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Wuvvy bounds up beside Rue as they walk to the teleportation circle. “Are you sure about this, Mistrex? I can still come with you.”
Rue keeps their eyes to the horizon, where the sky meets the raised stone platform. “Nonsense, Wuvvy, the Bloom is a mere few weeks away and there’s still so much to do! We need to divide and conquer.”
“Yes, but the Goblin Market-”
Their heartbeat kicks up a little. They futz over the red and orange layers of their dress to mask the feeling.
“It’ll be okay, trust me. I’ll grab what’s needed and you get the supplies for plan Q from the Trickster Court.”
“I- really? When you told me about that plan, I thought you were a little…” She trails off and mimics drinking from a bottle.
Rue hides their mock gasp behind their hand. “Wuvvy! I’m always serious when it comes to party planning,” they say with a smile. “But I’ll truly be fine. Besides, we do need these materials and you are the only person I trust with bartering from the Trickster Court.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Okay…” Wuvvy gives them a look that she’s not fully on board with this idea, but defers. “But if you need anything, call and I’ll come.”
“I know, darling. You first.”
Wuvvy gives them one last glance behind before stepping up onto the teleportation circle. In a flash of magic, she’s gone.
Rue waits until the magic dissipates and then waits five minutes more. They absentmindedly root through their bag and supplies as they wait, but the rapid-beating of their heart doesn’t settle down.
It’s not the Goblin Market that scares them, it’s how they look in there. They can lie to themselves as much as they like that it is easier to walk in the Goblin Market as their true self in order to prevent rumor about plans for the Bloom, but they know the truth. It is freeing to walk in public as their true self, in a place where no one will know it is them. The feeling is both addictive and terrifying all at once.
They take a long look at their surroundings, making sure there’s no one around before they drop their glamor, revealing their owlbear self, dressed in a green dress embroidered with sunflowers. They barely let themselves enjoy the feeling of freedom before they step into the circle, thoughts to the Goblin Market. In a flash of deep purple sparks, they’re gone.
Rue stands in the magic for only a second before it dissipates, revealing the Goblin Market in a flurry of noise and color.
Despite its name, the Goblin Market exists on its own plane of existence and houses a variety of beings. Because of that, there is no one currency accepted in the Goblin Market. It’s a matter of barter and fair trade, upheld by the Market itself. Anything can be found at the Goblin Market; it is just an issue of the right price.
They are reminded of this with the signs nailed up next to the teleportation circle that Rue read as they walked down the path to the Market proper.
“Remember fair value” they read.
The market changes constantly, but that is the constant. New sheets of bright fabric are propped up as tents, new wooden shops and signs make up the rest of the market. The shouting is the same. They’re able to single out some of what is yelled.
“Cranberries! Mulberries! Dewberries!”
“Come buy! Come buy!”
“Fresh Ettercap eyes! Behir claws!”
They continue walking past, not letting their eyes linger. They have their list, and it’s time to go to work.
It only takes a few moments orienting themselves to the new lay-out to find a cluster of magic stalls. The glance down at the list, as if they hadn’t memorized the list of potion ingredients for the tea party.
They stop in front of one hobgoblin calling about potion ingredients. The drawers are filled with lizard spines, walnuts, fern leaves, and other components on display. There doesn’t seem to be an organization system to it; a jar of mice tails stood next to a stack of dried flowers and a green geode the size of their beak sits in a drawer of apple and orange seeds.
They look down at the hobgoblin behind the counter. “Are you selling balls of twine?”
He purses his lips. “I do. Seven inches, five feet, and ten yards.”
“Would five erasers be acceptable fair value for a dozen of the five feet balls?”
Writing utensils are popular for barter. They learned that the hard way when they first visited the Goblin Market and, not wishing to part with any of their ribbons, they arrived back home with several fewer feathers in their person.
The shopkeep considers them for another moment before nodding.
Goods are traded and Rue moves into the next stall, and the next. Their bag is full of sulfur, twine, pearls and the other half of the necessary components. Even with the barter they engage in, they quickly realize they won’t have enough in their bag for the rest of the shopping. They’re lost in thought of the logistics of their full bag, whether to purchase more bags or make multiple trips back to the Seafoam Court.
Maybe I can just rearrange it to make more space.
They dig a feathered hand in their bag, but the motion just knocks out the dozen blackberries they just purchased. Rue lets out a soft curse before bending down to catch them.
Several roll down their dress and onto the street, well out of arm’s reach. They reach out for it, but a large, furred hand beats them too it. Rue looks up to see the brown-furred bugbear who now holds one of their blackberries. His military coat is immaculate, black coat with not a hint of dust and dirt, hat tucked underneath one arm. His gaze is entirely on them and Rue feels pinned for a moment, before they both stand up.
The bugbear holds out his hand with the berries. “I believe you dropped these.”
His voice is deeper than expected. “Thank you.”
They pluck the berries from his hand, fingers briefly skimming his palm before they place them back in their bursting bag.
The bugbear watches the movement of their hand. “Forgive me, Mistrex, but you seem to have your hands full. Would you allow me to assist you?”
“This is barely half of my list. I fear I’d be taking up much of your time for you to help me with my shopping.”
“It would be no issue for me. I was sent to collect a package for my lord, and my men have gone on ahead to deliver it. I was following them when I came upon you.”
For a moment, Rue feels like they are somewhere else, but then they remember the market will still punish for acts of service not properly bartered for.
“What would be fair value for that?”
His ears flick as he considers this and for a moment, Rue wonders what they feel like. “Your company and conversation for the entirety of your time here.”
They consider this. “That seems agreeable.”
“Well then, let me take your bag.” They hand over their stuffed bag. He slings it over his arm and holds out his other arm. “Where does your list take you next?”
Something warm zips through Rue’s stomach. They never allow themself to indulge in feelings like this, too much planning to do. But, surely, with the glamor lifted, they can hold this small moment.
They gently hold onto his arm, fingers lightly skimming the black wool of his military jacket.
“I need quartz next.”
He nods formally. “I know the very place.”
They follow his lead as he navigates them through the winding alleys of the Goblin Market. They haven’t walked far when a thought pops into their head.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t asked what I may call you.”
Names were powerful things to Fae, and even the powerful were remiss to use their proper names in the Goblin Market.
The bugbear glances to them. “You may call me Captain.”
They nod. “And you may continue to call me Mistrex.”
This area of the Goblin Market, with the clanging of metal and the hammering of wood, proves to be more popular than the others. Crowds filter through either side of them, forcing them closer together to avoid bumping into others. Rue is aware of every brush against each other.
They distract themselves with polite conversation with Captain. Small talk that is just enough to pass the time walking between stall to stall and keeping their mind off how their feathers rustle when brushing up next to Captain. Rue barters for a second bag and Captain offers to hold it, but they politely decline.
“I wouldn’t want to overburden you with my shopping, Captain.”
Their arrangement is going well. The captain is good company, who doesn’t mind pausing the conversation as Rue obtains the remaining components. It’s so nice, they figure they can buy the glass bottles for the potions earlier than expected.
Rue thinks they can manage this, walking down the path arm and arm to the glassblower, until Captain suddenly grabs hold of them and drags them to the side. Caught off guard, they can’t stop their momentum and fall right into Captain. They have just enough time to angle their beak away from Captain’s face.
Blood is rushing in their ears as their heart pounds in their chest. They hear shouts behind them and turn just in time to see a giant badger with a leash around its throat run down the road where they had been, perused by several elves.
Rue turns back to Captain to thank him for pulling them out of the way, when they stop and freeze. For just a moment, they’re lost in the gold and concern of Captain’s eyes and it sends their brain into a tailspin.
This is getting dangerous. I don’t have the time for feelings like these… but I’ll never meet him again, why can’t I just enjoy the feeling?
A nudge on their arm snaps them out of their thoughts.
“Are you alright, mistrex?” Captain asks, an ear cocked toward them.
“Yes, just… thank you for pulling me out of harm’s way.”
Captain opens his mouth, but is interrupted by the shouts of the halfling glassblower, hocking her wares. Rue turns away from the captain and trades a handful of quills for the box of vials. Before they can even request it, Captain sticks the crate under one of his large arms, placing the bag gently on top of it.
As they walk away to the next stall, the space is loud around them, but Captain’s voice is low enough to ring clear in the din.
“Forgive me the inquiry, but I admit I am curious as to what all these materials are for. Are you a potion maker?” he asks.
For a moment, their heart turns to ice, before the lie begins forming itself on their tongue.
“I am fetching supplies for the Bloom.”
He tilts his head in commendation. “What an honorable profession. Have you done this for long?”
They have to bite back their laugh. “I’ve helped with many a Bloom.”
“I can already see your expertise in your job.”
Rue feels their face heat up and is glad their flush is invisible. They glance over to him, and see no hint of sarcasm or deception in his face.
“We’ve known each other for a few hours at most. I’m not sure how you could possibly tell.”
Captain shifted the crate in his arm.
“While that is true, I have witnessed you select most of your supplies with careful consideration. It’s… admirable, your attention to detail. You’re like a strategist, in that way.”
The praise fills Rue’s chest with warmth. “Thank you, Captain. That means much coming from you.”
There’s a moment of comfortable silence between them. It’s then that Rue realizes that the sun hangs low in the sky, with merchants have started putting out lamps.
Their companion realizes this at the same moment as he says, “Mx, it is not wise to stay late in the goblin market. May you permit me to escort you out?”
Any other circumstances, Rue would have brushed him off, but they’ve been selfish all day, indulging in time for themself.
So why not prolong it just a few minutes longer?
“Of course, Captain.”
Rue leads the way to the teleportation circle, passing several closed stalls and tents along the way.
It’s firmly twilight by the time they arrive, the sky a motley of pinks and purples. There’s a crowd around the area as other visitors stream out.
Rue takes a step away, their side noticeably warmer after spending all day at the captain’s ide. They turn to face their companion. “Thank you for the assistance, Captain. I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to manage it without you.”
He inclines his head. “You’re very welcome.”
There is a pause, people passing them by to use the teleportation circle, but Rue can’t pull their gaze away. It’s clear the captain has something to say, and after all his help, they wait until he is able to speak it.
“Can I- Can I expect to see you at the Bloom?”
Rue does their best to school their face at the unexpected question. He’s to be a guest at the Bloom? They try to recall the guest list, but it’s too many courts and names to keep track of. In that same thought, Rue rationalizes with all the attendants and all their work to be done, they probably won’t bump into the captain for anything more than a polite welcome.
“I- Perhaps.” The word tastes like ash on their tongue, but they can neither tell the full truth or a full lie.
“Then I shall keep a watchful eye for you, Mistrex.” He pauses for a moment, before reaching to take their hand, clearly telegraphing his movements. They allow it, and he lifts their hand to press a soft kiss against it. Rue is glad their feathers hide the hot feeling that travels across their cheeks.
“And I, you, Captain,” they say, their voice breathy.
He straightens before handing them the goods he carried.
“Safe travels, Mistrex,” he says. And then he gives himself a high-five, tweaks his nose, and then doffs his cap.
Rue hopes their eyes telegraph their amusement. “And you too.”
They watch as Captain walks away. Their mind is so taken thinking over the past day they've had, they only remember to cast their glamor again once they're already in the circle.
Their time in the Goblin Market feels like a dream, compared to the following days. Every day brings more to be done to prepare for the Bloom and more people to organize. Rue’s free time is cut in half, but in the quick private moments between rising and eating, their mind wanders off to the Goblin Market. The hustle and bustle, the organized chaos of it all, those yellow eyes…
“Rue… Rue!”
They blink, snapping out of their daydream. They look to Wuvvy, who they had forgotten they’d let in for a quick morning meeting. “What?”
Wuvvy bounds up right to them placing a hand over Rue’s forehead. “Are you okay? I’ve been saying your name for the past two minutes.”
“I’m fine, Wuvvy. I- my mind is just elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere, but-” Wuvvy gasps. “It was the Goblin Market! Wasn’t it? You ate something and now can think of nothing but the market until you go back and wither away and-”
“Wuvvy! Wuvvy!” Rue holds up their hands. “Breathe. Inhale.”
Wuvvy gives a loud inhale.
“And exhale.”
Wuvvy does so.
“So… you’re not bewitched by the Goblin Market?”
“I’m not, Wuvvy. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here, planning the party. I’m just… wishing for calmer times. These past few days have been chaotic.”
Wuvvy nods. “You know, if you need any help, you can always ask.”
“I know, dear Wuvvy.” Rue inhales, steeling themselves for the day ahead. “But I believe construction on the Hart Hunt begins today, and I need to oversee the placement of that event.”
“Okay… but I’m going to check up on you!” They hold up an accusing finger.
Rue smiles. “Thank you.”
Wuvvy does as promised, being extra attentive in the coming days. It’s appreciated, if Rue was being honest with themself, they could probably do with an extra hour or two of sleep, and most importantly, Wuvvy doesn’t worry about the Goblin Market again.
Rue tries not to think about the Goblin Market, focusing their energy on the Bloom.
Their efforts are in vain as, days later, they welcome the Goblin Court to the Bloom, and right behind Lord Blemish and Lady Boil, there stands Captain K. P. Hob, his military coat somehow even more impeccable here than it was in the Goblin Market. Even as they address the nobility of the court, they find their gaze wandering toward Captain Hob. He doesn’t look their way, so they assume their glamor is holding up.
As Lord Blemish and Lady Boil depart to the Goblin Pagoda to unpack, the captain pauses, finally looking at Rue. They hold the eye contact, unable to look away as their chest grows warm. Absence has only made their heart grow fonder, and at once, they wish for him to look past their glamor, to instinctively know it’s them.
Instead, Captain Hob gives a deep inclination of his head and follows after the rest of his Court.
It takes until the rest of the welcoming for Rue’s heart to calm down.