[♪♫♬]

[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]

[the rabbit toddles out with him, into the grey sunlight '-'

is there anywhere he's looking in particular?]

[weiyingdown]

[he hops back onto the path he was taking, only to almost instantly wander off of it again. he's in search of a place that's out of the way, for privacy, but also that looks nice. with everything as gray as it is, the niceness will vary, but most places are better than a cave.

the half-formed thought in his mind is a pond similar to the lake in the cave. not all ponds are going to have convenient stone platforms for bodies, but. if Lan Wangji was satisfied enough with the platform in the cave, then something similar above ground should be just as suitable. anything vaguely reminiscent of that will catch his eye]

[one_note]

[there's always the cold springs...?]

[weiyingdown]

[that is a place off the beaten path and no one else appears to be here except for Lan Wangji, so it's not like anyone else is going to use them...

> TO THE COLD SPRINGS!]

[one_note]

[THEY LOOK NORMAL! no naked lan zhans or naked anyone else.

finding a place to put the body might be an issue, though, unless you want to just sink it in there]

[weiyingdown]

[water makes bodies squishy, let's not do that

after walking around and confirming that there is no place to put a body in the springs proper, he looks for a nice flat spot overlooking the springs from the cliffs above. he gets a little picky and wanders around to make sure he can find something with a view overlooking the springs and a bit of the waterways and buildings that are nearby]

[one_note]

[he can find one, quiet and tree-shaded. the rabbit follows him as he goes, pasuing now and again to nibble at grass seed.]

[weiyingdown]

[turning to the rabbit to get a second opinion]

What do you think? This seems like a good place.

[one_note]

[it sniffs around the tree a bit, then hops onto his foot -o-]

[weiyingdown]

[he's just gonna assume that's a yes]

That's exactly what I was thinking!

[he nudges the bunny off of his foot, satisfied with his find, and heads back down to the cave]

[one_note]

[it's as you left it, though Lan Wangji lifts his head as soon as you come in, something like hope flickering in his eyes]

[weiyingdown]

Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! I found a good spot, you'll definitely like it.

[he has to have a moment to be pleased with his success]

You still want to go, right?

[one_note]

[a single nod again, less unsure this time]

[weiyingdown]

Let's go then.

[he offers him a hand up before looking again towards the body in the lake]

Do you want me to get him...?

[it comes out more unsure than he means it to, but he isn't certain that it's his place]

[one_note]

[looks meaningly towards the way out]

...please...go ahead.

[that way, he means]

[weiyingdown]

...Alright. Take your time.

[he looks for the bunny to scruff it and drag it out with him]

[one_note]

[it's like right by his foot! rude]

[weiyingdown]

[sometimes it runs off!!!!

he takes it out and waits a little ways away from the entrance to the cave before setting the rabbit down so it can nibble at the grass]

[one_note]

[it's not a long wait before Lan Wangji comes up, the sheet-wrapped body held carefully in both arms. he frowns and blinks against the sunlight, clearly no longer used to it]

[weiyingdown]

[he gives him time to adjust to the sun, skipping over to the path to show Lan Wangji in the way, not unlike what the rabbit has been doing for him the whole time

he looks down at the rabbit and asks, conversationally,]

Don't tell me that you're just trying to keep me on track. Do I look like I'm going to get lost if you're not around?

[one_note]

[it looks at him with big trusting eyes, nose wiggling]

[weiyingdown]

[idly contemplating cooking the rabbit for dinner as he waves Lan Wangji over]

Lan Wangji, it's this way. By the cold springs.

[one_note]

[he nods and follows easily, once his eyesight's adjusted]

[weiyingdown]

[he finds an easier path up to his spot, one that involves less climbing--it would be difficult to climb anything while carrying a body, even for Lan Wangji. now that he knows where he's going, it doesn't take them long to reach it. he spreads his arms to gesture to the spot and looks to Lan Wangji for his approval]

How is it? Does this spot work?

[one_note]

[softly, already walking forward to lay the body respectfully underneath the tree]

Mn.

[some of the grief in the air changes, slow and gradual, settling into something more peaceful]