[♪♫♬]

[one_note]

[after Yi City and the second time Wei Wuxian gets Lan Wangji drunk, it takes about a day for them to reach the Garden of Annual blossoms. this curious incident takes place in the space of that day.

outside of appeasing the corpse pieces they've been collecting each night, it's not uncommon for Lan Wangji to take the time to practice on the guqin. he doesn't play entire songs, since he's not trying to interact with any spirits at the moment, but safely broken-up sections of Inquiry and Empathy (was Empathy always a musical technique? it is in this timeline, shut up) and the other songs he uses for battle hum through the walls of the rest stop they've paused at on the road.

it's partway through a passage of Empathy that there's a notable shriek of strings, and then silence; when Wei Wuxian goes to check, he'll find Lan Wangji half-collapsed over the instrument, his breathing harsh and a strange fluctuation of energy around him.

a qi deviation...? oh no.]

Comments

[weiyingdown]

[sipping at his tea as an excuse to avoid making eye contact with Lan Xichen. he doesn't want to have an awkward conversation about love in Lan Wangji's heart]

That sounds like more than just idle curiosity to me. I can't say that I have the same level of, ah, dedication.

[one_note]

Hmmm. I suppose not. This was a very dedicated young man, and true feelings for someone aren't often an idle thing.

[finishes his tea with a little sigh]

Now then, was that the sort of story you're interested in, young master Wei?

[weiyingdown]

Something like that. It was an interesting story, Zewu-jun, but there wasn't an ending to it.

[one_note]

[smiles faintly down into his remaining tea leaves, with an edge to it, then it smooths to something more normal again when he looks up at Wei Wuxian.

somehow this feels a little less friendly????? just a little. it is probably your imagination, as nothing has changed. Lan Xichen wears a slightly pained, gentle expression.]

Did you want to hear the end? It's not nearly so charming, I'm afraid.

[weiyingdown]

[he hesitates, an uncomfortable lump twisting in his stomach]

...No. I'd better not hear it, then. This is supposed to be a place for happiness; I'd feel bad if I messed that up just to hear the end of a story.

[one_note]

[frowns at the table thoughtfully]

I wonder. One story ending and another beginning can be a kind of happiness, don't you agree?

[weiyingdown]

[sipping at his tea to avoid answering for a moment]

It might depend on how the first story ended. Does this story lead into a new one?

[one_note]

[sets his teacup down on the table again carefully]

Ah, well. I hope it may, for that young student's sake.

[weiyingdown]

[smiling into his teacup]

He sounds like a good kid. I hope it works out for him. If you think he needs help asking someone how to be friends, then tell him to come to me. I'm excellent at making friends! When I'm not making enemies.

[one_note]

[laughing at him]

But young master Wei— weren't you the one who said you had no experience in love? Maybe you should be asking him for advice!

[weiyingdown]

[b-buries his nose into his teacup. it's empty. why is it empty? reluctant, he sets it down on the table]

The first step is friendship. If he can't even become friends, how can he expect to confess his feelings?

[one_note]

[his smile turns a little sad]

Ah, but that's the thing about love! Friends are friends and brothers are brothers, and no matter the relationship between them, you need two to say the word. Love can be one-sided. Sometimes you confess your feelings, and they simply aren't returned.

[weiyingdown]

[SHIFTS. UNCOMFORTABLY. this feels pointed and he doesn't like it.

picks up the teacup, remembers it's empty, and sets it back down.]

You sound pretty knowledgeable on the subject, yourself. I hope you were able to impart all of this wisdom onto that student too.

[one_note]

[laughs a little, hiding his mouth with his hand politely, his eyes crinkling above it]

The real me has spoken to Wangji about that worthy student, true enough! I hope if he's passed the message on, it's been cause for them to learn something.

[takes his hand away and smiles at him]

Do not worry about stories with sad endings too much here, young master Wei. Wangji has always been a man who's found happiness in what he loves.

[weiyingdown]

I used to think the only thing he loved was rules.

[leaning onto the table more]

But you're here, of course. Should I look for your uncle as well? What other things are around here?

[one_note]

[gathers up the cups and rises with a thoughtful hmmmm; it's rather reminiscent of the little noises of assent or dissent that Lan Wangji makes sometimes.]

You are welcome anywhere, of course... I suppose you might check the disciple dorms? I'm sure they'll be familiar to you.

[weiyingdown]

I'll make sure to stop by, then!

[he gets up too, and offers another salute]

Thank you for the story. I won't forget it.

[one_note]

[returns it solemnly, eyes still crinkled in a gentle smile]

You are very welcome. Good luck, young master Wei.

[weiyingdown]

[he (politely) FLEES THE ROOM before Lan Xichen can bully him further

where is Lan Wangji, I need the stoic brother back]

[one_note]

[he’s seated on the low porch outside, eyes closed in reposed meditation while he waits]

[weiyingdown]

[stops next to him and offers him a hand up, keeping it extended until he opens his eyes]

Hanguang-Jun, your brother really cares about you, huh?

[one_note]

[inclines his head, and accepts the hand after a moment's consideration, rising with as much grace as Lan Xichen did]

My brother is a kind man.

[weiyingdown]

[keeping a hold of his hand and tugging him towards the disciple dorms, per Lan Xichen's suggestion]

He is! He was even nice enough to tell me a story when I asked him to. Ah, and he knew who I was and didn't even try to lock me up. I was almost expecting it, you know.

[one_note]

...he would not.

[the low, familiar slope of the dorms is just ahead! you can hear chatter and see figures in white robes moving through that particular area of the complex; it's fairly populated.]

[weiyingdown]

He wouldn't? But I'm wanted, aren't I? If the other sects knew that I was alive and he hid it, he'd be in trouble.

[Lan Wangji would probably be in trouble too, but it seems a little too unlikely to picture Lan Wangji turning him in at this point.

he keeps an eye out for familiar faces in the crowd]