Muttonhawk

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

I've mentioned it in passing already, but just so everyone is aware, The Irish Tree has withdrawn from the RP. Unless anyone else has interest in him, I will be taking over as Belvast in future.

@Kho

Damn, that's unfortunate.

Oh well, at least Belvast will still be around.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Marod waited only a few more seconds before speaking. "We apologise for calling Ardan away, champion, but we have learned that there are few you can trust without almost impossible certainty." He looked to Lunise. "Perhaps you should start us off."

In contrast to before, Lunise spoke little to any offensive undertones. "I will be forward about this, Argonian. We know more about lycans than anyone in our governments, but your existence has become something of an open secret. We do not have the power to out everyone that makes decisions, whether they be in service of Clavicus Vile or not. There are movements to flush you and your kind out of wherever you might be hiding, which includes some of the clans that we know about. There are many clans we know that have not been shared to others, but there are enough to cause war if attacked. We have..." She narrowed her eyes as she glanced to Marod. "...differing opinions as to the value of your clans, though we both recognise that trying to flush them out will only put more citizens at risk, weaken our militaries, and only further the political position of the people pushing to destroy you. We can only do so much to delay an offensive action, and to stop it would require official capitulation to Dominion rule from each clan within the dominion."

"This is eerily similar to what is happening in the council under the emperor," Marod added, spreading his hands. "It is how we were able to line up the agendas as Vile's."

Lunise continued. "If you give written capitulation, those corrupt governors could forward the subsequent information on where to find your clans to Vile's cult, compromising you all. However, this war between yourselves and the Dominion and Empire will happen, one way or another. You do not have much time."

"What Lunise means to say, champion," Marod bowed his head while looking at Meesei. "Is that you have only a few years at most to end this war. We can see your clans living peacefully and to the benefit of our nations by integrating you without war. I am afraid that war will come otherwise, and there is little we can do if not act first."

---

Fendros followed along patiently. He did not know if he could be any help at all, so Ahnasha's words were not a surprise. He simply gave an understanding nod. "Of course. I'll be wherever you need me to be."

As they were stepping into the laboratory, Fendros asked a question before seeing anything within. "Are there any others that know about this place?"

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

@Slime BBeast is more or less correct. The white giant patrol routes are not straight lines, though they are circuits that are as consistent as possible. They can sprint at a solid pace, but they maintain about the same speed of a migrating elephant when patrolling.

They won't interrupt their patrol unless they detect something non-Tounic or non-Sloughish. But as long as you have birds on or around you, it'll probably not try to wallop you.

Also, before you ask, I contrived humans to have enough Slough in them by pure coincidence of design that white giants leave them alone. So your tagalongs should be safe as well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Orphius hunched and avoided eye contact as soon as Meesei paid him attention. He did not respond as if Meesei would leave him alone, by some vain hope. He glanced up at her for only a moment. His response was spoken to the table in front of him, more than anyone else.

"No...no they are not- uh...champion." Orphius was not exactly stammering, though he was evidently having trouble deciding between words. "At least, not as far as I know. I'm...not really with them, I...I just got caught up in this. I'm sorry, they threatened my family if I didn't talk, I..."

"Orphius here was one of the few lycans we were able to take alive," Marod interrupted. "Well, not before he caused some grievous wounds and a death of one of my colleagues. Rest assured-" Marod shifted his eyes to Orphius. "-his family is living in safety, well provided for, they are able to hunt at their leisure, and they have not been harmed. Orphius, you have been told this many times. You will be free after this meeting, by all likelihood. Do not be so sour."

"He is not sour," Lunise added. "He is afraid. Afraid of the champion. I do not blame him; he guided us to Ardan, after all."

Marod exhaled and shook his head at the paper in front of him. "I suppose that's fair. Meesei, I will be upfront. We want to learn more about lycans through willing sources. Trying to keep lycans in captivity is a dangerous and ugly affair. There are none in our ranks that are sanctioned, though it is always an option in the long term that we might take in some well seasoned lycans into the legion, if they wish to earn an imperial wage in some less-exposed roles."

Lunise quirked an eyebrow. "That's not something I expected you to say in front of the likes of me, Marod."

There was an immediate snort from Marod. "Oh, I know your side is thinking of the same thing, Lunise. You've never been able to play the ignorant diplomat with me." Marod glanced up with a frown at Meesei. "Don't think the champion of Hircine is going to be any easier."

Lunise rolled her eyes.

"Right! I will heat the wax while we discuss some of the details to be clear." Marod's wide smile shone over the parchment as he slid the final copies over to Meesei with a pair of fingers.

Over the next amount of time -- a quantity hard to tell when indoors of a regional inn -- the group made sure that there was clarity in all terms and understood their obligations. Lycan clans would be under the protection of the governments they were bordered within, if they were within the empire or the dominion. Both governments would share pertinent information regarding their independent investigations into Vile's activity, while the clans would grant information about Vile's infiltrators within their systems. This was under the agreement that lycan clans would negotiate for integration into their landed jurisdictions after hostilities had ceased. In its myriad detail and litigious terms, it seemed as clear as it could be. However, after the seals had been pressed, the names signed, and the required copies granted to Meesei to distribute to the leaders of Tamriel's clans, the meeting was not over.

Marod's face took a turn for the sincere and serious. His smile had faded and he looked to Meesei intently. Lunise's face had not changed from always.

"If you would, champion Meesei, you may have Ardan take your copies. Albus will take ours," Marod said, stopping to breathe. "We...Lunise and I, require a private word with you."

Marod did not break eye contact as Albus walked up and took some of the documents, before catching Orphius' eye and nodding backwards. The two of them strode out of the inn without a word. By Orphius' pace, he had not become any more comfortable with Meesei's presence.

The door shut behind them. Marod put his fingers together and looked at them with a tight smile. He and Lunise waited while the sounds of footsteps in the snow faded.

---

"It's been ten years, Ahna. I think you'll manage a few days," Fendros said, though he did give a sympathetic look.

The invitation to Ahnasha's laboratory made Fendros' expression relax. It had a hint of uncertainty. He eventually nodded and spoke. "Anything you want. Do you want to get anymore sleep, or...?" He let out the rest of his breath. "No, I couldn't talk you into delaying any further if I tried. I'll get our coats."

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

<Snipped quote by Muttonhawk>

Let me rephrase that then. There are no giant birds that can be trained and/or that don't want to eat my characters around.

@Slime

That sounds like quitter talk to me.

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

There's nothing saying that there aren't giant birds?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You tell me, champion." Lunise said flatly. "The crowd that was meant to reach Orcrest disappeared, remember?"

Marod raised his palms to both of them. "Now, I do not believe now is not the time to be pecking at each other's fingers. We have an agreement to go over." He smiled and gestured to the empty inn. "Shall we head inside?"

The balding imperial lead the group into the building to reveal a table lit by a few candles inside a deathly quiet room. The heart was softly glowing with lit coals, but it had been neglected for a time. Albus silently attended it while the others found seats. Orphius the werebear took a seat on another table to watch from the distance.

Once seated, Marod produced a set of parchments detailing their agreements thus far. Lunise did the same, but her documents were written on stationary of the Aldmeri Dominion.

Marod folded his hands on the table and resumed. "I presume that Ardan here has filled you in? Is there anything that you would like to mention first regarding what we have outlined? I would hear what your opinion is from your mouth before proceeding."

---

Fendros remained holding Ahnasha. He was silent for a few moments, staring at the vial. His voice spoke quietly in an attempt to dampen Ahnasha's clear anxiety. "It's all finally ready?" He grinned and turned his eyes to Ahnasha's. "This has been a long road. It's exciting to be this close to the end of it."

Standing up straight, Fendros let his arms slide away until his hands were resting on Ahnasha's shoulders. Almost as a habit, he gently began kneading at the knots in her upper back with his thumbs. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

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

@BBeast That's...no joke, that's the coolest thing I've seen all day.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

For all the pomp and circumstance of the official agreements between Marod, Lunise, and Meesei, the official presence of the delegates was surprisingly understated. Any attempt to look for a large legionary escort would be disappointed, instead resulting in spotting the four figures of Marod, Albus, Orphius, and Lunise standing next to their hitched horses in long, thick cloaks. The cloaks themselves were not likely meant to be a disguise, but the uniforms of the officials could only be seen when peeking at the right angle.

Orphius was the first to spot Meesei and Saras, likely by scent. He pointed them out to the others and Lunise appeared to confirm what she could see of Meesei. Marod wore his regular smile, Lunise her regular scowl. They did their best to keep their postures, but kept their hands under their armpits against the cold.

This time, Lunise was the first to speak as they approached. "You are not an easy Argonian to find, champion of Hircine." It was only in that brazen speaking of Meesei's title did it become apparent that there was no one else in the entire town, even after looking with a life detection spell. Lunise continued. "You have earned the title of the lengthiest quarry I have ever pursued. Wear it with the rest of your reputation."

Marod was considerably less sarcastic. "It is good to finally meet you after all this time, Meesei." He extended a hand.

It was hard to avoid Orphius' behaviour. He was fidgeting so much in Meesei's presence that he could hardly look her in the eye. He began to edge behind the stoic Albus as the others received her.

---

Blackreach was just as difficult a place to tell time as the ruins near Bruma. When Fendros stirred and took a deep breath to wake from Ahnasha's activity, he did not know if it was the middle of the night or close to morning. By how tired he felt, he suspected the former was more likely. He turned on their bedroll, raised as it was on the concrete slab that Dwemer dwellings contained as 'beds,' and narrowed his eyes in concern at Ahnasha's back.

Ahnasha had experimented in the middle of the night before, but she looked particularly dishevelled and stressed this time. Working into the night did not help her frustration.

Without an immediate word, Fendros wiped his face, stood up from the bed, walked around behind Ahnasha, and bowed to slowly wrap his arms around her shoulders. He then kissed the side of her head and rested his chin on her shoulder, looking at the vial. "What are you doing up so late, my wife?" he asked in a consoling tone. "Is something wrong?"

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

@WrongEndoftheRainbow I don't know if you mean tablet or toilet. I will assume both.

(I'm in the middle of other stuff right now. If someone doesn't sort you out beforehand, I'll gather a list together tonight.)