[OPEN] Who tf Let the Dogs Out!?!

[longredribbon]

WHO: Wei Wuxian + YOU
WHAT: Not-actually-the-Quest. Dogs are fxcking terrifying
WHEN: Soon after his arrival
WHERE: Nightwake, mostly
WARNINGS: Crippling cynophobia aside, probably not much. Will-edit if anything comes up!

[ It's late afternoon in the City. People are going about their lives as they do, minding their own business and so on.

. . . That is, until an utterly petrified yelp can be heard. Soon comes Wei Wuxian, nearly tripping over his robes as he scrambles to try and flee from the pack of flying dogs that seem all too excited to chase after him. From a Great Dane, all the way to goddamn teacup Poodles and fluffy Pomeranians gearing to bite at Wei Wuxian's heels. ]

B-b-b-back off!!

[ Why are so many flying?! More scrambling, it's increasingly more desperate, pleading. ]

Lan Zhan!! LAN ZHAAAN WHERE ARE YOOOUUUU!!??

[ Of all the times in Wei Wuxian's life to be attacked so viciously, his husband is nowhere to be found.

He's going to die. He's truly going to die again; torn to pieces, body and soul, until resurrection will no longer be a possibility.

Tragically (comically), the pack just seems to grow. ]
HEEEELLLLLPPP MEEEEEEE!!!

[ MAKE IT STOP. ]

Comments

[gentledawn]

[He knows that voice! Shopping forgotten, Xingchen races down the street, glancing this way and that until he sees him.

His martial nephew! And...dogs? Flying dogs? Frowning, he launches himself into the air and puts himself between them and Wuxian, holding out Shuanghua.]

Halt. [Spells are handy for this sort of thing and he sends out a push - directly from Shuanghua - to send the pups on their way.]

[longredribbon]

[ Unfortunately, for as much as the spell works, it equally has issues. Kind of. The dogs are just excessively friendly, therefore persistent.

Not that it would matter much either way. Wei Wuxian instinctively rushes to hide behind whoever this is, too rattled with fear to bother taking an actual look.

He can't even speak just yet. ]

[gentledawn]

[What a shame! He must catch the excited puppies in his arms and give them ample attention! Xingchen laughs when he is given kisses and happy tail wags.]

Now, now, you must stop scaring my nephew. That's not very nice.

[longredribbon]

[ . . . Sorry, Uncle. Now that you're petting them, therefore actively close, Wei Wuxian scrambles back again. l;kfdg ]

Of course they aren't n-nice!

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen does his best to get the pack to sit - or at least stay behind him.]

While I'm here, they won't hurt you. I give you my word.

[longredribbon]

[ It does help, a little, and he believes him. Still, he's seated on the ground, huddled back to the wall with his knees hugged to his chest. ]

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen feels awful. He moves to his martial nephew and kneels down in front of him, still blocking the dogs with his arms.]

Wei Wuxian?

[longredribbon]

[ Wei Wuxian is somewhat able enough to hear his name, albeit through the rush of his heartbeat between his ears. Slowly, slowly does he peek up at this person once he's feeling slightly safer.

Recognition will take a little longer, but it's present. ]

You're. . .

[gentledawn]

Xiao Xingchen. [Xingchen offers promptly, giving a warm, hopefully comforting smile.] We met after Song Zichen and I caught Xue Yang.

[He holds out a hand.]

Let's go inside. The dogs can't follow us there.

[longredribbon]

[ Only after they're indoors does Wei Wuxian finally begin to come to his senses. Having heard Xiao Xingchen's words, he can only frown a bit, brows slightly knit with confusion. ]

We met?

[ No, no. That isn't right. They "met," but not in the proper sense of the word. ]

Ah. . .

[gentledawn]

[Now that he looks at Wei Wuxian closer, there are...differences. Huh. Maybe the timelines are different?]

Time...functions oddly. If you don't recall me, that might be why.

Still, I am a friend.

[longredribbon]

[ More so that their entire universes don't exactly line up. Wei Wuxian has to pause, unsure initially how he wants to navigate all of this. ]

Well, no. But I do know of you.

[ Well, even. And he knows vividly how deeply A-Qing cared for him. ]

I await getting to be more familiar with you, regardless. It's really good to meet you, Xiao Xingchen-daozhang.

[gentledawn]

[That too happens, but it won't stop Xingchen! He is certain this man is the son of his martial sister and he is determined to help him.]

You do?

[He smiles softly and bows, checking Wei Wuxian for signs of scratches or bite marks.]

I would like that very much. Would you like some tea? If I can find some water, I can brew us some.

[longredribbon]

That would be nice, if you don't mind. I can search as well.

[gentledawn]

Please. It will be faster that way. [He rises to search, which will eventually bring him to a sink.]