[♪♫♬]

[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]

[moves to get behind Lan Wangji and push at his back, urging him forward]

What are you doing letting me get distracted for? I'm supposed to be helping you out. Show me what's here!

[that was the smoothest topic change known to man]

[one_note]

That is not...simple. The space can be changed.

[walks forward easily with Wei Ying's urging.]

What do you seek?

[weiyingdown]

I was looking for something that might be causing your qi deviation.

But if there's nothing like that then I just want to snoop around.

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji exhales, and raises a hand, and suddenly buildings from the Cloud Recesses dot the plateau, sprawling and peaceful.]

You can look. But the deviation is lower.

[weiyingdown]

[pushing hm towards the closest building]

I just came from lower. Did I miss it?

[one_note]

Most likely.

[sorry Wei Ying he can only tell the truth.

the building is long and low; it looks like one of the family compound buildings in the Cloud Recesses, actually? r u sure]

[weiyingdown]

[YES

he just wants to take a peek, ok]

I'll...I'll go back and find it after this.

[one_note]

[it's a living area, like the Jingshi, rather like the ones the disciples used but roomier. there are two bedrooms; one is ajar. it seems occupied; there are two drinking bowls left unattended on a table (though no alcohol), and books and scrolls spread open like someone was just reading through them. the air comes through the broad, open windows is spring-sweet.

Lan Wangji pauses on the threshold, but doesn't stop Wei Wuxian from going the rest of the way in.]

[weiyingdown]

[of course he goes in!!! he's quiet, almost mindful of disturbing the residents of this place as he goes over to take a look at the books and scrolls on the table. is there anything interesting written on them?]

[one_note]

[they're study notes, but they seem of a lower level than the ones he remembers handling in the Cloud Recesses. for someone younger?]

[weiyingdown]

[flipping through them with mild interest before setting them back down]

Ah, does one of the teachers live here?

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji's eyes flicker to the bedroom with the slightly-opened door]

[weiyingdown]

[he

he can't not go look, he's too nosy to just leave. GOING TO SNEAK A LOOK INTO THE BEDROOM]

[one_note]

[you open the door into a neat and tidy bedroom with two beds. one side of it is painfully neat and correct, with Bichen placed meticulously on its stand by the perfectly made bed and a stack of cultivation scrolls on the desk; the other side is just as tidy, but more comfortably furnished, with a couple of chairs drawn together to make an elegant sitting area and a few nature scenes on the walls. the two sides have distinctly different personalities, but they don't clash at all, complementing each other instead.

Lan Xichen is sitting at the table copying something, his own sword at his side, but he looks up with a pleasant smile.]

Young master Wei! Welcome.

[weiyingdown]

[he should have been expecting this, but...he wasn't, and the surprise is on his face for a moment before he remembers to give Lan Xichen a bow in greeting.]

Hello, Zewu-jun. Is this your house?

[now he feels a little bad for barging in]

[one_note]

It's where I stay here, of course. Come in, come in! Should I get you anything to drink? Or are you just passing through today?

[rises gracefully to return Wei Wuxian's courtesy. god, do the Lans have to look beautiful all the time??]

[weiyingdown]

[all Lans are beautiful and it's a problem!!

he steps inside, curiosity still bubbling in him]

I was just passing through, but you have an embarrassing stories about Lan Zhan that you want to tell me I can find time for that.

[one_note]

[laughs]

Come, young master Wei. Surely you have your own stories about my brother to reflect on by now, if that is what you want? I wouldn't wish to betray his confidence.

[gestures to the other chair; sit, sit!]

[weiyingdown]

[taking a seat, making sure to sit properly instead of lounging. there's something about the air around Lan Xichen that makes him feel compelled to behave--at least until he forgets he's supposed to be behaving. he steals a glance back in the direction he came from, to see if Lan Wangji followed at all.]

I only know the things that I was there for. How about something he wouldn't mind you telling me instead?

[one_note]

[Lan Wangji doesn't seem to have followed you inside at all... Lan Xichen gives you a gentle smile.]

You know the Lan Sect's rules -- no talking about others unless they're present.

[he taps his chin thoughtfully]

You are very curious, aren't you? You almost remind me of someone.

[weiyingdown]

Who do I remind you of? A student of yours?

[he was enough of a disaster during his time visiting the Cloud Recesses; he can hardly imagine a student like him being part of the Lan Sect.

But it's because the thought is so hilarious that he can't stop from smiling]

[one_note]

[Lan Xichen is still smiling at him benignly, a glitter of amusement in his expression now. he stands to go to a tea set in the corner and takes a moment, back to Wei Wuxian, to begin preparing it.]

Please, I insist -- let's have something to drink. Wangji so rarely gets visitors here.

[returns with the tea and passes Wei Wuxian a cup]

Hm, hm... I suppose one story would be fine, without names. It was all so very long ago. Yes, it was a student studying with the Lan Sect.

[weiyingdown]

[taking the tea cup with a nod and sipping at it]

If it was a long time ago then you both must have been much younger.

[one_note]

Of course, but it was after my time taking lessons with Uncle. I only caught glimpses now and then.

[chuckles into his teacup before sipping, indulgent]

This student did very well in his classes — his cultivation was excellent — but he was quite shy. Now, his mind, he would speak any day! But he was always a bit embarrassed to show his feelings... no matter how obvious they were.

[weiyingdown]

[he can't help but try to think of who this cultivator might be. had he met him before? it was hard to tell with only that description.]

Bottling things up like that couldn't have been good for him. It can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings.