The Bazaar was as lively as ever in the only way it could be. A few new travelers had come to visit and added their voices to the overhanging wail of complaining about the heat or not getting to enter the city. Sooga's eyes shifted over the visitors. No one was too observant outside the sparse guard. Not that he intended to go and reveal himself so soon. Pire trotted past him and sat by the water, laying her bag beside the rock. Removing her boots and rolling up her pant legs, she dropped her legs into the water.

"Man, walking through the sand sucks…" She sighed. Sooga stood behind her, watching the water glitter with sunlight. He had to squint against the shine.

"You get used to it." He replied.

"Mhm, but having a place like this to relax and cool off is really helpful," Pire said.

"I suppose."

"Sit with me." Pire requested, swinging her legs in the water and looking up at him. She had to rest her head on his legs to not fall over while attempting to look at him. Sooga cocked an eyebrow at her questioningly. He was silent for a bit before taking a seat on the rock beside her. He folded his legs and arms, not meeting her eyes. Pire continued to stir the water while quietly humming. She swayed slightly, her hair grazing Sooga's arm as she did so. It was a sweet, gentle tune unfamiliar to him.

Sooga couldn't help but feel a tad jealous of her ability to relax so easily. Being the second hand to Master Kohga makes it hard to have time to himself. But here he is now, free to take some time to himself before he has to snatch and dash. He doesn't want to, but he knows he has to. If she didn't have any ties to him then maybe there would be a chance. But Master Kohga wouldn't allow it. He couldn't allow it. Why even think of connecting himself, no matter how loosely, to the hero? It would be better for the clan to take her along… maybe her ties could be the perfect ploy? To bait the hero directly to an ambush of grand proportion. Master Kohga is a showman at heart, always making grand entrances.

Sooga's internal rambling was interrupted by a sudden splash to his face. He wiped the moisture off and glared at her halfheartedly. She tried to hide her overwhelming giggles with no success. He planted a hand on her back. The slight lean she made towards him brought some warmth to his chest, but he shrugged it off and pushed her into the oasis. Her sharp yelp was cut short by a loud splash and her sputtering. Some scattered laughs and someone's worried cry for her safety followed shortly after.

"Why?" She barked at him, clinging to the side of the rock where he sat. He didn't reply. Pire huffed and attempted to swing herself back onto land. Sooga cracked the tiniest grin and offered her a hand.

"Man, you bug out and shut off for ages. And then you shove me. How rude." She took it and climbed out of the water with his help. It cooled her off at least, but she still pouted and turned herself away from him. Sooga rolled his eyes and turned his attention elsewhere, finding her bag spilled on his other side and out of her view. He picked it up and glanced back at her. She remained in her exaggerated pout, seeming to do so out of some faux brattiness. No notice, however.

Sooga silently picked the metal contraption out and gently placed the bag back where it was. There was no way he could hide it inconspicuously. His disguise left little room for strange machines. He grimaced.

"Not falling for it, huh?" Pire sighed.

"No. I don't give children attention." He shook his head and stood. Simply getting away and disappearing once behind cover would keep him from blowing cover. Pire scoffed and stood as well. A twitch of agitated worry struck Sooga.

"Fine, potato tomato. I need a post-shoved-in-the-oasis snack." She snatched her bag from the dirt and strode to the cooking pot. Sooga was distracted by her nonsense for a moment but swiftly took the chance to step away. He finally had the machine. Now he could complete the mission and finally return to his primary post. And if he ruins this, he won't have to worry about getting caught. As quickly as he took the turn behind one of the buildings he heard Pire call his name. He couldn't get out of there yet, it would be too suspicious. Instead, he dropped the machine and buried it in the sand. He felt stupid doing it, but he needed just a bit more time. Tonight… he'll finish his mission.

The early dinner Pire prepared was unlike anything Sooga had eaten within the clan. It would be near blasphemous to suggest, but he appreciated a meal's respite from the constant taste of banana. Pire put her things away and leaned against the sandstone wall, scanning the clear sky for the sun's position. Sooga glanced toward the building he hid the goods behind.

"I'm sorry I upset Idri." Pire said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I was kinda rude to her and then you two had a fight. I'm just causing a lot of friction…" Her tone was low as she spoke, heavy with guilt. Sooga furrowed his brow but he couldn't form a response around it.

"You two are close, I don't want to… ruin it." She muttered. A pinch of pain pierced Sooga's chest upon hearing that. Idri being pushed away was honestly the last thing he wanted but he knew it was happening. He just didn't realize how close he was to her. Sooga lowered his head and stared at the sand. He didn't want to chase his friend off. Where are his priorities?

"You won't ruin anything." He reassured her.

"She seemed really jealous though…"

"I'll make it up to her. We'll be able to finish our… errands and head back soon." Sooga had to stop himself from slipping up. He hadn't been so sloppy before. It was beginning to throw him off. Pire leaned on his shoulder and softly sighed. There was something she wasn't telling him. But, then again, there were many things he wasn't telling her.