Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros had not really been involved in Ahnasha's necromantic research for while. Part of him wanted to know more about what Ahnasha was doing and another part was afraid what it might be. For a while he did not pry, so this was the first he had heard of it from Ahnasha for months. Although he knew little to nothing of necromancy save for what he had read in the tome himself, Fendros could understand where Ahnasha was coming from.

"There's no knowing exactly what the machinations of Daedric princes are," Fendros said in a mediocre attempt to console Ahnasha, "For now, we'll just keep an eye out for opportunities. If any Bretons lie in that future, all we can be is wary."

Now that the opportunity to talk about it came up, Fendros decided to find out more about Ahnasha's learning. He looked at her directly from where he lay, "What kinds of things have you been doing with your research, anyway? I haven't really been keeping up. Honestly, I have been...a little concerned about the smell of cadavers." Fendros' tone perhaps underplayed the true levels of concern, but if Ahnasha didn't want to share, he wouldn't mind his turned eye being blind for a little longer.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I have to head off now. G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was a laugh from Fendros as well when Ahnasha warned him about clawing at Irenya. "I'll try my best."

The reminder about their Daedric encounter in Vos darkened Fendros' expression. It was not a pleasant memory. "It was Mephala," Fendros said plainly, "I had all but forgotten about that. I thought that it was just stirring up trouble as well, but..." Fendros ran a hand through his hair nervously, "I just don't know."

Fendros laid down beside Ahnasha and put an arm around her again, drawing her in close and trying to be more lighthearted. "You haven't had any Bretons offer you eternal life recently, have you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I wish I could say I knew how to speak to them directly as well," Fendros said, itching his cheek, "I just know the regular prayers and reverence. Had I stayed with my family for another few decades, they might have taught me how to summon the ghost of one of my ancestors in times of need, but those don't generally talk. That is about it." Fendros peered up at the ceiling in consideration, "It would be nice to talk to Mirasi, though. I always wondered what that would be like."

Fendros smiled wider. "At any rate, at least Irenya might not be as disrespectful as before," Fendros pulled Ahnasha towards him and kissed her on the side of her head.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros grinned and exhaled sharply, "No." He turned his head upper body to Ahnasha properly, "I could try to connect with my ancestors again, but I could never let you or Rhazii go. I can't see any communion or advice from a reclamations priest going any other way." He reached a hand to Ahnasha's cheek and became serious for a moment, "You both mean more to me than some spiritual obligation that one grumpy old woman says I have." Fendros moved his hand down to her shoulder and he smiled, "I'm just reminiscing, I think."

"Though, with your path," Fendros glanced to the ground and back to Ahnasha, "Your change of faith was driven by you, mostly. It was your choice to leave the Eight behind. I don't think I ever really took the time to say goodbye to my ancestors." Fendros shifted closer to Ahnasha and put his arm around her shoulder, and then looked to the ground ahead of him again. "I don't know...what do you think I should do?" Fendros asked casually. Despite his emotions, he was obviously not sensitive about it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros wasn't sure exactly whether he wanted to dwell on it, but Ahnasha was pushing the issue enough that he felt he needed to speak. He sat with his forearms on his knees, looking at the floor, and explained. "It's not the bigotry, don't worry about that," Fendros shook his head, "I just...what she was describing about ancestors, I grew up around all of that," he turned his head to look at Ahnasha's face, "It's true that I left that all behind and that I'm unlikely to connect with them again, especially when I am bound for the hunting grounds when I die, but..." Fendros clenched his jaw and looked to the floor again as he tried to give his thoughts a description, "Hearing Irenya made me think back to it for the first time in years. I can't help but think what it might have been like if I did have that connection. It isn't exactly an Argonian connecting with the Hist, but still. I remember it."

"Heh," Fendros looked sideways at Ahnasha and pulled a sad smile, "I bet I sound like I've been evangelised, don't I?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros sighed and closed his eyes. "No, I'm..." Fendros tried to keep his voice level to belie his emotions, but he had to regularly pause to do so, "...This is going to sound strange, but...I'm feeling...quite homesick." Fendros brought his hand up behind Ahnasha's head and held her for another few moments before slowly letting her go and stepping back. He still didn't look at her directly, rather he was looking down and trying to keep his swelling eyes from releasing any tears. "It's nothing, it's just..." Fendros took in and released a short breath, "...no, it's nothing."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus' lips curled into a smile at Irenya's answer, "I'll take that as a yes." Gallus sat up straight and placed his hands on the table, "Now, if there is nothing else, I think we've had a good talk. There may be more in the future if other issues come forth, but I, personally, am pleased with its success." Gallus looked to Fendros and Ahnasha, "Thank you all for taking the time," he then turned to Irenya, "And thank you for being open and patient." He began to stand up from the table, "I believe we are done here."

There was no second thought as Fendros stood up from his chair as well. He had a nearly blank face, thoughtful, but also somewhat mourning. His eyes seemed lost and avoided contact with others. He didn't say a word as he made his way to the lower decks.

Along the way, as soon as he and Ahnasha were out of sight from Irenya, Fendros drew Ahnasha into a sudden, tight hug. He didn't have any words just yet, but he sniffed as if he was holding in tears.

The Jade Stream

"Yeah, it's, uh...it looks comfortable," Kyang commented in lieu of knowing much of anything about fashion. She could at least appreciate the craftsmanship.

Kyang was going to try asking another question, but given the pace they were keeping, the doors of the school were already in sight. "Oh, well I guess we can just walk in after all," Kyang said as villagers seemed to creep through the wide open gates to watch the commotion within.

"You know, I never expected to set foot in the Mingdu school." Kyang dipped her head side to side, stretching and emitting small cracking sounds, "I was actually thinking to come here to train, but the only person I knew of that trained here was my great grandfather, and he died without endorsing anyone to go." Kyang wasn't sure if Torako would even be interested, but she spoke on anyway, "So without that and without Daeyang-Gug letting girls into the military, here I am, making do with what I have." Kyang looked to Torako and Liu in turn, "How about you two? Any connection with the school?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was a pause. Fendros had honestly expected a rude and loud tirade about how he shouldn't have done what he had done in the first place. That is what his parents would likely do. Irenya, however, seemed to be more realistic. However condescending Irenya's tone was, Fendros found himself out of words for a moment. His mood was in definite contrast to Ahnasha's.

After a few seconds, Fendros managed to respond. He was sincere, but brief, "Maybe I will."

The response transitioned into a silence; solemn for Fendros and maybe Irenya too, but awkward for Gallus given his agenda. Gallus curled his lips and leaned forward again, slowly. He spoke at a low volume, careful of the tone, "Well, now that there has been an exchange," Gallus turned to face each of the three in turn, "Now that there is a bit more understanding. Irenya, how would you feel about perhaps engaging Fendros and Ahnasha...less evasively from now on?" Fendros gave Ahnasha a shrug, "Is there anything else that any of you feel needs to be said?"