Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise appeared less affected by Nytala's words than she had expected. She gave Meesei a quick glance before looking to Nytala with a raised brow. "As it happens...um..." She suddenly realised she did not know how to explain it. She took a breath. "Meesei has expressed to me...in no uncertain terms while we have been here...that she wished us to be together in such a way that, I think you will find, is more or less equivalent to making the title of daughter-in-law..." She nervously took another breath. "...appropriate."

Lunise finally settled into a smile, though she tried to quickly interrupt the moment out of late-onset bashfulness. "But I see no reason not to forgive you, mother! Any help with Meesei's soul at all is more than starting with nothing. We would be grateful no matter the substance. And..." She held Nytala's hand in both of hers, holding it up. "Mother, I came here for the purpose of meeting you again. That has not changed and I want to make good use of every moment we will have over these coming days."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise stood up in turn and faced Nytala. "These were matters to be resolved at one time or another," she added. "The offer was made generously in the first place. The sentiment is not lost, even if the outcome was...yes, somewhat stressful." She clasped her hands behind her back. "I shall take Inelwen's behaviour with a grain of salt. It is hardly the first time I have negotiated with one as passionate as her. I only wish we could inspect the progress she has made already on Meesei's soul, rather than see the work dropped altogether."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise averted her eyes from Nytala when Taryenar and Marcaano stood up to leave. She was not sure what other business she and Meesei had at the table, but a swiftly growing sympathy to Nytala's disappointment grew in her mind. The lack of following words from Nytala only made it more apparent.

"Do not think me insincere when I say this, mother," Lunise said, looking at the top of the table. "I understand Inelwen may not be the only one who feels their plans have been unexpectedly complicated. I wish I did not have to disappoint you."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Grateful for Marcaano and Zyausak's input, Lunise brought up a hand to touch Meesei's. Her vindicated feeling was momentarily replaced by the strangeness of showing even that small amount of affection towards Meesei in front of strangers.

"If we may know," Lunise said. "What are the specific memories you are looking for?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Lunise was just as surprised as the rest of the table. She looked up at Meesei with her eyes wide, but quickly recovered, releasing her breath and looking back to Inelwen with a frown. "Very well," Lunise said, gesturing to Inelwen with a flat hand. "Now is your chance to inform Meesei, if you feel she has not been fairly briefed."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and 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?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and 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."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and 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."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and 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?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

To be clear, we don't have to play out a scene where Meesei and Lunise discuss how Nytala might react. It would just make sense for them to plan ahead so the following scene can be worded carefully.