[♪♫♬]

[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]

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]

[one_note]

Hm.

[the bottom of the mountain blends down into the plateau they started on; it fades behind them as they step onto the grass.

Lan Wangji doesn't put him down yet???]

[weiyingdown]

[starts playing with Lan Wangji's really long hair antennas, threading them through his fingers and braiding them together~]

[one_note]

[lets him do it. Sizhui and Jingyi's commenting it on the background reaches a fever pitch.

eventually, they reach the correct disciples' courtyard again. Lan Wangji sets him carefully and easily down on his feet there.]

[weiyingdown]

[as soon as he's back on his feet he turns to the juniors, gesturing towards Lan Wangji]

And that is one of the many reasons that you don't ask your Hanguang-Jun to do anything unless you really, really want him to. He'll take everything at face value!

[this is clearly an important lesson that he totally intended to teach them]

[one_note]

Thank you for the lesson, Senior Wei!

[Sizhui kicks Jingyi in the ankle for his pains, but they do both bow. Lan Wangji seems to take the cheekiness in stride. huh. he shows more of a soft spot for them here.]

[weiyingdown]

[he notes that out of the corner of his eye; he generally has a habitual smile on his face, but it's less cheeky than it normally is.]

Oh! I almost forgot. Since I'm looking around the area, you boys should tell me where to go next.

[one_note]

...dinner?

[that's not very helpful]

[weiyingdown]

A plain meal doesn't sound like a fun time.

[he pats them both on the shoulder anyways. good...attempt]

I'll figure something out on my own.

[one_note]

Did Hangguang-jun not want to take Senior Wei out for dinner?

...Jingyi, hush.

[weiyingdown]

[laughing and waving a hand]

He never said he was going to do something like that!

[one_note]

Hm.

[weiyingdown]

See?

[he clearly took that as a "we don't need to eat out" hm]

I'm on a mission right now anyways. We can eat once I'm finished.

[before the boys can suggest any more silly things to Lan Wangji, he drags him off]