[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[A white rabbit stares at the camera.

And stares.

Then a back leg thumps impatiently against the floor. A flash of magic follows and then Xingchen is sitting where the rabbit had been, his black hair scattered with white strands. He quickly dresses himself and clears his throat.]

Forgive me. I meant to say: if you are near the Temple and find yourself in need of rest or refreshment, you are welcome. All are welcome as long as you come in peace and do not mind cats.

Or... [Another cough.] Rabbits.

Comments

Video

[gentledawn]

I'm the only one I know about, but sometimes a friend brings his rabbits by for a visit.

[Lan Wangji's two...ah...children.]

[pinkblinded]

Oh! You're the rabbit. I think I was having trouble figuring out what was happening. I'm sorry.

[He laughs gently.]

[gentledawn]

I get confused too. You needn't apologize, my friend. [He grins at the sound.] Are you alright?

[pinkblinded]

Yes, I'm alright. Henry and I have a new home now. And I have a plant nursery out of my personal garden.

[gentledawn]

Oh that sounds wonderful! Make sure to grow plenty of gauras.

[pinkblinded]

[He blushes and looks down.]

I have some planted next to Henry's favorite flowers actually.

[gentledawn]

Good. This world needs more of them. [Happy pink flowers are good for everyone.]

[pinkblinded]

[He bites his lip and looks up.]

Henry and I are dating now as well. Just by the way.

[gentledawn]

Are you? Does he make you happy? [That's all that matters.]

[pinkblinded]

[He nods as he smiles more, cheeks getting pinker.]

Very happy, Xingchen. He's wonderful. He wears a flower in his lapel so I'll always know it's him. Even when we're home alone and he doesn't have to.

[gentledawn]

[Don't make him hurry out to give you a hug, Gaura.]

Then he has a fine heart. [Showing empathy isn't always easy or comfortable, but to choose to do it anyway...] I wish you both happiness and I hope you have a lot of time together. Years.

[pinkblinded]

I really love him. Our house is so wonderful too. Sometime when you are free I would love to show it to you.

[gentledawn]

I would be honored to see it. [Now he is flushing!] I am free later today?

[pinkblinded]

I'm free. [Sends him directions.]

Please come whenever you can.

[gentledawn]

I will see you soon.

[And when he does arrive, rapping politely on the door, he will be wearing his usual white. His hair has changed - there is more white - but that might help Gaura recognize him better.]

[pinkblinded]

[Gaura hears the knock from his garden so he comes around to see and smiles as he waves.]

Xingchen?

[gentledawn]

Yes! [Xingchen beams at the recognition and hurries to Gaura's side.] You're doing very well.

[pinkblinded]

[He looks so relieved that he managed to recognize him. He even moves to hug before pausing.]

Ah. I'm covered in dirt. Here let me rinse my hands off and you can see the garden some before we go inside.

[He leads the way back to the huge garden which is filled with just about every kind of plant possible. So much like walking through a magical realm really. He goes to well to bring up water so he can wash his hands off.]

If you ever need anything or want something I'd be happy to give it to you.

[gentledawn]

[A hug that Gaura surely can't escape or prevent! Xingchen isn't afraid of dirty hands and he embraces his friend with a happy laugh.]

Dirt is natural! How else are little seeds suppose to grow?

[He follows him and stares, completely entranced. Gaura has created another world in his garden and it's...lovely. It makes Xingchen wish there were less buildings in the city and more plants!]

If you let me visit your beautiful garden now and then, I will be happy.

[pinkblinded]

[He smiles at the hug and makes sure to wash his hands quickly.]

You are always welcome to visit it. I want this to be a place where people can buy plants but also be able to come here and enjoy being surrounded by nature. And after the trials that Henry and I did together, I can grow any plant I think of. So I can bring pieces of other homes for people here as long as they help me learn about the plant.

[gentledawn]

[The plan is so like his friend that Gaura is kissed on the cheek.]

There... There was a little white flower that grew on my Master's mountain. [Xingchen looks around and crouches down by a shrub.] They grew like this and they could have splashes of pink or red...

[pinkblinded]

[Come over, he looks at the shrub then back to his friend.]

Can you tell me even more about it? How big the flowers are? The shrub? How many petals? What they smell like?

[His cheeks color then.]

I'm sorry. That was probably so many questions...

[gentledawn]

No, I'll do my best! [Xingchen frowns pensively.] The flowers were about half the size of my hand. The shrub itself was a cluster of blooms; that was why I liked it so much. As for petals...five. They were like stars.

[Scent... He breathes in, taking himself back.]

Sweet? But there was a spice to it.

[pinkblinded]

[He tries to think of it then pulls out a pair of pink gardening gloves to put on. Filling a large pot with dirt, he closes his eyes as he rests his hands on the soil. He lets himself picture the plant Xingchen is describing until it starts to grow up from the soil. He doesn't know if it's right but he knows he can keep trying too.]

Is this it?

[gentledawn]

[He peers over Gaura's shoulder, holding his breath. When the little white blossoms begin to bloom, he gasps and nods excitedly.]

Yes! We called it dùjuān huā. [It's Chinese Rhododendron.]