Chapter 78: Smoke and Tea
In the southern district of Graheel, nestled amidst the bustling streets, lies the Devatta marketplace. This local hub was an expansive open area with a multitude of booths and colorful tents, each teeming with enthusiastic peddlers showcasing an array of goods and produce sourced from farms outside the city. The air was filled with the lively chatter of vendors vying for the attention of passersby, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere that drew in visitors from far and wide.
Several stalls in the marketplace were dedicated to cooking food, their savory aromas wafting through the air and mingling with the lively atmosphere of the bustling crowd. The sizzle of oil resonated throughout the area, infusing the air with the scent of freshly fried street food.
The smell made Mike's stomach rumble.
Standing in front of one of the food stalls was the senior investigator, examining the offerings. His eyes were drawn to the fried chicken with honey garlic sauce.
Mike: “Excuse me, I’ll take one of these,” he called out to the vendor.
The vendor at the food stall, who was a plain-looking mutant man with floppy rabbit ears, heard Mike and nodded. He picked up the chicken with some metal tongs and placed them in a bag before handing it to the officer. Mike thanked the vendor and paid him before walking off.
As he walked by the stalls, Mike would pop some of the food he bought in his mouth and enjoy it. He meandered through the maze of stalls, his gaze shifting from bushels of ripe strawberries to crates overflowing with sumba melons. Mike paused occasionally to look at some of the produce. He made a mental note to revisit the stall to get some vegetables to take home after concluding his task at hand.
The Devatta marketplace was a very old historic site for the city. It was initially established as a place where mages would convene to procure an assortment of goods for their arcane experiments. Today, it serves as a bustling hub where residents flock to peruse and purchase an array of fresh, locally sourced produce. The marketplace had seamlessly transitioned from its magical origins to a farmer's market, reflecting the evolution of the current age.
After savoring the last bite of the succulent, sweet, and salty chicken he had purchased, Mike disposed of the empty bag in a nearby garbage bin. Meanwhile, the investigator pressed on, weaving his way through the lively stalls and bustling booths until he reached the far end of the marketplace.