[pfsb] happy halloween!

[acrookedpath]

It's that time of year again.

The inn is bustling. All manner of strange outfits have been donned (some more willingly than others). Lanterns flicker ominously in the corners, pumpkins stand sentry at either end of the bar, and every order comes complete with a handful of wrapped candies.

And -- if you're Wei Wuxian -- Madam Bar has also gifted you with an enormous array of tiny cakes, each one with a little candle stuck in its center. His second birthday at the inn has arrived, and he could not be more pleased.

(He's also wearing a red T-shirt that reads, simply, I'M THE CHAOS. Just like last year, he has set his mild confusion aside in favor of delight at the bounty Madam Bar has given him.)

Comments

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's smile loses a measure of brightness at the mention of his shijie's husband. He thinks, I saw him during the ritual, too; does not even consider saying it aloud.

What good would it do, when they've just proven Wei Wuxian was hallucinating the people he saw in the inlet's waters?

(But if a wisp of Jiang Yanli was all it took to see her that day, would a wisp of Jin Zixuan have done the same?)

[lightamidchaos]

He glances at Wei Ying, and one look is enough. Somehow managing to control the hiss of pain that wants to escape, he pushes himself to his feet and comes to join him by the water, reaching for his hand.

"I was glad to consider him a friend," he tells Jiang Yanli, who smiles warmly at him.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian peeks up at Lan Zhan. His smile remains a little sadder -- but helplessly fond -- as he links their fingers together.

"Maybe he will find his way here, too," he whispers, before he can stop himself.

[lotus_sister]

"I don't think he'd like it as much as I do," she tells them, gently. "Don't try to call him for me, A-Xian. I know you would, if I asked."

[acrookedpath]

For half a moment, every thought in Wei Wuxian's head slams to a halt. He is caught blind by how unerringly his shijie has seen him; when he can finally see again, he makes a tiny, breathless noise like his ribs have creaked under a weight.

"I would," he agrees, barely audible. "Shijie -- "

[lotus_sister]

“I know you would,” she affirms, with all the warmth and love that she feels in her words. Beside him, Lan Wangji holds tight to his hand, trying to comfort and support him, she’s sure - and she’s glad.

“He’d be happy to see me. But he’s never been happy with being out of his depth, and I don’t want him to be unhappy. Burn joss paper for his memory at festival time, and that’ll be enough.”

[acrookedpath]

He tries to swallow down the lump in his throat, with little success. He squeezes Lan Zhan's hand tighter.

"I will," he whispers. "I promise."

It does not feel like enough. What could ever be enough, after what happened on Qiongqi Path? His sister deserves so much more. She deserves to be with Jin Zixuan, to share in the good fortune Wei Wuxian found in this miraculous inn that lets the dead return unharmed -- even if just for a moment.

But she knows best what her husband would want. What she would want. And Wei Wuxian must respect that.

[lightamidchaos]

Softly, Lan Wangji asks, “Are you sure? We would be willing to try.” He keeps tight hold of Wei Ying’s hand.

“I’m sure,” she says, and her voice is firm. “But thank you.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian manages another aching smile.

"Is there anything else you would like us to do?" he asks, still hoarse. "For you, or anyone back home?"

He may not be able to do much himself, if it involves leaving the inn -- but he knows Lan Zhan will help however he can.

[lotus_sister]

She comes over to join them and takes hold of A-Xian’s other hand, smiling at him.

“My Xianxian needn’t worry. You’ve already promised everything I’d want. Looking out for my son, being so good to me here - don’t worry.”

[acrookedpath]

He sniffles, even as his smile grows wider, and blinks hard to force the tears away.

"I'll try my best," he says. "Aiyo, shijie, you and Lan Zhan are always comforting me even when you have been through so much."

[lotus_sister]

“We love you, silly,” she chides, but gently. “That’s why.”

[acrookedpath]

He laughs, choked.

"I love you both, too," he says, and squeezes both their hands. "So much."

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji makes a quiet noise of affirmation deep in his chest, and merely holds on to him.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian breathes in, and out, as if to shake the weight off his chest. He holds on to the two most beloved people in his life, and watches the stars blur overhead as a few tears finally escape.

His throat is too tight to speak; the only sound is the quiet susurrus of the waves.

[lightamidchaos]

They sit there quietly for some time, together, listening to the water, holding on and letting themselves be held in turn.

“It’s beautiful here,” Jiang Yanli murmurs.

[acrookedpath]

"It is," Wei Wuxian agrees softly. By now, his voice has steadied. "The skies are so clear tonight."

He cracks a smile.

"Whenever I see them now, I think of the friends here who have traveled in spaceships. Everything they must be able to see from so high up."

[lightamidchaos]

He sees the question in Jiang Yanli's face before she can ask it.

"Ships that sail between the stars. Somehow."

[acrookedpath]

"Gaeta-qianbei did his best to explain it to me," he says. "Giant machines that can fly so high, and so fast, that the earth itself becomes like a speck of dust. Engines powered by burning metals, or by harnessing lightning like they do with the lights of the inn. Ways to navigate when the sky is so changed."

He sighs, dreamily.

"Someday I will see one for myself."

[lotus_sister]

"It's so hard to imagine," she says, "but it sounds amazing."

[acrookedpath]

"Doesn't it?" He aims a grin at his shijie. "The machines in that one room Lan Zhan mentioned can mimic what it's like, but I am certain it can't compare to the real thing."

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.” He himself is not sure he wants to venture into a ship like that, but he will follow Wei Ying anywhere.

[acrookedpath]

"Lan Zhan, ah, don't worry." He leans his shoulder against Lan Zhan's. "I will not go far if given the chance. Two or three steps onto a spaceship, the front door open the entire time, just so I can say I have been!"

[lightamidchaos]

“I will go with Wei Ying,” he says, stubbornly. “But perhaps not tonight.”

Already exhaustion is settling into his bones, dragging at him in whole new ways, forcing him to fight his weakened body to stay awake. He is not sure what would happen on such a journey.

[acrookedpath]

"Mm. No, not tonight," he agrees, freeing his hand so he can rest it, very lightly, on Lan Zhan's lower back. "Tonight, we will keep all our adventures confined to the inn. Easy adventures, like tea and conversation."