[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]

He had thought so, hoped so, but he cannot deny it is a relief to have it confirmed.

"Good," he says, stroking a gentle hand along Wei Ying's back. "I am very glad."

[acrookedpath]

He closes his eyes in an expression of pure bliss. The pen almost drops from his mouth; he scrambles to recover it, then gently bumps his forehead against Lan Zhan's palm.

He knew his zhiji must have worried. He always does.

It is interesting, he scribbles. Fun! Nice with you here.

[lightamidchaos]

Of course Wei Ying would find this an exhilarating adventure, rather than a frightening one. Lan Wangji is unaware of the softness to his expression as he looks down at the rabbit in his lap.

"I am pleased you are enjoying yourself," he murmurs. "Is there anything that you want? Anything I can do?"

[acrookedpath]

He tips his head, contemplating a moment, before his ears jolt upright. Of course!

Meet the forest rabbits? he writes.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji blinks at that.

“Of course, if you wish,” he decides. After all, when will he have such an opportunity again?

“I will fetch a basket of greens to take with us, when you are ready.”

[acrookedpath]

Lan Zhan seems a bit bewildered by the request, but, well, it will not be the first time he has bewildered Lan Zhan! Wei Wuxian practically vibrates with excitement, untucking from his comfortable loaf to bounce in tiny circles around Lan Zhan's lap.

[lightamidchaos]

It is impossible to mistake that enthusiasm. “We shall go now,” he agrees, and scoops Wei Ying carefully back into his robes, over his heart. One quick stop by Madam Bar, and together they head into the forest. Lan Wangji keeps one hand curved protectively around Wei Ying, and carries a basket of rabbit food in the other. Should there be danger, he can drop it quickly enough to react, he is sure.

[acrookedpath]

An adventure! Hopefully Lan Zhan will not mind that tonight is a less-than-quiet night -- Wei Wuxian will make it up to him when he's human again.

The overpowering smells of the inn recede, replaced with an entirely new sweep of scents that, somewhere deep within the instincts of this body, whisper home. Lush greenery, clear water, the musty decay of fallen leaves as they slowly turn to dirt, the richness of soil warmed by the sun. The deeper they go into the forest, the more it reveals: birdsong and insect buzzes, a spider dipping from a tree to spin its web, the skittering of mice, the smell of something dark and musklike that makes him retreat further into Lan Zhan's robes.

But for most of the walk, he cannot stop staring at the beauty around them, transformed into an entirely new place through the senses of a rabbit.

[lightamidchaos]

Wei Ying is staring wide eyed at the world. Lan Wangji wonders what it is that he sees like this, and hopes he will tell him later.

It does not take all that long, considering, before they are drawing near the forest warren. He slows his steps and sets the basket down at the entrance of the small clearing, as is usual, then lowers himself to the ground to wait.

[acrookedpath]

The rabbit instincts still sing home, home, home, but now a quiet uncertainty chimes in beneath them. He can smell other rabbits nearby; though he knows they are not unfamiliar rabbits -- obviously they aren't! -- he also knows very well this is not his warren. Will they welcome him, or chase him away?

Well, he won't find out by sitting around!

Hello? he calls, in the same language Lan Zhan could not understand.

[lightamidchaos]

How now, what’s this?

The voice is bright and cheerful and curious, filled with surprise and delight. Starlight gleams from the ears of the rabbit that hops up to the top of the stone ridge and looks down.

You’re new. And with one of our humans, I see. One ear twitches. Are you hoping to join us, little one? Usually I’m the one to extend that invitation.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's whole face brightens in awestruck delight. He scrambles out of Lan Zhan's robes, but does not venture too far -- only half a hop beyond his folded legs.

Rabbit-zongzhu! I can understand you now! He's laughing as he stretches out his forelegs, dipping into a bow. I am not so new as I appear. I'm one of your humans as well -- only transformed, temporarily.

[lightamidchaos]

Transformed?! Rabscuttle! Do you hear this? He hops down from the ridge and fearlessly approaches Wei Ying. Oh, and tell the others this isn’t the Black Rabbit of Inle. As if I wouldn’t have known this time, he adds, a little miffed.

I do and I have and - did you do this, my prince? Rabscuttle hops out of the underbrush and gives as skeptical a look as is possible.

(Behind Wei Ying, Lan Wangji sits in quiet, patient stillness, watching.)

[acrookedpath]

Supposedly, says Wei Wuxian with dry amusement, an alligator is to blame. Named Loki. But it will pass! Who is the Black Rabbit of Inle?

[lightamidchaos]

Oh, that one. I see. Of course. He combs his paws over his ears, then sits back up tall as Rabscuttle heaves a sigh and ducks into one of the warren’s burrows.

You don’t know? I thought even humans might. Fascinating. I suppose next you’ll tell me you don’t know who I am, either.

[acrookedpath]

We have thought you might be Chang'e's rabbit. Wei Wuxian glances over his shoulder at Lan Zhan, flicking one ear cheerfully; he cannot exactly include Lan Zhan in the conversation, but he will try! Are you?

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji blinks very slowly at Wei Ying. “It is all right,” he murmurs. “I am observing.”

The starlight-eared rabbit hops closer, cocking his head to one side as he looks at Wei Ying. No, but I can see how you’d think so. It’s the ears, isn’t it. The glow, like the moon. He shakes his head, causing his ears to flap.

My name is El-ahrairah. I am the Prince of the Rabbits.

[acrookedpath]

El-ahrairah, he repeats, and begins to laugh. We were close! Not a rabbit-zongzhu, but a rabbit-wangye. It is an honor!

He touches his nose to the grass.

I'm sure you have heard my companion name me before, but I am Wei Wuxian.

[lightamidchaos]

That’s not what he calls you, El-ahrairah notes, bright-eyed and interested. He calls you Wei Ying. It’s nice to meet you like this, whatever your name is.

Rabscuttle you’ve met already, and the others—-

Are patiently waiting to be told that they can come out, Rabscuttle interrupts. If it’s not too much of an inconvenience?

Oh very well. Let them come. They’ve brought quite a lot of food this time, enough for all.

[acrookedpath]

He is the only one who calls me Wei Ying, he explains. Even as a rabbit, his features soften with fondness. As I am the only one who calls him Lan Zhan.

But enough of that -- there are more friends to meet! Wei Wuxian's ears swivel forward as Rabscuttle emerges from the warren, several more rabbits on his heels. Hello!

[lightamidchaos]

Hello, Rabscuttle says, hopping to the side to let the others approach. Three come forth, including the cloud-furred rabbit from their very first visit, and behind Wei Ying Lan Wangji draws a soft, pleased breath. He starts to lay out the contents of the basket in front of him, as usual.

These are Cloudfoot, Saxifrage, and Bearberry.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian glances up at Lan Zhan, his heart so full he cannot help but wriggle with joy.

A pleasure to meet you all! I am Wei Wuxian -- I was much bigger the last time I saw a few of you, he laughs. But Lan Zhan can still carry our basket of food, at least.

[lightamidchaos]

That's an unusual name, Saxifrage remarks, coming forward to stretch out his neck and sniff at Wei Wuxian. Do all humans have such odd names?

[acrookedpath]

Many of us do!

He sniffs at Saxifrage in turn. It is so strange to assign emotions to scents, like "curious" and "friendly," but that is, indeed, what he smells. Wait until he tells Lan Zhan about this!

At the inn where I live, we have friends with names as short as Tom or as long as Harrowhark Nonagesimus -- and all manner of ones in between. Ingress, Ciri, Gideon, Gaeta, ah, I know I am forgetting many of them --

[lightamidchaos]

Interesting. That comes from El-ahrairah, who's settled down into a bunny loaf and is watching the proceedings with interest. Our names mean things. Do humans just like the sounds?

Bearberry jumps sideways, startled by wind through the grass, and ends up at Lan Wangji's side. He peers up at him, decides he's not a threat, and starts to nibble at the nearest set of greens.