[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]

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.

[lightamidchaos]

He holds out both hands for Wei Ying to hop in, then cradles him carefully as he lifts him to his chest and tucks him back into his robes once more.

[acrookedpath]

Well-fed, warm, and comfortable, Wei Wuxian has a fleeting moment when he worries he'll fall asleep right here, snuggled up close to Lan Zhan. Would it be the worst fate? Not at all, but he would like to be awake to hear anything Madam Bar might have to say.

So, though he blinks sleepily as they make their way across the common room, and he cannot help but let out a tiny bunny yawn, he points both ears forward, letting the cacophony of the inn keep him alert in their short journey.

[lightamidchaos]

When they reach the bar, he keeps one hand protectively over Wei Ying as he bows.

“Madam Bar,” he asks. “Do you know anything about animal shaped cookies that curse the one who eats of them with transformation?”

[acrookedpath]

A napkin pops up, but instead of one of Madam Bar's smiley faces, she has drawn a shocked face on it instead.

Someone left those out again?! says the writing beneath it. I'm so sorry, Lan Wangji. Yes, one of our tricksters likes to leave those animal crackers around sometimes, but the curse doesn't last long. Twenty-four hours at most.

[lightamidchaos]

“It is not your fault,” he assures her, after reading the note aloud for Wei Ying’s benefit. “Thank you for telling us.”

[acrookedpath]

You're welcome! Maybe this will help your friend until the curse passes.

Attached to the note is a tiny ballpoint pen, so small it could easily be held in a rabbit's mouth, and a pad of paper. Wei Wuxian's ears flick in interest as he leans forward.

[lightamidchaos]

"Thank you," he says again, and collects both pen and paper in one hand. "Wei Ying, is there anything else you wish me to ask?" He holds the writing materials up for his inspection.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian squints, thinking, and absently bats the side of his nose with one paw. Then he very gingerly takes the pen in his mouth and nods for Lan Zhan to bring the pad closer.

Which trickster? he writes.

Or... tries to write. Hopefully, by now, Lan Zhan has gotten good enough at deciphering Wei Wuxian's already-terrible handwriting to figure out the gist.

[lightamidchaos]

It takes him a moment, but he is able to interpret what Wei Ying's bunny-scratches are asking. "Which trickster?" he repeats, and picks up the napkin-note that appears in response.

Loki. Well, one of the Lokis. The alligator one. You'll know him by the golden horns.

Lan Wangji reads this out and stares at the words in bemusement, as if they might make sense if he does so hard enough.

[acrookedpath]

...Huh. Well. At least an alligator with golden horns should not be too difficult to spot?

Wei Wuxian glances at Lan Zhan and gives him a tiny bunny shrug.

[lightamidchaos]

He will be sure that Wei Ying does not run up against this alligator - or any alligator - especially in his current form.

"Very well," he tells Madam Bar. "Thank you, again."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian nods emphatically, and does his best to bow in thanks to Madam Bar.

Mostly, it just looks like he drapes himself a little further over the side of Lan Zhan's arm. But he tries!

[lightamidchaos]

A napkin with a smiley-face appears for a moment before they are all reabsorbed. Lan Wangji carries Wei Ying off again, this time headed for the couch near the fireplace.

He settles there, spreading his robes over his lap, and lowers his hand enough that Wei Ying can stir from his nest if he wishes.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian tumbles free, quickly rearranging himself in a new nest of silk on Lan Zhan's lap, where he tucks his paws beneath himself to form a round, fluffy ball of black fur.

After a moment, he grasps the pad of paper between his teeth to drag it down into the nest as well. The pen quickly joins it.

I am all right, he writes; adds a little smiley face to the end like Madam Bar's.