TEST DRIVE MEME 002

[happyheartsstaff]

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

You wake up in a padded box. It rocks, gently, as though suspended in mid-air. You begin to stir, confusion or distress pushing you to try to sit up — and then the air begins to smell sweet, and you fall back asleep.

You wake up in a padded box. For a moment, you are beatifically calm. You don't know how you got here, or why, but that isn't really all that important. You don't need to know where you are. You're just... here. And here is a wonderful place to be.

But there is a niggling suspicion growing in the back of your mind. A suspicion that here is not somewhere you wanted to be. That it is not where you're supposed to be. You remember... chasing a white rabbit (or was it a person)? A mirror? Bright light, and green ivy crawling over your skin... Before you can worry too much, the box jolts, and then settles, and after a long moment the walls fall from around you to reveal —

A hotel lobby?

"Welcome to the Happy Hearts Hotel and Casino," says an attendant behind a desk. "We're so pleased you could join us. We have your room keys and Empathies here, please make an orderly line and we'll hand them out once we've confirmed identities. After that, feel free to explore the hotel! We highly recommend starting with the casino. Everyone's a winner here in Happy Hearts!"

Is this normal? It doesn't feel normal. And hey — you could swear you had shoes before!

I. THIS IS OUR GET ALONG SHIRT

You haven't been at the hotel long when you run into another Oyster. Hardly unusual for the hotel, after all. But there's something about this person, something that draws you in. Do you know them? Perhaps they're from your world, perhaps you've seen them around the hotel before, or perhaps you've never met at all?

No matter. Hopefully you enjoy this person's company, because suddenly you're unable to go more than a few feet away from each other. Maybe it's like a cord that snaps you both back together when you try, invisible but somehow there all the same. Maybe it's a feeling, a desire to stay together, a fear of being apart. Maybe it's physical pain when you're separated, and the sensation of comfort or pleasure when you're together. Maybe it's any combination of the above.

Whatever it is, looks like you'll be getting to know each other very well. The connection doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.

II. HONORARY STAFF FOR A DAY

It seems the hotel is a little short-handed at the moment. Why? Oh, no particular reason. These things happen to every establishment, of course. But since you're here, would you mind lending a hand? It's a two person job, and the staff member giving out assignments is just far too busy to help. Find a partner and report to your assigned area! They're preparing for something very exciting the Queen is putting on for guests. And of course, you'll be rewarded for your assistance.

There are a number of possible tasks that you could be assigned to.

Perhaps you'll be asked to assist with food preparation. You and your partner will be granted temporary access to the back area of the buffet to work with the kitchen staff — you can cook, can't you? Well. Perhaps you can put together some sandwiches. It will soon be clear that the food you're helping to prepare is all things that would be perfect for a picnic. Staff members will cheerfully inform anyone asking questions that the food is for the Queen's special surprise.

Or perhaps you'll be put to work sorting and cataloging a large inventory of items. Sleeping bags, tarps, pillows, toiletries, first aid kits, fire starting materials; all must be counted and sorted. A staff member will hand out a number of backpacks, and request that each be packed with one of every item. Not to worry about the size — each pack will have exactly enough room to store all the items.

Still others may be placed in a room lined with bookcases overflowing with books and loose leaf pamphlets. Examination of these will find that all are related to identifying native Wonderland plant life. Some are about edible plants, some discuss those that are medicinal, or poisonous, or likely to try to eat you should you get too close. Buried in all of that, you may even stumble across a particular poem. You will be given heavy card paper, pens and water colors, and tasked with condensing the information into portable, easy to read info packets.

At the end of the work shift, anyone who assists will have the expressed gratitude of the staff members they supported. They will also find an additional item from home, aside from what they were carrying with them, waiting for them in their room.

III. TIME TO UNWIND

What better way to unwind after a long day of work than with a massage? A staff member will hand you a token for the hotel spa. Yes, yes, all services are free, but this is an enhanced service. Premium massage oils, access to a relaxing tea, the devoted attention of the most skilled massage therapist, all for you.

When you arrive to take advantage of the offer, you'll find another Oyster waiting there as well. Did the staff member not mention it was a couple's massage? Oh dear, it must have slipped their mind. Or perhaps they just assumed, given how so many of you Oysters seem to be in pairs. Well, you're both here, you might as well take advantage of it.

Or perhaps something that gets the heart pumping is more to your speed than relaxation. A staff member may excitedly tell you about a rave occurring at the The Rabbit Hole nightclub. Invitation only, of course, but the staff member is happy to tell you the code to get in.

There is indeed a party in full swing at the club that night. Live music, flashing lights, alcohol flowing freely, the works. You may find that the alcohol packs more of a punch than you're used to. You may even find that drinks that are supposed to be nonalcoholic, ones that you've had before in other parts of the hotel, suddenly pack quite a punch as well.

It's all in the name of enjoying yourself, right? Hopefully you won't be too hungover in the morning.

IV. WELCOME HOME

Maybe you just want to be alone — well, that's what you have your room key for! Oysters room on the second and third floors of the hotel, one to a room. You were assured your room would be exactly what you'd always wished for — and for some, that's right! It's exactly as you would have decorated it yourself. But for others, their rooms are totally wrong. A grizzled cowboy can't have a pink room! Hotel staff are firm, though: every room is exactly as its owner wants it to be. Search your feelings, Oyster. You know it to be true.

On each bed are the Oysters' personal effects, minus weapons, as well as a towel folded in the shape of a heart, and a single foil-wrapped chocolate. If eaten, the chocolate is delicious, and incites a feeling of tender warmth in Oysters — not lust, but a desire for closeness. Why spend time in your room, when you could go find a new friend in the casino?

For purposes of the TDM, you're welcome to play with having more than one linked partner! If you choose to app in the next round after playing on the TDM, there will be an extra add on to the application for you to claim your additional item from home. Please direct any questions to the first comment on this page, and happy playing, Oysters!

PREMISE RULES FAQ TAKEN RESERVES APPLICATION MOD CONTACT HIATUS & DROPS WORLD INFO NPCS CALENDAR AC REWARDS

© tessisamess

Comments

[scaredofdogs]

He leans into the scratching. He wouldn't have thought having his head scratched would feel good but in this bunny form it certainly is enjoyable. He walks very slowly and carefully on the pillow, finding it difficult to move with those tiny feet just sinking into it.

Should I reveal myself to you? You look so happy to have a rabbit though..

He noticed him looking at the empathy and he realizes that he did not send his normal heart this morning..a little distracted by his new found ability. He also realizes that the heart will have to wait because he has no way to get back into his room since he has no pockets and therefore no key.

I think you are stuck with me for awhile.

[billowing]

He is, in fact, happy to have a pet rabbit. He is happy to have two Wei Yings, of course, but there are things he doesn't tell Wei Ying.

He lies on the pillow, head next to the rabbit, and looks over at him. He wonders then, what rabbits think. He reaches over to pet his little rabbit cheeks.

"I will have to move you to another pillow later," he warns. "This one is claimed." He states this calmly, and almost with a little pride. To a rabbit! So silly of him.

[scaredofdogs]

He scoots closer and flattens onto the pillow with his back legs sticking out behind him. His ears flop down to frame his face as he gets comfortable. He nudge's Lan Wangji's nose with his own.

As if you would kick this adorable body out of your bed...

He isn't going to be able to resist this much longer. But at least he still gets to admire Lan Wangji's handsome features up close this way. How can anyone, human or animal, resist this man? All the rabbits at Gusu are probably in love with their proud father.

[billowing]

He wouldn't want to, but Wei Ying might, and Lan Wangji would not want to stop him.

He wonders if Gui Bei is trying to sniff him out and lets him do so, come invade his space and get used to his smell to see if he's safe, trustworthy, or just to remember who he is.

As Gui Bei comes closer, he lifts his chin just a little bit, and pecks his cute twitching nose. But then goes back to letting him nuzzle into his nose and get a good feel for him.

[scaredofdogs]

...you just kissed a rabbit. I'm going to become a bunny puddle.

He does resume nuzzling him, enjoying that for a few moments before gathering his body back up. His ears perk back up as he slides off the pillow. This little action doesn't go particularly well for him as he ends up going for a tumble with his back legs flipping over his front legs. He lands on his back on the bed and quickly rolls over onto his belly.

That was graceful...

He shakes it off, shaking his head and making those big ears wobble back and forth. Apparently he needs a little more practice with maneuvering over non-flat surfaces.

[billowing]

Oh yes, but how cute. Lan Wangji carefully places him somewhere safer on the bed, not on the pillow. Pulling the blankets over, he fits Gui Bei on the comforter.

"Be good," he commands, brushing his fur a little bit.

"I think I will head downstairs," he says, once Gui Bei is settled. "Do you think you can handle yourself?"

He can't just carry a rabbit around with him all day, can he?

[scaredofdogs]

Handle myself..wait..

What the hell is he going to do all alone in this room? He's been left alone at Gusu before but at least then he was able to find hidden alcohol in the floor boards. He's not going to have that much luck in the hotel. He could just leave but he can't get back into his own room without a key and he's..well..the clothing is in his room.

"You're going to leave me here?!"

He doesn't even realize he has spoken as he tries to hop himself back up to the top of the bed.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji freezes in his tracks, and slowly looks over to the rabbit, who he is sure is the only other living creature in this room because the other explanation is that Wei Ying somehow snuck into his room and decided to hide here the entire time.

"Is this a curse? What happened?" he asks, slight panic in his voice.

[scaredofdogs]

Well crap..so much for the secret.

He scrambles to the edge of the blanket in an attempt to hide. He shoves his head under the blanket and pulls himself under it.

"It's not a curse..it's a tea." Nothing to panic over. Not really anyway since he can simply undo it. He hasn't quite perfected the shape shifting but he feels rather proud of himself for being able to fool Lan Wangji for a little while.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji can feel deep within his soul right now why Jiang Cheng always rolled his eyes at Wei Ying.

He takes a deep breath.

"Show yourself," he commands. He won't go over to fish Wei Ying out.

[scaredofdogs]

Suddenly the lump beneath the blankets grows back to his normal size. Laying on his stomach, he pops his head out from under the blanket. Those long ears still on the top of his head.

There is a playful smile on his face as he looks at Lan Wangji.

"I knew you really liked rabbits, Lan Zhan."

[billowing]

This is rather unfair of Wei Ying, but Lan Wangji takes a breath and tries to gather himself.

"I did not say I did not like rabbits," he counters, and then goes over to tug on an ear.

"These remain." They're so soft. Why did he do this.

[scaredofdogs]

They move just like the did on his rabbit body. He leans into that tug.

"Easy Lan Zhan. Don't pull too hard." It is an odd sensation, like someone is tugging playfully on his hair. But it's also a nice feeling when they get touched. It's so strange.

"I'm still playing with the ability a little. I've not gotten all the specifics of it down but I thought keeping these might be cute. Wasn't sure if it would actually work."

[billowing]

He reaches over to where they reach Wei Ying's hair and then gives them a little scratch.

"It looks like they do. What will you do now?"

And why is he still under Lan Wangji's blankets...

[scaredofdogs]

"Well..I'm not sure. I think I can change into anything I want to but I have a small problem I didn't quite figure out how to fix yet."

His reason for staying under the blankets. He closes his eyes as he enjoys that scratching. Why does his body still appreciate the touching even when he isn't fully a rabbit? It's interesting...

"I'm..naked."

[billowing]

Lan Wangji gives him a look of such utter exasperation, heavily filtered onto his face by virtue of him being Lan Wangji.

He goes to his closet, and pulls out some articles of clothing for Wei Ying to put on, and then heads over behind a dressing panel to give him privacy.

[scaredofdogs]

He finally slides out from under the blanket and picks up the clothing that Lan Wangji laid out for him. He gets dressed quickly and pulls his ponytail out after it tries to get caught under the clothing. He wonders how he managed to keep the ribbon when he couldn't even keep anything else.

"All done, Lan Zhan! You don't have to hide any longer."

[billowing]

He comes back out and is surprised to see he still has the ears. They make Wei Ying look all the shorter, since they take up so much of his height.

"Do you still have a tail?" he asks, because Wei Ying is adorable and apparently the illustrious Hanguang-jun is a glutton for punishment.

But we already knew that.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian smirks a little as he sidles up to the other man. The fact he is asking about the tail is rather amusing and he can't resist being able to tease him about it.

"You can't exactly see it when I'm wearing clothes."

He does still have the tail and he looks over his shoulder as if he could see it if he did. One ear flops over as he tilts his head.

"I'm sure it's just as soft as the ears."

[billowing]

He gives Wei Ying another exasperated look. He knows how he feels, and they've already talked about this.

"I will take your word for it."

Then, as long as Wei Ying is here, he goes to make him tea.

[scaredofdogs]

He practically hops after him. Okay..he needs to figure out how to break out of the bunny habits now. He keeps a couple feet away though as he watches the other man.

"I thought you were going to leave me here to go downstairs."

He thinks of something and shuffles up to the others back and reaches out, drawing the heart he owes him on his back instead of sending it through the empathy that he has unfortunately left in his room.

[billowing]

"To find you. I have." He heats up the water, and gets the tea leaves out.

"I thought I might tell you- the both of you, that I had found a rabbit, so you wouldn't be surprised."

So thoughtful, and so incorrect.

[scaredofdogs]

"Are you disappointed now? Because the rabbit is only me?"

Those ears droop just a little as he takes that step back again, wondering if maybe he made him sad since he isn't a real rabbit.

He knows his expression can't be seen since he's behind him, which means Wei Wuxian also can't read Lan wangji's expressions.

[billowing]

"No," he answers. "I would never be disappointed to spend time with Wei Ying." He has noticed that this Wei Ying gets a bit sad when seeking his approval, and he offhandedly wonders if the other one leaves that impression to those he talks to who are not Lan Wangji.

He resolves to make an effort to make both of them feel more appreciated.

And so, he walks over with the tea, and then he goes and pets Wei Ying's ears again. "I only wish you would have told me."

[scaredofdogs]

"But if I told you, I wouldn't have gotten to see first hand how you behave around rabbits. And it was so cute...though I could have lived without the lettuce." He wrinkles his nose a little at the thought of his rather bland breakfast.

"Plus I got to nuzzle you and accept your kisses without any worries or hesitations." He might look a little smug about that.