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

[billowing]

"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."

[scaredofdogs]

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.

[billowing]

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.

[scaredofdogs]

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.

[billowing]

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.

[scaredofdogs]

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."

[billowing]

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."

[scaredofdogs]

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.

[billowing]

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.

[scaredofdogs]

"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.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji looks at him skeptically.

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

[scaredofdogs]

"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.

[billowing]

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.

[scaredofdogs]

"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?"

[billowing]

"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.

[scaredofdogs]

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?"

[billowing]

"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.

[scaredofdogs]

"Ah..that would be sad if it doesn't work and then no one gets the power." He leans into that tug. Apparently those ears are just going to have a mind of their own at this point and come out when they want.

"It's a good thing I like these ears or else I might have a problem." It just means he can't really rely on this ability too much until he practices a little more.

[billowing]

"It does seem a little inconvenient." He leans into one and whispers, "is it loud?" He might have stellar hearing right now which would be interesting and perhaps useful.

[scaredofdogs]

He jerks back a little at the unexpected sound in those very large ears. "Ahh..well it's not quiet. It wasn't like he was shouting into them but it was louder then he would have expected.

Those ears twitch like they were just treated in an offensive manner.

[billowing]

The ear lightly fwaps Lan Wangji in the face as a result, and his face scrunches up as if having been chastised.

"Perhaps it would be. Easier for you to overhear conversations like this."

They just had to find one that was worth listening in on.

[scaredofdogs]

"easier to hear things I don't want to as well." He looks at him apologetically about the ear smack. They really are behaving on their own.

But he puts his hands on Lan Wangji's leg and leans closer, looking excited. "Does this mean we are going to get to go adventuring again? Put the new ability to the test?" He has felt very chained to his room with the injured ankle so he's anxious to be able to roam freely again.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji nods his agreement. They can go on another adventure.

But first, he does want to do a check-up on Wei Ying's ankle, so he beckons Wei Ying over to the bed for a moment.

[scaredofdogs]

He pushes himself to his feet and walks over to the bed. He flops down on it face first and then rolls over and sits up, scooting onto it further so he can be comfortable while Lan Wangji does whatever he needs to.

[billowing]

He goes over and lifts Wei Ying's foot to check his ankle, roll it around in his hand, feel for any swelling or tenderness, watch any of his reactions.