Ray
He raised his eyebrows as she mentioned her own protective measure being a tanto, hidden within her mattress. Varis nodded to this, as the tanto was a popular choice of weapon in Morrowind, especially among the backstabbing Telvanni. Thus, it certainly made him respect her even more, even if she did not set fire runes down around her bed to protect herself. 

Though, when she mentioned her old boss again, Varis' eyes widened a little, as he seemed impressed by the enchantment on the shop. "Huh, very efficient. I imagine thieves scoping the place out for the whole day would have a sour taste in their mouth after wasting so many hours, only to forget what they were marking."

Varis crossed his legs and placed an elbow on the counter, putting a hand up to hold his chin as he tapped it. He was pondering the enchantment, and what sort of spellcraft might be incorporated within it. Perhaps a bit of illusion? If it altered perception, absolutely illusion. If it altered the physical world, alteration. Utilizing illusory principles, he could imagine how such an enchantment could be replicated... But it would require some limit-testing, and experimentation on varrying degrees of willpower. As in, varrying degrees of mentally proficient individuals. 

Varis shifted his focus from his inward thoughts back to Luhn, and said, "Well, since you protect yourself with your tanto, would you like it enchanted? It would cost you, but, imagine the look in a would be assassin's eyes when they find their heart melting out of their chest?" A grin formed, as he seemed entirely pleased by the idea.
Virgil
Luhn raised her eyebrows when Varis made his offer. "Hmmm. It certainly is tempting. I rarely use it but but it would be good to get a bit more oomf out of it. Especially since it really is my last line of defense. Here, I'll let you take a look at it. She reached a hand between one of the open seams on the side of her tunic, and unhooked a leather scabbard. She offered the weapon to him. 

"I have had this Tanto since I was about six. My Father said he was given it before he left Morrowind with me." The scabbard of the weapon was quite plain, and obviously not of Dunmer make. A makers stamp in the center signaled it as the work of a Redguard leather worker. If Varis were to take the weapon he would observe a rather fine blade. The steel of the Tanto was well kept, routinely sharpened and polished. The hilt was made from laqured mushroom wood and wrapped with roughened insect skin. 

"I can imagine a mage like you charges a hefty amount for your enchantments. How much would it cost for your services?"
Ray
The Enchanter took the blade and gently held it, observing the hilt, blade, and leather-work. His eyes narrowed at the use of fungal wood and insect skin, and nodded at the instrument of death being the work of a Redguard. It was intriguing, for the forger to utilize ordinary steel. Such would indicate it came from the Western Morrowind, since she mentioned it was made in Morrowind, before her Redoran father left Morrowind. Such being the case, it made sense that it was not made with ferrofungus, a popular metallic resource of Eastern Morrowind for weapon and armor crafting.

Varis held it by the grip and felt it within his grasp, nodding idly as he let his fingers move into the creases, and wielded it with some measure of care and know-how. Though, the way he held it, Luhn might be familiar with the grip, as he held it with the blade pointed away from him, placing his thumb on the top of the hilt, with his fingers angled to help hold it in plae while the full force of the arm could be used to slash or penetrate. It was the way a cutthroat would wield it, or perhaps someone who had experience driving such a weapon into an unsuspecting victim. 

The Telvanni nodded as he flipped it around and held it more standardly, and looked back to her. "Exceptional make. The price of enchanting will be dependent on the desired effect. Typically, a flame enchantment would go for two to three hundred gold, while additional enchantments would multiply the cost by the number of enchantments. More effects equates to more energy required to enchant it. So, if you can afford this quote, what would you like?"
Virgil
Luhn let out a low whistle as he gave his estimate. "High price, that's a couple days wages. But it is worth it for the quality..." She lapsed for a moment while she gave the idea some consideration. She rarely used the weapon, but it would be better to make it hit harder. A couple stab wounds with the blade would hardly do anything to deter a big, and mad enough attacker. More oomph would do the trick, especially so in the event that the Tanto was her last resort. 

"Im afraid I don't exactly have the funds to spare right now. How long will you be in the province for? I may need a few days to run some jobs here and there. Of course If you also need some help outside of the whole ruin job id be willing to assist." She thought for a moment on which type of enchantment would be best. Something that would hurt, but would be quick enough to befit her dagger. "I think I would like some sort of shock enchantment. Something punchy."
Ray
The Enchanter raised his eyebrows as she assessed her options. He held the blade, looking back to it inquisitively as he held it and rotated it in various directions. Finally, she provided her case, and he looked up at her. "Hm. Do not worry, I will be in the province for the foreseeable future. I am less an adventurer than I am a... Broker. Then, the shock enchantment. This is doable and cost-effective. As for making some additional money..." He looked at the blade. "I would be willing to provide you the enchantment at a discount."

He held the blade out for her to take back. 

"I require a Hagraven's heart for one of my experiments. I have been pondering the experiment for some time, and I have sent a few people to go retrieve me one. None have come back, but, if you can, I would provide the enchantment for free. Otherwise, I have plenty of time to wait for you to have the funds."
Virgil
"Ough." Luhn sucked in a bit of air through her teeth, brows raising slightly. "Hagraven. Tch. Heard about those." Luhn reached forwards and gently took her tanto back, sliding it back into its place along her belt. She smoothed the blue linen of her tunic down. "Big order I will admit. I'd need to do a bit of reading on that." She ran a hand through her rusty hair, mussing it up slightly. 

"Heard stories about them from Breton traders. Real nasty... I don't even think I have anything that could really help me with one. Never really fought against spellcasters, let alone one's as strong as a Hagraven. I'd... Need to consult some of the locals. And uhhh, Reachmen." Luhn shook her head a bit. "Big order that one. I actually don't think I could do it."
Ray
"Hm?" His eyebrows rose as she declared it would not be a task for her, and nodded solemnly. "Very well, then. I understand the magnitude of the order. Thus, the only other thing I have need of, that is not guaranteed, is a test subject. Though, considering that you are planning to join my expedition, I would prefer to perform my test after the expedition." He smiled slightly. "I am delving into Illusory magic, to improve my... Noviciate capabilities in the field. I am close to a breakthrough in my current calculations, and all I require is a mind to experiment on."

He raised his eyebrows. "I cannot gurantee a... Soundness of mind, after the test." Varis placed his hands together. "But, if you are willing to advance the field of Illusion magic, then that would surely pay for a whole range of enchantments. Perhaps three. Otherwise, I am sure you will have plenty of coin after the expedition is through, no?"
Virgil
"I... Well." Luhn stammered for a moment, brows knitting together in concern. It was. An offer. Luhn knew very little about the other fields of magic outside of Enchanting. But she did know that illusion was all about tricking the eye and the mind. She wouldn't have to worry about severe bodily trauma, right? It was a tough choice. It's not like she had known Varis for long, barely a day. And he was a Telvanni. She enjoyed her talk with him but there was a reason her father had warned her against them. But, free enchantment service. The liquor in her system wasn't helping her better judgment either. 

"What, do you have in mind Varis?" Luhn met his gaze, keeping her eyes on his. "What are the risks involved? I'd like to know how bad it could get if uhhh, anything failed."
Ray
The Telvanni grinned a little as she asked what he had in mind. He nodded, as he decided he would divulge. 

"I aim to craft a spell that will cause the mind to deal damage unto itself. You may have heard of spells that blind or silence an enemy, perhaps even paralyze them, belonging to the school of illusion. Essentially, it causes the mind to believe that it cannot speak, see, or move its body. Well,"

He put a hand up, and gestured to his head. "Consider that the mind, no matter how talented, is capable of altering itself. Ponder the change of personalities after traumatic experiences, or enlightening ones. What I seek is to amplify that active response, by making it so that the mind begins to tear apart itself, so that the individual begins to go into a sort of shock. I would aim to target pain receptors, so that a person will feel as though they have been stabbed, bludgened, or even, beheaded."

Varis placed his hands together. "When the brain believes that the body has died, I wish to see whether it will cease functioning, simply because it *Believes* It has died."

The Sorcerer raised his eyebrows. "This is a very complicated spell I am currently not proficient enough to perform. Thus, I will simply try to see if I can make you feel as though you have a pin going through your finger." He gestured to her hand, and used his other hand to mimic the size of a small pin-needle. "Should I succeed, I will provide you an enchantment."
Virgil
Luhn rubbed the back of her hand for a moment. His concept seemed so grand, and the thought of what the final spell could do to someone. Well it horrified her. This man was a seemingly endless well of some of the most gruesome magical deaths she had ever heard of. But his example was, slightly less horrific. Luhn had been stabbed, beaten, and dealt with sandstorms that could rip off flesh. Bites of juvenile dunerippers. Scorpion stings... Really how bad could the feeling of a pin be in comparison. 

"Well..." She lapsed off. It was tempting, a mental pin through the finger in exchange for an enchantment that could save her life in an emergency. Tempting, tempting. Luhn was quiet for a few moments more. "Fine. But what if it were to fail or get out of control? Any assurance that you can undo anything that were to happen?"
Ray
Varis' eyebrows rose as she proposed that it might get out of control, and if he could reverse whatever unwanted effects could happen. "Time is usually the best remedy. Otherwise, there is a Temple of the Divines up in the Castle Dour. Anything that requires such proficient mending is... Likely beyond my skillset. I am merely a noviciate, and anything that could get too dangerous, would likely cost too much of my arcana to cast successfully. That is the most optimal assurance I can provide you. Worse case scenario, I misjudged the formula, and you go blind for a minute, or so. Anything beyond that... Is a breakthrough in and of itself."
Virgil
"Hmmmm. Fine, I will take you up on your offer." Luhn reached for the stoneware jug and poured herself one last shot of flin. She swirled it around her glass for a moment, and raised it up towards him. "A moment of agony for a nice shock enchantment." With that she tilted her head back slightly and downed the whiskey. Luhn then tapped the empty glass back onto the counter. 

"I trust that your spell will work." Luhn spared a glance at the windows of the Tavern. With the alcohol in her system her perception of time was somewhat off, but she was sure it was getting late, and if anything she needed to get back to her hostel safely. "I'm sure you'd prefer a more sober subject for this, will the morning work?"
Ray
Varis nodded. "Very well. A sober subject, while less easily pliable, would provide a more suitable, undiluated result." He waved his hand, "I will be here. If you do not arrive by noon, shall I send someone for you?"

The researcher picked up his cup of tea and sipped from it, watching her answer. She had taken many swigs throughout the night, and he wondered if she would be affected by the spell. Some specimens, when drunk, or, insane, have unpredictable results. One might be able to find their minds more easily manipulated, while others may find them utterly incoherent and wildly dangerous. He had met plenty of ancestor spirits who died due to operating on a victim of the Mad God. 

Varis pondered what he could do to a disciple of madness. Perhaps, at a later point. Perhaps he could introduce one of the specimens in the dungeons to the Mad God, and then use them. Though, Varis tapped his chin, he believed that might ruin the variable. The spell would be the independent, the specimen the dependent, and... Someone like Luhn, would be the control variable within his research. She seemed of sound mind. He nodded, as he leaned back and sipped some more tea.
Virgil
"Great, great. I am staying at a hostel near the local tomb, the uhh hall of the dead. Anyways, big brown building with a red door." Luhn slid off the stool of the bar, stretching her legs as they hit the solid floor of the tavern. She let out a little yawn, hiding her mouth with her hand before turning to Varis. 

"Thank you for the flin, and well, the conversation." Luhn gave him a deep bow. "I shall see you in the morning, hopefully, if i don't get attacked or fall into the sewers on the way back to my bunk." She gave him a dry chuckle and shrugged. "I hope the rest of your night goes well Varis." 

Luhn bowed her head again and turned to leave. Exiting the warm tavern into the cold and crispy air of Solitude. She crossed her arms to keep warm and began the trudge towards her hostel, to hopefully find her bunk as she left it.
Ray
The Telvanni nodded to Luhn, "Embrace the night, serjo." He raised his cup of tea as she got up and prepared to leave. The description of her hostel was familiar, and he nodded as she stepped toward the door. He watched her leave, carefully observing the eyes around the tavern to see if any were interested in following a tipsy woman through the dark streets of Solitude. 

Pondering this, Varis glanced toward the tanto he had held, and provided a quiet whisper. 

Sheathed within the scabbard, the temporary enchantment was subtle and hidden, as an illusion matrix wrapped itself around the blade, providing an enchantment that would infest the stricken target with a primal fear of the wielder. 

Varis nodded to himself as he sipped from his tea again, glanced up to the second level of the tavern, and made his way back to the man he had conversed with prior to Luhn's arrival. As he passed Teejun, he provided a nod, and then glanced toward the three men who had entered the building earlier. He watched their sneers and chuckles amongst one another, as they disturbed each patron around them. 

Varis whispered another incantation, his eyes focused on the largest one in the middle, and grinned as he directed the man's deepest, carnal hatreds toward the two on either side of him.

It was quick, as the man almost immediately stirred into a frenzied state, bludgeoning his companions with his mug against their heads, sending them to the floor as he got down and started to beat on them, unaware of anyone nearby. 

Thus, cause was granted for the tavern's guardsmen to jump into action and start pulling the larger man off of them, and with a subtle fear spell, the man was sent into a state of tearful fright as he looked at the scene he had caused, and the possibility of an arrest. 

Varis grinned. He had rarely considered the school of illusion worthwhile... But, a grin formed as he pondered its usefulness for removing unwanted adversaries from different equations. 

He remained silent as he remained an innocent bystander in the ensuing chaos, and by the time the trio were thrown out, Varis was upstairs and conversing passionately, all while the party downstairs got reignited.