Long Mian (Ao Bing)/Side Tale 4

===Beauty Eternal===
Characters involved: , 
Beauty Eternal
Shadow Decree. Office.
: Long Mian, can I entrust something to you?
Lyn. Hathor. Shadow Guard.
: What?
Long Mian. Ao Bing. Shadow Guard, Taxidermy Enthusiast, Miramon Enthusiast.
: Little Tweety who I've been raising... it fell ill and passed away...
: Tweety?
: Uh, I mean my bird... I had it with me for many years.
: I would like to make a coffin for it but it'll take a few days and until then I would really appreciate it if you could freeze it in ice.
: ...
: I know this is a bit presumptuous of me, but it would be really lovely to keep it from decomposing.
: You'd like me to preserve it?
A smile flashes across Lynn's face.
: It will soon - I mean it's going to rot...
: I don't want it to turn into something else before the little coffin is ready.
: If you want to keep it in its current state, I have an even better suggestion.
: Really? What's that?
: I can add it to my collection. What do you say?
: As a specimen... And you'll keep it exactly as it is now?
: Of course.
Lynn smiles at the earnestness in Long Mian's gaze.
: Alright then... I'll leave it to you.
: It won't be a problem. Oh, by the way, could you please provide some photos of how it was?
: Sure, I have a few here.
Several days later
: Long Mian, can I ask you something: how is my little Tweety doing?
: Very well. You can have a look.
Lynn looks where Long Mian is pointing. Tweety is perched on a branch and quietly looking in Lynn's direction.
: Tweety!
Where it would have once excitedly flown toward Lynn, it now stays still and unmoving.
: I took a good look at the photographs. I noticed how often it tilts its head in your direction. Thus, my choice of position.
: ...
: You don't like it?
: I like it very much. Thank you, Long Mian.
: I knew that you're very good at freezing Miramon. I didn't realize you are so skilled with other creatures too.
: It's almost as if... my little birdie was still alive... I could have sworn it was about to fly over here.
: It's nothing special. I learned how to prepare specimens from a young age.
: There are others? Can I take a look?
: OK...
Long Mian can hardly refuse Lynn's enthusiasm. He takes her into his collection room.
Shadow Decree. Long Mian's collection room:
: Wow...
: I had no idea you prepared a special display cabinet for each exhibit.
: I must, for I treasure each one.
: They're so beautiful. So lifelike. You must have poured so much effort into this.
: Of course I do.
Hearing Lynn's earnest praise, Long Mian's whole demeanor immediately warms. He even allows himself to feel a small sense of pride.
: Ah? Look at this... Notice anything different?
: Nowhere near as perfect as the other specimens?
: Oh... No, and there's a special glass casing over it...
: This puppy seems a little commonplace for your collection, its not at all like these other, rare creatures.
: ...
Long Mian is silent for a moment before speaking.
: Because it was my very first specimen.
: He was once my greatest friend and, unfortunately, time took him after only ten short years.
: I'm... sorry for bringing up such a painful memory.
: It's fine.
: So then... is that why you enjoy the process of making and collecting specimens, because of him?
: Yes. Life is extremely precious, but also fragile and weak.
Long Mian speaks in warm tones with a hint of pain in his eyes. He is a far cry from his usual icy self.
: I could not preserve its life, but wished to forever preserve its life-likeness...
: He always loved sleeping at my feet.
: No wonder you're willing to help me preserve my little Tweety as one of your specimens. Thank you, Long Mian.
: ...
Long Mian is little uncomfortable with the intensity of Lynn's beaming smile.
: Well, I'm glad to say that Tweety is very well-preserved. You've had a good look at my specimens now. I must get back to work.
: ...
Long Mian escorts Lynn out of his collection room without further ado and looks the door tightly behind him.
Lynn looks at the locked door with a faint smile.
: Life is beautiful and fragile, isn't it?
: Long Mian, what a gentleman you can be.