Michael
He approaches the door of the mushroom tower, "If this goes bad I'm going to kill Maven." He mutters under his breath as he knocks on the door, "Indras!" He calls out, "We need to talk."
Joseph
**"WHAT?!?"**

*He sounded angry. Very angry.*

"If maven sent you I'm turning your heart into a tomato..."

*He muttered to himself. The door was opened by a Watchling.*

"Go in, I'm sure he's happy..."

*The watchling said.*
Michael
"Yes he's clearly enthused by my presence." He says, walking in, "Trust me Maven isn't exactly happy that I'm meeting with you!" He calls out to Indras, he's glancing around at the building, taking it in, "Nice place you've got, almost hard to believe it's all within a... Mushroom."
Joseph
*He levitated down the root.*

"Then why are you here?"

*He was wearing what could only be described as a nightgown. It had the telvanni patterns on it but it wasn't a robe. He motioned for the Watchling to leave the door open.*
Michael
"Well I wanted to say that I admire your work." He says with a smirk, "Threatening to burn down Maven's meadery was... Inspired, truly." He takes off his helmet and tucks it under his left arm, holding out his right to shake Indras' hand, "To be completely honest with you, I despise Maven as much as you, and I am *Not* Her lackey."
Joseph
"Oh, that. I almost forgot, to be honest with you. Wryna, put on some tea..."

*He was tired. The Watchling did as requested, lighting the fireplace and filling the pot.*

"I had only heard rumors and I decided to have fun that day. It's a good pastime, being insufferable."
Michael
"It woulda been quite the show if you did burn it to the ground." He says with a chuckle, "With the meadery gone she's pretty much nothing, although the power vacuum would get filled by someone, probably me, to be quite honest."
Joseph
"She's right about destroying the economy. I've lived here for 200 years, this is the closest thing to "Prosperity" That city has has ever had. I'd love to see that Vampire in eastmarch fill that alcohol void with something decent."

*He smiled. He sat down in a chair by the levitation root. There was another across from him. He sifted his hand through a bowl of feed, and a bantam guar sleeping by the fireplace immediately got up and waited at his feet. He started throwing the bits of grain onto the ground for it.*
Michael
"I'm vaguely aware of the vampire you speak of. Never met them, but I've read reports." He says, "On another topic," He says, sitting down across from Indras, "I had an interesting visitor earlier, a hairless khajiit, hired by the Guard Captain in Whiterun to dig up dirt on me. And for some reason he mentioned you."
Joseph
"Oh. Him. Yes I was there, I was angry about... The guard routes here I believe. I had some gold and alchemical ingredients stolen, but it had nothing to do with you or your guards. There's an unbound scamp scuttling around this hold with them, I'm certain. She seemed *Very* Angry with you though."

*The Guar wanted into his lap, they can't exactly do it themselves. He picked it up and it wedged itself between him and the chair.*

"I didn't like her. Too "Good". Everyone has flaws."
Michael
"Indeed, she holds herself in a way that makes her very... Holier-than-thou. Like anyone who dares disagree with her is a blight on nirn." He says, "She holds her guard to a truly brutal standard. Like they aren't human."
Joseph
"I would say she's hiding something, but i doubt it. Some people are just like that."

*The watchling gave each of them a cup of tea. The leaves were a Deshaan import, but it was sweetened with a local sweetener, some kind of tree sap.*

"I heard that the captain in Solitude was replaced. By a Dunmer... Odd."
Michael
"A lot of weird things goin on." He says, "I do think it's odd though, a Dunmer working with the Empire. Spitting in the face of everything they put them through." He says with a chuckle, "But what do I know, I wasn't there."
Joseph
"About as bad as what we put ourselves through."

*He said, flatly.*

"Why are you here if not on Maven's behalf?"

*It was a plain question but it came off as accusatory. He took a sip of the tea, and the watchling floated up the tower.*
Michael
"I had questions and wanted answers. And you've provided them." He says, "I'm here on my own behalf, I was investigating what happened in Riften, as well as why a thief attempted to steal from me."
Joseph
"Well, I'd like to know where you truly stand. I had been under the impression that she wrote your paychecks. The Captain in Whiterun gave me the impression that you were just as corrupt as Maven."
Michael
"Corrupt is such a strong word." He says with a chuckle, "Maven doesn't sign my paychecks, Jarl Laila does. Just like how Jarl Balgruuf signs Krowviir's." He says. He's telling the truth, as his official pay does come from the Jarl. "If Maven tells me to jump I refer to my better judgement, will jumping better serve the people of Riften, or will crawling."
Joseph
"And you don't worry even a bit about the sway she has over the Jarl? You must be well liked by the People. Or the Guild, as Krowviir accused you of."
Michael
"The people of Riften do like me. I keep them safe. My methods are my own, and so are my intentions." He says, "The so-called Guild likely has mixed feelings about me, possibly negative, seeing as I've been attempting to root them out since I got my job as Guard Captain."
Joseph
"I'll take both of your stances, but I have no reason to believe her over you. The only enemies I *Want* To make in this hold own Meaderys."

*He left his tea on a side table and stood, walking out the door, expecting him to follow him with the Guar. He walked to the pen, opening a barrel and tossing grain in for the Bantams.*
Michael
He follows Indras, "And that we share. Feuds between the Holds serves nobody, save for maybe the Thalmor." He watches the Bantams, "I'm surprised they can stand the cold here, do you do something to keep them warm?"
Joseph
*He pointed to the Shed.*

"There's some little nests for them warmed with fire salts buried in the ground."

*The little things walked around eating the grain, pecking like a chicken would, but a bit slower.*

"I don't eat them. It's just a hobby. I sometimes sell the eggs, though."
Michael
"Very interesting, I may have to buy an egg or two at some point." He says, "They are very... Intriguing creatures." He says, continuing to watch them scuttle around
Joseph
"I considered raising Scribs but i don't think Skyrim needs an Egg mine."

*He put the lid back on the barrel. The one that seemed to live in the tower was standing right next to Regulus. Indras looked at it.*

"They're not Guar, you know. Closer to Cliff Racers."
Michael
"An egg... Mine?" He says inquisitively, he kneels down and pets the bantam, "Guar... Cliff racers... I'll admit, I don't know much about Morrowind's fauna."
Joseph
*The bantam rubbed up against his hand.*

"Oh. I forget most people don't know. Scribs are Kwama, they live in caves and slaves harvest the eggs inside. It isn't a job i envy."

*He changed the topic.*

"I'm not used to seeing so many Argonians... Free. Riften and Windhelm both have quite a few of them. It takes getting used to."
Michael
"I'm sure many of the Saxhleel you see here aren't used to seeing Dunmer without a whip in hand." He says, "I remember hearing about the Accession War, when the An-Xileel invaded Morrowind during the Red Year. It was a mess from what I heard, and word says the Thalmor incited in."