@lanctiflora continued from here
For a creature of fire, Wei Wuxian quite enjoyed the feeling of warm lake water on his skin.
Bathing in it brought a strange sense of peace, calming any burning inferno within him. He had to assume it was due to the opposing elements that he found any joy in it - either that, or he had truly been driven mad as some people joked he did. But he couldn’t help it! He loved the water, eagerly awaiting every rainstorm to fly off into and seeking every river to take a quick dip in. It was a balm to his body and feathers, and he’d continue whether it hurt him or not.
Not that he knew if it did hurt him, but then again, it wasn’t like there was anyone around to tell him these things. Wei Wuxian had been orphaned long ago and lucky enough to be found and taken in by an old friend of his father’s. He picked up that his nature as a Vermilion Bird had to be from his mother’s side at least, but neither her or any others like her were here to tell or show him the ways of their kind. Hell, Wei Wuxian had to learn how to fly on his own - an embarrassing ordeal that resulted in more broken bones than he’d ever care to admit - so how was he to know if swimming was bad for him?
Slowly, he blew bubbles on the surface of the lake water from where he was floating. Nothing bad had happened yet - that was good enough reason for him to keep doing as he wished.
❝ Hey,❞ called a voice. Wei Wuxian sat up, looking to face the beautiful scowl of his shidi. He grinned in greeting, but Jiang Cheng only rolled his eyes. ❝ What are you doing?❞
❝ Relaxing,❞ Wei Wuxian replied, laying back in the water. ❝ It’s such a hot day! And we have time before we’re leaving, so why are you upset?❞
Jiang Cheng made his ‘I’m not upset’ face and sat down on the edge of the pier, daring to dip his feet in the water. Wei Wuxian swam closer, but was kind enough not to drag the other into the water as well. ❝ Nothing. We’ll have to get moving soon.❞
Wei Wuxian studied the look on his face, already sure of what he was seeing there. Another argument dished out right in front of him, likely about him - them. As much as he tried or wished to stop it, there was nothing he could truly do to put an end to the fights that Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu got into. He stood up out of the water, quickly drying himself off with a quick burst of flame as he sat next to Jiang Cheng on the pier, and slung his arm around his shidi.
❝ Aiyah, so serious. It’s only a simple hunt, there’s no need to be nervous.❞
❝ I’m not nervous!❞ Jiang Cheng shouted, glaring at him. Wei Wuxian laughed bodily, throwing his head back in amusement and successfully starting a scuffle that only ended with the two of them back in the water.
It was only a simple hunt. They’d be traveling far further north than they ever had before, enough for Wei Wuxian to feel strangely out of place and on edge once they finally arrived at the small village, but what they were dealing with was nothing out of the ordinary. Even in the modern world, there were countless ghosts and creatures needing to be dealt with to ensure the safety of everyday people. Wei Wuxian boldly led the way through the streets with a forced bravado, trying to ignore the strange feeling itching the back of his neck. If there were any eyes on him, it had to be from the village people looking at the newcomers and nothing more.
This hunt was simply one of the same.