[Social] Shoring up

[Hayate]

The marketplace was a vibrant explosion of color and sound. Rows of stalls, each adorned with intricate carvings and colorful fabrics, stretched out as far as the eye could see forming an impenetrable maze to those who did not hail from the region. The air was thick with the aroma of spices, grilled meats, and exotic fruits... the aromas some time the best guide to navigating the mayhem that was the market place.

The rhythmic beat of foot steps trembled the ground slightly as people made their way through the narrow and busy streets, moving with grace and fluidity that allowed them to somehow avoid collisions in a managed chaos that was stunning to anyone from Kumogaure- a society that had been very much so founded on order and precision.

With the sun beating down overhead, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets, the market was overlooked by an incredible palace. A shining beacon that Soul Country still stood.

The sound of one merchant, arguing with a young woman melodically filled the air as they spoke in foreign tongues. Behind the young girl was a woman wearing a white robe, the hood covering her face and draping her in secrecy against the prying eyes and rumor mills of the street. The white robe figured shifter their weight, looking about the market and turning their back to the young girl and arguing merchant.

Her hand carefully touched her chin, as she sat in contemplation.

They were having a great deal of trouble in securing certain materials that were required for the research lab nearby, just south of the palace. Mariya had grown frustrated. She had hoped that the people of the capitol would understand they were merely hoping to help the island, but a level of distrust backed by desperation for profit had indeed made things difficult. The distrust, was not misplaced though, given the history between Kumogakure and the people of Soul.

"Let us go- my apprentice" she called out.

[Hayate]

Gang Hua Chihiro had been proud to be back in her own native country where she had been born and raised. This marketplace was among her favourite spectacles in the entire world and one of the few places in which you could activate every single sense you had and feel fulfilled, from the vibrant colors of stalls and signs that lined the crowded streets to the aroma of spices that called out to Chihiro begging her to take just a bite.

Unfortunately though, her ears had been met with the nagging voice of an auntie who had been trying to drive an extremely hard bargain on some metals that Mariya and her had been tasked with bringing back to the R&D wing operations on Soul Country.

"We can give you 20 yuan per ore... but more importantly this ore will be used to strengthen this island. I am a daughter of Soul- the heir to the Gang Hua clan." she said as she attempted one last time to barter where her mastered had failed. Her master, though far her senior and perhaps the brighter mind, was an outsider. Chihiro however was a true child of Soul and someone who had fought on that bloody day in history.

"Please... we're only hoping to build defenses and establish a shipyard for Soul- manned by the people of Soul. The new Empire empowers. A mixture of all the people and culture who represent it- each with representational power but one unified cause." she said, though in the back of her head she had to wonder how true these lofty goals were.

The old lady paused.

"20 yuan and you have a deal." Chihiro turned her gaze to Mariya, who had already turned to walk away. This deal was much more palatable even if it was above what they asked. A marked improvement from the 28 yuan Mariya had been quoted at bulk.

[Hayate]

It had seemed that Miss Chihiro, and her plea to the heart of her countrymen, had been able to seal the deal. The tutelage of Asuka had seemingly rubbed off more than she had initially anticipated. Turning back, and putting an affirming hand on the shoulder of her apprentice, Mariya locked her eyes on the woman and nodded, "You have a deal. 21 yuan at 1000 units. Our foreman will come some time before the end of day to arrange delivery dates.". With a firm squeeze at Chihiro's shoulder, she would turn back to the street.

Once they were an adequate distance away from the ore stall, Mariya would continue to ponder whether things had been moving in the right direction.

We'll still need to arrange some quartz, but I believe we can let someone else from the R&D division handle that. We should instead rather visit the palace. We haven not yet received the blessing to install our defensive systems. Mariya said, peering down to Chihiro.

Chihiro was essential to ensuring a familiar face, a trusted one, told the Palace what the Empire had come to offer as a reward for their continued membership within. There were no string attached, other than Soul remain a member of the Empire. Things had been so precarious though- and in fact, a group calling themselves *The Lotus* had been rumored to be attacking imperial members and defacing bases... that surely the palace had worries about increasing their support to the Empire and appearing weak to their constitutes.

Perhaps though, Mariya had been getting ahead of herself though.