Irene
**So this is what a dock looks like.**

*Talia had never actually seen a dock. Growing up as the pampered daughter of a noble family in a desert nation meant there wasn't often much use for a boat. But after arriving only a few days ago as the official ambassador of Hammerfell to Skyrim, Talia at-Tura still had much of Solitude to explore. Besides, the official feast to celebrate the new diplomatic relation with her arrival still wasn't for a few nights yet, so she did not feel desperate to hold herself up inside of the embassy just outside the Blue Palace.*

*Instead, she chose to see the city with her own brown eyes before her life quickly became swallowed by paperwork, debates, and networking. Even if she had to ditch her bodyguard in order to do so...*

*Truth be told, she knew she was safe anyway. Her arrival had not been broadcasted across the city, per se. High Queen Elisif took extra precautions to ensure the news of Skyrim's, and by extension the Empire's, beginnings of a fragile start to negotiations with Hammerfell did not leak to the public on account of the Thalmor. Alas, Talia had a sinking feeling the Thalmor were about to become very well acquainted with her likeness, which by extension meant Talia was about to get some very hostile friends.*

*Oh well. The Thalmor were despised by the rest of her people. Perhaps now Talia would just have a reason to justify it for herself.*

*She hopped off the barrel she was sitting on, chosing to walk down some of the docks that did not have tons of traffic. She was curious to see how the knots were tied that kept boats tethered to the shore. She wanted to learn how dockhands knew precisely where to carry their cargo. Talia at-Tura was interested in learning many of these things. Who knows? Maybe it would come useful later if she had to rely on a shipment somehow.*

*Or perhaps if she needed to go somewhere she did not explicitly belong.*

*Talia almost laughs at the irony of that previous thought.*
Ray
A cup of tea hovered toward his lips, as he read a document he had been pouring over for the past few days. He grumbled and shook his head, fiercly rewriting and striking entire paragraph before writing them in increasingly claustrophobic margins. He did not care. 

Varis Xai'Shen wanted the contract with this new provider to be *Exceptional*. The wintry dogs of this province could not think he saw them as so inferior as to snip their business with him in a matter of moments. This, he knew well. The reality of diplomacy. It does not come with interacting with sensible, rational people, but instead catering to the idiotic desires of nepotism and utterly nonsensical social rituals. 

Alas, Varis grinned as he glanced out the window of the boat that had escorted him across the Sea of Ghosts. He raised his chin and stared at the rising cliffs of Solitude, and the grandeur of the docks ahead. It was not the opulence and beauty of Port Telvannis, but it was a sensible, efficient harbor. 

The Telvanni Oathman placed the contract on the table, slowly levitated down to his zabuton, and proceded to stand. He shrugged his shoulder as he placed his hands behind his back and walked through the corridors of the house-boat. 

It was a gorgeous piece of ship-making, as it had a sleek and slim design, grown from fungal spores and manipulated into a bouyant, light-weight contraption, and adorned with a myriad of arcane lights glittering from within paper and *Grown* Lanterns.

Varis stepped out onto the deck and observed the docks he sailed towards. It seemed others were observing him as well, as sailors looked up from their tasks and work to see an alien draped in silks and billowing robes arrive at their doorstep. Whatever the case, pulling into the dock led to a short interaction with a Solitude Guard, whose mouth was shut with a quick show of documents and identification. The guard nodded and stepped away, allowing Varis to step foot on the Solitude Docks. 

The Telvanni Dunmer took a deep breath, let his purple and lilac eyes absorb the scenery, and grinned as he placed his hands behind his back. Meanwhile, an Argonian came from the ship's recesses as well, tying down the ship and setting everything up for a long stay. The Argonian seemed to be a servant of Varis, as he did not wear any collar or rags, indicating he was no slave. But, to the untrained eye, it might seem like a...*Foreign* Arrangement. 

For now, Varis inspected the docks idly, carefully studying the people, ships, and industry in the maritime facade of the city.
Irene
**How interesting...**

*A commotion at the far side of the docks from where Talia had found herself engrossed with watching the dockhands flutter about tore Talia away from her thoughts. Upon glancing upward, she watched as quite the odd-looking heap of driftwood slotted into place along the harbor. Curiousity once again pulled at the ambassador, and she mingled her way towards the ship, dodging dock workers and East Empire Company officers on her way over. She stopped at the dock next to the boat and shuffled over to stand on top of a crate for a better view. Now she'd be out of the way and able to bear witness to the scene.*

*Of course, at a quick glance, the redguard woman didn't stand out much. Her clothing was relatively simple in accordance to her desire to not draw too much attention to herself, but the garments of loose-fitting off-white and red did more than just accentuate her lean figure. They were in the style of the redguard people, and as such, if one were to pay attention, they would notice the woman didn't exactly fit in, even amongst the cacophony of odd individuals making up the dock's populace.*

*Talia at-Tura did not concern herself with this minor notice. Instead, she watched as a dunmer man who scoffed and shoved some mildly important looking papers about. She also noted the argonian who was doing all the manual labor on the ship. A servant, perhaps? Either way, Talia could recognize one thing about Solitude's newest resident. He had a pole the height of the Throat of the World up his backside, and he certainly had the money to back it up.*

*Wondering what to do next, Talia glanced towards the sky. It happened to be about midday, which gave her plenty of time until she had to be back at the embassy for supper. Perhaps this newcomer would continue to be intruiging to observe.*
Ray
The Telvanni Oathman nodded to himself. All seems to be in order. This place, littered with merchants peddling fish, shells, souvenirs, and all manner of trinkets covered the docks. It was an admirable thing, and the sight of East Empire Company officials did not shock the Dunmer. Varis had made deals with the Company before, as in, to get them into Port Telvannis. It was difficult to convince the Magisters of their use, as they were inferior, drooling, mannish outlanders. Though, they were convinced of the economic use of the Company. 

It would be just the same here. Practicality above all else. 

Varis glanced back toward Teejun, placed a hand to his chest to touch an amulet of silver, and said, "Almost done?"
Daniel
"One more case!" The Argonian was quick, rushing into the companionway to get one last suitcase, and placed it with three more heavy looking items. "Done!" He stepped aside, knowing what would follow.
Ray
With a nod, Varis flicked his wrist. 

With a flicker of light, a plume of fog and dark magics, a portal blasted open next to the cases, and from it, a mule of sorts stepped out. Its hooves were pitch black and its fur was stark white, while its eyes were a pale lilac, similar to its master's. The mule had no ears and no eyelids, and its snout was shaped more like a beak than anything else. All over its body were straps and leather harnesses, to which Teejun began to tie the cases and such to.

Varis glanced toward the worried Haafingar Guard, smiled politely, and nodded toward his conjured creature. "Come, stay close to me, Heija." 

The wizard turned and walked toward the crowded docks, many of whoms patrons gawked and stared at the odd creature behind him. Considering that it was not particularly monstrous, nor large, and likely easily slayable, there was little chance that it could ignite a mob, but eyes watched the Telvanni Dunmer carefully. 

It would not be long before he passed Talia, his eyes glancing over a journal.