"The only thing that keeps me stable is Second Reality. But if he wasn't around. What would I have been?"
-Xiaomao
Before Ren entered the cafeteria, Xiaomao had given him some things to tell the chef, such as what to put in the Consorts meals and liquids she should be given.
As Naveen and Ren went inside, Xiaomao waited outside. She sat on the cold floor leaning on the wall. She sat there in silence until Second Reality decided to break the silence.
"...Even if we put the final puzzle piece correctly," she said with some hesitation, "will we still get the ending we want?"
To that Xiaomao answered, I will make sure of it. I didn't plan for anything. It has to work. She shifted her position, twirling her hair.
"Will that even be a perfect world?"
There is nothing perfect, as you should know perfectly. Even if it is me at the end. That's fine. This is why we are on the opposite lines. I will write an ending, yet you? You have the utmost free will to change the ending's meaning just from your perspective.
And honestly? What power does it leave me to have?
Second Reality sighed, sitting next to Xiaomao in his spiritual form. "You're weird you know? You act like you despise every person around but inside you're so sympathetic to people."
If I'm weird then you are included in there.
"I suppose." Second Reality said in a quieter tone.
Just pretend everything will go our way.
"Pretend? What, you're going to now pretend your life away? Life is full of hardships. Many that cannot be resolved." Second Reality exclaimed with bursts of anger.
I'm not saying to pretend there is no hardships. Just pretend it.
"Oh so now you're going to act like a bitter lemon?"
Leave me alone. Be quiet. You don't even exist in this timeline. Go away.
Second Reality kept quiet. Then after a moment disappeared from her sight.
Fading.
The hurt and bitter Xiaomao stared at the ground drawing flowers into the dirt with a stick.
Why does everything go wrong.
Xiaomao thought to herself not noticing Ren and Naveen finishing up. Ren tapped her shoulder to grab her attention, "Yoo hoo! Little Miss we finished our work. Are you going to pat us on the head for doing a good job?"
"Ok what the actual-" Xiaomao said taken aback from Ren's words.
Ren laughed eyeing Naveen to see his reaction. Naveen looked quite amused on Xiaomao's reaction.
"Naveen you did what I told you to do right? About the trees burning?" Xiaomao said changing the subject. She turned to Naveen, seeing him nod she said, "That's great."
Xiaomao made sure that Naveen had done this one task, she had asked him to tell the eunuchs to stop burning the trees that were blown off the roots from the great winds.
Because they were burning so many trees, the smoke clouded the sky which made the sick people harder to breath. Now the eunuchs would reuse the trees for other uses.
Incense as well was banned. Or, well it has been reduced the use. Incense should now only be used for ceremonial purposes. If they want to exorcize a spiritual being, they should ask a medic to make sure it's not just a illness.
---------------------3 Days Later------------------------
Xiaomao and Ren had been going to the academy as normal, not speaking to each other unless Xiaomao answered to Ren's banter.
Xiaomao now let Ren come near her anytime, getting used to his presence. Xiaomao completed her normal tasks and carried out her usual path to her dorm.
Right out the door, unexpected but excepted was Ren holding a cigarette to his mouth waiting outside her door.
Xiaomao walked up to her door not answering Ren's presence. She dropped her bag to unlock the door. She fished the keys out her pocket and opened the door. She looked at where she placed her bag and saw Ren holding it instead.
His ragged figure stared her down, cigarette in between his fingers, "How've you been?"
"Fine," she said staring at her bag. She lunged to grab it, gritting her teeth as he raised the bag higher making Xiaomao jump to try to grab it.
"Give. Me. My. Bag." She said threatening him with her glare.
Amused, Ren laughed letting Xiaomao eventually have the bag back. She huffed and began to walk back inside.
Ren stopped Xiaomao by holding one of her long braids. He twirled the braid in awe on how long it was.
Xiaomao stared at him unamused waiting for him to speak. Ren let go of her braid, having something else in mind. He began to speak but instead just went inside her dorm closing the door with him and her inside.
"What do you want..." Xiaomao said groaning as he closed the door.
"Ooo~ lovely place we have here. Not quite what I was expecting. Though it was going to more...medicine." Ren said looking around, making sure he took his shoes off at the doorway.
Xiaomao took her shoes off as well at the door. She threw her bag on the couch watching Ren looking around.
"Tea or coffee." She asked bluntly, tightening her braids. Ren stopped in his tracks, contemplating then spoke, "Coffee."
"I presume black?"
Ren nodded as he looked around more. Her dorm wasn't as bad as he had thought. It was cozy, yes but it was filled with books. In the back of her dorm she had a mini garden in the dorm, somehow she renovated the place completely within her stay.
Ren teased as he looked around her dorm, "I wouldn't have expected you to be so high with the hospitality now."
Her room was simple, bed with a carpet, bookshelf and the closet. She had a mirror attached to the closet. Flower pots with different flowers were all around the house. She had a locked drawer as well.
Rolling her eyes yet again, she retorted, "You aren't that special. Hospitality is a normal trait for humans to have. Not my fault you are so surprised from it."
Finally bored of seeing all the books, he sat down. A few minutes later Xiaomao brought 2 cups of coffee, one for her and one for Ren.
They both sipped the cups in awkward silence, no one knew what to say. Ren decided to break the silence, "Nice thing you've done around."
Xiaomao hummed in response, her eyes wandering around her dorm. Unease grew from the awkward silence and Ren spoke, "You never seemed like a book nerd, this whole place is filled with books."
"I've read since I was a child." She responded, finishing her cup of coffee as she stared at the final drop sitting in her cup before finally draining it.
Ren as well finished his cup of coffee, stood up walking to the girls room. Xiaomao followed him inside.
"Say... I was wondering why do you have this drawer locked?" Ren asked mischievously fiddling with the lock.
Xiaomao paused, not uttering a word before she delivered a pointed glared, "...because I can? It is my dorm?"
Ren began to pull at the locked drawer, smirking as Xiaomao began to look nervous. "Ey? Nervous from this drawer? I wonder what you keep in here"
Xiaomao unable to hide her anxious tone blurted out, "..hehe you wouldn't want to go through a girl's belongings now would you?"
"Does it look like I care?" Ren said bluntly.
"I guess not. But still!!! Don't open it!!"
He poked the lock, it casually fell onto the ground, Ren and Xiaomao stared at each other in shock.
Oh shoot.
What the flip???? Im sure I locked the drawer.
The drawer became slightly ajar, peeking its contents of books and paper.
Ren opened the drawer, its contents inside were purely mangas and manhwas, or any other form of literature she kept in there. Funny thing, it wasn't even like weird or anything. It was more like...angst hit teenage with fantasy manga and manhwas.
Now where did she get all these mangas and manhwas you dare say?
That is for me and Xiaomao to know, and you to find out.
"This is what you were afraid of me seeing?" Ren asked dumbfounded. He tapped the mangas noticing some papers underneath, "Manga isn't even that bad..."
He reached out and grabbed a few papers, Xiaomao panicked. Her eyes darted all around the room. "H-hey why not we do something else?"
Second Reality answered chuckling in Xiaomaos head, "Lol you did."
Second Reality???? Why'd you do that bro????
"Don't forget I was mad at you."
Ugh... this makes it even then.
Ren looks through the papers eyeing on that caught his eye. It had multiple doodles and a bunch of words on it. It was a draft of a book. He read one scene that had multiple exclamation points.
"What's this? A dance before death on the midnight rain?"
She looked away all flustered, muttering, "That's a scene in one of my books..."
HOLY #### PLEASE DO NOT REALIZE WHO I WAS WRITING ABOUT.
NO I AM NOT WRITING FANFICTION ABOUT ME AND YOU.
Second Reality smirked, "Oh? Because I could've sworn you wrote this whole scene from your encounter in your 35th live when you and him-"
ALRIGHT ENOUGH
Ren looked surprised, "You don't seem the type to write."
"Why does that doodle make his hair look all weird?" Second Reality commented, scrutinizing it as well.
"I do ok? That shouldn't be a problem." She said defensively crossing her arms over her chest.
Didn't he say I was a writer just a while ago
"Why's the next part empty? What's happens next??"
"Oh um I didn't write it yet."
"Why???" Questioned the young boy holding the paper looking all over it.
"I had a little authors block." Xiaoamao admitted falsely scratching her chin.
"Hmm... hey I just realized something. I have a drawing of this scene. How on earth do you have one written??" Ren mumbled in surprise.
"Huh? Really now?" Xiaomao said surprised as well.
...he has one drawn?
This feels like a scene write out a novel...
"I got a great idea. Let's come to my dorm and you can see the drawing I made so you can get ideas." Ren said dragging her away without letting her answer back.
Xiaomao let herself be dragged yet again blurring through the gran halls of the palace in rapids speed, Ren running to a whole different section in the palace. This was the section of nobleman or royal guards dormitory.
Ren unlocked the door running to his room, not dragging Xiaomao anymore. She took her sandals off and walked to his room. His room was well...
Quite different than expected, for most people. You see, Ren's room was filled with random poems and drawings he made. Photographs and everything. It was quite decorative.
"Nice room." Xiaomao commented noticing the tiny stars on the wall.
Ren smiled wider than possible as he put a painting infront of her eyes.
Xiaomao couldn't help but stare at it fascinated. The piece featured the midnight moon, white and silvery.
Delicately showing the movements of the gentle midnight rain. The closeness of the girl and the boy dancing. The eyes soften, and yet the eyelids sharpen at point. The background filled with silvery red petals, mimicking the spider lily. It highlighted both of their faces, one tear stained and the other holding on for dear life. The painting showing their closeness while dancing.
It was beautiful. Truly a piece of art.
Then Xiaomao noticed something, "Hey Ren, what's these specks near the boy?"
"Hmm oh that? I don't know really, I just felt that it should be there." Ren said staring at his creation.
...it felt like it should be there, oh my poor sweet Ren
Xiaomao thought to herself as she recalled the events of her 35th turn.
"alright no commentating about your hypothetical romance even if you hate romance. Especially if its about him"
"It's magnificent." Xiaomao whispered breathless.
"Oh? Is that a compliment I hear?" Ren said, his cocky self returning.
"Take it as one, fool" Xiaomao said turning away from him as he made it awkward now.
"You know what? I wanna try something." Ren said smiling mischievously.
"What...no." Xiaomao said declining immediately.
"I won't take no for an answer. And... I didn't say what it was yet." Ren said slyly inching closer, "Let's reenact this scene of dancing till death."
For a split second, Xiaomao looked as if she was hurt. Guilt, pain, and sorrow stained her face. She composed herself, hoping Ren didn't notice.
Yet Ren did notice, but he didn't bother. He grabbed her hand and ran out the door barely giving anyone time to put their sandals on.
Funny enough, it was drizzling out and it was dark to look like midnight. Cherry blossoms flew through the drizzling rain staining Xiaomao's hair.
Without wasting time, Ren pulled Xiaomao closer even as she tried to pull away. He held her close keeping her there for a second. Then he held her hand in a waltzing position. They were about to dance until they saw a familiar face.
Xiaomao immediately got off him brushing the dirt off her clothes, looking away.
The familiar face grew closer, it was Naveen. He looked put of breath as he panted hard. The rain was falling harder now but everyone stood still.
"Ren... Xiaomao... they...they need help. We gotta go now." Naveen said out of breath.
Xiaomao grew serious alongside Ren wanting to know further she asked, "What's wrong? The medicine backfired?"
"Let's talk and walk," he said leading the way to the palace.
They both followed him silently, the rain dripping off their clothes. "It's Miss Airen. I believe she grew quite ill. I have the medicine with me, and I've given it to her but she's grown worse."
"Has she been near any smoke?" Xiaomao asked, Airen wasn't the most likable person but a person was a person. She couldn't just let her die because she doesn't like her.
"She said no." Naveen said nodding, he opened up the door. They all shook themselves until they stopped dripping rainwater.
Xiaomao rushed towards her, checking on Airen. She was unconscious, breathing barely. She stared at the other ladies in waiting who were weeping silently. "Hey was Miss Airen near any smoke. Incense?"
They shook their heads in unison.
Xiaomao huffed, this was going to be more of a hassle than she thought.
She began to pump air into Miss Airen. That was the only thing she was able to do now. They couldn't give her extra medicine, it might make her worse.
"Hey, I'm being serious you need to listen to something" Second Reality said speaking, their expression looking calm yet dull.
What now, Second Reality?
"Just wait along. This has to happen." Second Reality answered watching the situation.
Airen was in very bad shape. Her breathing was shallow, and she wheezed constantly. And her coughs. She wouldn't get better. She was supposed to, but something messed it up.
This was the room Airen had been staying for the past months.
Something however smelled different. It smelled like vanilla.
Xiaomao patted her pocket to make sure her phone was still in there, she sighed of relief.
She kept on pumping, Airen's breathing was getting even worse. She called out to Naveen," I'm not sure if we can do anything else for her."
Naveen softly sighed, rubbing his head.
Finally one of the ladies in waiting yelled out, "She did it. She made us give her incense!"
The whole room went silent. Even the unconscious Airen woke up and glared at the lady in waiting. She on the otherhand bowed to Xiaomao, "I'm sorry Miss, I didn't say it earlier. She made us bring her incese since she liked the smell."
The quiet Xiaomao nodded, "Thank you."
Through out the whole day Xiaomao pumped air into Airen. But nothing was working. She moved Airen to the steam bathes as well. That didn't work.
Just as it was time to give Airen the second dose of the medication. Airen slapped Xiaomao's hand away making sure she spilt the medicine. Xiaomao, quick on her foot made sure not a single drop had spilled.
Through a spoon Xiaomao tried to fed Airen the medicine, but Airen threw the spoon. "Miss Airen, this medicine will help you feel better. Otherwise you'll die."
Airen responded in a raspy voice, "Then let me die. Why do you care."
"Miss Airen. Why are you so fixated on this form of life, as you call death?" Xiaomao asked knowing the outcome.
"Leave me alone. Why should you care. Why can't you let me die." Airen said stubbornly.
"No. I won't let you die." Xiaomao said forcing Airen to take some medicine.
Airen took a stick of incese from her pocket and stabbed herself in the neck. Shocked as to what happened, Xiaomao ripped a piece of her clothes and tied it around Airen's neck as a makeshift tourniquet. She gently took out the stick of incense. Putting gentle force on the wound she was able to stop the bleeding.
Oh god...Second Reality couldn't you have warned me?
...you know how I get with-
Xiaomao couldn't help but feel dizzy from the amount of blood. Her world began to spin but she knew she couldn't faint now. Hot blood stained the girls hand, making her tremble slightly.
Naveen and Ren stood there in shock unable to grasp the situation. Xiaomao began to slowly compose herself.
"Naveen. Pump her." Xiaomao commanded sternly, which Naveen did immediately.
But the blood had already clogged her throat, reaching her lungs. The liquid red blood stained Airen's fingers as she laid there lifeless.
Naveen was the first one to speak up, "...We're sorry."
The girls tremble grew more as she let go, leaving the tourniquet on Airen's lifeless body.
Xiaomao stared at the blood that stained her fingers, her hand all cold now. She trembled greatly, hoping no one would notice.
The other ladies in waiting fell to the ground sobbing uncontrollably.
She died...
And I'm not even crying.
Xiaomao felt her face turn wet, she wiped the hot tears away with her arm.
She kept trembling staring at the blood. So... red.
Her world began to spin greatly, it felt as if she was floating. She felt hands around her, it was Ren.
"You did great. It's not your fault."
Xiaomao was unable to speak or move at this point. Her eyes widen greatly, her body tense.
She moved away from Ren muttering, "I'm fine..."
Ren let go, knowing better that Xiaomao wouldn't feel better with him pestering her. A few hours the Consort was informed of the tragedy of her eldest lady in waiting.
The shock of her death stunned the woman greatly, news spread like crossfire that the lady in waiting Airen, had bled herself to death.
News reached to the emperor, so he decided to meet the unknown student little miss, as everyone called her that.
He had no more grudges with Naveen as he had saved her as asked.
Xiaomao was sitting out the door as they were preparing the body to transport it to the deceased fridge.
The family members of Airen were inside, sharing their last moments with her.
The girl had washed up all the blood from her hands, but they were still pink. Her heart throbbed as her memories recalled the incident.
This is what you meant.
"Yes. I told you before, this is a puzzle piece. A piece that has to stay." Second Reality said, his spirit sitting next to Xiaomao.
That feeling... it was terrifying.
"We still have it. That one human fear. You're still human. Quit shaking. Ren might come near you."
Xiaomao composed herself yet again, huddling close to herself by hugging her feet. Then she saw everyone around her bowing.
She eyed the emperor, and she stood and quickly gave a modest bow.
Emperor Aranthor stood infront of Ren and Xiaomao, "Which one of you is the rumored little Miss?"