[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.

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[lightamidchaos]

He could not resist that look even if he had wanted to. Lan Wangji raises a hand to summon the nearest waitrat.

“Watch this table,” he tells it. “Let none approach until we return.”

As the rat takes up guard, he scoops the portfolio and ribbon into his qiankun bag and holds his hands out to Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

Unhesitating, Wei Wuxian hops into Lan Zhan's hands.

With wry amusement: I have wanted to take part in new adventures lately. I suppose this counts.

[lightamidchaos]

He raises Wei Ying to his chest, pulling at his robes to create a safe, warm pocket for him over his own heart.

[acrookedpath]

...Oh. Oh, Lan Zhan, you are such a wonderful man.

Wei Wuxian wastes no time in burrowing deeper into his robes, tucking himself comfortably into the warm nest of Lan Zhan's arms.

[lightamidchaos]

He keeps one hand curved protectively over the bunny and starts for the Bar.

When they reach her, he asks, “Madam Bar, may I have a selection of leafy greens and vegetables, suitable for feeding the rabbits of Gusu Lan?”

[acrookedpath]

On the one paw, Wei Wuxian knows a rabbit cannot eat the same fare as a human. On the other... must he really eat nothing but vegetables, with no flavoring whatsoever?

That thought lasts until Madam Bar conjures up a bowl the size of Wei Wuxian himself, filled to the brim with all manner of lettuces and cabbages and leafy greens. Carrots and slivers of mild peppers poke out between the offerings. There is even a tiny scoop of berries tucked against a curve of the dish.

And to his new rabbit senses, it all looks amazing.

Eyes wide, nose twitching rapidly, he stretches out from the nest of Lan Zhan's robes.

[lightamidchaos]

"Patience," Lan Wangji tells him, and plucks a stalk of bok choy from the bowl to give to him. He waits until Wei Ying has it secure in his paws before letting go of it and picking up the bowl.

"Thank you," he tells Madam Bar, and carries his most precious burden back to the table where the rat is still on guard. Lan Wangji sets the bowl on the table and tells the rat, "You may go. Although I would request tea for myself, and clear spring water for my companion." He could have requested the vegetables from the rat also, but was not sure if it would understand his reference to Gusu Lan.

The rat squeaks at him and runs off. He settles himself in the chair and looks down at Wei Ying. "Do you want to be on the table or in my arms to eat?"

[acrookedpath]

How is it possible for raw bok choy to taste so good? Wei Wuxian is so intent on devouring it, one eager nibble at a time, that he almost misses Lan Zhan's question.

Hm. He is very comfortable here, and he admits there's a certain appeal to eating his food as Lan Zhan holds him close. Maybe he will hop down onto the table once the water arrives, but for now, he snuggles closer to Lan Zhan in reply.

[lightamidchaos]

The soft breath that escapes him is very near a laugh. "Very well."

Utterly charmed, he looks over the selection of vegetables and picks out a colorful piece of carrot and mild orange pepper to offer him next.

[acrookedpath]

One by one, Wei Wuxian takes the vegetables in his paws long enough to shove them in his mouth. It's surprisingly easy to eat the food without holding it, once he learns the trick of it. He hooks his chin over Lan Zhan's arm as he nibbles away.

Without realizing, he starts to make a series of tiny, contented grunts, as if so pleased by the current state of affairs that he can't help but comment on it.

[lightamidchaos]

As curses go, he has to admit this is one of the more delightful ones he has ever encountered - at least for now. Gently, Lan Wangji strokes the back of Wei Ying's neck with a finger, rubbing in little circles behind his long velvety ears.

"You are a very cute bunny," he murmurs.

[acrookedpath]

Am I not cute as a human, too? he teases, pushing his head further up into Lan Zhan's hand. Only when I am so soft and so small I can fit in the crook of your arm?

Not that Wei Wuxian minds. It really does feel nice for Lan Zhan's arms to envelop him so fully. This body is a prey animal, and its heart skitters at everything from the shadows overhead to the scent of the fireplace.

For once, he realizes with a small pang, Wei Wuxian feels no guilt about someone protecting him.

[lightamidchaos]

He keeps petting him as Wei Ying nudges into his hand, then picks up a few berries to offer.

The waitrat returns, takes one look, and climbs up a chair to set up the bowl of water for the rabbit and tea for the human.

[acrookedpath]

Rather than take the berries in his paws, Wei Wuxian plucks them straight from Lan Zhan's fingers with his mouth, devouring each in two quick bites. He gives Lan Zhan's thumb a tiny lick when he finishes.

Ah! And there is the water. He is almost disappointed to see it -- he will have to clamber down onto the table now, won't he? -- but it won't do to make himself sick with thirst.

So, after nuzzling Lan Zhan's hand one more time, he wriggles a front paw free to stretch toward the table.

[lightamidchaos]

He shifts so that the bunny can hop easily to the table. Once Wei Ying is secure, he reaches for the bowl of animal crackers.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian, about to start lapping up a nice drink of spring water, freezes when he sees Lan Zhan reach for the animal crackers.

He... he did understand Wei Wuxian before, didn't he? That he should absolutely not eat any of those?

He tenses, ready to spring right for Lan Zhan's hand if he makes any move to snack on them.

[lightamidchaos]

He does not appear to have any intention of eating them. Instead, Lan Wangji sets them carefully in an empty spot on the other side of the table and contemplates them.

“An array, perhaps,” he murmurs. “To discern how to break the curse, or reflect it back without harming the target.”

[acrookedpath]

All right. Good. How foolish of him to underestimate his zhiji that way!

Of course, now Lan Zhan's musings have piqued his curiosity. After a few more sips of water, he starts to hop closer -- only to pause, sit back on his haunches, and furiously groom his face to clear away the droplets stuck to his whiskers.

There. He settles in next to the spread of animal crackers, head cocked as he contemplates them as well.

[lightamidchaos]

He draws a gentle finger down Wei Ying’s back.

“Finish eating first,” he encourages.

[acrookedpath]

But Lan Zhan! There's a problem to solve!

...a problem which Wei Wuxian cannot exactly help with in this state. Perhaps he could rub a paw on the inkstone and try to write something? Still: that requires having a great revelation to share, and Wei Wuxian doesn't have anything of the sort. Yet.

Maybe something will come to him while he eats.

He twitches his nose at Lan Zhan -- fine, yes, you are right -- and scoots back to the vegetable bowl to grab a cabbage leaf.

[lightamidchaos]

He smiles, very gently. “Perhaps Madam Bar will have insight. I will not leave you as a rabbit, Wei Ying, no matter now adorable you are as one.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian lets out a funny, honking snort, sounding more like a pig than a rabbit for a moment. It is the closest this body can come to laughing.

If it is anything like the other curses of the inn, it will fade on its own. He devours the rest of the cabbage leaf and props his front paws on the bowl, seizing upon a few more slices of carrot. And until it does, I will enjoy being adorable and riding around tucked into your robes.

[lightamidchaos]

“I wish I knew just how well you could understand me,” he murmurs. “It seems your mind is still yours, though.”

He strokes a gentle hand down the rabbit’s back again.

[acrookedpath]

An emphatic nod as a carrot slice disappears into his mouth by quick increments. His tail wriggles, involuntarily, as Lan Zhan pets him; Wei Wuxian chuffs another tiny honk-laugh and arches his back a little into the touch.

[lightamidchaos]

"Very well, then," he concludes. "Good." Lan Wangji sets another leaf in his easy reach and smiles at him.