[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

[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.

[lightamidchaos]

Yes, it is, El-ahrairah agrees. Both. He turns his head to look up at Wei Wuxian, then flicks a starlit ear at him and gives a slow, deliberate nod of approval.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's warm smile transforms to a beaming grin.

"You honor me," he says; while he cannot bring his hands together, as one is occupied with Lan Zhan and the other with Saxifrage, he bends into a small bow.

[lightamidchaos]

El-ahrairah rises up on his hind legs to his full height and sniffs the air in his direction, then promptly hops over his lap between the rabbits, runs around him in a circle, and flops over on a comfortable tuft of grass.

Lan Wangji blinks.

He likes doing that, says Rabscuttle. Dryly.

[acrookedpath]

Though briefly startled, Wei Wuxian recovers in short order, laughing as the display ends with El-ahrairah making himself as comfortable as any prince might deserve. He coaxes Saxifrage into his lap with care, slipping his hand from where it supports the rabbit to scratch gently at his back instead.

Cloudfoot leans against his leg and stretches up to nose Lan Wangji companiably.

[lightamidchaos]

Carefully, so as not to disturb Wei Ying's hand, Lan Wangji stretches over the edge of his knee and noses back at Cloudfoot.

[acrookedpath]

"Lan Zhan, help," says Wei Wuxian, every word shaped by more laughter. "Why was I born with only two hands? I need more so I can pet every one of you!"

Not helping matters, Cloudfoot chooses that moment to haul himself into Wei Wuxian's lap and nestle down between Saxifrage and Lan Zhan.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji peers over a wrinkle in Wei Ying's robe at Bearberry.

There is room for you as well, he offers.