Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"That may indeed leave the impression you wish, now that I think on it," Lunise said. "It holds its own risks, true. I trust your control, though making a spectacle always adds an extra means for things to go wrong. Alternatively, if Teroiah finds a way to counter any early displays of power, then you may find yourself at a disadvantage. And, finally, of course, you will cement in the minds of the Thalmor that you are, indeed, a dangerous individual."

Lunise leaned into her seat. "All in all, manageable, I would say. You may even inspire Teroiah to fear you, which may benefit you in the short term."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise looked ahead, keeping her hands gently on Meesei's shoulders from behind her. "Let me address you point by point, there. First of all, Teroiah is going to be the commander of the Thalmor battlegroup sent into Oblivion with us and the Imperials. You will be working alongside her either way. This does not mean she will remain without demotion after the mission, simply that she will remain commander for now."

Sliding her hands away, Lunise walked gracefully across to another seat. She lifted it by the back and faced it towards Meesei, before seating herself down. "As for challenging the higher ranks, I must recommend against it. And only because I can see you are not happy with them. The Thalmor do not operate upon a culture of honour based upon martial strength, not amongst themselves. Your challenge against Teroiah is a challenge against the organisation, not against an individual. If you wish to challenge the individuals above Teroiah, they will most likely decline, seeing you as below them. And even if they agreed, you would be making more enemies than friends, I am afraid. You do not need any more of them."

Lunise took on a gentler voice. "But, you have a way with words and a tendency to surprise me. You may find a way in the end."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise chuckled at a low pitch. They were far from the surprised peals of laughter Meesei had heard before. If Meesei did not know Lunise better, she could have been heard as sinister.

"I am impressed by your determination, Meesei," Lunise remarked. "But you plan to defeat a high ranking Alinor battlemage and seasoned veteran of duels and otherworldy invasions, in front of her superiors and representatives from Cyrodiil. Even if you were Altmer yourself, the damage to her reputation would be akin to that of dragon's breath upon a barn of dry hay. The very thought that she would consider your help is an impossibility I doubt even Hal-Neesa could prove wrong. Not without some other reason to..."

Lunise trailed off, her smile fading thoughtfully. She hummed. "One way would be to infect her with lycanthropy. Though, that may be a cruel measure. Not to mention the danger presented afterwards."

A pause hung on Lunise's breath. Her brow lowered. "Perhaps...if it was her standing you wish for her to preserve...Hmm...Did the Dominion make any other stipulations if they should best you? Are they something that Teroiah could 'obtain' in some fashion while on this mission?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I doubt this event will spark another war. Both nations are acutely aware of your capabilities," Lunise said. "Though you are prudent to tread carefully. Should you best Teroiah, she will not forgive you for it, even after Vile is stopped. She may even lose her rank. She will likely plot your downfall and target lycans, specifically. But that can be addressed later."

Lunise stood up straight, letting her arms slide up off Meesei until her hands were on her shoulders. "Focus for now on how to best her. I should have been more specific in my description, so allow me to rephrase. If you had even attempted to engage in as many life-threatening magical duels in your life as Teroiah, you would have died as a hatchling, for the amount of time needed would bring them to your childhood. She has a honed sense for all kinds of magicks, and the reflexes to counter. She knows you hold power not seen in centuries -- she will expect to see new things from you." Lunise looked aside. "Whether that will help her, I know not."

With a hum in thought, Lunise continued. "Now that you mention it, I have not seen the lycan clans fight at the scale of an army. That may leave an impression on each nation."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

While not in despair, Lunise was not so quick to be convinced of Meesei's chances. She took a moment of idle thought to put together her response. When she did, she slowly walked behind Meesei's chair and bent down to wrap her arms around her shoulders so she could speak close to her ear.

"I will not lie to you, Meesei," she murmured. "You are a powerful mage who defeated, in a duel, someone more magically capable than Teroiah in a general sense." She tapped a finger on the side of Meesei's neck. "But...do not be so certain. Teroiah is a specialist. She was a formidable magical duelist even by the time I was born. She has broken the wards of the most powerful Dremora that served Mehrunes Dagon. She has broken more wards than most elves in their lives. She has...her own way of doing things. And I am not certain that the trick you used against Neesa would work against her. She is too decisive and canny." Lunise's tone shifted to be less serious. "And she is a woman I have respected all my life, even if my respect for her is unrequited."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise did not immediately let go of her look, but her words were at least some indication that she was taking off her mask. "To keep perspective, Hal-Neesa also finds little difficulty transforming into a swarm of bats. I imagine many things require less effort from her techniques."

At first, Lunise proceeded to a mirror to undo the cord tying her hair back and straighten whatever loose ends flowed forth. At mention of Teroiah, she stopped partway through and slowly turned on her feet towards where Meesei sat. "You are going to fight...the commander?" she asked slowly. "How much do you know about her?"

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

Guys, do you remember when I submitted one of the Rukbany posts for a writing competition?
Well, they got back to me, and guess what!

Wasn't even shortlisted by the buggers. They clearly have no taste >.>

@Kho

Damn. Better luck next time, Khobro!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei's estimate was not far off. The guards shifted nervously at her gathering power, but only one spoke up in protest.

"What do you think you're doing?" She demanded under her breath.

The other guard was about to hit her on the arm with the back of his hand for not recognising the magic, but the door separated them before that could happen.

Lunise stepped through with perfect timing, quietly eyeing the distressed guard with a frown, glancing at Meesei, and scoffing. "How do you think she arrived? Did you fall asleep in your mysticism classes?"

The guard stiffened to attention. "No, madam."

"Then I advise you enrol again," Lunise said. "Clearly you were not paying attention." Satisfied, Lunise took a step closer to Meesei and clasped her hands behind her back. "No time to waste, champion. Let us be gone."

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

A djinn civil war? Damn, perhaps I should pay more attention to the djinn since that I have a minor character that's a djinn.

Where should I start to catch up on this?

@Scarifar

Keyword searching the IC thread for Slag, Xos, Boreas, and whatever other major djinn are mentioned may help.

If you can find the one post with the big battle wherein Boreas is a naughty boy, you'll probably get all the details you need. I remember that one being a big 'un.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Siloune sighed heavily through her nose at the extra request, but there was no reason for her to refuse.

"You may have no more than four individuals accompanying you," she said. "They will be under strict guard, just like you, and may only witness the duel, nothing more." She stood up, prompting the meeting to be all but adjourned. "And yes, take the justicar with you. Her work is not complete while this last detail remains pending. I shall send her here."

The three were unceremonious in their exit. None gave Meesei a second look but Teroiah, who turned to side-eye Meesei while she stood at the door. "I do not give concessions to non-elves, Champion," she said in a soft, yet threatening voice. "Do not forget it."

And she closed the door behind her.