[♪♫♬]

[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]

Hmm. Since you asked so nicely, I won't.

[he does not sound sincere at all. he does, however, keep applying the salve to Lan Wangji's arms until it's all gone; it wasn't a big bottle]

[one_note]

[he allows it, though he's trembling very slightly.]

[weiyingdown]

[he tugs experimentally at one of the ribbons tied around himself to see if it'll come off. he has no bandages to cover said salve, this is the only thing he's got]

What were you doing fighting something without your sword anyways?

[one_note]

[it won't loosen...but after a moment, Lan Wangji reaches up to tug it instead, and it slides off with no trouble]

...

Fighting myself.

[weiyingdown]

[ties it around his arm, and then gestures for Lan Wangji to pull another one off]

Yourself? --Ah, does this qi deviation look like you?

[one_note]

[there's a depth of confusion in his eyes as he tugs that one off too: why would it not look like him? everything here is Lan Wangji]

Mm.

[weiyingdown]

[ties that ribbon on his OTHER arm! and gestures for Lan Wangji to take off another one.]

Then there's no problem! I can beat you in a fight.

[one_note]

[words heavy with warning, as he patiently unties that one as well]

It will not fight you.

[weiyingdown]

It won't?

[hold that thought. ties that ribbon around Lan Wangji's forehead]

Won't that make it easier?

[one_note]

[blinks slowly down at him, that warm confusion still lighting his eyes, and allows it]

...

[repeats himself]

It will try to devour you.

[weiyingdown]

[takes off the too-big outer robe he's wearing and puts that on Lan Wangji too. it's a little dirty. that also makes it obvious just how many ribbons are still tied around him.]

It can try. I don't intend to let it succeed.

[one_note]

[he is now more or less dressed properly...some of the heavy feeling in the air is fading, around him]

...

[weiyingdown]

[offers him Bichen, too]

How about this. I'll only go take a peek. If it looks like too much for me, I'll retreat.

[one_note]

[sheathes Bichen]

...Mm.

[weiyingdown]

[He Is Not Going To Do That]

Then it's settled. You just wait here, and I'll go take a look.

But first, you should take all of these ribbons off of me.

[one_note]

[starts to untie them one by one, decidedly not answering Wei Wuxian's command to stay there]

[weiyingdown]

[he neatly folds them up and shoves them into Lan Wangji's sleeves--he certainly doesn't need them--but he twists his hand away before Lan Wangji can take away the last ribbon wrapped around his wrist. he'll keep one.]

Not arguing with me anymore?

[one_note]

[his eyes narrow a little]

...

[weiyingdown]

It's fine if you're being cooperative. I'm here to help, you know!

[sensing that he is perhaps pushing his luck, he turns away and makes towards the thumping sounds.]

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji follows him :|]

[weiyingdown]

[Wei Wuxian gives him a look, a single raised eyebrow, but doesn't object any further to him tagging along

is he at least going to take out Bichen to use as a light, since he's tagging along]

[one_note]

[yeah u get a sword torch. he's able to make it glow brighter, too, so that's more useful for not falling on one's tipsy face]

[weiyingdown]

[that is useful when it comes to not tripping on things. he...goes slow, so as to also not trip on things. just in case. the light probably doesn't help them sneak up to where the qi deviation version of Lan Wangji is, but hey, he can probably hear them coming anyways]

[one_note]

[another dirt chamber, another Lan Wangji. this one's distinctly bedraggled-looking, hair and robes and ribbon askew and dirtied, odd ugly black veins standing out around his closed eyes, a heavy frown on his face, hands bloodied and knuckles split. they happen upon him in a moment of stillness, but he is breathing hard.

the one standing by Wei Wuxian grabs his wrist again when they're still some distance away.]

[weiyingdown]

[raising an eyebrow at the Lan Wangji that grabbed him; he gestures towards the other Lan Wangji and shrugs. he seems tired?? this is a good chance??]