Orlando
**The Black-Briar struts through the market, back straight, eyes gazing. She had just been informed of some news regarding a certain Dark Elf, and needless to say, she is not pleased. One could see it in her step. That is, if one were brave enough to lay their gaze on Maven for more than a momentary acknowledgement. It was as though what little liveliness that existed in Riften was sapped away when she was near. Either out of respect, or fear. To the average Riften citizen, however, it was certainly the latter. Her prestine boots were tended well, almost shining as though as new as the day she bought them. Her countenance, visibly aged and crows feet curling from her the corners of her eyes, was seldom hidden under the cosmetics that brushed her features.**

**She simply browsed. It wasn't that she had any interest in anything here; she could buy out every stall in this market if she truly wanted something from these rabble. It was a common ritual she did. A reinstatement of her authority to Riften. To those who know her power, it was a reminder; I'm in charge, and I'm aware of what goes on. Like a Jarl that wanders from his Keep rarely to appear important and relevant to the citizens, Maven did so to appear as a predator, stalking agitators and noncompliance.**
Beverly
*He had just finished purchasing a few Alchemical ingredients. He never spent too long in the city, too many Argonians. 

He had a presence to him, it didn't carry the degree of notoriety which Maven had, but moreso just... Power. Nobody dared make fun of his high heeled boots. He shot a glance at Maven, he'd heard of this woman before, even if he'd never seen her. But he felt he was better than her.*
Orlando
**She had just finished looking through Brand-Shei's goods... Her glance at Brand-Shei making a statement to him, though invisible. This was the Dark Elf she was displeased with. Sometime soon, action should be taken, but for now, she turned on her heel and began to walk out of the market, before catching the glimpse of the other Dark Elf that was present.**

**She had heard of a new arrival in Riften. She always eventually heard. She began to study him right there. Not your average refugee. He looked far too... Put together. Someone of mild importance, at the least.**

"Do you need something of me?" **Maven asks bluntly. Though her tone was a bit more relaxed than usual with bothersome strangers, it still carried a certain bite.**
Beverly
"You're the one I've heard such horror stories of. I'm a bit disappointed."

*He said this without a hint of hesitation, knowing what she could do. He simply did not care.*

"It does well to know of the Nobility that truly rule the hold you live in."

*People in the marketplace were staring at him for even having the gall to speak to her like this. It was as though he had a deathwish.*
Orlando
**The market was still. It seemed every talk in the square had decreased an octive; open talks lowered to low mutters, and the rumblings of secrets turned into whispers. If he was perceptive, Indras could possibly feel a few more gazes against him. People pretended to go about their business, but those who bore witness couldn't keep their gaze off it.**

**Maven, however, levels a measured response; a simple quirk of the brow, the corner lifting just a tad, as if to question whether this was a tactic against her, or simply stupidity.**

"I don't believe you know me in the slightest. And if you did, your response would be... Controlled."
Beverly
*He laughed.*

"Oho! You're exactly as I've heard... I can see it behind those eyes. Shock, that someone isn't sucking up to you."

*He smirked. He was toying with her. Crows began to Caw, as if laughing. There were a lot of crows in the marketplace today... On the stalls, on the edges of roofs...*

"Go ahead, put a little bite in your voice. I know it isn't in that swill that comes from the brewery, I've had better in *Gnisis* And thats saying something."
Orlando
**This time, things were silent, beyond the ravens in the area. A few guards were casually shifting their posts a bit closer to where Maven and Indras stood.**

**Maven finally relaxes her brow. There was little advantage for this person to disturb Maven. At least, its not immediately discernable. She simply concludes stupidity. The bite seems to subside; what replaces it is pity.**

"Son..." **Maven says, despite the fact that this elf is possibly older than she is. You never know with elves,** "I truly think you have no idea what you're doing. Go into the Bee And Barb. Have Keerava get you a few drinks. Black-Briar Mead, free of charge."

**She eyes him up again, trying to get a full understanding of what she was dealing with here. It didn't take much to realize that Maven was attempting to give Indras an 'out'.**

"We can pretend that this... Exchange... Was simply a result of excess drinking. A little mistake from an addled mind. Then, once you've sobered up... Start again."
Beverly
"Mrs. Black-Briar, I wouldn't drink *Anything* Here. Not even for free, except maybe that Indoril wine from the Vineyard to the north."

*This was the Great Telvanni pastime of annoying and disrespecting people. If she knew anything, she'd see the banner over his Groin and know what it meant. That his arrogance couldn't be contained.*

"I don't believe you understand who *You* Are talking to. Send your little Dark Brotherhood, please, I'd love to see how they compare to the Morag Tong, I've had enough writs on my head from Rival Magisters to deal with some Assasin upstart."

*How did he know that? Rumors? Maybe, or through scrying. He had done quite a lot of research to solely make someone mad. He was trying to break her. 

The only noise in the marketplace now were the Crows.*
Orlando
**Her expression was rigid, unmoving, unchanging, as the old woman is.**

"Is this... Compensation? What are you trying to prove? Who are you proving it to? Yourself? Because I assure you, you are not the first upstart to cross paths with me, nor will you be the last."

**Maven seemed unimpressed, or unphased, by the comment about the Dark Brotherhood. It wasn't much of a secret.**
Beverly
"I wanted to see you squirm, though maybe we aren't too different. I expected a different outcome from what I've heard, though, perhaps I had the wrong read on you. I wouldn't expect you to know what we Telvanni do for fun, I tried annoying one of those Shatter-Shields once... Can't go back to Windhelm for a while. Not that I'd necessarily want to."

*He loosened up, it was clear he wasn't going to break her. But his real plan was to make himself known to the people of riften with a grand display. He had had trouble with thieves lately, entering his tower while he wasn't home. He figured this might help, as a display of power, though admittedly, likely a bad idea. He was bored anyway.*

"What are you, 50? To think I've lived here for 200 or so years, and I'm only just now meeting a Black-Briar. A strange quirk of fate, isn't it?
Orlando
**With his motives spelled out now, Maven smiles. Though she didn't want Indras to get away so easily. She places a hand on his shoulder, guiding him away form the market if he'd allow... Though two guardsmen would flank them to 'help them along'.**

"Son, let me give you some advice."
Beverly
*He allowed it, because he had a plan set up from the very second he entered town. The Crows. They were circling them in the sky now.*

"Please, give me some advice, I'm only 6 times your age. I'm sure your wisdom is *So* Valuable."
Orlando
**When they were out of general earshot of the market, closer to the meadery, Maven spoke.**

"If you were to die, disappear, or leave town and never be seen again, not a single person here would remember you. They would not see your face as they sleep. They will not even know your name."

**Maven digs her nails into Indra's shoulder and almost claws at him as she flanks to the front of him, letting her hands go behind her to cup again, facing the dunmer.**

"At worst, you'll be a bad memory. At best, you'll be alive."

**Her expression darkens.**

"I'm not a Shatter-Shield, who would banish you for your insolence. No. This is not a path you wish to go down. Because you and I both know its not one you will win."

**Her grin returns, but this time, its sinister, etched into the shade of the buildings that loomed over them.**

"Riften is at my beck and call. When people sleep, its my face they see. Its my name they remember. One that has been echoed here for generations. Now you can continue wasting your time with this stunt, and call your familiars to attack me and the guard... At worst injure me physically, perhaps kill a few people and make a bounty on yourself. Or, you can take my suggestion... Walk into the Bee And Barb, have some drinks, and chalk this up to drunken stupor. Make your choice here."

**Maven prepared herself. With a character like this, with so much to gain they think themselves untouchable, or so much to lose they feel nothing else... She was confident he would choose the former.**
Beverly
*She would feel his presence disappear from her hand, falling into the ground. He had made a small portal on the ground. He was on top of the Meadery now, crouched on the corner of the roof. The Cawing, the laughing, it only grew stronger, until it all disappeared when the Crows coagulated behind him into a Wraith-of-Crows.*

"You had your fun. Look up at me, rat."

*He was holding a ball of fire in his right hand. Maven would be in no position to do anything but listen. If he was attacked, he would burn the meadery into nothing but cinders.*

"Look at me, and listen well."

*His voice lost that sarcastic tone. It was cold now. He was serious.*
Orlando
**Maven quirks her brow again. This time, she was curious. Seeing Indras on top of the Meadery, holding a fireball, she straightens her back and keeps her hands behind her back.**

"I'm listening, intently." **She states plainly. The guards in the area begin to mobilize, drawing arrows.**
Beverly
"When you perish, you will be remembered as another stain on this City's history. You will be nothing but tarnish on the Blades of the crossed daggers."

*He put away his spell, and paced up and down the edge of the roof.*

"You can feign your power all you wish, you'll learn soon what happens to people like you. You may have the Jarls ear, the guards in your pocket. But I could destroy your little empire right now. I could burn this meadery to Cinders and return to Port Telvannis knowing I crushed you within minutes of meeting you. But you are simply entertainment to me. I will annihilate anyone you send after me, and then this Meadery. And then the people of this city will sleep soundly. They will see no face in their dreams."

*He smiled. An almost wicked smile.*

"You are nothing but a little play, and when the curtains close, the next show will be performed. A cog in the machine of corruption. You would do well to remember how easily I slipped your clutches with every action you take. I'll hear of everything you do from now on. Don't disappoint me, I enjoy a good plot in my storybooks, i would hate to be forced to spice things up."
Orlando
**Silence. The guardsmen await orders and word. The people observe from a safe distance. Others have taken shelter or have just left into the lower parts of the city.**

**Then something breaks the silence. A chuckle. Maven was -laughing-.**

"Son... I don't think you've calculated this as thoroughly as you thought."

**Maven laughs some more, bringing herself together, looking right at him.**

"Tell me this; if defanging me was as easy as burning down my Meadery... Why has nobody done it until now?"
Beverly
"You have them all under your thumb. If you didn't, you'd be dead right now." 

*He was unwavering. Destroying her business would greatly impact her power.*

"If you think you're going to sway this in your favor, you wont. I'm just as stubborn as you are."

*He cast a spell, it wasn't anything destructive, likely some kind of Illusion or Mysticism spell.*

"If you have the audacity to do anything to me, I will make my purpose tormenting you."
Orlando
**She simply stares at Indras.**

"No, you see... I don't need to sway anything."

**She glances at her possibly-soon-to-be-ash Meadery.**

"Yes, rebuilding it will be annoying. A financial hit, yes. But, not in the way you think."

**Maven just looks down the shanty alleyway of the town. The city, built and rebuilt after wars. Struggling to pay for its own infranstructure. Struggling to find use for utilities already in place, like the Ratway. Struggling to find any useful business...**

"This Meadery is the heart of Riften. It pumps blood in the form of septims into this town. With it, travelers come and drink the freshest of Black-Briar Mead here."

**She shoots her head back to him.**

"If you burn down my Meadery, you delude yourself into thinking you're affecting me. But Riften is the place that will suffer the most. The reason that nobody burns down my Meadery is simply because of one fact- the Meadery is the only profitable place in this gods-forsaken city. Burn it down, and it will be rebuilt; at the city's expense. Not at mine."

**She sighs, a bit annoyed now by the power tripping mage.**

"Burn it, if you want. If it makes you feel less like an idiot. I'll be out of business for a few months, in which time this city will suffer while I comfortably twiddle my thumbs with a book and piles and piles of septims. Now, what will it be?"
Beverly
"I know that. What do you take me for, some sort of fool?"

*An odd response, most certainly.*

"I wouldn't destroy a city's economy over a grudge. And with fire? Please... How mundane."

*He was back to that arrogance, the serious act was over.*

"I had you for a moment, didn't I? No, of course it isn't that simple. Not even a regime change of this whole province would change your situation. You're essentially the Jarl of this city, you would pay a new Jarl to ignore your misdeeds."

*Her monologue was useless now. It only bought him time.*

"We're both insufferable Bastards, it's merely going to be a game of who's insufferable. Keep that in mind whenever you leave your stills unattended. I would hate for something bad to happen to them."

*He smiled, looking down on her.*

"So go ahead, give me a farewell monologue before I go, though I'm sure I'll be back soon."

*He had marked the Meadery with that spell earlier. He could recall here whenever he wanted to be annoying. The crows had disappated from the wraith and began, circling, laughing.*
Orlando
**Maven just gives a blink.**

"No, I don't think I will. Though I'm sure the Jarl would be very interested in your blatant attempt at terrorism."

**Maven taps her chin.**

"Come to think of it, I'm certain the Stormcloaks wouldn't appreciate this gesture neither, considering this is their territory."
Beverly
"I'm sure a pouch of gold would make that "Jarl" Look the other way. I'd love to see either of them try."

*He put his hands on his hips, feeling satisfied.*

"I'll be seeing you around."

*He fell backwards, looking like he fell through the ceiling of the Meadery. He had really fallen through a portal to his home. All of the crows disappeared, and his annoying, insufferable energy was gone, the city was at peace.*
Orlando
**When Maven and the guards were sure he was gone for good, she turned to address the nearest one.**

"I want a courier ready in an hour to deliver a message to Windhelm. Information on this supposed Telvanni mage, whatever the guards charged him with. Report to the Jarl and let her know that there was an attempted act of terrorism from a Dunmer extremist."
Gary
Hi. I'm Saulai Goodmer. Did you know that you have rights? The 36 Lessons say you do.

And so do I. I believe, that until proven guilty, every man, woman, and child in this province is innocent.

And that's why I fight for you,
Mournhold! Better call Saulai. Saulai Goodmer, attorney!
William
"Belay that order." He says, calling his guards to stop, "What in *Oblivion* Is going on, Maven." He says, "I got reports of a crazed Dunmer looking to burn down you meadery. Did you do something?" His tone is accusatory, clearly he thinks this was mostly Maven's doing, to him it's more likely she did something to throw someone off the deep end
Orlando
**This is the first time in this entire ordeal where Maven looks... Downright upset.**

"Mind your tone, Captain... No, this was not a 'response' if that is what you think. No one would dare."

**She glances back at the meadery, on the roof where the stranger had been.**

"A dunmer looking to prove something, only to realize its futility."

**She turns to give the Captain her full attention.**

"He simply appeared. Began to berate me. Boasting about how he was an accomplished mage from that dustbowl they call a provance."

**This is the first time in this entire ordeal where Maven looks... Downright upset.**

"Mind your tone, Captain... No, this was not a 'response' if that is what you think. No one would dare."

**She glances back at the meadery, on the roof where the stranger had been.**

"A dunmer looking to prove something, only to realize its futility."

**She turns to give the Captain her full attention.**

"He simply appeared. Began to berate me. Boasting about how he was an accomplished mage from that dustbowl they call a province."
William
"Yes I'm sure the Dunmer realized the futility, instead of possibly only wanting to get a reaction." He says, rolling his eyes, "You were talking to a Telvanni Magister, Indras Demnevanni. Trust me, the Telvanni are not a group you want to have bad relations with." He chuckles, "Wishful thinking, though." He looks to his guards, "Return to your posts. We aren't going after him, that'd be suicide."
Orlando
"Captain."

**Her tone is sharp, cutting toward Regulus.**

"I don't believe I've ordered you to order anyone yet, have I?"

**She narrows her eyes to Regulus. The Captain made no secret to his reluctance to abide by Maven, but Maven had to ensure that he knew that he didn't have any power- not unless she said so.**
William
"I don't recall asking for your orders." He glares back, a deep feeling of unease falls in the area, as if his eyes contained the very essence of Oblivion, "You hold weight in this city, your money is important. It would be a shame if suddenly that all dried up, would it not. Now, I'll run my business and you run yours, how does that sound?"
Orlando
**She shakes her head.**

"You have nothing to threaten me with, Captain. You don't even believe in the threat you're bolstering."

**She takes a step forward, toward him.**

"In case it wasn't clear to you now, allow me to make it abundantly clear, without a hint of interpretation; when a Black-Briar tells you to wait, you wait. When they tell you to run, you run. If they tell you to bark like a dog, that's what you do."

**Maven gives a quick glance to the other guards. She wanted them to see this. How futile the Captain's threats are to her.**

"And if you have trouble comprehending this, then I know others who would be happy for a promotion."

**This wasn't a Telvanni mage. This was someone beneath her. Her patience has far less limits to these sorts.**
William
He raises his voice, as he speaks magic flows through his words, "GUARDS! RETURN TO YOUR POSTS." The guards, as if under a spell, follow his orders. His face seems to shimmer as it happens, a glance that there was something more to him, his brown eyes fade for a moment, the sclera turning black and pupils a bright, almost glowing, purple. His visage fading to an appearance that is nigh impossible to truly describe, there's something more at play with him, more than just a simple mortal guard captain, "I believe in every word that leaves my lips, the truths and the lies. Now, I will personally speak to the Telvanni, since he intrigues me, and you will return to your meadery. And perhaps I can be more of service when you cough up more coin."
Orlando
"Service? You don't get paid by me, unless you're useful to me. And right now, you're incredibly useless to me, Captain."

**She peers at his display, seeing his form shimmer. She gives a smile... Using magic to control his guards only showcases his sheer lack of control. This only reaffirms Maven.**

"Very well, Captain. I don't need you to speak to the Jarl anyway, but since you feel so passionately about it, I'll be sure to inform her of your collaboration witha dunmer terrorist."
William
"*Collaboration*," He says with a scoff, "I'm investigating a possible threat to the safety of our city, nothing more nothing less." He says, his tone speaks truth, he is, in fact, investigating what happened, it's his job after all, "I will get his statement, then move on to any witnesses. Most likely he will be arrested, but I doubt our cells can hold him very long, not without any magic protections. And to my knowledge we lack the funding to add magic negation to the cells, perhaps because you keep forcing the jarl to pay you for things outside of her control."
Orlando
**She promptly ignores him, shooting past him. She instead shoots directly toward her manor. From somewhere, Maul turns from a corner and follows close behind until she disappears from view.**
William
He lets out a relieved sigh, and goes back to his office, half expecting an assassin to be there waiting for him
Gary
I guess i should but like what does his office look like