lightbearinglord: (qin & bunny)
Lan Wangji (蓝忘机) ([personal profile] lightbearinglord) wrote2024-03-08 08:16 am

[ open post: Lan Wangji and guests ]

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.
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-08 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"And all things in moderation for well-behaved rabbits. Except for pets, in which they can indulge all they like. Yes, small monsieur, I shall continue until you desire no more."
futaille: (snark)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-08 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course he does; I'm extremely likable," he says dryly, continuing to give Xiaoxue all the pets he deserves. "Or at least provide adequate enough head scratches."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-08 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Grantaire then risks carefully picking Xiaoxue up and holding him against his chest, continuing the scratches all the while. "Why yes, small monsieur. You are in fact due the lap of luxury, far more than any man ever has, possibly especially the ones who have received it. Greens and melons and affection for as far as your bright shining eyes can see. I would say recreation as well, but I know not what games rabbits play, and I know the ones I am most familiar with would not suit at all. But in my continuing education into entertainment, should I find one, I will most certainly come find you and tell you all about it. You seem a discerning individual, and would undoubtedly outstrip me at it in no time."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-08 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
He nods sagely. "Ah, wood. Not my customary medium, although I could make an attempt. Poorness of form would I'm sure be forgiven by the distinguished recipient as long as the wood of choice was properly chewable. Clearly a soft wood, good for the lapine teeth."
futaille: (grin)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Oh and that is a challenge if he's ever heard one. He very briefly diverts his gaze from Xiaoxue to Lan Wangji, a mischievous grin spreading on his face. "Of course, it would be entirely irresponsible of me not to. Testing for splinters and the like, and exploring rabbit entertainment in my compilation."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
He continues petting Xiaoxue as he quite happily answers. "It's been a quite charming variety of old mainstays from back home, new variations on those old mainstays, and entirely new discoveries. The game room is certainly a multifaceted delight."
futaille: (smirk)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Grantaire shrugs very slightly, in deference to the rabbit still against his chest. "That's fair. Not everything is going to be for everyone, obviously." He pauses. "Possibly except for making the acquaintance of rabbits, because I cannot fathom how that would not be beneficial for all mankind."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
His eyebrows rise curiously. "I have not. What is it?"
futaille: (bright)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not the most strategic1, but I'm intrigued. How do you play?"

1Technically true although he's selling himself short2, at least when it comes to game playing, as needed.
2I know. Shocking.
futaille: (profile)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
Grantaire is of course still petting Xiaoxue in turn. "How large is the board? I imagine it must be sizable if it's particularly difficult."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm sure there are, but why use one of those and be intimidated anew every time you ascend to a larger one when you could instead be intimidated all in one go while you simultaneously manage to work through the phase of learning something where you're awful at it? There's efficiency to be found."
futaille: (Default)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-09 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
They would undoubtedly have the ability to talk even longer. Grantaire shrugs. "If it wouldn't take you away overmuch from the rabbit husbandry, I can probably attempt to learn. Although in return, I'd like to teach you a game as well."
futaille: (grin)

[personal profile] futaille 2024-03-10 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, there are a few good options." He contemplates. Dominoes is out, because matching one seated table game with another would just be redundant. Billiards is a reasonable choice, but... the contrast between Lan Wangji's entire demeanor and another option is just too good to resist.

"Pinball, I think."

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