"It's okay. You are unlikely to transform again today." Janius responded as clearly as he could in his beast form. His eyes looked down at her momentarily before returning to his path ahead. "Running will not work forever. You will only end up hurting others unless you let us help you. Just rest for now. Your parents want to see you again. I won't let you hurt anyone."
After a few moments, Janius' curiosity got the better of him. It might have been better to leave his questions until they got back, but he asked anyway. "Kaleeth, do you remember what happened? How did you become a werecrocodile?" Janius tried to keep him tone comforting rather than demanding, but he had trouble expressing as much in his wolf face.
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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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After a while of watching and smelling the scene in front of him Janius could feel himself salivating from the prospect of fresh meat, but he kept in control. Kaleeth's presence was too big of a threat to try anything rash.
It wasn't long before Kaleeth was finished with her meal and curled up to rest. Janius was surprised that the crocodile corpse was enough to satisfy the hunger behind her bulk, but not knowing about werecrocodile metabolism, he assumed that Kaleeth had eaten recently anyway. With its hunger sated, Janius observed Kaleeth's beast spirit recede and her form change back into that of an Argonian. She was in the same state that he and Zharanthixil first found her in, except this time blood was in the mix.
Now that it was safe, Janius padded towards Kaleeth where she lay. He held his head down and sniffed at her. She was still scared and upset. Janius could only feel pity for her, but right now the priority was to get her back to the village. She wouldn't transform again for at least the rest of the day, so it would be safe enough to help her and get explanations. Janius carefully scooped up her body in both arms and started towards the river in a bipedal jog without saying a word.
Even if she resisted, Janius would bring her back to the village, transforming back into human form before he came into sight. She needed to make peace with her family and allow the pack to help her. For the moment though, Janius stayed quiet and let her calm down in his arms.
It wasn't long before Kaleeth was finished with her meal and curled up to rest. Janius was surprised that the crocodile corpse was enough to satisfy the hunger behind her bulk, but not knowing about werecrocodile metabolism, he assumed that Kaleeth had eaten recently anyway. With its hunger sated, Janius observed Kaleeth's beast spirit recede and her form change back into that of an Argonian. She was in the same state that he and Zharanthixil first found her in, except this time blood was in the mix.
Now that it was safe, Janius padded towards Kaleeth where she lay. He held his head down and sniffed at her. She was still scared and upset. Janius could only feel pity for her, but right now the priority was to get her back to the village. She wouldn't transform again for at least the rest of the day, so it would be safe enough to help her and get explanations. Janius carefully scooped up her body in both arms and started towards the river in a bipedal jog without saying a word.
Even if she resisted, Janius would bring her back to the village, transforming back into human form before he came into sight. She needed to make peace with her family and allow the pack to help her. For the moment though, Janius stayed quiet and let her calm down in his arms.
Janius had to slide to a halt at the water's edge where Kaleeth had disappeared beneath the surface. There were only a few ripples and some swirling disturbed mud as evidence of her passing. Janius sniffed at the air over the water, then cautiously stepped back. The best option right now was to wait and listen for Kaleeth to resurface.
Janius did not have to listen too carefully. Kaleeth's explosive splash out of the water made Janius jump on the spot and his beast spirit stepped him back a few more paces. In Kaleeth's mouth thrashed a crocodile, fully grown. A snap of Kaleeth's jaws quickly put its movement to an end with a sickening series of snaps.
Janius continued to keep his distance. For the first time he could remember, he was afraid in his beast form. This creature was frightening in the water. He could only imagine how Kaleeth felt right then.
In concern, Janius looked to one side in the general direction of the river, or at least as well as he could remember. He considered running off to get help from the pack, but they were both so far away from both the other hunting parties and the village. He couldn't risk losing Kaleeth again. What were his options? He could try and get Kaleeth's attention, steal her kill and run. It would be risky, but once Janius was out of her reach he could outrun her easily. Even then, where would he go? Going back to the village would be too dangerous. There was no telling how much control Kaleeth had and neither of them would never forgive themselves if she hurt or killed anyone. What else? Well, perhaps Janius could hunt for something and give it to Kaleeth, hopefully if her beast spirit could be satisfied sooner then she could be convinced to come home sooner and the pack could help her. Again, it was risky. Kaleeth might be completely out of the area by the time Janius found something. He elected to wait around until she was done with her kill and see if that was enough.
Janius did not have to listen too carefully. Kaleeth's explosive splash out of the water made Janius jump on the spot and his beast spirit stepped him back a few more paces. In Kaleeth's mouth thrashed a crocodile, fully grown. A snap of Kaleeth's jaws quickly put its movement to an end with a sickening series of snaps.
Janius continued to keep his distance. For the first time he could remember, he was afraid in his beast form. This creature was frightening in the water. He could only imagine how Kaleeth felt right then.
In concern, Janius looked to one side in the general direction of the river, or at least as well as he could remember. He considered running off to get help from the pack, but they were both so far away from both the other hunting parties and the village. He couldn't risk losing Kaleeth again. What were his options? He could try and get Kaleeth's attention, steal her kill and run. It would be risky, but once Janius was out of her reach he could outrun her easily. Even then, where would he go? Going back to the village would be too dangerous. There was no telling how much control Kaleeth had and neither of them would never forgive themselves if she hurt or killed anyone. What else? Well, perhaps Janius could hunt for something and give it to Kaleeth, hopefully if her beast spirit could be satisfied sooner then she could be convinced to come home sooner and the pack could help her. Again, it was risky. Kaleeth might be completely out of the area by the time Janius found something. He elected to wait around until she was done with her kill and see if that was enough.
As if Janius' words were nothing, Kaleeth's lumbering form turned and ran. Janius figured that she was completely overcome. Thankfully it gave him just enough time to drop his armour and equipment, then transform into a wolf himself. He kept his distance for now, but still followed her, making sure she didn't get into any trouble. He kept the location of the river in mind for when they would head back to the village.
Janius' beast spirit was cautious about this new creature, if anything. It was big and dangerous, and it most certainly was not a fellow werewolf. Janius kept control enough to fight off the urge to avoid the werecrocodile. By its size and apparent strength, fighting the creature would be a bad idea without help. Both he and his beast spirit agreed on that much.
After a few moments, Janius realised that he would have some explaining to do as Zharanthixil would inevitably find his belongings strewn on the ground before his tracks turned into large pawprints in the mud. However, with what Kaleeth was now, he doubted that the fact of the matter would remain hidden any longer. Janius could only hope that Zharanthixil would allow Kaleeth to make the decision that was best for her.
There was also the question of how Kaleeth became such a creature, exactly. Was this by chance, or did Hircine hear her summons and force it upon her? What transpired that Hircine would decide to do such a thing. Perhaps Kaleeth was right, there was no knowing the minds of such higher beings.
While Janius tailed Kaleeth, he kept his senses tuned for any threats. Eventually, the scent of prey found his nose in the form of what he believed to be a monitor lizard. A small creature, but something that might tempt a hungry werecrocodile.
Janius' beast spirit was cautious about this new creature, if anything. It was big and dangerous, and it most certainly was not a fellow werewolf. Janius kept control enough to fight off the urge to avoid the werecrocodile. By its size and apparent strength, fighting the creature would be a bad idea without help. Both he and his beast spirit agreed on that much.
After a few moments, Janius realised that he would have some explaining to do as Zharanthixil would inevitably find his belongings strewn on the ground before his tracks turned into large pawprints in the mud. However, with what Kaleeth was now, he doubted that the fact of the matter would remain hidden any longer. Janius could only hope that Zharanthixil would allow Kaleeth to make the decision that was best for her.
There was also the question of how Kaleeth became such a creature, exactly. Was this by chance, or did Hircine hear her summons and force it upon her? What transpired that Hircine would decide to do such a thing. Perhaps Kaleeth was right, there was no knowing the minds of such higher beings.
While Janius tailed Kaleeth, he kept his senses tuned for any threats. Eventually, the scent of prey found his nose in the form of what he believed to be a monitor lizard. A small creature, but something that might tempt a hungry werecrocodile.
Kaleeth finally stopped, stumbling over herself and continuing to sob. Janius knelt down beside her and placed his hand on her back. "Kaleeth, it's going be okay, I promise. It can be overwhelming at first, but remember what I said, it's not something that has to rule you." Janius tried to comfort her, but Kaleeth didn't seem to react. By her body language, she might be close to transforming. Her final words took the comprehension from Janius' voice. "... what?" He whispered.
Suddenly, Kaleeth's back began to warp and change form before Janius' eyes, startling him. He got up and stepped back to give her space to transform, but what she turned into was not something that Janius recognised. "No. Surely not..." Janius said under his breath.
No wonder he didn't recognise the smell as a werewolf. This could only be one thing. A werecrocodile. Janius had only heard about such creatures in passing. He looked up at its face with astonishment, and a little fear. He did not know how to handle this. He couldn't read that face. He could only hear it growl.
"Kaleeth, I know that's still you," Janius said, keeping eye contact with the beast but rapidly unclasping his armour and his belt. He didn't want to have to transform to subdue her, but he was prepared to. "I know it may seem like you are a slave to your beast spirit, but it is simply an animal. A creature of instinct bound to you. It will only hurt people if it is desperate or scared, and it will pick up on your own fear. I need you to listen to me: Everything will be alright. I promise."
Suddenly, Kaleeth's back began to warp and change form before Janius' eyes, startling him. He got up and stepped back to give her space to transform, but what she turned into was not something that Janius recognised. "No. Surely not..." Janius said under his breath.
No wonder he didn't recognise the smell as a werewolf. This could only be one thing. A werecrocodile. Janius had only heard about such creatures in passing. He looked up at its face with astonishment, and a little fear. He did not know how to handle this. He couldn't read that face. He could only hear it growl.
"Kaleeth, I know that's still you," Janius said, keeping eye contact with the beast but rapidly unclasping his armour and his belt. He didn't want to have to transform to subdue her, but he was prepared to. "I know it may seem like you are a slave to your beast spirit, but it is simply an animal. A creature of instinct bound to you. It will only hurt people if it is desperate or scared, and it will pick up on your own fear. I need you to listen to me: Everything will be alright. I promise."
No, it can't be... Janius shot a fearful look at Zharanthixil before they both sprinted after Kaleeth. She was running so fast, faster than Janius could have ever suspected. They ran for so long that eventually Zharanthixil's voice faded behind Janius into the marsh, but he didn't look back. Janius kept running and didn't let Kaleeth gain so much as a yard. She was scared out of her mind, and Janius now believed he knew why. Her speed and endurance confirmed it. He had to stop her and reassure her. "Kaleeth!" Janius shouted between breaths, "Kaleeth, please! You have to stop! You have to let me help you!"
After a short while of running, Janius caught up to the point where he could leap out and grab Kaleeth, but he waited to see if she would stop on her own. "Kaleeth, I know you're scared! I was too! Please, stop!"
After a short while of running, Janius caught up to the point where he could leap out and grab Kaleeth, but he waited to see if she would stop on her own. "Kaleeth, I know you're scared! I was too! Please, stop!"
Shiva snapped her large fingers in frustration and emitted a sound that roughly translated to "Shit!" She let out an exasperated breath and responded, "I thought knew how to tell the sex of any human just by looking at them. It makes it really easy with all your gender-specific honourifics, you know? I guess it's my turn to apologise." She reverted her expression back to a more casual one. "Heh, sorry."
Before Shiva could explain her skills, the Rothian, Rareth'Jharn, who seemed to be quite popular all of a sudden, beckoned them all into the last remaining suite. Shiva decided to explain while they all filed in. "As for me, I'm not a great shot, but apparently enough people think I'm the best medic in the Sovereignty that they shipped me this far out, so I must be doing something right." She looked down at her palm, "It also helps that I was born with a knack for stitching people back together with neutrium."
Shiva found another seat and, despite her bulk as a masulu, held her legs together and her hand on her lap, allowing as much space as possible for other people. She was glad to hear that the Rothian's definition of a reasonable temperature was not one necessarily comfortable for her, else Shiva might have needed to grab an ice pack from the fridge. "Well, if we are going to sort out who is going to be in each others rooms, I'll point out that each bedroom has its own thermostat, so I would be fine with keeping the rest of the suite livable for anyone else."
Before Shiva could explain her skills, the Rothian, Rareth'Jharn, who seemed to be quite popular all of a sudden, beckoned them all into the last remaining suite. Shiva decided to explain while they all filed in. "As for me, I'm not a great shot, but apparently enough people think I'm the best medic in the Sovereignty that they shipped me this far out, so I must be doing something right." She looked down at her palm, "It also helps that I was born with a knack for stitching people back together with neutrium."
Shiva found another seat and, despite her bulk as a masulu, held her legs together and her hand on her lap, allowing as much space as possible for other people. She was glad to hear that the Rothian's definition of a reasonable temperature was not one necessarily comfortable for her, else Shiva might have needed to grab an ice pack from the fridge. "Well, if we are going to sort out who is going to be in each others rooms, I'll point out that each bedroom has its own thermostat, so I would be fine with keeping the rest of the suite livable for anyone else."
More than ever, Janius wished he knew more Jel than the scraps he had learned from Kaleeth over the past week. She looked as afraid as she mentioned, but if there was any explanation, it was for her father as far as he could perceive.
After a moment of Kaleeth sobbing to herself, Janius swallowed, unsure, then craned his head down to try and catch Kaleeth's eye. It was at this point that he began to suspect what might have happened. It was farfetched, but the smell made the possibility greater. Janius' expression took on a realisaiton as he glanced to one side, but quickly switched back to a consoling expression and looked Kaleeth in the eyes. "Kaleeth, whatever happened, you don't have to say anything yet. I'm just relieved to see you alive, we both are. Now, please, let's go back to the village. It's safe there."
After a moment of Kaleeth sobbing to herself, Janius swallowed, unsure, then craned his head down to try and catch Kaleeth's eye. It was at this point that he began to suspect what might have happened. It was farfetched, but the smell made the possibility greater. Janius' expression took on a realisaiton as he glanced to one side, but quickly switched back to a consoling expression and looked Kaleeth in the eyes. "Kaleeth, whatever happened, you don't have to say anything yet. I'm just relieved to see you alive, we both are. Now, please, let's go back to the village. It's safe there."
Janius was only metres behind Zharanthixil as they pushed past the bushes and found Kaleeth standing, covered in mud and fear. Janius smiled in overwhelming relief as soon as he saw her alive, but Zharanthixil was the first to embrace her. Janius stayed back and let them have their moment. He didn't want to give the Master-Hunter any more excuses to be angry with him.
It wasn't until a few moments later that Janius saw just how distressed she was. She was shaking, her breathing was off, and that smell was still in the air. He stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder, trying not to be too intrusive to Zharanthixil. "Kaleeth, we were so worried. Are you alright?"
It wasn't until a few moments later that Janius saw just how distressed she was. She was shaking, her breathing was off, and that smell was still in the air. He stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder, trying not to be too intrusive to Zharanthixil. "Kaleeth, we were so worried. Are you alright?"
Although he crossed the river as fast as he could, Zharanthixil and the other hunters were clearly faster swimmers than Janius was. He was the last to emerge from the riverbank and jogged to catch up with the others. Zharanthixil began to shout for Kaleeth-Rei, and Janius would have joined in, but something in the scent they were following wasn't right and he didn't think it was Kaleeth.
That was until the scent became strongeras they approached it. Zharanthixil must have picked up the traces of Kaleeth in the scent earlier, and now Janius could smell it as well. Still, there was something else in the air. It made Janius nervous. He held his hands around his mouth and began to help shouting, "Kaleeth! Where are you!?"
Janius was glad that he did his best to keep his ears open, because in the distance there was the smallest voice. An unmistakable voice. He halted on the spot and scanned the direction the voice came from, his mouth slightly open to hear better. Hearing her voice again, Janius turned his head. "Zharanthixil! This way!" Janius beckoned the hunters with one arm and ran in the direction of Kaleeth's voice.
That was until the scent became strongeras they approached it. Zharanthixil must have picked up the traces of Kaleeth in the scent earlier, and now Janius could smell it as well. Still, there was something else in the air. It made Janius nervous. He held his hands around his mouth and began to help shouting, "Kaleeth! Where are you!?"
Janius was glad that he did his best to keep his ears open, because in the distance there was the smallest voice. An unmistakable voice. He halted on the spot and scanned the direction the voice came from, his mouth slightly open to hear better. Hearing her voice again, Janius turned his head. "Zharanthixil! This way!" Janius beckoned the hunters with one arm and ran in the direction of Kaleeth's voice.
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