Black Nights [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

The black market was an actual market, though many would have laughed at the idea of such a place existing. It was not easy to find, of course, since it moved about. Not all of its wares were illegal, and some would even wonder why such things were being sold in the black market. Dried herbs, for example, and powdered bones. Some were used by aspiring witches, and others were used by Chinese immigrants in their cures.


“What are we doing here?”


One silver-eyed man looked dreadfully exasperated as he stepped into the market alongside his female companion.


“We are browsing,” the woman answered as she walked over to one of the booths with books. The man groaned, looked over the titles and realized he couldn’t read a single one. Latin.


“Can you even read that?” He knew she could read Latin, but it looked to be ecclesiastical Latin. He’d heard her vent over the differences in pronunciation before.


“Yes,” she answered, placing one leather bound tome over another, her blue eyes skimming the titles.


“Are you looking for something in particular, miss?” The old man who had set up shop asked. “I did not bring all of my wares, you know, but if there is something that would interest you….”


“No,” she answered, speaking softly. She was looking for things in particular. Unlike Victor and Valerian, the woman was always searching for one answer in particular—the beginning of vampirism. The start of it all. Damia imagined it would take her to answers and truths about the world she resided in. “Nothing in particular,” nothing caught her interest here and so she lifted her eyes to the man.


He was blind, she realized when her eyes fell upon him. How strange that he was selling books. “Come, Val,” she made a motion and walked off from the stall.


“We’re going to be recognized,” he grumbled as he followed after her, brushing a hand through his brown hair as if altering the style might prevent that. The amusing thing was that he was wearing a traveler’s cloak, with a hood, but refused to wear the black hood. His companion wasn’t so subtle. Anyone who looked upon the dark gown would know she was nobility, if the sapphire in her choker didn’t give away that she was of the upper class.


“And we’ll have blackmail on whoever sees us,” she noted calmly, paused, “What has you so vexed? Did you have plans tonight?”


“No, but—”


“Then come on,” she added, “If you’re hungry, we’ll get food,” Valerian tended to get moody when he was hungry.


In fact, he perked at the thought and quickly followed after her. “From here?” He inquired, then sounding hesitant. “That might not be wise….” These people were bound to understand better.


Damia didn’t answer his query, but walked on. There was always a place for the enthusiasts of the market to mingle and discuss where the market would be next time, and who might host it. Sometimes it did take place at someone’s home, but more commonly, the ‘host’ paid off the police to not monitor a certain area.

 

[Kirite]

A young man stood inbetween the counters of a stall. He was of average height. His most visible clothing consisted of a charcoal over-frock coat of wool. It gave him a pretty nondescript look. A deliberate choice by him in this area. Rare strawberry blond hair brushed at his shoulders as he lightly shook his head, sidestepping to inspect another section of the wares.


His hand smoothed over some fabrics, to feel its textures, but came to a still as his ears picked up on something of interest. Eavesdropping was a most terrible habit but he couldn't help it. Attending seminars on a regular basis over the years, he had grown accustomed to mere whispers.


He's caught off guard by not only did he pick up on blackmail, it's a womans voice that spoke of it. Surprised, he raised his head without thinking. He could easily spot them. The market wasn't that crowded and was well lit with lanterns. The woman in question and her companion were headed down the road that pass by the stall.


He found her to be tall and imposing. The open flaunt of her noble stature told him that people better keep out of her business. However, he was content with quiet admiration. Her exquisite looks would usually draw him in like a moth to the flames.. His lips formed into a soft smile. He very much approved of her. Sapphires were his favourite gemstone.


He realised that if he could tell this about her necklace they were uncomfortably close. He downcast his eyes, hastily occupying himself with textiles. He could now easily overhear them whether he wanted to or not. 'That might not be wise..' He found the mans words oddly befitting the thought of his, striking at his conscience.


He was here for reason. A most innocuous reason. He'd better not flirt with the darker side of society. He prayed that they'd simply pass him by.

 

[Lucyfer]

The strawberry blonde hair was noticeable enough to look towards. The lights played on it in a way to highlight the hues, and Damia arched an eyebrow. The name was on the tip of her tongue, but didn’t manifest in her throat. ‘Noble, then.’ Had to be, though nothing gave it away about him.


Then again, few were ever as bold as her in this department.


Few understood the benefits of such boldness. Appearing as if you could not be intimidated, often made it the truth.


It was Valerian who recognized him by name, for he knew the man’s father a bit better. Valerian played more at blending into society, so he tried to attend church now and then, even though Damia joked about having no desire to take advice from someone younger than her—referring, always, to Jesus. She liked to joke that she was older than Jesus, when they were alone.


That made their sire even older.


Damia walked by him without a thought and into the makeshift tavern with the candles set up on each table. Valerian raised an eyebrow at her, still not finding this idea wise, but Damia smiled, and then walked off from him to join a group in a discussion over a text. She joined it easily—she could always work herself into a discussion on texts, considering all the languages she knew.


Valerian huffed and walked to the bar counter proper to figure out how to scout a meal here that wouldn’t know what he was when all was said and done.