[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 makes another squeaking sound of delight as Wei Ying pets him, and is startled when one back leg kicks at the air repeatedly of its own accord.

[acrookedpath]

Every time he thinks Lan Zhan cannot get any cuter like this, lo and behold, it happens.

"Lan Zhan!" It's perilously close to a squeak of his own. "What is this?"

He catches Lan Zhan's back foot.

[lightamidchaos]

He flattens his ears against his head and looks wide-eyed at Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

"I will not survive the day if you keep being this adorable." Grinning, he lets go of Lan Zhan's foot. "You are enjoying yourself, aren't you!"

He resumes scritching Lan Zhan's belly.

[lightamidchaos]

Even though he tries to prevent it, his foot starts kicking again. If it is possible for a rabbit to look sheepish, Lan Wangji does. He rolls to the side, into Wei Ying's hand.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian cracks up. As gentle as ever -- despite the laughter that shakes him -- he scoops Lan Zhan close and rolls over in the same movement, ending up on his back with Lan Zhan cradled atop his chest.

[lightamidchaos]

He curls up in a loaf-shape on top of Wei Ying, his ears slicked down beside his head, and watches him contentedly.

[acrookedpath]

He picks up his soft scritching again, this time behind Lan Zhan's ears, as the laughter subsides into a fond smile.

"Did you ever think it would be like this when you found me?" he asks. "Spending a day as an entirely different creature? Even by the standards of an impossible place such as this, we discover new impossibilities every day."

[lightamidchaos]

He nuzzles at Wei Ying's robe, since he cannot shake his head without dislodging his hand.

As a rabbit, he cannot speak, of course, but if he could he would remind Wei Ying that the greatest and most wonderful impossibility of all was finding him again in the first place. All else pales beside that.

Still, he has a point.

[acrookedpath]

"And if we found this today, what do you think we'll find tomorrow, eh?" He grins. "I have heard stories of people climbing the mountains you can see in the distance. What if there was a whole other inn high on the cliffs, full of even stranger people to meet?"

[lightamidchaos]

He narrows his gaze. Lan Wangji turns his head - carefully - to look in the direction of the mountains, then turns back to Wei Ying and swats at him with a paw.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian breaks into more laughter.

"Not today!" he manages. "And I would not go up there alone! You have my word, Lan Zhan."

He raises three fingers in a salute. (While continuing to scratch behind Lan Zhan's ears with his other hand.)

"I will never wander so far that you cannot find me."

[lightamidchaos]

Mollified, he crawls a little further up Wei Ying's chest and stretches out to his full length, lying on top of him.

[acrookedpath]

His smile warms further.

Without hesitation, he wraps both arms around Lan Zhan to cuddle him close.

[lightamidchaos]

He snuggles down into Wei Ying's arms and makes a squeaky sound of contentment.

[acrookedpath]

"Whenever we go into the forest," he murmurs eventually, "we should bring more herbs from the garden. And another basket of vegetables and berries as well. I should have thought to ask what time they awake, when I could still speak to them! You will have to ask for both of us, Lan Zhan. Perhaps by the next time we visit them, I will have that translation talisman ready."

[lightamidchaos]

He grunts a sound that is suspiciously like "Mn," or as close as a rabbit can get to that.

It probably means affirmation.

[acrookedpath]

It's rather uncanny; Wei Wuxian breaks into another bright grin. The more Lan Zhan changes!

"Well, if they have already eaten, then they will be welcome to a second breakfast. Or a chance to store away some extra food in their warren. Shall we go see if they are up and about?"

[lightamidchaos]

He considers, then sits up carefully, then hops down to the ground and looks up at Wei Ying, evidently waiting patiently for him to get up.

[acrookedpath]

Much like Lan Zhan did, Wei Wuxian swings his arms overhead and stretches from his fingertips all the way to the ends of his toes, then rolls over to clamber to his feet. As he does, he picks up Lan Zhan to tuck him back into the front of his robe.

A few more yawning patrons have made their way to the common room; still, it is reasonably quiet, and takes no time at all to ask Madam Bar for a selection of vegetables, herbs, and rabbit-friendly fruits. Remembering the tiny notepad and pen, Wei Wuxian adds in a request for a proper set of brush, ink, and paper. Ballpoint pens are fine for quick writing, but not nearly good enough to capture the quick, fluid motion of a rabbit at full sprint.

Thus fortified, they head back outside to the forest.

[lightamidchaos]

He keeps his paws hooked over the edge of Wei Ying’s robes as he looks around at everything while they pass. The forest is cool and its air somehow sweet, each breeze telling an entire story of its own.

[acrookedpath]

Though he cannot see as far or hear as well, nor smell the full sweetness of the grass, their walk through the forest settles a fresh blanket of calm over Wei Wuxian. He is truly a visitor now; there is no longer the bright pulse of home in every scent and sight. Still, that does not mean he can't enjoy the way the dappled light plays across their path, or the sound of birdsong high overhead.

By now he knows the route to the clearing by heart -- and luckily, the forest does not shift its paths as frequently as the inn itself. When they arrive, he settles to his knees, sets the basket aside, and coaxes Lan Zhan out of the front of his robes.

"Hello?" he calls, softly. "Are you awake, my friends?"

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji takes a position just in front of Wei Ying, sitting up on his haunches as he waits. Given the instincts and senses of a rabbit, it is perhaps unsurprising that he is the first one to react when Rabscuttle pokes his head out of the warren.

What under the sun...? Of course we're awake, we were at silflay hours ago. What is t-- oh. He blinks and hops the rest of the way into the open air. Don't tell me the two of you have switched places.

That is exactly what we have done, Lan Wangji returns, a little stiffly. I am Lan Wangji. And if we are disturbing you, we will leave.

[acrookedpath]

When he finally notices Rabscuttle, Wei Wuxian brightens. "Ah, Rabscuttle! Good morning," he says, cheerful. "Lan Zhan was curious to see what life as a rabbit might be like, after my adventure, so now he has transformed for the day. And also -- !"

He pushes the basket closer.

"If you have not yet had your breakfast, or wish for an early lunch."

[lightamidchaos]

Rabscuttle flicks an ear at Wei Ying to show he's heard and sizes up Lan Wangji. Curious, hm?

In part, Lan Wangji says, and Rabscuttle lets out a wheezing sound and hops over to sit in front of him. And the other part was his encouragement, right? Don't bother, I know I'm right. He was really insistent that you and I might have a lot in common. Why don't we check out this basket you two brought and call the others up?

Suiting actions to words, Rabscuttle sits up and thumps the ground hard in a quick pattern.