jigokulogs | (Open) March March March March March

Entry tags:

(Open) March March March March March

Who ⬤ Lan Wangji and YOU (in March)
What ⬤ March 2022 Substories & Lan Wangji's day in the life (in March)
When ⬤ March (March)
Where ⬤ Various locations (in March)
Content Warnings ⬤ Drug use for High Definition! Others will be added if they come up.

1. high definition (March 2022 substory #2)

1a. body blocked

[Lan Wangji does not prowl the streets. that word has connotations of hunting stealth, and while there's definitely something predatory about the way his sharp pale eyes take in everything in front of him, even in a city of fantastical yao there's nothing hidden about the way he contrasts with his background. he's a tall man dressed all in white, and he sweeps through the highly-saturated advertising in a shopping district in Tamamo territory like a spirit with a spotlight focused on himself.

his eyes are narrowed, as if in annoyance, and his face is blank as a statue's. the only acknowledgement he makes of the wares being offered on either side of him is a particularly intense glower whenever something especially racy catches his eye or waves to him from a window.

whatever his destination, he doesn't quite make it -- his stately progress is interrupted by someone inebriated stumbling directly into his path.]

--!

[Lan Wangji jerks aside just in time to avoid a collision and reaches to get a hand under the offender's elbow before they crash into him anyway and finish the job. it saves them from falling, but not from the fierce weight of his full attention when he glares down at them.]

...

Careless.

[do you witness this poor soul's misfortune and come to the rescue, or is the hapless Lost Soul you?]

1b. civic responsibility

[alternately, it's been several hours, and three or four blind or panicking clinical testers have caught Lan Wangji's attention. he's identified the source and dragged them all back to the gyokuto's drug testing headquarters location. Lan Wangji (tall, dignified, arguably surrounded with photoshop lens flare effects) is staring across a steel counter at the gyokuto with what appears to be a kind of high-octane Charged Bemusement. the gyokuto is gazing back at him with equal bemusement, but of a much more polite, clinical variety. I am waiting for all of this to make sense, her look seems to say, but I am a rabbit of science and willing to let the experiment play out. it must be emphasized that she is a rabbit.

you are presumably here perceiving this because you've come for your drugs or been dragged here through the streets. frankly, it is a weird staring contest to witness.]

...

Irresponsible. At least, guard those incapacitated.

[Is-This-A-Real-Doctor Rabbit does not seem to be following Lan Wangji's logic.

do you see his point? or has this straight-edged Dhaoists Gone Wild model wannabe interrupted your evening? has he been standing between you and your paid high to argue with a bunny for like, ten fucking minutes already?]

2. look at this sweet jacket (March 2022 substory #3)

[Lan Wangji is no stranger to resolving differences between humans, human spirits, and other creatures. there's a process to these things: in order to achieve the preferred outcome of liberating rather than destroying an an earthbound spirit, you need to convince it to go willingly. that means observing the evidence carefully and listening to what people say. eventually, the grudge or strong feeling at the bottom of the spirit's urge to cause mischief reveals itself, and you have something to work with when you return to lay down your demands.

in this case, he's observed the circumstances. he's heard the both sides of the story. and the answer is that everyone here is annoying.

by sheer force of personality and the tendency of others not to argue when he tells them to follow him and walks imperiously away, he's managed to get one of the hashihime and the man with the jacket to a neutral, non-bridge patch of waterfront to discuss the situation. but at this point he's listened to the man patronizingly explain to the hashihime three times over that she shouldn't be jealous of his jacket, because not everyone can wear them like he can. she has started repeating everything he says back to him in a higher voice, while making air quotes with her fingers, and while this feels understandable it is not helping. as an approach, it also just causes Jacket Guy to decide she doesn't get what he's saying, and restart his explanation.

Lan Wangji stares at the tableau in front of him with his hands tucked into his sleeves. he is a picture of majestic and intimidating calm. he has a headache and wishes deeply to throw them both into the river.

does anyone with a better command of words (or fewer inhibitions about river tossing) see this and care to come along and ~~help him out~~ ~~make his life worse~~ help him out?]

3. welcome to the Night Parade (March 2022 substory #4)

3a. this feels familiar

[obviously, booze is going to flow like water on the night of the Night Parade. just as obviously, those who want to be selling it at marked-up prices during the event don't want people slipping illicit BYOB goods through the checkpoints around their businesses.

Lan Wangji gives the latest enterprising would-be smuggler a flat stare across the box of decorations and other materials he's just examined. he tugs a piece of cloth away to reveal the shine of a bottle, not breaking eye contact. more boxes to check are stacked up next to him on either side, making it clear that this offense is just One More Fucking Thing in his evening. thanks.]

Alcohol is forbidden.

[do you care to comment from your own duties nearby, or are you a booze criminal?]

3b. something fishy

[like many Lost Souls barred from the Kappa's parade route have found, Lan Wangji hasn't found the explanations given for why the area is off limits very satisfying. he did climb to a higher vantage point one night to try to observe any illicit activities, but wasn't able to see much from there -- and he isn't unaware that stealth missions aren't his strong suit. with the rest of the Sukotu Alliance's tacit disapproval of doing anything that might sour relations with the Kappa hanging over his head, he's not inclined to push that route further on his own... but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to know what's going on.

he's decided to try to pry more into the cover story instead. what's so special about the city's utilities that the Kappa can use them for whatever they're doing, anyway? why would they be positioned in a way that makes them a good excuse here? are there actually vulnerabilities to guard, incidental or not?

unfortunately the only way to get information like deeds and records is to petition the city's administration, which they discourage by any means possible. which is why you can find Lan Wangji either glaring down a bored clerk in one of the lower floors of Kaigo no Bou, or tucked into a small eating-house with a window that faces the disputed part of the parade route. once in a while he'll look up and rest his eyes on the uninformative water of the river; then he'll return to filling out the stack of forms an inch thick in front of him.

the bureaucratic peanut gallery -- or the other seat of the booth -- is open.]

3c. on the heights

[of course, if you had been standing on the roof of a tall building to observe what you could of the Kappa activities on the same night as Lan Wangji proved great minds thought alike... you might have seen someone else on the skyline, doing the same thing as you nearby. uh oh! your new spy friend is dressed in white and if he steps out one more foot he's going to be really obvious.]

4. literally anything goes here

((respond with your own prompt, or hit me up by journal PM if you want me to write a specific starter for you! from fights to gambling dens to street theater to host clubs to more dangerous info gathering, there's an opportunity to meet Lan Wangji there and get judged for your life choices.

more event-related prompts available here.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[he'll exchange glances with the bunny over Wei Wuxian's head; resigned indifference on her part, slightly strained but impassive bewilderment on his. he is clearly going to have to wing this one. rabbits never actually give him social cues. they are useless to him, and probably holding out.

as gently as he can:]

Wei Ying.

You must free Madame Gyokuto.

Nooo.

[baps him on the chest a little more forcefully, for emphasis rather than a real blow]

She'll fall. You should show some concern for that if she's a friend of yours, you know!

[frowns down at him in concern! he looks so worn and shadowed in this light. he's too thin against Lan Wangji's arm. this close conversation is at the same time a source of heart-pounding, hair-raising understanding that Wei Wuxian is near, and a cause for more of the same worries that have plagued their last several years.

he will continue placing his words carefully into the conversation, very much aware that Wei Wuxian might at any second get angry at him (fine) or startle and flee like a baby deer (not fine).]

...

This concerns you?

Edited 2022-03-10 05:22 (UTC)

[he oozes a little further sideways, supremely unhelpful to either Lan Wangji's nerves or his own balance. his weight lists against Lan Wangji's arm hard before he catches himself.]

Ha--oops.

[finds Lan Wangji's shoulder to pull himself up straight again, like a kitten climbing a human's leg in pursuit of treats]

I don't know if you realize it, big as you are, but normal-sized maiden buns are very delicate! What if she breaks her leg!

["Hm," is the gyokuto's neutral input on that. she is still observing him carefully.]

[he'll shift a bit to better support Wei Wuxian's weight, putting his shoulder at his back. it's not really a conscious decision. just--]

I will not permit falling.

[he narrows his eyes at the gyokuto's observation. seems sus.]

Ah, so helpful. Only bunnies are truly helpful today, perhaps I'll rethink cooking them in future...

[the gyokuto seems unmoved by his judgement or Wei Wuxian's talk. take some of her drugs first and then she might be more interested, buddy.

she does glance over at the nearby sketchy lab building, though, like, hey, if he can just get Wei Wuxian to sit on the ground, she can hop down and get back to work without him throwing a fit, and they can work out whatever crises they're having on their own without a third wheel? surely that's a mutually beneficial plan of action, right?]

[when the gyokuto looks back, Lan Wangji's narrow-eyed, suspicious glare has not changed. possibly it has not even moved. he is not a cooperator of convenience; and less so when he thinks that the person he is cooperating with, however fluffy, possibly just got Wei Wuxian high out of his fucking mind.

he turns a softer look on Wei Wuxian, though, still uncertain what to do with him here... he can't leave him alone with his hallucinations and an unwilling yao escort, that's the only thing he's sure of.]

...

Wei Ying.

You are unwell. What would help?

[the gyokuto sighs pointedly. Wei Wuxian lists heavy against his shoulder, eyes half-lidded and thankfully not red, and rubs his cheek against Lan Wangji's robe a bit]

Ah, soft.

[this is some kind of ironic nightmare for Lan Wangji personally. well, he is in Hell.]

[Lan Wangji glares at the gyokuto. some suspicions have solidified in his mind.]

What would help?

[if you want me to get you out of this, his tone says, tell me what you did and how to fix it. at the least, he wants to make Wei Wuxian more comfortable till this wears off.]

[she does not seem ruffled, but she also doesn't seem to mind explaining. "It's a voluntary drug test," she says simply enough. "He volunteered."

to be fair to her, Wei Wuxian seems pretty comfortable like this, even if it's only because he is clearly not in his right mind.]

[repeating himself, in a slightly strained tone:]

What would help?

[he had put some things together from context clues, gyokuto! there are recruiting posters on the city streets! they are next to a shady apothecary of some kind! Wei Wuxian is hallucinating!

does he need electrolytes]

["It's in experimental stages," she explains patiently, "So that hasn't been confirmed yet. You'll have to use your best judgement."

humans know best what humans need, right?]

...

...

...

Wei Ying.

Do not trust this creature.

[THIS IS JUST, A LOT. YOU SIMPLY MUST ADMIT THAT IT IS A LOT.

with a tiny sigh, he does extend a hand for the gyokuto, though.]

I will ensure her safety, however.

Are you friends? So nice, so nice. Don't worry, I don't trust anybody.

[he does hand over the gyokuto pretty easily, though; she allows herself to be transferred with dignity, though her ears flick a little with what might be frustration at this point]

[she is rewarded for her patience! Lan Wangji will carefully put her on the ground, and her lab is easy to reach from here. true to his word, she is not allowed to fall.

he straightens back up slowly, having supported Wei Wuxian's weight without letting him shift much throughout the maneuver.]

...

Do you not?

[that came out a little more wistful than he wanted it to, though no one but Lan Xichen could likely tell. his brother's knack for being able to read his face and voice at a glance is a curse and a blessing he already misses, as far as it goes.]

[off she goes, after a brisk nod to him! Wei Wuxian waves a lazy goodbye after her. head empty only rabbits, who are fine and won't judge you for being a fuckup, or maybe they will, but it doesn't really matter because they're rabbits, and their judgment is adorable]

Ah, do you want to know a secret, my big fluffy friend? It's not pleasant, but I'll tell you, if you want.

[Lan Wangji can't answer that question. he both wants to hear whatever Wei Wuxian would say to him, and is aware that Wei Wuxian isn't in his mind right now to tell him. is it entrapment to say "yes, I want to hear you keep talking forever" when the man using your shoulder as a walking stick apparently thinks you are a rabbit?

speaking of which... Wei Wuxian needs water, at the very least. foods that are easy on the stomach, if his understanding of what helps drunks is applicable here. a soft place to lay down. he doesn't know where Wei Wuxian lives, but Lan Wangji has his own quarters, and there are inns nearby.]

I would listen.

[he says finally, voice soft. and:]

Take care.

[that's all his feelings on the matter. it's also commentary on them walking an experimental step or two; he's checking to see how well a well-supported Wei Wuxian with a hand on his back to steady him can keep on his own feet.]

I'm all right!

[he can actually walk! he's wobbly, but not going in circles or folding at the knees. it seems like his leaning so heavily on Lan Wangji is more because he wants to put his face on a giant imaginary rabbit, and not because he's so blitzed he needs support to get anywhere.]

And, ehh, well, it's not a long story or anything. Most people I'd trust are dead, that's all.

[the lighthearted tone isn't very convincing, even when he's in this state]

Edited 2022-03-14 03:47 (UTC)

[he'll keep his hand on Wei Wuxian's back anyway. he might scold himself for taking advantage, in another situation, but in this case he's actually legitimately concerned that the effect of the drug will worsen as it hits Wei Wuxian's system more -- he doesn't know how long he's been in this state, especially as they're apparently barely out of the lab that the gyokuto just vanished into again. if he really wasn't worried about it, he wouldn't let himself use the excuse.

he feels his throat close for a moment at that faux-lighthearted tone, the words themselves, as he carefully guides Wei Wuxian down the street.]

I am sorry.

Ah, no need for that. That happened a long way away from here.

[Wei Wuxian offers a little pat on the shoulder he's using as a face crutch, and a long sigh.

it is what it is, giant strange supportive rabbit. it is what it is, until he's put enough work in to ensure that it isn't. that's what he keeps telling himself. it hasn't worked very well to comfort him yet, somehow.]

You should be careful too, ah? If you have any big bun family here, you should do your best to keep them safe.

...

There is someone I would keep safe.

[Lan Wangji's voice is very quiet, reflective. there's no family of his here, he thinks, but he unexpectedly found Wei Wuxian in this city of lost souls.

he doesn't think it will be any easier this time around. what if Wei Wuxian dies again, here...? life is cheap in cities. someone could knife him while he's staggering drunk; whatever the sketchy rabbit gave him could have had bad side effects; there are a million dangers...

he doesn't know what keeping someone safe might mean, after they're dead already. after both of you might be, for all that he's still hazy on how he came to be here himself.]

If I can.

Is this place so wild that even buns have to worry about things like that all the time? Ah, I suppose you're not ordinary ones. Ordinary ones wouldn't hold a conversation with me like this! Don't take offense, I'm new here.

[he laughs at himself. it makes him wobble a little more for a moment, half-stumbling over his own feet for a step, then steady out again, bearing some of Lan Wangji's fears out. just alchohol is one thing -- he's never likely to be able to get so blind-drunk that he'd be defenseless -- but the sheer amount of other complicating substances in this city is definitely a problem. even this drug would be enough to kill him. someone could just shiv him like this and he'd die thinking they were a cute bunny rabbit and he'd just fallen on the knife himself. hell, Lan Wangji could reach out right this second and break his neck, and he'd die thinking Lan Wangji was a cute bunny rabbit that had just underestimated his strength.

that is definitely solely a Lan Wangji problem right now though. Wei Wuxian is way too high to worry about his own mortality. even the sting of talking about his very real non-hypothetical dead seems very floaty and far away.]

Do you want help? I don't mind helping, if I can.

Yes.

[he will not disdain this offer, even if it's being made to an imaginary bunny. he is too heartsore and desperate for that. there are many things he wouldn't do for Wei Wuxian, but the Venn diagram of what he would do if he could take an action and still remain himself is a circle.]

You should take care.

You must guard your body. Eat and sleep properly.

Do not take strange substances from rabbits.

[another laugh, soft and odd into the fabric of his robes]

Ah, that wasn't what I was offering, I think. Though you don't need to worry about me either, responsible bun. It's not as though I'm not enjoying the meals here.

[sleep and strange substances are something else entirely. even in this state he doesn't easily make that promise.]

It is what you offered.

[he doesn't explain more than that, or argue about the rest. he just goes quiet, guiding Wei Wuxian carefully farther down the street.]

...

Where do you stay?

[he's already trying to think what he'll do, if Wei Wuxian won't tell him. take him back to his own place...? would it be taken as attempted imprisonment? a hotel...?]

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