[ 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

[futaille]

"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."

[lightbearinglord]

"He likes you," Lan Wangji points out calmly. In order to prevent Danding from staging an outright revolt, he retrieves another piece of lettuce and begins feeding it to the rabbit still in his own arms.

[futaille]

"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."

[lightbearinglord]

Xiaoxue, quite happy with the situation in which he's found himself, has begun to happily melt into a neatly-tucked bundle of rabbit. The visual remains wildly endearing.

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

Grantaire is most likely not paying attention to Lan Wangji's face and will not see the glimmer of a smile that crosses his features. Still, it is worth noting. "Typically, they play by chewing on the wooden toys my husband whittles for them. You are welcome to try that."

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

"Mn," Lan Wangji says, in acknowledgement that the form of the wood in question matters considerably less than its palatability for chewing. "I was suggesting that you could join them in the chewing, if you are dedicated to a thorough study of entertainments."

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji, of course, meets Grantaire's gaze with unimpeachable impassivity. "How does the rest of your compilation fare?"

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

"I have rarely been." There are several reasons for this, his persistent distaste for Shen Yuan chief among them.

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

"They are calming companions," Lan Wangji agrees. He gives Danding an affectionate stroke all down his spine, starting just between the ears. "Do you know weiqi?"

[futaille]

His eyebrows rise curiously. "I have not. What is it?"

[lightbearinglord]

"A game of strategy, and one of the four gentlemanly arts." Surely any respectable compilation of games and entertainments would need to begin with weiqi.

[futaille]

"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.

[lightbearinglord]

"It is a game of territory. One player utilizes white stones; the other, black. The aim is to control the greatest portion of the board, and to capture one's opponent's stones to achieve that aim." Lan Wangji is still methodically petting Danding as he describes this. "The rules are simple, but it is not an easy game."

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

"It contains nineteen lines in each direction. That creates three hundred and sixty-one spaces for the stones. There are smaller boards for beginners."

[futaille]

"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."

[lightbearinglord]

Lan Wangji would like to put Grantaire and Wei Ying in a room together, make himself a pot of tea, and spend the next several incense times listening in complete silence. He imagines they could talk directly until nightfall. "Mn," he says, not himself inclined toward attempting to meet Grantaire's impressive verbosity. "I can teach you."

[futaille]

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."

[lightbearinglord]

Obviously, rabbit husbandry does not somehow take up every moment of Lan Wangji's day. If it did, he would not have rabbits, given his duties at husband husbandry. He doesn't bother saying that. "What game?"

[futaille]

"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."