Hal-Leeus had an energy and enthusiasm that was difficult to contain, as Julan could not get out a word before she took over the conversation with a loud voice and beaming smile. [i]"Your marks! I almost forgot, I didn't really congratulate you. You [b]actually[/b] earned the marks of the Leviathan! I've always dreamed of being able to earn them myself, like my father. You're even stronger than I thought you were. It's really hard to win that kind of a fight, but...my father did it, and you did it. I was just going to do the rite of the predator like everyone else, but now, I think I'm going to try it. I'm going to keep training, and try to earn those marks too."[/i] She explained. There were only a few seconds of silence before she interrupted anything Julan might say with a rather tight hug. 

Kaleeth had, at first, intended to insist on speaking with Julan in private, but now, she was suddenly seeing some merit in allowing her to stay for their talk. As nervous as Kaleeth was about the two of them spending time together, the fact that Julan's temporary sweetheart simply [i]loved[/i] the tattoos he was going to be getting was a fact that Kaleeth found undeniably useful. 

[hr]

Right away, S'nashi leaned over to Fendros with a quick pat on the back. "Oh, don't worry. We won't dwell on it long." She said, grinning. 

Ahnasha could easily recognize that her parents were already becoming invested in the idea of a business deal with Fendros' family. Her father's enthusiasm was easy enough for her to see. She was worried that it would necessitate her parents meeting Rossarm, but she had no real way to interrupt at this point. Shevari, and some of the others, had finished their soup and appetizers, so she went ahead and started to get ready to serve the next course while they were talking. 

"Naturally, I understand. I make decisions [i]with[/i] my wife as well. As for the opportunity, I believe there is a particular market that your wine could fit quite nicely in. As I mentioned before, tariffs for imports into the Dominion are quite high right now, so, of course, the volume of trade has hit a lull. Prices on imported goods are high, and not enough people are buying them for many businesses in the Empire to even bother exporting to begin with. If they lower the price to the point that a large enough volume of people buy it, they don't see the profits as being sufficient enough to warrant the effort, at least in comparison to focusing their attention within the Empire, or to independent provinces. It's the same for wine, and most other markets right now. But, that also means there is currently little competition, in regards to imported wine, within the Dominion right now. I could use my preferred rate on shipping to bring down the transportation cost enough to...partially make up for the tariffs, but that's not the main point. Among the wealthy elite in the Dominion and, well, most other places, there is always a demand for imported luxuries. It would not matter if the absolute best wine in all of Tamriel was made right in their hometown, I'm pretty sure they would still import more expensive bottles just to make sure they have something the commoners don't."

Gwindir paused only to chuckle for a few brief moments. "Perhaps there is not always a demand for Imperial goods due to, um, cultural differences, but you would be exporting quality [i]Elven[/i] wine, which is helpful. With so few competing imports, they would be certain to try your wine. The profits, even with reduced transport costs, would be modest at best at the current point in time. As I said, most Imperial businesses are not bothering with significant exports right now. They are looking at the next year, or the next few years, and seeing that they could make more septims elsewhere. But, we can operate on longer timescales. These tariffs will [i]eventually[/i] go down to some reasonable number. Then, well, their markets will be practically flooded with new imports, wine included. But, you, and your wine, will have already been ready. You will already have your distribution sorted, and already have buyers for your wine. You will already have customers who know that they like your wine. While the other vineyards are competing for attention, you will already have a solid share of the market, prime to expand with. Now, I have no great love for high tariffs, but a silver lining is that they can create the perfect opportunity to to establish that kind of a foothold."