Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus angled his head sharply at Lorag's last comment. He was surprised at the shift in subject. With a bit of realisation, Gallus looked away and let out a good natured laugh. "You give me too much credit, Lorag. I had enough women troubles in the clan, I don't intend to make more for myself on the road." Gallus raised his hands up behind his head and took a breath in, "You're smart to have figured that out, though, so I'll be upfront; I've several misunderstandings with a few ladies in the clan." He bowed his head forward and looked up, to Lorag, "Not my fault at all, I assure you," He straightened and looked ahead again. "Still, it's going to take more than a northern winter to cool things down, if you know what I mean."

With a proud smile, Fendros stood up and extended his hands for Rhazii and Newt to take. "Very good, Newt. Come now, you two, let's get to the bakery." Fendros didn't consider exactly how it would look to have a Dunmer leading a Khajiit and an Argonian child around by the hand, but there was unlikely to be anything more than odd glances. It was nothing he wasn't used to. As Fendros approached the gate, he made sure to call out to Ahnasha, Janius, and Kaleeth. "I'll be back in a moment. I'm getting a treat for the children."

Janius gave a wave and a nod of confirmation. With the children gone, he decided to see what all the commotion was with Tzirret's fearful voice around Leaps.

"Err..." Tzirret found himself in an unsure position. The wamasu seemed docile around Kaleeth and Ahnasha, but the descriptions they gave did not convince him that it was any safer to be near the creature. "This one thinks he will..." Tzirret trailed off and pointed in an indeterminate direction away from Leaps. Without taking his eyes off Leaps, Tzirret began taking steps away.

It was then that Janius spoke, "Ha, don't worry Tzirret. He wouldn't hurt you. Leaps is a big playful softy. He's just a little down because of the cold."

With a final anxious groan, Tzirret walked away to find Peiter.

"They'll be friends," Janius said through a grin to the rest, "I can tell."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

With a raised eyebrow and a sideways glance at Lorag, Gallus looked for a moment as if he had been asked an obvious question. "Why did I agree? You make it sound like I had to be convinced!" Gallus unfolded one arm and gesticulated with reserve, "This is a good experience for the pack. I have to keep them in shape - well, most of them. I'm going to need to guarantee their capability if their to help the clan survive." Gallus snorted and refolded his arm. His voice lowered slightly, "Though, a more honest answer would be that I'm a bit sick of the snow." He gave another glance to Lorag. "I want to see some more of Tamriel, you know? You all...you travel because it's your duty. Up until now, my duty has kept me in and around home."

Despite Gallus' apparent skill in sounding genuine, a pause crept up afterwards where he avoided Lorag's eye contact directly. Before there could be any follow up, Gallus raised his brow and threw a question to Lorag, "So, I saw you had quite the reputation amongst the militia. You did your work pretty well. D'you push all your companions that hard?" A small grin crept to Gallus' face.

Rhazii's red eyes lit up with recognition. "Yes!"

"You two would like to share a sweetroll?" Fendros confirmed.

Rhazii gave an exaggerated nod and an excited smile.

Fendros angled his head, "Now, what do you say if you want something politely?"

"Dada, can I please have a sweetroll?" Rhazii recited.

"Very good, though not a whole one this time, Rhazii." Fendros smiled and ruffled the top of Rhazii's head. He knew that Rhazii was just recounting what he had been taught to say, but Fendros remembered his father and mother enforcing similar acts. Whether or not it was the right way to teach manners, he figured that it was the right thing to do. For consistency's sake, Fendros turned to Newt. "And you, Newt?"

If Newt would answer similarly, Fendros intended to take both the children to the bakery. If not, it would just be a matter of quickly reinforcing the behaviour before going to get the sweetroll with them. Newt was a little younger, but just saying 'please' would suffice.

If anything, Kaleeth's response just made Tzirret take a half-step back out of fear. "What? What is it that you mean by shock?! I didn't know it could use magic!" Tzirret's tension increased. His previous notion of being at a safe distance was crumbling, that much was clear in his eyes.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei left the group looking around somewhat unsure outside the gates. Sabine knew exactly where she was going, so she motioned to move out first. She knew where the post office was by now and she had a few coins on her to buy stationary and write a new message to her sister. She didn't invite anyone to follow her, but she didn't protest to anyone coming along.

"I will pick up my own mead from the tavern," Uthri announced, "If I am not going to be near Bruma for as long as I think we are, I would like to savour its memory." The word 'savour' came with something of a quick, passive-aggressive glare at Lorag. The gesture was probably as a result of Lorag's less taste-oriented approach to the mead he had been given as a goodbye gift. Chugging them down was probably bad form in Uthri's eyes.

Once Uthri was out of hearing distance, Gallus shook his head and tsk-tsked Uthri's distant form. He looked up at Lorag with an acknowledging face. "Apologies about her, she's probably just scared that you might be able to out-drink her."

Janius and Fendros looked around briefly and thought they might stay with Leaps as well, simply for lack of anything in particular they wanted to do. Janius occupied himself by keeping the children from running off. Fendros did have a thought, though. He beckoned Rhazii and Newt to him once they had been set down onto the snow by their mothers. He squat down to get to their eye level and addressed them, "We might be waiting for a while, did you two want to do anything in the city?"

"Um..." Rhazii thought to himself for a while, but didn't come up with anything immediately. In reality, he was trying to remember the name of the sweets he had eaten the last time he was at Bruma.

On the trek down to the city, Tzirret had been fairly quiet. The only noticeable disposition he held was a nervous one stemming from Leaps. He kept his distance as much as he could. Now, though, he was giving the creature glances, as if he were afraid that Leaps might lash out at any moment. It took a few minutes, but he eventually worked up the courage to approach Kaleeth. "Excuse me, you are Kaleeth? The creature, it is...tame, yes?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Oh, yes," Sabine answered immediately and began rummaging through her shoulder bag, "I had one written, actually..." eventually, Sabine pulled a small, folded piece of paper from her bag and showed it to Meesei, "I was going to run into Bruma and send it quickly." The letter lowered with her hand, almost with disappointment, "But, I didn't think about telling Ariel where we were going. I wrote that we are going to Senchal. I can rewrite it when we reach Bruma."

Uthri gave a firm nod. "Time in the wilds will make him and the other child strong, like it did for me. This journey will do them good. I can also tell that we will have many tales to share on the road. I thought I picked your Imperial accents, I was right." She raised a finger, "If you will excuse me, I will introduce myself to your friends. It was good to meet you all properly." Her needles-in-the-mouth opened into a friendly smile and endearing voice again for Rhazii, "Don't cause too much trouble for your mother and father now, Rhazii!"

"Okay," Rhazii responded, still with his hand at his mouth.

Uthri walked over to Janius and Kaleeth and began a similar introduction. Unlike Fendros, Janius did actually jolt.

"She seems...nice?" Fendros remarked to Ahnasha.

"I like Uthri," Rhazii commented, leaning closely to Ahnasha as he was before.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine looked forward and hummed quietly until she had an answer. "On a ship, it is boring. There is not much to see most of the time. Not much to do. The people who work get annoyed if you get in their way. While walking, it is better. There are always interesting things to see. I like to look for plants that I have not seen before. Sometimes I pick them and taste them to see if they have any alchemical effects." Sabine smiled and looked at Peiter again, "You just have to keep looking. There will always be something new."

Uthri looked surprised to hear about Rhazii's age, but gave an unsure nod at the explanation. It was unclear whether she understood what a cathay was, but she understood Leaps' role. She looked over to the creature, who looked back curiously at his name being mentioned. "I must say, I have wandered the wilds for many years, but never have I seen a creature quite like your...wamasu, was it?" Uthri turned back to Ahnasha, "Well, it would be nice not to have to pay for a horse." Uthri's cheerful tone seemed to die down, but her tone was just as clear, "Anyway, from where do you hail, if you do not mind the question? I am from Falkreath hold. Over the mountains."

Through the uncertainty of whether he should be relieved by Uthri's return to her regular demeanour, Fendros gave an answer first. "Cheydinhal. It's where I grew up, but between there and the clan home, there has been much travel."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine walked alongside Peiter as they left. Upon the mention of Irenya's temperament, Sabine failed to resist looking over her shoulder to glance at her for a split second. She was able to look forward again before she showed a tight smile that was suppressing a chuckle. Sabine knew Irenya's type by now. After making sure ha her voice would be level Sabine responded, "I hope I can get to know you all." Rather than talk about the other pack members behind their backs, Sabine decided to change the subject. "Have you been on long journeys before?"

While Fendros might have held judgements in is mind, he was rational enough to be more tactful in his speech. He spoke quietly, but was not quite as muted as Ahnasha. "I can't say for sure. There seems to be no shortage of youth?" Fendros looked at Peiter and Tzirret, "Everyone looks capable enough. As for personality...Peiter is fine. I haven't spoken much with Uthri, the Nord. I've never spoken to the Dunmer. Gallus, well...he's Gallus. I think he's a worse version of Janius from four years ago. Don't know about Tzirret, though."

"So!" Uthri's voice almost made Fendros jolt with the relative volume she spoke to Fendros. It was not a shout, but it was firm and clear, not to mention heavily accented. "We meet again, Fendros," Uthri looked fairly serious, but her face softened at Ahnasha and Rhazii, "And you must be Ahnasha. I am Uthri." Uthri's tone turned to something more encouraging as she addressed Rhazii, "And who is this big healthy boy?"

Rhazii was clinging firmly to his mother while she walked, but as Ahnasha was supporting him, he loosened and leaned so he could look properly at Uthri. He had the side of his fist held up to his mouth, probably chewing idly on his thumb claw.

"Tell Uthri your name, little one," Fendros cued with a smile.

"Rhazii," the response was a little low from behind his hand, but Rhazii wasn't so nervous as to retreat to Ahnasha's shoulder.

"Ah, what a beautiful name! How old is he?" Uthri continued.

Fendros interjected so they could at least complete introductions. He had no idea that such an otherwise serious character could become so bombastic with a child. "It's nice to meet you again too, Uthri," Fendros said, "Yes, this is my family."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Just for clarity, the exact truth about Peiter's relationship status is up to you. Gallus was lying through his teeth.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Farewells lasted longer than could be reasonably expected, given Gallus' delay. The council and Vera each thanked the pack personally and wished them well, friends came by to bid them a safe and swift journey, and even strangers to the pack came up to see them off with a comment of thanks for helping the clan. Even Sabine's friends came by, but they couldn't wait for Gallus due to their schedules. Fendros partly wished that he could see Najirra once more, just to give proper thanks for all the help he provided, but the he didn't expect that the infirm Khajiit would show.

When Gallus and his pack got past the group of people who had gathered to see off the expedition, he sauntered up with no hint of rush. He was lightly armed and armoured; a small steel shield, a one handed war hammer, and a long mail shirt was all that suggested fighting. The rest was his baggage and his clothing for the cool weather. Gallus gave Meesei a grin and spoke calmly, "Indeed we are. All set to leave." He glanced over to Peiter for a split second. "Apologies for the delay," Gallus pointed a thumb in Peiter's direction, "this one had to say goodbye to his ladyfriend. You know how kids are."

"Wait, This one thought..." Tzirret's face scrunched in confusion and he stepped up to Gallus and Meesei, "You said that you were saying goodbye to Olivia and Prmff-!" Tzirret's voice was cut off by the emplacement of Gallus' palm over his mouth.

"Now, now, Tzirret, don't go telling lies. Meesei? I think it's time we made tracks." Gallus' calm demeanour seemed to flaw at Tzirret's intervention.

Once they had said their goodbyes to those gathered in the clan, Fendros and Janius cast their eyes over the pack that would be joining them. They were only acquainted with those in Gallus' pack, apart from Gallus himself.

Fendros wasn't exactly sure how he would approach the Dunmer woman. Chances are, she was much older than he was, which meant that she was very likely to be more traditionally minded than he was. On the other hand, she was a lycan living amongst more races and cultures than most Dunmer would see in a lifetime. To assume either was risky. The Nord woman, however, was less likely to be a problem. The Nord lycans Fendros had met were not inherently difficult. The Breton boy was one that Fendros had seen in Sabine's group of friends on occasion. He supposed that if the boy could handle himself on the road, he would be welcome.

Meanwhile, Janius but far less concern into how he would interact with Gallus' pack. If Gallus could trust them, and they could handle themselves in a fight, he could trust them as well.

Sabine had known that Peiter was in Gallus' pack for a long while before leaving was even mentioned, so she was the least surprised to see him. She put one hand in the other in front of herself and gave a small smile. "Hello Peiter," she leaned slightly to one side to look at the polearm he carried. She considered asking about it, but instead looked around to the rest of the pack. "What are everyone's names? I have not met your pack before," She asked Peiter.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

So, this assignment screwed me over and I couldn't finish a good solution. It's roughly two minutes to the midnight due date and my head hurts. I need to sleep before I even think about posting.

At least a good chunk of the marks are just from documentation...