[ open post: Lan Wangji and guests ]

[lightbearinglord]

In the wake of his disorienting and unpleasant stint in Gu Xiang's body, Lan Wangji has done his utmost to resume and enjoy all of his usual pursuits. He has, he believes, thoroughly made up for his lapse in his promise to Wei Ying. He has wielded kitchen knives, his ink brush, and Bichen with precision and enthusiasm. He has sunk into long, restorative shichen of meditation. He has, at Claudius' behest, thoroughly perused Emily Post's instructions regarding how to conduct oneself as the best man at a wedding.

There is the matter of his qin, too. The discovery of the spirit in Gideon's sword struck Lan Wangji with greater surprise than he might have expected. Such things were once commonplace for him; he hardly went two weeks, before he came to this place, without finding himself called to some night-hunt. He does not like to believe that he could become complacent, and he has always practiced diligently, but still.

The tableau is a familiar one: a certain parlor near the entryway of the mansion, one that often houses this particular cultivator along with his spiritual instrument. Wangji is balanced on a table at the center of the room, polished black wood gleaming and strings freshly tuned, and Lan Wangji sits cross-legged before it. He is not actually playing it at this precise moment, however, because he currently has guests. A small white rabbit sits next to the qin, munching his way through a piece of lettuce. An equally small brown rabbit is perched in the crook of Lan Wangji's elbow, eyeing his brother with some envy. Ostensibly, the rabbits are in trouble, because they have recently laid waste to Lan Wangji's copy of Emma. It is impossible to tell, because Lan Wangji is petting Danding's head with exactly as much solemn focus as always.

Comments

[rememberettersberg]

"Very sweet." He smiles. "Another attempt at stage magic or were they more intentional?"

[lightbearinglord]

There's the slightest twitch of amusement somewhere around Lan Wangji's eyebrows as he recalls Aziraphale's talent show performance. "Claudius requested them for me," he clarifies. There is a fairly ridiculous story that goes along with that fact, but he chooses not to dwell on it.

[rememberettersberg]

"That illuminates very little," he says with a laugh. "May I meet them?"

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji nods, indicating that Nightingale may indeed come in and meet them, and resumes his seat as an invitation for him to sit opposite Lan Wangji. Now having a general sense of the best way to engineer a successful meeting between the rabbits and a new human, he is already plucking a few fresh lettuce leaves from the qiankun pouch at his waist.

[rememberettersberg]

Nightingale sits with a nod and holds out his hand for some lettuce. "Hello there," he says very seriously to the young bunnies.

[lightbearinglord]

Of course, Lan Wangji passes Nightingale the lettuce, which has the rabbits approaching him without delay. Xiaoxue hops directly over the qin; Danding slips under the table to make his way over so he can receive his offering. "The white rabbit is named Xiaoxue," Lan Wangji informs Nightingale. "The brown rabbit, Danding."

[rememberettersberg]

"Xiaoxue, Danding." Nightingale bows to each of them as he repeats their names, presenting their leafy tribute with a flourish. "What charming little creatures they are. Have you had pets before?"

[lightbearinglord]

Nightingale is instantly on the verge of making two very small friends for life. Lan Wangji watches with banked fondness as they set to the task of destroying that lettuce. "Not in this way. The back hills of the Cloud Recesses are populated with rabbits. I cared for them when possible." Sizhui must be doing the same in his absence.

[rememberettersberg]

"How wonderful." He wiggles his fingers a little as Danding snuffles them for more treats. "London is quite overrun with foxes but they tend to themselves for the most part."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji hands Nightingale one more lettuce leaf. The rabbits' desires truly are difficult to deny. "And none are kept as pets?" He has read of London, by now, and knows that it is a large and industrial kind of city. The thought of foxes populating it is somewhat charming.

[rememberettersberg]

"It's not permitted under our laws." Nightingale touches a fuzzy little ear with a small smile. "Foxes are considered too wild, in spite of their propensity to trot around the city scavenging for fried chicken and chips. Though I think many people cultivate friendly relationships with foxes that have chosen their gardens to live in."

[lightbearinglord]

Keeping animals as pets is also, as per the rules, forbidden at the Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji kept the rabbits that Wei Ying foisted upon him anyway. He's quiet for a beat or two, eyes on the rabbits, before he speaks again. "Claudius told me that you may be hosting an event for the discussion of magic."

[rememberettersberg]

"It's been on my mind, yes." He offers up another lettuce leaf. "I think it might turn out to be important for us to know exactly what we're capable of as a group."

[lightbearinglord]

The rabbits, naturally, are thrilled with this new offering. Lan Wangji's own expression is on the slightly graver side. "Mn. It seems the rules are different for everyone." This is not his favorite aspect of the mansion. He prefers rules to be knowable and fixed.