"So this is what you do?" Inyoninko glared at Eshuumina. Unfazed, dark blue eyes stared back at her, watching her like a cat watching a mouse. It struck her, for a moment, that Eshuumina did not shy away from her eyes. Iejei hadn't either. "What did they do?"

Eshuumina smiled. With a sweep of her hand, she said "I told the story."

"You told a story," Inyoninko corrected. "How did they embarrass the governor?"

Blue eyes flashed. One long manicured finger pointed at the naked woman. "That's his niece," she said, then she pointed at one of the naked men, "A servant," and the other, "Apprentice."

"What did they do?" 

"Just shut up!" A vegetable flew out of someone's hand. Inyoninko caught it before it could hit one of the naked men. She looked at the perfectly edible vegetable in her hand, a ripe eggplant, and glared at Eshuumina. "Is this what your people do?"

Tension rose in the crowd. The people closest backed away. Even the naked trio in front of Inyoninko started to cower but not Eshuumina. Few people from her group tried to hold their ground and shifted to back her. Their movement caught Inyoninko's attention. They froze. Eshuumina glanced at her followers, then back at Inyoninko. "Don't mind them," she called, "They're only good at following orders." She looked Inyoninko up and down. They stared at one another.

"Wait!" Both looked over as the crowd parted, letting Iejei through. She was followed by Uuzhit and Asakay who moved to either side of Inyoninko. Huddling close to Eshuumina, Iejei looked frantic as she whispered in the other woman's ear. When Eshuumina leaned away, she looked annoyed. Seeing it, Uuzhit leaned towards Inyoninko and Asakay. "Only she can get away with that."

Asakay opened his mouth to speak but Inyoninko pinched his side.

"Get away with?" Inyoninko looked down at the three naked individuals. As she shifted forward, Uuzhit stopped her. She glared at him. He gazed back, a silent suggestion not to, but as her glare darkened, his hand fell and he stepped aside. "Asakay."

As Inyoninko helped the three up, Asakay collected their clothes and handed it to them. Uuzhit, Inyoninko and Asakay stood in front of them as they dressed. Once dressed, Inyoninko told them to leave but they looked over at Eshuumina who was glaring at them, dissatisfied. She glanced over them. With a tilt of her head, she waved them off. The three ran and the crowd chased after them, screaming.

Inyoninko tried to follow but Uuzhit held fast to her and seeing the mass of people, Asakay held onto her too. She turned on Asakay, searching his dark eyes. His eyes pleaded with her. He was scared. Inyoninko relaxed her stance. Uuzhit and Asakay released her. Looking over, they faced Eshuumina.

The two women that had been at Eshuumina's flanks before were the only two from the whole crowd that remained. It was the four women and the three outsiders.

"Why did you do that?"

Eshuumina rolled her eyes. "They were being punished. For embarrassing the governor."

Inyoninko's eyes narrowed. "On who's authority?"

"The governor's."

She raised her head, eyes wide, surprised, and looked to Iejei who stood beside Eshuumina, turned towards her friend, shoulders hunched, holding herself. Realizing the way Iejei was standing, Inyoninko wondered what she was scared of. "The governor." Iejei stared back at her. In the blue of Iejei's eyes, Inyoninko saw that it was true. She inclined her head towards Uuzhit. He affirmed it. Rage coursed through her. Confused, she clenched her jaw and stared at the floor, trying to understand, but all she saw was the crowd throwing the food at the three naked individuals, the crying, the shouting, the laughing. She spun away, grabbing Asakay and dragging him after her. Uuzhit followed. She could feel Asakay looking at Uuzhit.

They left the lobby, heading to one of the spiraling glass staircases. Inyoninko led them down. Neither Asakay nor Uuzhit could speak. In her head, Inyoninko was mapping the campus, searching for some place, a space to be hidden. The whole oratorium was made of glass and steel. The vast majority of buildings in this city of Hamuu ama orlamorl were made of glass and steel. Even the governor's mansion had consisted mostly of thick tinted glass. Frustrated, Inyoninko led their way into one of the tunnels leading to the lanes. Then she spun around and punched Asakay square in the face, sending him flying back. A big bruise formed across his eye and cheek but he was not out. He stood and they fought.