Ariel's expression changed thought again at the change of subject. "Hmm, let's see..." She tapped a finger on the table. "I still use it for some things. Knowing some basic spells certainly makes some alchemical processes much easier, especially when controlling heating or cooling. But, apart from that, I have only really used it either to help understand the girls' symptoms when they fall ill, occasionally for healing little wounds, other small applications...It's always there, as well, should I need to defend myself, though thankfully I have not needed to do so since living here." She looked directly to Meesei again. "I must admit, the more complicated magic that I use is completely to do with my more complicated alchemy. There are a few mages who take work here and there in the city, but most other mages in Thorn who make their living from magic are as you say; academics."
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
"An Altmer woman?" Ariel said, slightly surprised. She paused for a moment. "Hm, I should not be so surprised, you must meet all sorts of people in your position, from all over the world. Oh, I love the intrigue of it. A lover kept secret...Do you at least have enough chances to spend time together?"
Teroiah took in a careful breath. "I understand the effectiveness of matching our best against the enemy's elite, whether they make room for the two groups to fight or not. However, before you start reminiscing about your halcyon days of witnessing the creation of the Mundus at the hands of the Aedra, may we reconcile what we can gain from this plan? Are these daedra as susceptible to disarray as a conventional army? Are they smart enough to know what we may be doing? If Meesei is rendered unable to bring the axe to Vile, likely out of sheer bad luck, our chances are made far slimmer."
"I actually like the idea," Gro-Tagnud said. "Even if it doesn't disrupt the enemy too much, it'll be a good believable distraction. I was briefed on the Hircine cult's general culture, General Ri'vashi. They'll see the champion picking fights for the sake of it like any other lycan looking to show their dominance. They'll try to take the chance to put her down, drawing their attention." He looked to Neesa. "With respect, I have to insist that the anchors aren't placed too near to the army. The only thing better than having an extra army at your back is having an extra army behind the enemy. Of course, if we find a defensible spot to hold up where there just happens to be an anchor site we can exploit, doesn't mean we have to pass that up."
Teroiah took in a careful breath. "I understand the effectiveness of matching our best against the enemy's elite, whether they make room for the two groups to fight or not. However, before you start reminiscing about your halcyon days of witnessing the creation of the Mundus at the hands of the Aedra, may we reconcile what we can gain from this plan? Are these daedra as susceptible to disarray as a conventional army? Are they smart enough to know what we may be doing? If Meesei is rendered unable to bring the axe to Vile, likely out of sheer bad luck, our chances are made far slimmer."
"I actually like the idea," Gro-Tagnud said. "Even if it doesn't disrupt the enemy too much, it'll be a good believable distraction. I was briefed on the Hircine cult's general culture, General Ri'vashi. They'll see the champion picking fights for the sake of it like any other lycan looking to show their dominance. They'll try to take the chance to put her down, drawing their attention." He looked to Neesa. "With respect, I have to insist that the anchors aren't placed too near to the army. The only thing better than having an extra army at your back is having an extra army behind the enemy. Of course, if we find a defensible spot to hold up where there just happens to be an anchor site we can exploit, doesn't mean we have to pass that up."
Karl's first mouthful of the next course was well received, but his chewing halted on the words 'live mouse.' He gave Rukeewei, Ariel, and Sabine worried looks. However, the conversation moved on by the time he swallowed.
"Hmmmmm," Ariel's response to Meesei inflected with interest. "I could use something like that for a great many things. But, I am no less interested in using it to keep in touch with all of you." She put her hands in her lap. "I admit, there were some times when I started out in Thorn where I would just feel flat, tired, desperate just to speak with old friends and family." She smiled at Rukeewei. "I had friends, it was true..." Her eyes went to Meesei again. "I still felt I missed Vos and the rest of you after spending so much time. Especially Sabine. I think more regular visits will be wonderful, if it suits you."
Sabine nodded vigorously. "I may be busy in the coming few months, but I will try to make time."
"It's settled then. We'll take you up on your kind offer, Meesei." Ariel grinned and finally got started on her meal.
"I can empathise with you on your feelings, Ariel," Karl added. "When I first moved out of Wayrest, there was so much new and unknown that it exhausted me on numerous occasions. I felt very homesick. I sometimes still do."
Ariel looked at Sabine and Karl sideways. "Perhaps you two need a romantic honeymoon in Wayrest's summer." The joke passed quickly as Ariel addressed Meesei once more. "Speaking of romance, Sabine tells me you have found some time for another lately. I understand she had reasons to be secretive over her letters, so I don't know much more than that, but it was still a pleasant surprise. Is there anything more you can tell us or is it still a little too forbidden?"
Teroiah's lips pursed in as if she was holding a mouthful of needles. Her eyes narrowed at Neesa as if warning her of treading such ground alluding to her recent defeat would make any difference to the vampire's attitude.
Gro-Tagnud did not know the context. He continued bluntly. "I don't know if the daedra of a prince who's wheelhouse is deception are going to be so easy to goad into straightforward single combat, but that can at least give us some insight to develop our strategy." He looked to Teroiah. "Twenty minutes is a long time in a fight, let alone adding how long it'll take for people to sneak around to where they need to be. However, the way I see it, it'll take us even longer to fight our way to those sites loudly as one army. We can't afford to to spend any extra time when the enemy is going to outnumber us so much. We'd be ground down like grain in a mill. As for pulling this misdirection strategy off, let's imagine ourselves as long-lived beings who can talk face to face with our subordinates on demand and have a real high opinion of our prowess and the enemy's stupidity."
He eyed Teroiah and Hal-Neesa for an extra second with his stern features.
"How do they handle this situation?" He continued. "How do we convince them they are in control? How do we maintain that while taking control away from them?"
"Hmmmmm," Ariel's response to Meesei inflected with interest. "I could use something like that for a great many things. But, I am no less interested in using it to keep in touch with all of you." She put her hands in her lap. "I admit, there were some times when I started out in Thorn where I would just feel flat, tired, desperate just to speak with old friends and family." She smiled at Rukeewei. "I had friends, it was true..." Her eyes went to Meesei again. "I still felt I missed Vos and the rest of you after spending so much time. Especially Sabine. I think more regular visits will be wonderful, if it suits you."
Sabine nodded vigorously. "I may be busy in the coming few months, but I will try to make time."
"It's settled then. We'll take you up on your kind offer, Meesei." Ariel grinned and finally got started on her meal.
"I can empathise with you on your feelings, Ariel," Karl added. "When I first moved out of Wayrest, there was so much new and unknown that it exhausted me on numerous occasions. I felt very homesick. I sometimes still do."
Ariel looked at Sabine and Karl sideways. "Perhaps you two need a romantic honeymoon in Wayrest's summer." The joke passed quickly as Ariel addressed Meesei once more. "Speaking of romance, Sabine tells me you have found some time for another lately. I understand she had reasons to be secretive over her letters, so I don't know much more than that, but it was still a pleasant surprise. Is there anything more you can tell us or is it still a little too forbidden?"
Teroiah's lips pursed in as if she was holding a mouthful of needles. Her eyes narrowed at Neesa as if warning her of treading such ground alluding to her recent defeat would make any difference to the vampire's attitude.
Gro-Tagnud did not know the context. He continued bluntly. "I don't know if the daedra of a prince who's wheelhouse is deception are going to be so easy to goad into straightforward single combat, but that can at least give us some insight to develop our strategy." He looked to Teroiah. "Twenty minutes is a long time in a fight, let alone adding how long it'll take for people to sneak around to where they need to be. However, the way I see it, it'll take us even longer to fight our way to those sites loudly as one army. We can't afford to to spend any extra time when the enemy is going to outnumber us so much. We'd be ground down like grain in a mill. As for pulling this misdirection strategy off, let's imagine ourselves as long-lived beings who can talk face to face with our subordinates on demand and have a real high opinion of our prowess and the enemy's stupidity."
He eyed Teroiah and Hal-Neesa for an extra second with his stern features.
"How do they handle this situation?" He continued. "How do we convince them they are in control? How do we maintain that while taking control away from them?"
Oh yeah! That's right.
Damn, so many things have happened in this story, I'm forgetting parts of it.
Damn, so many things have happened in this story, I'm forgetting parts of it.
Quick question, do you think Ariel would know about Meesei and Sabine's ability to open portals?
"I am unsure I can imagine it for my daughters just yet," Ariel replied to Meesei. "It's just...Sabine, I hope your upcoming challenges pass quickly and without trouble, for I can vouch for parenthood. Same goes for you, Karl. To hear you two planning this..." She drew in her arms and excitedly grinned. "It makes my heart swell!"
Karl smiled back. "We're looking forward to it as well. Even with all the other changes it will bring."
The appearance of their next dish was once again received politely by Karl and Sabine. However, Rukeewei's description visibly piqued Karl's interest. Sabine gave him a curious look, prompting him to elaborate.
"It sounds somewhat familiar," he said. "Again, not the same, but...Back in Wayrest, we had this food which was a roasted sheep's stomach stuffed with vegetables and grains and other things. My mother liked to serve it with a pumpkin soup as well. I haven't tried snake meat before but at least it's more familiar than slugs."
Sabine giggled. "The pumpkins here are different as well."
Karl shrugged. "All the better. The food has been wonderful so far. we will have to visit you more often, Rukeewei."
"I have a better idea," Teroiah picked up almost immediately once Hal-Neesa finished. "If we are assaulting unknown terrain, there can be no guarantee of a position to fight our way through as one bulk force. Especially if our opposition are as organised as you advise, creature. Our chances are better formed by keeping Vile's Daedra unfocussed and separated. If we can launch rapid strikes out to wheresoever these 'anchor sites' are, we need not worry about defending those positions or digging in while we wait for other Deadra to push the fight for us. Once Molag Bal's forces have a way in, they will be a distraction keeping other forces away from the axe. Our momentum will then only be stopped on our terms as we advance."
"That depends," Gro-Tagnud added. "We need to know how long these anchors are going to take setting up, whether Bal can take and hold a beachhead underneath each of them, and if they'll last worth a damn. More importantly, though..." He looked to Ri'vashi. "We'd need to bring together a bunch of people crazy enough to sneak around on their own to try and open up the anchor sites. I've got a few but we'll need more."
Karl smiled back. "We're looking forward to it as well. Even with all the other changes it will bring."
The appearance of their next dish was once again received politely by Karl and Sabine. However, Rukeewei's description visibly piqued Karl's interest. Sabine gave him a curious look, prompting him to elaborate.
"It sounds somewhat familiar," he said. "Again, not the same, but...Back in Wayrest, we had this food which was a roasted sheep's stomach stuffed with vegetables and grains and other things. My mother liked to serve it with a pumpkin soup as well. I haven't tried snake meat before but at least it's more familiar than slugs."
Sabine giggled. "The pumpkins here are different as well."
Karl shrugged. "All the better. The food has been wonderful so far. we will have to visit you more often, Rukeewei."
"I have a better idea," Teroiah picked up almost immediately once Hal-Neesa finished. "If we are assaulting unknown terrain, there can be no guarantee of a position to fight our way through as one bulk force. Especially if our opposition are as organised as you advise, creature. Our chances are better formed by keeping Vile's Daedra unfocussed and separated. If we can launch rapid strikes out to wheresoever these 'anchor sites' are, we need not worry about defending those positions or digging in while we wait for other Deadra to push the fight for us. Once Molag Bal's forces have a way in, they will be a distraction keeping other forces away from the axe. Our momentum will then only be stopped on our terms as we advance."
"That depends," Gro-Tagnud added. "We need to know how long these anchors are going to take setting up, whether Bal can take and hold a beachhead underneath each of them, and if they'll last worth a damn. More importantly, though..." He looked to Ri'vashi. "We'd need to bring together a bunch of people crazy enough to sneak around on their own to try and open up the anchor sites. I've got a few but we'll need more."
Sabine and Karl did not speak immediately about it. Sabine simply smiled. It was not the first time Meesei had brought up the topic of grandchildren to them, though they did not react with surprise or stress this time.
Ariel's jaw dropped. "Sabine, are you...?"
Sabine shook her head reassuringly. After Karl let out a quiet laugh, she spoke. "Not now. We have spoken about it, between us. We liked the idea more as we continued our relationship. We recently decided that we want to try having children, but not until..." She glanced over at the distracted girls, still eating and giggling jokes in Jel. "...Not until after the project is done." She grew sombre.
"The project?" Ariel asked. "I'm not sure I understand."
Karl breathed in. "Probably a topic for after the children head upstairs. For now, though, we want to wait until things are safer and...well, more certain."
Ariel nodded slowly. After a pause, she looked back up to Sabine and a wide smile grew on her face again. "I'm..." She wiped her finger underneath each eye. "I'm proud of you, little sister. My goodness, I can hardly call you little anymore." She laughed.
Teroiah sniffed in and huffed. "I believe that makes the decision rather obvious, wouldn't you say, General Gro-Tagnud?" She pursed her lips.
Gro-Tagnud had not taken his eyes off Hal-Neesa's. For a man much younger than Neesa, he looked with strong sense of potential deception.
On the contrary, Teroiah took his hesitation differently. "Oh, do not embarrass us with your light-handed pandering to our allies blown up huntmaster. We all know dividing power is a better way to keep it in check. There is far more to gain here with this...creature's help than your losses in diplomacy."
The orc general's eyes turned to Teroiah with one eyebrow lifted in disbelief. "Akatosh blushes, Teroiah," he said flatly. "I've met orc chieftains less blunt than you."
"Are you going to say anything useful or not?" Teroiah demanded.
Gro-Tagnud kept his cool. He turned slowly on his heel to look up at Ri'vashi, arms clasped behind his back. "We got a whole bunch of facts here that say we should use that piece of glass here." He nodded his head sideways towards the sigil stone. "If you've got any more facts to add saying we shouldn't, anything that'll accomplish this mission better, we had better hear them."
The legate-general's directness was something to appreciate, given Teroiah's accusations. His head was prioritising strategy, just like Ri'vashi. Gro-Tagnud was not Marod.
Ariel's jaw dropped. "Sabine, are you...?"
Sabine shook her head reassuringly. After Karl let out a quiet laugh, she spoke. "Not now. We have spoken about it, between us. We liked the idea more as we continued our relationship. We recently decided that we want to try having children, but not until..." She glanced over at the distracted girls, still eating and giggling jokes in Jel. "...Not until after the project is done." She grew sombre.
"The project?" Ariel asked. "I'm not sure I understand."
Karl breathed in. "Probably a topic for after the children head upstairs. For now, though, we want to wait until things are safer and...well, more certain."
Ariel nodded slowly. After a pause, she looked back up to Sabine and a wide smile grew on her face again. "I'm..." She wiped her finger underneath each eye. "I'm proud of you, little sister. My goodness, I can hardly call you little anymore." She laughed.
Teroiah sniffed in and huffed. "I believe that makes the decision rather obvious, wouldn't you say, General Gro-Tagnud?" She pursed her lips.
Gro-Tagnud had not taken his eyes off Hal-Neesa's. For a man much younger than Neesa, he looked with strong sense of potential deception.
On the contrary, Teroiah took his hesitation differently. "Oh, do not embarrass us with your light-handed pandering to our allies blown up huntmaster. We all know dividing power is a better way to keep it in check. There is far more to gain here with this...creature's help than your losses in diplomacy."
The orc general's eyes turned to Teroiah with one eyebrow lifted in disbelief. "Akatosh blushes, Teroiah," he said flatly. "I've met orc chieftains less blunt than you."
"Are you going to say anything useful or not?" Teroiah demanded.
Gro-Tagnud kept his cool. He turned slowly on his heel to look up at Ri'vashi, arms clasped behind his back. "We got a whole bunch of facts here that say we should use that piece of glass here." He nodded his head sideways towards the sigil stone. "If you've got any more facts to add saying we shouldn't, anything that'll accomplish this mission better, we had better hear them."
The legate-general's directness was something to appreciate, given Teroiah's accusations. His head was prioritising strategy, just like Ri'vashi. Gro-Tagnud was not Marod.
@Muttonhawk That was worth the read.
Although, I have one criticism.
Feck.
Sorry, 'bout that. You may still be able to find the song on youtube or elsewhere if you go looking, but that portion of the post can still be read without the music. I'll just have a harder time emotionally manipulating you 'giving you permission to feel emotion,' as I heard one composer say in an interview once.
@Cyclone Aye, thank you for the encouragement. I'll hand-wave Edda's perspective on the shape djinn take by saying her experience with djinn is very limited to her Xerxean days and/or she's only read accounts of human shamans interacting with them. That 'shape of the being they address' now has canon precedent, though! Y'know...unless it already did and I just missed it.
Ariel leaned her elbows on the table and held her wine cup in both hands. She smiled and looked over the divider to the sitting area, where the children had set up for dinner. They were very well behaved now that they were eating.
"There were many things I did not anticipate," Ariel said. "The first being that I could even bear Rukee's children. That was a relief as much as a surprise when we tried. Also, there were some other things I did anticipate and worry about which turned out to not to be impossible problems. Education, disease, and friendship groups, those details. In whole, the outcome was largely unexpected. But when I held Danee in my arms for the first time and looked her in her little face, I realised I had made the right decision." She turned back to Meesei. "I've never quite felt so responsible for anything before. I love my daughters. No challenges since have made me question that or my decision."
Ariel let the nice moment float for a second. She then smirked and her eyes went to Rukeewei. "Still, I think we took for granted how easily we could get a good night's sleep before the girls arrived. Isn't that right?"
Teroiah looked down at the sigil stone. She was clearly uncomfortable, even as she tried to hide it. "If we avoid where they fight, stay out of their way, the Daedra may be useful."
Gro-Tagnud raised an eyebrow. "You're going to have to humour me, but with what you said about your Daedric Prince taking power if we use this, it gets me thinking. Is it going to be possible that another three or so military leaders are going to meet like this in the near future discussing what to do about Molag Bal?"
"There were many things I did not anticipate," Ariel said. "The first being that I could even bear Rukee's children. That was a relief as much as a surprise when we tried. Also, there were some other things I did anticipate and worry about which turned out to not to be impossible problems. Education, disease, and friendship groups, those details. In whole, the outcome was largely unexpected. But when I held Danee in my arms for the first time and looked her in her little face, I realised I had made the right decision." She turned back to Meesei. "I've never quite felt so responsible for anything before. I love my daughters. No challenges since have made me question that or my decision."
Ariel let the nice moment float for a second. She then smirked and her eyes went to Rukeewei. "Still, I think we took for granted how easily we could get a good night's sleep before the girls arrived. Isn't that right?"
Teroiah looked down at the sigil stone. She was clearly uncomfortable, even as she tried to hide it. "If we avoid where they fight, stay out of their way, the Daedra may be useful."
Gro-Tagnud raised an eyebrow. "You're going to have to humour me, but with what you said about your Daedric Prince taking power if we use this, it gets me thinking. Is it going to be possible that another three or so military leaders are going to meet like this in the near future discussing what to do about Molag Bal?"
You know, that whole race thing was just a ploy to make you post faster. But you're tkaing so long that you might actually lose!
NOW WHAT WAS THAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT ME LOSING!??!
Scroll and scroll and scroll and weep.
And then scroll some more.
I need help.
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