Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius gave an agreeing hum, "Yes, it was fortunate that the Orcrest clan was welcoming. As much as this march will be an undesirable challenge, I don't doubt that it will put a nail in the enemy's coffin."

Meanwhile, Fendros was peering over the food that was being prepared. He looked up to Jo'rashaad with a smile and a look of recollection. "I remember you mentioning teaching Rhazii a bit more about the Khajiit while we are away." Fendros glanced over to Newt, "Will little Newt be joining in as well?"

Rhazii's attention was directed up momentarily when he heard his name, but his eyes were distracted by a shape coming up behind Ciinriel and S'ajira. Leaps-On-Elves sauntered up without any vocalisation and curled up beside Ciinriel under her arm.

---

His head shot up back into reality. Tzirret was suddenly in the dining hall again, looking at the last morsels of his breakfast. He lightly slapped the side of his face a couple of times to keep himself from nodding off again. He was glad Gallus had woken him up, otherwise he might have missed the march. Although, he still would have liked a couple more hours of sleep.

The previous night had not just been sleepless because of the particularly bad lycan nightmare or even staying awake in worry. Tzirret had been trying to get a third trinket done after remembering that M'ibasa was not Ma'tanza's only sibling. He had been carving bone into the small hours of the morning and deprived himself of the sleep he needed to be at the top of his capabilities. He thought it would be no matter as his tasks were not especially complicated. Now, though, he was regretting it.

The earlier hour that Tzirret was woken meant that the dining hall was not quite as crowded as usual for meals. He was the first of his group of friends to get up thanks to Gallus having more duties than everyone else for preparation. He would wave people down as they arrived, but he especially wanted to catch up with M'ibasa, S'nishi, and Ma'tanza to give them the fruits of his recent labours.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

This doesn't make the entire horde immune, but I will remind that White Giants only attack those that are missing the essence or Slough or Toun. The presence of corruption doesn't necessarily draw their ire unless it completely overtakes their sort-of-ambiguous mark of creation.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There's a scene I'd like to open up eventually with Tzirret delivering his gift. I'll get around to that soon enough. As well, I'd imagine that La'khay would want to present her finished painting to Sabine and Peiter as well. You can initiate that scene if you like.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I cannot say that I could defend you that much if that happens." Sabine brought a curled hand up in front of her mouth before she could stifle her own giggle, "I will try. Maybe."

"Tzirret knows that he does not want to be shaven," Tzirret commented, "It would be so cold and...exposed. He would be pink and mangy." He brought his hands up to rub his upper arms with just the thought of it.

Sabine turned her head to Ma'tanza and Tzirret again. "Maybe it is a good thing that La'khay is not painting you after all," she said jokingly. "Anyway, what did you say you wanted to do again?"

---

A few more thanks and farewells had La'khay and La'tahne left behind as the rest of the group went to entertain themselves. Without much inspiration on the way to the pool it seemed as though they were simply going to enjoy a swim. However, what they had found there was something they didn't expect. Some of the clan children had taken a sheep's bladder, inflated it, tied it off, and sewn sheets of oiled leather around it to make a buoyant and bouncy ball. They seemed to be playing some kind of game in the water which involved two teams getting the ball to the edge of the pool and then sending it to a guarded goal on the other end. The rules were arbitrary and the game involved a lot of physical contact, but it certainly looked like everyone involved was enjoying themselves.

Upon investigation it was noticed that there were spare balls available that Tzirret, Ma'tanza, Sabine, and Peiter were permitted to use. They did not pretend to understand the game, but had enough fun passing the ball between themselves with their hands or fists. The game in the water even meant that it wasn't as much of a strain on Ma'tanza as it would have been out of the water.

Until then Sabine had resigned herself to not getting in any further magic practice that day, but she ended up having a lot of fun using telekinesis on the ball to play mischief with the others. Ma'tanza eventually joined in using telekinesis, turning the game into an impossible round of piggy-in-the-middle for those less magically inclined. Eventually, Tzirret became fed up enough to try and disrupt Ma'tanza's magic by employing some of the tackling techniques of the children nearby, to varying degrees of success.

The fun they had certainly took the edge off of Tzirret's anxieties about Ma'tanza's current feelings about him. If nothing else, he was too tired out that night to stay awake worrying.

---

The next few days had Sabine and Peiter sit for their painting some more and accelerate their preparation to move out. It was always uncomfortable to sit still for so long but it was worth it to see the progress La'khay was making day by day. Sabine actually found the static kiss with Peiter to be a welcome relief from helping the alchemists make seemingly endless supplies. Just as she had predicted, La'khay's grooming resulted in uncomfortable itches as her hair regrew, but at least this time she had a partner in her discomfort. It must have been a very new experience for Peiter. At least the smooth skin was enjoyable in other ways while it lasted.

Despite that, Sabine remained furtive in front of La'khay about what went on behind closed doors while Peiter or anyone else was present. La'tahne might have been fine, she supposed, as she got to know the gardener. Both La'khay and La'tahne had very similar mindsets.

Gallus did eventually come by to all the interested parties of the incident with Tzirret's assignment. He had secured Tzirret an assistant's role with the healers, given that he had shown an interest in the art. It was not a glamorous or advanced position, but he would have no shortage of things to do. Meanwhile, Peiter's makeover was acknowledged with a snort and a snide comment against his masculinity, but nothing particularly mean-spirited. Once that was sorted out, his schedule quickly filled until it was bursting at the seams. There was always another inspection to make, another meeting to go to, another drill to give, or another problem to help sort out. He did not envy his father's position when it came to organising an offensive. At least he could find some catharsis in sharing the experience with Meesei, Ri'vashi, and other officials that he interacted with. They were all kind people behind their official exteriors and they had to lean on one another often for moral support.

As for Tzirret, he was perhaps more cautious than he needed to be around Ma'tanza. This first big mistake did not feel properly forgiven. He still spent time with her, but between the upcoming march and his guilt, he became more tense and stressed. Thankfully, Gallus' advice regarding the issue had allowed him some measure of peace of mind as well as a touch of inspiration. Late at night, he began carving a gift for Ma'tanza and her little brother. He hoped it would be well received when he would give it the morning that they would march out.

Fendros and Janius had their hands full with the children as usual. The days leading up were often spent swapping watches with Kaleeth and Ahnasha while they would take turns to drill and train. Interestingly, Fendros' brief disappearances on mysterious business were increasing in frequency. Apart from that, time was spent getting the children and Jo'rashaad's family acquainted. Rhazii in particular had been rather quiet leading up to the march, but he was not immune to smiles and laughs when he could take his mind off his parents temporarily leaving.

---

The get-together that Fendros and Jo'rashaad had speculated a few days ago was initially difficult to organise. There were a lot of competing schedules that were all in flux throughout. They eventually settled on breakfast on the morning of the day that the march would begin. They were scheduled to rally outside and get moving by noon, which gave plenty of time for family farewells.

They were seated around a cooking fire together. The couples were side-by-side, with Ciinriel next to her adoptive parents and Rhazii and Newt sitting on whichever laps took their fancy. Right now the two children were upon Janius and Kaleeth's laps so they could talk to each other underneath the adult conversations.

Janius opened up the conversation while they were about to begin eating. "I know this has been said plenty of times, but we cannot even begin to show enough appreciation for you agreeing to watch over the children while we are gone," he said with a gesture to the Khajiit couple opposite him. "Anyway, how have you been since we arrived in this clanhome? All talk up until now has been busy and related to the children."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sure thing. I'll just get some lunch and do the skip to then.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fair enough. That can be summarised until then.

Did you want me to skip ahead now or is there other stuff you wanted to do?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was nothing more than a sincere and friendly smile from Gallus as Ri'vashi spoke. He was going to play it off with a comment on how he has it worse from his boys, but the hug took him off guard. The side of his wide-eyed face was pressed suddenly against Ri'vashi's collar. In response, he let the wooden sword fall from under his arm onto the ground and tried his best to wrap his arms around to her back, giving her a couple of comforting pats. "It's no problem, Ri'vashi. That's what friends are there for," he said as if he was not being hugged at all. Ri'vashi was surprisingly gentle. "Anyone in a pack knows this, but you do not need to be ashamed of yourself with friends," Gallus added. "We all need a spot to tear up or be insufferable every now and then."

Gallus motioned to separate eventually and gave Ri'vashi an encouraging smile and a pat on the arm. "Now, if you're done fighting, how about we catch up with Meesei and Lorag and see what we can find out about this Do'rhajul fellow?"

---

Sabine lifted her opposite arm until her hand was over Peiter's over her waist. At the same time, she smiled and peered eyes between points on Peiter's face and body. "I like how it feels," she said after a pause, "I will get used to the look." Sabine's coy response purposely did not give any strong hints as to her opinion.

On the other hand, Tzirret was at the same time amused and overwhelmed that Peiter was the one in the embarrassing situation for once. With tall ears and and tiny snorts emerging from his nose, he looked to Ma'tanza. "What does Ma'tanza think?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus shot back as quickly as he could as soon as he landed the blow and fell into disbelief for a few seconds. It seemed so out of the ordinary to actually win with a solid hit for a change. All other bouts with Ri'vashi had resulted in defeat with superficial blows landed at the very best. Though, he didn't get too excited. He simply laughed lightly instead.

"Hircine's hounds," Gallus said, testing his jarred arms for any further damage. "One of these days I might even defeat you weapon to weapon." Gallus' sarcasm stopped when he held his sword under his arm and wiped the sweat from his hands. He looked up to Ri'vashi directly. "Do you want to keep fighting unarmed? I can't vouch for my chances doing the same but I do not mind how we spar."

---

A grin spread across Sabine's face when she saw the painting as well. It was very much incomplete, though Sabine could not fault La'khay's skill in capturing their forms. It actually made Sabine feel a bit strange to see a picture of herself outside of a reflection. "La'khay, this is really nice," Sabine commented, giving her a glance, "Thank you."

"Er, hey Peiter," Tzirret began, raising an eyebrow and desperately suppressing a laugh. "Did you shave yourself? You look...weird."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

A couple more attempts at getting past Ri'vashi's defence with just his sword proved futile for Gallus. He actually paused for a grin and a small laugh at the awkwardness of it all.

Eventually, Gallus thought of one thing he could try to end the cat-and-mouse game that the bout had become. He didn't hesitate to try, for if anything was going to work, it was this. He advanced and slashed high to draw Ri'vashi's shield arm up. And then with the bottom of the shield's rim on front of him he attempted to step forward with rear foot and grab at it. He did not try to pull it away or twist it. Instead he simply held it in place while he stepped forward again and brought his sword around to cut at Ri'vashi's middle. He did not have the strength to keep the shield still for long but the blow would be decisive if he could land it.

---

It was a few moments before Tzirret could make sense of the scene before him. La'khay's words seemed to tie it up and his brow went up in realisation. At this point he didn't even process the possible embarrassment from La'khay's compliment of himself and Ma'tanza.

Tzirret raised a hand to La'khay, "Oh, that is fine. We...Tzirret did not expect to see this, to be honest." Tzirret turned to Peiter and Sabine, "Um, we were going to spend time, maybe go for a swim or find something new to do, but..." Tzirret tightened his mouth as if he had interrupted something more special. "If you are busy, it is no matter."

"Actually," Sabine began to speak, addressing La'khay first, "Do you mind if we take a break, La'khay?" Sabine's eyes went down to Peiter's legs and back up. "We have been sitting for a while."

While Sabine spoke, Tzirret leaned around curiously to see the painting in progress. He had not yet looked closely enough to notice Peiter's groomed form.