[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]

El-ahrairah noses comfortingly against Rabscuttle's side, then turns to Wei Wuxian and chuckles. There was, but not as you may think. For I had none of them when I went wandering the stone warren and came across the pits where all the diseases that kill rabbits were kept. The Black Rabbit's Owsla of ghosts told me, when I asked, which was which. I threw myself into the pit of the white blindness, for surely, I thought, such a plague which even elil fear would serve to bring down King Darzin and his army entire, could I but reach them in time after being infected. Only the Black Rabbit came upon me first, as I staggered back on my way.

Bearberry makes a high choked sound. Alarmed, Lan Wangji attempts to soothe him, wild rabbit or no, and remains still to reassure him when the little brown rabbit huddles down under his fingers.

To make it quick, El-ahrairah says, I did not know how the white blindness was spread. It is carried by the fleas in rabbits' ears, and without ears I could have no fleas. When the Black Rabbit told me this I lost all hope, I admit, and fell to the ground before him. Then he said the words I will never forget:

‘El-ahrairah, this is a cold warren: a bad place for the living and no place at all for warm hearts and brave spirits. You are a nuisance to me. Go home. I myself will save your people. Do not have the impertinence to ask me when. There is no time here. They are already saved.'

And they were, Saxifrage pipes up. Or so I have always heard it?

They were, Rabscuttle says, quietly. The Black Rabbit's own army fell upon King Darzin and his people and scattered them to the four winds. They were long gone and even almost forgotten by the time we returned, months upon months later.

And that's when I got these ears, El-ahrairah says, cheerfully. Lord Frith himself brought them, and the whiskers and tail, after hearing of the whole affair.

[acrookedpath]

The whiplash of El-ahrairah's cheer yanks Wei Wuxian into a brief sputter of laughter, like the nervy chuckle of one who has just missed getting crushed by a boulder. They are very fine ears, is all he can think to say at first.

Rabbits cannot weep like humans. Perhaps it is better that way, for if he could cry, he would hardly be able to say anything at all.

After nudging Saxifrage in the side -- a companionable reassurance he'll be right back -- Wei Wuxian scoots off of Lan Zhan's lap to approach El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle.

I am sorry, he murmurs, that you suffered so in pursuit of nothing but a home and safety for your people. That it was necessary to face death itself in order to find a measure of peace.

[lightamidchaos]

El-ahrairah leans forward to touch noses with Wei Wuxian. Thank you. But all's well that ends well. It makes a good story now, doesn't it?

Rabscuttle sighs.

[acrookedpath]

He laughs, more fully-formed now. It does! Though I'm sure if Lan Zhan could understand, he would beg you to have a little mercy on Rabscuttle next time.

[lightamidchaos]

El-ahrairah sniffs haughtily A little excitement is good for him.

My prince. Rabscuttle sounds incredibly pained. A little?

[acrookedpath]

Perhaps you could challenge one of the lesser rabbit-gods! suggests Wei Wuxian brightly. Is there a Lord of Cabbages? A Lord of Clean Water?

[lightamidchaos]

El-ahrairah rolls over, kicking his feet with laughter. Rabscuttle sighs again.

[acrookedpath]

Ah, poor long-suffering Rabscuttle! Stifling laughter of his own, Wei Wuxian hops over to give him a small nudge as well.

I must find a way for Lan Zhan to understand rabbit, so you two can commiserate about your foolish friends getting into trouble all the time, he says. What would we do without those like you?

[lightamidchaos]

Get into hrair times as much trouble, at least, Rabscuttle says, sending El-ahrairah back into peals of laughter before he sits up and shakes his fur all over, settling himself.

I'll miss speaking with you when you turn human again. So I'll help you with finding that trick.

[acrookedpath]

Ah, perfect! He settles on his haunches, eyes bright and alert; even as a rabbit, it is obvious when a new idea strikes Wei Wuxian. We have talismans -- ways of channeling our spiritual energy to accomplish different feats -- for communicating in silence, or over long distances, and I have used small arrays to decipher unreadable languages before. I am sure I could design one that would translate rabbit to human and back again! We will test it together once I have drafted something workable.

[lightamidchaos]

I can help, volunteers Saxifrage, boldly hopping over to join them. I want to keep talking with you, too.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian brightens further. Of course! he says, and touches his nose to Saxifrage's. We will find a way, so we may keep telling each other stories for a long time.

[lightamidchaos]

Bearberry stretches under Lan Wangji's hand, and Cloudfoot comes over to nudge at him. Saxifrage noses back at Wei Wuxian.

All the stories, he promises.

[acrookedpath]

Nose twitching rapidly, Wei Wuxian looks over at Bearberry and Cloudfoot. What about you two? he asks cheerily. Would you like to speak to Lan Zhan sometime? And keep speaking to me when I am human again?

[lightamidchaos]

Sure, Cloudfoot says, and Bearberry makes a quiet noise of agreement. I don't think it's possible, but if it were, that would be nice. He twists his head to look up at Lan Wangji. I remember him the first time you came.

[acrookedpath]

I remember you, too. Warmly said. You were very brave, to approach us big unfamiliar humans! But Lan Zhan and I were so happy to meet you.

[lightamidchaos]

You were very kind, Cloudfoot tells him. Most humans are loud and wave their hands or try to stalk and catch us, or worse.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian cocks his head.

Have many other humans found you?

[lightamidchaos]

Not here, Cloudfoot says, and there's no mistaking it: El-ahrairah looks smug.

In the forest sometimes, further out. There are hunters occasionally. And the cats, watched over by the white cat-that-is-not. And before we came here, too. We all came from different places.

[acrookedpath]

Ah, the inn is like that, too! He bounces, starting to laugh again. I had wondered if the forest behaved the same way! Humans from every world imaginable, places I had never dreamed possible until I arrived. But most of them seem content to stay close to the inn.

[lightamidchaos]

Good, Rabscuttle says, firmly. You two are fine, but we don't need a lot of other humans blundering in here.

[acrookedpath]

Alas that Wei Wuxian can't hold up his usual three-fingered salute! He settles for inclining his head toward Rabscuttle in a quasi-bow.

You have my word, he says, eyes still dancing with mirth, that we will bring no others to your warren without permission. I admit I do not want a lot of humans traipsing through here, either!

It's nice, to have a small, secret place for him and Lan Zhan -- and their rabbit friends -- alone.

[lightamidchaos]

Bearberry sneezes, and Lan Wangji rubs comfortingly behind his ears while he watches what is clearly a conversation.

Very well, El-ahrairah says.

[acrookedpath]

Wangye, are you disappointed you won't be able to tease any new humans as you teased us, the first day we arrived? Wei Wuxian flicks his whiskers. I remember how you charged Lan Zhan and leapt over his shoulder!

[lightamidchaos]

When there are new humans worth teasing, I will tease them, El-ahrairah informs them all, with immense dignity. And of course I did. I needed to see how he would react. How you both would, for that matter.