[ Pepper is rather impressed by Tony's mastery of the animal and the seeming effortlessness by which he guides them through the crowded streets until the marketplace is left in their rearview. The increased speed jostles the horse and by extension, them-- disinclined to risk falling off, Pepper slides one arm more fully around Tony's middle to hold on firmly. ]

I see. Does the Temple provide lodgings and amenities in exchange for labor, then?

[ Yes, tell her more about the economics and the financial structure, this is her jam!! She's taking this whole thing in general pretty well, though. Pepper wonders absently if she's still in some sort of shock over everything that's happened lately. Once they leave Kyst proper, she can't help but marvel at the unspoiled scenery that spreads all around them. No polluting factories, skyscrapers, clouds of smog or multi-lane highways. Just war, she reminds herself. ]

It's beautiful here, though. [ More quietly: ] War or no.