６☆ Silhouette with Sariel: A Long Night Unsought || Light and Night 光与夜之恋 齐司礼【长宵无觅】 英译

Content Warning:

Mentions of assault, blood, syringe, war, and hints of sexual activity.

Do not proceed reading if you are under 18.

Silhouette is a feature first released in 2021's Christmas gacha. There will be 1 prologue, then Light and Night destinies. You can see a sample here.

In order to unlock Night destiny, you'll need to go through a Memory Recollection session to recall clues and unlock Night Destiny, which is an alternative ending from the prologue.

It's a relatively short card. Gacha is very rigged as how Light and Night's 5-men banner have always been.

Something to note before proceeding:

Before proceeding, you might want to understand that this card is for Light and Night's QiXi event, an occasion to celebrate Niulang and Zhinü in Chinese mythology, where they meet once every year. It is also celebrated as a Chinese Valentine's Day in during the recent years. In the game, however, the entire event revolves around 合欢节 (HeHuan Festival). 合欢 can mean the pink silk tree/ Persian silk tree, or celebration for joyful gathering, or the sexual intercourse between couple in love.

Also, while I haven't managed to translate the main story, at this point, Sariel has already resigned from Warson, so he is no longer a creative director.

You can also check the recording of this card here, but there might be ads since the music of the card is copyrighted, I can't change the ads settings over there.

Prologue (初始之章)

It's only a few more days to HeHuan Festival,  and the festive atmosphere is getting apparent across GuangQi city.

Being the fruit with the closest relations with the traditional customs of the festival, although it's not the best season for papayas, they are already being promoted across various stores.

Placed on the most eye-catching racks, decorated with ribbons and pink silk flowers, drawings of various sorts over their skins, where their appearances are all top-notch.

You: It's only human nature that I can't help myself but to buy a lot of them...

I opened the refrigerator, and took out the chilled papaya cut into halves.

Returning to the workshop, Sariel is sitting over there with the drafts I brought in his hands, and his posture has remained the same since I left.

You: Sariel, you've worked hard. Do you want some fruits?

Sariel: Yeah.

He responded, but made no moves. It's as though he found something noteworthy on the paper, that he is increasingly concentrated on it.

You: How did I do? I'm not performing so bad that I had to redraw, right?

Sariel: Yeah.

You: It's a hot day today isn't it?

Sariel: Yeah.

You: Ahem, I'm wearing a new dress today, isn't it pretty?

Sariel: Yeah.

Whoa, he's so focused, even responding "Yeah" to something like this so easily! I placed the plate down, and maintained a very natural tone.

You: Sariel, I'll cut the papaya into smaller slices to feed you, okay?

Sariel: I have my hands for that*.

*T/N: "I can eat that myself."

Why is he returning to his senses at times like this?

You: How disappointing.

Sariel looked up, placed the draft aside, and pinched between his brows.

Sariel: Disappointing? Do you really think I'll fall for your trickery? 

You: Is that so. Understood, I'm really pretty when I'm putting on the new dress then.

Sariel choked a little. I smiled innocently towards him, and handed him a spoon.

The cicadas sing in the scorching weathers outside, the standing fan indoors blows as it spins, it's a new fan, not only it's quiet, but it can also swing around. 

Sariel and I sat face to face on the opposite sides of the wooden table as we eat our respective half of the papayas.

However, five minutes later--

You: Ugh, I don't wanna eat anymore.

There were only a few shallow holes dug on the papaya, where its fragrance flows all over the room. It's just that right now, I am feeling oddly tired when I smell this scent.

The cause of the matter is probably because, over these couple of days, I've already consumed... three, four, five, six... seven whole papayas!

Although Sariel has processed them in various methods for me, such candied papaya, papaya milk, honey papaya, tremella papaya dessert, papaya soup, and even papaya salad. However, papayas are still papayas after all.

I picked up my spoon to poke Sariel's papaya skin, then tugged the edge of his plate, but he stopped me with his spoon.

Sariel: Don't force yourself to eat if you don't want to, it's not that we don't have other fruits anyway.

You: But if I don't work hard to eat them, the remaining ones will spoil.

Sariel: Stuffing things you don't want to eat into the stomach is no different from stuffing them into the trash can.

You: Well that's true.

With some resentment, I looked at him, then looked at the papaya.

You: I was just exclaiming about its sloppy life of being brought here from the supermarket and being sent off by the garbage truck before it was being enjoyed by people.

Sariel: Who was the one--

You: It was me, I was the one who bought it, I regret it so much.

I let out a cry, extended my arm across the table, grabbed onto his cuff and swayed it.

A slight curve is seen across Sariel's lips, as though he's holding back from almost smiling, but turns out it was a rather helpless sigh when his lips parted.

Sariel: If it's spoilt, then bury it to the flowerpot.

Sariel: When it blooms, I suppose the life of this papaya of yours will not be "sloppy" anymore.

I stunned for a moment and looked at the flowerpot on the rack. Sariel buried some seeds in it earlier, it hasn't budded yet, so the flowerpot is still empty.

But I seem to have seen how it would look when it's fully bloomed. Turning around, I stared at Sariel again, staring at him long enough that he began to frown a little.

Sariel: What's wrong?

You: Nothing. I just suddenly think that there are still so much more to learn from you, my lifetime teacher.

Sariel seemed like he's about to comment on the "lifetime" title I deliberately gave him, pursed his thin lips, but ended up swallowing his words back.

Sariel: For example?

You: For example, Teacher Sariel, do you think the bloomed flowers will smell like papayas?

Sariel: ... They won't.

An absolute answer. I can't help but to laugh, pushing the plate before me a little aside, then leaned into the chair.

You: HeHuan Festival, hurry and come already.

Sariel: It's indeed that you can only be stopped from being attracted by the colorful packagings after the festival ends.

You: That's not the reason behind my anticipation, the chapter of papayas has already ended!

You: I'm now thinking about the matter of celebrating the festival with you.

The golden pupils glanced over, pausing on me for a second, then fluttered away.

Sariel: I don't seem to recall myself saying I was free on that day.

You: You didn't?

I widened my eyes, and showed an extremely shocked expression.

Sariel: I also didn't say I'm going to celebrate the festival with you.

You: Isn't spending time together during festive seasons something default?

I squinted my eyes a little, and showed a pitiful look.

After looking surprised and pitiful, Sariel's resistance seems to have almost come to end. I've been having more doubts recently, that it was originally symbolic to begin with.

He placed his cutleries down. Only then I realized that he didn't eat much either, and there's a small piece of papaya that he carved into the shape of petals with his spoon.

Sariel: Thought of where you're going to have fun already?

You: Not yet, but trust me, I'll definitely plan something that you'd be willingly join in the fun too.

Sariel: Just think for yourself will do, you don't have to mind that much.

He spoke in a cold tone, looking as though it isn't something related to him.

But I have read the hidden words behind it, it means "it's fine as long as you're having fun", as for whether there's "it's all the same to me anyway" exists in the latter part of his line... I hope it doesn't exist.

So-- I began thinking. Although there are many customs for the HeHuan Festival that it can't help for some of them to be lost over time, there aren't much that are left for people to follow them completely.

The only thing that is retained well is the costumed carnival under Mt. NanXing. There are many shop and stalls to shop around, and even a lantern festival to visit.

I'd be very much content if I could appear in venues like this with Sariel in the past. But throughout the entire year spent together, we've already went out in the evening for many times, and also strolled around in many lantern festivals.

Gradually, my thoughts changed from spending festive times together to how to enjoy festivals in a new and enjoyable manner, it'd be the best if it's an all-day event where it'll be unforgettable for the entire lifetime.

My insatiable mood is untreatable with only a single lesson from the papayas.

Just when I was about to retrieve my phone to check on the arrangements of the day of festival, knocks are suddenly heard from the outside. The knocks only lasted three times before it stopped.

You: Who is visiting? Should I open the door?

I threw an inquisitive glance towards Sariel, but he has already stood up.

Sariel: I'll go with you.

You: Hm? Is it someone that has made an appointment with you? You go get the door then.

Sariel: No. Together.

Sariel's reply is very short. He's holding onto my arm, softly pulling my up just when I was about to sit down again.

It's very rare for him to be so persistent in unimportant, trivial matters like this, so I can't help but to feel a little confused, and Sariel seemed to have seen through me.

Sariel: There's presence of an unfamiliar Erda.

Unfamiliar Erda? I couldn't respond to him for a moment, but upon meeting that pair of golden pupils, I could see a sliver of cautiousness from within.

I finally understood that there's a barrier nearby Sariel's home, that nobody could enter easily.

Among the Erdas, there are the little lizard and Lao Zhong, but there are also the elder and the black shadow* earlier.

*From personal story, I haven't finished translating it... sorry...

They make their appearances without leaving a trace. I have already fell into their traps upon separating from Sariel for just a short while, it's better for us to be more cautious.

Opening the door, there was nobody in sight at the entrance, but a cubic parcel is placed on the stairs instead.

Standing a little away from the box, I lowered my body out of curiosity, trying to take a clear look on the two posting stamps on it.

You: Sariel, it's a parcel from Greensands Town!

You: The delivery company is... Longfish Express*? This name is so weird, fish with long legs?

Sariel: It's Leggedfish Express*, as far as I know, the legs of their kind aren't considered long.

*T/N: Both are written as 长脚鱼, unless specified on the reading, it's hard to tell of it means long-legged fish (长脚鱼, Chang Jiao Yu) or legged fish (长脚鱼, Zhang Jiao Yu) unless you know the context.

A slender hand reaches over, pulled the rope tied on the parcel and lifted it up.

You: There are words underneath it.

I tilted my head to see a couple of colorful writings under the parcel in large fonts. I can't see what medium was used for writing, but it looks like the writings would flow under the shades.

You: Old fox, happy HeHuan Festival.

Just when I managed to read them, the words suddenly dispersed, like literally "dispersed". The strokes all melted, and the powders fluttered like snowflakes.

As the powders fell onto the ground, they quickly gathered around, changed their shape, and this time, the fonts became much smaller, and much denser than before. 

You: Wishing you and your significant--

I can clearly see the word "other" coming right after, but I couldn't manage to read it out in time. Sariel has already took a step forward, and stepped right onto the still-gathering powders.

Like a little fish with its tail being stepped on, the bunch of words twisted around, struggled, then collapsed and stopped moving on the ground.

You: I haven't got myself to finish reading!

Sariel: No need to read it, there's nothing good from it.

You: Why do I think it'll turn out nice...

I muttered, attempted to stand up, but ended up feeling dizzy from standing up too quickly. Sariel held me, so I didn't collapse to the ground. It's rare for his palm to be this hot, it feels very warm.

You: By the way, it called you old fox, is it a parcel from your friend?

Sariel: I wouldn't consider him as a friend.

Sariel: He opened a fragrance store in Greensands Town, and I visited him once when his store was open.

You: Fragrance store?

You: Wow, so many!

The parcel is opened, where the large parcel contained a couple more large paper bags, and each large paper bag contained a couple more smaller paper bags, and each smaller paper bag contains a type of powder, filling the entire table.

One of the larger paper bag writes "changing skin color, effective upon touching the powder, and will lose effect upon washing away, use in small amounts, be very very very careful", and the smaller paper bags writes "ember red", "moon white", "bamboo green" and other phrases.

You: Changing skin color, would it be dangerous to touch these?

Sariel just switched off the fan, and returned to the table to take a seat.

Sariel: It's rare for you to actually ask questions when encountered with weird items.

I suppose it means it poses no danger if he puts it that way. Relieved, I took a small pinch of "moon white", and it was almost instant that my fingertips turned into a pale blue color.

This color blended with my skin as it climbs up along the joints of my fingers. I was first staring at it with joy and surprise, but gradually found something odd about it.

You: The effects is too strong isn't it!

In a blink of the eye, the color seeps to my wrist, and half of my arm is about to change its color too. A large patch of blue has indeed left me with an overly strong vision impact. 

You: Sariel, my hand! my hand!

I looked up in a panic. Being called out in that way, Sariel seemed to have understood what I meant, and extended a fingertip over.

I quickly met his fingertip with mine, and his skin is tainted with the powder too.

The moon white color paused in its movements halfway, and very unwillingly climbed along Sariel's finger slowly, and stopped when it reaches his wrist.

We both raised our pale blue hand and stared at each other.

You: So this is what "use in small amounts, be very very very careful" means, I guess I've finally understood it now.

Sariel: Then do you not know what"lose effect upon washing away" means?

Sariel looks at his hand with slight disdain. Honestly speaking, faint colors don't look bad on his fair skin, that it even looks like some sort of body paint.

You: I know.

You: But in such an emergency situation like that, my first response is to call you after all.

Sariel crooned a little, looks like he isn't anywhere unsatisfied with this answer. I then added another smile for being able to bluff myself over, temporarily leaving my "blue hand" aside and looked into other paper bags.

The next one writes "secret fragrance powder" and the similar message of its effectiveness, with the names of various flowers and food written over the smaller paper bags.

Seeing the word "barbecue" on it gives me a bad premonition, so to play it safe, I opened the one with "orchid" written on it.

The powder in it is white, there aren't any scent on it, so I didn't know where its "fragrance" come from. This time, I've learnt my lesson, and only to pick up some powders on the edge with my nail.

However, against my will, a rich fragrance struck me from inside out right on the next second.

I could first hear a loud cough from the living room, then its the little lizard's blurry voice from the distant.

I think he said something like: "hey, you two, I just had a dream about a giant orchid fairy flying into the house...

As the "orchid fairy" herself, I stood there awkwardly, and it feels like a richer scent will exude from all over my body if I move just a little.

Taking a look at Sariel, but he is instead standing still.

You: Did you not smell orchid?

Sariel: I did.

You: Then you--

Sariel: If I place you in the courtyard to attract the bees and butterflies, the pollination of the flowers and fruits will be guaranteed, it's not bad either.

There's no smile from his lips, and his tone was unfazed, but he-- he's definitely, definitely teasing me! I nodded, and pretended to sigh in dejection.

You: Yeah, it's a pity that there's no fragrance of foxtail grass. Otherwise, I can also attract something other than bees and butterflies.

Sariel: What something?

I originally thought he'll turn his head away in anger out of embarrassment if I said so, but turns out he only walked over and held onto my blue wrist.

Sariel: Get it washed first, I won't help you if the bees chase you again.

I walked by his side in little steps as he leads me.

I can only feel the scent of sandalwood getting richer, so rich that the scent on me have all disappeared, so rich that my cheeks suddenly feel a little hot.

Yeah, the distance that could only be brought closer by foxtail grass is clearly nonexistent anymore, what more would I need it for?

You: Sariel, has there been anyone who could win against you in an argument?

Sariel: Haven't seen one.

A very Sariel-like, and also a very not Sariel-like answer.

It took us some time to get ourselves cleaned. The remaining paper bags that writes stuff like "endless strength", "super strong sense of touch" are all things that I dare not to touch for now.

You: Why are the things sold in this fragrance store all so weird?

Sariel: The things he usually sells aren't anything special either.

Sariel: He has to think of some ways to attract customers now that it's the festive season.

I see, a festive sales tactic, it's not any different from Warson. However, festival... I recalled the "Happy HeHuan Festival" written under the parcel.

You: Does Greensands Town celebrate HeHuan festival too?

Sariel: There would be celebrations as long as humans exist, Greensands Town is of no exception.

You: How about the customs them? Are there any difference from here?

Sariel took out a paper bag that says "taste of delicacy" from those paper bags, pondered a little, then placed it by the papaya.

Sariel: I don't know, I haven't seen how HeHuan Festival celebrations over there look like.

Sariel: But with Erdas participating within, it's not quite likely for it to be the exact same.

So that means he knows how HeHuan Festival in GuangQi city is like. I'm suddenly in a trance.

With that calculated, the days where Sariel interacted with humans and remained in the human world might actually be way longer than the time he spent with his kind.

Regardless how long it was, there are some matters related to the Erdas that could be new to him too.

Something new... sounds good. I looked at those overly "interesting" powders on the table, subconsciously began to shake my leg, and accidentally rubbed onto Sariel's leg.

Sariel: Do you plan to celebrate HeHuan Festival in Greensands Town?

You: Huh? I didn't say that, I'm still considering.

Sariel: I'm seeing that your entire body is saying so.

Sariel: Just go if you want to. I don't think there are any great activities over there, but it won't be worse than the chaotic carnival at the foot of the mountain.

The carnival has yet to even begin, how would you know if it's chaotic? I swallowed my dissing, because I knew he's giving myself an out.

A form of joy quietly overtakes me, it's really the first time for an outing where the both of us know nothing about it.

You: Greensands Town it is then?

On the day of HeHuan Festival, we boarded the first train to Lightcloud station. I've been sitting by the window on my way, and continuously looked out to the window, worried that I would miss out on any detail.

Until Sariel stuffed the seasoned papaya slices that I strongly insisted him to bring along into my hands.

Sariel: Stop looking. They won't be decorating outside the town regardless the festival.

You: Okay, is that so.

As soon as I finished speaking, I saw a flock of little sparrows from the roadside trees soaring into the skies, arranging into "He" for a moment, then "Huan" for another.

Sariel: ......

You: Say, do you think... this is considered a decoration?

Sariel turned away without answering me. The sound of the train horns covered my laugh that I couldn't hold back.

I can't help but to grab onto his arm, and nuzzled heavily onto the fabric on his shoulder.

You: Sariel, I'm really looking forward to it, I really do!

He sighs softly, while allowing me hugging onto his arm oddly.

Sariel: Then think of where to go after we disembark from the train.

I swallowed a piece of papaya. The originally sickening taste of sweetness over the tip of my tongue suddenly tastes like chilled soda, it's refreshing and slightly numbing.

You: Okay, how about we have a look at the fragrance cense store, then ask about the activities around?

You: Do you know the location of this shop?

Sariel: The entrance of Greensands Town, I suppose you've chosen a good route too.

Entrance? I'm a little surprised. Logically speaking, I've already visited this place a few times, since it's somewhere this obvious...

You: Why haven't I seen it before?

The train stopped, and Sariel looked out to the window.

Sariel: The owner's hobby is to collect materials from all over the world, the shop only opens for a few days throughout the entire year.

Sariel: If it weren't because he wanted to hear others praising his craft, it might be possible for it to never open the store.

You: Praise? Are you serious?

I can't help but to laugh. Sariel sees fame, fortune and others' comments very lightly, but I didn't expect someone in the Erdas to be the polar opposite.

You: How should I address him later then? Should I address him as the world's number one fragrance artisan or the sort?

Sariel took my sling bag from the luggage rack and placed it over my knees. He is showing an indescribable expression, that it's as though he's allergic to these words.

Sariel: Just call him RanYi will do, you can also call him Weird Fish if you want to.

Sounds like he's an Erda transformed from a fish. I remembered this name, and suddenly, a voice sounded from my side.

???: Humans...

The voice is dill, as though it's coming from the outside of the windows, but also sounding very close up, with a strong feeling of hatred that sends chills down to the spine.

My heart trembled. But there aren't anything odd from the bustling crowd upon disembarking the train. Could I have heard things wrongly?

Light Destiny

I turned sideways to have a look at Sariel who's standing by my side. He doesn't seem to have noticed anything odd, it's probably just my misperception.

I shook my head, and placed this episode to the back of my mind.

Just as Sariel mentioned, RanYi's store is an old house at the entrance of Greensands Town, with its door wide open, a wooden signboard hung above the door, where it has no words written on it, with only curled waves faintly drawn on it.

Entering the store, what welcomed us are rows of antique ebony shelves, with an oddly majestic table by the window, where the surface split into many little boxes, where each box contains flowers, plants, and powder-like substances.

Faint scents lingered across the room, but it consists of not a single, but many types, and oddly not combined with each other.

A light, crisp bell sounded, the cloth curtain from the corner opens, and a youth donned in a long robe walks out from within.

Though that being said, calling him a youth isn't accurate. He has a tall figure, but his face still looks like a youth, short and round.

Upon seeing Sariel, his aqua eyes widened.

???: Sariel? A truly rare visitor among the rare visitors, long time no see.

Sariel nodded towards the youth. Was it my misperception? There's actually a hint of uncertainty in his gaze.

Sariel: RanYi.

RanYi walked towards us. Only then I noticed that his legs are extraordinarily long, that it only took him a few steps to walk a distance of five or six meters.

Recalling what Sariel commented on the legged fish tribe, now that I see it, his judgment standards are indeed a little too strict.

You: Well isn't this pretty long...

RanYi seems to have heard me. He looked towards me with a grin.

RanYi: Oh? Sariel brought his significant other over too, truly the rare visitor among the rare visitors among the rare visitors*.

*yes he said 稀客中的稀客 at first then 稀客中的稀客中的稀客 haha so cute ;u;

RanYi: Young lady, did you just say "well isn't this"--

RanYi: Could a certain old fox exposed my secret where my legs were only 10 inches long when I turned into a human form that I had to rely on medicinal powders to lengthen them?

There are too much information from what he just said, that before I could even digest the "significant other" he mentioned, my brain has already automatically converted how many centimeters 10 inches would be.

Sariel: You were the one spilling it.

The room turned into complete silence, and RanYi pulled his fish motif sleeves and covered his face. By the time he placed his sleeves down, he has already returned to his gentle and elegant manner.

RanYi: Memories of fishes only last for seven seconds, you've both probably heard of that saying, so I've already forgotten the conversation earlier.

You: Eh? Okay.

RanYi: I suppose the both of you are here today for the HeHuan Festival.

You: That's right, we're here for the HeHuan Festival, are there any activities around here?

Although the conversation is still a little awkward, but it's much better than the silence earlier. RanYi examined us from top to bottom.

RanYi: Of course there are activities around, but I'm afraid that your attires won't do.

Just when I was about to ask about the issues with our attires, I heard the hustles and bustles from afar.

Suddenly, the windows opened, and a gust of strong wind enters the room, lifting every item on the workstation.

Dust wafted right into my face, and I wasn't able to dodge in time while faced right into the wind, so the powders got all over my head and face, and my eyes began to itch.

I can only hear chaotic tinkling sounds across the entire room with RanYi yelling "this isn't a revenge from me!". Then the other sounds gradually disappeared, leaving with only a single voice.

Sariel: Y/N.

You: It's okay, I'm fine, it's just that something got into my eyes.

I rubbed my eyes hard, and as soon as some tears were shed, someone held my wrist firmly.

Sariel: Don't rub your eyes, can you still open them?

You: Of course.

There's only minimal itchiness left, so I tried opening my eyes, and it's already not uncomfortable anymore. But the unexpected matter was, the wider I opened my eyes, the blurry light before my eyes is instead being swallowed away, and my vision became gradually narrowed.

At last, I fell into complete darkness.

You: What's going on?

I raised another arm in reflex in attempts to rub my eyes again. But that arm is stopped too.

You: Sariel, I--

I don't know if it's because of the bad premonition I have, I'm surprised to find out that my voice trembled as soon as I spoke.

A familiar warmth came closer, standing shoulder to shoulder, even his upper and lower arms are closely sticking with mine. Sariel's voice is very close.

Sariel: I'm here, it'll be okay.

Sariel: RanYi.

RanYi: Here, coming!

I heard sounds of ripples. There's something placed by my side, it's perhaps a basin, with a few droplets dripping onto my hand.

RanYo: Among the things earlier, one of the fragrance powders can cause temporary blindness, try washing it off.

Right, the fragrance powders RanYi mailed over would lose effect after they are washed off. Feeling relieved, I reached out to search for the basin.

A faint dragging sound is heard, and the edge of the basin is now right under my palms.

Sariel: Lean down.

I bent down according to his instructions. He didn't tell me to stop, so I bent lower. 

Sariel: That's enough.

I scooped some water with both hands, and just as expected, the water surface is close within reach, but only a few centimeters away from the tip of my nose. 

My untied hair all draped before me. Just when I wondered if they have gotten wet, there's already a hand gathering them away.

"Sariel, thank you," I opened my mouth, completely forgotten that my face is buried into my water-filled palms, so I can only make bubbling sounds.

RanYi: Whoa, you know how to make bubbles too--

RanYi unwillingly paused his sentence, and according to my experience, he's probably being threatened by a certain someone's gaze.

I've washed enough, and as soon as I lifted my head up, my fingertips immediately touched a piece of soft fabric.

However, even though the traces of water have all disappeared after some time, I am still unable to see the light.

RanYi then paced in circles. I can hear his hurried footsteps, and Sariel sat by my side. 

In public, we don't usually hold hands for a long time, perhaps it was because of shyness, or perhaps it's because the both of us think it wasn't necessary.

But this time, he has been holding my hand without letting it go throughout all these while, and the thin callouses from his palm brushed across my icy cold fingers.

Sariel: RanYi went searching for his notes. It's a notebook put together in strings, unsure how many years it has been used, it's about to fall apart now.

Sounds of pages being flipped are heard, and I nodded to Sariel.

You: Yeah, I can hear that now.

Sariel: The page he's reading now has a missing corner, it looks like it's being bitten off by rats.

RanYi: No! I was the one who teared it off.

RanYi's demure refute sounded. A crooked corner instantly surfaced in my mind just as expected, that I can't help but to laugh.

Sariel: The next page has "The World's Number One Fragrance" written with vermillion brush, the mere five words filled the entire page.

RanYi: Sariel! Was that necessary? You just had to comment on every single thing I do.

Sariel: Yes.

Sariel only replied with a single word.

I turned my face towards him, although I can't see him, but I am still driven to take a glance at him, and I vaguely understood the reason behind this.

He is not a talkative person, and he is uninterested in each and every movement of others. He has high sensory levels towards his surroundings, but they are always kept in his mind.

Sariel was saying those "comments" for me. I moved my fingers a little, and stuck my fingertips onto his.

You: Sariel, thank you.

RanYi read for a very long time, and according to Sariel's description, it's already noon. Finally, he had some findings, and made a sound of coming into enlightenment.

RanYi: I haven't completely formulated this fragrance powder, and there are excessive musk added to it. Even after it's washed off, I'm afraid the effects would still last for three days.

Sariel: The HeHuan Festival would've been over three days later.

RanYi: *sighs* Wouldn't I know that too? I'm really sorry, geez, just where did this demonic wind come from...

RanYi's voice sounded very guilty, he seemed to have carried a lot of paper bags over, placing them one by one on the table before us.

RanYi: How about this, if there's any type of fragrance powder you'd like, just let me know and I'll make them all for you. 

RanYi: If you both wanted to have fun in Greensands Town after this, just stay a few more days, your accommodation and meal expenses will be on me too, what do you think?

You: No need for that.

I spoke before Sariel could, and I could feel gazes gathered on me.

RanYi: W- what should I do then?

Sariel: Are you sure that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest even if you can't see anything?

Not only Greensands Town is mainly filled with cobblestone paths, it is also crowded so it isn't easy to tour around. Initially, I paced very slowly with my odd steps, so it can't be helped to block the path, and caused some complaints.

Sariel's figure paused a little, and those complaints gradually disappeared again.

Until I've finally gotten used to the touch under my feet, that I could finally spare efforts to coordinate with my other senses, and nod towards Sariel.

You: I'm already certain when we were in the fragrance store.

RanYi told us that the HeHuan Festival starts in the afternoon for Greensands Town, and it will last until evening.

Needless to say that there are markets and theaterical performances, Erdas will also use their Talents as they wish to create various wonderful sights for everyone's enjoyment.

Although I can't see with my eyes, but Sariel would describe every happenings around us for me, so the wonderful sights that he could see feels just like something that I could see too.

I placed my hand on Sariel's forearm, and I could feel the tender muscles being tensed up, as though it's standing by to be my support at any moment. 

He is dressed in a complete, complicated outfit, there's a vest, a shirt, sleeve garters, and even a bracelet, that it's coincidentally fulfilling the traditional dressing attire of Greensands Town.

In this place, in order to celebrate festivals brought by humans, as well as to celebrate the cohabitation of two different tribes, all residents will have to get changed when participating this festival.

Taking the Erdas as an example, they imitate the traditions of humans celebrating HeHuan Festival, changing into dresses of a century ago. This is rather similar to the style in Rainy Island, so it isn't out of ordinary. But for humans--

I touched the hairband on my head, it has two fluffy decorations, it's a pair of fox ears.

Humans have to put on the symbolic ears or tails, something that are not usually shown by the Erdas. RanYi was even the one who found this hairband for me.

No matter how I think of it, it's a little embarrassing to put on a tail in front of Sariel. Hence when RanYi asks the question, I only said I wanted a pair of ears, and secretly told him that I wanted a fox version before he went out.

You: Uh, Sariel, how do I look? Do I look like someone from the fox tribe?

Upon getting ourselves changed and meet again, this "real fox tribe member" has yet to comment a single bit on it, so I can't help but to feel a little unsettled.

Sariel slowed down his footsteps, and the sounds of the bustling surroundings have gradually diminished. As though we have avoided the crowded main road, and finally stopped at a certain alley.

The scent of sandalwood suddenly became a little closer. His wrist brushes against my cheek, fingertips gently pressing onto my broke strands of hair, and with a slight pull, the accessory has been taken off.

A few seconds later, it's quietly placed back to my head again.

You: What were you doing?

Sariel: You put it the other way round.

You: So I look very similar to one of the fox tribes after it's corrected?

Sariel: You don't.

He almost didn't hesitate. 

Sariel: More like a ticket inspector in a children's theme park.

Huh?! I puffed my cheeks, wanting to express my dissatisfaction, but the tip of my ears are in contact with a patch of scorching skin.

It's Sariel who lowered his hand, but I clearly recall that his wrist was still a little cooling.

Sariel: There will be more people ahead, follow me closely later.

Sariel: If we'r separated, I won't be able to find you in just two seconds.

You: But I have a pair of very distinguishable fox ears.

You: It's also very rare, RanYi said it took him great efforts to help me find this, most of them are cats--

I was still spacing out so I answered out of a whim, and suddenly realized myself exposing a certain something, and stuttered for a moment.

I seemed to have heard the rises and falls of a couple of light breaths, and my hand is being held tightly.

Sariel: Let's go.

Turns out it isn't my misperception. Not only the wrist, even his palm is very, very warm. The warmth crept all its way along my arm and shoulder, until it has completely shrouded my entire face.

Along our journey, just as expected, Sariel describe everything he sees for me in such great detail, that I don't know if there would be another person that would have such a way with words. Just listening to him only makes me feel like I'm located in an ethereal world.

What's above us is a magical river created by the Erdas, rippling in sheen light, where there are aquatic plants and swimming fishes underneath the river, but all of these are fake, only the Persian silk flowers laid all over the river surface are real.

Mandarin ducks* are stopping over the stone railings and the edges of roof tiles, flapping their wings as they move vividly, but they were made from sugar syrups**.

*These birds are usually representing a loving relationship for wedded couples among the Chinese, because legends say that if the bird loses its partner to death, it will never mate for the rest of its life, and a pair of male and female are usually seen together.

**Candied sticks.

People grabbed onto them for consumption, and those who have subconsciously consumed the paired ones, walked towards each other as though they were drawn to the other--

You: Walked towards each other, what happens next?

Sariel: There are no nexts.

I kept having the feeling that there are more to those, but Sariel is unwilling to tell more. I could only hate myself for not being able to move around freely, otherwise I'll grab a pair to try it myself too.

Walking a little further leads us to a giant theatrical stage. The actors are singing their lines, seemingly in a language that I do not know of, nor the play performed is not a play that I know of.

You: Sariel, what are they performing?

Sariel: It's a play where lovers are finally together, it's just that they changed the protagonists in the story from humans into two Erdas.

Suddenly, faint sounds of pantings and moaning sounded from the stage, sounding with unspeakable lingering emotions, that my ears began to burn just from hearing them.

You: W- what are they performing now...

Sariel: The story after the lovers are finally together.

It's the same words again, Sariel might perhaps be a good novelist, telling words that are basically leave things the same as when they were unsaid, but leaves endless space of imaginations for people.

You: Then what kind of story is it after the lovers are finally together?

Sariel turned his head over and gave me a glance. Although I can't see him, but I could still feel his gaze.

Sariel: Anyway, it's not the kind of story that you have in mind.

You: How did you know the kind of story I had in mind?

???: Why are the two of you beating around the bush so much? Isn't it just a story of spiritual connection?

You: Spiritual connection?

Could I have guessed it wrongly? I asked before my brain could recognize who was speaking, and only to recall that the voice belongs to RanYi after some time.

RanYi: That's right. The HeHuan Festival is an occasion where humans copulate, and it's also an occasion for the Erdas to feel vitality.

RanYi: Spiritual connection is just a common name, I also don't know what exactly it's called either.

Sariel (stern voice): RanYi.

Sariel sounded cold, I suppose he is showing a displeased expression either.

RanYi (pouty voice): Don't glare at me like that alright, you've also been through days witnessing human lives... what's there that I can't say about this?

Perhaps it's because the Erdas here are born in nature, RanYi spoke of this term as though it's no different from "eating" and "sleeping", even I became more open with words.

You: Then what does feeling vitality mean?

I leaned towards Sariel, and his warmth is delivered over, is this considered as feeling vitality?

RanYi: About that--

Sariel: It's just a method of excretion.

Sariel: Lifespan of Erdas are thousands or hundreds of years if they are short, and they would never turn old and be immortal if their lifespans are long.

Sariel: If there are experiences that are difficult to bear, most of them would have to think of ways to soothe them, otherwise they will have to shoulder them for the rest of their life.

I did not expect Sariel to be the first to speak.

He spoke coldly, and he spoke in an abnormally stable manner when he spoke of the word Erda, it's as though he is not a part of them.

RanYi: Oh, there's more, when Erdas turn into human forms, their connection with the nature will be weakened.

RanYi: For example, when Erdas just changed their forms, there are times where parts may be lacking, just like my legs, they are still remaining in the shape of an animal.

RanYi: So there's a need to perform a spiritual connection with someone from the same tribe, and to gradually replenish them by absorbing vitality from the other.

RanYi: But for my case, I'm not bothered to do that, just dealing with it with medicinal powders would do.

RanYi probably patted on his legs and made a couple of dull sounds.

He's here in the festival for business, and quickly left after a short chat with us, but those dull sounds still remained in my ears, and they have yet to leave even after some time.

Sariel: The play is over, we can go now.

The surroundings are already quiet, that it took me quite a while until I managed to pull myself back to senses, and spoke shyly.

You: Ah, okay. Sariel, this spiritual connection sounds pretty good doesn't it?

You: Although I don't know what exactly it is, but it can soothe pain, and it can also complete...

The words "complete the body" is stuck between my throat. I am unable, and I'm unwilling to think about the pains where Sariel have been through when his body was incomplete.

Sariel: Stop spending your imaginative powers, I don't have experience in deformed transformation.

Once again, as though he has seen through my mind, he gave a light pat on my head. My mood perked a little.

You: Then have you ever had experiences in spiritual connection in the past?

Sariel: I don't need it, and it's the same for the future.

Part of the heaviness on my heart were removed, yet new ones were added on top of them.

You: It isn't necessary for it to be the same in the future...

I reached out to his sleeve and tugged on it. There are already so much in his past that I couldn't get in touch with, but we'll always be in company in the future.

I have my Talent, so even if there's something he's unwilling to tell, I can secretly touch him, and find out what makes him feel bad, and help him to soothe it out with Erda's method.

As for how I should do it, I'll just let Sariel tell me, he'll definitely feel embarrassed, that I had to pester a couple more times until he gives in.

You: Perhaps, we can try it tonight...

After all, it's the HeHuan Festival today. With random thoughts in mind, I ended up being the one dragging Sariel as we moved forward.

Sariel: Y/N.

You: Hm?

Sariel: I don't need it.

Sariel slowly repeated the sentence again.

Sariel: That's something between Erdas.

Spiritual connection is something between the Erdas, it has no relations with humans.

I returned to the room, took off the fox ears on my head, and simply placed it on the table.

Why was I so enthusiastic when I put it on earlier? Now that I think of it, could there be just an instant where I really hoped for myself to look like a fox, just the same as Sariel?

But no matter how similar it gets, I'm never one.

Actually, the traces about our races are almost nonexistent between us, and our life has always been comfortably happy. As for spiritual connection*, it's definitely of something insignificant, so even if we can't form a spiritual connection, we could still show our concerns to each other.

*The trick of the phrase here is that, while it could mean spiritual connection, it is also literally translated to 'intercourse of the divines' - which then reminds us of the still unfinished lore of the main story, where MC has the power of the gods, and Erdas are the messengers of the gods. It's also suspected that MC might be an reincarnation of the God of Creation, but further details are required.

I then touched my shoulder, taking off the fallen flowers on my clothes, and placed it onto the windowsill.

In the evening, Persian silk flowers in the magical river from the festival scattered in the skies, there were two girls speaking beside Sariel and me, and I heard them clearly.

A girl said, the magical river this year is not as wonderful as the one last year, and the aquatic plants and swimming fishes were gone, and the only things that could still be barely considered as a sight were these remaining flowers.

The other said, at least candied Chinese ducks were made, while they wouldn't move, it's at least better than having nothing.

These itself are already refreshing enough for me, and much better than the sceneries from Sariel's description. It's a rare occasion for him to tell lies, but he did it in unimportant occasions like this.

But at the end of the day, I'm just the same too.

I only wanted to bring the most unimportant happiness for Sariel too.

There won't be restaurants opening tonight in Greensands Town, this is what RanYi told us. People here follows the traditional customs for the HeHuan festival, as though they are following a certain law of the nature.

Hence, he's now sitting in a room he rented for us, and forcefully takes half of the tremella soup that Sariel has made.

RanYi: But also thanks to this, that my fragrance powders could sell so well.

You: Why is that?

RanYi: Well don't humans always like to use those stuff to help with the mood when they copulate?

RanYi: Huh, that's not right, I delivered them to you two too, could the two of you haven't used them?

You: I suppose you can say that we did...

Sariel: No.

Sariel and I spoke in unison. RanYi downed the entire bowl of dessert, and placed the bowl onto the table.

RanYi: Didn't I also write my blessings, and instruction manual too.

Ah, about that... it's flattened under Sariel's foot.

But, turns out the fragrance powders were used for these. Change of skin color, change of body scent, even causing temporal blindness, now that I think of it, they all made sense too.

Recalling the blue hands, the orchid fairy, "attracting bees and butterflies" and the "emergency situation", it was already highly entertaining back then, but now that I think of it, I wonder if I should really use them to do something else.

RanYi: Sariel, did you put alcohol in your tremella soup? Your significant other's face is already as red as a tomato.

Sariel: Make another joke of that sort and you shall get out from here.

RanYi: I'm sorry, miss, I kept forgetting you're a human from the outside world.

RanYi apologized very quickly. I shook my head.

I was actually not feeling uncomfortable. Perhaps it was due to the influence of the festive atmosphere, or perhaps it was because he was not ill-intended, or perhaps it's because I really like to be teased with Sariel.

You: It's fine. RanYi, speaking of it, how did you get acquainted to Sariel?

RanYi: I don't even remember how many years ago it was, but I still didn't know how to make fragrance powder of the sort back then.

RanYi: Because of these legs, I was called a bad omen by the humans, and was chased around.

RanYi: I was very afraid, and all I wanted to do was to return to the waters. In the end... ehehehe...

RanYi laughed awkwardly for a little, sounding like it's something difficult to be brought up.

Sariel (smiling softly): He ended up forgetting that the human body couldn't breathe under water, dumbest to the core indeed.

RanYi: Yeah, that's about it. Anyway, when I was almost drown in the waters, Sariel scooped me out.

RanYi: He then made a pair of wooden walking stick that I can tie to my legs to walk normally.

You: How nice.

RanYi (pouty): Not nice at all! Did you know that the first thing he said when I woke up was--

RanYi: The fruit trees over the foothills still lack fertilizers, you can head there, don't pollute the water source.

You: Uh, Sariel is indeed sharp in his words...

Sariel: That was indeed what's in my mind back then.

Sariel spoke faintly, as though his voice sounded from afar. I turned my face over, and only to realize that we're sitting very close to each other when my arm touches his.

RanYi: *sighs* Who else doesn't think that way?

RanYi: But seeing that you're having two ears on your head with a fail that humans even used you as subject of painting, I was thinking since you can do it, then there's nothing I can't do either, so I scraped the idea off my head.

I stunned a little. Two ears and a tail, also painting, it's already something THAT long ago?

On the vast lands where every being were still savage, there wouldn't be any morality or rules that could bind Sariel who lived and survived in the wilds.

Now that he has changed, the past stories doesn't seem to make a difference whether I got to know them or not. It's just that there's this insatiable opening in my heart that spreads larger and larger.

Due to my loss of sight, throughout my entire day of activity, I've spent more energy than usual, that I'm supposed to be able to fall asleep very quickly.

But the wooden door of where we lived is knocked every now and then. I counted the times these have happened, and this is now the third time.

Sariel opened the door. And judging from the sounds, he would initially exchange conversations with the people outside the door, but after that he only showed his face and closed the door right away.

The sound of the door closing is well-controlled, but I could still hear a hint of annoyance from within.

Unable to suppress my internal worries, I got off the bed and peeked out the moment when the knocking sounded again.

You: Did something happen? Is everything okay?

???: Oh, a human girl, well I'm really sorry--

It seems like the person outside saw me. It's an unfamiliar voice, but the door has already been closed heavily before he could finish talking.

Sariel: Did I wake you?

Sariel's footsteps stopped before me, speaking in a low voice. I shook my head.

You: No, I wasn't asleep to begin with.

You: Did something happen to the Erdas? Would there be other visitors later?

Sariel remained silent for a moment.

Sariel: There won't be.

I should've felt relieved, but something from his words captured me. A faint scent of white sandalwood lingers in the air, and I suddenly felt like looking into Sariel's eyes.

Suddenly, my wrist is held. Sariel brought me towards the room. His fingers are holding me tightly, leaving a scorching feeling.

He suddenly stopped beside the room's entrance. I stumbled a little, and almost bump into his back. To walk and pause in a hurry is an experience that I never had throughout the entire day.

You: Just exactly what--

Sariel: In Greensands Town, if you were to place Persian silk flower on the windowsill, it has a meaning of an invitation for copulation. 

His breaths sounded very calm, where the aggressive emotion for the earlier instant has already disappeared without a trace. There's even a hint of confusion in his tone of speech.

I recalled the couple of Persian silk flowers I simply placed by the windowsill, widened my eyes, and my face burnt instantly. The knocks earlier...

You: I- I didn't know... there's a meaning like that.

Sariel: I know.

His reply sounded ambiguous. Did he mean he knew the meaning of the Persian silk flowers, or did he mean he knew I know nothing about this? Sariel turned around, and a soft sound is heard from his footstep.

Sariel: Take it off later, so there won't be misunderstandings again.

I opened my mouth, and was just about to agree to him, but I couldn't make a sound despite time has passed.

The "Oh, a human girl" from the person earlier are just like a thorn, the pain it inflicted is subtle, but it surfaced right at this moment.

Sariel must've been angry just now. Why was he angry? And why is he suddenly not angry anymore?

My tongue is suddenly reminded of the sweetness of the papayas.

The warm palm, the reassuring sounds of heartbeat, the tall figure, the slightly frowning brows, the gilded eyes, also the lips, the arms, and the faint fragrance from him.

All of these things that once satisfied me wholly, has now instead became the source of all of my dissatisfaction. I tugged him with all my might.

You: What if it's my intention to cause misunderstandings?

You: I wanted to use the method of the Erdas. Sariel, I wanted to have a spiritual connection with you.

I blurted everything in a go, and as though I was making an oath, I raised my voice for the last part of my sentence, that even my ears are feeling a buzz after the yelling.

Thankfully, I can't see a single thing, including his expression.

After a short silence, a hand is placed over my forehead, parting my sweat-drenched hair away, and hence that palm is also filled with slight dampness.

Sariel: There's no need for us to do things that don't belong to us.

His voice and movements are all very tender, it's just the same as when he said he "didn't need it". Turns out it isn't because he's putting up a strong front, but to remove any possible worries that I have in mind.

Hence, it's more of the reason I can't give up.

You: How would we even know if we don't give it a try, who knows it might work.

Sariel: You're doing this out of spite.

You: Maybe a little, but I just wanted to do it.

Throughout my entire life, I have not experienced any other moment that's more muddled than the moment right now, yet also feeling extraordinarily sober, it's as though my soul is overlooking my actions.

I tiptoed, moving along the arm and shoulder before me, clung onto Sariel's neck, lowering him, and kissed onto his lips.

Just as expected, I didn't kiss right on his lips. Happened that I didn't close my lips properly, my teeth crazed over the bridge of his nose, and I heard a soft, muffled sound.

It should feel rather uncomfortable to lean down like this, but Sariel showed no signs of getting away, only allowing me to act as I wish.

Following the corner of his lips, little by little, I finally found a position where our lips can stick closely together.

His breaths intertwined with mine, and just this alone is well enough, hence I'm only messily sticking towards him, and I can't spare another moment to make another move-- until I feel a tiny patch of skin that doesn't stick well over his slightly cold and dried lips.

I can't hold back from wanting to soothe it, but my efforts were all futile after multiple tires, so I could only bite it softly with my teeth, and with a couple of bites, Sariel smiled.

Sariel: You're even a clumsy bird on things like this.

You: That's because my mentor isn't anywhere better himself either.

Sariel: At least better than you.

In contrast with the muddled and childish quabble, is the hand he placed over my eyelids that is trembling ever so slightly, just like the wings of a butterfly.

Only then, I noticed that I have never closed my eyes throughout all these while.

You: I can't see anything to begin with...

Sariel: I can.

Sariel turned his face slightly. His soft lashes brushed against my cheek, and the lips that covers mine are damp, filled with traces of my licks and bites.

The breaths from the person before me became hotter. His hands are holding the sides of my waist, but didn't lock them tightly, only to support my weakening legs.

The tip of our tongues parted as soon as they are in contact, he wouldn't even reach beyond my teeth, only to tenderly kiss every part that he could touch.

What kind of expression would he show, that he's unwilling to be watched by a pair of eyes that couldn't see? I raised my hands, to reach for his brows, his eyes, and his ears.

No matter what, this is an expression that solely belongs to me.

You: Sariel, am I... the most special one to you?

Despite countless promises related to "eternity" has been told, but I still subconsciously asked a question like this. Sariel remained silent for a moment.

Sariel: There's nobody that you can be compared to.

He spoke this in a deep and hoarse voice, just like a sigh.

I did not expect an answer like this, and just when I'm still stunned, a soft caress came from above.

I subconsciously leaned my head towards where he placed his strength, allowing our chests to lay against each other, and allowing our necks to cross. Sariel lowered his head, and kissed onto the edges of my sweat-drenched hair.

You: Ah.

No longer capable of holding back, I bit my lips tightly, laid onto his shoulder, and let out a pant.

There's already nothing that I could differentiate between dryness and dampness. His breaths are damp, my body is also damp. When two puddles of waters are blended into one, when his began to ripple, mine wouldn't be spared either.

Suddenly, he opened his mouth, and left a soft bite over it.

It tickles too much, so much that I'm shuddering all over and arched my back in his arms. He must've been able to feel it, but he didn't let me go.

You: What are you doing...

Sariel: Giving my scent to you.

You: Liar, you didn't bite when you gave me your scent in the past*.

*Reference to his birthday card last year.

Sariel: There's no need to bite. I did that on purpose.

So blatantly direct, yet so stubborn as ever. I don't know if he's only different for today, or if there's a part of him that has always been this way.

The trace of water is wiped off from my skin. He held my hand, and placed it by the side of his neck.

Sariel: It's your turn now.

You: My turn...?

Sariel: Before spiritual connection, there's a ritual of exchanging scents.

Before spiritual connection, he said.

As though all of my strength has been drawn away, Sariel hugged me. He sat on the floor, and I curled up between his legs.

I straightened my body a little, attempted to search for the edge of his hair too, and softly nuzzled over there.

Sariel: ......

He's not used to this, or perhaps he dislikes it. His fine hair over here are softer than anywhere else, and I could feel his skin tensing up.

I wanted to lift my head up to let him relax, but he pressed on the back of my head instead. "Stay longer," his movements are telling exactly this.

You: Sariel, can you tell the kind of scent I have?

Sariel: You smell just like you, what else could it be?

My eyes began to feel warm. He's yearning for me, not an Erda, nor a human, it's I who Sariel is yearning for. I've delivered my insatiable desires to him, and a dark form of joy is felt.

We laid down face to face. There's a mattress in the room, but neither of us wanted to head there. Whether the sky out there is filled with moonlight and stars, or filled with dark clouds, I could only imagine them due to my loss of sight.

What's above my imagination is not the roof of the house, but we are having the skies as our roof, and the land as our home.

Spiritual connection, vitality, these phrases suddenly drifted very far from us. There's a scent of grass after the rain from Sariel, and there has never been a moment where I've felt as much peace as this moment.

Then, I saw that very, very large fox.

The giant white fox is standing at the barren land that is seemingly endless, staring into the orange-red sunset that fills all over the mountains and wilderness. He seems to have taken a great liking to this scenery, where his fluffy tail is wagging slightly.

The sun also loves him in particularly, leaving the afterglow of the exchange between day and night for him, and left picturesque traces over his face.

As though he has felt my presence, he turned over, his golden pupils gleams in a bright pattern of ripples. I looked into his eyes, and it feels like I've seen all of the rivers in the world.

This is Sariel, it's undoubted him, not anything that I'm hallucinating. 

You: Sariel...

The giant fox did not respond, as though I am no different from other walking beasts in this wilderness. Right, perhaps he hasn't attained this name back then.

The bright moon slowly raises, and the white fox lets out a long howl. The shadow on the ground stretches and curves like a bow, and he dashes towards the moon.

You: Why are you running...

I took a step to chase after him by instinct. Logically, it is impossible for me to chase after him. But over here, I've managed to do so.

The moonlight gifted him a body filled with silvery white light. He can even leap last the deep valleys easily. I dare not to give it a try, only to lay on his back, and cover my eyes with the fluffy fur on his neck.

You: Where are we going?

We sat by the streams. There are fruits that I do not know of that are floating in the waters, and he scooped each and every type of them to have a taste, and there are a few that would make the patterns on his face wrinkle into frowns.

Upon going up to the shore, he spreads all nine of his tails and shook off the beads of water all over the land, and very quickly became dry with the winds. I stood beside him, and became a victim of his act too.

He curiously watched me wringing my hair dry, and just when I was almost done, he fanned his tail again.

We then stopped by the cliff. The weather over there are ever changing, with half of it being sunny, and the other half of it is rainy. Hence the only flowering tree on it is half lush and half leafless.

I tried braiding a wreath, and placed it on his head.

He likes to stay over the rainy side. The flower wreath is very quickly dampened, and very quickly glided off, being bitten by him little by little, and he ate it all.

After consuming it, as though he suddenly understood this item, he made a circle with a tail, and placed it on the top of my head.

There are also some things that we both can't understand, be it bizarre plants or rare beasts, so we named them all, even though I am the only one that is using these names.

As the moon descends, and the sun rises again, and countless of cycles has happened. We also stayed in many other places, but we would still step into another adventure in the end.

You: It actually doesn't matter no matter where we go, right?

When we sat together in the cave, I asked a question again. It sounded like a question for him, but also sounded like a question for myself.

Unsure of when it began, people began to appear on this land. Besides me, there are many, many other humans.

They dedicate this giant and beautiful white fox into paintings, built divine altars for it with stones, offering precious materials, wanting it to remain in this land for a long time.

When he leaped off from the tall stage, he grazed his fore legs. This is my first time seeing him getting injured.

Just when I was about to look at his wounds carefully, he has already bitten me by the back of my neck, and with just a swing, he swung me to his back.

Initially, he stumbled when he ran, and the blood flowed continuously, that the flowers and grasses became tattered. He then ran quicker and quicker, until the eerie scar recovers fully during this sprint.

As for the answer, there's probably no answer to the question.

It's just because we have legs to run, and just because this world exists.

The cave is very dim. I raised my head to look towards the pair of the beast eyes. He has seen more and more things, and it became a little similar to the pair of eyes that are in my memories.

I reached out to hold on the fluffy cheeks.

You: Sar-- What is the purpose of your birth?

And how did you become Sariel?

This time, it's as though the giant fox understood my speech, it lowered its head, and licked my eyelid.

I opened my eyes, feeling as though I've had a very long dream. The touch on my eyelid is still felt, and the shape of many items gradually appeared in my sight.

Slowly turning my head sideways, the aged wooden made some creaking sounds. I met Sariel's gaze.

The room is completely dim, yet his eyes are gleaming in golden light that blurs his expression. It was clear that only a single day has passed, but it felt like forever.

You: So what happened earlier... was spiritual connection.

You: Was that you I see? You in a very very long time ago?

Sariel didn't say yes, nor he did say no.

He straightened his body, turned around, and topped me, as though he's protecting me, but also looking as though it's a display of possessiveness, the depth of the traces in his eyes are more apparent than any other moment.

Sariel: I almost couldn't remember what happened back then.

You: But they are still over there. Can you feel it? Me being in your world.

Sariel: I can.

I reached out to caress his cheek, just like how I did to the giant fox. By the time my finger passed by the corner of his lips, he bit them.

From the fingertips, joints, and even until my wrist are being nibbled carefully, just like a play between beasts.

I turned towards him too, and nibbled on the soft skin on his wrist. There are too much indescribable feelings in my mind, that only the most primitive actions could express them.

Suddenly, a sense of pain is felt. Sariel lets go of the small piece of flesh over there, and a round bite mark is clearly printed over it.

The tip of his tongue still lingers around, gently grazing over the unobvious wounds. It hurts a little, and it tickles a little, but it contains more hidden pleasures.

It's just as though I'm going to be devoured... I am reminded of the flower wreath. For a giant white fox of that size, if he wanted to devour me, it'd be something as easy as pie.

Yet another bite. It's a bite onto my throat, that I can't make a sound even if I want to. I raised my neck, and an astringent feeling came between those teeth. I wanted to do the same too, to bite harder, until I could leave a trace.

You: Sariel, back then... back then when I was in your world, how did you feel?

My mind is completely muddled. I simply blurt out my mind without expecting him to answer. However, Sariel's movements paused.

He looked up, staring into my face for a long time, then slowly leaned lower, and hugged me very tightly.

Sariel: I want you to stay there forever.

All of the complicated emotions dispersed, and my eyes became blurred with tears before I knew it. I hugged him back tightly, and entwined both of our hands, legs, and even bodies together.

You: Devour me then.

No, it's not enough. Whispers of love, embraces, kisses, all of these are no longer sufficient. I want his happiness and pain to be only inflicted by me, and I want him blend into me too.

He'll devour me, and I'll devour him. In a trance, we've both returned to the barren land.

He is still not Sariel, and I shouldn't have existed there. We're just two souls traveling between the earth and skies, shaking off the shackles around us, and welcomed a brand new world.

It's already the next morning by the time I'm awake once again. What lays under me is no longer the hard floor, but the soft mattress. I do not recall myself moving anywhere, so Sariel has to be the one who did it.

But he isn't in the room. I sat up and spaced out for a moment, my vision has recovered completely, and everything is clear in sight.

Everything that happened last night is still vivid in mind, that I dare not to immediately recall them, so I simply put on slippers, opened the door and headed out.

Sariel sat right in the living hall, and he's still dressed in the suit I saw yesterday.

But, the cinched cuffs, the slightly tight shoulders and arms, no matter how I look at them, they look much better than my memories.

He's holding a pen between his fingertips, thumb opening the cap, then closes it again, subconsciously repeating this series of movements.

Smokes from the incense wafted before his eyes, he stares at the incense, and his gaze has never left for a long time.

Before coming out, I have been wondering about the first thing I should say when I saw him as soon as I open the door, but I couldn't make up my mind after pondering for a while.

When a time like this has really arrived, my body has already placed its own command.

I walked straight towards him, sat by the small table beside him, drew the pen out from his hand, and placed my wrist within.

You (playfully): Are you thinking about something and wanting to hold something in your hand? This can replace a pen~

Sariel seemed to have been surprised by my arrival. His fingertip subconsciously contracted and held my wrist, yet sighs helplessly a moment later.

Sariel: If your fingertip can be used to write the grocery list, it's not like I wouldn't take that as a consideration either.

Grocery list? I looked towards the table, and just as expected, I saw a half-written paper on it.

It's probably the menu for the day, with each ingredient required listed out, but there are also a couple of names of specialty shops listed beneath it, even with their signature product being labelled, and I could vaguely recall one of them being HeHuan pastry.

Regardless of what happens-- I suddenly feel awkward, but the undeniable fact is, the moment when the scent of white sandalwood got onto my body, my tensed mood is immediately relaxed.

Why did I suddenly became so dependent on him? Moreover, I weakly glanced at Sariel, and he doesn't seem to be affected the slightest at all either.

You: Okay, fine.

However, I failed when I wanted to take my wrist out from his grip. Lowering my head to have a look over, Sariel showed no signs of letting go. I tried using a little more strength, but what binds my wrist tightens a little more.

Sariel: Sit properly if you plan to sit, don't twist around.

The tip of his ears lies a faint trace of redness, yet his tone of speech is still as faint as usual. I stunned for a couple of seconds, maintained this posture, then leaned towards him a little more.

Now, both of our reddened ears can be connected. The living room became quiet for a moment, and a while later, Sariel was the one who broke the silence.

Sariel: Have your eyes completely recovered?

You: They are completely recovered, not even three days were needed, all thanks to yesterday's spiritual-- Uh, that thing.

How odd, I was still able to use the term openly yesterday, but why can't I do it today? It's as though the whispers of love and kisses will all gush right into my mind if I say it.

But, there's still a question that I have to ask. I bit my lower lip.

 You: Sariel, when we were doing that yesterday, did you see anything from me?

It's rare for him to have a moment of hesitance, but he still ended up shaking his head.

You: Is that so...

It's not that disappointing. This is something to be expected. I'm not an Erda, so there's nothing from me that could connect to the nature's vitality. It's already great enough to feel Sariel's.

It's just, I suddenly feel unfair for him.

You: Where will you go if you encountered pains that you can't shoulder?

Sariel: Silly.

I seemed to have heard him softly whispering something, and just when I was about to ask him, Sariel has already leaned over, and cupped my cheek between his thumb and index finger.

A sense of numbness is felt from the tip of my nose, it's softly bitten by him.

I could no longer mind about his response, or should I say, I knew his answer all along too, so I can only use all of my might to control the warmth on my face.

This is where my teeth grazed him when I pulled him in for a kiss yesterday.

When time passes, how much more would we still recall about what happened last night? From now on, subconsciously, how different will our lives become because of this?

I looked towards Sariel in a blur and in joy, and noticed him having the same expression as I do some time later.

Memory Recollection

The short sentence gave me a bad premonition, that it seems like there are things that are unavoidable...

Weird voice

- Who's talking?

- Why is the voice filled with hatred?

- Where did the one speaking go?

Night Destiny

That voice still bothered me on our way to the fragrance store, so I paid more attention to my surroundings. But besides the festive atmosphere lingering everywhere, I didn't notice anything else.

Until arriving an alley, my line of gaze subconsciously captured a black shadow that disappears in an instant.

I immediately turned around, and Sariel stopped his footsteps too.

Sariel: What's wrong? You've been looking everywhere throughout your way here.

You: At the train station, I... Uh, I saw something over there... but I can't tell it clearly.

You: Anyway, did you sense any unfamiliar Erdas?

Sariel frowned slightly, and looked over along with my line of gaze.

Sariel: This place is filled with unfamiliar Erdas everywhere.

You: Makes sense.

I smiled awkwardly, and was just about to toss these doubts to the back of my mind. Suddenly, a bustling sound is heard from the depths of the alley, and two figures are closing up towards us.

???: Excuse me, please make way!

I quickly turned sideways, but they were too quick, that it looks like I can't dodge them--

Bang! A rich fragrance spreads in the air, with fluttering powder scattered all over the skies. Sariel grabbed my arm almost the same time, and dragged me into his arms.

He lowered his body a little, kept his shoulder tight, and coincidentally covered my head completely.

???: I've finally caught you-- Eh? Lao Qi, why is it you?

I looked up, and the white powder in the skies. Sariel closed his eyes, with a thin layer of powder all over his head, and even over his eyelashes.

I reached my hand out to clean them off, and when I was almost done, only then I recalled the voice I heard earlier. I turned my head over to find a blue-eyed youth dressed in a white outfit.

You: You are...

Sariel: He's RanYi.

You: RanYi, the owner of the fragrance store?

Sariel: Yeah. Though I don't know why he ignored his business in the fragrance store, and came all the way here to play catch.

Listening to our conversation, the youth is all smiles, looking very approachable.

RanYi: Well there aren't customers in the store after all. Lao Qi, you haven't changed your way of speech at all.

RanYi: Also there's an additional-- what did the humans call this again, right, a supporting character, it's more interesting now.

RanYi: But it's a pity, we haven't been seeing each other for so long, but now only I can "see" you, but you can't "see" me.

Can't see? What does this mean?

Feeling a clench at my heart, I subconsciously looked towards Sariel's face. His eyes are already open, they are still gilded in gold, but his gaze is not focused anywhere.

You: Sariel, did you hurt your eyes just now? Can you still see?

Sariel: I can't see.

He admitted it straightforwardly, but still speaking in a faint tone, it's as though it's not something that bothers him.

Sariel: This is something temporary, no need to panic.

You: How did you know it's temporary, what if--

RanYi: There's no what ifs. I made these fragrance powder, they have an effect to cause blindness, but don't worry, it doesn't last long.

RanYi slots himself into our conversation, so I looked towards him in doubt.

You: How short is short? Ten minutes? Half an hour?

RanYi: I can't tell an exact answer, but anyway it won't be more than a week.

You (angry): Is one week... considered very short?

RanYi: Well of course, a week isn't even considered a mere snap of the finger, who knows he'll recover after a nap.

RanYi turned his head away, speaking as though it's something natural. I suddenly feel tides of frustration surging in my mind.

My elbow is slightly nuzzled. Sariel took a step forward towards me. Perhaps it's because of his eyes, that he can't gauge the distance very well. His shoulder and arms are almost sticking to mine.

Feeling his warmth, the frustration are instantly drawn away, and what replaces it is the endless tenderness.

Sariel: I can't wait that long, best if it can recover within the day.

Sariel lowered his eyelids, and his sharp gaze is gone. However, the strong verve that he has always kept to himself seemed to have found an exit, that his line sounded a little pressuring.

RanYi stunned a little, with a sliver of surprise flashed before his eyes. He no longer say a thing, only lowering his head to think, but only to look at us with a sour face.

RanYi: This... is really something I can't do.

Sariel nodded, as though he has expected this answer.

Sariel: Let's go.

He said that to me, and made a move as soon as he's done doing so, preparing to leave. Yet what lies before him is a bulged bridge, so I quickly reached out to tug at his sleeve.

You: Where are we going?

Sariel: He has other things to do, so let's go elsewhere, then head to the fragrance store.

Turns out he's still planning to have fun in Greensands Town according to our plan. I bit my lip. How could I let this happen--

Just when I was hesitating, RanYi called out to us.

RanYi: Wait, you said 'today' just now, are the two of you participating the HeHuan Festival today? 

Sariel: So what if we are going to?

RanYi looks towards the floor, there's a layer of powder on it, with a weird shape printed in the middle of the powder.

RanYi: Honestly speaking, I'm afraid that the Greensands Town isn't safe, especially towards humans. 

RanYi: There were Erdas planning to assault humans in the HeHuan Festival a few days ago, and till date, they have already injured a few people.

RanYi: I was chasing after one of them, but he still managed to escape...

He took out a key, seemingly wanting to hand it to Sariel, but noticing Sariel hasn't reached an arm out, he handed it to me.

The key looks very antique, with curly patterns all over it, that makes me a little confused.

You: This is--

RanYi: How about this, you two can have some rest in my store to avoid the situation for now.

RanYi: I can even check on Lao Qi's eyes when I'm back. Even if they don't recover by today, it's good for them to recover earlier.

In front of the fragrance store entrance.

Sariel: Are you certain that you won't be complaining that your trip here is all in vain after you're back?

You: I'm certain!

You: The most important thing now is to not be in danger, and wait for your eyes to recover.

When I asked Sariel if we should listen to RanYi's suggestion, he allowed me to make the choice, so I came to the store with no hesitations.

I stabbed the key into the keyhole, it's a little tight, that I can't twist it open no matter how hard I try, even having to speak in a somewhat forceful tone.

I massaged my sore hand, but the unlocking sound isn't heard anywhere soon. Sariel lets out a sigh.

Sariel: Let me open it.

You: Okay.

I made space for him, but he did not move, only to reach out his arm diagonally, where his fingertips touches the door.

You: ... A little lower.

Holding his arm and slowly moving it downwards, until he grabbed onto the key, with a twist of his wrist, unsure of what sort of strength he used, he opened the door easily.

You: You can't see it, but you did it! How impressive!

Sariel: I only lost my sight, not entirely paralyzed.

Sariel (smiling): You are still in time to regret your decision.

I knew he's talking about going out to have fun. The feeling from the touch earlier still lingers in my palm. It's as though his arm is completely trusting me, it's heavy, and allowing me to move as I wish.

You: I don't regret it. Moreover, I think it's better to take care of you in this current condition than going out to have fun.

I was half joking, but I'm also half sincere about it. Seeing how he relies on me like this, even though I know it isn't right, but I still can't help but to feel a little happy.

Sariel place the key back to my hand, and this time, he is oddly accurate in locating.

Sariel: It's not certain on who's actually going to take care of the other.

RanYi generously allowed us to use anything in his shop, even the cleaning tools, tea instruments, and even told us the location of where he store clothes.

He said that they are all brand new clothes made for his staff, we can change into them first, so there's no need for us to wear our old clothes tainted with powder.

I searched for a few clean clothes to pat off the powder on our hair.

Sariel can't see what happens on his head, and unwillingly allowed me to do the work for him.

He sits on the wooden chair, closes his eye, allowing me to act as I wish. The dust patted off falls onto the tip of his nose, and he is already scrunching up his nose a little - almost unnoticeable.

There are some places difficult for me to reach that I need him to tilt his head a little, and he did just as I said.

I've never seen Sariel like this, watching him tilting his head, showing half of his fair and slender neck, I can't help but to feel completely touched, and I can't wait to immediately pounce into him and nuzzle his neck.

Sariel: I can feel that.

You: Hm? What?

Sariel: Gaze from others, especially those that have been staring, and with ill intentions.

You: What do you mean with ill intentions, my intentions are clearly the best.

Since I'm already exposed, I might as well to just do it, and really buried my head to his neck.

Sariel's body stiffened a little, raising an arm in reflex as though he wants to reject it, but it's also as though he didn't know where he should rest his hand at or how much strength he should use, and ended up only faintly placing on top of my head.

There's a spot in my heart that is getting so soft it's about to melt, I spoke.

You: Sariel, don't worry.

You: I'll definitely take good care of you throughout this period-- Ah-choo!

My grandiose speech is interrupted by a loud sneeze, then followed by a second one, then a third one, and the fourth one.

Why did I forget that the fragrance powder are all over his shoulder...

Sariel pursed his lips, wanting to say something but he ended up holding them back, hand reaching out to the table beside him, found a couple of tissues and handed it to me, who's still sneezing so much that I've gotten teary.

The cleaning is done after a while, and I swept the powder from the floor. Sariel's clothes are made of smooth fabric, so it's easily cleaned. But my clothes are not as fortunate, that I'm afraid I had to wash them.

You: Sariel, I'll get myself changed then?

Sariel: Okay.

You: In order to prevent you from getting bored by sitting here, let me brew a cup of tea for you.

Sariel is folding the used fabric, paused for a moment, as though he's feeling something, then placed them over the windowsill.

Sariel: Getting bored by sitting here... do you happen to think that I'm a three-year-old?

You: You'll feel bored even if you're three thousand years old, since there aren't anyone chirping by your side for the time being.

Quoting his words, and making him speechless, just as expected, I could see the speechless little dots appearing above Sariel's head.

You: Teacup, hot water, teapot... huh, where are the tea leaves?

There are tables and shelves everywhere, and the amount of drawers are scarily many. RanYi told me about the tea instruments but not the location of the tea leaves, and the items aren't placed together.

I pulled a couple of the drawers beside me, but they are all cups and plates, and I'm feeling a little troubled.

In the shelf to your left, among the lowermost drawers.

You: Huh?

I moved a little sideways, squatted down and opened all of the lowermost drawers, and just as expected, one of them contained tea leaves. I turned around in surprise.

You: Sariel, have your eyes recovered?

Sariel: No.

You: Then how did you know where it is, and say that it's to my left?

Slow sounds of footsteps sounded from me. Sariel bent down, and picked up the bag of tea leaves I just took out.

Sariel: The scent of the tea leaves are very obvious, and the sound of you pulling the drawers are even more obvious, it's nothing I can't judge from.

You: Are they obvious?

I tried my best to sniff the air, but only to sense plenty of rich scents blended together. Even if I knew where the tea leaves are, it is definitely impossible for me to tell it.

Sariel: When you lose one of your senses, the other senses will be particularly sharp. This is something very normal.

No no... It's definitely abnormal to be THIS sharp. I muttered internally, stood up, and noticed Sariel already standing in front of the table.

He touched the locations of the teacups and teapot, then tested the size of the teapot, then placed the tea leaves and hot water into the pot one after the other in slow but smooth movements, with no stumbles.

I looked at him in amazement, and I dare not to touch his positioning of items as it that will make it easier to cause injury. Sariel sensed my gaze once again, and turned around.

Sariel: Get changed for now, the tea's temperature will be drinkable by the time you're done changing. 

Sariel never speaks any baseless words, even "it's not certain on who's actually going to take care of the other" he said earlier.

You: You sure do adapt really quickly...

There aren't much time I could do things for Sariel, so I felt a little regretful at first, but became happy very quickly.

In a case like this, we might really be able to have a look around the streets, since having an unforgettable occasion with Sariel is the most important goal of this journey after all.

By the time I'm done changing, I took a glance at the remaining male staff uniform.

I wonder if it's RanYi's interests, but what I'm wearing is a strapped dress with multiple elements blended together, and the male uniform is a Scottish skirt.

How about I look for an excuse to make Sariel change into this outfit? I guess it doesn't count as bullying him for his loss of sight.

Just when I had this in mind, there's a sudden surge of tiredness.

You: But haven't done anything today...

I yawned, and the moment my eyes closed, my eyelids felt like they have been tightly glued together, and my consciousness has also drifted far away.

Where am I now? By the time I opened my eyes, everything are unfamiliar, but the odd thing is, I don't feel fear at all.

My surroundings are very quiet, or should I say, it's overly quiet. Blades, swords, lances, spears, and there are many other weapons that I can and can't recognize.

I'm holding something in my hand too, but when I lowered my head to have a look, it's always in a blur, and I don't know what exactly it is either. I threw it to the floor.

People appeared in the battlefield, and they are battling in silence. After a while, some people collapsed. Blood flowed to my feet, but the blood isn't red.

Finally, there's someone lonely. I walked forward, and asked if he has seen Sariel. I even described Sariel's appearance with the utmost detail.

He did not say a thing, only stabbing the dagger in his hand into my abdomen. I bled. My blood is red.

Suddenly, I can't tell what Sariel's color of blood should be, and I can't tell if he's here either.

But I can't manage to think any further, because I'm about to die. Before dying, I was able to retaliate. The item in my hand that I threw off is now reappearing in my hand once again, it looks like a--

A syringe.

??: Y/N, wake up!

I immediately opened my eyes to see a cold light flash before my eyes. My back is leaned against the wooden board, wrist being captured, and tightly pressed by my side.

I stumbled a little, and am finally capable to regain focus in my eyesight to find Sariel's face laying right before my eyes.

He is the one who's pressing my arm, and also the one pressing onto my wrist. I turned my head sideways to find a syringe being held tightly between my fingers. The tides of pain I have yet to feel earlier finally surged towards me.

My body subconsciously trembled, and the trembles only worsens.

Sariel: Sa... riel...

An expression of helplessness flashed across Sariel's face.

His golden pupils stared at me closely, as though he's trying to read something from my expression, then it was as though he has given up, he closed his eyes.

He softly opens my clenched right hand, and interlocked his fingers with mine, palm to palm.

Sariel: Don't be afraid.

You: It hurts...

Sariel: Where does it hurt?

You: My abdomen, hurts...

I can't hold back from sounding like I'm about to cry. Was that a dream? The scene in the dream felt so real, and there's really a bleeding hole on my abdomen.

The slender fingers touched the fabric over my abdomen. I quickly pressed onto his fingertips. There was only a single line being told, but it was as though he has understood what I've seen in my dreams*, softening his movements, but unwilling to give in to my requests.

*I just wanted to point out that this could be a hint that Sariel might be reminded of how he lost someone important to him in a war long, long ago. Perhaps even the same way as how that 'someone', which I've suspected to be MC's past life, have lost her life.

Sariel: It'll be fine.

Sariel leans towards me, placing his forehead against mine. Even his silvery white hair knew my fear, that they are softly brushing on my face as though they are trying to comfort me.

"It'll be fine," he repeats this sentence again, sounding so softly, sounding almost like a whisper.

My hand no longer stops him, but instead holding him close. He did not make another move, only allowing me to deliberately move his palm, and place the warm palm of his onto my abdomen.

The sense of pain gradually drifts away. There weren't any wounds over there to begin with, and was only filled with fear, but Sariel's presence could chase all of my fears away.

My other hand has been opened completely too. The dangerous syringe fell onto the floor, with the red liquid flowing out from within, with fragrances wafting from within. It's probably an instrument used for creating fragrances. 

You: Did I... attack you just now?

Sariel: No.

Sariel answered very quickly, but it's exactly because the answer came too quickly, that it sounded like a lie instead. I stared at the fabric over his arm to find a tiny opening on it. Thankfully, there were no wounds.

I then looked around my surroundings. The table and chairs have all toppled chaotically, that the room is in a complete mess. Sariel straightened himself up, and when he kept his arm back, there's a faint bruise seen from his wrist.

You: How did this happen?!

I grabbed onto his cuff wanting to have a closer look. But he's unwilling to do so, and we are now in an awkward stalemate.

Sariel: It's nothing much, I bumped into something when I came over.

You: Then why won't you show it to me?

Patches of bruises welcomed my sight as I forcefully unbuttoning the button of his cuff. Sariel's skin is very fair, so the greens and purples of the bruises seem gradually scarier.

I bit my lips. A normal bump would not cause a bruise so easily, moreover, it would never be something this obvious. Sariel pulled his sleeve down while I was still spacing out.

Sariel: Don't simply imagine things, you had countless of bruises when you were being clumsy all over too.

There's no way for me to not imagine things. There was a pained expression flashed by when he straightened himself up. With the toppled table and chairs in the room, recalling how he was still walking without obstacles in the room, but now being injured like this, just knowing this pains my heart.

You: I only had a nightmare, you don't have to hurry yourself over...

Sariel: That wasn't a nightmare--

Before Sariel could finish his words, another voice sounded from the door.

RanYi: You could actually think of hiding over here, I've finally caught you!

RanYi rushed in quickly, with a monster-looking beast held in his hand. The bulging snout suddenly reminded me of Baku* that only belongs to folklores.

*The Baku, otherwise known as the dream eater, is a mythological being or spirit in Chinese and Japanese folklore which is said to devour nightmares. It's called 食梦貘 in Chinese.

RanYi: It's his fault, this is Bo Qi, his Talent is to weave and consume dreams.

???: RanYi, let me go, what gives you the right to tell my name to outsiders--

The little beast is completely tied out, with a couple of swollen bumps on the head, looks like he has been beaten quite terribly for a couple of times, but he's still trying to struggle himself away.

Bo Qi: Why did you wake her up?!

Bo Qi: You are all traitors, couldn't you see how Rainy Island has now become? Yet you're still protecting humans!

Bo Qi... is he the Erda that assaults humans that RanYi mentioned?

I recalled the eerie dream, but looking at the little beast is showing his threatening laying before my eyes, and also his voice, he looks just like a child simply throwing tantrums.

RanYi stomped heavily, and I could vaguely see a couple of scale-looking pattern flashing by his face.

RanYi: And what good does the things you do bring to Rainy Island? I'm taking you back, no matter how many years you're going to be confined this round, you deserve them all.

Uncertain if it's because Bo Qi was afraid of his stern look or because he was scared of the word "confinement", he stunned, and suddenly began weeping.

With an unknown source of strength, he snapped off the layers of rope, and suddenly pounced towards me.

His tiny fang grazed a trail of blood on my arm, and glided down.

Bo Qi bit onto the hem of my skirt, that he wouldn't let go of his bite no matter how RanYi drags him off. His tears gradually became loud bawlings.

Bo Qi: It's all because of you people... it's all because of you people...

RanYi brought Bo Qi away, with Sariel and I, for once again, are being left in the messy room. We sat on the sofa by the table, where cotton buds, iodine and medicinal alcohol are placed on the table.

I initially wanted to bluff Sariel and making sure he doesn't worry for me by saying that Bo Qi didn't hurt me, but just as expected, I can't hide anything from him.

I opened the bottle of medicinal alcohol, but the smell is nothing like what I'm used to. Looks like it's RanYi's secret recipe, so it should be very effective.

You: Sariel, how about I apply the medicine for you?

Sariel: Tend to your own injuries first.

It's an answer that comes just as expected. His expression was as cold as ice that it scared RanYi off so easily, but it's already melted a little right now. I pulled his arm over.

You: I'll tend to yours first, then you tend to mine, how about that?

Sariel: Have you now forgotten that I've lost my eyesight?

You: I didn't forget. But I was thinking if you would want to help me.

It's just like how I knew you can apply the medicine yourself, but I'd still want to help you.

Sariel remained silent for a moment. He is no longer opposed to me, so I poured the medicinal alcohol onto his bruise, slowly spreads it over, and the skin under my palm is becoming warm.

You: Does it hurt?

Sariel: I didn't feel much.

You: Then tell me if it hurts.

Sariel turned his arm a little, looking a little helpless.

Sariel: You don't have to tell me that, I'm not a five-year-old.

You: Even if it's five-thousand-year-old, there would be a certain someone that wouldn't tell when he's hurt.

This is a conversation that was similar to a certain moment. I saw a smile appearing from Sariel's lips.

You: And it's done!

I drew the final circle on his arm with my palm, and placed the cotton bud and iodine towards Sariel's hand.

You: It's my turn now.

Sariel: You're the only one that would be that much of a heartless simpleton, that you sounded like you've won the lottery when you're injured.

You: Well didn't I win the lottery? To have Sariel personally bandage for me, even a few more--

Sariel softly smacked on the back of my hand. I wonder how Sariel managed to find the location accurately.

Sariel: Don't say nonsense.

It's almost evening. The sunset pours through the window onto his side profile, projecting the slightly trembling eyelashes of his. I bit my lip a little.

You: I'm sorry, I won't say that again, I'll protect myself well from now on.

Sariel: That isn't something that you can make a decision on.

The tone when he said this is not to give me an excuse to get away with it, but he didn't sound resentful either, and only describing a mere fact.

Yeah, not only it's not something I can decide, it's also not something that Sariel can decide either.

We're both already careful enough, but we still couldn't avoid being involved in the situation, leaving us memories where he would lose his sight for a few days, a green arm, and another red arm.

Sariel opens my palm and held it, then placed his thumb on the back of my hand. I made some adjustments to accommodate to him, and allow him to feel the swollen skin around the wound.

Iodine has gotten onto the cotton bud, with a slightly cooling liquid dripping down to the traces of blood on my hand, but also dripped around places that weren't injured.

You: Sariel...?

The pair of hands that has been stable is now trembling.

I initially thought Sariel was afraid that he would hurt me, so I held his hand, wanting to place the cotton bud onto my wound, and tell him that it doesn't hurt at all.

But no, he did not respond to me tugging his hand, it's just as though he hasn't heard me, and is only immersing in his thoughts.

You: Sariel? Are you okay? Sariel?

I called him out a few more times, then shook his hand. He seems to be slowly coming back from his senses, where his pale lips are already pursed into a straight line.

Sariel: I can hear you.

He sounded like he's suppressing something in his voice, it's as though the thoughts earlier still remained, and his consciousness just happened to trump over his thoughts right now.

I leaned a little closer to him, and saw a thin layer of sweat over his forehead.

You: Sariel... did you recall something?

Sariel did not say a thing. I don't know if he couldn't spare time to answer me, or if he has no plans to tell me, or if he's still hesitating. But I could feel that he's in pain.

I placed my hand to his chest. When I woke up from the nightmare, he has been soothing my pain with his palm just like this.

You: Tell me if you're in pain...

Before I can finish my sentence, I'm already pulled into an embrace filled with the scent of white sandalwood. Sariel encircled his arms over my back, hugging so tightly, that I have never seen him showing such a strong body language.

Sariel: I heard their voices.

My ear is coincidentally leaned against his chest. Whenever he pants or speaks, different from what I could hear from the air, there's a dull sound coming from his chest too, sounding just like a message from his heart.

He only told me this, but it's given me enough courage to inquire further. So I closed my eyes to feel it.

I heard dull sounds of wooden clubs clashing, followed by deafening sounds from the clashes of metals, sounds of the helicopter's propellors, explosive sounds from cannons -- all of them weaved together.

In the pitch black wartime shelter, people are struggling. There are many people in this place, groaning, rolling, and everything returned to quietness after some time. They have all died.

The sounds of struggles are overpowered by the sounds of war, only a few people could hear them.

Sariel heard them. I saw his silhouette, standing above the broken walls, but he couldn't save everyone, and he could only listen hopelessly.

This is Sariel's memory, with wars over hundreds and thousands of years, lives that quietly fades, with these deafening sounds, there's no way for anyone to sleep in peace under these disruptions.

I suddenly understand it now. The pitch black shelter is similar to the darkness before his eyes, and how would the sounds of struggles I made during my nightmare sound to him?

I escaped from his embrace, straightened myself up, knelt on the sofa, and with this I will be a little taller than him.

You: Sariel, don't listen to those voices.

I hugged his head, just like how he hugged me tightly amidst the powders this morning. Everything has now made sense imperceptibly.

I try my best to let my left chest stick closer to his ear. My heart is beating without feeling settled due to tiredness, fear, and confusion, but it's still undoubtedly beating.

You: Sariel, listen, I won't die.

You: As long as you're here, it'll keep beating on and on.

There's a saying that life and death are all destined, and there's probably not many people who would be brave enough to make an absolute judgment on it. But I still made a promise like this. I don't want to care about the so-called destiny, only wanting to relate my life and death with Sariel.

Ba-dum, ba-dum-- Sariel turned his face sideways, placing his forehead onto my shoulder, talking in a hoarse voice.

Sariel: Your heartbeat is too loud, I almost can't hear what you said.

The sunset has disappeared too. The moon rises, and a different ray of light has now brightened the still messy room.

For a very long time, we're in each other's embrace on the sofa, chit-chatting in random topics. The chaos is now over, and the reality before us is now increasingly apparent.

War. Why did we think of this phrase? It's probably because of the wounds on us, that we've both came to a vague realization, that the relationship between Erdas and humans are no longer just a pure "misunderstanding".

What is the scene in the dream hinting at? Why is Bo Qi assaulting humans? He mentioned about the current situation of the Rainy Island, could he mean the state of degeneration? But what does degeneration have to do with humans?

There might have been a very long history between Erdas and humans in the past, it's just that this history is too far away from him, and what I could see is just the person by my side.

You: RanYi was actually nice, though I was initially quite angry at him...

Sariel: He's just not used to interacting with humans, you don't have to be angry at him.

You: Bo Qi... might not be a bad person either, he could reach my hand back then, but he didn't bite me in the end.

Sariel: Based on your saying, looks like there aren't much bad people in this world anymore.

For each sentence I said, Sariel ends up replying me very cooperatively.

You: There's also you, there probably won't be any other Erda that could understand humans more than you do.

Sariel (smiling): And there probably won't be any other humans that could bother Erdas more than you do.

I'm a little unhappy with that saying from him.

You: The Erdas are not who I'm bothering, it's you.

Sariel: I don't understand the so-called humans either, I can only understand a certain clumsy bird.

As we spoke, both of us smiled.

Sariel: It's ridiculous to differentiate lives based on race to begin with.

You: How nice would it be if everyone could think this way.

People would never think the same, and perhaps there would eventually be a day where a war will start between both races, and our dreams to stay out of them will eventually perish.

But I will fulfill my promise, to remain with Sariel, and live a long life properly, as we watch the war come to an end.

I turned around and looked out to the window. The carnival for HeHuan Festival seems to have came to an end. The paper window is reflected with shadows of the bustles of the crowd heading home.

There are definitely humans and also Erdas among them, but just by the looks of it, nobody can tell who's who.

SMS

You: I was tidying my shelf just now, guess what I've just found?

Sariel: *puzzled sticker*

Sariel: What is it?

You: A couple of pairs of rain boots I designed when I was in the university, now that I look at them, they look really childish...

Sariel: With another couple of years, you will feel the same when you look at the design drafts you have now too.

Sariel: But this isn't a bad thing, it shows that you're at least making improvements.

You: I wonder when will the rainy season ends, I wanted to head out for a walk together, and I can even use these "collections" of mine!

Sariel: It'll end very soon.

Sariel: Before the rainy season ends this year, I hope you won't be almost performing a fall like how you did last time.

Sariel: As for those "collections" of yours, it's the best to keep it as a collection.

You: It's not actually because I like going out during rainy days, it's just because I like being with you.

Sariel: What's there to emphasize about this... Haven't we been with each other together every day?

Sariel: Not only just this moment, every day from now on would be the same too.

-- 

Phone Call

Sariel: Did you take a sick leave today?

You: Huh, how did you find out? I didn't plan to tell you initially...

Sariel: Your group's Mao Ge posted a status, telling people to be aware of not falling sick from air conditioners during summer.

Sariel: You replied him with a crying emoji, then he replied you to rest well.

You: Huh? He replied me? I didn't even notice it, how did you see it before I do?

Sariel: ... This isn't important.

Sariel: You were all hyper yesterday, how did you become sick overnight?

You: It was too hot last night, so I can't help but to switch on the air conditioner throughout the entire night, and I woke up with some headache and a stuffy nose this morning...

You: But it's still fine, it's not very serious! I think I'll recover tomorrow, don't worry!

Sariel: If you don't want others to feel worried, then take more care of yourself.

Sariel: I'll... pay you a visit while I'm on my way out.

You: It's really not that serious, you don't have to purposely make a trip over here.

Sariel: I said I was on my way out.

Sariel: I've coincidentally made some porridge today, I'll bring some for you along the way too.

Sariel: I suppose someone must've been lazy to cook, and is about to pass her day by simply ordering takeout.

You: How did you know, I was just choosing what to order for takeout...

Sariel: Stop choosing then, I'll head over later.

You: Uh... if you're really coming over, then can you buy some snacks for me along the way?

Sariel: ... Looks like you really aren't terribly sick, you still have quite the appetite.

You: I suppose it's not considered that I have appetite, it just feels like the porridge is going to be too bland, so I can't taste much if I'm sick anyway.

You: I want to eat something sweet to awaken my tastebuds!

Sariel: What do you want to eat?

You: Maybe something like cakes, or chocolate, and maybe also buy some candies?

Sariel (sarcasm): Still telling me that you don't have appetite? Judging from what you say, how about I move the entire desserts segment to your place? 

You: Hehe, just three types, I don't need the rest.

You: Thank you, I'll be waiting for you then.

Sariel: You don't have to wait. Take some medication first, then sleep.

You: But I might not hear the doorbell if I fell asleep.

You: How about you call me when you're almost here?

Sariel: Have you forgotten that you gave me your spare key when you weren't home the last time I wanted to send something on my way out?

You: Oh right! I really have forgotten about it...

Sariel: It's not too late for you to remember it now.

Sariel: Have some sleep then, you don't have to wait for me.

Sariel: By the time you're awake, I'll definitely be right in front of you.