[IC] Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

[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."

[EliteCommander]

"Well...as much as I do not want to disappoint her, I am afraid the concerns of the people I love have to come before her. Perhaps next time I figure out how to breach Artaeum's defenses, I will throw a few relevant notes through the portal for her." Meesei replied. She leaned her head down, pressing her snout to Lunise's lips. What Lunise received from Meesei could not exactly be described as a "kiss", but her tongue could certainly make it feel similar to her.

While a kiss from Meesei could be somewhat awkward in this form, it could not be said that she did not give a pleasant hug. Meesei herself felt like she could simply hold on to Lunise for hours. She was under no illusions that Lunise had not just prevented her from falling into a potentially dark place in her life. She had fallen even farther in the past, and there was no guarantee she would have been lucky enough to come back from it this time. "I know this visit has not gone...exactly as I expected, but I am still glad we came. A few days here with you is worth all the bad news they could possibly give me."

[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."

[EliteCommander]

Meesei grinned, practically jumping onto the bed and laying down on her side, within arm's reach of the plate of food on the nightstand beside it. "Now that, I can agree with. We have not really had our chance to have our day alone together, have we? I admit, I probably brought up the idea of coming here a bit too early when we were on the beach, and I spent most of yesterday wallowing in self-pity. There was a whole list of things I wanted to do with you yesterday that I never got to."

Reaching over, Meesei grabbed the comparatively small cup of tea carefully in her hand. Just as Lunise had guessed, it was cold, though one could see the slight glow of magic surrounding it as she started to heat the cup. "Granted, half of that list was taking you around to some interesting sights and destinations I have seen over the years. But, I would say Artaeum is perfectly good for now. I did have something I wanted to give you, but...well I am honestly not even sure it makes sense to give it to you anymore."

Meesei put down her cup and climbed out of the bed, over to her belongings. She took a few moments to sort through one of her smaller pouches and retrieved a small object, which she soon handed over to Lunise. It was a small, opaque vial that was cool to the touch, though interestingly, it was made from metal, rather than glass. "Do not open that. Just, um, let me explain what it is. I, well, this was always going to be sort of difficult for me to give you, and now this whole thing has made it even more complicated. Just try to keep in mind that this is meant to be a gift, and from my perspective, it is far more romantic than it will probably seem at first. It is a vial of blood. My blood, specifically." Meesei explained, already showing herself to be nervous in her tone.

"Now, you know that I would never force lycanthropy upon you, and that is still true. I have never asked you to do it, never tried to pressure you into it. I know very well what it means to be a lycan, what it does for you, and what it demands from you. And I completely respect your, and everyone else's right to decide that for themselves. But...I love you, Lunise. I love you, and..." She began. For the second time today, Lunise would be able to witness a crying werewolf, albeit for drastically different reasons. "...I am completely confident in saying that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If I make it through this invasion, my life is going to be substantially longer than the average Argonian lifespan as well, I assure you. We very well could grow old together. But, something could always happen. I may well die before you, and we both know that our souls are not bound for the same place. That vial is enchanted to preserve the blood inside essentially indefinitely. If I were to die and...assuming my soul does not split into pieces and destroy me, you decided that you too wanted your soul to spend its eternity with me, then I wanted to make sure you have that choice available to you."

[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."

[EliteCommander]

Meesei put her arm around Lunise, holding her close, while she began to rub her shoulder gently with her free hand. "I promise I will try my best. That is all I can say. Of course...my best is pretty damn exceptional." She chuckled, although, soon enough, she returned to a more serious attitude. "I do not want you thinking about this too much right now. What I expect is that you will put that away somewhere safe and forget about it for a few centuries. If I am still with you heading into your old age, then I can just give you my blood myself if you decide you want it. That vial is simply insurance that you will always have that choice."

After a few moments, Meesei allowed herself to simply enjoy being close to Lunise. She moved her hand away from her shoulder and moved it down Lunise's side, eventually resting it on her hip. Meesei nestled her muzzle into the nape of Lunise's neck and began to "kiss" her enthusiastically, though not frantically.

[Muttonhawk]

"Of course," Lunise said. "It shall not be lost. I can promise that." She almost laughed. "It is about time you started speaking surely of yourself."

Lunise let out a satisfied hum as she remained close. It only became awkward to hold her tea in one hand and the vial in the other a short while into their contact, but it did not appear to be stopping any time soon.

Meesei's further intimacy caused Lunise to squirm her head around as if it was ticklish. She chuckled through her nose. "If you are that hungry for breakfast, you might at least turn back so I can kiss you in return."

[EliteCommander]

Meesei's grin widened. Her suggestion was all Meesei needed to start taking on an almost hungry gaze. She spoke more softly, and for a few moments, almost looked like a predator ready to pounce. "Hmm, I certainly can shift back, if you really want me to. I do not think there is anything that a werewolf could offer you that you are currently missing out on." She answered in a sarcastic, thickly suggestive tone.

As if trying to make her point more strongly, Meesei reached round behind Lunise and started to massage the muscles on her back, which she could reach pretty much all at once. "And you know, just as an unrelated thought, compared to a Mer, or even an Argonian, this tongue really is quite exceptionally long, don't you think? Ah, but I'm not sure why I even brought that up. I doubt that would influence your thinking. Completely unrelated. I should just go ahead and shift back now..." She grinned.

[Muttonhawk]

Lunise closed her eyes and felt herself relax in Meesei's hands until she was all but relying on her for support. That suddenly changed as soon as Meesei finished speaking. Meesei felt Lunise's hand press against the centre of her chest just hard enough to stop and see Lunise looking up at her with a determined expression. The vial remained held in her two smaller fingers.

She looked at Meesei without so much as blinking. Then, leisurely, she brought her tea cup up to her lips to sip it. She swallowed. "You are being crass," she then flatly stated. With a charge of telekinesis, her teacup floated off to a soft and spill-free landing on the nearby desk. With her other hand, she sent the metallic vial onto their breakfast tray. She was somehow able to manage it without taking her eyes off Meesei.

While Meesei had previously entertained the idea of what she suggested, Lunise had never agreed.

"I should tell you to control yourself," Lunise said. She launched another spell under Meesei's arm. It struck the door with a locking click. "And if we were anywhere else..." she let her lips stay parted. "...I probably would."

Lunise had never agreed until now.

[EliteCommander]

Meesei and Lunise ended up spending quite a lot of "quality" time alone together. They were not expected anywhere else on the island, so there was no one to interrupt them. It was only after a few hours that Meesei started to consider that they might need to leave their room. She and Lunise had been resting for a while, though she did enjoy the simple solace of being with her mate. She was still in her werewolf form, laying on their bed with both arms wrapped around Lunise, who was using Meesei's chest as a pillow. It was peaceful enough that even Meesei had almost forgot that she was still in the form of a werewolf. It was a distant memory for her to the time when she needed to give any worry towards control. She realized that she often took for granted the benefits that the Ring of Hircine gave her. This kind of peaceful silence would not have been nearly so tolerable for her beast spirit without the perfect control that the Ring provided.

"So...do you think we should let Nytala know my decision today, or can it wait for tomorrow? I know that she will want to know, though...on the other hand, that would require us getting out of this bed. So, I am conflicted." Meesei briefly chuckled.

[Muttonhawk]

It was with a particularly lazy movement that Lunise turned her head up and opened her eyes. "It is unbecoming of Hircine's champion to be indecisive," she said with a joking venom. She then buried her face in Meesei's fur and held her a little tighter. "Stay, you beautiful animal," her voice said beneath her tussled blonde hair.

Not a moment later, however, Lunise shoulders lifted and she sighed. "Listen to us. This island has overindulged us already..." She reluctantly rolled off Meesei's front and stood from the bed. A few faded lines down her back marked evidence of magically healed scratches, though there was no point at which Meesei remembered her expressing pain, specifically. She turned around as she stretched out each arm in the crook of her other arm's elbow. The older and much more noticeable scars on her leg came into full view, reassuring that whatever damage Meesei may have done, intentionally or unintentionally, was of no real consequence.

"Being true, I do not wish to put off letting mother know about your decision," Lunise said. "Though, she will try to persuade you otherwise. Perhaps, during a bath, we can discuss how to word it? The smell of your fur has grown on me, but I do not feel the need to imply any of our private activities."

[EliteCommander]

Meesei leaned her head somewhat off of the bed, shamelessly admiring Lunise's form as she stood up and making no effort to mask her staring. However, as much as Meesei wanted to remain lost in the moment, Lunise was correct that this was something important they needed to deal with. Sooner, rather than later.

Reluctantly, Meesei did finally shift herself back into her Argonian form. Although, before saying anything to answer Lunise, she did allow herself the pleasure of embracing Lunise once more time to pull her into another kiss. That was one thing she could not do well in her lycan form, so she did make her first, proper kiss of the day into one that would last. Nevertheless, she was still in agreement with Lunise. "Okay, we can discuss it together. I was not there for Zyausak's tour yesterday, so I am not entirely sure where we can even take a bath. So, I shall allow you to lead the way."

---

Once the pair was finally ready to speak to Nytala, it was actually mildly more difficult to find her than they might have expected. They had to ask around to find her, but once word got to Nytala that both Lunise and Meesei were looking for her to speak with her about a serious matter, she had Zyausak seek them out immediately. Evidently, there were a few others aside from Nytala who were interested in Meesei's answer, as she told them to follow Zyausak to meet them in Ceporah Tower.

Even considering the circumstances, Meesei could not help but to be impressed by her first visit to the tower itself, not the least reason being that the method for entering was to step into a strange portal underneath the tower itself. It looked like a large, but shallow pool of water, but with just a small magical activation from Zyausak, it enveloped them and brought them up into the tower above. Both inside and out, the architecture was completely foreign to any that Meesei had seen in Tamriel or beyond. It was entirely unique, and no description Meesei had ever read had even come close to giving her an accurate picture of it.

The interior of the tower used smaller versions of the same type of portal to navigate, so they were quickly brought into the room with Nytala and the others. Meesei had expected a large meeting chamber for this discussion, though interestingly, they were instead brought to a much smaller room. The bed in the corner suggested it was someone's private quarters, though there was plenty of equipment for enchanting and spellcraft that would make it into a perfectly good arcane laboratory. In any case, it did make their setting feel more casual.

Zyausak did not leave and instead pulled up a chair to take a seat, suggesting he was staying. Marcaano was also present, along with one Altmer man and an Altmer woman they did not recognize. And, of course, Nytala stood up immediately from her chair to greet them the moment they arrived. To Meesei's surprise, the first thing Nytala did was to hug her, then moved to give a longer hug to her daughter. "It is good to see you both up and around again. I did hear the two of you were walking around outside earlier this morning and...perhaps scaring a few of our younger initiates."

[Muttonhawk]

Nytala's familiarity with Meesei came as a surprise to Lunise as well, though she did not have time to contemplate it. She returned Nytala's hug in turn as she spoke.

"Yes, well, no one was in any danger," Lunise replied. "We were merely seeking knowledge. Good day, mother." She pulled away. For some reason, Lunise deliberately refrained any mention of Nytala's studies. "I see we have new company. Would you mind introducing us?"

[EliteCommander]

"Of course. I am sure you have already met Marcaano and Zyausak." Nytala began, gesturing briefly to the pair nearby before turning her attention to the Altmer that Meesei and Lunise had not yet met. "This is Taryenar and Inelwen. The council had been interested in you for some time, Meesei, especially after scrying into the role you would end up playing in events. And not to mention the...unfortunate circumstance you now find yourself in. But we do want to help you, Meesei. I know it may seem that the Psijic Order is distant and impersonal, but we do have compassion for the people of Tamriel. It is just rare that we have the chance to express that. That is why I am glad that I have been given permission to offer you a place in our Order."

Meesei took in a deep breath. Even after discussing the matter in-depth with Lunise, she had needed to mentally prepare herself for what she intended to say. To join the Psijic Order was an amazing opportunity, and one that felt painful for her to decline. "I am greatly appreciative of everything you and your Order are offering, Nytala. I fully understand the kind of honor it is to be offered a place among you, and I am grateful that you are willing to help me preserve my existence beyond death. But...I know you also understand the kind of sacrifice required to join your order. You have experienced it yourself. I fully intend to repair my soul, but if I give up everything I love and care about just to continue existing...then what kind of existence would that be? I thank you immensely, but I will have to decline the offer."

Evidently, none of the Psijics present had expected Meesei's answer, based on the looks they gave one another. Nytala looked almost hesitant to speak, especially to Meesei, and instead turned her head quickly to Lunise. "Were you able to...speak with her on this matter, dear?"

[Muttonhawk]

"Yes, I did." Lunise did not hesitate. "If it becomes obvious that the options are exhausted on Tamriel, joining the Psijic Order would of course be preferred. However, there is no telling whether either decision will result in an answer in time." Lunise nodded respectfully. "I am just as grateful as Meesei that the option is there, but the decisions, and the sacrifices, are hers to make."

[EliteCommander]

Exasperated, Nytala had something of a difficult time answering quickly. Despite the fact that Lunise had expressed her reservations about Nytala's plan before, it seemed like she had still expected Meesei to come around to the idea. "I...am not sure I understand, Meesei. This is the answer to the fate you have been cursed with. I respect your ability, and those of your friends, but you do not understand the kinds of resources you would have access to here. This is your best chance of surviving beyond death. The council...I can not make any guarantees this offer will always be available. The council only extends offers of membership to those they believe will be a benefit to the Order, and to Tamriel. It is not only because of your soul that you are being given this chance. Please, reconsider."

Although Meesei did give the courtesy of genuinely considering what Nytala was asking, her answer still remained the same. After a moment, she shook her head. "I am sorry, but even knowing I may be giving up the opportunity, I still cannot accept. To make the kinds of sacrifices that come with joining the order, to choose myself over the people I care about, and to leave what I have built in Tamriel, all without even trying to solve the problem on my own, would go against everything I believe. I have faith in my abilities, and there is still much I need to do in Tamriel, even after the invasion."

The other Altmer woman, Inelwen, interjected quickly. Her tone was less pleading and kind than Nytala's, and instead more stern. "You do not have the perspective to understand what you are denying. We can all but guarantee that your problem will be solved before your death. You will not age meaningfully here, nor will you encounter danger. Not to mention, the council does believe that your skills and knowledge will be an asset to us. Discoveries you have already made could help us, which in turn helps Tamriel. Even from here, you may still be a benefit to those you would leave behind."

Evidently, neither Nytala nor her associates intended to merely accept Meesei's answer without argument.

[Muttonhawk]

Several different avenues of thought opened up in Lunise's mind. She lifted her chin just a little higher when it became evident that the council was so strongly drawn to Meesei as an investment, regardless of Nytala's claim of compassion. While Nytala appeared sincere, the others she had to convince likely required very different reasons to agree.

Lunise erred for caution until the negotiation could continue.

"If I may be so bold," Lunise politely ventured. "Is there anything in particular you feel Meesei could provide that is beyond your current means? I am sure there is room for dialogue between you in a less attached manner than membership to the order. After the invasion, that is."

[EliteCommander]

Nytala shook her head, though Taryenar was the first to answer. "I am afraid not. Or at least, it is not likely. We had a difficult enough time convincing the council to accept her into the order. You may not be able to appreciate how few initiates the Order accepts from your perspective, but to refuse this offer now will likely close it for good. The Order does not accept visitors often as well, and never for long. To allow you to remain in Artaeum for as long as would be required, without being an official member of our order, would simply be...against our ways."

Meesei released a sigh, then gave a slow nod. "If that is the case, then I regret even more strongly that I cannot accept. I regret that I will likely never have a chance to work alongside you, but it still does not change my answer. Rest assured, I have thought through this issue thoroughly, and joining the Order is simply not something I can do at this stage in my life. I am thankful for the warning you gave me, and I promise I will work to repair my soul, but it will have to be in Tamriel."

Meesei started to move to stand up, only for a frustrated-looking Inelwen to wave her hand in front of herself. Lunise would recognize the magic immediately as the color of the world faded somewhat, and everyone in the room was taken out of time, with the exception of Meesei. This time, there was no courtesy of asking permission before they were all brought into a private conversation, without Meesei. "This is going nowhere. You are making a mistake, Lunise. I ask this because I know your mother will not, and everyone else is too concerned with being polite. Have you allowed your biases to unduly influence you, Lunise? Can you say that your feelings for her did not influence you to encourage her to refuse our offer? I am sorry to say that what is best for her, may not be best for you."

[Muttonhawk]

A shiver ran up Lunise's spine at how swiftly Inelwen started dropping pretences. Lunise fell back to her practiced ways, keeping calm, collected, and present. She weaved her fingers together on her lap and gave Inelwen a stare that at once was too blank to be threatening and too focussed to relax under its gaze.

Lunise turned calmly to Nytala with the same look. It was enough to tell her she did not intend to lose her temper as she had the last time she was taken out of time.

Lunise's voice took on a low cooing. "Inelwen, your politeness has been appreciated. I understand the expectations you had of me may have been different, though I fear our frustration may be mutual. You wish to bring Meesei into the Order, yet you do not trust her sense of rationality to follow your desires. You recognise her skills and knowledge, yet you conduct yourselves as if her soul has no chance outside of the order. However, what confounds me to no end is that you have excluded Meesei from the conversation over her own soul as if I have any means of convincing her to change her mind. The truth is, I am not the only one she will be abandoning should she take up your offer. If you wish to pursue this strategy of insisting to all she loves and is loved by to let her go, you will need to invite many more people to Artaeum to plead that Meesei stays. You would know that if you knew her." She narrowed her eyes. "And, on that note, while I can understand my mother's familiarity, I know nothing about your interest in Meesei..." She panned her eyes around the table. "Nor yours, Taryenar, nor you, Marcaano, and nor you, Zyausak. By the sounds of it, the council appears reluctant about this matter. But why are you all really here?"

[EliteCommander]

Inelwen was, at least, polite enough not to interrupt Lunise, though that would not prevent her from being dismissive of her response. At the very least, she did answer Lunise's final question directly. "Because we, apart from Zyausak, are the ones who the council has tasked with keeping track of the situation with Clavicus Vile. We have been observing his actions, and giving our recommendations to the council on if or when it may become necessary for us to interfere directly. Over the course of our task, we determined Meesei to be a promising candidate to join the Order. Her latent memories may well contain secrets lost even to us, and her abilities may be uniquely useful to further our cause. To protect the existence of Mundus as a whole. She is not vital to us by any means, but she would still be an advantage I would prefer to have."

"Inelwen..." Nytala spoke up, albeit hesitantly. "...are you quite sure this is necessary? There is no need for this sort of aggressive approach. And my daughter may be right, perhaps you should just end this spell, and we can discuss..."

This time, Inelwen did not hesitate to interrupt her fellow Psijic. "Nytala, we tried it your way. Your daughter does not have the correct perspective, and she is clearly too emotionally biased to make an objective decision. Like you said, this is for both her, and Meesei's own well-being, regardless of whether they understand it in the short term. We need to find a new approach to convince her."

"I think your passions may be getting the best of you again, Inelwen." Zyausak finally spoke up. By this point, all of the Psijics were focusing on each other enough that they were entirely ignoring Lunise or anything she might be doing. Inelwen was hardly amused by Zyausak's interruption, but he did not seem too worried about upsetting her. "We are not talking about a child , or a pet, or just a...collection of memories, Inelwen. We are talking about a person, and she does have a right to her own decision. Even if it turns out to be a bad decision. And I may not be the most social person, but even I realize it is rude to be talking about this without her."

Inelwen looked noticeably more irritated, though the feeling was perhaps directed specifically at Zyausak. "If we cannot be sure that she had been given a fair chance to make an informed decision, then how can you accept her answer? And you are not part of this committee, Zyausak. We were kind enough to allow you to sit in on this meeting, but you said you wanted to help. If you do not intend to assist in persuading Meesei, then perhaps you should wait outside."

"No...I concur with Zyausak." Another voice suddenly interrupted; one that immediately demanded everyone's attention. All eyes went to the seat beside Lunise, and all voices were silenced. Meesei looked down to her hand, which was swirling in a brilliant yellow-orange glow. It enveloped her briefly, then faded, but she could still clearly move.

"Oh my..." Nytala softly gasped, but based on the stunned expressions of all of the Psijics present, including Inelwen, none of them had been responsible. Through whatever unknown means she had accomplished it, Meesei had managed to pull herself out of time with them.

Meesei stood up from her chair, keeping her eyes focused on Inelwen. "I prefer to speak for my own life..." She began, giving a brief, subtle grin to Lunise as she reached over and rested a hand gently on top of one of hers. "...alongside those I share it with."