Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros took a deep breath and let out a lamenting sigh. He was relieved that Irenya was not being reactive, but her questions were not obvious to answer. Fendros slid his arms off the table, and then looked down and away, speaking sullenly, "There were many people amongst my ancestors that would baulk at my actions. Slave owners, traditionalists, heroes..." Fendros blinked and reached to take Ahnasha's hand, "There were some that followed their hearts as I did, though. In that, I cannot honestly speak for them as a whole." Fendros straightened up and took another deep breath in through his nose. His tone became more confident, but not angry any more, "I do not know what you want me to say when you ask if I know what it means to be Dunmer. I am Dunmer, I grew up Dunmer. If being myself isn't Dunmer, then...no, I wouldn't know what it means."

While the conversation was going on, Gallus was silently leaning back in his chair, supporting one arm as he held his other hand up to his mouth. He had expected to intervene a lot more by now than he had so far. Perhaps this wasn't a bad idea after all.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It's all good. I'm heading to work in about an hour anyway.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros looked down, still brewing anger, but with a hint of shame. All the teachings of his parents were what Irenya was describing. Being reminded of it was regretful, if only because he knew that the path he had taken was spitting in his parents' faces. Still, there were good reasons why he did not go back. Looking to Ahnasha, the strongest reason, he held his ground. Fendros faced Irenya with a glower.

"If you really want me to connect with my ancestors again, you will have to accept what I already have," Fendros shook his head the slightest amount, "I didn't abandon my family by choice. I will not do so again, not Ahna and Rhazii. I don't care if they aren't Dunmer." By Fendros' tone, his statement was not negotiable, but he at least seemed to respond to the thought of his old culture with something other than defiance.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Rediscov-?" Fendros lowered his brow in confusion, but interrupted himself and let out the rest of his breath. He struggled to find words that were not furious, but after a moment of looking at the table and moving his jaw silently, he selected something. "I learned the histories, I grew up close to my family," Fendros extended an upturned hand, "you speak as if I know nothing of this." Fendros began looking about impatiently, "Is there some great secret that is told on our one hundredth birthday? Some grand revelation that dictates why you cannot have a child with a Khajiit? Perhaps you could tell me why it does not say anything about contracting lyc-"

Fendros was interrupted by Gallus loudly clearing his throat. He had almost slipped in his anger and Gallus did not look happy.

"All I want to know, Irenya," Fendros said, becoming calmer and slower again, "is why our blood isn't already tainted with what we turn into every few days. I cannot respect a double standard, even in Dunmer tradition."

The Jade Stream

A shudder went up Kyang's shoulders as Torako insisted that she join them to watch the fight. It didn't sound like she was the type to be convinced to stay behind. Hopefully, continuing inquiry with Liu would not risk any bloodshed with Torako, though at this point Kyang was wondering whether she was overreacting.

As for the clarification in honorifics, Kyang just sighed and gave up. "I'll just call you Torako, okay? No more fuss," Kyang dictated with a sweep of her hand.

Kyang made quick work of the rest of her soup, but even then she felt as though she was holding everyone up. Paying for the meal was a little daunting as now Kyang had only a pittance remaining to her name. If she didn't find work today, she would have to find a place on the street to sleep. Hopefully vagrancy wasn't illegal in Mingdu.

"Liu! Wait up!" Kyang called out once the transaction was done. She snatched her glaive from up against the table and walked quickly to catch up. It was easy enough to find the school, it was something of a focal point, but Kyang didn't want to lose her contact. On the same note, she made sure to check that Torako was nearby.

Just to make sure she knew where Torako was, Kyang struck up a conversation on the way. "So, you look pretty well-off with those clothes. What exactly do you do, Torako?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Everyone on the table had their attention turned to Ahnasha with her outburst. Gallus was about to try and placate Ahnasha, but Fendros held up a hand to interrupt him. "Hold on, Gallus," Fendros said, before turning to Irenya and leaning onto his forearms and trying to hold in his own anger. He continued slowly and clearly, "Irenya, I left my bloodline behind when I left my family behind. When I became..." Fendros tried and failed to find a better word for his lycanthropy, he instead paused and gestured to his body, "...this, the condition, I left everything all behind. How can you clutch onto it still?"

Gallus could at least appreciate Fendros keeping his voice down, but as he turned to look back at Irenya for a response, he didn't hold up much more hope.

The Jade Stream

Kyang wasn't discouraged too much by Liu's comments, though she did take note of where his eyes wandered. It probably should have occurred to Kyang to look the part if she was going for a job. "Nah, I'll work something out. I've a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to details."

Despite wanting to press Liu for more details on Mingdu's administration, the moment she took to slurp at some chunks of her meal allowed him to change the subject. "Mm," Kyang prevented herself from speaking through her mouthful just in time - she was eating rather fast. She brought one sleeve to her mouth and raised a finger while she swallowed painfully. "Ah! Wow, you were right about this soup," Kyang commented quickly before looking back up and returning to the topic at hand, "Sounds like a good show. It might be the only time I get to see the inside of the school anyway."

Not only that, but Kyang entertained the possibility that Torako might stay behind to continue eating, well out of sword reach. Kyang could escape and continue talking to her new contact in Liu. However, she would have to confirm that first. Kyang turned her head to Torako, "You aren't going to give up this soup, though, aren't you Torako-...you know, why are we calling each other 'dono' anyway? Wouldn't 'san' work just fine? That's how Rikoku honorifics work, correct?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, I have clues, but honestly, there are a few different things you could be talking about," Fendros was cautious more than anything. He understood that tension was high, but he didn't want to be the one to lash out first, if at all.

Gallus gave Irenya a low look that was probably supposed to be encouraging. "You, myself, and possibly Fendros might know, but Ahnasha needs to know as well, Irenya," Gallus gestured to Irenya with a palm, "Come now, this is about understanding."

Inwardly, Gallus knew that this conversation was already on a knife's edge. He just hoped that tempers wouldn't flare.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I need to go to work soon. G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Once it was clear that Irenya wasn't going to answer La'khay, Gallus tried to wave off La'khay's concerns with a smile. "Just a bit of drama from before we found you, nothing too concerning."

The minute that Irenya took to finish her meal ended with Gallus standing up properly and nodding to Irenya. They proceeded to the lower decks and reached Fendros, Ahnasha, and Janius in short order. Finding a private spot would be impossible without taking La'khay's advice and squeezing into a store room, so the four settled for a quiet spot away from the members of the packs and pride under the top deck. Any eavesdropping sailors would not have any investment in their conversation.

"So," Gallus clapped his hands together and rubbed his palms. His face was bright and friendly, but his voice was that of a judge. "I would like to think we all know why we're here. There has been some disrespect on display from just about everyone. Rather than stand idly by and watched grudges grow, I would like to see an exchange of understanding here. What I need from all of you is honesty, patience, and respect. I know you are all capable of such." Gallus weaved his fingers together and pointed one index finger to Irenya, "Starting us off. Irenya, we spoke a few days ago about why you had been avoiding Ahnasha and Fendros. How about you express your concerns?"