Chapter 68: The Snack Strike of the Sprites
šŖ Act I: A Missing Biscuit
Ne Job was halfway through sorting miracle scrolls when he reached for his usual tea-time biscuit ā and found the tin empty.
He blinked. "That's odd. We always have a backup stash."
Ao Bing checked the cupboard. "Gone."
Taiyi Zhenren frowned. "Even the emergency mooncakes are missing."
Twinkle buzzed nervously.
Just then, a scroll popped into existence, stamped with glitter and crumbs:
> Notice from the Sprite Union:
> Effective immediately, all snack services are suspended.
> Reason: Lack of appreciation, overwork, and insufficient biscuit variety.
> Demands: Better snacks, fairer shifts, and a dedicated nap zone.
Ne Job blinked. "The sprites are on strike?"
Ao Bing gasped. "We're doomed."
---
š§ Act II: The Bureau Reacts
The Bureau descended into chaos.
Without sprite support, scrolls piled up. Tea urns dispensed lukewarm water. Miracle orbs refused to hum.
Auditors grew cranky. Interns grew hungry. Even Lord Xian looked slightly frazzled.
Ne Job called an emergency meeting.
"We need to talk to the sprites," he said. "Understand their concerns."
Taiyi Zhenren nodded. "Diplomacy. Not discipline."
Ao Bing added, "And snacks. Lots of snacks."
They assembled a peace delegation: Ne Job, Ao Bing, Taiyi Zhenren, and a tray of apology pastries.
---
š§ Act III: Negotiations Begin
The delegation arrived at the Sprite Commons, a cozy glade filled with floating hammocks, glitter trails, and tiny protest signs:
> "No naps, no snacks, no service!"
> "We demand marshmallow equity!"
> "Scrolls don't sort themselves!"
Glimmer, the charismatic sprite from Chapter 64, greeted them.
"We're tired," she said. "We work nonstop. And we get crumbs. Crumbs!"
Ne Job bowed. "We're sorry. We didn't realize."
Ao Bing offered a pastry. Glimmer sniffed it. "Is thisā¦ cinnamon cloud swirl?"
Taiyi Zhenren presented a scroll: "Proposal for Sprite Wellness Policy."
Glimmer read it aloud:
- Snack Rotation Schedule
- Nap Zone Allocation
- Miracle Appreciation Ceremonies
- Monthly Biscuit Budget
The sprites murmured.
Glimmer looked up. "We want one more thing."
Ne Job nodded. "Name it."
---
š§ Act IV: The Sprite Council
Glimmer smiled. "We want a voice. A seat on the Bureau Council."
Lord Xian was skeptical.
"Sprites are support staff," he said. "Not policy makers."
Ne Job stepped forward.
"They're the heart of the Bureau. Without them, miracles stall. Scrolls pile up. Tea goes cold."
Taiyi Zhenren added, "They deserve representation."
Ao Bing tossed confetti. "And snacks."
Lord Xian sighed. "Very well. One seat. Rotating. Advisory only."
Glimmer saluted. "We accept."
---
š Act V: The Celebration
The strike ended.
Scrolls sorted themselves with sprite guidance. Tea urns sang again. Miracle orbs hummed in harmony.
The Bureau held a Snack Reconciliation Festival, featuring:
- Cloudberry Tarts
- Stardust Shortbread
- Whisperroot Waffles
- Sprite-Sized Sandwiches
Ne Job led the toast.
"To kindness, cookies, and collaboration!"
Twinkle hummed. Glimmer winked. Lord Xian sipped his tea and muttered, "Acceptable."
---
š Epilogue: A New Policy Scroll
The next morning, a new scroll appeared in the Bureau's policy archive:
> Policy #S-88: Sprite Wellness and Representation
> Enacted by: Intern Ne Job and the Sprite Council
> Effect: Improved morale, snack quality, and miracle efficiency.
Ne Job added a note:
> "Even the smallest voices deserve to be heard. Especially when they bake the biscuits."
Twinkle hummed.
And somewhere in the Bureau, a sprite napped in a hammock ā dreaming of cinnamon cloud swirls and a world that finally listened.