marlowemuses | Diplomacy and Romance

At the exact night and time agreed, Lenore stood waiting for Dracula to open the distance mirror, opening a hole in space for her and her two maidservants to step through. The two maidservants carried her luggage, heavily laden even for a trip of two days. Lenore knew the value of being beautiful and expensive. It was part of both the persona she had crafted and the life she liked to lead. So wherever she went, she had the capacity to look like she belonged in a ballroom.

Once the three of them were safely back in Dracula's castle, the two maidservants trotted off without raising their eyes, not expecting Dracula to take even a moment's notice of them. Lenore looked up at her host with a smile, pleased to be back. She'd had two days in one vampire lord's court and two days in the other, and now she was ready to discuss next steps.

"I have answers, though I do not yet have a plan," she informed him, expecting him to make the decision of whether he wanted to sit her down and hear the details immediately or whether that could wait until later in the night, after he was done with his other tasks.

Night markets or bazaars of their time period had not grown in considerable size, least of all with the looming threat of the Ottoman Empire encroaching on many of the countries nearby. So in order to enjoy time free of the potential of a sweeping conquering war party or spy network, it was best to go elsewhere. Cho had offered suggestions on places to explore in Japan, but he had steered away from the vampire slave markets.

No, he decided on a human night market in Kochi with its blocks of native populous and some foreigners to partake the trinkets and food available. The night sky also had the benefit of being overcast tonight, so the lanterns and torches cast a light that cast long shadows over everyone. Still, the difference in Wallachia and Japanese fashion was terribly apparent.

The streets were lined with vendors on either side of the road, food shops open with aromas to attract potential customers. There was music was traditional instruments and a few children running around laughing and playing games with each other. The child either stared or avoided the tall foreigners in their midst.

They had arrived by travel mirror when the market was said to be at its busiest. He intended to stay as close to dawn as they would be willing to risk it. While he didn't expect any trouble, he had prepared for it. He entered the market tentatively curious of what they may find, and he towered over the Japanese people. Even so, his red eyes dropped to Lenore at his elbow, and he patted her hand gently with his own.

"Cho provided several locations, and these seemed to be the one furthest removed from potential disturbances. What would you like to seek out here, my dear?"

no subject

The Night Market