Looking at it from the distance, Mathew's meeting with the other group turned out to be pretty… turn-based.
The two groups would interact and exchange information and ideas. Then, Mathew would drop an information bomb on them. Following that, the other group would react before the entire process would start all over again.
The silence that ensued after Mathew brought up his proposal was no different from the moments of shock from before. If anything, the silence turned even more intense than before.
"That's…" the leader of the other group brought his hand up and scratched his chin. His eyes escaped to the side. He then pursed his lips and lowered his head, avoiding Mathew's relaxed stare. "I'm sorry, but I cannot decide that on my own," he said. His eyes then looked towards the far end of the shopping alley, as far away from Mathew's face as he could.