#aphehetalia

When Dimitrov pulled out of the hug, an awkward silence fell amongst the three. As much as they wanted to talk and catch up, and as curious as Dimitrov was about what was going on in town, they all knew that soon, the young man would be bombarded with curious buyers and onlookers alike, and they needed to get shop set up for that moment.

“Alright, well, I won’t hold you any further, get back to work, this stand holds my legacy, you know.” Sadik said with a wink, before bowing in Elizabeta’s direction, who mockingly curtseyed back, before straightening up and snickering. The man was all too familiar with her informalities.

“Okay, Pops. But make sure you come check out what I got before it sells, I’m pretty proud.” He explained, standing a bit taller at the mention of his treasure. He didn’t have too many, so he knew that he could sell them for a high price, and they would still be gone within a few hours. Especially if a neighboring town finds out. Gossip could travel so fast now, considering the installment of paved roads. Dimitrov could already hear in his mind Sadik lecturing about a time before ‘fancy dirt cheats’ where he would have to make his own terrain, and follow the sun and his gut. He truly was an old man.

The sound of children abruptly pulled him from his thoughts again, and when he regained his senses, he noticed a group of boys, pushing and shoving their way towards his mart.

“Heh, better make sure they don’t steal anything.” Sadik warned, before sauntering off, most likely towards the closest group of ladies. He often imagined himself much younger than what he was. Dimitrov didn’t care, he never could learned his lesson after many times being ignored and rejected.

“You boys look a bit too young to be carrying anything of value on you.” Dimitrov finally said when an array of brown, blue, and green eyes looked at him with curiosity and pride. They all laughed at the statement, though it was still very true. One of the taller boys peered over the stand, hoping to catch a glimpse.

“My Father wanted to know if you had anything of worth.” The eldest commented, before glancing up at Dimitrov. The kid seemed to be putting up some sort of front, as if he wasn’t as excited as the rest of the town was to see what their best traveler had brought to them. Dimitrov shrugged a moment.

“Oh, I have the usual, some spices from Asia, some Turkish silk...Some…”Dimitrov leaned close to the group of children, all of their eyes growing wide in anticipation and excitement. Though Dimitrov hadn’t announced his new item to the town, an air hung around it, as if they already knew his newfound ite was going to be amazing. Of course, Dimitrov was known for bringing back items of luxury and wonder. Things the town had never even seen, though common outside of their little world, as Dimitrov came to find. But what he had now though, it was truly a treasure. And he was so generous as to sell such an item. Sometimes, he couldn’t even question why the town thought so highly of him, his kindness was practically one of a kin.

“-thing you will have to wait for my announcement for.” He ended the sentence, making the children moan and groan, hating have been left on such a cliffhanger. Both Eliza and Dimitrov chuckled, before noticing that a crowed was beginning to form, the locals rising from sleep to begin their day, to check out the market, or to simply stroll around.

“Which may be right now.” Elizabeta said, walking beside Dimitrov and gently pecking him on the cheek, knowing she would have to leave from behind the stand. Though both she and Dimitrov knew that her being back with him wouldn’t deter any potential buyers too much, some people just couldn’t stand the idea of a woman even helping running shop. Not that Dimitrov wanted her working had anyways. He was marrying her to be a provider. It was one of the perks of being so successful.

“Dimitrov! Welcome home!” A customer called out.

“Ah, Alexi is back.” Another voice sang out.

“What amazing timing,” Another said, in almost sarcasm. Dimitrov wondered what that was supposed to mean, but didn’t have time or the means to question it. The crowd was becoming denser, and he had a performance to put on.

“I haven’t even set up shop yet, everyone!” Dimitrov called out as Elizabeta walked away with a smile on her face, one that wished him all the luck in the world. He smiled back, before looking back out.

“But, since you’re all here, I guess I can’t disappoint.” He said, his lips forming a smirk at his own cockiness. Truly, what he had in his bag, though small in numbers, could be something that would change his career. But still he shares with his humble village, because they were his family. They looked up to him, they all wore stars in their eyes. The men, hoping to buy something of value and worth, to make themselves feel better. The women, flustered and amazed to have such a hero amongst them. Children, just excited to stare at something from far away from everything they know. Dimitrov even caught sight of the priest, adorning his robes. Even he was curious as to what the man may bring. Dimitrov surely could not dissapoint.

First, he pulled out spices, that of course got the women more excited than the men, though they would still buy the grains and herbs for the wives, and they would be pleased. He set them up as usual, before then beginning to pull out the silks and clothes he had, some looking of great value, though not hardly costing much to make.

The Bulgarian pulled out a few more things, but the villagers had seen such items time and time again. They were normal now, for as normal as such foreign things could be. Dimitrov was the only traveler who dared to venture so far. But that is not what their eyes were here for. They wanted the new, the unique, and Dimitrov had that.

Dimitrov stood taller, feeling confident that this next item would be his greatest find yet. It may not be all that useful, it wasn’t for cooking or for decoration. It was just something to own. Something to have. It’s value lied in its rarity. One would have to ask, how could someone get such a dangerous item? But Dimitrov had it, and he was not about to reveal his secrets.

The items were small enough to fit in his hand. He was careful not to hold too tightly though, before he faced the crowd.

“Friends, are you ready?” He asked, before a collective agreement rang out.  Dimitrov scanned the gathering. He could see Sadik, paying close attention. Confused curiosity wore on his face, and Dimitrov couldn’t wait to make the old man proud. He then spotted Elizabeta, who grinned in anticipation. Then his eyes landed on the priest. Dimitrov was not fond of the man, they seemed to hold differentiating ideas about the world, not that he would willingly voice they in such a religious town, but somehow the man seemed to know, Dimitrov was an oddity amongst them, though he tried so hard to keep that down. But perhaps now, he could see he only wanted good things for his home. He could have went to a richer town. Hell, a KING would be so lucky as to have these. Perhaps now the priest could see, he stood amongst them.

When Dimitrov smiled and opened his hands, it was the people in front, excluding the boys who had stood in the front, who gasped in horror at first, but Dimitrov hardly noticed, mistaking it as bewilderment.

“Teeth!” He cried out. “The teeth of not one, but three vampires! Their fangs ripped away from their bodies.” He explained, showing off the prized fangs. Though he hadn’t been the one to take out the teeth, it was still an amazing feat to find such things, to take from the very monsters that had cursed the world. The crowd began to back away. DImitrov grew confused.

“Such items could only be found by-” He started, but was soon cut off by the crowd’s collective mumbling.

“Oh God, why would he bring these here?!” He heard a woman’s voice. He didn’t understand.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, parents pulling their children away from the stand. Fangs were highly sought after, especially consider it meant that monsters had been slain. Of course, it hadn’t been Dimitrov who had killed the beasts, but just having these meant great bravery, didn’t it?

A couple of men began to approach the stand, anger wearing on their faces like a mask. Dimitrov took a step backwards, knowing the stand wasn’t protection of any sorts.

“You damned idiot!” One yelled as the crowd began to disperse, many people heading into their homes, some heading towards the church.

Dimitrov stood in dazed confusion. What was going on!?

One of the men jumped over the stand, and grabbed Dimitrov by the collar.  He recognized who the man was. He was someone who would always come by and buy silk, and would stay a few minutes so Dimitrov could catch up on his life. The man had a wife, and three sons. He was Dimitrov’s friend.

So why was he punching him in the face?

Dimitrov fell to the ground when he was let go. The man had gotten several blows in before someone had stopped him. Dimitrov looked up, his nose bloody and probably broken, seeing it was Sadik.

“Get off him.” He huffed. The man pulled back to deliver a blow to Sadik as well, but stopped when he saw the priest approaching, along with Elizabeta.

Dimitrov was still clutching the Vampire’s teeth, confusion and betrayal lying heavy on his heart. The man angrily walked away, as well as the fellows who had stalked on Dimitrov with him. The Bulgarian looked up at Sadik with hurt eyes, before looking back down at the fangs.

“Father, he couldn’t have known.” Elizabeta pleaded. Dimitrov glanced up at them. The man stared down at him with silent judgement.

“I don’t understand.” Dimitrov said, before tasting blood in his mouth. He had bit his tongue during the fight. His face felt numb, much like his mind. The Father didn’t seem to care for the state of his face.

“I had wondered why such things had begun happening in this town…”The man started, before looking towards Elizabeta.

“Now I believe God has given me his answer.” He said, before looking down at Dimitrov.