Xingqiu stared at the page for what felt like hours before he left for the Serenitea Pot. There, he went into the manor and searched for Aether. The traveler always had clarity and directness that he found refreshing. Perhaps, he could solve this dilemma.

Alas, Aether had not yet come home. He was about to leave when he heard his name. At the table, Yun Jin and a few others he recognized enjoyed a breakfast.

"Hello," she said, "care to join us?"

"As long as there are no carrots."

The food was excellent and the conversation pleasant. Yun Jin asked him why he came to the Teapot today. He let out a sigh.

"I have writer's block. I just can't seem to find it in me to write anymore."

"Why not?"

"Well, I like tales of chivalry where good always triumphs. But that doesn't seem true to life anymore. As a writer, what's my responsibility? Do I write the world as it seems to be or do I write the world as I wish it to be? Is it dishonest to write a world of optimism or is that what people need? Do I hold up a mirror to injustice or do I write models of justice?"

Yun Jin considered the question. As a fellow artist, she undoubtedly had her own perspective on the matter. Xingqiu hoped for something that might give him clarity.

"It's difficult to say," she said. "I can see merits and flaws to both sides. Sometimes, society needs to take an objective look at itself. But such work runs the risk of being overly sad, sanctimonious, or cynical. Writing should expand our minds with new worlds. Perhaps though, such escapism is irresponsible."

"I've often wondered that myself," he admitted. "When reality falls short of fiction, I find myself discouraged."

"Understandable," she said. "I suppose, fiction should both mirror and escape reality. Whether it does one more than the other, depends on the author's mindset and experiences."

Furina, who had been patiently listening to the conversation, felt compelled to intervene.

"Pardon me, but I have some thoughts on the matter if you'd like to hear them." She dabbed a napkin to her lips. "As a professional director, I'm obligated to give my audience something they are familiar with. In Fontaine, that means theatre, drama, and suspense. If I wrote Liyue operas, it would betray my supporters. Of course, writing in popular fiction often means I must eschew politics. People come to my shows to be entertained, not lectured. Life is already difficult enough. I don't think it's irresponsible to cater to people's desire to escape."

"Hmm, an interesting perspective," said Yae Miko. "I'd have to agree with Furina. People don't buy light novels because they like their reality. That's why the market is over-saturated with isekai."

"But isn't that also a commentary on reality?" asked Lisa. "If people would rather spend time in a fantasy, it seems to show how disillusioned they feel with their lives. So, I'm not sure even the most idealistic fictional world is devoid of grim reality. Social issues are there regardless, even if by omission. If that makes sense."

"Yeah, and sometimes ya can't control how folks interpret yer stuff," said Xinyan. "I never meant my rock to be political, but people see it that way cause I'm different. Now, it's like I'm some kind of maverick."

Xingqiu frowned. "So what do you think art should do?"

"Dunno. Challenge what people think, I suppose."

"It's hard to make a living like that," mumbled Gaming. "But you got to do what's meaningful to you."

Kaveh drank some orange juice. The architect had been silently listening and now felt obligated to speak up.

"One of my teachers once told me: art should comfort those in distress, and challenge those in power. Perhaps that's how art should be."

"I agree with you, Kaveh," said Charlotte. "Maybe it's just my journalist side talking, but I think writing should make us face reality. If we only look away into a fantasy world, that's like burying our heads in the sand."

Layla yawned. "Yeah but, too much of that sad stuff would make me go crazy. Life is hard enough already."

"I think it's comforting," replied Charlotte. "It shows the victims that they're being heard."

"That depends on whether the article gets read," Layla answered.

"So, to summarize your thoughts," said Xingqiu. "Commercial art should provide escapism rather than mirror reality. However, profound art should force us to look at what's wrong with society. The writer should create something that they're passionate about, but they should not alienate their base readers. Moreover, we can't control how readers will interpret our work's significance. Truly, the creative world is a complex one."

"Eh, you guys are overthinking it," said Yoimiya. "A good story's a good story. As long as you enjoyed making it, I don't see why anything else should matter."

Gaming and Kaveh nodded wholeheartedly. While Yae Miko, Furina, and Yun Jin had their concerns about demographics, they too conceded the point. To be a writer, one had to relish the creative process. Even Charlotte wouldn't deny that she wrote as a journalist because she enjoyed it.

Lisa let out a chuckle. "My, my. Perhaps, Yoimiya's got the right idea. So, what do you think, Xingqiu?"

"I suppose," he said slowly. "There's truth to that. I only hope I rediscover my passion soon."