[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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[lightamidchaos]

It is only with the trained self-control of years that he is able to remain coolly collected - at least outwardly. He looks at Wei Ying, meaning to say something, and forgets it entirely as he sees the expression on his face.

His gaze follows the other man’s to settle on the small cookie. Lan Wangji blinks.

“Wei Ying?”

[acrookedpath]

"I don't know," he says, foolishly. "I did not do it."

He settles back into his seat, eyes locked on the animal cracker as if it will come to life and hop straight into Lan Zhan's face.

[lightamidchaos]

His gaze travels slowly around the room, seeking whoever had been paying such attention. Certainly this can not be a coincidence.

[acrookedpath]

From beneath a table not far from theirs: a soft hiss, another glint of gold.

The alligator's tail flicks into view as it turns and scuttles away.

[lightamidchaos]

“The alligator.” He nods after it quickly, in time for Wei Ying to turn and spot it as well. “The one who created the transformation curse.”

His glance flicks from it, to the cookie, to Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian turns, catching a glimpse of a swath of green scales before the creature vanishes back under a table. He squints after it a moment, as if it might re-materialize; when the shadows remain stubbornly dark and featureless, he shakes his head and turns back to Lan Zhan.

Wryly amused: "I would not have ever thought you'd say those words in that order, Lan Zhan. 'The alligator who created the transformation curse.'"

His gaze drops to the cookie. Gentler now, he adds, "What do you think?"

[lightamidchaos]

Slowly, thoughtfully, while studying the cookie, he says, “No one will miss me. I am traveling, and no one expects me at a particular time or place.”

His gaze flicks up to Wei Ying. “Would you like it, if I did?”

[acrookedpath]

He smiles.

"I would enjoy cuddling you in my robes as you did for me," he says. "And taking you back to meet the forest rabbits, with ink and paper so I could draw all of you together."

[lightamidchaos]

It is enough for him to hear that Wei Ying would enjoy it. Lan Wangji picks up the cookie, reminding himself that the curse is a familiar one, limited to a day, and that if something were to go wrong that Wei Ying is an accomplished cultivator.

Without further hesitation, he bites into it.

Moments later, after a dizzying whirl, a pure white rabbit blinks up at Wei Ying in startlement, his eyes wide beneath the Lan forehead ribbon that is sliding down over his long, silky ears.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian has tried to prepare himself. When he first transformed, everything was very loud and very overwhelming, and he does not want to add to any discomfort Lan Zhan might feel as he adjusts to his new senses.

But.

He claps both hands over his mouth to stifle an exclamation of utter delight, staring just as wide-eyed back at the little lop-eared bunny. "Lan Zhan! Ah, look at you! You are even cuter than I imagined -- how will I survive! How do you feel? Is everything all right?"

Carefully, he reaches to extricate the silk ribbon from Lan Zhan's ears.

[lightamidchaos]

The world is suddenly so much bigger and louder and overwhelming —

He huddles down on the table as Wei Ying squeaks, then bolts for his hand as he reaches out. Or would have, save that he tangles his feet in the ribbon and does an unceremonious flip over on the table, tumbling into a heap.

[acrookedpath]

Oh, no, poor Lan Zhan! He has to swallow down a laugh at his predicament.

"Shhh, shhh," he coaxes instead, and very gently gathers him off the table. "Come here, my Lan Zhan. I know it is a lot, but you are safe. I'm here."

He unwinds the ribbon from Lan Zhan's paws, cradling him close to his chest.

[lightamidchaos]

He butts his head into Wei Ying’s chest, embarrassed, and burrows closer for a few seconds before he looks around. His eyes go wide and amazed as he stares at the room, taking it all in.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian chuckles. "It is astounding, isn't it?" he murmurs. "How much we miss with our clumsy human senses. And rabbits spend every day hearing and seeing all of this! Wait until we reach the forest; it is even more beautiful than you could imagine."

[lightamidchaos]

His nose twitches, whiskers quivering as he sniffs the air. There are so many sounds and scents and things he’d never imagined!

Without thinking about it, he puts both front paws over Wei Ying’s arm and leans out into the room, trusting that he will be held safe.

[acrookedpath]

"Ah, Lan Zhan!" he wails -- softly, but just as dramatic as he has done before -- and bends to bury his face in Lan Zhan's fur. (Oh, no, he is so soft.) "I do not just need ink and paper -- I need Ingress's camera to document how adorable you are! Here, we can walk around the inn a moment so you can see as much as you wish -- "

Hugging him a little tighter, the ribbon tangled in his fingers for safekeeping, Wei Wuxian stands.

[lightamidchaos]

He wiggles a little, splaying his paws for balance - he can’t help it - before he steadies himself. Rabbit instincts or not, Wei Ying will not let him fall.

He noses at his hand in apology before turning his head to look out at the room from this new height. Everything seems so large, and the air itself carries such a wealth of information. He breathes deeply, trying to discern everything.

[acrookedpath]

It is early yet, and the inn's common room is not as crowded as usual. Still, there is plenty to smell: the dishes of their own meal, the smoke of the fireplace, coffee and eggs and baking bread from the kitchen, wood polish, something animal that might be the waitrats. And Wei Wuxian, of course, who smells a little of smoke himself, and dirt just after a rainfall.

(...and, because it has not been all that long since his own transformation, a little of rabbit-scent as well.)

He walks a slow circle around the common room, stopping any time Lan Zhan's ears twitch higher in curiosity. Above them, the stars of the Observation Window flare brighter, silent fireworks shedding their light over the tables.

[lightamidchaos]

It is fortunate that the inn is not all that crowded at this time of day, he thinks, as he can hear everything. Snippets of conversation and the clank and clatter of dishes and tableware are each as clear to him as if they were standing right beside where it was happening.

He wiggles a little deeper into Wei Ying's hold, settling the length of his body against his chest, and flicks an ear.

[acrookedpath]

"What do you think?" he murmurs. "We could see what's cooking in the kitchens. Or go somewhere quieter instead -- outside, or our quarters, perhaps."

He smooths his thumb over the top of Lan Zhan's head and down one silken ear.

[lightamidchaos]

He snuggles down under the touch and blinks at Wei Ying.

It is somehow apparent that Lan Wangji, even as a rabbit, is content to be wherever Wei Ying is.

[acrookedpath]

Just as gently, he scritches his fingers at the base of Lan Zhan's neck.

"The kitchens, then," he decides. "And if it smells too strongly, then we will go outside to give you some fresh air."

Still petting Lan Zhan, he heads for the kitchens behind the bar, nimbly dodging a pair of waitrats who give him an are you supposed to be back here? look.

[lightamidchaos]

He peers down at the rats as they pass, then recoils back against Wei Ying as they cross into the kitchen and a storm of scents assails his nose. Lan Wangji sneezes violently, once, then again.

[acrookedpath]

"Ah! No, too much -- "

As swiftly as they arrived, Wei Wuxian backs out of the kitchen, cradling Lan Zhan closer to his chest. He runs a soothing hand along his back once they are in the common area once more.

"Too much," he says again, rueful. "I am sorry, Lan Zhan. Do you want a moment elsewhere before we go outside?"

[lightamidchaos]

He shakes his head so hard that his ears flap, then blinks up at Wei Ying before nuzzling his arm in reassurance. It was not his fault, after all.