Daydreams And Nightshade (DaN #1)

Chapter 2: Garms of a feline kind

The stall owner cheerfully unhooked a handful of lucky charms from an old fishnet nailed to the wall and brought them forward. Some colorful, some knitted, and some sparkling with funny shapes, there were all kinds of them. The downside was that the owner seemingly didn't speak Wyperan and so found it difficult to explain how they were supposed to work.

This did not stop Luna Hargreaves from buying five of them.

Her eyes couldn't help but glance at the assorted necklaces and purses hanging on the net before turning around, but she decided she had to move on. There were plenty of market stands to go through at South Kerilia's annual festival after all.

Walking closer to the harbor, a breeze rushed through her hair and she irately forced a black lock behind her ear before continuing. A stall owner to the side of her struggled to keep vivid fabrics and scarves from being swept away by said wind, but she couldn't find the motivation to help her out.

A welcome sight suddenly caught her eye and she took a sharp turn, dodging between a seller of animals she'd never seen before and a table with teas and incense in order to get to the desired location.

Reaching a booth near one of the ships her eyes widened in awe at the many bottles and vials. Much like with the charms she had no idea what they did, but she intended to find out.

"My Lady!" A hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder and her gleeful expression quickly fell into dead territory as she placed a bottle down, turning to stare at the unfortunate presence that was her bodyguard.

"Vincent," she acknowledged, dryly, bringing out her seashell-decorated pouch without breaking eye contact. "I was just about to pay."

"But you can't keep running off," Vincent insisted, gaze falling down to the side of her dress. "... And don't you think it's about enough by now? Your pockets are more than full, and I dare say you have no idea what half of these trinkets are."

Luna turned her chin up.

"I wasn't running. I walk as I usually do and I'd expect you to keep up." Then she changed her scowl into a smug look. "And I've actually added pockets! I sewed them into the skirt though and the seams didn't end up great, but it's holding together."

She proceeded to lift up her skirt to look at the inside of her added pockets, noticing the seams had begun to tear in places from the weight of her purchases, but her pride chose to ignore it.

Vincent hurriedly pulled her skirt down again.

"Alright, I get it. Just keep that down"

Luna shrugged, resuming her scanning of the goods.

"There are plenty of layers underneath, you know... Prude." She added the last word under her breath and was content to hear the stall owner chuckle.

"Listen, I— I don't wish to interrupt what you're doing but please stay close to me, my Lady," Vincent continued behind her back but Luna barely paid attention, so he cleared his throat. "Especially since it's... This time of the month."

Luna turned to give him an aghast stare.

"Now who's being inappropriate in public? Besides, no vampires are outside during the day."

"Shifters," Vincent retorted immediately as if offended she hadn't thought about that. "They can move in the sun."

"But coming after my blood during a festival?" Luna waved her hand dismissively. "Anyone has better manners than that."

As always though, Vincent had managed to bring down her mood by reminding her, and she turned the bracelet resembling a holy harmonia around her wrist with a troubled frown.