Emma's days were a quiet tapestry of confinement, her world confined to a small room where she sat by the window, her gaze tracing the vibrant life outside the window. The bustling streets of Sedona City unfolded before her—people laughing, striding with purpose, their freedom a stark contrast to her own. Her ears twitched at the sounds of footsteps and chatter, each one a reminder of her limitations. Unable to walk, even simple tasks like using the bathroom were a struggle, relegated to the indignity of a chamber pot. She drank sparingly, ate minimally, all to reduce the need for it, the faint, acrid scent a constant humiliation. Her heart ached with envy for those who moved so freely, a longing that stirred a quiet heat in her chest, a mix of yearning and frustration.
Seeing the flicker of distress in Gaba's eyes, Emma waved her hands quickly, forcing a smile that trembled at the edges. "Sister, I was just joking," She said, her voice soft but strained, her cheeks flushing with the effort to hide her true desires. The vulnerability in her words hung in the air, and she felt a pang of guilt for burdening Gaba.
Gaba's eyes softened with a tender pity, her bear ears twitching slightly. She knew the weight of Emma's isolation, the way their small home both sheltered and confined her. "I'll ask around for you," She said, her voice gentle. Keeping her sister locked away felt like a betrayal of her spirit, a cage that offered safety but stole joy. Gaba's heart tightened, a mix of love and resolve stirring within her, her body warming at the thought of giving Emma a chance to shine.
"Really?" Emma's eyes widened, her ears perking up as a radiant smile broke across her face, her brown eyes sparkling with anticipation. She thought of Gaba's hands, calloused from endless hours of weaving, each rough patch a testament to her sacrifices. Guilt gnawed at her—she was a burden, a weight on her sister's shoulders.
"Really," Gaba said, her lips pressing into a determined line. "I'll ask today." She wasn't sure if the library needed workers, but the hope in Emma's eyes was worth the effort.
*Clip-clop.*
The rat beastkin server approached, her steps light but purposeful, balancing a tray with two steaming bowls the size of human heads. The rich aroma of mutton broth filled the air, wrapping around them like a warm embrace. She set the bowls before Gaba and Emma, the golden noodles glistening in the lantern light, and handed them chopsticks and spoons with a graceful flourish.
"Large portions of mutton broth noodles," The server said softly, her tail flicking as she offered a polite smile.
"Thank you!" Emma chirped, her eyes crinkling with delight, her ears twitching with excitement.
"Enjoy your meal," The server said, bowing slightly before gliding downstairs, her uniform rustling softly.
"It smells incredible," Gaba murmured, her nose twitching as she inhaled deeply, the savory scent making her mouth water.
*Slurp.*
Emma dove in, her first bite sending a shock of pleasure through her. The noodles were chewy, the broth rich with the deep, earthy flavor of mutton, each sip a revelation that made her eyes widen in awe. "So good," She whispered, her voice a soft moan of delight, her body tingling as she savored the warmth spreading through her. Eating a bowl of noodles, drinking the fragrant broth—it was a simple joy, yet it felt like a luxury, a moment of pure bliss.
*Slurp.*
Gaba joined her, the sound of their eager eating blending with the chorus of slurps filling the noodle shop. The rhythm of it was comforting, almost primal, and Emma felt a flush of contentment, her heart light despite her earlier embarrassment.
Twenty minutes later, with a shared sigh of satisfaction, the sisters set down their empty bowls, the broth drained to the last drop. Emma's cheeks were flushed, her body warm with the fullness of the meal.
"Emma, are you full?" Gaba asked, her voice soft and caring, her bear ears twitching as she studied her sister. She was only half-satisfied herself, her beastkin appetite demanding more, but seeing Emma's contentment was enough.
"Very full," Emma said, patting her stomach with a grin, her ears flicking happily. She'd eaten more than she would at home, her belly comfortably full, a rare sensation that made her heart sing.
"Let's go, then," Gaba said, rising and crouching before Emma. "We don't want to be late—it might close." Her voice was warm.
"Okay," Emma said, her round bear ears twitching as she climbed onto Gaba's back, her lips curling into a soft smile. She remembered Gaba's promise to be her legs forever, a vow that filled her with a bittersweet warmth, her body pressing close to her sister's strong frame.
*Clip-clop.*
Gaba carried Emma downstairs, paid the bill with a handful of coins, and stepped out into the cool evening air, heading toward the security bureau. The library was nearby, a beacon of possibility in Emma's mind.
"Sister, what's that new shop?" Emma exclaimed, her voice tinged with wonder as she spotted a signboard next to the security bureau. Her ears perked, her eyes locked on the unfamiliar words.
"Sedona City News Agency?" Gaba read aloud, her brow furrowing in surprise. "That wasn't here yesterday." The shop's sudden appearance was intriguing.
"News agency?" Emma murmured, her voice soft and curious. "Another strange name. Is it a food shop, too?" Her imagination danced, picturing exotic dishes, her body tingling with the thrill of the unknown.
"No idea," Gaba said, shaking her head, her bear ears twitching. The term was as foreign to her as it was to Emma.
"Look, Sister, there's a crowd!" Emma said, her brown eyes sparkling as she pointed to a line of people near the news agency. "Are they buying something?"
"We'll check it out on the way back," Gaba said, her tone gentle but firm. "Let's visit the special place first." She adjusted Emma's weight on her back, her steps steady as she moved toward the library.
"Okay," Emma agreed, her voice soft and obedient. Her sharp mind had already cataloged the city's sights from past outings, a gift that compensated for her physical limitations. Where Gaba had strength, Emma had intellect, a balance that made her heart swell with quiet pride.
*Clip-clop.*
They reached the library, a modest building that had opened just three days ago. Gaba had visited on its first day, drawn by the word "books" on its sign. The sight had sparked hope in her heart, a chance to bring joy to Emma's confined world.
"Library?" Emma whispered, her brown eyes glowing with realization. Books were her escape, her love, a window to worlds she could never walk through.
"Let's go in," Gaba said, not waiting for a response as she carried Emma inside, her heart racing with the promise of her sister's joy.
The library was a sanctuary of silence, the air heavy with the scent of parchment and ink. The quiet was a stark contrast to the bustling shops outside, and Emma's eyes sparkled as they landed on a large sign reading "Quiet."
Bookshelves lined the walls, though only one held books. A sign nearby read "High Price for Books," hinting at a call for donations. At a counter, a young woman worked diligently, while two or three people waited in line, clutching books.
"Sister, is this a bookshop?" Emma whispered, her lips close to Gaba's ear, her voice trembling with hope. "Are the books expensive?"
"They sell books, but you can also borrow them," Gaba replied softly, her bear ears flicking. "Let's see what they have." Her voice was warm.
"Okay," Emma said, her voice bright with anticipation, her body practically vibrating with excitement.
Gaba carried her to the bookshelf, where dozens of books were neatly arranged, many duplicates. Emma's eyes scanned the titles, each one a spark of wonder: *Fairy Tales, Volume One*, *Primer of a Hundred Words, Volume One*, *Twelve Proverbs for Life*.
"Emma, we'll each borrow one book," Gaba said softly. "That way, you'll have two to read." Her voice was gentle, but there was a firmness beneath it, a determination to make this moment special.
"Borrow? Does it cost anything?" Emma asked, her voice laced with worry, her brown eyes searching Gaba's face.
"No," Gaba said, her expression serious. "I checked already. Borrowing requires a ten-copper-coin deposit, which you get back when you return the book. But you only have ten days, or they keep the deposit and consider the book bought. Next time, the deposit is five times higher, and damaging a book deducts from the deposit, too."
"That's so cheap!" Emma gasped, her eyes glowing as she stared at the bookshelf, her heart soaring. The idea of borrowing books for so little was a revelation, a gift that made her body hum with excitement, her ears twitching with joy.
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