The soft *clip-clop* footsteps echoed through the bustling streets of Sedona City, the evening air thick with the mingled scents of roasted meat. The city pulsed with life, its energy wrapping around Emma like a warm embrace as she nestled against her sister Gaba's back, her arms loosely draped over her shoulders.
"Sister, where are we going?" Emma's voice was soft and syrupy, tinged with curiosity as she tilted her head. She studied Gaba's silent profile, puzzled by her sister's urgency. Gaba had returned from work, skipped dinner, and whisked Emma out the door without a word, her strong arms carrying her effortlessly.
"To a special place," Gaba said, her voice low and warm, a faint smile curling her lips. Her mood was buoyant, a rare lightness that made her steps feel almost playful. Emma felt a flutter in her chest, her sister's warmth seeping through the fabric of her tunic, stirring a quiet thrill of anticipation.
"A special place?" Emma murmured, resting her chin on Gaba's shoulder, her soft cheek brushing against the rough weave of her sister's cloak. "What kind of place?" Her voice was a gentle tease, her body swaying slightly with Gaba's steady gait, the rhythm soothing yet exciting.
"You'll see when we get there," Gaba replied, her tone laced with indulgence, her smile deepening.
"Fine," Emma huffed, pouting playfully, her lips pursed as she turned her head to take in their surroundings. Her delicate nose twitched, catching the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat and fresh bread wafting through the air. Her stomach rumbled, a low, insistent growl that sent a flush of embarrassment to her cheeks. She pressed her face against Gaba's back, hiding her mortification. "Oh no," She whispered, her voice muffled, her body tensing with the sudden vulnerability.
*Grrr.*
The unmistakable sound of her hungry stomach echoed, and Emma's face burned hotter. She wanted to disappear, the shame of her body's betrayal sharp and stinging.
Gaba chuckled, a warm, affectionate sound that eased Emma's embarrassment. "Let's grab something to eat first, then I'll take you to the place," She said, glancing around the bustling street.
"Sister, no, it's okay," Emma protested softly, lifting her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Eating out is so expensive. Let's just go to your special place, and we can eat at home later." Her heart ached at the thought of Gaba spending their hard-earned coins, but the warmth of her sister's back against her chest was a comfort, grounding her.
"It's fine," Gaba said lightly, her tone brushing off the concern like a gentle breeze. "We don't eat out often, do we?" She'd heard of a place called the library—a magical haven where books could be borrowed or bought at a fraction of the cost of the market's exorbitant prices. A single book elsewhere could cost hundreds of copper coins or even a silver, but the library's offerings were a steal. Knowing Emma's love for stories, Gaba felt a surge of excitement, her heart swelling at the thought of giving her sister this gift.
"What should we eat, then?" Emma asked, her curiosity piqued.
"How about that noodle shop?" Gaba suggested, nodding toward a brightly lit establishment just down the street. The shop had opened recently, its reputation for delicious, affordable food spreading like wildfire. Gaba had never been, but the rumors of its savory dishes made her mouth water, a quiet thrill of indulgence stirring within her.
"Noodle shop?" Emma's eyes widened, her voice tinged with wonder. "What's a noodle shop?" The term was as foreign as the pizza shop she'd heard of but never visited, its strange name sparking a flicker of excitement.
"I'm not entirely sure," Gaba admitted with a sheepish grin, her bear ears twitching. "I've only heard about it." In this era, noodles were a novelty—wheat was scarce, and the idea of transforming it into delicate strands was a luxury few could imagine.
"Will it be expensive?" Emma asked, her voice laced with concern as she eyed the long line snaking out of the shop. Such popularity surely meant high prices, and the thought tightened her chest.
"Probably not," Gaba said, though her tone held a hint of uncertainty. "I heard they have noodles for all budgets. The cheapest is just five steel coins." Her words were reassuring, but her eyes lingered on the crowd.
The sisters joined the line, grateful they'd arrived early. Within moments, dozens more people crowded behind them, all eager for a taste of the shop's famed noodles. The air was thick with the scent of broth and spices, and Emma's stomach growled again, her cheeks flushing as she clung tighter to Gaba's back.
"Hey, Old man, what flavor are you getting today?" A voice called from the line, cheerful and teasing.
"Heh, I'm trying the mutton noodles this time," The man replied, his voice rich with excitement. "Heard the meat's divine."
"What? Mutton noodles?" Another voice chimed in, incredulous. "That's two copper coins a bowl! You hit it big or something?"
"Just the small meat portion," The man laughed. "Gotta treat myself."
"That's still one copper coin! Your wife must've slipped you some extra coins, eh?"
The banter swirled around them, and Gaba and Emma listened quietly, their ears catching every word.
Half an hour later, their turn finally came. The shop's entrance was warm and inviting, the scent of steaming broth enveloping them like a lover's embrace. Two servers stood at the door, one a rat beastkin whose sharp eyes softened with kindness as she greeted them.
"Welcome to the noodle shop. Table for two?" She asked, her voice polite but warm, her tail flicking slightly.
"Yes," Gaba replied, her gaze sweeping the crowded interior. Every table was packed, the air alive with the clink of bowls and the murmur of satisfied diners.
"This way, please," The rat-beastkin server said, leading them upstairs to a small table by a window, perfect for two. The view overlooked the bustling street, lanterns casting a golden glow over the scene.
"Thank you," Gaba said, carefully setting Emma down before taking her own seat, her movements gentle and protective.
"Here's the menu," The server said, placing a single sheet on the table. Her eyes flickered with a hint of empathy as she noted Emma's condition, a pang of gratitude in her chest. In Sedona City, beastkin like Emma could thrive; elsewhere, a disabled beastkin might be abandoned to starve. The thought made her tail twitch, a quiet pride in her city's compassion.
"Thank you," Emma said softly, her voice like a gentle breeze as she took the menu. Her ears perked as she scanned the offerings, her eyes widening at the simplicity of the first page: mutton broth noodles, pork bone noodles, and mixed noodles, all priced at five steel coins—the cheapest options. The second page listed pricier dishes at one copper coin, with varieties like mutton soup noodles, stir-fried mutton noodles, and braised pork noodles. The later pages were extravagant, with dishes costing several copper coins, featuring additions like fried eggs or roasted lamb ribs. Emma's heart sank at the prices, and she quickly handed the menu to Gaba, her cheeks flushing. "Sister, what do you want?"
"Let me see," Gaba said, taking the menu with a thoughtful frown. She glanced at the pricier options but quickly returned to the first page, her practical nature overriding temptation.
"You could try the large portion mutton broth noodles," The server suggested kindly. "It's filling for beastkin, and it's only three extra steel coins." The shop's standard portions were designed for humans, leaving beastkin hungry, but the large portions were tailored for them at a discounted rate.
"Alright, two large portions of mutton broth noodles," Gaba said, closing the menu with a decisive nod, her bear ears twitching with anticipation.
"Coming right up," The server said, collecting the menu and gliding away, her tail flicking with efficiency.
"Sister, working here looks nice," Emma said, her eyes following the server, envy flickering in her chest. The server's crisp uniform was striking, and the thought of such purpose stirred a longing within her.
"It is," Gaba said, her voice warm with pride. "Sedona City has so many beastkin working now. It feels… welcoming." The city's inclusivity was a balm to her heart, a stark contrast to the harsh realities elsewhere.
"Sister, I…" Emma hesitated, her voice trembling as she met Gaba's encouraging gaze. She took a deep breath. "I want to work, too." The words spilled out, raw and vulnerable, her heart pounding with the audacity of her desire.
"What?" Gaba blinked, caught off guard. Her mind raced, a tangle of protectiveness and practicality. A disabled beastkin finding work was nearly impossible—most employers would turn Emma away without a second thought. Yet the hope in her sister's eyes was a fragile flame, and Gaba couldn't bear to snuff it out. Her heart tightened, a mix of love and fear swirling within her as she searched for the right words.
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