Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise took up her own tea in a decidedly less energetic manner than Meesei, though anyone could see that it was decorum rather than any lack of mutual happiness slowing her down. She listened on as she sat up on the bed opposite Meesei. She mirrored Meesei's magic to heat up her own tea, even if she did not think the taste was ever the same when one did so.

The mention of a gift made Lunise curious. She was not sure what to make of whether it made any sense. Upon receiving the vial, she turned it in one hand with a lowered brow, trying to discern the mystery. At first, Lunise suspected it was either some cosmetic tool or an alchemical potion and was ready to softly chastise Meesei for taking a simple gift so seriously. Hearing it was Meesei's blood made her face drop into confusion.

Then it all became clear. Lunise sat paralysed on the bed, her lips slightly parted and her breathing halted. She turned her eyes down to the vial and sharply exhaled into a bewildered grin. "I have considered it on more than one occasion," she said. "Contracting lycanthropy, that is. I always knew it would mean the end of my career, or at least an eventual expiration to it. It would also mean leading my soul away from the Divines, though you know I have never been especially religious. I have too much housework in my world to step into yours, and that may be the case for some time to come." She held the vial against her chest and stood up from the bed. "But I know what this means to you. It means the same to me. I would love nothing more than to stay with you, Meesei."

Lunise shuffled up to Meesei and leaned against her, resting her head on her chest. "Survive, Meesei." Lunise's strained voice said. "I love you, too. Please survive."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise tried and failed to quite enjoy Meesei's kiss, but the sentiment was present enough to appreciate. She simply made a negative hum and returned to their close hug.

"Careful, you'll invite more with talk like that," Lunise warned with a broad smile. "At any rate, our futures are interesting. They can come later. I would like to stay in this present. With you. A few days will have to do."

Finally, Lunise pulled away. Meesei had hardly ever seen her so peacefully happy. "Come. Our tea is cold but you must try the nectarines."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise's smile returned when Meesei grinned. She gazed into Meesei's eyes the entire time, and a moment after the end of it, she blinked and found tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"You know I will support whichever decision you make," Lunise whispered. She breathed in slowly enough not to make it obvious how close she was to sobbing. "But, speaking entirely selfishly, I was hoping you would say that."

Lunise stood up on her toes to put a kiss the tip of Meesei's nose and then stepped in to hug her tightly. She breathed in sharply against Meesei's chest, tears flowing freely. She stayed where she was for a while, unwilling to let Meesei go.

Perhaps a minute passed before Lunise's muffled voice sounded again. She still sounded teary, though had a joking tone. "I pray mother is not too disappointed. If she really has been studying lycanthropy as those monks said, I think she had a few of her own little reasons to have you on the island."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Initially, Lunise was not encouraged by Meesei's hesitation, though she could see she had some kind of answer. Even after waiting, getting hugged so suddenly came as a surprise. The surprise turned back into a grateful smile soon after Meesei stepped away and explained herself.

Lunise brought an arm up to readjust her hair. "While it is tempting to gloat, Meesei, even I have to point out that if intelligence was all that was required to see reason in despondency, there would be much more courage in the world. What is important is you see it now." She stepped forward and reached up to hold Meesei's face between her hands. "And I am so glad you do." Her smile faded again as she stared into Meesei's eyes. "I expect the next decision is whether you will be returning here after the invasion."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"On the contrary, my dearest champion, my point comes along with much greater strength when you are not left to rot in a small bedroom and crying into my lap," Lunise said, peering at Meesei with her head bowed and her eyes up. "Take it from my professional experience. Context is paramount to one's message. A sample of the greatest mages in Tamriel provides that context in droves."

Lunise reached out to hold Meesei's hand as they walked, though in Meesei's form, she was only barely able to weave her fingers between Meesei's thumb, index, and middle finger. She toned down her smugness as she continued. "But now that you have taken the point of this, are you at least feeling less uncertain? I cannot stress it enough; I truly believe you have a real chance, Meesei."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Excellent. Your answers help us immensely." Lunise began to turn around but looked to the second Altmer monk with the trio they spoke to. "Do you have an estimation for yourself? If not, Meesei and I will leave you all to your business." She smiled bright with satisfaction.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise looked at the monk for two very noticeable seconds before quickly glancing to Meesei and back. "Hm," She said quickly. "I did promise I would not take up too much of your time. Treat this as hypothetical, for now. What would be the absolute minimum time span you would need to perform this spell sufficient to..." She turned up a palm. "...break a well-raised ward, for instance? As if it were a task of utmost importance. Just an estimation will do."

Without waiting, Lunise addressed the other monks. "And what of you two? How long do you think you would need?" She held up a hand and quickly added. "This is not a competition, mind you. I understand you all have different specialities. I am merely interested to know for the sake of our debate."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise slowly smiled with her chin up high. She was in no hurry to stop the woman's expression of fascination. Far from just being polite, Lunise intended for Meesei to drink in as much praise as was appropriate. Lunise decided if it caused a conversation to be struck up, so be it. However, after about a minute, she took on a certain silent and ominous stare that she knew to let people know they were being watched. The monk speaking would notice eventually, she was sure. Then, Divines willing, Meesei could have undeniable proof that her mimicry was not so easily dismissed after all.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise let go of Meesei's hand to clasp her hands behind her back. "Oh, not at all," Lunise said eloquently. "Nothing requiring alarm, at the very least. Meesei and I have merely come to something of a debate, and to help settle it I would humbly request you attempt to replicate a spell that Meesei has learnt. I promise you will not be bothered once we are done." She turned her head. "Meesei? If you would show them Teroiah's dispelling cord, please?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I am," Lunise said resolutely. "Come, we need not take much time. You have been cooped up for too long anyway."

Even as Meesei ducked awkwardly under the door out from their room, Lunise held onto her hand as well as she could. She set a brisk pace as they made their way outside. None could understate the bizarre sight they made as a confident Altmer leading a hulking werewolf by the hand like a self-conscious child. Lunise was counting on it.

Her assumption did not take long to pay off. A group of monks performing a few exercises in an open paved area turned their heads towards them. Lunise noticed and strode up to them with purpose. "Excuse me? Excuse me." She said as she closed the distance. "Might I have a few moments of your time? Do not be perturbed, Meesei here is no threat."