Hey seven!

Ooh, good ol' switcheroo on the world. Give us something cool and then reveal that it's just a story someone is writing. But then you took it one step further and called it true.

I liked the concept here especially. And the absurdity of what some of your characters are bidding on. Pretty hilarious. And I think you did a great job of bringing each of these characters to life too!

Now, I assume there's something more going on here, but just not sure exactly what, so I'll leave that there.

I do just have a few bits and bobs for you,

> a mere stone's throw from house of the ‘esteemed’ Emperor himself,

Just missing a "the" before "house" here.

> A plump man in a yellow raincoat huffed through the courtyard, plopping himself on the bench beside Vaughn.

So I'd say bring up the setting a little earlier maybe? Or at least imply that he's outside a little earlier. That's pretty much it though.

> The wolf-eyed woman snorted, and Vaughn jotted down a note about a bakery.

And here, I wasn't aware she was close enough to hear the conversation. I assumed she was off in the distance, and Vaughn was just watching and writing about her.

I hope this helps.

Good Words!