Long Mian (Ao Bing)/Side Tale 1

===The Intruder===
Characters involved: , 
The Intruder
Raine Tundra. Starlight Miracle.
Miramon: *ROAR*
A massive Miramon emerges from the shadows of the icy snow-covered plains and lunges in the direction of a nearby youth.
: Such a beautiful attack posture... wonderful.
Long Mian. Ao Bing. Shadow Guard, Taxidermy Enthusiast, Miramon Enthusiast.
Long Mian smiles warmly and lifts his hands up. A barrage of snow and ice comes from out of nowhere, wrapping the Miramon snuggly within its confines.
The snow disperses. The Miramon, its attack posture unchanged, is encased in solid ice. Sun rays glitter off the frozen structure.
: Beautiful, truly beautiful, a fine object for my collection.
: Bring it back for my collection. We can finish for today.
Shadow Decree Henchman: Yes sir, captain. Yes sir.
: And be careful when moving it! I don't want it bumping into anything, particularly on the stairs.
Shadow Decree Henchman: Yes sir, we'll make sure of it!
Long Mian's collection room.
: At last I can finally savor the fruits of my labor. I trust they're all still in mint condition.
Long Mian is shocked at the sight that greets him as he opens the door to his collection room.
: Jacob? What are you doing here?
: ...
Jacob. Jormungand. Shadow Decree, Loves Sleeping.
: Jacob!!!
: Eh? Long Mian, you're back...
: Unless I'm very much mistaken, this is my collection room, not your bedroom.
: Long Mian, please! I'm sorry, I was just looking for a good place to rest. I haven't touched any of your stuff.
Long Mian doesn't say a word. He goes into the exhibits area and carefully surveys each one. He breathes out of a sigh of relief after confirming that indeed nothing has been damaged.
: When did you get in there?
: I, uh, heard someone was trying to assign me a mission this afternoon and I basically didn't want it.
: So I took the opportunity of sleeping here when your subordinate opened the door for that Miramon.
: You're rather light-footed, aren't you? Apart from me, no one else dares come near my collection room.
: I'd never though that someone would want to sleep so badly that they would seek out the darkest corners of this room.
Long Mian's mouth widens into a sardonic smile. After all, most people consider this place weird or creepy. Jacob must surely feel the same way.
: Uh... I only came in because I know how much everyone tries to avoid the place.
: I just wanted to sleep here for a little while. I didn't count on them locking the door behind me.
: Then I realized what a comfortable, quiet place this is for a nap.
: Comfortable and quiet?
: Yeah! It has to be in my top three places for the occasional snooze for sure!
: ...
Long Mian's anger subsides as he observes Jacob's naivety.
: (Cough) Alright then. Even so, you can't treat it as your own private bedroom.
: Sorry...
: I'll let you off easy as this is your first offence.
: But you may find yourself in the close company of that Miramon for far longer than you had anticipated if there is another.
: Oh... you wouldn't dare.
: You think you can threaten me?
: That snake behind you would make a beautiful specimen for my collection.
: !
Jacob is shocked, and almost takes a step back.
: Espers are still just humans. How can I be as interesting as a Miramon?
: Miramon are the purest encapsulation of the Miracles' powers, they're its... products.
: They're its artworks.
: Yes, artworks! And so I hardly think that you would want to freeze and display me as well.
: ...
A week later.
Shadow Decree. Corridor.
Shadow Decree Guard: Have you seen Jacob anywhere recently?
Shadow Decree Henchman: No. Why?
Shadow Decree Guard: I just have no idea where he is, and I've searched the whole complex from top to bottom!
: !
Long Mian has just returned from a mission and, on hearing these words, his heart skips a beat.
He grinds his teeth and walks with great determination toward his collection room.
Shadow Decree. Long Mian's Collection Room.
: I knew it. Jacob...
Jacob is sound asleep in one corner. He seems to be smiling as if lost in an unusually pleasant dream.
: (I take it he really does love this place...)
: Oh well... it's rare to find anyone else who can appreciate these magnificent works of art...
Long Mian turns to leave the collection room. On his way he almost bumps right into a member of the Shadow Decree admin staff looking for Jacob.
Shadow Decree Guard: Good day, Long Mian, sir.
: What's wrong?
Shadow Decree Guard: Have you seen Mr. Jacob around here by chance?
Long Mian frowns. Jacob's sweet, sleeping face pops into his awareness.
: No.
: Another thing - please don't snore so loudly around here. We've received complaints.