[color=lightsalmon][b]”So, this is the marketplace, as I’m sure you’ve guessed by now,”[/b][/color] Jair said, gesturing widely at the mass of people before them.  [color=lightsalmon][b]”It’s pretty much the center of the city, which makes it a nice landmark if you end up getting turned around in the alleys or something.”[/b][/color]  Soli nodded periodically to indicate to her guide that she was listening, trying hard to ignore the sense of awe that filled her at seeing so many people in one place.

[color=lightsalmon][b]”The front gate, are that way, but that’s about it.  So we’re not going to waste our time heading there,”[/b][/color] Jair continued, pointing to their right as they stood in the entrance of the alleyway they had been in.  He gave Soli a few more moments to take in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace before he began leading the way towards their left, making sure to keep to the perimeter of the plaza.  After walking a bit, the buildings that formed the perimeter parted to reveal a broad roadway that was somewhat less crowded than the plaza behind them.

Without hesitating, Jair began walking down the road.  [color=lightsalmon][b]”Up this way is the richer part of the city.  It’s where the King’s palace and the houses of the rich people are located,[/b][/color] he said as they walked, dodging the occasional passersby.  [color=lightsalmon][b]”Obviously, the people who live in this part of the city won’t tolerate people like us hanging around for very long, but we might be able to see the palace before we have to leave.”[/b][/color]

[color=limegreen][b]”Like us?”[/b][/color] Soli asked, redirecting her attention to her guide and frowning slightly in confusion.

[color=lightsalmon][b]”Yeah, y’know, street rats, urchins, or whatever else you want to call us.  Kids on their own with no one to rely on but each other,”[/b][/color] he replied with a shrug, not entirely surprised that Soli hadn’t known what he had meant.  Though he didn’t know her story, and knew better than to ask, it was likely that she hadn’t been an urchin for very long.  And even if she had been, the city had a tendency to treat the members of the lower class a bit differently than in the other towns in the empire.

[color=limegreen][b]”Oh, okay.  I get it now,”[/b][/color] Soli responded, keeping close to Jair as he started weaving through the crowd of people.  After a few moments of dodging people who seemed either didn’t see her or couldn’t be bothered to look where they were going, Soli emerged from the crowd into a space that was pretty clear of people, stepping over to stand next to Jair.  The road continued on through a gate that was being monitored by stern-faced guards that didn’t seem to be too happy with their presence.  Following Jair’s finger as he pointed, Soli could make out the palace in the distance beyond the gate, the beautiful structure gleaming brightly in the sun.

After Soli had taken in the view for a few moments, Jair grabbed her arm gently and began leading her away, saying [color=lightsalmon][b]”We should probably get out of here soon.  Those guards aren’t going to let us stick around for much longer.  And trust me, you do [i]not[/i] want to deal with the guards.  They aren’t afraid to be a little… rough.”[/b][/color]  Nodding, Soli allowed him to lead her down a side street that connected with the main roadway.

[color=lightsalmon][b]”There’s not really all that much more to show you that’s all that interesting.  It’s mostly just shops and homes,”[/b][/color] Jair explained as they walked out of the upper-class section of the city, the buildings becoming noticeably less ornate and fanciful.  [color=lightsalmon][b]”But, I figured that I’d introduce you to my friends and show you where we crash.”[/b][/color]  

Soli nodded to show that she understood, feeling that it couldn’t hurt to meet some other people.  Heck, it could even help her remain in cover by giving helping her blend into the city.  She wouldn’t just be a new face anymore, but a street urchin.  While it wasn’t really an upgrade in terms of lifestyle, with the way that the people of the city looked down upon those of the lower class, of which she was now a part, it was unlikely that anyone would be investigating her closely enough to determine that something about her story didn’t quite add up.

The rest of the walk passed by relatively quickly, though Jair still made sure to point out the shops that he thought were cool as they passed them.  Their destination, as it turned out, was a small building that looked virtually identical to the others in the area, apart from the fact that it was clearly abandoned and in need of repair.  After pausing for a moment to let Soli take it in, Jair lead the way up the narrow, cracked set of stairs to the entrance of the building.  Procuring a key from somewhere, he opened the door and slipped inside, gently pulling Soli along.  Once they were both inside, he closed the door and locked it again.

It was clear almost immediately that the building had been a shop at one point, with counters and shelves that were used to display products taking up the majority of the space in the room that they had entered.  The shelves and counters themselves were empty apart from a few odds and ends that more than likely belonged to Jair and his friends, leaving no hint as to what had been stocked in the store before it had been abandoned.  All in all, however, the interior was in significantly better shape than the exterior, with only the fading and chipping of the paint on the wall to indicate that the fact that the building was in disrepair.

[color=aqua][b]”Hey, Jair,”[/b][/color] a blonde-haired girl said as she stepped into the room from one of the doors towards the back, another boy following shortly.  Both of them stopped in their tracks when they noticed Soli’s presence, directing a questioning glance towards her guide.  [color=aqua][b]”Who’s this?  You know that the gangs won’t like it if it looks like we’re ‘recruiting.’”[/b][/color] the girl continued, folding her arms across her chest.  The boy that had had followed her into the room nodded along with what the girl was saying, though he didn’t speak up himself.

[color=lightsalmon][b]”I know, Yulia, I know,”[/b][/color] Jair replied defensively, raising his hands as he stepped forward.  [color=lightsalmon][b]”But you couldn’t expect me to leave her all alone out there.  Especially not when she appeared out of thin air right in front of me after she nearly knocked me over.”[/b][/color]  The girl known as Yulia rolled her eyes, clearly not believing that Jair was telling the truth about their encounter.

[color=goldenrod][b]”Is he telling the truth, kid?”[/b][/color] the boy said suddenly, cutting of Yulia.  After a moment’s hesitation, Soli nodded.  [color=goldenrod][b]”Can you show us then?”[/b][/color]

[color=limegreen][b]”I’ll try,”[/b][/color] she replied with a shrug.  Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused, attempting to grasp the threads of natural energy that surrounded them all.  Still somewhat attuned to the hum of the energy around her from earlier that day, it didn’t take quite as long for Soli to grab ahold of enough strands to weave into the invisibility spell and make herself vanish from view.

[color=aqua][b]”How the…![/b][/color] Yulia exclaimed with a gasp as Soli shimmered and disappeared.  A short poke in the leg startled her and caused her to jump a little while Soli reappeared a little to the left of where she had been standing, giggling a bit.  [color=aqua][b]”You little-”[/b][/color] Yulia started to say before she was cut off by the other boy.

[color=goldenrod][b]”Well, I’m convinced,”[/b][/color] he said, nodding once.  [color=goldenrod][b]”I say she can stay.  What about you, Yulia?”[/b][/color]

After a few moments, Yulia nodded.  [color=aqua][b]”I guess I’ll show you around since you’ll be sleeping with me,”[/b][/color] she said, motioning Soli to follow as she went through the doorway by which she had entered the room in the first place.  Obediently, Soli followed after.