Seul pointed lazily across the plaza . "Over there. Tent with 'Seera Sweets' written on it."
Zeddy followed his finger, spotting the crimson tent stitched with golden letters, a sweet aroma wafting from within. His grin widened.
"They're delicious," Seul added, wiping his hands on a napkin.
"Wanna grab some more?" "You even have to ask?" Zeddy laughed, already tugging him along.
The two made their way through the crowd, ducking into the tent. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of freshly baked bread and warm sugar. Stacks of pastries, golden and steaming, lined the counter, each more inviting than the last.
Zeddy stepped up without hesitation. "Two pastries—no, three! …Actually, give me four. The biggest ones you've got."
A soft chuckle answered him. Behind the counter stood a young woman in a neat apron, her hair tied back, flour dusted faintly across her cheek.
Her eyes were warm, calm, and protective, the kind that made you feel instantly at ease. "That's quite the appetite you've got," she said kindly, sliding trays forward. "Are you sure you'll finish them all?"
"I'll take that as a challenge." Zeddy beamed. "Name's Zeddy. Resident champion of finishing food."
As Zeddy reached for it, his gaze caught a faint shimmer beneath her right ear—a tattoo-like mark glowing ever so slightly in the light. He tilted his head. "Whoa, that's pretty cool. Didn't notice it before. That little mark… it suits you."
The young woman touched the spot unconsciously, as if not even aware it was showing. Her lips curved in an almost small smile.
Zeddy took a massive bite of the first pastry, his eyes going wide. "Mmm! This is… this is magical! Like, not just tasty—actually magical."
Lumeira blinked, then laughed softly, a gentle sound that seemed to melt into the warm air of the tent. She tilted her head, amused.
"Magical, huh? Well, I'll take that as the highest compliment. But I promise—no spells went
Zeddy, of course, was already halfway through his second pastry. "Well, whatever you did, don't stop. I'd fight an army for these."
"You don't need to fight," Lumeira said, sliding another small pastry toward him with a smile.
Meanwhile near the Machines
The clang of a wrench echoed as Solace leaned over the guts of a heavy brass machine, sleeves rolled up and a smug smirk plastered across his face.
"So you tighten it here," he explained smoothly, giving the bolt a final twist, "and if it sparks, don't panic. Worst case, I'll take the blame. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble for making my heart race."
The young lady standing nearby flushed instantly, half hiding her smile behind her notebook. Solace winked, sliding the wrench into his belt like it was a sword in a holster.
But just as he turned back to the machine, a shiver ran down his spine. Not from the breeze. Something colder. Something inevitable.
"Flirting while on duty again, Sol?"
That voice. Too sweet. Too singsong. Too… Selene.
Solace didn't even look. He just groaned and rubbed his temple. "And there goes my mood."
Sure enough, Selene stood there with her grin stretched wide, hands clasped behind her back like a kid ready to show off a dead bird. Karmeen trailed after her, arms crossed, the eternal chaperone.
"You always know when I'm near," Selene purred, tilting her head at a 45-degree angle no human neck should manage. "Because our souls are stitched tighter than this rusty contraption."
The girl beside Solace froze like prey. Solace sighed.
"Or maybe it's just that creepy horror-movie aura you bring everywhere," he deadpanned. "Like… you're basically a walking jump scare."
Selene's grin sharpened. "Storm clouds bring rain. And rain washes away flimsy little distractions." She flicked her eyes at the poor girl, who immediately bolted, notebook and all.
Solace groaned, slumping against the machine. "Seriously? I was this close. This close!" He pinched his fingers together. "Do you have a radar that just goes off whenever I'm about to score?"
Selene clapped her hands innocently. "Oh, it goes ding-ding-ding every time you embarrass yourself. It's my favorite sound."
Karmeen muttered, dragging a hand down her face. "Unbelievable. The world's creepiest little sister and the world's most shameless flirt. A match made in hell."
Solace smirked at her. "Hey, at least I'm charming."
Selene's eyes widened theatrically. "And I'm haunting."
Together, they struck a mock pose like some twisted comedy duo.
Karmeen groaned louder. "What a pair of idiots."
Selene blinked at the machine, then back at her brother. "So… what exactly are you doing here, Sol?"
Solace puffed out his chest, smirking like a man who had just invented machines themselves. "I was called, thank you very much, to make sure these beauties don't break down. If there's a spark, a jam, a hiccup, who do they run to?" He tapped his chest. "Me. Because I'm the best there is at this."
Selene tilted her head unnaturally again. "Mmm. So proud. Like a peacock with a wrench."
"Better a peacock with a wrench than a scarecrow with a creepy smile," Solace shot back, grinning.
Before Selene could respond, a sharp crackle from the loudspeakers interrupted them.