The morning air was crisp, buzzing with the chaotic energy of Sedona City's breakfast rush at half-past seven. The bun shop was a hive of activity, its steamy warmth and the scent of fresh dough drawing a crowd. Most grabbed buns or steamed bread, their hands clutching coins as they hurried to work, the street alive with the clatter of footsteps and the hum of voices.
"Hey, Chubby, hurry up!" A lanky man shouted, his voice sharp with impatience. "We'll be late for work if you don't move it!"
"Phew… relax, it's just past seven," Chubby panted, his round face flushed as he shuffled forward, his body swaying with effort. "Plenty of time." His voice was casual, but his eyes darted to the lengthening line, a flicker of anxiety stirring within him.
"You idiot, you think buying buns doesn't take time?" The lanky man snapped, his hands on his hips. "Or are you scheming to pool coins for pizza again?" His tone was teasing, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes, his body tingling at the thought of the indulgent treat.
"Pizza? Count me in!" Chubby grinned, his cheeks reddening with enthusiasm. "I'll toss in one steel coin this time." His body bounced slightly, the prospect of pizza igniting a warm thrill in his chest.
"Fine, I'll put in four steel coins," The lanky man said, his voice softening. "Once I save enough, I'm treating my family to a double-meat pizza." His eyes gleamed with anticipation, his body relaxing at the thought of sharing such a luxury.
"I already took my family," Chubby said smugly, his chest puffing out, a flush of pride warming him.
"…" The lanky man glared, his body tensing with mock indignation, the banter a familiar comfort in the morning bustle.
As the bun shop hummed, the Sedona City News Agency's doors swung open, releasing a swarm of twenty orphan newsboys and newsgirls. Each wore a burlap sack slung across their chest, emblazoned with "Sedona City News" in bold characters, stuffed with newspapers.
"Ale, I'm heading to the residential district!" A boy called, waving as he sprinted off, his feet pounding the cobblestones. One paper sold meant one steel coin earned, and his heart raced with the urge to sell as many as possible, his body buzzing with determination.
"Be careful!" Ale shouted, standing on tiptoe, his red hair a fiery beacon in the dawn light. He turned toward the pizza shop, where wealthier patrons gathered, knowing the bun shop was already crowded with other newsboys.
"Newspapers! Get your newspapers! Two steel coins each!" Ale's voice started shaky but grew bold, ringing through the street as he waved a paper high. "Read Lord Lucas's articles! Recruitment notices! Housing prices at fifty copper coins per square meter—only seven units left!"
Soon, the city echoed with the cries of newsboys, their voices weaving through the streets, a symphony of youthful energy that stirred the morning air.
"Liza, are you done yet?" Ryan called from the doorway, his voice tinged with exasperation. "We'll be late for work—and miss pizza!" His body leaned against the frame, his broad shoulders tense with impatience, the scent of the morning market drifting in.
"Almost, almost!" Liza's voice floated from inside, distracted and airy. Moments later, she emerged, her cheeks flushed, her body swathed in a faint floral scent that made Ryan's nose twitch.
"You're wearing perfume again?" Ryan asked, his brow arching as he caught the fragrance, his body shifting with a mix of amusement and irritation. "No wonder you took forever."
"I wear it every three days," Liza said, her eyes narrowing, her plump hand darting to pinch Ryan's waist. "Don't tell me you forgot?" Her voice was teasing, but there was a spark of challenge in her gaze, her body leaning closer with playful menace.
Ryan flinched, his body jolting as he dodged her grasp, his heart racing with a mix of relief and exasperation. "Let's go, we're running out of time," He said, hurrying out, his cheeks flushing. Who remembers perfume schedules? He thought, his body relaxing as he escaped her pinch.
*Clip-clop.*
Liza rolled her eyes, locking the door and chasing after him, her footsteps heavy but quick. As they reached the main avenue, the shouts of newsboys caught her ear.
"Ryan, what are they selling?" Liza asked, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the street, her body leaning toward the sound.
"Newspapers," Ryan said casually, his voice steady as he strode forward. He'd been tipped off about the news agency but knew little beyond that.
"What's a newspaper?" Liza asked, her eyes blinking with curiosity, her body swaying slightly as she walked.
"No idea," Ryan admitted, shaking his head. "It's Lord Lucas's latest venture. Let's buy one and find out." His voice was light, but his heart quickened at the thought of the city lord's innovation.
"Alright, let's get one," Liza said, nodding eagerly. She waved at a red-haired boy passing by. "Hey, newsboy! One paper, please!" Her voice was bright.
"Right away!" Ale called, sprinting over, his small frame bursting with energy. He handed her a newspaper, his voice clear and practiced. "Madam Liza, two steel coins, please." As the wife of Ryan, the deputy security chief, Liza was a familiar face, and Ale's heart raced with the thrill of serving someone prominent, his body tingling with pride.
Liza fished out two steel coins, her fingers brushing Ale's palm as she took the paper, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She unfolded it, the crisp sheet crackling, its fifty-by-fifty-centimeter expanse dominated by bold black characters: "Sedona City News." The paper was divided into four sections: Political News, Announcements, Anecdotes, and Advertisements.
"Look, Ryan!" Liza exclaimed, tugging his sleeve, her body leaning close as she pointed to the Political News section. "It says Lord Lucas's building a bridge over the Whispering River! That's impossible, right?" Her voice was a mix of awe and disbelief, her heart pounding with the audacity of the claim, her body warm with excitement.
Ryan frowned, his eyes scanning the text, his body tensing with skepticism. "A bridge over the Whispering River? That's… maybe possible." The river's breadth seemed insurmountable, yet Lucas's track record of miracles made him pause, a flicker of doubt and wonder stirring within him, his heart racing.
"No way, that's absurd," Liza scoffed, rolling her eyes as she clutched the paper, her body swaying as they entered the pizza shop, the warm scent of dough and cheese enveloping them.
Ryan scratched his cheek, following her inside, his eyes catching several patrons reading newspapers, their murmurs a soft hum of intrigue. "Double-meat pizza, please," Liza called to the server, her voice bright as she dove back into the paper, her body buzzing with curiosity.
The server nodded, retreating, and Liza leaned toward Ryan, her finger jabbing at the Anecdotes section. "Ryan, look! It says Miss Annie has over three hundred lollipops, many limited editions! Some cost ten silver coins each—can you believe that?"
Ryan blinked, reading the text, his brow furrowing. "It's in the Anecdotes section," He said, his voice laced with doubt. "Might just be a joke." His body relaxed, but a flicker of amusement warmed him, his heart lightening at Liza's enthusiasm.
"Is it?" Liza frowned, shaking her head. "I'll ask Annie next time I see her." Her voice was determined, her body tensing with resolve.
"Don't," Ryan sighed, his body slumping slightly. "You'll just get jealous." His tone was teasing.
Liza ignored him, her eyes darting to the Advertisements section. "Look, an ad costs five hundred copper coins for one day, and the price rises with sales!" She said, her voice tinged with shock, her body leaning forward. "Would merchants pay that?"
"Maybe," Ryan said, his voice thoughtful, his body tensing with admiration for Lucas's ingenuity. "If I were a new merchant here, I'd try it." He sighed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Marriage is a battlefield, he thought, but Lucas's newspaper was a marvel, spreading news faster than gossip. A decree tonight could reach every corner of Sedona by morning, and his body humming with respect for the city lord's vision.
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