Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei could see that the eyes of the battlemages escorting them had only disdain for all of them. Neesa's posture may or may not have inflamed matters, but she was quietly attracting attention.

They saw no other people on their way outside. The doors to other rooms in the building were all shut and there were no apparent voices behind them. The long legs of the Altmer set a pace that disallowed the time needed to take any closer passing looks.

The group only halted their walk for one while along the way. They were gathered onto a sizable, tall, cylindrical stone room with the light of the sun pouring in from above them. The ceiling was missing. Once everyone was inside, Siloune cast a green spell from her hand into the floor. It was a catalyst of some kind.

"Stand away from the walls," Siloune firmly announced.

The entire floor below them lurched and gently accelerated upwards. Sabine nearly jumped, causing two of the battlemage escorts to chuckle under their breaths.

The ascension was without any words from Siloune or her subordinates. They took half a minute to reach the top, which revealed the sky line of the city of Alinor itself, shining in the daylight. They were on the roof of a short tower that evidently comprised the Thalmor office they had been walking in. Along with the light breeze, the towertop was a courtyard paved in a suitably elegant symmetrical pattern, with a set of large stone steps on its far end that appeared to be for sitting. Sitting on the centre-left of the steps was Teroiah, dressed in a hooded Thalmor uniform, surrounded by well-dressed High Elf subordinates of her own, and glowering at Meesei.

"This is where the duel shall take place," Siloune explained. "Champion of Hircine, take up a position on one side of the pavement when you are ready. The rest of you shall be allocated seats suitable to witness every detail."

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

Yup. Hey guys, I heard you like dialogue.

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

Oooh, can't wait to read it when I get home!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Siloune's eyes pierced into all of Meesei's tag-alongs. However, she had an especially long and discerning pause for Neesa. Her eyes narrowed impatiently in a way that immediately told Meesei that Neesa's presence pushed her luck.

Thankfully, Siloune did not mention Neesa specifically. "You are all now guests of the Aldmeri Dominion, here only at our pleasure. You will do as you are told and not deviate from instructions given by myself and my staff. If you do, it shall be considered a criminal act and you will be detained. I trust I have made myself clear enough." She spun on her heel. "Follow me and stay within sight. We shall proceed to your duel immediately, Champion of Hircine."

Siloune led the group out of the meeting room and into the well-lit halls of an elegant Altmer style building. The flowing architraves and pretty magical lights would have been pleasant to walk amongst had they not been forced to walk between two small teams of fully armoured Thalmor bodyguards. Their lack of shields and primary weapons suggested they were battlemages -- the Thalmor's use of conjured weapons was common knowledge.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Of course, Meesei," Fendros said. He stood back to allow space for the portal.

Marod's smile widened a fraction upon shaking Neesa's hand, even if she did not take the further step of sharing her name. "Nothing is accomplished without trying, I should think," he said. "Why, I dare call it brave to take a stand like you do-"

"Yes, yes, Marod," Lunise interrupted, having mostly recovered from Neesa's entrance. "Your silver tongue ever does shoot for ways to get something out of people. But, for once in your life, could you shut up so we can get this over with?"

Marod's smile did not fade. He lifted an eyebrow at Lunise. "Nothing wrong with making friends, Lunise."

Lunise stood up to stand near Meesei as she began her portal. "You have no idea, Marod," she said wearily, looking ahead.

Rather than keep the argument going, Marod simply held his head back and pulled an unsure frown.

Thanks to Neesa's boost of magical power to the portal -- a detail Marod visibly noticed -- the silence did not last longer than it took for them to walk through.

They arrived in the same windowless meeting room as before, greeted coldly by a similar pair of guards to before, and joined by the same officials as before, without Teroiah amongst them.

The dark-haired and dour Siloune regarded them all with quick looks. "You've arrived in sufficient order," she began, skipping pleasantries. "We shall need all your names and relations to today's proceedings. Champion, introduce your witnesses."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Marod's smile remained, though he took a short moment to respond. "I...had no idea anyone was as knowledgeable about them outside of the national institutions," he said, taking steps forward. "I do not believe we have been introduced. I am Marod, Imperial representative to the lycan clans." He extended a hand in greeting.

Meanwhile, Sabine and Fendros were huddled in with Meesei. Fendros nodded and Sabine quickly whispered "I understand."

"I had better stay behind," Fendros whispered before Sabine could say anything else. "It's diplomatically risky setting foot on Alinor as a Dunmer in the first place, and you together have a better chance at dealing with her if you absolutely need to. She and I do are not on the best terms."

Vera patiently looked on, though she betrayed some worry between her glances to Meesei and Neesa.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The footsteps were joined with Marod's voice as he and Sabine approached the meeting room.

"...In time, I came to know man as a friend, in spite of my occupation. The thing about Hammerfell is the people will fight to the last for their independence, but even the most zealous are personable when..."

Marod trailed off a second after he walked through the door with Sabine. Both of them stood silent, staring at Neesa.

A glint of recognition showed in Marod's eyes. But his posture went from at-ease to stiff. His surprise was hidden by his usual genial smile. "Good day, everyone. I...did not know we would have additional company." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Meesei, is this good lady here about your daedric alliance?"

While Marod was perhaps not as cautious as any that knew Neesa specifically, those present easily deduced that he recognised her as a vampire.

"She wants to accompany us to see the duel," Fendros said bluntly. "Whether she also wishes to demolish the scraps of good will the Thalmor have spared this mission appears to be out of our control."

"Hm?" Marod lowered his brow and pouted with confusion. "Whyever would that be the case?"

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

An update: A bunch of stuff has kept me off Yorum this week and a bit. I'll get to it when I next have time. In the meantime, Slime and I have something brewing up in the background. Get hyped!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hal-Neesa's involvement was always a possibility, tried as they all might have to keep secrets. For one as old and powerful as her, it only made sense to keep track of the situation. Still, those facts did little to ameliorate Fendros, Vera, and Lunise's reactions.

Vera, having heard about Neesa's power, was looking to her sternly, though with her face slightly turned away. She was fearful.

Similarly, Fendros was avoiding eye contact. He clenched a fist in an effort not to let his anger get the better of him.

Of all present, however, Lunise was the one failing the hardest in hiding her body language. Everything about her was as straight and professional as usual, except for the red flush that crept up her neck and ears, and moments after bloomed over her entire face. Her eyes were wide and cross, looking at Neesa with a quiet fury. She had the most to hide in their private planning.

"We need an Imperial witness for this to work, and only four are allowed on top of Meesei and Lunise," Vera said. "Sabine's going to get Marod now. He's going to report back to his superiors after what he sees."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise was quick to dismiss Meesei's concern. "If it is like any other magical duel they hold, you will not need to worry."

As Meesei approached, Lunise showed a soft smile and returned her embrace. She held the side of her head against Meesei's and relaxed in her arms. "I would help you with this even if you were completely incapable of repaying me. All the same, I do appreciate it. Nothing about the process will be quick or easy. Just take care not to make promises you cannot fulfil, my love."

Lunise tried to stand up without letting Meesei go, but they partially pulled away by necessity. Lunise pulled Meesei's head forward to lay a kiss on top of her snout before speaking. "Now, I believe your council and pack will want to hear about your meeting as well."