[♪♫♬]

[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

[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??]

[one_note]

[just

shakes his head? as close to alarm as Lan Wangji's face ever shows]

[weiyingdown]

[GESTURES AGAIN, more insistent and tugging at his arm]

[one_note]

[it's a very long tense moment before he lets him go, though it seems to cause him physical pain to do it.]

[weiyingdown]

[looking between both Lan Wangji's before leaning over to his and whispering]

I can distract him while you grab him?

[one_note]

[oh...my god]

Mm.

[weiyingdown]

[LOOK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN!!

since qi deviation Lan Wangji has his eyes closed, he sneaks closer as quietly as he can with the intent of drawing his notice away from Lan Wangji.

he doesn't say anything to catch his attention, but he does pull out his bamboo flute and play a cheeky three second melody]

[one_note]

[qi deviation Lan Wangji's eyes snap open -- they're so bloodshot they look almost purely red -- and he's moving toward the sound with terrifying speed and immediacy. oh shit]