By afternoon, Velaris had developed another problem.
Food.
Not because there was none.
Because everyone had different amounts of it.
Iris noticed it while walking past one of the garden villas.
A small group of residents had gathered outside one of the entrances, and at the center of the group was a woman holding a packet of instant noodles.
"How much?"
"Two Copper."
"Two? For one?"
"I have to use my own water and fuel."
"Then one Copper."
"One and a half."
"Fine."
Iris slowed to a stop.
She watched the transaction take place.
The woman handed over the packet.
The other resident passed her the agreed amount of Copper.
Both checked what they had received before walking away, apparently satisfied with the exchange.
Iris stared after them.
She had not organized that.
Nobody had asked her to create a market.
There had been no announcement from the Village Center telling people to trade food.
The residents had simply started doing it themselves.
