The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 21 ~ The Mijorian Medic

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~ Planet Mijoria ~

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Mijoria, the anime planet inspired by Japan. A golden pink sunrise greeted Mara as the Rose Wing flew towards a space center.

Though she was aware the atmosphere made everything look like an anime, Mara was still astonished, feeling like she stepped inside an anime, a bright optimistic world despite lurking dark creatures.

Most of Mijoria's population were humans and vampires, though there were creatures like ghouls and phantoms. Vampires were often the cause of trouble, but there were some that lived peacefully among humans. It was a constant struggle between the vampires that wanted peace and the vampires that wanted blood, forming opposition against vampires who viewed humans as comrades and vampires who viewed humans as prey.

Despite the internal vampire conflict, humans and vampires worked together in hospitals, schools, law enforcement, postal, space, airline, and transportation centers. None of the places had closure hours; everything was open twenty-four seven to accommodate all lifeforms.

Sunshades were built over roads and streets to protect vampires from sunlight. Essentially a ceiling over a walkway, sunshades had sturdy roofing, making roads and streets look like rectangular boxes. White was the color that reflected sunlight, so sunshades were white in color, never black. Vampires weren't usually out during daylight, but sunshades shielded vampires from sunlight so they wouldn't be burned, in case they decided to venture out in daylight.

Garlic and silver stakes were the best defense against vicious vampires, though humans seldom resorted to such means. There was a night patrol that carefully investigated crime and kept the streets safe.

Occasionally, a malicious vampire like Trésora would gain the upper hand, outfoxing peaceful vampires and attacking innocent humans out of bloodthirst. Older vampires were more powerful and stronger than newly turned vampires. Trésora wasn't among the oldest, but she had wits and cunning skills, as Mara learned when she read the case files.

Murder was high on the list of Trésora's crimes. She coerced people when she pretended to be a wine merchant named Glins. She learned trade and commerce from her fake alias, building experience with perhaps a grander scheme in mind.

However, blood was of utmost relevance to the vampire. Trésora didn't just kill people for blood; she drained them, pouring their blood into empty wine bottles so she would never run out of nourishment. She drank directly from people, tossing their dead bodies like empty juice boxes.

Mara grimaced as she read several accounts, horrified by the violence.

There were no accounts of vampires attacking Iredescents, since the two species rarely encounter each other. As far as Mara knew, vampires hadn't visited Iredescent since the ribbon war, a not-so-distant part of Iredescent history, one that showcased Killian's craftsmanship with sword design.

A Mijorian merchant interrupted Mara's musing, exclaiming, "Ice cream! Come get a splendid variety, including tiramisu, amaretto – "

Mara's eyes widened at the mention of amaretto, her favorite flavor.

Iredescent amaretto was made of apricot kernels and almond liqueur. Dusaran amaretto was vanilla mixed with cherry almond, and Monshalowan amaretto had a dulce note that tasted like hazelnut.

Mara learned Mijorian amaretto was like almond marzipan with nougat. Dusaran amaretto had the most cherry, Monshalowan amaretto was the most vanilla, Iredescent amaretto had the most apricot, and Mijorian amaretto had the most almond. And yet, only Iredescent amaretto was sparkly.