[pfsb] it's so FLUFFY

[acrookedpath]

In Wei Wuxian's defense, it isn't as if he forgot one should never eat free food unless it came from Madam Bar or the waitrats. It's simply that after nearly a year where he has -- only on occasion, mind you! -- accepted food and drink from strangers with no ill effects, he may have let his guard slip. Just a little.

Besides, he was so absorbed in his work that for all he knew, a waitrat had deposited the little bowl of animal-shaped desserts on his table. It wouldn't have been the first time he failed to notice one of them trying to get his attention.

So when he absently picked up a cracker to nibble on it as he worked through a particularly thorny set of talisman calculations --

Well.

The little black rabbit that now sits on the table, a red ribbon looped around one ear, just wants it emphatically known that this was not his fault.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

Are there any more tales about the Jade Rabbit? pipes up Bearberry at last. Or humans like Chang'e?

[lightamidchaos]

Yes. Lan Wangji sits up and combs his ears with his forepaws, thinking, then looks around at them all.

Yùtù, the Jade Rabbit, is honored where Hawthorn and I are from. He has told you of Chang'e, I know. Shall I tell you the story of Yùtù's kindness to the Jade Emperor?

[acrookedpath]

A tiny chorus of yeses rises around Lan Wangji as the rabbits settle in to listen.

Wei Wuxian knows that posture, having seen it just yesterday; is Lan Zhan telling them a story, then? Poor Lan Zhan! The center of attention, expected to speak so long -- he hides a smile as he gives his zhiji another tiny scratch atop the head.

Then he gets to work drawing. This scene will make a perfect start to A-Yuan's book: a gathering of rabbits all telling each other rabbit stories.

[lightamidchaos]

He reminds himself that this will be good practice for telling A-Yuan stories as he grows older, and does his best to recall sitting at his mother's knee and listening to her gentle words.

Long ago, the Jade Emperor decided that he wished for assistance in the work of preparing the elixir of life that is given to the immortals in the heavens. He thought that it would be best not to grant this responsibility to a human, for concern that they might become selfish and greedy with it. Instead, he decided that one of the animals of the world could be trusted, but which one? To find out, he disguised himself as an old, poor beggar man and went into the forest, crying out that he was starving and needed help.

[acrookedpath]

Cloudfoot and Bearberry lean against one another as they listen; Saxifrage's ears twitch, as if to pick up as much of Lan Wangji's story as possible on the first telling.

To Wei Wuxian's ears, there is no sound except the rustle of grass, the chirping of birds, and the soft whisk of his brush over paper as he draws each of Lan Zhan's whiskers.

[lightamidchaos]

Four animals sought to help: a monkey, an otter, a jackal, and the rabbit. All went to gather food for the beggar - the monkey took fruit from the trees, the otter caught fish, while the jackal stole a pot of food from a village and carried it back. But the rabbit could only collect grass and plants he knew the man could not eat.

Lan Wangji breathes deeply and twitches his whiskers.

So instead, determined that the beggar would not go hungry, the rabbit threw himself into the man’s fire - but instantly the fire went out, and instead of the beggar, the Jade Emperor stood before them. In honor of the rabbit’s courage and kindness, he brought him to the heavens, where he became the Jade Rabbit and brews the elixir of immortality.

[acrookedpath]

The rabbits gasp when Lan Wangji speaks of the Jade Rabbit throwing himself on the fire; Cloudfoot hides his face against Bearberry, but peeks out a moment later at the reassurance that it was merely a test.

And that's where he met Chang'e, right? asks Saxifrage. In the heavens?

[lightamidchaos]

Yes. She was working in the Jade Emperor’s palace, and they became friends.

El-ahrairah makes an interested sound. I should like to visit the moon myself.

[acrookedpath]

I'd rather stay here, admits Cloudfoot -- but, in a small burst of curiosity, asks, Do you have to be immortal to visit? Or just human?

[lightamidchaos]

Not just human, he says, sure of that much, given the Jade Rabbit. But I am not sure if one who has not achieved immortality or some divinity could visit the heavens. Stranger things have happened, though.

[acrookedpath]

If anyone could figure it out, says Saxifrage confidently, it would be the prince.

[lightamidchaos]

I am certain of it, he says, and El-ahrairah preens.

[acrookedpath]

What are the heavens like? asks Bearberry. Besides filled with immortals?

[lightamidchaos]

They say it is a great court with many beings and wonders, he tells them. I do not know much more than that.

Then clearly I have to go find out and bring back the truth of the tales! El-ahrairah declares.

[acrookedpath]

Maybe the Jade Rabbit will visit us someday, says Saxifrage, wistfully. We could ask him to show us the way.

[lightamidchaos]

Maybe, muses El-ahrairah. I would certainly invite him, if we met. Moonlight, you must do the same, should you ever have the chance.

My prince, be reasonable, Rabscuttle puts in. How is he likely to?

El-ahrairah flicks an ear at him. He found his way here, didn't he?

[acrookedpath]

"There!" exclaims Wei Wuxian, unwittingly interrupting this conversation. One by one, he lays the papers flat on the grass, showing off the array of drawings he has drafted. "I think this will be an excellent start to A-Yuan's book. Do they meet with your approval?"

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji hops up on Wei Ying's lap to get a better angle and more height, while El-ahrairah goes to look at the nearest paper.

I've seen humans do things like this, he observes. These look nice.

Wei Ying - Hawthorn - is a talented artist, Lan Wangji replies. I have always thought the rabbits he draws could very nearly hop from the paper into the world. It is easier to see if you are higher up, he offers, helpfully.

[acrookedpath]

Without hesitating, Wei Wuxian settles a hand on Lan Zhan's back, working his fingers into his fur.

It is? Saxifrage, ever bold, scrambles onto Wei Wuxian's knee. No sooner has Wei Wuxian given him a fond rub atop the head than Saxifrage rears up to put his front paws on his human friend's palm, steadying himself as he looks down at the drawings.

Oh! he exclaims. That's an odd thing.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji curls into a loaf under Wei Ying's hand, enjoying the feel of his touch against the softness of his fur, and watches as Rabscuttle comes to join the examination.

Odd to see rabbits as scratches on leaves, but there you have it, he observes.

[acrookedpath]

"Lan Zhan and I thought to collect all of the stories you have told us," he murmurs, though he knows Saxifrage cannot understand him. (Hopefully, Lan Zhan will translate.) "I will write them down for our son, with these pictures alongside so he may know what you look like. He will learn all about El-ahrairah, Rabscuttle, and the voyages of your warren."

[lightamidchaos]

It may look odd, Lan Wangji tells them all, but it is to help humans understand what you look like, all of you. Hawthorn intends to share these with the stories you have told us, if you do not mind, for his son to hear and see.

'Our son,' Wei Ying had said. Lan Wangji can only be grateful that his current form seems to have some influence on just how strong an emotion he is feeling, because otherwise he would be completely overwhelmed by the thought.

[acrookedpath]

I don't mind at all! Indeed, Saxifrage sounds quite pleased by the idea. If his son is as kind as both of you, I trust him to keep the stories well.

He cocks his head, studying one of the papers.

Oh, I see it now, he says. That one does look like Rabscuttle, doesn't it?

[lightamidchaos]

He is. There is no mistaking his fondness. A-Yuan is gentle and kind and caring. He is a good boy.

Rabscuttle huffs at the paper. My fur's all out of sorts. El-ahrairah swats him with a paw.

[acrookedpath]

I think it looks nice, says Cloudfoot loyally. He and Bearberry have clustered near Wei Wuxian's other knee. Oh, and is that one you, Bearberry?

The other rabbit leans close, as if by sniffing the ink he could gain a better sense of it. Maybe? That one is definitely Moonlight...

That's as he twitches his whiskers toward the pure white rabbit at the center of another drawing.