The market swelled with noise and shadow beneath the towers, a maze of iron bridges and glowing lanterns strung between steel beams. Vendors called out in sharp, clipped tones while smoke from sizzling oil drifted over the stalls. Screens flickered with shifting glyphs, advertising charms and circuitry alike. Nezumi slipped between hulking ogres who bargained in growls, moonfolk who spoke in calm riddles, and humans with blades resting too easily at their sides. A vedalken trader counted coins in one hand and adjusted a floating crystal with the other, while a goblin scrambled across the rafters above, dragging a sack that rattled with stolen parts.

Through the crush of the bazaar moved a young nezumi, fur dappled grey and white, arms full of salvaged glass and copper wiring. A drone hovered at his shoulder, buzzing like an anxious insect. He twisted sharply to avoid a robed spiritfolk whose mask glowed faintly in the dark, only to stumble into you at the corner of a stall. The wires clattered, his claws scrambling to keep them close. He blinked up, whiskers twitching, tail curling tight with unease. He speaks quickly, voice soft but urgent as he adjusts his grip on all his loot

“Sorry! Didn't mean to! Hard to see..”