I'm tired and want to share a joke but also want to save it for an authors' note whenever I get the next chapter of #DuetForATrio out...

In the meantime this isn't quite #snippery but here's a brainstorm list of things for the system's premium store here:

miku edition melon soda
mode unlocks (expensive)
caffeine pills
condoms
save files (prohibitively expensive)
maid outfits
candy bars
energy drinks
beach episode scenario pusher
HRT (whatever that is, SQQ doesn't recognize the acronym)
xianxia HRT
ramen packets (tempting for the nostalgia factor, but he'd deserve the Binghe-murder if he passed up protagonist cooking for that)
1:1 scale heavenly pillar dildo
clock app
a fuckin' pedometer
modern pregnancy tests
more inventory slots
viagra
options menu... OPTIONS MENU?

Shen Qingqiu isn't the only one who gets to be an unreliable narrator in #DuetForATrio

"Luo Binghe is good at letting things go" I wrote, like a liar.

#DuetForATrio #snippery

:)))

Luo Binghe comes back with all four treasures of the study, sitting beside him and settling in to share the same inkstone. Bing'er knows this inkstone. He was punished for it getting chipped when Shen Qingqiu lashed out at him once and now he is invited to use it, whole and unruined, this treasure worthy of a peak lord. It feels like stealing, like the whip waiting to fall. The brushes too are Shen Qingqiu's. Fine things that were never meant for his hands. Bing'er wonders why taking these things that are so freely offered feels wrong when mere days ago he was determined to seize them for himself. He holds the brush, still clean and dry, and nearly snaps it when Luo Binghe pulls one of the fine empty sheets close and begins to take notes on it. Just notes. Such high quality paper befitting of a peak lord's correspondence and Luo Binghe is filling it with notes they won't need anymore in two shichen. He will never be as secure as Binghe is in his place here.

500 word net increase on #DuetForATrio
Repression always works out real well for Binghe huh?
Have some #snippery

Binghe grits his teeth. He doesn't want to give up the slightest part of his position caring for Shizun, but that warmth and surety that caring for Shizun gives him exactly what Bing'er needs. He would sooner dig his claws into his own chest and pull out his heart and liver. Luo Binghe had taken every duty of Shizun's care that he could manage, stealing chores from Ming Fan, Ning Yingying, and others, until his hands touched every part of his Shizun's life.

Bing'er needs that. Deserves that. Luo Binghe cannot bear to part with any of it. The claws pierce between his ribs. He's going to bleed out. That's impossible for him. His heritage ensures that. He's territorial, like every other wretched demon from the abyss, ready to lash out and defend a space that doesn't even belong to him in the first place. Luo Binghe has only ever had this home by Shizun's grace.

Luo Binghe shouldn't feel like this.

So he doesn't.

Shizun's perfect disciple takes a deep breath and is ready to give Bing'er what he needs.

Updated #DuetForATrio with a new chapter. https://archiveofourown.org/works/66876511/chapters/207035801

I am so sleepy

snip snip time. Actually writing on this again feels good..

snippet:

They're pulled aside again before they make it out, Li Hui with a wrapped pack that Binghe can guess is dried fruit to help feed Shizun's sweet tooth. She tucks it into the basket and wordlessly slips a chunk of crystallized ginger into his hand. He nearly drops it from sheer surprise. Sugar dried, sweet and spicy and warm. Li Hui is not known for warmth. Not like this. She doesn't give people treats. It's ridiculous. It's a sticky and grainy little piece of proof that Binghe doesn't know his Shizun anymore, or that he never did in the first place. This shouldn't hurt more than seeing the grave Shizun built to mourn him. It's ridiculous and Binghe will not—

He's still staring at the half translucent amber chunk like he'll be able to see an answer in it when he realizes the kitchen is silent. His ears catch up too late. The creaking of bamboo in a too-tight grip. He looks.

Bing'er's surprise barely shows on his face. The second piece of ginger lies on the floor under Li Hui's hand. White knuckles on the grip around her wrist.

Bing'er pales, looking between where he's caught Li Hui's hand and the pained surprise on her face and is gone, out the door in the next instant.

He didn't notice earlier. He didn't notice when he should have. Bing'er doesn't know this place like he does. Binghe should have known.

He remembers what it was like, living on Qing Jing peak when the old Shen Qingqiu treated him worse than a dog. He remembers when anything that might have looked like kindness toward the little beast was only prelude to a punishment for him. Bing'er never learned any different here.

He barely hears his own words, reeling off apology and explanation. "He came back from... a very bad place." He can't stop looking out the door, can't stand to look at Li Hui and see the same fear Shizun showed him, that he had earned, choking the only person he cared to protect against a dirty alley wall. "He hasn't been safe for—" It was only Bing'er's arrival that shocked him out of it. Bing'er's arrival and Xin Mo shattering. "He hasn't been safe since—"

Across the kitchen, Binghe's sharp hearing catches a mention of the immortal alliance conference.

The room is too small. Too close. Too full of people.

Luo Binghe excuses himself and leaves without waiting for a response.

#snippery #DuetForATrio

I did actually do a little writing and editing on Duet for a Trio so here's a snippet from that to celebrate:

He and Bing'er are quickly pulled aside, out of the way and less of a distraction for everyone else. Li Hui looks them over and sighs. She doesn't ask what sort of cultivator nonsense this is, hasn't addressed him so casually since Shizun's favor became clear. Her look is sharp and Binghe already knows that he's going to regret being unaware of the extent of her knowledge or whatever speculation and gossip is running around the peak.

"...I thought even cultivators' children came as babes."

Far from the worst, demonic, case of rumors. Still, best get through it quickly so they can get back to Shizun. Bing'er stands unnaturally still beside him.

"Begging forgiveness, this poor disciple doesn't understand."

Li Hui does not snort, though she comes astoundingly close. "Mmn. This one apologizes for implying there's any truth to the gossip about peak lord Shen and young master Luo's secret love child."

Binghe blinks. His <i>what</i> with Shizun?

He glances and accidentally meets Bing'er's eye, looking away again quickly. He tries to imagine what Shizun's child would look like.

Something hot and liquid floods through his bones.

Perhaps with curling hair—

#snippery #DuetForATrio