"Are you free for a little longer, Natalie? I could use an extra pair of hands for another hour... I'm sure Rose told you that we have a few more orders that get picked up late at night? A few of the Nocturnals have taken a liking to our little bakery, and the money is really good so we fulfill their orders even though it means longer days..."
She gave me a somewhat tired smile before gesturing towards the bowl right beside her, the thick batter for what I assume was a red velvet cake resting inside and waiting to be further mixed before poured into a mold and then baked.
"I have another hour available, Miss Nadia. There aren't many trying assignments I need to worry about just yet."
"Ah, yes... the Academy... Did you know that only a few hundred of the thousands living in this city - either those who moved here or those born here - have ever been accepted to the Academy? I sadly am not amongst that number, while Rose never even applied..."
