[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's notes have long been a haphazard disaster, and it has reached a point where he knows he's circling a revelation, missing only one or two key parts, and said parts are probably lying half-forgotten in a notebook he thought he'd reserved for another project entirely. In theory, he is trying to dig through everything to organize it a little better.

In theory.

In practice, however, Wei Wuxian is staring out the window with his chin in his hand, and he hasn't touched the papers scattered across his table for about two hours. He's too busy smiling an absolutely foolish smile at nothing in particular.

It has been a very good couple of days.

Comments

[herald_ingress]

"And Vanyel is the same way. It'll be a good informational exchange. I'm afraid Haven isn't anything like London Above - no electricity, no loud music, no dance clubs. We do have a couple of nice taverns, though."

[acrookedpath]

"That will be much more to Lan Zhan's taste. Well -- not the taverns," he allows with a grin. "But everything else. And it may be nice to visit a place that is so much like how I spent my life, even if there are no dance clubs."

His (and now Lan Zhan's!) room is situated much like home, with lanterns and candles to provide light in the evening, but the intricate plumbing of the washroom remains a novelty. And even if they go unused, he has noticed several discreet electrical outlets here and there.

[herald_ingress]

“It will be pleasant for you, then. Only Tom and Door have ever visited with me, and they aren’t too keen. They’ll never say it out loud, but I can tell.”

[acrookedpath]

"Ah, yes," says Wei Wuxian with a perfectly straight face. "Tom-gongzi does seem like the type to enjoy a very loud dance club with hundreds of people in a very small space."

[herald_ingress]

"Don't let him fool you," she says, crossing her arms. "I've heard stories. I know for a fact that he and Door have gone out dancing. Maybe not to that club, exactly, but they, um, what is it called? Swing dance! That's it."

[acrookedpath]

"Is that more formal than the -- " He waves a hand as if to indicate some enormous, imaginary club just beyond the borders of the inn. "Dancing we saw?"

[herald_ingress]

"Yes, but it's just as fast. There are steps, and there's swirling and lifting and spinning. I've never gone with them, but I've seen them dance at weddings."

[acrookedpath]

Swirling, spinning, and weddings combine to give Wei Wuxian the (inaccurate) assumption that swing dancing must be closer to the traditional dances from home he has seen. He makes a small, intrigued noise, trying to picture Tom-gongzi performing anything of that nature. It's... still a stretch.

"Well, so long as I am not expected to dance anywhere, I will let those who wish to have their fun," he says graciously.

[herald_ingress]

"I'm not much of a dancer, either, unless I have a sword in my hand. Courtly dances are slow and precise, and I always feel silly trying them. But I think I could do the London Above dancing," she snickers. "since you basically just writhe about to the beat of the extremely loud music."

[acrookedpath]

"Ah, yes, that dancing is easy, but it is not -- "

Every so often, for all his easy openness and acceptance, it becomes apparent that Wei Wuxian is from a very particular society in the very distant past. This is one of those times, as he waves his hands around again trying to catch the right words.

"It is not something I would want to do with a stranger," he settles on.

[herald_ingress]

Cue devilish smile.

"What about with Lan Wangji?"

[acrookedpath]

"You -- !"

He smacks Ingress on the arm, cheeks flaming, and (very tellingly) does not deny it.

[herald_ingress]

She throws back her head and laughs.

"Please, I have to live vicariously these days. Especially after-"

Now it's time for her cheeks to turn red, as she remembers her ridiculously awkward conversation with Harrow and her laughter fades into an embarrassed groan.

[acrookedpath]

"Oh no." He scoots closer, his own mirth vanishing to concern. "What happened?"

[herald_ingress]

“Nothing terrible. Just embarrassing.”

She stares at her clasped and twisting fingers so she doesn’t have to make eye contact.

“I told Harrow that I liked her. As in, like like. Which was a bit of a surprise to realize and I really don’t know what to do about it besides pretend it didn’t happen, because she was mostly baffled by the possibility of anyone liking her like that. And then I helped her pick out a sword to give Gideon, her Cavalier as a gift, and, I guess I acted as a Cavalier to Harrow in London Below? And now I’m confused because aren’t they-? I thought that-“

She presses her forehead against the table with a groan. “Feelings are really inconvenient.”

[acrookedpath]

Oh, no.

"Aiya, Ingress," he groans, full of sympathy. He hooks an arm around her shoulders. "They are. I am sorry, my friend. That is not why you were upset when we went drinking, was it?"

[herald_ingress]

She turns her head, but you know what? The table surface is nice and cool on her hot cheek, so she’s going to stay right there.

“Oh no, that was an altogether different case of unrequited feelings causing misery. Because I’m doing great in matters of the heart, let me tell you.”

[acrookedpath]

That earns another heartfelt groan. He props his elbow on the table, so he is slightly closer to Ingress's level, and rubs her shoulder.

"All I can suggest is wine, and time," he sighs. "But at least you have not lingered in knowing whether or not your feelings were returned. You spoke them aloud! Perhaps that will mean the pain passes more quickly?"

He feels obscurely guilty that his own talk with Lan Zhan went so well, considering how not well Ingress's went.

[herald_ingress]

“Ugh, Wei Wuxian, I hate time,” she pouts, but a smile is once again quirking at the corners of her lips.

She’ll be okay. It sucks, but she’ll be okay.

“Wine’s still nice, though. Are you too happy and, ahem, fulfilled to drink now?”

[acrookedpath]

"Ingress," he says solemnly, "should I ever turn down an opportunity to drink, assume I am possessed and ask Lan Zhan to help free me."

(Is he turning a little red again at the mention of fulfilled? Perhaps!)

Patting Ingress on the back, he straightens up to call over a waitrat.

[herald_ingress]

The red is a good look on him!

She snickers as she sits up, but she leans into him because friend pats on the back are the best.

“Duly noted. Thanks so much for listening. I just hope I haven’t bothered Harrow with my ridiculousness. Or incurred a future stab wound from Gideon for whatever their thing might be. Her new sword is terrifying.”

[acrookedpath]

"She is terrifyingly good no matter what sword she wields," says Wei Wuxian cheerfully. "But I do not think she will stab you over this. And if she tries, I will defend you."

He squeezes Ingress's shoulders.

"Know I am always glad to listen. And drink, when the situation calls for it."

[herald_ingress]

Awwwwwww! Ingress gets a little misty eyed with that. It's so good to have friends.

"And the same goes for me. With any luck, we can both listen to good things from each other at the same time soon."

[acrookedpath]

"Yes." Firmly. "We could always take another adventure to London Above sometime. That will be full of good things for both of us!"

The waitrat returns, squeaking, with a bottle of Emperor's Smile and a chocolate milkshake liberally doctored with liquor.

[herald_ingress]

"London Above is always an option. So is the Underside. There are many places to visit where you won't be eaten by monsters."

Well, not easily, anyway.

"The next Floating Market might be of interest. But what would you like to know more about? Have you heard of things from worlds you'd like to see with your own eyes?"