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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!
Michael Leunig. The Curly Pyjama Letters.

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Jerrick nodded and answered amenably. "I understand. There are a few...features of this land I could bring to your attention. Just say the word."

"Of course," Vera said. "I can also think of a few other people who would like to see you again, after all this time. That can come when we're set up."



Being that the army's lycanthrope cohort was made from the best and most experienced warriors from across the continent of Tamriel, the vanguard through the portal was not the last group to reunite with old fallen friends. Military precision pervaded the camp's setup, though any anxieties about being in a different plane were largely made smaller by all the tearful and joyful reunions. The atmosphere even bled over to the morale of the Legionnaires and Dominion battlegroups as they came through, despite the occasional reunion resulting in some animalistic wrestling in good fun.

Other revelations came out of the troop movement as well. Primarily, the sheer numbers they had made even the most disciplined march through their single portal a lengthy process. The war council had it on their agenda to reflect on and discuss their recent logistics on the lead up to the assault.

Evening darkened the Hunting Grounds by the time Fendros finally had a quiet enough moment to take everything in. He had a ponderous look on his face wherever he was not being talked to about something, evidently ruminating on something or another. He found himself holding the same expression when he came to Ahnasha with fresh waterskins for the both of them.

"How are thing here?" Fendros asked. "No incidents?"
Jerrick smiled broadly and held Vera close against his side. "Well...that's hardly a surprise," he said to Vera. "You were doing plenty of work...even with myself around."

Vera grinned and rolled her eyes. "Come on, Meesei is serious. We've got a whole fortified Dwemer city to ourselves now."

"Oh, I do not doubt it," Jerrick said with his brow lifted, before looking to Meesei again. "I wish I could...see it as well. But you had my respect even before I died, and you have not lost it...champion."

Vera looked around Jerrick to the Dunmer ex-champion. "Is there anyone else in particular we should be aware of while we're here? Anyone we should meet? And...what's your name?"
Every second only further tempered Fendros, Janius, and Sabine for combat. They were in what Vykosa deigned was her territory, but Meesei could not just shrink away. It was all why Vykosa's backing off left them feeling anything but comfortable.

No one had to say what they were all thinking. Whether it was for challenging Meesei in the future or judging her worth in their mission, Vykosa was merely sizing up Meesei and her pack.

Fendros was the first to break his gaze from Vykosa when she was all but out of sight, turning to a lieutenant behind him. "Check the area around the portal," he ordered. "You know the plan, we'll get the second group through within ten minutes."

Jerrick and Vera had long since stepped apart to keep track of what was going on. Even their reunion could be interrupted by Vykosa's sabre rattling. However, they were still close enough to touch, both looking at Meesei.

"That could have been bad," Jerrick said carefully. "I have seen Vykosa do savage things, even by the standards of...Hircine's folk."

Vera peered up at Jerrick. "You keep pausing when you speak. Are you okay?"

"Mhm," he responded. "Just...not as much speech in this plane as in Tamriel. Much more of..." He lost his next word, instead prodding at his head. "...wolf...in the brain. Just getting used to talking...again."
The pack had varying reactions. Janius tensed up, while Sabine stole a glance behind her to double-check on her own two-person pack in the ranks behind them, but they both largely waited on Meesei and Fendros' cues.

Fendros in particular felt a tingle run up his spine. He had not expected to be challenged so soon into their jaunt to Oblivion, though he supposed he should have thought of it. He braced himself, his posture straightening and taking a moment to consider through the focus on this Vykosa. "I do not know who you are, either. What is your story?"

"That name is familiar to me," Sabine piped up. "I have seen your name in books. I do not know much of you. But you had an army as well."
The Dunmer caused a mild stir shortly after he finishes speaking. Meesei's pack were not the only ones aware of how Meesei originally rose to her title.

"You were the one before Meesei?" Fendros asked. "The one we avenged? History is not well kept amongst Hircine's followers. We did not know."
As soon as Vera and Jerrick's hands met, they wove their fingers together and held tightly. They brought one another into an embrace that was slower than expected, but still strong. Then again, few present knew how they would behave when meeting a lover they had lost and grieved over a decade beforehand.

Jerrick leant his head against Vera's and closed his eyes. "How is the boy?"

"He's a grown man now," Vera said, voice quivering. "Strong, brave, and much wiser now."

They both smiled broadly.

"And the clan?" Jerrick asked.

"Stronger than ever. Renowned across Tamriel."

Jerrick brought his hand up to Vera's hair. "And you?"

Vera sighed. "You know me, just keeping things together."

While Jerrick and Vera remained hugging, the pack kept an eye on the growing group appearing to receive them. They did not feel threatened, though meeting strangers from another plane kept them feeling cordial.

The wild-looking Khajiit naturally drew their attention.

"Is that someone you know, Meesei?" Janius asked. "She seems important."
Fendros breathed in to announce their company when he spotted them, but stopped short. The sight of the lycan spirits should not have been any surprise. Somehow, however, Fendros and the others had forgotten to consider the implications.

They were all struck silent except for Meesei. Jerrick had not aged a day since his death -- thankfully his appearance spared the horror of his final poisoned fate. The true dissonance came with the realisation amongst the pack of just how closer they were around Jerrick's age of passing.

For his part, Jerrick looked upon the groups streaming in through the portal with curiosity, more than anything. There was the smallest hint of a smile upon his face. He only paid close attention to Meesei when she spoke to him. At her words, he exhaled as if remembering himself. "Champion..." His voice was hoarse and unpractised. Around the edges of his face, shimmers of odd shapes hinted at his beast spirit speaking with him. "There is...no need. I knew my death was n-...near. Tell me, has the clan..." He stopped as someone caught his attention just over Meesei's shoulder. His eyes glazed over and his lips hung open.

The target of his focus was Vera. She was armed, armoured, and ready to lead just moments beforehand. But now she stood with her helmet under her arm and tears rolling silently down her comparatively aged face. She took stilted steps forward, past the pack and towards Jerrick with everything behind her forgotten. She dropped her shield before the last step and slowly reached out towards him.

Jerrick, in turn, slowly lifted his own hand to meet hers. Neither of them knew if it was right to even touch, let alone if it was even possible.
Janius, Sabine, Fendros, and likely most people going through the portal could not help but be on guard. Between the common description of the Hunting Grounds and other old stories about planes of Oblivion, they could only assume there would be danger ahead. However, as they emerged from the portal, first appearances were anything but dangerous.

"Is this it?" Janius looked up at the trees and the sky. "It's...more peaceful than I expected," he commented.

"If any plane of Oblivion is going to look like this, it would be the Hunting Grounds." Fendros toed at the grass curiously, but quickly kept his eyes back on their surroundings.

Sabine brought a spell to detect life up in her palm to check the coast was clear.
The timing of inviting Ariel to visit remained peculiar in Sabine's mind. However, she only nodded and pressed her lips shut. There were more pressing matters for now.

"This is it," Fendros said, looking up at the portal. He took a deep breath of cavern air. "Fifteen or so years ago, I never would have anticipated going to Oblivion, let alone the Hunting Grounds."

"Without needing to die, no less," Janius added with a smirk.

Fendros took Ahnasha's hand and smiled. "How does it feel to know where we're going?"
Sabine opened her mouth, somewhat confused. "Do not mistake me when I say this, but...I visited her a short while ago. I did just as you said when you told everyone in the pack to visit their families. It would be nice to see her again. However...we have many things to worry about already."

Her confusion only deepened when she thought about it. "Did you want to see her, Meesei? I understand you did not have time beforehand."
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