Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rhazii was still frowning by the time Meesei got to see his face again, but he wiped his eyes clear and nodded. "I'll do that," he answered. "Goodnight, aunt Meesei."

---

"That is Legate General Gro-Tagnud to you, Champion of Hircine." The bald, uniformed Orc looked up from the reports on his desk. His look was almost as piercing as the large crested helmet to the right of the papers. Beyond the military precision of his salt-and-pepper beard, his skin was pocked, wrinkled, and stretched in a way only decades in legion service could cause. All the same, his quick spring onto his feet and walk around the table told of a still sturdy body. His firm handshake added strength to the mix.

"But those particulars are not important right now," he continued. "The letter you received should have filled you in on how many men I have under my command for this mission."

Gro-Tagnud was hard to place. He had the eloquent delivery of Marod without the charisma or subtlety. He stepped back and stood with his legs a shoulder-width apart, clasping his hands behind his back.

"First thing's first. I need to know what your expectations are of the legion here. What do you need us for, how do you want us to do it, and how does it tie into your overall desired outcome?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rhazii returned the hug gratefully at first. Even with his occasional mood swings, he was still the affectionate child Ahnasha and Fendros raised. However, beyond Meesei's vision, the latter part of her response made Rhazii widen his eyes and hold his breath. He was not sure whether to take it as an aggressive threat or as a concerned caution.

"...Yeah, completely," he rapidly said before he could find out. "Y-you don't have to say it like that. It's not as if I don't know what you can do, alright? Hircine's hounds, Aunt Meesei..." He huffed. "Can I go to bed now?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei gave Rhazii plenty to think about. His anger was occupied enough that his mouth shrank into a frown and he looked away with a softening brow. By the end of it, he had no idea what to say. He sat silently. Without anything on the topic, Rhazii broke his silence on another note. It was something he only just then knew how to put into words.

"I'm not rebelling, you know?" He mumbled. "I just want to feel like part of the pack. Sometimes it...feels like I can't. I don't know when I'll feel like I can be part of the pack." He looked down to hide his eyes welling up again, though his voice remained level. "Sorry I shouted."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rhazii bared his teeth. Meesei lifted Rhazii's face up with more resistance than she might have expected. As soon as his wince from the point of Meesei's claw pressing at his head subsided, he showed his red-iris eyes filling with tears that he was having a gradually harder time keeping from falling. The sheer rage building on his face showed no signs of waning.

"And what if it turns out that I'll not reach that potential?" He said without hesitation. "What if I just keep disappointing you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

A joint in Rhazii's fingers clicked as he balled a fist tightly enough to crush an apple. A sharp eye could tell that he was breathing very deliberately, another measure to hold himself back. But he could not speak without a small, upset break in his voice.

"When have I ever been good enough for this pack?!" He said. "It all makes sense, that's not the problem. The problem is I made a mess of your feast. I get it. But maybe..." He closed his lips and quickly shook his head. "Maybe I can't earn my place like the rest of you. Maybe I should just leave! I won't ruin anything else that way."

Rhazii blinked rapidly. He was sprung to stand and exit, though he dared not try to get up with Meesei between him and the door.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

With his hands hanging limp from his knees and his head down, there was no disputing Rhazii knew the trouble he was in. Still, after a long pause, his answer was predictably nonchalant. He shrugged sharply, his shoulders went limp again. "I don't know," he mumbled.

He breathed in to continue and held. He let half of his breath go and breathed in again. Emotion brewed that he was holding back. "Maybe it's because mother was shot in front of me? Aunt Kaleeth nearly died, too? The rest of you were beaten up?"

Rhazii glowered at the floor.

---

Sabine and Do'rhajul took the following hour or more simply to converse. They realised it was the first time they had done so outside of what felt like a crisis. Do'rhajul was suddenly solidified as a man like any other in Sabine's eyes and, though Sabine herself had an unconventional upbringing, the mystery behind her was pulled aside for the most part.

Sabine wished she had some wine to share over their conversation once the edge from the wine at the feast wore off. Instead, they rapidly found themselves mutually exhausted after such a stressful day and went their separate ways to sleep.

The talk with Ri'vashi still hung over Sabine's head. She was not looking forward to not only Ri'vashi and Ri'kalesh's reactions to her letting Do'rhajul go after the invasion, but many others that would also protest. Thankfully, the talk with Do'rhajul reaffirmed her decision. He was a man that was good enough for a second chance. A very different person than him would not deserve it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I've not got anything else planned in particular for Sabine and Do'rhajul's scene. Right now Sabine just wants to get to know Do'rhajul a bit better. We can play it out or summarise it as you please.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros and Ahnasha stopped by Meesei briefly on their way to their room, quickly mentioning what they saw of Sabine's exit from the feast, including the portal she opened before they could catch up to her. However, they trusted she would return soon and did not linger long.

A short way behind his parents, Rhazii ascended the stairs with Kaj-Julan trailing behind him. He and Julan were recounting some event Meesei did not recognise, likely from the last few hours as their giggles and snorts were still fresh in their noses. Both Rhazii's smile and ears shrank down when he looked up the stairs to see Meesei. He was immediately quiet.

Fendros and Ahnasha looked back for a moment, but they did not appear perturbed at all. Fendros merely gave a casual "Goodnight, everyone," before stepping away with Ahnasha.

While Rhazii did not look at Julan, who would have picked up on the situation rapidly, there was little doubt that he would slink away as well.

That just left Rhazii and Meesei. Rhazii peered down at the floor and clenched his teeth. Meesei could just about feel how hard his ears pinned back. "Okay," he mumbled as audibly as an adolescent does, and began his sullen march into his room.

He left the door open and turned to sit on the end of his bed, eyes still on the floor.

---

Sabine half-smiled. "I am not sure that-" She closed her mouth and pursed her lips. Rhajul did not know of Lunise and Meesei's relationship. She had to keep that secret.

"...The Thalmor are not complacent," she recovered. "You are correct. Although, her adoptive father died many years ago. There would be no one for the Thalmor to hunt through her."

Sabine lifted her eyes to Do'rhajul, curious. "What was it like for you growing up? If you were in a Legion family, I imagine you were used to having relatives stationed away from home."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The worry in Lunise's eyes faded when Meesei conceded for her help. She let her slide free of her arms before twisting to stand up herself on the other end of the bed. Mention of Meesei returning transformed swiftly put a smile on Lunise's face that clearly held back her renewed laughter.

While Meesei told of the baths, Lunise strode around the bed and slid her arms loosely around Meesei's sides, looking at her happily. "Handle it? You know how I respond to doubt by now, my love." She pecked Meesei quickly, and again until she lingered and it turned into a long and loving gesture.

Before too long, Lunise pulled her head away and smiled. "Very well. Fur-covered or not, I look forward to your return. I am spoilt here, staying with you." She nodded towards the door without breaking eye contact. "Now go, before I derelict my duties any further."

---

Sabine nodded vigorously. "He would. We should talk to him before we begin looking." Sabine sat up a little straighter. "When we first joined this clan in Bruma, he took to training the militia. He trained all of us in the pack at some point or another. He knows what lycan warriors are capable of."

Glancing away briefly, Sabine stopped to prevent a stammer. "Ri'vashi would know more, I think. About strategy. Um...I do not think she would agree to help." Sabine could not help but bring up their similarities again. "I have these strange thoughts that you and her might be related with how similar you act. It is not probable, though. She is from High Rock and was turned early in her life. Raised by a former member of the Blades. I think that is what she told me."

Sabine feigned a smile. "But before I forget, thank you for your help, Rhajul. I know you took an oath, but you...have been conducting yourself with kindness."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"-Meesei," Lunise interrupted the last word of Meesei's response. "This is not about protecting you. Neither you nor I could individually stand up to a being as powerful as you describe, much less two." Lunise caught herself before she could sound any angrier. Her voice softened. "It could take both our efforts together to escape. If that is what will be required, I would sooner be there to help than anywhere else. I would much sooner promise, with your promise as well, that we will get out together."

---

Sabine put on a stoic face and nodded. She was still somewhat reluctant. All the same, she was satisfied with Do'rhajul's answer.

"I would find those lycans if I could," she said. "The best any can do, I suppose, is to prevent feral lycans from hurting people. And...perhaps there will be a day where there are no cultists of Hircine that prey on people, too. The clan leaders do not like to talk about them but they still exist." Her lips thinned. "But Vile comes first."

More immediate matters brought more immediate priorities. Sabine altered the subject again. "I trust you can help me select the rest of my pack. You know fighters, how to use them. We will have to pick from many. They will be alongside us both as we approach the final battles."