[center][h2]A Business Opportunity[/h2][/center] [hr] As the fireworks burst and echoed across the teeming masses of the vast herd of folk that had congregated, Yazju hummed a bizarre tune of his home. He was almost unable to notice the gaiety and pops of the blackpowder toys, as he was very single minded in short spurts. Every once in awhile, he would look up in awe, mouth opening as he hissed in delight. But ever were his eyes on his stock, wary of pickpockets like a mother hen watchful of predators threatening her clutch. More than that, he wanted to be as attentive to any passerby that was interested in his wares as a Zauri could be. A few had shown delight at his varied array of Omamori. He had spent many long hours carving them and granting them what blessings he knew to grant. One line of talismans depicted a plump elephant sitting up like a dog, and another line were shaped into a rotund but happy medicine woman who's likeness Yazju had seen once during his travels. He had accrued the wood to carve a dozen lions with the great demonic faces of the Yongcun Imperial Lion statues placed around the city. Lastly, he had wrought twenty small idols of Runiq, meticulously chipping at them until they were as smooth as marble, for he felt the great dragon watched his work. After the initial few looks, and two purchases, no one else had so much as nibbled. A few had looked at his presence with concern, but he did not try and speak or gather more of their attention. Yazju had learned that was a losing proposition. Many were intimidated by his great form, though he did not understand why beyond his strangeness. He did not judge them for their stubby legs and tenuous builds, not to mention the lack of a tail! No, he did not. In fact, he felt a kinship with the people of this vast land. They made merry in the streets, cavorting and dancing and talking, the worries of the day draining from their minds. They were curious of the world, like Yazju. Here, at the edge of the world, one could be whatever they wished if they but worked at it. Yazju watched the crowds of people with a tilted head when he was not fidgeting with his knickknacks, the items in question having been arrayed on a small table at the corner of a street connected to the grand square where all awaited the sovereign emperor to make an appearance. A school of citizens passed by his small stall like the stream of a current through the ocean. A few of them stopped and spoke in hushed whispers, pointing at Yazju and a couple dark eyes examined his Omamori. Patiently he watched them, trying not to seem too eager. Luckily, his facial muscles were not so pronounced as to be noticed by the human eye. Five stepped up to his small corner, three men and two women. Behind the skirts of the latter, a small human poked their head out and looked at Yazju with curiosity. The group looked like laborers from outside the walls, or perhaps in a factory from within the capital. "How much for one?" The first man asked, making his mustache wiggle like a caterpillar. "Are they different prices?" The woman with the child asked, reaching down to take the hand of her offspring. The sight made Yazju miss his family back home. He pushed the thought away and stood up from where he sat. The people retreated in surprise, Yazju's heart stopping for a moment when he thought he had lost them. It also revealed the Dao and Wakizashi he had stashed behind his seat. Just before he knew they would run from him, he reached out and said. "Half price today!" That had been a lie, but one he now made truth. If Yazju was honest, he simply wanted to sell his blessed talismans, large sums of money optional. The small exchange only garnered him a pitiful tally, but as he saw the little human walk away clutching her new Runiq Omamori, his tail wiggled in joy. Even still, he suddenly had the sense he was forgetting something, or was it someone? Wait, yes! Where was Fujiko? He had not seen her all day. He could not wait to tell her about the sale! He sibilated with excitement. He felt she would be proud of him.