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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.]

[ He takes a breath and places his tea down. ]

I have informed him of Jin Guangyao, and of Nie Mingjue. There is much else to be discussed.

[ But also Sizhui knows his papa isn't one for explaining long stories, and it's a long story. ]

Regardless. After this, if you have time, we should go see him.

[for a split second, the boy thinks he's misstepped whenever lan wangji sets his tea down, which makes him visibly stiffen momentarily. he softens afterward though, exhales a relieved breath and fidgets with his own cup.]

In due time. [they needn't rush into explaining after they've all been dumped onto this new world and have barely regained their bearings yet.

and yes, that's also a good point.] Once we are finished here, I would very much like to see him.

Mn.

[ He pushes the pastry he's ordered over so that Sizhui can give it a try. ]

It is better not to bring up all at once.

[ And there's nothing to 'hide' anymore, that's really the important part. ]

[sizhui's gaze immediately downcasts to his father's dessert – sorry, not sorry! – and examines the delicate lavender lemon cake, eyebrows lifted with interest as he carefully breaks a piece off. it gets put in his mouth and while he mmms with delight, his free hand pushes the vanilla cake toward lan wangji so he can try. (if he wants, that is!)

he nods, waits until he's finished chewing to say,] No reason to overwhelm him like that. [then, without really considering manners, sizhui reaches out toward his cake he'd ordered and takes some of it, too.

a distraction during his brief consideration of how hard it'll be to keep quiet about some things if certain situations arise.]

[ He does politely take a small piece of cake from Sizhui so they can share, but not too much because he doesn't like things that are too sweet. In fact, it's a little too creamy for him, so he's glad he went with lemon, since the acidity cuts through a little. ]

Mn.

[ This just means he approves. ]

Do you like it?

[the offer is there and taken and that's what matters to sizhui. his father needn't have any more if it's too much for him, but the boy actually sort of likes the overly sugary taste. the lavender lemon truly is divine as well, though; they weren't kidding when they said it was a specialty.

he hums at the noise, nods delightedly toward the question.]

I do! Both of them are quite delicious in their own ways. [and perhaps for emphasis, he's already reaching for another bite of his vanilla cake, smiling all the while.]

[ He nods, satisfied. ]

Perhaps we can order another slice to take with us.

[ He'll order one for Sizhui, and one to take home to Wei Ying. ]

How are you finding the apartments?

[ If he doesn't like them, he can move in with his papas... ]

[and his son beams outrightly, which isn't very lan-like but that's alright. it's only them, after all, and something tells him they won't need to worry so much about that sort of thing here.

at the offer toward more cake,] Could we? That would be lovely! [sizhui won't turn down sweets and his other father certainly wouldn't mind cake, either.

‘how are you finding the apartments?’ poor boy just about inhales a mouthful of dessert at the question once he realizes he'll have to say he's staying with lan xichen; not because of who it is, but for the reasons, which will seem silly when said aloud, ssso.] Actually, Zewu-jun got ahold of me a short while ago and offered me an extra room...

So, I was thinking I'd stay there for a bit? Until I decide if I want my own place. [or if he wants to stay somewhere with family!]

Oh.

[ Why hadn't Xichen told him about that? Not that it really matters because he's with family and with someone that Wangji trusts - that's what matters the most. ]

I was hoping we could all find somewhere to live.

Perhaps a few apartments close together.

[ Just like at Cloud Recesses.

Your dad's a sentimental guy. ]

[a good question, although it's one even sizhui himself can't answer as he'd be uncertain as to why zewu-jun didn't mention it. perhaps slipped his mind with everything going on at the moment? seems a likely (and safe) assumption.

he brightens at the suggestion, takes a quick sip of tea to wash down his cake then,] Some apartments together would be nice! [sappy though it may seem, he doesn't mind whatsoever, honestly thinks it's a good idea to stay closer together rather than far apart, but especially when it comes to family.]

Do you think we'll find enough clustered buildings for it?

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