㈥ library

@人┊xuan lu ❖ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ʜᴇʀ。⤑ ғɪɴɪsʜᴇᴅ.

@人┊joshua hong Seeing how Joshua smile, she could definitely see the face of a happy cat and his smile is indeed really beautiful. She looked at him and let out a slightly louder laugh where she quickly cover , hoping that she wouldn't get chased out by the librarian. "Ms Jelly? Are you going to save me as my contact that time? You shall see Mr Protector!" she laughed and playful stick out her tongue at Joshua. Her eyes widen at Joshua's words, is she someone that is that easy to read? "Of course! That is a really cool nickname! Protector of the galaxy! I shall call you... Mr Protector! See I make you sound manly now!" she chuckles and nodded her head, showing her pinky, as a way for her to say that she promised. "Of course I will eat really well! I work in a restaurant as a-" she immediately stopped herself once again "as a worker! I'm a cashier and a waiter there! Of course, I will always have food!" Xuan Lu was not lying, she does everything in the restaurant despite being the boss.

"Skywatcher startravel! That shall be the name of... of... our trip! OH! Is that the name of a rocket? Don't we need to go up to the sky to see the stars up close?"

She tilted her head slightly once again as she started to think a little more but her phone interrupted her thoughts. She picked up the phone once again, "Ah! Okay! I will rush back now, we can make it tomorrow morning." She looked at Joshua and carry her books, running towards the door before turning back to look at Joshua, showing the eating and sleeping gestures, reminding Joshua to take good care of himself once again. She then ran towards the bus station to go to the borders of Meilan, to rush back to her restaurant for her new food bulk order.

@人┊xuan lu The corners of his eyes turned into a pair of miniature crescent moons, similar to that of a feline cat when in their most joyful state. He felt the same way in this very moment, happiness and contentment brewing from the base of his tummy. Joshua will always remember and take a hold of this distant emotion into the safe keep of his memory box for him to look back on. When he's alone in the quiet atmosphere of his room or while he did his work. Joshua will welcome it with open arms. "Oh? When will Ms. Jelly's revenge take place? I'm certainly interested on what she would do to me. Is she that menacing enough for me to handle?" He asked in almost a whisper acting playful to Xuan Lu and her antics. If he was a cat right now a white, fluffy tail would've swished left to right behind his back.

"Ah, you're so noisy sometimes." Joshua shook his head before sending Xuan Lu a small smile. "Why do I feel like protector of the galaxy is my contact name saved on your phone? Well, it doesn't sound that bad than Ms. Jelly." He stuffed both his hands inside his jeans pocket, his palms met his phone and a cold round object that he had forgotten after he took a step into the library. How long has that ring sat there and when was the last time he ever wore it? Every ounce of his belongings were kept safely and that includes the wedding band meant to pair with his ex fiancée. Joshua made his hand grip onto the cold jewelry before settling back towards Xuan Lu, forcing a light smile from his tight expression. "I'll make sure to grab all the nutrients I need. Don't worry about me, you should do that too or you're not allowed viewing rights from my Skywatcher Startravel."

Joshua fumbled with the ring for a moment before taking into consideration to wear it. A cold sensation passed through the surroundings of his finger, piercing him of the reality he was living in. After meeting Xuan Lu he would head straight back to his house. There he could be alone with his thoughts again, thinking and pondering the same sadness of his reality. "I'll see you soon, Xuan Lu." Joshua waved in the female's direction before disappearing his way back to the path that directed him to home.

@人┊joshua hong Xuan Lu blinked when she felt a little pat on her head, she immediately let out a soft, "Hey! I will get back on you one day!", before letting out a bright smile. It doesn't matter whether Joshua is joking or not joking, it was indeed her getting a little too excited and forgot about her actions. She is just glad that Joshua feels comfortable and his smile is a huge indicator that Joshua is comfortable. Her goal is to spread happiness and joy to everyone, to create peace in this world. "You are really good at teasing me! Joshua!" she laugh once again.

Nodding her head quickly, agreeing that her role is indeed to ensure that everyone is full and have the energy to watch the beautiful galaxy at night. She will definitely start to look around to ensure that her food is able to last for the night, something yummy but warm. Jelly is good but it might be cold for the night. She puffed her cheeks playfully when Joshua asked why is she pouting. "That is because you are pouting at me too!" she laughed a little too loudly before covering , trying to soften her laughter.

"That is good! I have to make my way back too, have something to follow up~ I'm excited to see your message to go and see the beautiful night sky, protector of the galaxy!" She laughed softly before packing her notebooks and carrying the books in her hand. "Remember to text me whenever you are in Meilan! I will bring you around! And make sure to eat well and sleep well. If not, no jelly for you~"

@人┊xuan lu Joshua's hand faltered, in a debate to pat her head gently or not but he decided to do it anyway, allowing his comfort to blame. "Hey, it's fine. I'm just joking. It never really hurted. I just wanted to see your reaction and tease you a bit." Maybe he came off too offended from the punch? If so he swore to lessen the way he acted with her. He can't afford to scare someone as nice as Xuan Lu away from him. Joshua felt he was pretty charming and knew that no one would reject his smile but he pushed his pride away for now.

"Hey, no. You're in charge of the food. I'm in charge with my Skywatcher Startravel. You don't need to carry anything from my belongings, really." He waved both his hands to dismiss her kindness, gently. If anything, he might help Xuan Lu depending on how much food she would bring to their little event. Joshua only needs his telescope and camera. Xuan Lu would bring beverages, sandwiches and whichever jelly she'd like to take on their trip since it did feel like her signature dish in the kitchen. "Why are you pouting at me? Did I do something wrong again?" A small chuckle escaped his lips, watching each cute reaction that Xuan Lu have been showing ever since they met. "I'm still blaming you for that damage. You can't disagree."

He blinked back surprised at how much he's been smiling and laughing with her. It didn't occur to him of how happy he felt because of a stranger who offered him jelly. Life has it's own twists and turns. It can either surprise or disappoint him. "Alright, I'll inform you in advance on anything star related." But before he could do so, he considered on fixing himself up on their next meeting together. Joshua will not allow himself to look so restless and drained of energy. It would make her worry once more about his current situation. "I should head back home and check on my emails related to work. I'm currently on a one week off and I hate to miss anything that I brought home from work."

@人┊joshua hong Xuan Lu's eyes widen when she saw how Joshua rubbed his own arm, saying that it hurts. She bits onto his lower lips before looking down at her hands, mumbling a soft apology to Joshua. She then quickly looked up and nods happily when Joshua said that he will contact her when they go on the hunt for the beautiful lights in the night sky.

"Definitely! Oh! Is there a lot of equipment? Do you need help to take it? I can meet you at your place to help you too! If not, I can ask some of my staf- I mean colleagues to help to carry for you!" she almost let out her role as the owner of the restaurant and the second in command for Meilan. It must have been really tough to carry around all the equipment since she is interested to go on a journey with him, she should at least help him to do something! She blinks and immediately blushes when she heard what Joshua said about her comments and mindset being endearing. Do people not think the same way? She stared at the other with a similar pout as well to .

"You can't be blaming me for making you laugh that loud~ It's natural!" she let out a burst of soft laughter before letting out a bright smile for Joshua, she could see that the other is smiling and laughing much more when they just met just now. "You look much better when you are smiling and laughing, I am glad to meet you as a new friend!". Her words were interrupted when she heard a vibration, she looked at her phone and gently gesture a little wait signal before she answered the call with a really soft voice. "That's right, I will look at it later when I am back. Thank you Yanyan." she smiles warmly before putting down the phone, looking at Joshua again.

"Oh! You can message me whenever you want to come over to Meilan or to go on the little hunt! Let me know a few days in advance! Then I can arrange my work too, and no no no you are not bothering! I am really interested to find out more! And my colleagues will be so happy to see my friend coming over to visit Mei Lan!"

@人┊xuan lu His eyes widened. Joshua never expected her to punch the side of his arm like that. It wasn't that it hurt but, he was aware that they're not well aquainted with each other yet. Everything fell into place as if he actually knew her but couldn't place every piece onto his finger. "That hurt.. how could you?" Instead he feigned a soft laugh followed by a rub of his arm, acting a bit dramatic over the soft blow, showing that he wasn't comfortable from the sudden touch at all. Maybe he could let his guard down for once. He hoped from all the stars in the sky that it won't be the same scenario he experienced with her.

"Alright, I'll make sure to contact you when it will occur and bring a few of my equipment for us to view it and stargaze while we're at it." The weight of his telescope had never crossed his mind. Would he be able to carry such device while he was out searching for the aurora with Xuan Lu? He didn't want to bother her with such heights and weights because of his career. This outing never included his career. He's out to spend time with a friend, that's right. Joshua is arranging this meet to relax with someone new for a change. Not any of his annoying friends in Jiashi or his friend, well, previous friend. It made him smile of how curious she was and the line of work he does each night to the fullest.

"Again, being as endearing as ever Xuan Lu. Would never be the same without your mindset." Joshua shook his head followed by laughing a little too loud for his liking. A librarian from one corner pursed their lips, attempting to shush him and his loud mouth, Joshua bowed his head apologetically before moving his attention to Xuan Lu. "I'm blaming you for making me laugh that loud." His lips quickly turned into a pout, making him look annoyed at her when he wasn't.

@人┊joshua hong "Hey! You will never get lost there with me!" she let out a soft chuckle, covering and playfully did a really gentle punch on Joshua's arm unknowingly. She would often be a little touchy with people that she is really comfortable with. Her eyes widen when she did it and let out a soft awkward laugh, not sure if Joshua is comfortable, letting out a little oops.

"Sure! My work is flexible so don't worry! I will love to join you on that really cool journey!" She let out a soft chuckle as he said to be careful not to finish the food too quickly. Feels like the hunt to find the beautiful lights will take a while but at the same time, she knew she got to pack much more food so that the both of them will have enough food while waiting for the beautiful lights. She looked at Joshua with a gentle smile as he continued to talk about his work.

"Woah! 6 to 7 years sounds amazing! I guess they might be worried about your health but you really do sound like you love your job! That is really awesome! You should continue to fight and find all the beautiful parts of the galaxy!"

She let out a bright smile, thinking that how amazing must it be to be watching the galaxy for 6 to 7 years. Joshua sounds like a guard for the galaxy. "Ah! Your job must be the protector of the galaxy! You know the guardian of the galaxy! to protect the beautiful images and scenery! That is very cool and amazing!"

@人┊xuan lu Joshua punched his number in. He didn't feel surprised over Xuan Lu having a pink phone case. It suited her personality as far as he knew it based from the little information he garnered over the past few minutes or hours he spent in the library with her. Time would always move slow ever since he spent most of his days and nights in the comforts of his home, mindlessly scrolling through whatever was on his phone, trying to avoid each post that came from his ex fiancee knowing how much it could damage him. Despite this, Joshua was still an idiot. He should've blocked the woman in the first place. He didn't think he would catch himself staring at her pictures during the dead ends of the night.

"If I ever get lost I'm blaming you as my tour guide." Joshua chuckled lightly over the joke he made towards the female. "Well, we can always arrange a little outing somewhere in Meilan. I could track the next northern borealis and notify you about the details right away. Of course, whenever you're free." He hates stealing someone else's time away from them. What was Xuan Lu's work again? It crossed his mind momentarily before finally settling on another new topic that she raised towards him.

"Careful, don't want the food finished so quickly after we found the northern lights." Since it felt like a picnic, they should consider the amount of food they need to bring. An aurora would last for a long time during the night and he always made an effort to bring three bottles of water and two sandwiches with him. One who stare at the stars above for so long can make it hard enough for someone's eyes to tear them away. "Well, I'm already used to it. I've been watching the galaxy for 6 to 7 years now. People... especially," He couldn't say her name in front of her. Joshua never knew why but kept the sentence there before assuming. "They don't approve of me staying up late like this but it never stopped me. I enjoy my job."

@人┊joshua hong "Oh yes! Here! You can put in your phone number here!" Xuan Lu let out a bright smile and take her phone, with a pink casing full of pictures of cupcakes and desserts. She passed her phone to Joshua for him to type in his number before dropping a text to the phone number. 'Hiii Joshua! It's Xuan Lu here! :D' She chuckles and put her phone in her jeans pocket. "You need to call me when you are going to come over! Can't have you being lost in Meilan!" Meilan might not be as big as Jiashi or Hangshui but it's not that small either. She wouldn't want her new friend to get lost in her home place, especially when she is the Prime Minister of Meilan.

"Y-yes! I am fine! I am just a little too excited over your job! It sounds really cool and because of people like you, allow us to see such beautiful pictures! Your job is really awesome! Was that picture taken by you? I would love to! If it's okay for me to follow you around. I wonder if we can see them in Meilan... I always see the moon and sometimes there are stars"

Xuan Lu is always known to be someone who is really curious, she is always really excited to know new things. Joshua's job is something new that she had never heard of! She thinks a little before smiling brightly, "Ah! I know! I can bring the jelly and some other good food from Meilan while we are on the hunt! Aurora hunting! That sounds really pretty!" she smiles brightly and thinks a little, "Since you study about the moon..stars..and sun.. does that mean you work really late at night and really early in the morning? You said it needs to be really dark to see the lights! So... you work during the midnight! That must be really tiring!"

@人┊xuan lu trigger warning: light mentions of attempted murder.

"Then does that mean we shall exchange our numbers? Can't do it without you if you don't text me." He couldn't allow himself to be a lost little lamb in the middle of the city which he is unaware of. Stories and experience from people who've been to a city will never be the same. It almost made him surprised of how easy that fell question fell from his lips. Asking someone's number when he just met them. It looked ridiculous on his part since he is avoiding new friendships that could lead to another murderous attempt. The moment from the bridge and the time he was pushed over so easily never ceased to dim down from the back of his head. Joshua made a risky move but he needs to know that a lot of people are not as bad as his previous best friend. Hopefully, in time, he would learn how to let go.

"I capture each moment from the sky and report them back to my office. We record each phenomena that we discover and make them known to other people." It's the best careers that he landed on and was thankful enough that his mother came to support him each way that she could. Joshua withdrew his phone back to his pocket and entertained Xuan Lu's following questions. "It needs to be cold and dark with a little cold formation as possible to be able to see the Northern Lights from September 21 to March 21." He memorize these pieces of information by heart. Joshua once hunted down for the polar lights and he always been rewarded by such beauty. "I'd love to explain more if you would like to join me in my aurora hunting."

She really was endearing. It made Joshua want to pinch Xuan Lu's cheeks but he refrained to do so. "I've never tried wearing a Hanfu before. I don't really know that many people from Meilan." He'll still pay for that hanfu. Even if he'll take a lot of his energy to fish out his wallet just to pay then he'll do it. The item was still his even if he wasn't from there. "You're speaking a little too fast there. Are you alright?"

@人┊joshua hong "Definitely! When we go to Meilan or when we meet again, I will get more for you!"

Xuan Lu is really happy to hear that Joshua likes her jelly and wants to try again. Opening the restaurant for at least 3 years now, she is always really excited to hear people giving feedback about her food. Hearing such good feedback always make her really happy and motivated to do better next time. She is also happy to see Joshua's little smile, sweet desserts are indeed magical! She has proven her theory once again.

She stared at Joshua and blinks when he started to laugh after she make a comment about the moon and the sun. She let out a soft laugh as well, as she is a person who laughs easily. She covered slightly a faint red appear on her cheeks when Joshua said that her comment makes her endearing.

"T-thank you! Oh yes! The moon is really beautiful at night, I love to sit by the garden and with a flower tea, I will stare up at the moon. How can a moon change shape? It's really cool! A-aurora..?"

She tilt her head slightly and looked at Joshua went he talks about the aurora borealis. It's her first time hearing this. Seems like Joshua is someone who is really into the stars and the moon, or maybe she should say the galaxy. She leaned in and looked at the picture that Joshua showed her, the colours are really beautiful! She had never seen such scenery before, is this even real?

"I- w-Woah! Are these real? Does the world really have such places? It's really very beautiful! They are called Northern lights? Why are they called that? Are they only in the northern part of the world? Lights... like those torchlights? But how does one put so much lights together to form the Northern Lights? Why is it only in March and September? Every night is dark... Do March and September have darker nights to see the lights better?"

Xuan Lu eyes widen and turn bright red, feeling really embarrassed asking a little too many questions at once, the other must have found her really silly. "Ah! T-then we should go to the store together! I can get a discount for you. Hanfu is really beautiful for everyone, and we can get them to help you to dress you up! Have you wear a Hanfu before?" She spoke a little too quickly, trying her best to change the topic to not being seen as she is really silly.

@人┊xuan lu The sweet taste of dessert would always make him feel satisfied after a long day of work in the office. Although, he never experienced in taking one during his depressive moments of his life, it made him reconsider how much it could effect one's being. Joshua should try eating jelly as a way of boosting his mood at times. He took a short mental note of this from the back of his mind. "I haven't eaten anything sweet in a long time." The hospital forbid him not to. "It's taste and soft texture left a refreshing feel in my mouth that I couldn't describe further. I might want to ask, could I try this again?" Joshua mustered a soft smile despite his current predicament left from the back of his mind. His story was left unsaid, pushed aside, he doesn't want something personal to disrupt the peace that he finally craved for in a week time.

Joshua blinked for a moment before releasing a soft laugh, his eyes turning into small cresent moons upon the the cute thought that crossed Xuan Lu's head. He looked around briefly, his amusement dying down, careful not to disturb any readers nearby their current spot from the library. If only he knew that meilans were this adorable then he could've pinched one on the cheek for acting so. "You really have the brightest imagination compared to mine. Keep it that way. It makes you endearing as ever."

If there was anything that Joshua was proud of, it would always be his hobby especially the career he has grown upon till this very day. "Stargazing. Doesn't it fascinate you every night just by watching the moon? The aurora borealis found on the north, waving like a large ocean only blanketed in millions of stars from the galaxy?" Joshua cleared his throat. "Sorry, was I rambling too much? I don't think you would know what the aurora borealis is..." He quickly snatched his phone from the back of his pocket, unlocking the device to find a picture of the lights he described before showing this to Xuan Lu. "They're northern lights splashing in different colors throughout the night. The auora is more active around the equinox in March and September."

"I-- No, you don't need to pay for me on such extent. That's really too kind of you." Joshua scratched the back of his head, cheeks filled with embarrassment.

@人┊joshua hong "Where did you manage to buy a dessert like this?"

Xuan Lu knew that question will be coming. Would Joshua mind that the jelly is homemade? Maybe the other might be health-conscious, she does not want to make the other be uncomfortable too by sharing about her work and her role in Meilan. She really just wanted to rest and meet people, without them feeling uncomfortable. "I got them at Meilan! One of my favourite stores! Is it nice?" She chuckles softly. She isn't lying. Her store was indeed in Meilan, really proud of her own food, it is indeed her favourite.

"Meilan is the sun! That is really sweet! would Jiashi be the moon then? They are side by side! And we see the sun in the day and the moon at night!" She grins widely before continuing with a slightly confused look, "Then Hangshui? and the wolves packs? Everyone can't be just sun or moons.." she mumbles softly to herself.

"And yes! What is your way to make people or yourself happy? Oh! And about traditional clothes, we can go to the store to get one! I will pay for it as a welcome gift to Meilan!"

@人┊xuan lu Joshua took note of every possible task that Xuan Lu could've asked him to do. It would be related to work but then again, he would require at least a brief description of what he needs to do and help accomplish it. It can also be related to matters lighter than that but no, she asked him to take care of himself and nothing else. Joshua avert his gaze elsewhere. Of course she would ask him to take care of himself. He did agree that he certainly looks like a pile of rubbish from the garbage disposal. Maybe he should've freshen up before leaving his home but never given the chance to because of his group of friends pulling him out of his household. A sigh escaped his lips. "Where did you manage to buy a dessert like this?" He hoped she would let the subject of his health dropped. His current image was embarrassing enough for the public eye to see.

He knew meilan had quite a number of people who were warm at heart. She was quick enough to proclaim them to be friends even if she met Joshua in a very negative state, on the brink of allowing himself to stay in his house for all eternity. It felt hard to trust people ever since his ex fiancée and best friend left him. He lost two people. Would this new experience bring him another knife jabbed on the back of his head? Joshua is aware that Xuan Lu is an entirey different person but, he couldn't help but feel cautious.

"No, they're just warm. Same thing that goes with meilans and their personality traits they harbor." Joshua explained before shaking his head slightly in Xuan Lu's explanation. "Well, I guess everyone has their own way to make each other happy." There were a number of ways he could feel happy again but he couldn't help but forget each one of them because of the current situation he's in. Deep inside the comforts of his pocket laid a ring that he subtly reach to grip, allowing the skin of his hand to get pierced by it's distant and cold structure.

"Do I need to wear something traditional? I don't really have anything as close as Meilan style."

@人┊joshua hong "Oh! Nice to meet you, Joshua. You can call me Xuan Lu, Lu, Xiao Lu, or anything you want!" she let out a cheerful smile and seeing how Joshua finished the jelly, it makes her really happy. She takes the box, and quickly kept it in her bag, looking around, making sure that no one spot them breaking one of the library rules which is no eating in the library. A huge smile on her face, she is always happy and excited to meet new people. Seeing how Joshua finished her jelly, she was happy to know that she could give some happiness through her homemade jelly.

"Ah! We can be friends! Oh! and you can repay me by, taking care of yourself!" she chuckles and listened to how the other describe Meilan. She agreed with how warm Meilan is, she does not have large knowledge about the galaxy, so it's really interesting to hear about this. "The sun? Because it's really hot?" she teasingly before looking at him, she quickly shook her head. "Nono~ Not all Meilan people see dessert as happiness batteries! I would say is me! I love food and I will always bring jelly around, so my happiness batteries are there! See! It works today" She chuckles and continued, "But Meilan is really nice too! If you ever come to Meilan one day,I can bring you around!"

@人┊xuan lu Joshua blinked before taking a hold of his phone from his jacket pocket. Dark circles embedded under his eyelids made the man wince at such horrific image reflected back from his line of sight. He quickly withdrew his phone away from his face, rubbing his eyelids as to make his tired state disappear but to no avail, such acts did nothing to make him look any presentable. Through the eyes of many, Joshua looked like a tired office worker who drank too many cups of coffee before beginning their work. His spoon dug through the dessert until each piece had slowly dissolved from both of their eyes. Joshua had to eat fast. He would never know when the librarian would strike next to scold people and their inappropriate behavior inside the premises of the library.

"Joshua Hong, you can just call me Josh or anything." The male mumbled under his breathe before turning his full attention back towards Xuan Lu, forgetting something. "Thank you for the treat, Xuan Lu. If there's anything I could do to repay you just name it. You don't get to see a kind person offer their hand so simply every single day." He set the box aside and neatly add the spoon back into the box before fixing the rest of it from how he last opened it. "I'm not exactly smart. It was just a hunch of mine. You meilans have a knack for your positivity. If there was a time to compare all of you to the galaxy, it would be the sun for sure."

A sigh left his lips, not from annoyance but amusement. Instead of answering her question, Joshua gave her another in response. "I'm from Jiashi. Is it a meilan trait to see little forms of dessert as happiness batteries?" How endearing. Not that he minded, they had peculiar traits which he deemed to be questionable.

@人┊joshua hong Xuan Lu eyes widened at Joshua's question, she quickly shook her head, saying that Joshua does not look really bad. "Y-you just look really tired, I didn't mean anything else". She let out a soft chuckle, playfully using her body to cover Joshua as Joshua start to eat the jelly. It was a handmade jelly, but she does not want to tell the other, not sure if that will make him feel uncomfortable. "Ah! Sorry, I forget to introduce myself. I am Xuan Lu! What about you? How do I call you?" She asked softly before letting out a soft smile seeing how Joshua eating the jelly.

Her eyes widen once again. This human here is really smart! How does he know about Meilan? Xuan Lu doesn't recall seeing him around in Meilan. Being the prime minister, she makes the effort to meet everyone, hoping to know her city well so she can better support the humans around and of course, learning about the wolves, to better support them when they drop by Meilan.

"You are really smart! Yes! I am from Meilan, raised and born there!" she let out a soft chuckle before grabbing a chair to sit down beside Joshua. "You are not from Meilan! I don't recall seeing you... but you sounded really nice, are you from Jiashi? Oh! And how was the jelly? Did the magic work on you?"

@人┊xuan lu His gaze was distant yet, held so much emotion that held his mouth shut in a wistful daze. The focus he had glued on the table had quickly morph into a confused look upon the box that laid on the table. Joshua took the water wordlessly and gulped on it's contents, finishing half before setting the bottle down. "Do I... really look that bad to you?" His voice came out in a croak. It didn't occur to him that he haven't slept for a few days prior to the news that settled in his head. Joshua completely forgot what has been happening through his health, unsure of what the woman could see through him. Has he gotten that numb to ever care? Throw away each and every part of himself because of his past lover? Love may be blind too.

Joshua stared at the box. "You know, someone could get us in trouble if they were to pass by our spot in the library right now." Nevertheless, the man still opened the box that contained the sweet dessert, no more statements added besides the soft coo he made through the corners of his lips. Using the provided utensil found in the box, Joshua dipped his spoon to take a small bite.

It tasted sweet just like her. Speaking of her, before he could spit out another mishap just like what transpired seconds ago, Joshua finished the current piece of jelly in his mouth before asking, "What's your name?" She's done so much in the span of a few minutes, this person deserved a lot of gratitude coming from a broken man such as himself. He felt thankful that this woman never shown him annoyance from his behavior upon seeing her.

"You have a very optimistic spirit... are you perhaps, a meilan?" Joshua rarely visit the city but, he recieved a few stories from his friends and co-workers of how much the area was like. For one, this woman showed characteristics that shined just like the people that they described.

@人┊joshua hong Xuan Lu observed the other and was a little worried, she looked around to see that everyone is buried in their books.She shakes her head and let out a gentle warm smile, she does not want to make the other feel that he is pitying the other. Wanting to find someone, she knew how hard it is to find someone that it's hard to find. Seeing how sad and the bad state the other is in, the person must have been someone really important to him.

"You do not need to find one right now, you don't have to tell me if you are not comfortable."

She spoke in her soft voice and gently take a bottle of water for the human. She opened the new bottle that she bought just now at the counter and gently passed it over to the man sitting down. She also take out a box from her bag and gently passed it over to him.

"Seems like you had a really tough time... Don't worry and have a little drink. You wouldn't want to look so bad like this outside right? And here, don't tell anyone you are eating here! Have a little jelly, that always cheers me up when I am sad! You can have it."

She let out a warm smile, always having a huge belief that food can always cheer someone up, hence she opened the restaurant in Meilan. She would often bring a jelly along and have one a day. However, she will be more than happy to share it with someone else.

"Let me tell you! This jelly has magic! it makes people happy and smiles after eating it!"

That's right, it's because of the sugar and the sweetness and having the jelly in cute animal shapes, no matter how sad or angry, the other will say that it's cute.

@人┊xuan lu Her soft, black locks immediately reminded him of the warm summer days where he used to lay basked under the sun with the help of the tree's shade to cover him and his lover from it's blinding rays of sunlight. His fingers used to thread those same strands while he took the chance and listen on the different stories his fiancée told him. Hearing about her story, the laughs she took in between each silly moment, and the smile she created from her pink, plump lips have never failed to recreate a grin as wide as her own. Those were the days where his eyes crinkled in joy and mirth.

She held everything even his heart that she chose to break. Standing near her, observing every little move that she made sent a cold sweat running down his forehead. Have she been developing new hobbies lately? Joshua couldn't remember if his fiancée used to be so absorbed in reading.

"I'm sorry... Are you feeling okay? Have a seat.. you look really pale."

Confusion riddled under his tired eyes. That... doesn't sound anything like his fiancée. The hand that laid grasped on the woman's shoulder had quickly drifted back to the side of his hip in embarrassment. Joshua brought his other hand to rub against his eyelids in hopes to clear out his head and line of sight that he refused to use after this scenario. "I-I'm sorry... I... I thought you were someone that I know." He winced at the sound of his voice, raspy and weak.

When the woman mentioned about a picture Joshua quickly sunk down on the chair before looking else where but her worried stature. Pictures are meant to hold stories. A memory that one will never forget while time runs like pendulum. But somehow, through his lingering thoughts, when he mistook the beautiful stranger as his fiancée, the energy that he once had to find answers from her had slowly crashed down. "I-... No. I don't plan to find her today." Not yet at least. "I think I just lack a couple of hours to sleep in. I'm deeply sorry for all the trouble I caused today." Joshua managed to straighten his posture and bow from the chair where the woman had helped him onto.

Maybe he should've stayed at home.

@人┊joshua hong "There was a wolf diease that wiped out the previous leaders in the packs."

She mumbled softly to herself as she flipped the book to see the cover page. She then opened the book to read from the first page, finally taking down notes. She didn't expect to find this book here, a book where it talks about the real wolf history. Such books are usually hard to find, she flipped the book once again to read the cover and the description at the back of the book, before continuing from the page that she stopped.

History about the wolf past like this always interest her. She had heard horror stories of wolves when she was much younger. If not for her wolf friend that she met as a kid, she would have believe those rumors. She was engrossed in the book and did not feel a presence behind her until she felt a pat on her shoulder. She turned her head, thinking that she might have sat on someone's seat or her books might have bothered the other.

"I'm sorry, I will-"

"Why did you leave me?"

She blinked when she saw a man whispering to her, he sound really tired, the voice was full of pain. She could see how weak the man is by how he is standing, she quickly got up and gently supported the man by holding onto his arm.

"I'm sorry... Are you feeling okay? Have a seat.. you look really pale."

She mumbles softly and gently pull out the chair for the other. Leave him? Was he looking for someone? She does not know much people from Jiashi, but she works closely with the leader in Meilan so maybe she could help too.

"Are you looking for someone? Do you have her picture? Maybe I can help..."

@人┊xuan lu Dragging his feet through an amount of pearl tiled floors and freshly cut, green grass sitting beside crumbled sidewalks begging to be repaired, had made his journey all the more heavy. The footsteps he made today held a burden being carried against his back. He didn't want to go out but his friends suggested him to. Barging in and pulling his limp body out of his humble abode just to take a whiff of fresh air caused Joshua to sigh. He could only up the rest of path until a good 30 minutes passed before calling it out a day. Joshua wasn't lazy. Productivity is one of the best traits he've garnered so far to be commended by many of his colleagues and co-workers in the office. But lately, he felt under the weather today and refused to speak about anything that involved it.

Using the bits of his energy, Joshua managed to push the wooden doors, emitting a soft groan in response. None of the librarians came to notice his presence squeezing through the location. It made him sigh in relief before closing the door just as quietly behind his back and proceed down the aisle in hopes to find anything that may interest him in this time of hour. If Joshua would be honest, he made a splitting image of a ghost. Joshua developed dark circles covering beneath his eyes after he was discharge in the hospital. His body may be physically repaired with the help of medical professionals. However, the effect was never the same as his physique and had the capacity to make his health ten times worst because of his current predicament.

Why didn't she ever tell me why?

A series of questions had always rang through his head with no answer to cover his dying curiosity. Moving from one shelf to the other, Joshua discovered tales written by human and wolf writers from different cities. Sometimes it made him wonder the kind of excitement that novelists gain from adding a collection of words to a document and making a novel out of it where many readers would buy. He took this consideration to thought, taking the book only to stop for a brief moment to capture what held behind the opening of the bookshelf.

She's here? Joshua's figure came rigid. The feeling of dread slowly swept in, his mind moved back and forth unknowing the kind of action to make in front of his fiancée. He needed answers and she had them wrapped against his heart. He tuck the book in between his arm and torso before finally approaching the woman with brave strides. Joshua shook in some occasions, scared of the truth to be revealed in front of him. The young man outstretch his arm and held her shoulder softly, careful to prevent his former lover from breaking apart all because of his touch. His mouth formed in strings of whispers, audible enough for the female to hear him but broken upon repair.

"Why did you leave me?"

@人┊joshua hong It's another day off once again, while she was working, she heard some rumours about wolves and their past, about the virus that harming them in the past. As the prime minister of Meilan, she knew she got to find out more, just to ensure that she is aware, and can think about how to protect her fellow wolf friends. She put on a nice blue flora dress while looking at the different bookshelves. She took out a few books about wolves history and carried them towards a little table near the window. She then took out her book and stationaries as she started to read the book, making some notes in her notebook.

@人┊tyler blackburn ʰ there was something about the way the books were made. how multiple pages, containing characters in a black ink, could create something, that would pull you in. it was like another world. full with carelessness and adventure. reading was one of the things he loved the most. hyunjin just loved how they smelled, the older the book was, the better was the smell. it was like a portal to his inner dream world and the latter loved to dream. sadly, the library in his pack was too small for his liking. as he had been a jiang his whole life, library was his second home. he had read the books from their own authors to the human world artists. from agatha christie to jane austin, he could memorise and quote the best parts of each book. the little alpha knew he needed to read more, to find out more, to explore more. thankfully, they lived in a time when internet was easily accessible. one page after another and he had found the address of one of the biggest libraries close by. he had dreamed about being engulfed into the book vault in the gusu lan pack, but he knew it was forbidden. so he packed his bag and took the train to the nearest city. jia shi was kinda safe for wolves. he still acted carefully, better be safe than dead, or so he had thought.
when he had arrived at the centre, he was amazed by the architecture. if hangshui was the modern capital of the technologies, then jia shi was an art masterpiece - the old kind of art from centuries before. he easily found the library and was amazed by the interior. it seemed like it was an easy task to surprise the teacher, his agape mouth didn't close even when he entered the hall. he had went to the librarian and got his pass. hanging it happily around his neck, he entered the library. like a little excited pup, he wandered around the shelves of countless books. his fingers left feathery touches on each of them all, even gathering a bit of the dust. he rubbed the dust with his fingers and chuckled, it must be an old library or the librarian wasn't doing a good job keeping it clean.
he was so emersed into the new world that he didn't notice another person nearby. his tall and skinny body collided with another, hyunjin falling on the and whining. when he slowly looked up, he saw an outstretched hand. the male lazily looked up, his blonde long hair messily cupping his face. he sat there on the ground, his backpack still hugging his behind before he had decided to take the outstretched hand.