2024.10.29:Midnight Musings/Text

Midnight Market - Plaza(#7896RM)

Stepping through the door feels like entering another world-a realm that exists just on the edge of reality. The entrance leads you into a tunnel of graffiti-covered brick, the art swirling with hidden meanings and symbols only a few might recognize. Rusted metal pipes snake along the ceiling, dripping occasionally into small, stagnant pools, and the faint hum of the city fades behind you. As you move deeper, the muffled sounds of the world above are swallowed by the pulse of low, rhythmic beats. The air grows thick with the scent of rain-soaked stone, oil, and a hint of something more exotic, while the soft, insistent thrum of distant music seems to echo with a life of its own.

Around the edges of the plaza, the true heartbeat of the Midnight Market unfolds. Vendors, their faces hidden beneath dark hoods or wide-brimmed hats, stand behind stalls filled with arcane trinkets, mysterious relics, and forbidden tomes. The merchandise is as varied as it is dangerous-shelves of bottled moonlight, blood-stained knives, and amulets that thrum with barely-contained energy. A dealer leans in close to a potential buyer, their words barely a whisper, while nearby, someone tries to outbid another for a small vial of something glowing faintly in the darkness. Coins change hands, but so do promises, contracts, and favors-currency that holds far greater value than gold here.

Everywhere, there's the sense that this world operates on a delicate balance of shadows and silence. Deals made here could reshape fates, ruin lives, or save them-but only if you play your cards right and keep your secrets close. This is the beating heart of the Midnight Market: a place where the rules of the outside world fall away, and only the whispers of the night matter.

+Views and Places used here

The Midnight Market was in full transformation mode tonight, tucked away in an old, unused rail yard at the edge of the city. The air was thick with the smell of incense, burnt sage, and the faint metallic tang from the railroad tracks. Under a sprawling metal awning, Tyler stood near a few pop-up stalls, hands tucked into his coat pockets as he observed the flurry of activity around him. Merchants were arranging their wares, unfolding tables, and spreading out trinkets, books, and vials of all sorts under the yellowed, flickering light of old lamps.

Just a little ways down, Mr. Kim's noodle truck was nearly set up, its small neon "Open" sign already glowing in the encroaching twilight. Tyler watched as Mr. Kim arranged a few laminated signs along the counter, prepping his small arsenal of ingredients with the efficiency of a craftsman, his trusty kimchi jars stacked high beside the steaming noodles and a collection of broths simmering in silver containers. Mr. Kim shot a nod and quick wave in Tyler's direction, a smile lighting his face as he tossed the last ingredient into a pot.

All around, the hum of hushed conversations and quiet chuckles grew as more vendors finished setting up, ready to swap wares or secrets. Tyler could feel the anticipation in the air-tonight's market was bound to be lively.

Suddenly, near a stack of boxes, cases, and associate parephenalia, there is a disturbance. Boxes get knocked over, a couple of pans are knocked to the ground, and mistiness is swooshed about. The cause, it seems, is the sudden appearance of something Lorna-shaped next to the knocked over gubbins. And alongside that, a dog that could do a passable impersonation of a pony given how huge it is. Lorna winces, and starts trying to pick boxes up, making mumbling reassurance and apology sounds. The dog does not. It just steps out into the open space and looks about very critically. This is helped no end by the fact it is wearing a tassled smoking cap and a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles. Clearly, this is not a normal... anything

Tyler's eyes snapped toward the sudden commotion, brows arching as he took in the scene unfolding near Mr. Kim's setup. A mountain of boxes was scattered about, and at its center was Lorna, dusting herself off with hurried apologies that did little to repair the cascade of pans and supplies at her feet. Beside her, however, was the true spectacle.

With a bemused smile tugging at his lips, Tyler stepped closer, stooping down to help Lorna gather the scattered boxes and pans. "It looks like you made quite an entrance," he said softly, handing her a particularly delicate box that had thankfully avoided the worst of the fall. His gaze flicked to the dog, who continued to monitor their progress with all the gravitas of an ancient magistrate. "Friend of yours?" he asked, tone as casual as one could manage when inquiring about a dog that dressed better than most humans.

"Yes, sorry about that, my aim was off by about three yards. I clearly do need more practice. But I didn't want to be seen coming in here in case it gave away the location to any of the curious normies." Lorna sighed and continued to pick up the mess. "I'm Lorna Otterington, of the Otterington Otteringtons. And..." She was interrupted by the dog however, who simply sniffed and looked around with a rather superior expression. "I'm only a friend when she pays ATTENTION to her STUDIES!" It has a rich, very sarcasting British accent. A talking dog. How nice. "Almost ended up with a wok where her arse should be. And then what would she sit on? For that matter what would this poor fellow COOK on? I don't want to know, I really don't!"

Tyler blinked, glancing between Lorna and the dog, trying his best not to laugh as the dog's voice-rich and dripping with sarcasm-filled the air. "Well," he murmured, setting down the last box, "I'm certainly grateful you're both in one piece, wok-free and otherwise."

Looking down at the dog, he added with a wry smile, "And I assure you, sir, Mr. Kim here would be quite lost without his cookware in prime condition." Mr. Kim, who was side-eyeing the talking dog with as much skepticism as curiosity, simply grunted and shook his head, muttering something under his breath about "proper manners."

Straightening up, Tyler extended a hand to Lorna. "Tyler. Good to meet you, Lorna," he said, hiding his amusement. He nodded toward the dog, a spark of fascination in his eyes. "And your? instructor here. I can see why you'd want to keep the arrival low-profile." He gave a knowing nod toward the market, which had quieted, with only a few vendors still stealing glances at Lorna and her "chaperone."

Turning back to her with a slight grin, he added, "If you're here for the Midnight Market, you've come to the right place. Just be mindful of Mr. Kim's setup. He guards those woks like they're part of his family."

Lorna shakes the hand vigorously, then climbs over a box of some mysterious pre-packaged oriental ingredient. She dusts herself down and grins. "I'll keep that in mind. No maligning the woks. And his name is Cain." She nods at the dog. "Actually it isn't, but he won't tell anybody his name, so i call him Cain. Short for Cainine. See?" The dog sniffs again. "And yes, I am her instructor. You see I must have committed some sort of atrocity like genocide in a former life and am now saddled with the penance of looking after a yokel with a fat arse." He went there. Nice.

Tyler let out a snort that quickly turned into a laugh, covering his mouth as he tried to pull himself together. "Cain. Cainine," he repeated, amused, glancing at the dog. "Well, I suppose that's as fitting a name as any, given the? penance. Though with that attitude, I'd bet you two get along famously."

Shaking his head in good-natured exasperation, Tyler extended a welcoming hand toward the inner stalls. "Well, Lorna, Cain, welcome to the heart of the Midnight Market. Most folks here have been around enough strange things that no one will blink twice at a talking dog. But if anyone does, they'll have to answer to Mr. Kim," he added, nodding to the vendor, who looked down at Cain with something like bemused resignation.

Mr. Kim gave a respectful nod to Cain, leaning over to Lorna with a wink. "You treat him well," he murmured, eyes twinkling. "Honor among instructors. Even the fur-covered ones."

Lorna rolls her eyes. "He is obsessed with insulting my backside. I think he's been in America too long, it's ass this, ass that, ass the other in this country." She takes out a kielbasa from her jacket and waves it at the dog. "Just be nice and you can have this!" Cain, of course, rolls his eyes. "I am a spirit of intellect, countless millenia old, gifted with arcane knowledge the likes of which humanity cannot even comprehend, and you think you can bribe me with a SAUSAGE?"

Lorna wiggles the kielbasa. "He's been my best friend since I was twelve years old. He's all talk, a real softy really. And i've seen places like this before, but only in spots that are remote, and known for their connection to mysterious lore. I never expected to see one in a typical US town. Must have taken something big to get everyone to agree to do it."

Cain snorts with disdain. And then takes the sausage. Pride is one thing, but a sausage is a sausage!

Tyler adjusted his glasses, hiding a smirk as he observed the exchange between Lorna and Cain. "I'd say a millennia-old intellect appreciating a good sausage makes him rather? worldly. Can't fault anyone for appreciating the finer things, right?"

Watching Cain begrudgingly accept the kielbasa, Tyler chuckled. "And he does it with such dignity, too. An impressive mastery of balance between pride and pragmatism. Though I think you may have just revealed his Achilles' heel."

He glanced back at Lorna with curiosity. "As for the Market here-it's true, it's not exactly a European crossroads or a desert temple, but perhaps that's the genius of it. Being tucked in the usual means the unusual thrives. But, then, I'm always learning something new from this place." He gave a thoughtful nod toward the hum of the bustling market around them. "It's quite a blend of lore and practicality. Like, well? Cain and his sausage."

Lorna grins "Oh, sausage is not his weakness. Just don't give him onion rings, that's all I am saying. He's a spirit. He doesn't even need to EAT food, but when he decides to eat onions, the whole apartment reeks of toxic flatulence for two days. He must do it on purpose. Or there's an ancient gypsy onion curse on him." She starts to amble around the stalls slowly. "I admit, this is going to be a godsend for me. I usually have to ask my family to scrounge up anything strange and send it over from Yorkshire. They're very good at sending cheese and jam, not so much at eye of newt."

Cain narrows eyes, sausage dangling from his mouth. He looks like a bizarre doggy Clint Eastwood. All he needs is a poncho. But no speech. He is refined, and a gentleman never talks with food in his mouth!

Tyler shook his head, biting back a laugh. "An onion curse? That would be a new one on me, but I'd put nothing past him." He glanced at Cain, who looked for all the world like a mystic gunslinger sizing up his next incantation. "You know, it's rare to see such restraint. There are dogs who would inhale a sausage without a second thought, but clearly, Cain is one of refined sensibilities."

He paced alongside Lorna, nodding thoughtfully. "And yes, I'd imagine this is more accommodating than Yorkshire," he agreed. "Though I can't imagine your family was thrilled at the 'eye of newt' request-must have been a bit of a shock for the local butcher. At least here, it's as casual as asking for milk or flour." He gestured toward a nearby stall with dried herbs and crystals displayed in neat rows. "In fact, we may have better luck finding it here than an actual eye of newt. Just be cautious of pickled rat spleen. It's potent but? smells as delightful as you'd imagine."

Lorna suddenly grins, wolfishly "Oh, i can get hold of as much rat spleen as I could possibly ever need, quite easily. Rats are a very important thing to my family. Consider them something of a spirit guide. but I take your point. I might even have to make up a shoping list next time. I have friends who would want things but who can't easily come here. Might even get a commission. What made you come up with the idea for this place?"

Cain mutters something unintelligible, and GRONF!!! sausage is eaten

Tyler raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "Rats as spirit guides? That's... refreshingly practical. Resilient creatures, highly adaptable-they'd make excellent guides through the less savory shadows." He chuckled, leaning against the noodle truck as Cain dispatched the sausage with an impressively dignified GRONF.

At her question, he glanced around at the motley array of stalls and patrons. "The Market wasn't really my idea. It's been around for ages, though the locals only know of it in fragments, if at all. It's a place that's always moving and adapting-half of the mystique, really. Think of it like a compass for seekers of lost knowledge, pulling them toward it each month like a magnetic field." He grinned. "Personally, I was drawn by the knowledge as much as the mystery. The place changes its location, its people, and even some of its stalls each time it opens, as if it has a mind of its own."

He looked at Lorna, his expression almost conspiratorial. "And the chance to see some of the city's most unusual characters? Well, that's reason enough to be here."

Lorna grins broadly. "Oh, this city has some really odd people in it. I am pretty normal in compairson. I love the variety, but sometimes I boggle at what I see. You know how it is. You go to buy a loaf of bread and find a decapitated ghost browsing the dehydrated noodles. There's no way to really prepare for that sort of thing. I mean... noodles. Weird!" Cain snorts. "Girl, the reason why you don't see that many freaks is because YOU are the freak other people come to see! It'

It's not rocket science!"

Tyler laughed, nodding in understanding. "It's a fair point-anyone dropping by the Market already has a foot in the strange. Just that most of us don't have a spirit hound that eats sausages and gives commentary on social norms." He grinned, glancing at Cain. "I think he's onto something, though. In a world like ours, sometimes we're the spectacle without even realizing it."

He gestured to the various stalls surrounding them, voice lowered with amusement. "For all we know, the ghost in the noodle aisle probably found us bizarre. Maybe he's wondering why the living need five types of kimchi." He shrugged with a smile. "But I'd say that's part of the appeal, right? In a place like this, you can be the oddest one in the room... or just another face in the crowd."

Lorna blinks. "FIVE types of... I've never even tasted one type of kimchi. Not much of a call for it in rural Yorkshire. My mother, very much meat and veg sort of fare. She got nasty the first time I ordered a pizza! But I am pretty strange. The tattoos draw attention. I'm a mechanic, so that raises eyebrows. And y'know, i can fly, that tends to cause alarm."

Cain starts examing the stores seriously. With a very dour expression. He might be preparing a critic's colum for Fortean Times.

Tyler laughed, an honest and surprised sound. "Flying? I think you've officially won the Midnight Market's 'Most Unexpected Skill' award. Forget kimchi; I'd love to hear how that went over in Yorkshire! And tattoos, mechanics...you're practically a one-person rebellion."

Watching Cain's scrutinizing gaze as he inspected each booth, Tyler smirked. "Looks like your friend is channeling his inner critic. I hope the Market's up to his standards; otherwise, there's going to be a scathing review in The Spectral Observer tomorrow." He chuckled, leaning in conspiratorially. "But really-if you're new to kimchi, I'll treat you to Mr. Kim's best. And I'll warn you now: it's both an acquired taste and a midnight rite of passage."

Lorna bobs her head politely. "Well, I would be delighted to try it. I came half way round the world, I need to explore the food. And don't worry about Cain, he's too smart to blow anybody's cover. He probably thinks if he can pretend to be important, he'll get snacks. You know dogs... all about the snacks. Flying is fun, but not really my weirdest skill. I mean, i did teleport in here. That's not an everyday occurence, surely?"

Tyler nodded, his eyes sparking with interest. "Oh, teleporting is rare enough to turn some heads around here, but if we're comparing notes on bizarre Market moments? last night, I watched someone haggle over a jar of sentient moss that could sing. Even by Midnight Market standards, that was something."

He glanced at Cain, noting the way the spirit-dog continued to act every bit the food critic. "You've got quite the companion here. Guides like him are hard to come by-if I may ask, what led to that partnership?"

As he spoke, Tyler's gaze shifted briefly to a crumpled paper cup on the ground a few feet away. His brow furrowed, and with a subtle wave of his hand, the cup skidded and spun, rolling gently into a nearby trash bin. He straightened with a small smile, shrugging as if to say, /we all have our talents/. "I'd love to hear more about that flying skill sometime," he added. "I'm fascinated by how people get around in unusual ways. I'm just kinda getting my sea legs under me if you get my meaning."

Lorna nods lightly. "I understand, it was pretty strange for me at first, and hard grasping the basics of my potential. Cain helped with that. One night, I felt weird, went to bed, had a nightmare... teleported myself into the field next to the house, three feet deep in snow. Cain showed up and got me home, and he's been here ever since. Maybe he was watching, maybe I was right place, right time. Either way, he saved my life, I'd have frozen without waking up otherwise. My family are pretty clued in about all the strange things, they took it in their stride."

Tyler listened intently, captivated by Lorna's story - his curiosity side coming out in blinding colors. "That's incredible," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "It sounds like you and Cain have quite the bond. To have a guide like him appear at just the right moment-it's almost like fate, isn't it? And I can only imagine the learning curve for someone like you, discovering those kinds of powers. You must have a lot of fascinating stories."

He glanced at Cain, half-expecting the dog to interject with a witty remark about being a life-saving spirit. "Your family sounds remarkably understanding. It would definitely have been different growing up surrounded by all of that strangeness. I sometimes wonder what it's like to have a support system that embraces the unusual."

As he spoke, Tyler couldn't help but feel a spark of envy. His own upbringing had been steeped in privilege and expectations, where anything outside the norm was often dismissed. "I didn't have any of my talents until...I had an accident. Then everything changed -literally- over night."

Lorna nods sympathetically. "It's often a near death experience that causes psychic phenomena to manifest. The brain sort of kicks into overdrive to help survival. I've seen it a fair few times. And I'd be happy to help you work through things, if you need it. I've had a lot of experience, and am happy to help others. Cain only teaches me, but he expects me to teach others. It's a part of the learning process, after all. Flying is... well, you moved the trash there? Same principle, just on a larger scale, applied to yourself."

Tyler nodded, absorbing her words. "It's fascinating how the mind adapts in moments of crisis. That's literally the focus of my degree that I'm working on." he replied thoughtfully. "I suppose there's a kind of elegant effeciency in that instinctual drive for survival, pushing us to tap into hidden potential." He glanced down at the small piece of trash he had moved moments ago, contemplating Lorna's analogy.

"Your offer is incredibly generous. I've been grappling with my own... abilities, though they tend to manifest in rather unexpected ways." He chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment creeping in. "I suppose my experiences have been more peculiar than traumatic. Still, it's good to know there are people like you willing to guide others through the chaos."

Tyler glanced at Cain, appreciating the dog's silent presence. "And I think it's admirable how you see teaching others as part of your own journey. It speaks to a sense of community that I think is essential, especially in places like this Midnight Market, where so many different paths converge." He smiled, feeling a sense of kinship with Lorna, who seemed to share his curiosity for the strange and unknown. "So, tell me more about your flight. I'm guessing it's something you'd only do at night so no one can see but like how fast do you go?"

Lorna stops to browse a stall of charms, examining them carefully without touching. She knows better. "We have to help each other, there's no formalise school to teach us, after all. There are creatures out there, who do magic and all sorts of things, with a support network. We don't have that, so we have to make our own. I really only move at a brisk walking pace, more like a hover than true flight, and can't do it around the normal people, for sure. Teleporting is a lot faster, but you have to see where you are going, so i had to focus on being clairvoyant for a while. And as you seem, my aim is still sometimes a bit off."

Tyler watched her as she examined the charms, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "That's a wise perspective, Lorna. Building a support network is crucial, especially in a world filled with uncertainty and unpredictability." He glanced around the bustling Midnight Market, filled with people navigating their own magical paths. "It's comforting to know there are others out there who share this journey, even if we have to carve our own way."

Tyler shifted his focus back to Lorna. "Clairvoyance, now that's intriguing. Seeing beyond the veil is something I've always been curious about. It's as if it opens doors to knowledge we wouldn't normally have access to." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "If you ever need a practice partner or someone to assist in your explorations, I'd be more than happy to join. Perhaps we could exchange insights and techniques?"

Lorna takes a business card from her pocket. "My number. I work at Madd Modds, a garage downtown. the owner knows what I am, but the other employees are not clued in, so best to be very discreet. You can call me up any time. And while clairvoyance is useful, there are several ways to see different forms of reality. I can see through to the realm of the dead, and cast my spirit to the astral plane as well - and both are radically different to distance vision. Astral travelling can be especially hazardous though, so I do not recommend trying it alone. You do not want to get trapped deep in the realms of spirit."

Tyler accepted the card, giving it a curious glance before tucking it safely into his pocket. "I appreciate that, Lorna. I'll keep the discretion in mind." He looked back up, his eyes alight with intrigue. "Astral travel? that's fascinating. I've read about it but never had the opportunity to experience it myself. Though, I admit, the dangers have been a deterrent-getting lost in that liminal space is no small risk."

He leaned in slightly, keeping his tone low. "The Shadowlands? now, that's something I've had glimpses of, though I've never ventured far. It's as if each of these realms has its own set of laws, its own unique texture. There's so much we don't fully understand."

With a thoughtful nod, he added, "I'd be honored to learn more from you. Maybe when the market quiets down one evening, we could meet and explore a little, share what we've both learned. If nothing else, it's good to have a guide, especially in uncharted territory."

Lorna chuckles. "You have a decent self preservation instinct, that's good. Mine was a bit lacking at first, but a teenage girl is not a very reasonable pupil. I learned the lesson of patience pretty hard. I'd be very happy to help in any way I can. The dead... they're disconcerting, but it pays to stick with it. I know a fair few ghosts now, well enough to borrow their essence without them being offended by it. Politeness matters, especially to the dead. They don't have much else but their spirit. What exactly can you do? Helps to get a grip on the starting point."

Tyler nodded, a slight, respectful smile crossing his face. "I can relate-patience didn't come naturally for me either. But I suppose a near-death experience has a way of... encouraging restraint."

He shifted his stance, his gaze going inward for a moment as he organized his thoughts. "My abilities are more sensory than anything else right now. I can sense ghosts nearby-who they are, roughly, or sometimes just that they're there, watching." He paused, allowing a brief glimpse of respect to color his tone. "I try to treat them with the same respect as anyone else; after all, they were once living, like us."

"There's also this sort of... resonance, a leftover essence on things and places," he continued, trying to find the words. "Sometimes it's strong enough that I can tap into it. Get a read on emotions left behind, and occasionally, fragments of what happened there. It's similar with people, really-like I'm reading a bit of the past, their intentions or moods, just by touching certain objects or being in certain places. I suppose you could call it psychometry." He gave a small, self-aware grin. "And then, of course, there's the telekinesis. It's limited to small objects for now. But I find it... grounding, in a way. Practical."

He looked back at her, intrigued. "How did you first come into your abilities? Did they emerge all at once, or was it a gradual discovery?"

Lorna laughs brightly. "Oh my no! Once mistter fuzzface over there showed up, he started hammering me hard to make me learn, and fast! He did eventually understand that I am a person and not a machine for his own use, and eased up a little, but really, he showed me the basics of my powers then made me work hard to find out how to apply them. And psychometry is useful. Not something I have ever tried, though. I can see man ways it could be applied to various jobs, though. Telekinesis, though, once you get really into it, can do a lot. Like I said, applied to yourself, you can fly. Applied to others..." She shudders then. "Bad memory."

Tyler nodded, her words deepening his appreciation for the discipline she'd built up. "Sounds like Cain's been both your mentor and your drill sergeant," he said, glancing with a grin at the now-silent, ever-observant dog, who still seemed mildly disapproving of everything around him. "Tough love, I'd say, but it seems to have paid off."

At her shudder, he dipped his head in understanding, his tone softening. "I can imagine. The ethics of these things? it's a whole other level of responsibility, isn't it? I've wondered sometimes what it'd be like to go further with telekinesis, but the implications?" He shook his head, exhaling. "Let's just say I'd rather learn from others' cautionary tales than make a few of my own."

A pause passed between them, thoughtful but warm. "Still, I'm curious-if you were to recommend one area to start building up, one skill that's been a true game-changer for you, what would it be?"

Lorna winces. "I had to use my powers in self defence for myself, and my friends. It was a snap decision, and I think i would do it again, but the end result was very unpleasant. Telekinesis is only a step away from force chking someone like Darth Vader, and I do not want to see myself going down that route." Cain is still browsing. His glare seems to be unnervng stall holders into showing him their goods. Weird dog.

"In truth, each ability has given me new insights into life, but if I had to pick the one that has been very useful, and radically changed me for the better, I would say telepathy. You need to be honest of course, and not invade someone's mind in a bad way. But reading surface thoughts and intentions can smooth life considerably. I suppose if i wanted to i could simply possess someone, or rewrite their personality, but I would NEVER do it. Not unless it was life or death. We have many great powers at our fingertips, and we must only use them for good. With great power comes... Spider-Man, and so on, right?"

Tyler gave her a respectful nod, noting her hesitation with understanding. "That makes complete sense. It's one thing to have power; it's another to carry it responsibly. It's impressive you've figured out those boundaries, especially in situations where lines can blur so easily. Telepathy? that sounds intense - I saw someone used it on one of..." he drops his voice to a hushed tone when he speaks, "...one of the Awakened... and it did /not/ go over well."

Watching Cain's fierce and somehow regal assessment of the market stalls, he added, "And if he's your moral compass, he definitely keeps you sharp. I have a few, let's say, 'consultants' of my own, but none as? let's say, hands-on as him."

Lorna smiles wryly. "He was the moral compass. I think I'm well trained enough in that now to know what is right or wrong. In fact, I think I am something of an experiment to Cain. He refuses to even discuss teaching me sorcerous arts, though he is more than able to do so. He might be setting me specific limits for reasons I do not understand. Anyway, telepathy is very useful. I suppose i could use it to help teach someone by putting knowledge in their mind, but it rather defeats the whole purpose of learning, doesn't it? As for awakened... I've met a couple. They were mostly nice and pleasant people. I know there are less pleasant things out there, though. I've never ever met a vampire as far as I know, but Cain assures me they exist - and that is all. Won't say another word about them. Other than to tell me to avoid them absolutely."

"Cain sounds like he's got an interesting philosophy on teaching-and it sounds like he wants you to learn certain things the hard way for a reason," Tyler mused thoughtfully. "But that makes sense, I suppose. With your abilities, it's better to have that strong moral center, so maybe that's his endgame: guiding you through the ropes while you grow on your own."

At the mention of vampires, he felt a brief shiver, though he did his best to hide it. "Ah, the Awakened. Most I've met have been decent enough, though I know what you mean; they don't always run on the same moral compass as the rest of us. But Cain's right to be wary of vampires. I've run into? stories, let's say, that make it clear their world is a strange one, and caution is definitely smart. They don't seem to play by the same rules."

He gestured around the bustling market as a distraction from the shadowy thought. "But then again, that's the beauty of this place. You've got such a mix of folks from every corner of magic here-might even cross paths with some Awakened. At least here, everyone's more or less on neutral ground."

Lorna shrugs "There's nowt as queer as folk." That old Yorkshire saying. Might have new meanings in the modern world, but the meaning of the old version still applies. People are the weirdest things around. "I honestly think we are better off trying not to get too involved with some of the things out there. They all seems to have rules and politics and motives that are very much not healthy for normal folks. Believe me, I know how bad that gets. But if they come here and play nicely, I'd be happy to share a meal with them, and talk shop. Information is the most valuable resource of all."

Tyler nodded, considering her words. "Couldn't agree more. Some of the things I've seen-not just here but in... well, other places-have made me realize just how valuable that distance is. It's one thing to learn from them, another to get wrapped up in their webs."

He gave a slight smirk, eyeing the simmering pans in Mr. Kim's truck. "But, a shared meal in a neutral place-especially if it's kimchi and noodles? Yeah, I'd be in for that. Like you said, information is everything. And sometimes, those who come from the darkest places have the best stories to tell, even if you have to take it all with a handful of salt."

Lorna nods firmly. "Right. Listen, believe what you think is true, and never take anything at face value. Now, I am going to buy this monstrous massive brute of a dog a new hat or he will never shut up about it. If you want to grab food, we can sit and I'll tell you some tales that are true... but weird!"

Tyler grinned, giving a nod as he stepped aside to let her and the towering canine, who looked terribly pleased at the promise of a new hat, move toward a stall decked out in strange charms and various accessories.

"Food and stories-count me in. I'll grab us some of Kim's famous bowls and meet you over there," he gestured to a quiet nook lit softly by lanterns. "I'll bring the salt, just in case." With a quick wave, he turned toward the truck, hands in his pockets, a spark of intrigue in his eyes at the prospect of whatever odd truths and stranger lies might be waiting.