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

[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...?]

[hums, starts to point vaguely in the direction of the Sutoku area, pauses, and drops his hand]

Huh.

[mildly surprised]

I don't really remember...?

[he will when he's sober, and he might if he'd stayed in it longer enough for any personal connection to register, but right now his housing is just a place to heat up food and sleep at the end of the day. not that he doesn't appreciate that, but it's not his.]

...

[he'll just ask, he supposes. if it doesn't seem like a good idea, he can reevaluate, but he'd rather at least try to give Wei Wuxian his choices. despite the poor results his choices have had so far on this particular evening.]

Is there anywhere you wish to go?

[he's probably not going to take him to another bar, but...]

[that thoughtful little hum again. the answer is, perhaps, unexpected:]

Take me somewhere nice.

[there's a few moments of silence, then a "Mm" of acknowledgement. Lan Wangji turns them southeast. it's a bit of a walk to get where he's going, but the pace is easy, he keeps a supportive hand on Wei Wuxian's back, and they do pause for at least one break while he stops to speak with a street vendor. he receives a paper bag for his trouble, hands over some money, and keeps them gently moving.

it turns out that a short distance from the corner of Kyoukao and Toukatsu, there's a spot with a tiny green park and a little terrace. if one gets steered that way by a silent escort, one can sit on the small, grassy hill there to watch the river and anachronistic, unbelievable play of lights from the city beyond.

it seems to be what Lan Wangji has in mind. he'll sit and tug Wei Wuxian down (gently, making sure he doesn't just fall over).

Edited 2022-03-18 01:38 (UTC)

[Wei Wuxian's thoughts are soup, pleasantly so, and Lan Wangji has been handling him so gently, and so without killing intent, that it raises no alarms even from his over-honed reflexes. he follows along easily, more interested in keeping his face on his new rabbit friend than watching where they're going, and when they sit he leans heavily into his shoulder, a little like this except hiding his face.

despite his request, he might actually need some coaxing to eat or look at the view.]

[he isn't immediately disturbed; as fussy as Lan Wangji is, he needs a minute or two to carefully extract his purchases and spread the bag on the ground for a place for them to eat. he'd have brought a picnic blanket and a basket and maybe chairs if he'd known this was coming, probably. he's very devoted to being disgustingly prepared.

when he's done, he'll finally nudge Wei Wuxian and wait for him to acknowledge it before folding his hands around a takeout bowl piled high with malatang skewers, broth and extra chilies. he hasn't said anything since his brief injunction to "wait" back at the shop where he bought it.]

[he whines in complaint, but slowly emerges, drawn by his nose and the smell of hot spicy food and the warmth seeping into his hands. stares down at the bowl, dumbfounded, as though he thinks it's appeared in front of him by magic]

...eh?

[Lan Wangji tilts his head to watch Wei Wuxian out of the corner of his eye. there's something soft about his near-changeless expression.

Wei Wuxian's face, painted by the darkness and the rainbow glare of neon from across the water, is still unbearably beautiful to him. the last time he was able to eat a meal while resting his eyes on these familiar features feels like a lifetime ago. in many ways, perhaps it was.]

...

Eat.

Ah, friend, are you perhaps a miracle-working rabbit? Should I...what was it?Accept strange substances from you?

[there's a laugh in his voice as he says that; teasing, like he teased Lan Wangji before everything went irrevocably wrong. perhaps he's thinking of that time too, somewhere in the muddled haze of his mind; Lan Wangji doesn't know.

strange, how much one-sided anonymity helps them. let's hope stuffing his face with hot broth and skewers doesn't clear the drug from his system just yet.]

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