[♪♫♬]

[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]

[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]

[one_note]

[he allows himself to be dragged. the sky above the plateau is indeed shading warmer; edging towards a clear mountain sunset.]

[weiyingdown]

[he looks at the sky before he looks back at Lan Wangji with one eyebrow cocked]

Where should get go next, Lan Zhan? If you don't pick a place then I can only go to the places I know about.

[one_note]

What do you want?

[weiyingdown]

I want to see the things you love most. Who knows if I'll get the chance again? I want to at least satisfy my curiosity that much before I go and fix your qi deviation.

[one_note]

[just

stares directly at him, at Wei Wuxian, backlit by the sun in a place Lan Wangji calls happiness.]

[weiyingdown]

[tugging on his hand, prompting. he is oblivious to the mood lighting.]

We're already so close; don't tell me you're getting shy?

[one_note]

...no need.

[weiyingdown]

There's plenty of need!

[one_note]

Wei Ying.

[weiyingdown]

Lan Zhan~

[one_note]

[RELUCTANTLY]

...you will aggravate the qi deviation, if you stay longer.

[weiyingdown]

Kicking me out already?

[but he nods, agreeable, and steps back the way they came]

I did say that I would go and find it. I just have to check below, then?

[one_note]

...have a care, Wei Ying.

[weiyingdown]

I have a lot of cares about what's going on in your heart, Lan Zhan.

[weiyingdown]

[oops that was too many feelings, time to flee]

--Anyways, I'll go fix that qi deviation for you!

[HE JUST. TAKES OFF RUNNING back to the white foggy area]

[one_note]

[wow

it's easy to find the road again. the rabbit picks out the path for him one more time, if he doesn't grab it.]