In the heart of Viv's bustling capital, a modest stall could be seen between rows of merchants and artisans.
The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries spreading through the air drew curious glances from passersby. Behind the counter, Erisea, the pretty girl in her early twenties, her light-brown hair loosely braided and tucked beneath a flour-dusted cap, greeted her customers with a smile.
Her hands, worn from long hours of kneading dough, burned a little from the magical baking fire that she used, her face still bright and cheery, worked swiftly and precisely as she arranged her golden loaves, donuts of non-round shape, rolls filled with various meats and fruit jellies, biscuits, cookies, and delicately crafted pastries on display.
The sign above her stall simply read Maru's Bakes, but it didn't really belong to her, just like this shop. She was simply renting it after paying a little silver to the owner.
"Can I have two of those?"