ellipsanet | {Text; UN: scraps}

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{Text; UN: scraps}

I'm looking for a specific type of flower. It's small and white and it gives off a delicious scent. Maybe it's something like jasmine? I'm not sure. Its been awhile since I had any.

I think the butterflies will like it. {Granted they aren't real butterflies, but surely phantom butterflies love sweet scents too?}

I remember them blooming for most of the year or maybe I'm mistaken? It has been so long. My mind is getting old.

I was definitely spoiled back then. If I asked for them, someone would grow them even if it was the wrong season.

I know better now.

It's just the memories that I miss.

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System...? {He nods slowly, thoughtfully.} I will tell no one. I do have one question: are you content with your new life? Do you wish the spell broken?

I'm not sure it's actually a spell? I mean, I died. And so did Shen-shixiong. He's a... friend from my first world. Well, kind of a friend. And anyway, I've been in the one I wrote twice as long as I ever lived in the other and...

[Fidgets.]

My king is there. I created him. It wouldn't be right to just up and abandon him. Or worse, unmake him.

I see. Maybe the world you thought you created already existed. {And his friend was reborn into it.} Sometimes we are given visions...dreams...of other dimensions or realities. I think you might be a Seer.

It'd sure be easier if I were. But I didn't exactly just sit down and write. I polled readers, based people on folk I knew, and sometimes just ripped off stories I already knew. I'm not a great writer.

And I'm definitely not the Shang Qinghua that I wrote about. You wouldn't have liked him.

Writing about what you know is the first key to creating a story. {Xie Lian smiles a little, shaking his head.} You are a normal human being. Don't be so hard on yourself. No one comes up with a whole tale out of the ether. Not unless the gods give them inspiration, I suppose.

Why not?

[Still isn't really sure. Who knows, maybe it's the System that's a god. Which is a horrifying thought.]

Because he was an asshole! Slimy little rat man. I might have put some of my own details into his creation, a bit of resemblance and a name similar to my old one, but that's where it ends. For one thing, stood by while his whole sect got destroyed, and then he betrayed my king, which is why I wrote Mobei snapping his neck.

{Gods in general are a terrifying thought.

Xie Lian's brows rise and he blinks slowly. Goodness.}

I would be furious with him too. {Especially on that last part.} Was your king harmed by his actions? Besides the betrayal?

Betrayal is bad enough.

[He's kinda sorta super protective over his king, okay?]

I didn't really write all the details of it because Binghe wasn't there and the story followed him. But I know what kind of person I wrote him to be. Likeable isn't on the list.

Yes, it is.

{He gets it. Betraying San Lang would ruin him.}

That is something you can fix now that you are in his shoes. It seems fate gave you a challenge.

Hardly a challenge. Even if I didn't value my own skin, I couldn't do that to him! Not when he's so- urgh. [Grumbles.] You know, I almost smashed his head with a rock when we met? But how could I wreck a face that I'd designed to be so perfect?!

{Xie Lian might be innocent in a lot of matters, but this is pretty obvious.}

I notice he hasn't punished you for betraying him.

Because I haven't. Faked it once, but he knew I was faking because otherwise he'd have been burnt up. Worked against his uncle pretty good though.

[Is the expert at being shockingly oblivious.]

Might have tried to leave once, but that's not the same thing. Not like I was going to work for someone else.

{And here he thought he excelled in being naive! Xie Lian clears his throat and presses his lips together.}

He is very lucky to have you. {Yes, that is the nicest, most innocuous way to put it.} I don't think it would hurt for you to be honest with him.

I dunno. It's been hard work to even get where we are. It's been a... rough few decades. Don't want to risk messing that up.

[Isn't exactly the king of self-confidence here.]

But I'll think about it.

Living and learning side by side is difficult. Yet I believe in your good heart. Let him see your care. He would be a fool to not cherish you.

[Gives him a dry smile.]

Where were you when I was seventeen? Could have really used someone to give him instructions back then.

{Xie Lian blushes and glances down, humbled.}

It took me a long time to learn what I know. I might not have been much help.

[Letting out a huff, he reached an arm out from his blanket to give Xie Lian a poke in the shoulder.]

Hey, you don't get to try building me up just to tear yourself down.

{He blinks at the poke and then laughs quietly.}

Tearing myself down is easy. I can do it without lifting you up. I could probably manage it in my sleep too.

Nope, not doing that today.

[Clearly, he's not the only person who needed more hugs in this life. And since he'd warmed up plenty by now, he scooted himself closer and dropped half of it onto the other man.]

You've been a good friend to me.

Hm? {Xie Lian pinks and glances at the blanket, tugging it around him on instinct. Oh how warm!} You're my friend. Being good to you comes naturally.

[Clearly, he was going to have his work cut out for him. Shang Qinghua wasn't exactly used to building people up (or particularly good at it), but someone like Xie Lian deserved to feel better about himself.]

Man, I wish I could introduce you to some of my sect members back home.

{He nudges their shoulders together and closes his eyes, letting himself soak in his good company.}

I would give them the lecture of a lifetime.

[Shang Qinghua snickered softly at the thought, leaning in against him.]

Bro, I would pay good money to see that.

{Bro? Xie Lian grins, amused at the little nickname.}

You could watch from behind me!

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