[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]

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.

[acrookedpath]

That is fair, that is fair, he laughs. I am just glad we passed the test and you have allowed us to continue visiting your warren.

[lightamidchaos]

Well, you are very entertaining, El-ahrairah says. Saxifrage shifts and leans against Wei Wuxian's side.

And nice.

[acrookedpath]

We do our best, says Wei Wuxian lightly, with another whisker-flick grin. He turns his head just enough to tuck his chin over Saxifrage's back. Now I will have to think of ways to be even more entertaining when we visit next! Maybe I'll play music for you, or walk on my hands the entire time...

A tiny yawn catches him off-guard, and he blinks in surprise at his own body. Surely he is not that tired, is he?

[lightamidchaos]

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji murmurs, having seen that yawn. "It is growing late."

Much later for him, of course, but that does not matter as much.

[acrookedpath]

No it's not, he mumbles, forgetting for a moment that Lan Zhan cannot understand him. Remembering himself, he glances up at the sliver of sky he can see through the treetops, without lifting his head from Saxifrage's back.

...perhaps it is a little late, he says, with a tiny, doleful sigh.

[lightamidchaos]

“When you are ready, come to me,” he says, gently.

I don’t want you to go, Saxifrage protests.

[acrookedpath]

I do not want to go, either.

If only he could pout as effectively in this body as he can when he's human! Even as he thinks that, he catches himself in another yawn, and sulkily hides his face in Saxifrage's fur. But Lan Zhan must sleep soon, I think.

(Yes. Just Lan Zhan. Absolutely not Wei Wuxian, because he is not tired.)

I promise I will return soon. And when I do, I will have all manner of talismans to test, so we may keep talking to one another. He lowers his voice, conspiratorially. Perhaps I may even transform into a rabbit again. I ate a bite of cursed food, so if I ever ate it again...

Surely Lan Zhan will let him transform again when he sees no harm came about!

[lightamidchaos]

Saxifrage’s ears perks up in hopeful delight and he nuzzles at Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. Soon?

[acrookedpath]

Soon, he promises. I would never abandon my new friends so quickly!

[lightamidchaos]

Good, says El-ahrairah. We will look for you again soon.

[acrookedpath]

He wriggles his tail, nose twitching rapidly: if he were a human, he'd be beaming.

Gently, he butts his head against Saxifrage, scooting back just far enough so they can touch noses. Bearberry and Cloudfoot are next as he hops a slow circle around the rabbits, bumping noses and murmuring his good-byes. Even Rabscuttle gets a playful nudge, and a further promise that he and Lan Zhan will have much to talk about once the talismans are done.

When he reaches El-ahrairah, Wei Wuxian bumps their noses together as well -- and then steps back enough to stretch into a bow, just as he did when he first arrived.

Thank you again, my new friend, he says. Until next time!

And with that, he turns and clambers into Lan Zhan's lap.

[lightamidchaos]

With gentle care, he scoops Wei Ying up and gets to his feet. Lan Wangji offers a bow to the rabbits, especially the star-eared one, and carries his most precious one back toward the inn.

“You seemed happy. I am sorry we needed to go.”

[acrookedpath]

He nods. Nosing at the fold of Lan Zhan's outermost layer, he worms his way underneath as if burrowing under a blanket.

Ah, Lan Zhan, it's all right. He leans close, listening to the steady thump of Lan Zhan's heart. I know it will soon be time for you to sleep. Wait until I can tell you of all my plans! Maybe I will convince you to become a bunny with me next time.

Another yawn hits, more expansive than before, his tiny pink scrap of a tongue curling.

Chuckling sleepily: I know you will probably refuse. But I think you would have fun, Lan Zhan. I do.

[lightamidchaos]

He cradles Wei Ying close against his body as he walks, moving with quiet grace.

It does not take all that long to reach the inn.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian keeps up his sleepy mumbling the whole time, much like he does whenever he is close to nodding off. Idle musings on how to shape a rabbit-to-human translation talisman. A list of stories he will tell them whenever they visit next. Wondering aloud, in between yawns, if El-ahrairah has actually met Chang'e. He would not be surprised. The rabbit-wangye is a very strange, delightful creature.

By the time they are halfway up the stairs, he has settled into a light doze, safe and warm and comfortable in Lan Zhan's hold.

[lightamidchaos]

He carries him into their room and over to the bed, where he takes one of his inner robes and makes a nest of it on one side. Carefully, he settles Wei Ying into it.

Lan Wangji takes a few minutes to set up the necessary things for a rabbit’s care, just in case, before he settles himself beside him.

[acrookedpath]

He rouses himself when he notices they have stopped moving. Muzzily, Wei Wuxian cracks open one dark eye to watch Lan Zhan.

No sooner has he settled onto the bed than Wei Wuxian clambers partway out of the nest: just enough to curl closer to him.

[lightamidchaos]

The gentle smile softens the lines of his expression. "Very well." Lan Wangji picks Wei Ying up in his hands and brings him to rest on his upper chest, where he can curl comfortably and safely between Lan Wangji's neck and shoulder.