Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was a tense look on Gallus' face at Meesei's final words. It was uncomfortable, but there was truth to it. "Yes, those groups include part of the clan, being with the land we've bought and worked for a few years now. Even that amazed me, even if it is with so many secrets under the surface."

Gallus didn't face Meesei directly, but he brought his eyes up to her, raising an eyebrow as he did. "I, for one, am glad that the champion of our patron is you, rather than one of the bloodthirsty types." He looked ahead, "Perhaps there is more to Hircine than just predation and survival after all."

At that point, Gallus' head went back onto Meesei's bed and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Meesei, do you think our deeds will be remembered here?" he asked, his tired eyes opening a sliver, "I don't need fame, it's just...moving an entire clan. That is going to be a feat to remember. However, the history of lycans has never been closely recorded."

---

With La'khay's commendation, Tzirret actually smiled genuinely. It was true, he had progressed a lot, and he was happier because of it. As for her offer, though, he turned away, looking conflicted. "Well, Tzirret is tired and we all have to rise early tomorrow, but..." he looked at La'khay, tempted but apprehensive, "...this may be the last time, unless this one decides otherwise later." He turned to face her properly again and answered more conclusively, "He does not think it will be a bad idea this time."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I'll see what I can do.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hmm...I get the feeling that we should play out more scenes with Ma'tanza if we want to pursue the angle of Tzirret being interested in her. They have gotten to know each other over the past week and a bit, but I'm not sure I have. Without knowing the more nuanced parts of Ma'tanza's personality, if she even has them, it makes it a bit difficult to say that Tzirret isn't just physically attracted to her and is confusing himself again. I mean, we could have Tzirret just be confused, but I don't know.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Me?" Gallus looked a little surprised, although Meesei was turned away from him. He shuffled from where he sat so his back could lean on the side of Meesei's bed, propping his elbows up on top of it in a relaxed manner. "I suppose the easy answer would be that I am interested in leading the Bruma clan some day, but...that is really what my father wants. My mother says to find my interests on my own, and I have been searching for a long time." Gallus itched his cheek, "It is easy to say what your interests are if you are a mage, or a scholar, or a warrior, hunter, cultist, or otherwise, but..."

There was a long pause where Gallus tried to find a better answer. His voice actually became quite serious at this point, as if trying to hold back conviction. "I guess...I just want to do right by people. I took in Peiter and Tzirret both because they were in need of help, in need of guidance. I grew up a lycan, so I never knew the trauma of their losses, but...I feel like I am making a difference by giving them a chance. Fewer ferals, less death, less suffering because of this condition we have." Gallus glanced at Meesei and gestured to her, "It was likely similar to your attitude with Sabine. There are too many gentle souls who get consumed by lycanthropy, and they do not have to let that happen. For me, even if I just spent the rest of my life helping people to manage their beast spirits, to retain their compassion and better nature, I would die satisfied."

Gallus set a nonchalant angle to his head, but did not find the humour to smile, "Who knows? If I could make a wish, I would wish that help was available for all lycans. I would wish that people not seek to kill them on sight. There are decent people in many of them. Unfortunately, such an attitude is not popular with Hircine's more ardent followers."

---

Nodding understandingly, Tzirret thought about La'khay's answer. He could ask Peiter, or even Gallus, though he may not he the best source given his history. Maybe he should even talk to Sabine. He assured himself that he would think of something.

"Anyone Tzirret can think of to talk to would probably just tell this one to stop questioning himself and ask Ma'tanza. That would be the brave thing to do," Tzirret said, holding his own regret. "This one is more concerned that he will find it difficult to talk with her on her own anyway. She is interested in magic and alchemy, so she and Sabine talk a lot, but Tzirret hardly understands any of it."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus looked up and tapped his finger against his cheek. "So, a persistent hard worker and an academic for bonus points?" Gallus hummed and began to grin, thinking of revenge for Meesei's previous tease, "You make it sound like Darahil or Irenya is your type." Gallus shook his head, "Though, I would expect that you would prefer one with a greater range of emotions than unamused and serious."

Actually giving serious thought, Gallus found that Meesei's preferences did not exactly narrow down anyone in particular, especially if interest in magic was seen as optional. There were plenty of driven people he knew. After about ten seconds, he regarded Meesei with a raised brow, "Well, if ever you do feel like pursuing someone, I believe your criteria leaves you with many good options."

For a moment, Gallus looked at the wall again, seemingly looking like he was caught in his own thoughts. "I do envy you, in a way. Not in being champion but...managing to keep your relations in check. I'm expecting a few slaps upon my face when I get home." Gallus' words were in humour, but he sounded somewhat grave about out.

---

Tzirret was taken out of his thoughts of Ma'tanza by La'khay's answer. He looked at her eyes again and nodded, "Right. Thank you, La'khay. This one does not know either, but he does not want to risk it."

Still in his previous mind, Tzirret inquired further. "About Ma'tanza, should Tzirret even try? He cannot know if he can stay with this clan or take her home to Bruma, even if everything goes perfectly. And...he does not know if she is interested at all. You say it is obvious that I am interested, do you think she knows?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

No rush. I'm about to get breakfast.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus lowered his brow and let out an amused breath between his teeth and his lips, but didn't quite laugh. "Meesei," he said, feigning exaggerated offense, "you do not give me enough credit. I would not presume as much to ask such things." Gallus glanced away, hinting the truth of her prediction that, yes, it did cross his mind. "I enjoy a good romance story as much as the next person. That you have had that in you life does make you a bit less of an enigma, at least."

In reflection of Meesei, Gallus stopped leaning forward as much as he continued. "Still, regardless of how much you enjoy your research - and I imagine that it is very enjoyable - have you ever had eyes for anyone else since then? Any man in the Bruma clan? This clan? Any woman, even? Not that you have to pursue it," Gallus waved a hand, "This is all pure academic interest."

---

Tzirret lightly shook his head, but the realisation of La'khay's words made his eyes widen and his lightly swaying tail stop. "Ma...Ma'tanza? When did this-?" Tzirret sighed as he remembered that he had mentioned interest in Ma'tanza just a moment before in passing. "Tzirret has not found another mate, no," he mumbled without enthusiasm before looking up to La'khay again, "He just wanted to avoid offending anyone who he might want to try and get into a relationship with...and he is...he does not want to accidentally fall in love with you again. He does not know if it would happen, but...the thought has made him feel uncomfortable."

Now that he laid out his reasoning, Tzirret looked away again. He mumbled a comment, "Ma'tanza is very beautiful, but Tzirret is not sure..."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I wrote this one on the bus, but I had to send it during a work break. I think I am getting more used to the keyboard on this phone. G'night properly!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus repositioned himself such that he was leaning his cheek on his fist. Meesei had given more of an answer than he had bargained for, but he didn't mind. In fact, the romantic way that Meesei described her relationship put a smile on Gallus' face. He just assumed that love and marriage between women was just some Argonian thing and did not dwell it.

"She sounds lovely," Gallus agreed, "To think that you ran in fear from something like that-" he stopped to chuckle to himself, "-It must have been a long time ago. Although...I cannot help but wonder how Dar-Veeshala felt about your answer."

---

Tzirret loosened his embrace, if only to allow La'khay to breathe. When he pulled back to look at her, he had a familiar powerless sadness across his face. "Right, it has been a long time, Tzirret is sure," he said, not wanting to sound like an idiot. "Well, if it makes any difference...what this one said about your kindness, it is all true. La'khay deserves better."

Although Tzirret felt incredibly awkward for bringing his next thought up after such a difficult recount, he spoke on after La'khay responded to him. "There is also one more thing that this one would like to speak about." By his voice, Tzirret was perhaps assigning more weight on the subject than he probably needed to. "He...is not sure...that we should continue mating like this..." Tzirret looked down from La'khay's eyes shamefully.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I have to head to work. G'night!