that though? Though, before all that, Janius would have to let Meesei know about this. If there was any threat to the pack's welcome here, then she needed to know.
As for now, it could all wait until the morning. Janius needed time to think, and he wanted to stay with Kaleeth a while longer. He held her close while they sat. "Thank you for explaining." He kissed her on the top of the head. "I'll see what I can do anyway. I have to try."
As for now, it could all wait until the morning. Janius needed time to think, and he wanted to stay with Kaleeth a while longer. He held her close while they sat. "Thank you for explaining." He kissed her on the top of the head. "I'll see what I can do anyway. I have to try."
Kaleeth's recount revealed Janius' suspicions that there was more to it, but he couldn't have predicted it to be like it was. He could not think of any point in his life where he was exposed to slavery, so he found it hard to fathom that there were still roaming slavers around. However, that kind of experience would only ingrain the deepest suspicion about outsiders. Kaleeth's notion that Zharanthixil may never forgive Janius began to be much more believable.
Janius nodded. "I see." His tone didn't hold much hope, but he was understanding. He had to sit for a while by Kaleeth in deep thought. "I don't think it would be completely impossible for your father to change. I just have to think of something." He leaned his head against Kaleeth's, bringing his arm around and rubbing her shoulder to comfort each other. "It feels like this whole day has been a mess. Up and down over and over." He closed his eyes, "At least it sounds like those criminals that destroyed your father's village got what they deserved. I'll find a way to prove him wrong about myself and my friends, I swear it."
In trying to think, Janius opened his eyes again. "Kaleeth," he said quietly in a questioning tone, "did you drink your cure?" Janius wasn't in the mood to lie with Kaleeth any further than night, that much was clear in his tone, but he didn't want her contracting lycanthropy. That would only make the night worse.
Janius nodded. "I see." His tone didn't hold much hope, but he was understanding. He had to sit for a while by Kaleeth in deep thought. "I don't think it would be completely impossible for your father to change. I just have to think of something." He leaned his head against Kaleeth's, bringing his arm around and rubbing her shoulder to comfort each other. "It feels like this whole day has been a mess. Up and down over and over." He closed his eyes, "At least it sounds like those criminals that destroyed your father's village got what they deserved. I'll find a way to prove him wrong about myself and my friends, I swear it."
In trying to think, Janius opened his eyes again. "Kaleeth," he said quietly in a questioning tone, "did you drink your cure?" Janius wasn't in the mood to lie with Kaleeth any further than night, that much was clear in his tone, but he didn't want her contracting lycanthropy. That would only make the night worse.
With how Zharanthixil had behaved, Janius played off Kaleeth's last sentence at first, but then it caused him to bow his head and wonder. It was one thing that he was a lycan, and that would have been a very legitimate reason for the Master-Hunter to be concerned in his eyes, but did he really have any business being in love with Kaleeth if he was not Argonian? Perhaps the time they had would be cut short.
Looking rather sullen, Janius moved to seat himself next to Kaleeth. "Kaleeth-Rei, I don't want you to sacrifice too much for me. I... lost my temper with your father just there, but I would like to know what has made him so angry with Imperials." He faced away from her guiltily, "It's one thing to be with you Kaleeth, but I can't stand to see other parts of your life torn from you if the cause is more trivial than just having some stranger caught with you even when you're an adult." He picked up a twig and started to snap it into smaller and smaller pieces, "Look, my own father and I did not have the best of relationships. For a long time I thought it was his fault, but it wasn't until I was away from him for long enough that I started to regret not making my peace with him. If that were to happen to you, I would feel horrible. I have to try something."
Looking rather sullen, Janius moved to seat himself next to Kaleeth. "Kaleeth-Rei, I don't want you to sacrifice too much for me. I... lost my temper with your father just there, but I would like to know what has made him so angry with Imperials." He faced away from her guiltily, "It's one thing to be with you Kaleeth, but I can't stand to see other parts of your life torn from you if the cause is more trivial than just having some stranger caught with you even when you're an adult." He picked up a twig and started to snap it into smaller and smaller pieces, "Look, my own father and I did not have the best of relationships. For a long time I thought it was his fault, but it wasn't until I was away from him for long enough that I started to regret not making my peace with him. If that were to happen to you, I would feel horrible. I have to try something."
Janius watched Zharanthixil walk away and was at first not entirely sure what had transpired, but by Kaleeth's demeanour, he could assume enough. She didn't go with her father. Janius was still furious at Zharanthixil's unwillingness to confide in him honestly, but there was no way he would talk while he was that angry. He let Zharanthixil go, then looked to Kaleeth-Rei once the Master-Hunter was out of sight. He walked up to her and squatted down in front of her. His expression had turned from disdainful to concerned.
"Kaleeth," he whispered, extending his hand to hold hers, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? I will talk to your father tomorrow, once he has calmed down. I won't let him do anything to hurt you, I promise." Even as he tried to make Kaleeth feel better, his mind was swimming in questions. They were talking in rapid Jel while they argued, knowing what they were saying might have helped. But why did Zharanthixil hate Janius in particular? By his comments it was him and his kind that had caused him grief. It wasn't Imperials that had a hand in Kaleeth's brother's death, was it?
"Kaleeth," he whispered, extending his hand to hold hers, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? I will talk to your father tomorrow, once he has calmed down. I won't let him do anything to hurt you, I promise." Even as he tried to make Kaleeth feel better, his mind was swimming in questions. They were talking in rapid Jel while they argued, knowing what they were saying might have helped. But why did Zharanthixil hate Janius in particular? By his comments it was him and his kind that had caused him grief. It wasn't Imperials that had a hand in Kaleeth's brother's death, was it?
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