marlowemuses | Diplomacy and Romance

She glanced up at him in return, giving him a pleased, contented smile, enjoying his presence. This was all she wanted from him, within the guidelines that they'd discussed. His company, his protection, and the freedom to explore more of the world. It was wonderful, and she wanted nothing more. She couldn't imagine anything else in the world to want, though the thought brought Carmilla's face to her mind. Carmilla always seemed to be able to find more things to want, and Lenore worried when that would stop. Perhaps it was a desire that would always grow to press against its boundaries, and always want to grow a little more beyond.

That was half a world away, left behind with their other problems. For now, there was nothing on this side of the world more important than shopping for hair pins.

She remained close against Dracula's side, always following his lead. At most, she pointed to draw his attention to where she wanted to go, and then let him set trajectory and pace through the crowded market. It was an instinct for safety rather than out of submission--her mind balked at the prospect of taking even a step away from the shelter of his presence.

Browsing through a display of beautifully carven combs, Lenore tried a few of them against her hair, deciding how she liked the color against the red locks. She drew a handful of curls forward in order to do this, simply assuming that there was no available mirror, since the vendor had none to hand. "What do you think?" Lenore asked, modeling a comb carved from a wood so dark as to be almost black.

Dracula stood heads taller than everyone here, and it was made worse by the fact that this was a distinctly short population in compared to many Europeans. It allowed him a good vantage point to spot signs of danger, but more so, he was keen to find wares and fabrics that might suit Lenore's interest. This trip was to allow her the freedom that she desired, the kind that her sister queens could not so easily provide.

He noted her moving step with him, still at his arm but never for a moment did he have the impression that this was her submitting. If anything, a small tug or a point from her, and it was his attention that shifted to regard what had caught her interest. When he moved, he parted the crowded market populous without effort. Most gawked at the pair of them, so foreign, so pale and pure.

He leaned down to look at the combs of various colours and carvings. He tapped a long nail on one of them, testing their sturdiness and their paint quality. He was impressed and he watched as she decided on which one interested her tastes most of all. "Hmm, in this light, it doesn't gleam as I expect it would in castle lights, but it suits you. The white accent paint is a fine display against your red hair."

Lenore smiled at his comment, pleased to imagine it in the castle lights. She liked the thought of him admiring it there and remembering their trip here together. "This one, then. Please. Do you have money they'll accept here?"

She expects that he's planned ahead for that. She might be able to make do with the Styrian coins in her purse, which are at least gold and copper and thus possibly acceptable purely for their metal value, but she trusts him to have an easier solution, and expects that he'll probably spoil her a little with their purchases on this excursion.

It was easy for him to admire the look of such a comb in her hair given his towering height. When it seemed that she had made a decision - and he expected it wouldn't be the only one - he reached into the folds of his cloak to produce a small coin purse. He offered it to her to make the purchase. "We can thank Cho for her contributions to our enjoyment."

Gold would be a common currency, but he had made certain to have Japanese Yen. The coins were different from those pressed in Wallachia, so of course he had wanted to see it, to touch it and consider its metal mix.

Diplomacy and Romance

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