Nak patiently allowed TC to find her a place to set up. She unfolded her table and made a small shop for herself, laying out the birds carefully as he spat mild insults at some of the others around. He said he'd need a few moments, and she was amenable to having some time to watch the crowd. People of all types bustled about. There were races around that Nakreyya had never seen before - though some she had. To her great relief, Anzu garnered a few looks, but no outward hostility or exceptional interest. 

"This reminds me of the bazaar back home, Anzu," Nakreyya said to her steed. The horse looked up, and gave her a mildly unimpressed expression. "I know, you're not much for crowds, but if you want to eat more steadily, we'll need coin - and if I trust nothing else, I trust that TC will want to settle us in the most profitable location, meaning here." 

The horse let out a mild snort, and settled himself down behind the makeshift stall. Nakreyya had just wound one of the birds up and set it singing on the table before her when she heard TC's voice call out from behind her. She turned slowly as he spoke. 

"Well whatta we gotta ovah here! Are these the Avian Artifices that are all the rage in New Bastion! Why, all the nobility and well to do as far as the Western Sea are clamoring about these birds. Humble saleswoman, please tell me the no doubt outlandish price these beauties will cost me," he said, indicating to Nak. Her jaw fell open slightly, though no sound came out. He continued. "Why by the gods! That is a flabbergastingly low price for such a coveted and prized item that would certainly become any families treasured heirloom. I will leave at once and return with gold in great store to be purchasing the whole stock so that these mere peasents won't be able to enjoy such otherworldly craftsmanship!"

"[i]Antolle ulua sulrim,[/i]" Nakreyya swore under her breath in her native language. She wasn't often for swearing, but it was appropriate in this instance, and no one would understand her anyway. 

Then TC beamed her a huge grin, and Nak smiled back, bowing lightly as if suitably complimented by his words. In her life before, she had learned the value of 'playing along', and she was not going to stare this gift horse in the mouth, no matter if it smelled of the other end. She had asked for his help after all, and he was every bit the swindler she expected him to be. Though, she saw the true enjoyment in his eyes from this farce. Perhaps it was less about the money, and more about the theater. 

Nakreyya didn't have much time to think on it, a woman wearing clothing of some craftsmanship came by a moment later, pretending to be disinterested, yet eyeing the birds. Nakreyya inclined her head and swept a hand up to her heart, than forward in a traditional greeting of her people. "Sun light your path, may it guide you to blessings. May I answer any inquiries you might have?" 

"These are the birds coveted in New Bastion?" The woman looked over at Nakreyya, studying her, as if trying to read truth from Nakreyya's perfectly masked expression. 

"So it is said," Nakreyya said, skirting the edges of a lie. "A gentleman came by earlier and offered to purchase the lot." 

"I see... would you be willing to part with one before he returns?" 

"We did not bind a purchase to numbers. Until he returns, they are for sale," she said, offering a quiet smile. 

"How much are they?" 

"I told him a gold per bird," Nakreyya waited until the woman was looking at the birds again, and then surreptitiously looked over to TC to see if the price was too high or too low. If he shot her a hand gesture in any direction, that would alter her next barter with the woman. 

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