[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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[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.

[acrookedpath]

And Lan Zhan calls him adorable! Snuffling happily, Wei Wuxian grabs the leaf and tears in.

As generous as Madam Bar was, it does not take very much to fill a rabbit stomach. Several more peppers, berries, and leaves later, Wei Wuxian sits back to groom himself again, rubbing his paws over his whole face with surprising fastidiousness. Only when that is done does he hop back to the animal crackers.

...and, with surprising abruptness, flop on his side in a contented sprawl.

[lightamidchaos]

He huffs out a soft breath of laughter and reaches to pet his forehead, rubbing his finger back and forth over it.

“Such a good bunny.”

[acrookedpath]

I am not doing too badly, am I? His eyes squinching shut as he leans into Lan Zhan's petting. Especially since I have not been a bunny for very long! Ah, Lan Zhan, maybe we should vist the forest rabbits while I am like this, they could teach me to be an even better bunny.

Actually, that does sound like fun. Imagine how they would react to one of their human friends suddenly becoming a rabbit! Perhaps he will write as much with an inky paw in one moment.

After Lan Zhan is finished petting him, of course.

[lightamidchaos]

He keeps petting him, from forehead to behind his ears and back again. It becomes very clear very quickly that Lan Wangji had spent time learning what the rabbits of Gusu Lan enjoy.

[acrookedpath]

It certainly does! Within moments, Wei Wuxian has practically melted against the table.

How are you so good at everything? he demands with another tiny rabbit laugh. Even this? Lan Zhan, the rabbits of Gusu Lan must adore you! I will send you back with a camera and you will take photos for me, won't you?

[lightamidchaos]

Wei Ying is practically a puddle of black fur, limp and relaxed and content, and Lan Wangji finds himself smiling, tiny and warm.

“You like that,” he observes. “I am glad.”

[acrookedpath]

Another enthusiastic nod.

When Lan Zhan's hand next settles on his forehead, Wei Wuxian tips his head back enough to lick his palm.

[lightamidchaos]

The bunny’s little pink tongue flicks out. It is charming and endearing both, he finds.

“Shall we ask Madam Bar if she has any insight?”

[acrookedpath]

Ah, he supposes they must, even if he isn't entirely ready for Lan Zhan to stop petting him.

With one more nod, Wei Wuxian heaves himself to his feet and waddles closer to Lan Zhan, ready to be scooped into his robes once more.