Happy? Emma paused for a heartbeat, then a gentle smile spread across her face. Yes, happiness was enough. Their past had been filled with hardship, and there was no need to dwell in misery any longer. The warmth of the moment, with the scent of meat porridge and buns filling their small room, was a quiet victory over those dark days.
"Come on, let's eat," Gaba urged, sliding a steaming bowl of meat porridge in front of Emma and handing her a wooden spoon. The savory aroma curled upward, teasing their hungry senses.
"Okay," Emma replied softly, her eyes lingering on the bowl. She noticed the generous chunks of boar meat in her portion, far more than the scant pieces in Gaba's. Her lips pressed together, holding back words. She knew her sister's stubborn streak—if she tried to push the meat back, Gaba would only pile more into her bowl. Instead, she reached under the blanket and retrieved the paper bag. "Here, Sister, take one," She said, offering a meat bun with a playful shake of her bear ears. "Two buns are too much for me."
Gaba sighed, a fond smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, one each." She took the bun, though she saw through Emma's flimsy excuse. Too much? With their beast-kin appetites, ten buns would barely suffice as a snack. Still, she let it slide, warmed by her sister's thoughtfulness.
"Hee hee," Emma giggled, biting into her bun. Her brown eyes squinted in delight as the juicy filling burst with flavor. "So good! These meat buns are amazing."
"Of course they are," Gaba said, watching Emma's joy with a swell of contentment. "The city lord invented them, after all." She took a bite of her own bun, the warm, savory taste a rare treat that made her heart lighter.
Emma's expression turned thoughtful as she chewed. "Sister, with your skills, have you ever thought about working at the city lord's mansion?" She asked earnestly. "The city lord would surely value your abilities."
Gaba snorted, swallowing her mouthful of bun. "Tch, it's not that simple." She shook her head, her chestnut hair swaying. "The city lord already has plenty of beast-kin working for him." The mansion was a dream for many—a chance to soar to a better life, with high wages and rumors of exotic dishes. But Gaba knew it was a long shot.
Emma opened her mouth to protest but faltered. "Well…" She trailed off, realizing the truth. The city lord's inner circle included beast-kin like Mina and Ayesha, whose names were spoken with awe in Sedona City.
"I'm only good for fighting," Gaba said with a bitter chuckle, scooping porridge into her mouth. "I barely know my letters, and at eighteen, I'm not exactly prime material for the mansion." She'd tried for those coveted positions before, only to be turned away each time. Her towering two-meter frame, sparse literacy, and age made her an unlikely candidate.
"But you're strong, Sister!" Emma insisted, her voice rising with excitement, her small bear tail twitching. "You could be a guard. You're powerful enough!"
Gaba waved a hand dismissively. "Enough, Emma. The city lord has plenty of guards already." She'd seen them—lithe, skilled warriors whose strength she couldn't match barehanded. The memory of their confident strides made her doubt her own prowess.
"It's my fault," Emma murmured, her head bowing as her voice cracked. Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm holding you back. If I weren't useless, you wouldn't have to take care of me. You could—"
"Stop it, Emma," Gaba interrupted, her brown eyes narrowing as she raised her voice. "Don't say things that make me sad." Her tone softened, but the weight of her words lingered.
Emma's legs were a scar from their shared past. Three winters ago, when they were fleeing slave traders, Gaba had been gravely injured and unconscious. Emma, only twelve and frail, had carried her through a snowstorm for a full day to find shelter. For a month, she'd nursed Gaba back to health, but the cold had claimed her legs, leaving them numb and useless.
"Sister, I…" Emma lifted her tear-streaked face, her nose running as she sobbed like a child.
"Oh, come on," Gaba said, her own eyes misting as she grabbed a tissue to wipe Emma's face. "I'm happy at the weaving workshop. I earn good coins, and our life's getting better every day." Her voice was firm, reassuring, as she gently cleaned her sister's cheeks.
"Mhm!" Emma nodded vigorously, letting Gaba tend to her.
"Still such a kid," Gaba teased, pinching Emma's pale cheek with a grin.
"You're one to talk," Emma retorted, pouting as her bear ears twitched, a faint blush coloring her face.
"Alright, eat up before it gets cold," Gaba said, nudging the bowl closer. "Winter meals are best hot."
Nodding, Emma quietly dug into her porridge, the warmth of the meal mirroring the cozy atmosphere between them. After dinner, Gaba cleared the dishes, her movements methodical as she washed the pots and bowls in the small kitchen. She then heated water for their baths, the steam rising in soft curls.
By seven-thirty, the sisters were tucked into their shared bed, Gaba's strong arms wrapped protectively around Emma. The room was dim, lit only by a flickering oil lamp, as Emma's soft voice wove stories she'd read or imagined. Outside, the night shift workers trudged toward the workshop, their voices carrying through the thin walls.
"You idiot, I told you to bet on number four, but you picked three. Lost, didn't you?" A man's voice grumbled.
"How was I supposed to know? Number three won last time!" Another retorted. "Who knew they'd choke and lose two to three?"
"Keep it down, you'll wake someone!" A third voice hissed.
"Hurry up and get to work. This weather's freezing."
"Wake who? It's barely evening. Who's asleep already?"
"Don't forget Gaba's sister. She sleeps early. Keep yelling, and Gaba'll pound you."
"That bear-kin's crippled sister? Pfft, I'm not scared of her. Let her try showing up!"
The rental's poor insulation let every word drift into the room. Emma propped herself on one elbow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hee hee, Sister, is he challenging you?"
Gaba's lips curved into a sweet smile, but her eyes glinted with resolve. "Wait here, Emma." She rose, her expression turning icy as she stepped outside, the door creaking shut behind her.
"Some people just beg for trouble," Emma sighed, shaking her head. "Sister's temper can be fierce."
Creak! Slam!
The door opened and closed. Voices outside erupted in panic.
"Hey, Gaba, I didn't say anything bad!" One man pleaded.
"It was him, that dumb ox! He's the one talking smack. Hit him!" Another shouted.
"You traitors—Gaba, I'm not scared of you! So what if I'm loud—ow! Ow! Stop twisting my horn!"
"Quiet down," Gaba's voice cut through, cold and deliberate. "Disturb my sister's rest again, and I'll 'beat' you 'all'."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" The men stammered.
Back inside, Emma listened to the commotion, a wry smile on her lips. "Sister, with that temper, who's ever going to marry you?" She murmured, shaking her head fondly.
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