Didn't work did it?

I grab a slice of lemon cake. Look's like that's the last of it. Ah well, Gen can always make more. I sit down, Abby sighs and sits next to me.

Nope. He's completely insane. He only cares about becoming strong.

Not quite, he only cares about avoiding weakness. Not that that'll lead to a solution. Why not get physical form? I mean, I'm trying to ship Arper, but you have no reason not to get physical form.

Cause, just look at Edgar! Don't you at least consider him a friend? Don't you wanna try to help him?

Gen and I talked about it, he's a lost cause. Ever since the readers promised to push Gen to suicide.

They what!?!

Yeah, they did.

That is not OK!

No shit. Look, now that I think about it, I should check up on Gen, just in case. Just a second.

Sour takes out a cell phone and calls Gen. Kinda rude, but considering what I know about Gen, it's justifiable.

Hey Gen.

"Hello my queen," Gen replies sweetly, "how are you?"

Fine. Just making sure my king still reigns.

"Of course I am," Gen replies, "don't worry about me. I've got this."

I cough intentionally.

"I get it," Gen sighs, "I'm weak, but you of all people should have some faith in me."

I do! It's just... I worry about you. I mean, the readers...

"Aren't here yet," Gen speaks sweetly, trying to calm my fears, "don't worry Sour. They've seen book two now. They can decide with all the facts. It'll be fine. I'd love to talk, but I gotta prepare for their arrival so, I'll talk to you later."

OK. Be safe Gen, and remember, if the readers attack, give Edgar control.

"I know," Gen replies, "trust me, I got this. See you later, my queen."

See you, my king. I hang up.

Anyways, you can try to help Edgar, but trust me, everyone's better off with the way things are now.

Are things good now?

What?

The way things are, is it good?

I never said it was. It merely beats all alternatives.

Listen, Sour, Edgar needs help. I'm going to try, with or without you.

Fine, if you really wanna try this, I'm assuming we're going with a cold turkey treatment?

Works for me.

OK. First off, he bleeds ink, so taking his pens won't work. We need to take his paper.

We?

Look, Gen's been worried about Edgar, and Edgar seems nice enough. I'd call him a friend if I really had to put a label on it. If you're trying, I'm not gonna let you try alone.

Thanks Sour.

Don't mention it. Us manifestations gotta stick together.

Hey, you're basically romance writers, right?

Yeah.

Are there any ships for Edgar?

Why do you ask?

Well, Gen has you, so... yeah. That's basically my thought process.

Sour smiles.

There's you, but I have a feeling that didn't pan out.

No, it didn't. If I knew him better, then sure, I'd give him a chance, but not right now.

Alright. So here's the plan...

Which the readers will learn next chapter.

Did we do a song in this one?

Pen damn it! End it before they realize!