01 Steampunk Edd

It was an early Saturday morning in the heart of London in the 1800s, the kind of morning where the fog still clung to the cobblestones and the distant hiss of steam engines echoed through narrow streets. Edward Gould, or simply Edd, as everyone knew him, pedaled briskly through the waking city on his trusty brass-trimmed bicycle, its gears whirring with a soft mechanical hum. His loyal cat, Ringo, sat comfortably in the small basket up front, tail swishing lazily as the pair made their usual deliveries.

Edd carried all sorts of things: newspapers hot off the press, sealed envelopes stamped with wax insignias, even the occasional phonograph record wrapped in brown paper and string. The faint scent of oil and morning rain filled the air as he rode, his goggles glinting in the early light. The breeze tousled his hair, and a bright grin spread across his face as he called out cheerful greetings to the shopkeepers opening their doors and the sleepy townsfolk on their morning walks.

As Edd rode on, the differences between people were easy to see. In the poorer streets, families shared cramped homes, shopkeepers worked long hours, and children helped however they could, but even they couldn't read or write since they didn't have enough money to be tough. The lower class was considered dangerous especially if they were homeless, people who couldn't have their own opinions, the middle class were people who managed to make somewhat better money to live a bit more comfortable for a little longer.

In wealthier areas, tall buildings and clean windows stood behind iron gates, and finely dressed gentlemen passed by without a glance, rarely stopping to greet someone like Edd. The higher class lived more comfortably and were treated with respect. They had nice clothing, delicious food, they could go to the theater, they got better education and were tough how to read and write from a young age as well how to play a few instruments. Edd was in the lower rank but he got used to being treated differently..

Well Edd cycled throug, for him, there was no better feeling, the world still half-asleep, the gears of the city slowly turning, and him right in the middle of it all, riding through the golden haze of dawn with Ringo by his side.