funnyhearts | TEST DRIVE MEME 002

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TEST DRIVE MEME 002

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Stop worrying so much and talk more, as if that's something so easily done when one is Lan Wangji, man who would communicate entirely with his eyes if humanly possible.

But... things are more complicated than just a simple talk. "I will tell Wei Ying," he answers, but adds: "but I think he needs time." And he doesn't know if that's a luxury they have, or maybe they'll all go home tomorrow and he will never see this Wei Ying again.

At the same time, he does not want to rush anything. Therein lies his predicament.

He knows he is asking a lot with the talking but..he waves a finger at him.

"Don't make me be the one to do it." There is a threat. How hard could it possibly be to talk to himself? Of course he doesn't even know if they finally at least know each other's feelings yet. Why are these other versions of themselves so..timid?

There is only so long that Wei Wuxian can behave himself. Or perhaps they did figure out their feelings which is why this Lan Wangji seems to want to keep him at arm's length all of a sudden. His eyes narrow slightly as he tries to work it all out in his head.

"Time is exactly why I said something so soon. I've already gotten injured here..what this place could do next is hurt us more or tear us all apart, or send one of us home and not the others..or separate us into those rooms for even longer. I don't want to waste precious minutes when I don't even know what might happen tomorrow."

He knows it's hard to ask Wei Ying to be patient - apparently he's already spoken to the other Lan Wangji, who may have given his blessings but honestly Lan Wangji is skeptical that what he says is what he can accept in his heart. Though in knowing how he feels for Wei Ying, how the other one probably feels, perhaps the other one has also come to the conclusion that he loves both Wei Ying as well.

How is this not less confusing than it had been at the start?

"I told you, I will speak to him," he says, more firmly. But Lan Wangji doesn't know what's in his heart, and rushing that would be the worst thing he could do. Does he want to accept this Wei Ying's love and affections? Yes, a thousand times yes; it physically pains him to keep him at a distance. He would rather carve more scars on his back. But he doesn't want any of it at the cost of scaring away the other Wei Ying. It's why he didn't say anything, even after he'd come back to life, even after getting a second chance. He would die slowly to keep this charade, but he would die quickly to lose Wei Ying's trust and friendship.

He takes Wei Ying's hand, and holds it in his. "Please let me take some time."

He intertwines his fingers with Lan Wangji's and gives a little sigh, but there is a smile on his face as he looks at him. "Okay okay. But it's no fun for me either when you act all hesitant. You're not allowed to toss a heart at me every day and then ignore me."

He likes the contact just like this, an occasional hug or a surprise kiss on the cheek. He's not asking to be ravaged in a closet whenever they see each other. He just wants to know that his feelings aren't getting brushed aside as well. Because he knows what he feels even if the other version of himself doesn't yet. And if in time he has to let those feelings go because they can't all agree..it will hurt but he will do what has to be done. It's the same thing he promised his Lan Wangji. He didn't want either of them to be hurt because of what his heart felt. He'd rather be the one suffering.

"I messed up all our chances for adventuring because I got hurt. But look.." He sticks out his leg and shows the now bandage-less ankle. "No more excuses." It still aches a little if he does too much but nothing he can't handle.

He pulls away because it still feels wrong, as if he is cheating, which is... silly. But he has a dramatic heart, and he does realize he shouldn't be playing hot and cold with Wei Ying.

He takes a breath and then... and then Wei Ying sticks a leg out for him to see and he finds himself smiling, ever so lightly, probably imperceptible for anyone except for Wei Ying.

"If you hadn't, I could still carry you. It would be less embarrassing to be seen, if you were a rabbit." In case he's still feeling shy.

"I could always still change into a rabbit. You're the only one who knows it is me. We could sneak into all kinds of places and if the staff finds us you can just say that you were chasing me and I ran into the off limits area. They can't get mad at a cute bunny!"

Not that he particularly wants to get caught by the staff doing anything wrong at the moment. But that doesn't mean his sense of adventure and need to explore has been quashed completely.

"If you tell me something to change into, I can see if I can do it."

Hmm, that might actually work.

"We could do that." It depends on how long Wei Ying can hold it for. "I will bring you some clothes in case." In case they run into combat, because it would be quite awkward for Wei Ying to have to fight naked.

He does, however, have a request. He puts his hand on his chin as if contemplating.

"First." He looks so serious. "I would like to see what you look like as me." Obviously this is the best way to gauge his talent.

"Like you? Why do you want me to look like you?" He looks surprised at the request. It's an interesting one. He scoots closer, leaning in to make sure he remembers every detail. He has admired this face for quite awhile but it doesn't hurt to get one last good look before he makes his attempt.

"Let's see how I do."

He concentrates and first those ears disappear and then his whole facial structure and body morphs into Lan Wangji. He has no idea how well he has done but so far his ability to use this has been pretty good.

"How do I look?"

"Because this is the face I am most familiar with."

He looks himself in the eye, and he's surprised. It's... well, it's really good, obviously, as a copy. It even has the bits of him that look like him, and not his soul-twin.

Hm.

"It's a good copy."

And then Lan Wangji's face is going to break into a very Wei Wuxian smile. It seems he is getting better at this shape shifting thing. He would fail at being able to act like the other man though.

"This is a very useful ability. Whomever usually has it is lucky."

He could see this coming in handy on their world. Xue Yang had kind of tried to do something to this affect when he disguised himself but being able to change into anything and anyone so easily would make infiltration very easy.

Seeing his face smile like that really gets him taken aback. What on Earth. Is that what his smile looks like?

"Please switch back."

It's really hurting him physically to look at this.

Wei Wuxian laughs and instead of morphing into his Mo Xuanyu body, decides to show Lan Wangji what he figured out earlier and shifts into his former body.

"I know this is the face you prefer to look at." He wishes he could keep it, but he knows that isn't exactly how this works. Still with that long ponytail though because he prefers this hairstyle.

He does love to look at Wei Ying in his old body, but he's sure Wei Ying does as well.

"Perhaps you could," he responds. "You might get another one of the teas."

But... "If you don't, it doesn't matter to me." He really needs Wei Ying to know that.

He finally changes back into his new body, this time without the bunny ears.

"Is my new face okay too?" He gives the cutest expression he knows how to possibly make as he asks.

It's a little tiring to change so much all at once. It was much easier when he just chose one form. He picks up his tea, which has cooled significantly by now.

"At least the power teas don't seem to hurt us. They are much better then the emotion teas."

Lan Wangji places a hand into Wei Ying's hair and kisses his forehead. Yes, of course his new face is okay. It belongs to him, doesn't it? How could Wei Ying be so cute and so silly at the same time?

"I don't know what the point is of giving us emotion teas. I don't think any of them are wanted."

He smiles happily at that kiss to his forehead, finally getting some of that attention back that he has been craving. He enjoyed the kisses and nuzzling as a rabbit, but being human still trumps it.

"Good emotions are okay. It's the bad ones that make the teas unfortunate. And you just never know which one you are getting."

He encountered so many people who were just so relaxed with one tea..but ready to rip a person's head off with another. And yet there was no obvious differences in the tea they each drank. It makes it hard to trust or prepare for what might happen.

That's why Lan Wangji stays away from them. Wouldn't know what to do with all that trouble.

It's when they're unlabeled and seem safe that's the issue.

"Perhaps we shouldn't try." There's a worse track record than good, after all.

"That's why I only drink from the bar. The bar is safe!" And usually the drinks at the dining area. But out in the open..with the waiters carrying drinks on trays or the tables in the casino. Dangerous territory.

And the tea in his hands which he will finally take a sip of. And of course the power teas he keeps feeling inclined to try..His curiosity is a problem.

Lan Wangji looks at him skeptically.

"Perhaps we should study the teas." Before, you know, he goes and does something incredibly stupid.

"How are we supposed to do that without trying them? Unless we make sure we are in a controlled environment.." He looks around the room. This would certainly qualify. There has to be something that would reveal the bad teas from the good.

Have a little more faith in him..he doesn't always go out looking for trouble.

Lan Wangji looks at him with exasperation.

"If you are willing to try, I will watch after you."

But he is not going to drink any of this tea.

"The power teas don't really seem that bad. I haven't noticed any side effects. So what if we make sure the only teas we drink are those. And not try any of the tea in the rest of the hotel."

The power teas are useful..just like his idea earlier about checking out the other areas of the hotel while in this form. Who knows what they could find out with certain powers.

"If you get one of the power teas, are you not going to try it?"

"It would depend what it said." He wasn't going to drink a power tea that said turn into a rabbit.

But he would drink a power tea that had inquiry written on it.

He hopes he gets inquiry back - even without his core, he'd ask as many questions as possible. And maybe Wei Ying could carry him back to his room and nurse him to health.

Wei Wuxian would happily carry Lan Wangji back if he passed out and give him all the love and care he needed until he recovers. Lan Wangji's blanket is always available for comfort.

"That's fair..I have one in my room I still haven't tried but I'll probably just save it for now."

He tilts his head as he thinks of something and those ears pop back out unexpectedly. He tries to look up at them then shrugs as he goes to continue his thought, "I wonder if they would let us trade them..like if we got each other's abilities, why couldn't we just swap teas?"

"We could try it," he answers. "But it might waste tea." Still, if they were going to be so "generous," they could make an attempt.

"You are not controlling the form." But he thinks it's interesting (and adorable) that his default apparently has bunny ears.

He gives one a gentle tug, the way Wei Ying likes to tug on his sleeves.

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. THIS IS OUR GET ALONG SHIRT

II. HONORARY STAFF FOR A DAY

III. TIME TO UNWIND

IV. WELCOME HOME

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