Space station 5: Sparkle - Imagination Runs Wild

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Su Qing immediately ruled out option D; it seemed too dismissive.

Regarding option C, considering how important this was to Firefly, it might involve Entropy Disorder issues.

Persuading someone on the brink of despair to abandon hope seemed quite unrealistic.

[After careful consideration, you make your decision.]

[You plan to accompany Firefly, expressing your own curiosity about the deeper realms of the Dreamscape.]

[However, simultaneously, you advise her against going too far. Given the lurking dangers, caution dictates that during your first entry, exploration should be limited to the periphery.]

[Your advice is sensible and reasonable, successfully convincing Firefly.]

Thus, you both ventured into the primitive Dreamscape, cautiously staying near the exit while exploring.

"Is this the hidden, true Dreamscape of our family...?" Firefly observed her surroundings.

It was a somber-toned Dreamscape filled with peculiar dream bubbles, disorienting upside-down directions, clocks scattered everywhere, their ticking sounds omnipresent, and occasional whispers echoing.

[Firefly pays particular attention to the clock sounds and whispers, believing they are connected to The Watchmaker's legacy.]

[Meanwhile, you capture images of this place using your camera. These photos are unattainable through normal exploration of Penacony.]

"It's about time we should head back," Su Qing reminded them.

"Alright, let's go."

Although still intrigued, they had gathered sufficient findings from this exploration. Honoring their prior agreement, Firefly and I began walking towards the exit.

Unbeknownst to us, silence had descended around us.

A monstrous creature, adorned with numerous eyes, resembling a palm-like shape with a spiky tail, silently appeared behind us.

[MARCH 7TH: !!]

[MARCH 7TH: Look back! Quickly look back!!]

Neither of us noticed the monster lurking behind, engrossed in hushed conversation as we approached the exit.

The creature suddenly lunged forward.

Its attack was swift and unexpected, yet strangely focused directly on Firefly for some reason.

Flashing past Su Qing, the creature's spiked tail swung like a sharp blade.

Eyes widening, Firefly abruptly turned around, her fingers twitching as if intending to take action. However, everything happened too swiftly; she didn't even have time to respond...

[Time freezes.]

[A purple monster, a girl imperiled. You feel a strange sense of déjà vu in this scene.]

[Might it be because tragedies often unfold this way?]

[A foreboding sensation, akin to impending loss, fills your heart.]

[Talent: Teleportation]

[Description: Do not let predetermined narratives constrain you, nor should you place your hopes solely on others. Only by seizing power and opportunities for yourself can regrets be prevented.]

[Skills ultimately depend on the person wielding them.]

[Even possessing such abilities is futile if constantly hesitating or looking back.]

[The unfolding scenario poses this question: Will you hesitate?]

[Some hesitations offer no chance for redemption.]

Boom!!

The purple monster's tail needle slammed down forcefully, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Firefly jerked her head up, only to find herself safely embraced by Su Qing, already far from their previous position.

"Quickly, let's go!"

Without any hesitation, Su Qing released his embrace, took her hand, and sprinted towards the exit.

Thump, thump, thump.

Only a few short steps remained to reach the exit, but amidst such peril, time seemed to stretch as thoughts raced and everything unfolded in slow motion.

Smoke and dust gradually settled down.

Behind them, the monster extracted its tail needle from the wall, twisting its body, ready for another attack.

Initially facing the monster, Firefly slowly turned her head and saw Su Qing firmly holding her hand ahead.

His grip was strong, yet Firefly felt no pain, only a sense of reassurance.

Coming back to her senses once more,

they found themselves surrounded by brightness.

Upon exiting the primitive dream realm, the already unstable entrance instantly collapsed, accompanied by terrifying howls echoing around them.

Afterwards, everything returned to calm, leaving Su Qing and Firefly standing in place.

From a third-person perspective, it appeared as if nothing had happened. However, their hearts were pounding wildly.

Su Qing loosened his hold on Firefly's hand.

"..."

Firefly, undeterred, tightened her grasp.

Her hand was small, soft, and warm, and she held onto him with equal strength.

Unexpectedly, Su Qing glanced over, and Firefly met his gaze without averting her eyes.

Both their expressions showed a mix of slight nervousness and an absurd urge to laugh, akin to surviving a near-death experience.

Su Qing didn't pull away; at this moment, holding hands carried no deeper meaning. It was simply about feeling each other's warmth, helping their hearts calm down more swiftly.

[The crisis just now seemed prolonged but, in reality, lasted only moments.]

[March 7th: So tense, so nerve-wracking!]

[March 7th: I held my breath when the monster appeared.]

[Bronya: +1]

[Stelle: These creatures appear out of nowhere with incredible speed.]

[Stelle: If we had chosen to delve deeper into the Dreamscape earlier, we'd probably be seeing the end credits by now.]

Firefly's heart also raced alongside theirs.]

[Firefly: Witnessing myself nearly die is quite a novel experience. Thankfully, Su Qing was there.]

[Firefly: Ah...]

[As simulated memories gradually surfaced, recalling the hand-holding felt less innocent than before. Firefly blushed slightly.]

[March 7th: By the way, if we chose option D earlier, what would have happened?]

[Sparkle: I'll take it from here.]

[Sparkle: "While you sipped SoulGlad at the hotel, perhaps the girl who once laughed and ran with you had already transformed into flickering light, dying alone..."]

[Stelle: Stop, stop!]

[Stelle: You Masked Fool, why must you have such vivid imagination?!]

[Sparkle: If someone asks, I'm just answering, okay?]

***

Emotions require time to develop, but sometimes extraordinary circumstances can accelerate their growth.

Not long ago, you and Firefly were merely familiar employer and guide.

But after experiencing a rapid series of events together, your relationship seemed to break through some barrier, suddenly growing much closer.

In retrospect, it all stemmed from the actress's interference that day.

Su Qing decided that as a commemoration, he must reserve a special place for the actress in his photo album.

[Stelle: Huh? Are we talking about biting the hand that feeds now?]

[Seele: It wasn't really feeding; more like acting as a catalyst.]

Having survived life-threatening danger, even Su Qing felt compelled to pause work and relax for a bit.

To unwind, they purchased fireworks and headed to the skydeck.

"Quick, look, look!"

As twilight approached, Firefly held two sparkler wands, twirling happily with her arms extended and long silver hair gracefully flowing.

Su Qing also grasped one wand, while not forgetting to hold his camera in the other hand to capture this moment.

"Ah, what a pity, it ended so quickly." With a hint of reluctance, Firefly gazed at the extinguished sparklers in her hands.

Joy indeed fades swiftly.

"Right, let's take a selfie together?" Firefly suddenly realized that Su Qing was always photographing others but rarely had any pictures of himself.

Su Qing considered for a moment, "Sure."

A camera wasn't ideal for selfies, so Su Qing took out his phone. The two positioned themselves side by side, leaving some distance between them.

"Come closer, don't be shy," Firefly said with a smile.

"I think you're the shyer one."

"Not at all, I'm the one who invited you for a photo."

Their first joint photo created a slightly awkward atmosphere, as both unconsciously displayed a subtle competitive spirit.

Only when they moved closer, their shoulders gently touching, did they simultaneously fall silent.

Su Qing adjusted the phone, selecting the perfect angle.

"Alright, remember to look at the lens now," Firefly reminded gently, "One, two, three... cheese!"

Firefly flashed a sweet smile, playfully making a victory sign with her fingers.

With the starry sky as their backdrop, they captured this moment in a photo. The background was stunning, with faint streaks of meteors visible.

[You send the photo to Firefly and carefully examine it.]

[You notice that this group photo has a distinctly different atmosphere from your previous shots. It seems to fill in what was lacking in those earlier images.]

[Is it because I actively participated this time?]

[Or is it due to Firefly's vivid expressions within the photo?]

[As you keep looking, something dawns on you.]

[You then ask Firefly, "The places we visited before, can we go through them again?"]

[Finding it somewhat odd but still without hesitation, Firefly agrees, "Sure! Where would you like to start?" ]

[March 7th: Revisit all the places we've been to before?]

[March 7th: Could it be... a date?!]