[♪♫♬]

[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]

Ahhh, that's right! Classes are so early here. Well, if you're already finished, then you should both come mess around with me. We can hunt for pheasants with Hanguang-Jun.

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji's eyes widen, where he's stayed standing mostly unobtrusively at the side; the juniors break into excited chatter.]

A pheasant hunt, really?

I've never seen Hangguang-Jun hunt an animal, though...

[weiyingdown]

It's forbidden! We're going to break the rules.

[he gives Lan Wangji a butter-won't-melt-in-his-mouth kind of grin, waiting to be called out for his blatant attempt to have these impressionable teens break the rules.]

[one_note]

No.

[they immediately wilt, not even voicing the 'awwww' he can see in their faces]

[weiyingdown]

How stingy. As expected of Lan Zhan!

[he doesn't even let that deter him]

How about a night-hunt instead? Surely that's permitted.

[one_note]

Will that make you happy, Wei Ying?

[weiyingdown]

It would!

Ahhh, but not doing it would make me happy too. The point is to have fun; it doesn't really matter what we do.

[one_note]

...we can go.

[weiyingdown]

Did you hear that boys? Hanguang-Jun is going to take us night-hunting!

[he ruffles their hair, just because he can. no one will stop him in this heart, it's a problem]

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji lets out a very small sigh to himself, and the place shimmers and changes around them once more.

they're at the foot of Phoenix Mountain...?]

[weiyingdown]

[lets out a low whistle]

You should do that all the time, Lan Zhan! Then we wouldn't have to walk everywhere.

[one_note]

It only works here.

[weiyingdown]

It should work everywhere.

[nods to himself]

So, what's in these mountains? Educate us, my dear Hanguang-Jun.

[one_note]

Do you not remember?

[weiyingdown]

[elbows him too lightly for it to be anything but a little nudge]

It's supposed to be a learning experience for your young disciples! Are they learning if I just tell them?

[one_note]

Yes. Learning requires explanation, and strong recall.

[are the corners of his mouth turned up the slightest bit...?]

[weiyingdown]

[i am being UNFAIRLY PERSECUTED]

We can go night hunting without you if you're going to be like this.

[one_note]

If you like. Practice caution.

[that last one's to all of them; the juniors duck their heads in acknowledgement]

[weiyingdown]

Be a good boy and wait here, Lan Zhan.

[with a teasing smile he follows the boys' example and bows his head in acknowledgement before steering them off towards the mountain]

Now! There are ghouls, fays, monsters all over this mountain. But there were also times when it had to be specially stocked with them for competitions. You both know about those competitions, don't you?

[one_note]

Yes, Senior Wei. They are still held here sometimes!

[...it's a good night-hunt, actually. Lan Wangji didn't opt to provide them any cultivator competition, and the prey is challenging without being too dangerous for the juniors or for Wei Wuxian's lower cultivation levels. they get a great workout! Lan Jingyi also falls comically in a hole dug by a spirit worm at one point.]

[weiyingdown]

[what did Jingyi ever do to deserve falling into a hole, narration! ok he would fall in a hole by himself though, so that's fair.

by the time Wei Wuxian has decided they've done enough and drags the juniors back to Lan Wangji, he's tired enough to flop against Lan Wangji's shoulder. which is to say, he's not terribly tired, but he is always a little dramatic]

Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, since I went night hunting with your disciples, you have to carry me back.

[one_note]

Hm.

[said disciples gasp as he scoops Wei Wuxian up, without further commentary]

[weiyingdown]

[he asked for it and he's STILL SURPRISED when it happens]

W-wait! Weren't you going to do your teleportation trick?

[there's a little pink on his cheeks. maybe he's just exhausted]

[one_note]

You asked.

[starts carrying him the rest of the way down the mountain, serenely]

[weiyingdown]

I didn't think you'd really be so bold in front of others...

[does his best impression of a shy maiden, putting a demure hand over his mouth like he's scandalized at how forward Lan Wangji is being]