Mitchell
Varis raised an eyebrow as Salen turned down his offer to start a greenhouse for flowers and fruits. The man said nothing, until the mention of alchemical ingredients.

Like a hound that had sniffed blood, Varis turned his head to Salen and placed his hands together, lacing the fingers. The wizard watched inquisitively as Salen spoke, and nodded as the Altmer suggested he already knew the worth of such ingredients. Though, Salen left out a part regarding Valenwood's deepest forest grown herbs. Such were incredible for the usage of niche, but luxurious, potions and poultices. 

Then, came a question of how much Varis actually controlled in the city.

Varis leaned back and said simply, "I'm not much of a socialite. The nobility of this city love to host lavish parties, and since my arrival, many desire to host a Telvanni Lord. And yet, none do. I prefer solitude, and one on one negotiations. I meet them at court, or on the docks, or in the streets, and whisper honeyed words. Contrary to how much I love the art of death, I rarely perform it. I understand the difficulties of using such measures in this place. People ask questions, much to the evidence of their inefficiency. Those who devalue the relevancy of death, are doomed to govern the lives of others with utter incompetence."

Varis shrugged as he leaned back. "As for why I do not appear on many Dominion documents," A slight smile formed. "Well, that is likely better answered by you. Am I not interesting enough? Have I not spent enough nights in the bedrooms of suspected Talos worshippers?"

Varis grinned a little, before he sat up and placed his hands and elbows on the table, looking at Salen. "Plus, I spend most of my time in my room, putting theoretical arcana to the test. My studies and calculations take up a great deal of my time. Though, I wonder, are you very keen to study magic? You quite simply dismissed my offer to teach you some. A lesson from a Telvanni is coveted in most places. Especially seeing as how the Psijic order is not very, *Friendly*, with the Dominion?"
Taylor
Salen narrowed his eye as Varis mentioned magic lessons. "I have no doubt you have powerful lessons to teach, Dunmer. The Telvanni are well known for a reason, certainly they rival the Sapiarchs in power. I will not downplay that aspect of your order. However, I would like to keep our interactions to a minimum."

Salen's pose relaxed slightly and he leaned back in his chair. Resting one leg over another as he motioned a hand towards Varis. "I have betrayed my country, my order, and my ideals twice for you already. I do not wish to ingratiate myself with you and your ilk more than I have to. Besides, the Thalmor provides a steady stream of tomes and training to it's agents." 

Salen turned his head as he heard approaching footsteps, the server from earlier came bearing a tray of drink. Salen spared another glance at the menu and simply gestured to the meal he wanted. "Whatever fresh fruit you have as well, please." His tone was civil as he handed the sheet of parchment back to the server and watched him walk away. He turned his attention back to Varis. 

"What the Dominion knows about you is restricted to the amount of gold you throw around and the nobles you speak with the most. You are wise, you keep a clean slate. But you obviously know whose company to keep. The whole, guard giving you access to their prisoners. Unknown to the Thalmor, despite the fact that we keep a sharp eye on what goes on in the prisons."
Mitchell
The Wizard's striking, purple eyes did not leave Salen's, as he listened rather intently to the response. As the response was uttered, Varis only seemed amused as he tilted his head, eyes narrowing a bit. The Altmer continued, with insults to himself, and desires for boundaries. Varis said nothing for a time, especially when the server came over, and took Salen's order, bringing Varis his water. 

The Mage drank from it as Salen finished, and nodded to himself. "I prefer to be a shadow. It's where you get to have the most fun, *And* The most influence."

He nodded as he cleared his throat with a subtle noise, and shrugged his shoulders as he leaned into his seat cushions. "Now, you say you have betrayed your country, your order, and your ideals. Twice, *For me*." Varis allowed himself a smile. A broad one, showing a glimpse of the pearly whites beneath lush lips and a full goatee. "This, I believe, is the wrong way to look at it. How can you betray a nation that shows such little loyalty for you? How can you betray an order that uses you as naught but a tool? In Port Telvannis, we kill, cheat, steal, and destroy one another in broad daylight. And yet, we are all treated better than any Agent of the Dominion I have ever known."

"I don't say that to boast, *This time*, but instead, to offer perspective. You didn't do everything you did *For me*, you did it for yourself. It could have been a Dunmer, an Orsimer, or even, a Khajiit, that invited you into this new mode of life."

Varis watched Salen with a raised eyebrow. "Is it so bad, to choose yourself? Does it weigh so heavily, in the face of everything you have ever been denied by your own kin?"