[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

The lantern is done. It's a momentous achievement; a culmination of all of Wei Wuxian's work since he first arrived at the inn...

And now it means he doesn't have a project to work on anymore. The agony!

He'll think of one soon enough. In the meantime, he's settled for sketching out an update to the Compass of Evil, whittling away at a block of wood Madam Bar provided him. If he has all the tools of a thousand worlds at his disposal, it should be no trouble at all to fine-tune the instrument.

Comments

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji makes a quiet sound of acknowledgement, one he is certain goes unheard as the man talks right over them. "Oh, no, it's Brennan, Andy Brennan," the man tells them. "Not Darren."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian blinks; even with the help of the inn's magic, it takes an extra moment to parse that.

Once it clicks: "Oh! Daren is a title where we are from, for someone of your standing, but if you'd prefer another instead..."

(He's thinking of that awkward moment in Geralt's world where he cheerfully called Yennefer Yen-furen.)

[blue_ajah]

"'Deputy' would be the most appropriate title, should one be needed," Moiraine murmurs.

"Sure," Andy agrees. "Or you could just call me Andy. Oh, here we are--"

He pulls the car into the lot for the Double R Diner, which even at this hour of the day, between mealtimes, seems to be doing a reasonable amount of business. "Looks like Hawk's still here. You sure you don't need me to join you?"

[acrookedpath]

"We should be all right," Wei Wuxian reassures him. He shimmies sideways in his seat to reach the door. "But hopefully we'll have the opportunity to see you again before we leave Twin Peaks, Deputy Brennan! Thank you again for your hospitality."

He means every word. What was all that nonsense Moiraine had said before, about Twin Peaks being unwelcoming to outsiders? Surely not!

[lightamidchaos]

He makes a small sound of acquiescence and acknowledgement, then follows Wei Ying from the car. Lan Wangji has decided that he does not especially like cars; it is too much like being enclosed in a curtained cart, and stifling.

The fresh air outside this building is much better, with a crisp green scent that he takes a moment to appreciate while Moiraine speaks with the deputy. Lan Wangji slants a look at his husband, trying to determine if he is enjoying himself.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian has his face upturned to the sky, eyes closed, soaking in the sunlight with a radiant grin. He inhales a deep lungful of the mountain air -- then, as he opens his eyes and catches sight of Lan Zhan studying him, laughs.

"It smells a little like Cloud Recesses, eh?" he asks. "We're higher up than I thought we would be!"

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn," he agrees. "The trees."

It is and will always be a salve to his heart to see Wei Ying's joy, and something softens in his expression as he watches him.

[acrookedpath]

He nods, eyes alight.

"And so far away from water that you can hardly smell it at all," he says. "Not like the inn."

Or like Lotus Pier.

[lightamidchaos]

"Here, at least." He suspects there must be water somewhere, a river or stream perhaps, for there to be this much green. Still, Wei Ying is right.

Soft footsteps on gravel signal an approach, and Lan Wangji turns slightly as Moiraine comes around the front of the vehicle to join them. Deputy Brennan waves, backs the car up, and pulls back out onto the road.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian waves goodbye to the deputy, as cheery as if he were sending off a lifelong friend, before turning to Moiraine as well.

"Is there anything we should know of our friend Hawk, before we meet?" he asks her.

[blue_ajah]

"He is quieter than Andy," she says. "But he misses nothing."

She glances back and forth between them. "Are you ready?"

[acrookedpath]

"Of course."

He glances to Lan Zhan, just to confirm, but fully expects to find his husband in agreement.

[blue_ajah]

Lan Wangji gives an infinitesimal nod, and Moiraine nods to them both. "Follow me," she tells them, and glides across the parking lot to the diner.

The bell over the door chimes as she opens it. At this hour, it is not too crowded, which she is pleased to see. Shelly is at the other end of the room, coffeepot in hand, and Norma is behind the counter. She raises her eyebrows as she spots Moiraine's companions. "Hi, Moiraine. Table or counter?"

She tips her head to the side, toward the booth where Hawk is sitting. "We will join him," she says, peacefully. "Thank you, Norma."

"Good to see you. I'll have Shelly bring over some tea right away. You boys want coffee?"

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian did make an implicit promise to Lan Zhan that he'd behave himself, but -- !

He turns a look on Lan Zhan, hopeful and just a bit plaintive. They have so much work to do today, Lan Zhan! Wouldn't a little extra energy help?

[lightamidchaos]

This strikes him as an incredibly bad idea, but surely if Wei Ying thought it would impede him, he would not wish it, would he?

Observing, Moiraine murmurs, "I am given to understand that the coffee here is quite exceptional, should that matter."

Lan Wangji represses a tiny sigh, and nods to Wei Ying. "If Wei Ying wishes."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian beams. He has the best husband!

"A cup of coffee, Norma-furen," he says with a decisive nod. "Though, ah -- maybe a small one? A mixture of regular and decaf?"

As delightful as an enormous cup of regular coffee might be, he can compromise a little. Especially when this journey might require a lot of sitting still and watching from a distance.

[blue_ajah]

"I'll make sure Shelly brings both," Norma tells him, with a warm smile. "You boys go on now."

Moiraine gives Norma a faint smile of her own, then glides over to Hawk, who has been watching all of this with quiet interest. He starts to rise, and she waves him to keep his seat as she takes the one beside him, leaving the booth bench opposite open for the others.

"Thank you for coming," she murmurs.

"No trouble. As you know," Hawk tells her. "Are we heading for trouble, though?"

[acrookedpath]

"Possibly," says Wei Wuxian, "though it is not an inevitability."

Before taking a seat, he bows to Hawk. "I am Wei Wuxian; this is my husband Lan Wangji. Moiraine has told you about our work?"

[blue_ajah]

"Meetcha," Hawk offers, before he shakes his head: no. Beside him, Moiraine looks completely unruffled.

Perhaps the reason for this may become apparent when he continues, "Figured if she brought you in for this, then you know about this kind of thing."

[acrookedpath]

Ah, yes, another example of the old Moiraine. Wei Wuxian has just enough self-awareness not to roll his eyes.

"We've dealt with similar anomalies before, yes," he says. "Though from what Moiraine has described, this one is exceptionally powerful, and exceptionally dangerous." A glance to Lan Zhan. "We hoped to observe it to learn as much as we can before we act."

[blue_ajah]

Lan Wangji gives a small nod, and says nothing.

Hawk studies them both, and looks at Moiraine in silence for a few seconds. She bows her head slightly, assenting to his observation, and apparently deferring to his judgment. After a moment, he nods back, but before he can say anything else, Shelly reaches the table.

"Mornin'," she offers, with a cheerful smile. "I brought coffee - and Moiraine, I've got your tea brewing already. Can I get you anything else?"

[acrookedpath]

Aiyo, he didn't think the comparison to Cloud Recesses would include no talking at meals, too! At least the young woman bringing them coffee seems chatty enough.

"Thank you, guniang!" he chirps. "Perhaps a small meal? What do you recommend?"

[blue_ajah]

"Can't go wrong with the special," Shelly offers. As she talks, she sets down one of the coffeepots, takes two mugs from her apron pockets and starts to fill them with the other pot. "Both of you want the half-caf version? How do you take it? What's that Cooper always says, Moiraine - 'black as midnight on a moonless night?'"

Shelly's smile is bright, and an answering smile curves her lips. "That is what he says, yes."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian laughs. "I had no idea Cooper was such a poet!" he says. "I am learning more of him every day. Alas that I can't match him in poetry, since I would like a little cream and sugar in mine. And," he adds, decisive, "the special. Lan Zhan, do you want anything to eat?"

[blue_ajah]

"The same," Lan Wangji murmurs. "For the coffee. No special."

Moiraine, considering him, wonders to herself if perhaps the items on the menu are unfamiliar, or if given the time it was at the bar when they left he is uncertain between a full meal or something smaller. With serene calm, she suggests, "This diner is renowned for their pie. Cherry in particular. Perhaps we might each partake."

"Good idea," Hawk grunts. "Shelly, slice of strawberry-rhubarb for me instead of the cherry, please?"