[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 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.

[acrookedpath]

If Wei Wuxian were not already dead, he would die from the cuteness of that little ear flap. Unsuccessfully stifling another squeak, he kisses the top of Lan Zhan's head.

"All right," he says. "Outside!"

He bundles Lan Zhan into the front of his robes, much like his zhiji had done for him when he was a rabbit. One arm tucked around Lan Zhan to hold him steady, he pushes open the back door.

[lightamidchaos]

He snuggles down against Wei Ying’s chest, his nose twitching as he peers around with interest — an interest that sharpens when they step outside.

There are so many things he wants to try. He longs to stretch these legs, to test his speed, but how can he bear to wiggle away from Wei Ying?

[acrookedpath]

He keeps his pace measured, ensuring Lan Zhan has time to nudge him if anything in particular piques his interest. There is a little wooden bench not far from the back door, rigged so it gently sways back and forth if anyone sits on it; Wei Wuxian heads that way and settles onto the swing.

Humming softly, he takes Lan Zhan's ribbon and begins to wind it around one wrist for safekeeping.

[lightamidchaos]

He watches this process with interest for a bit, then turns his head to look down at the ground near them. There is an herb garden not too far away, and his nose twitches of its own accord.

[acrookedpath]

As he finishes securing the ribbon, he notices Lan Zhan's nose twitch. Wei Wuxian looks up, following his gaze to the herb garden, and he begins to smile.

"Would you like to investigate?" he asks.

[lightamidchaos]

He has to consciously overcome rabbit instincts to nod.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian beams.

Hopefully whoever has been tending this garden won't mind if a few plants go missing. Besides, as the story of the King's Lettuce says: you can never keep a rabbit out of a garden!

He gathers Lan Zhan close again and walks to the herb garden. Once there, he sinks to his knees and coaxes Lan Zhan free of his robes.

[lightamidchaos]

He hops down, then sits up on his hind legs and sniffs the wind. It is fascinating - he would never have guessed that clean, cold water had a scent so different from the water near the lake's shoreline, thronged with plants.

Cautiously, he stretches out his neck in the direction of the nearest herbs. Whoever keeps this garden has not planted things that he is especially familiar with, but they are enticing all the same.

After a moment, he hops closer, and closer still, then buries his face in a leafy plant to investigate... and taste.