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[from here]

Okay, I will be here.

[which is fine, sizhui doesn't mind waiting as long it takes, especially since he's found a bench to sit on. the moment he spots his adoptive father, however, he's immediately back on his feet, one hand lifted and waving in greeting.] Hanguang-jun!

[ He makes his way over, and though he usually isn't terribly physically affectionate, he hasn't seen Sizhui in a few months. And so, he does do his general greeting, which is just to come over and acknowledge him with: ]

Sizhui.

[ But then, with little other warning, he pulls his son into an embrace.

He's really missed him. ]

[a verbal greeting is exactly what he's expected and sizhui returns it with,] I'm so glad you— [but is immediately cut off when lan wangji bridges what little distance remains between them and hugs him.

he blinks with astonishment, though somehow manages not to tense. it isn't uncomfortable, per se, he's just not used to this sort of thing, especially not from his stricter father of all people.]

H-Hello, [comes the soft, slightly broken murmur then sizhui' arms lift, circle around the man's middle and squeeze.] I... I'm glad to see you, too.

[ He holds on a little bit longer to Sizhui, holding him close enough for the glowing to start, to generate a little energy. But that's not why he greets him like this. ]

Mn.

Have you seen much?

[ He doesn't want to have to bother Sizhui. They can check out only new places. ]

[it may not be why they're hugging, but sizhui feels his own gem activate and— well, it's... nice; warm and comforting and he doesn't exactly want to let go, but he does with some reluctance.]

Not much, no. Just the area where I arrived and most of Emerald District.

[frankly, even if lan wangji wanted to see everything and he'd already seen it twice over, he wouldn't complain about seeing it all a third time.]

Mn. Then let's finish the market and head in another direction.

[ He backs away only to give Sizhui an easy, micro-smile that, on his face, is practically beaming.

He had been so worried about him only to find that there hadn't been any need to be, that he was safe and sound here. Well, for the time. ]

Okay, that sounds good to me. If it's alright, I'd like to find something here to eat? Nothing too complicated. [even just a piece of fruit or some vegetables would suffice... once he can figure out how they'll pay.

whenever they come apart, sizhui lowers his arms, his own grin widening at the sight of a smile on his father's face, regardless of how small it may be. (it's fine, he has enough exuberance for them both!)

he's just glad to see him in one piece, although it might come off as selfish.]

Anything you would like.

[ He'll happily pay for it. He hasn't seen his son in too long, and, it was a terribly-guarded secret, he has his wallet open for Sizhui anyway. ]

From the market? Or would you like to find a restaurant?

Ah, Hanguang-jun...

[before he can protest any further, however, it seems like lan wangji is already getting ready to pay. and how convenient, sizhui's momentarily distracted by:] Restaurant? [had he missed those? to be fair, his initial thought was something from the market—

but going somewhere for an actual hot meal admittedly sounds pretty appealing.] So long as you don't mind the walking, that is.

I do not mind.

[ He'd taken Sizhui to a restaurant the first time they'd met, after passing by the markets and buying him toys. He does not mind. The only thing missing from this picture is Wei Ying.

As he moves around the market, he quickly purchases something on his card, and wordlessly passes it into Sizhui's hand.

He couldn't find a butterfly, but it turns out pinwheels are pretty universal. ]

Mm. [the softest noise of affirmation as they continue moving along. luckily, that's a memory sizhui had recalled back then, all thanks to the reed butterflies; the one he'd bought himself and the one wen ning had gifted him.

nevertheless, he isn't expecting his father to buy him anything at the market when they're going for food, yet the pinwheel gets passed his way and he accepts without hesitation, grinning wide. maybe he shouldn't be so easily delighted by something as simple as this, but it's a present from lan wangji, who could likely hand him a literal rock and he'd love it.

he holds the stick between his fingers, gently waving the pinwheel so it spins while they walk, carefully avoiding any passersby. softly, just for their ears alone, the boy murmurs,] Thank you.

[ He would never just hand his son a rock like that, because he wants him to have nice things like this pinwheel. He also wants Sizhui to have nice things like being able to live at Cloud Recesses instead of here, but there's time. ]

You are welcome.

[ He will also be putting Sizhui's groceries on his tab, mostly because he'd always lived off of Lan money and he doesn't know why that should have to end for Sizhui.

He also keeps an eye out for cute little restaurants they can poke their heads into on the way around town. ]

[you spoil him, wangji— but again, there aren't any complaints from sizhui, and it's likely there never will be; pinwheels and other toys, it doesn't matter, he wants (and will) collect everything his father gives him.

at some point, he'll start making his own money and will return the kindness in little gestures too, just as he'd done before back in their homeworld.]

Hanguang-jun, [comes the boy's voice, soft and inquisitive during their wandering as he reaches with his free hand to catch lan wangji's sleeve, gesturing toward a nearby building that says ‘tea house’ with the pinwheel.] What about that one? [because obviously anything with tea has to be good, right?]

We will see.

[ He walks with Sizhui up to the building marked tea house, and it's a lot busier in there than he'd like, less because of the people and more because of the excessive decoration. But perhaps their taste was like Wonderland had been.

It is useful that they've started pasting menus in the window, and he stops to look at this one. ]

Would you like to eat here?

[ At least, the smells wafting out are quite nice. ]

Okay. [sizhui initially follows close behind, though moves to stand beside his father once they reach the building. he tilts his head sideways, considering, humming a soft, thoughtful noise to himself while examining the menu.

it seems like they have a pretty decent variety and really, is he going to turn down a place that serves tea?]

Is that alright? [can lan wangji suffer the obnoxious overdecorating for his son? if not, maybe the scents are more enticing! and perhaps the little smile coming across sizhui's face alongside his comment will be further encouragement.] It sure smells good... and they do have tea.

[ He will, and he'll do so gladly. He walks into the establishment with Sizhui, and they're immediately taken to a table by a very chipper young waiter and handed a couple menus. ]

What do you recommend?

[ They start going on and on about cakes, so Lan Wangji assumes it's something of a special that they do. He supposes they could indulge in a little cake... ]

[how exciting! sizhui does his best to let his physical enthusiasm be more muted, of course, but doesn't resist smiling as he follows lan wangji inside. shortly thereafter, they're both being led by their cheery host to a table where the boy sits right away and begins scanning the menu he's handed for tea flavors.

the person goes on and on about cake, which he assumes they would pass on, but whenever his father doesn't say ‘no,’ he pipes,] Could I try the miniature vanilla layered cake?

[ Lan Wangji thinks about it and then decides: ]

I will have a lavender lemon cake. And we will take a pot of jasmine.

[ The waiter is happy to take their order back, and Lan Wangji is happy for the time he gets to spend with his son. ]

What is the last thing you remember?

[jasmine tea sounds lovely, as does lavender lemon cake, but sizhui's pleased with his choice of vanilla. perhaps he can try that one another time since he's sure he'll be coming back here, despite it being their first time.

he grins outright at the host, even bows his head, then once they're alone, sizhui straightens and softens somewhat. the last thing i remember?]

Seeing you and Wei-qianbei off before leaving with Wen Ning.

[ His gaze softens. That was such a long time ago for him, now. It had been several months at the hotel, and then several months before that at home, waiting for Wei Ying to return to Cloud Recesses. He had hoped that Sizhui and Wen Ning were well on their journey. ]

After you left, Wei Ying and I were moved, like we were moved here, to a hotel.

[ That could at least help explain some things. ]

Time is... strange, on places like these.

[technically, the last thing he remembers was arriving here, but sizhui's smart enough to figure out that lan wangji surely means back home; seeing his expression soften as well confirms that. their journey should've been fine, they would have made it to qishan with no trouble, without a doubt— but who knows yet? one can only hope.

hotel, huh? weird, that word almost sounds familiar...] What was it called? [isn't there something called a ‘hotel’ here, too?]

It's always different, I think, but strange in what way?

The hotel was called Happy Hearts. It was located somewhere in Wonderland.

[ Yeah, it's a long story, but he doesn't have to tell it because it has no relevance to what they're doing here, right? They can just continue talking about time. ]

Time is not linear. Before I had arrived at the hotel, you and Wen Ning had already left for some months.

[ Hence... strange. ]

Happy Hearts in Wonderland. [sounds odd, let's be real here, though it's not as if ‘noctium’ sounds any less bizarre. normally, he'd have asked more about this other hotel but something tells him that's best saved for another time.

being fair, it's not really his business since he wasn't there and wouldn't understand anyway.]

Is that so? [strange indeed.] Because leaving with him is the last thing I remember.

Mn.

[ So yes, time is kind of a strange construct here. ]

Wei Ying does not remember that at all. When he came to the hotel, the last thing he remembered was coming back from the dead.

He will be pleased to see you.

[ Maybe he can take Sizhui to see his a-niang after this. ]

[coming back from the dead? he doesn't quite remember exactly how long ago... but wow, it's been a while since then. sizhui opens his mouth to say something, hesitates, second-guessing what he thinks he might want to say and instead going with,]

Did you inform him of the [pause] happenings back home?

Ah... I'd be thrilled to see him, too. [this works out perfect, actually, keeping in mind he'd wanted to visit wei wuxian at his and lan wangji's new place anyway.]

@lan wangji (voice → action)

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