There are rooms within Nocturna That even Nocturna Does not admit to having.
Rooms whose doors Have never been recorded In any architect’s plan, Nor mentioned In the club’s oldest ledgers.
One such room may be found In the library.
Or rather, Behind a bookcase In the farthest corner Where dust gathers Upon forgotten volumes, And the gaslight Seems always A little reluctant to reach.
Nocturna Volume II already features two new poems: The Mermaid’s Tale and The Brigade de Cuisine. I’ve become much more immersed in the world and increasingly comfortable fleshing out its characters and situations. I’m learning a great deal as I go, too. The Brigade tale, in particular, led me down the fascinating rabbit hole of Edwardian French kitchen staff, procedures, and some wonderfully strange dishes.
My world-building master list now tracks every location, oddity, creature and character, along with their connections, appearances, and story references. With the named character count now sitting at 52, maintaining those connections to Volume One has become vital. I’ve started adding deeper links between characters, including Prudence Pike, the Poissonnier (seafood chef) and cousin of the performing Pike Twins; Selena Marlowe, Captain Abercrombie Marlowe’s maritime folklorist daughter; and young Percival “Pip” Rook, the kitchen plongeur (dishwasher and porter) and nephew of club attendant Gideon Rook.
Writing in this world really lifts my spirits, and I hope readers enjoy exploring it with me.
So lace those corsets, button up those waistcoats, and come and imagine with me.
An old wooden dock At the rear of Nocturna Provides access To the narrow city canal.
Used by occasional delivery barges, And small wooden Personal craft.
Often frequented by An ornate wooden Steam Launch Owned by Captain Abercrombie Marlowe.
Stepping from her Polished timber deck today, Is the Captain’s daughter, Selena Marlowe.
As Selena stepped ashore, Her dark hair Still carried the scent Of river water.
Ms Marlowe is a renowned Nautical folklorist, And is visiting with her father This evening to meet with Artemis Fogg, Cartographer, Folklore enthusiast, And, according to the Captain, A scallywag.
On the first floor of Nocturna, Hidden behind a large painting, Is a secret sleeping room.
A quiet place where members come to surrender the waking world, close their eyes, and wander wherever dreams choose to take them.
This evening, Alistair Fisk has gathered a small group to discuss the great mysteries of history, and perhaps encourage a particularly memorable night’s sleep.
