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!

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© tessisamess

Comments

[billowing]

He nods. "I don't want anything bad to happen to it."

Which means he'll press it underneath something heavy when he gets back to his room, and keep it in good condition for decades to come.

[scaredofdogs]

He is pleased with that and heads out into the hallway. "Should I paint you a bunny picture to match it? I can draw him in the snow beneath the tree with little petals all around him like the monkey is showering him in them."

He's already painting it in his mind, arranging it in such a way that the two photos could be laid out above each other.

[billowing]

He almost wants to ask if Wei Ying is supposed to be the monkey or if Lan Wangji is. "Only if you wish."

But it would be quite a sweet pair of drawings. He will have to find a way to put them on his wall, maybe get a few from both Wei Ying to hang up and remind him of them all the time.

When they get up to his rooms, he gently smooths out the page, and places it right on the table.

[scaredofdogs]

"If it makes you happy, Lan Zhan then I'm happy to do it." He's happy to make the set, not caring which of them is the monkey. Though at the moment, Wei Wuxian can change into one.

He looks up at Lan Wangji as he gently latches onto his sleeve with two fingers. He would cover the whole room in drawings if it would make him happy.

[billowing]

He feels soft, in this moment, a precious one allowed by Wei Ying and his generous gifts and sweet demeanor.

With his hand, he brushes the back of Wei Ying's fingers, and softly caresses the back of his wrist. "Are you ready to go?" he asks.

[scaredofdogs]

He nods, "Mm..I'm ready. We need to go down to the lobby to get to it. I think you will like it in there." Another room that has suddenly been opened up to them. Full of books and supplies. He's pretty sure painting pictures of monkeys was not what the hotel intended when they opened it up, but Wei Wuxian has no interest in drawing plants for whatever the hotel needs them for.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji holds out his hand. "Key," he says, because he should probably hold onto that while they're on this little adventure.

And then he can scoop Wei Ying up and they can be on their way.

[scaredofdogs]

He hands him the key and the empathy. "Maybe I just need to give both of you one of these in case I make that mistake again..." Because leaving the room without is actually a pretty easy occurrence for him. He doesn't tend to think about the fact that the door locks behind him. He's not used to people being so untrustworthy that his bedroom needs to be behind a locked door.

[billowing]

"Only if it makes you feel more comfortable," he says. He wouldn't want a key if Wei Ying felt obligated to give him one.

He pockets both these things, and then goes to hold Wei Ying in an embrace for when he changes form.

[scaredofdogs]

He moves close, settling against him. "I'll get you one. That way if you ever can't find me, then you have a way to get inside and make sure I'm okay."

He closes his eyes into the embrace, enjoying that for a moment before he shrinks back down into the rabbit form.

[billowing]

He is ready to have Wei Ying in his arms, and tucks him into his shirt, giving him enough room to poke his head out of the slit.

"Comfortable?" he asks, before grabbing his pants and folding them, placing them in one of his sleeves for safekeeping.

[scaredofdogs]

He snuggles into the shirt and pops his head out, ears twitching as he looks around from his new vantage point. "Very comfortable. Let's go!" This might be the best way to travel. Sorry Lil' Apple.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji takes Wei Ying downstairs, occasionally petting his head or scratching behind his ears.

This is definitely the best way to travel, because Lan Wangji hardly even bounces as he walks. It's smooth, like a glide. Quiet, except for his breathing and his heartbeat. And it's very warm all the way to the ground floor.

Now, where were they supposed to go?

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian has made this trip from a similar vantage point before so he knows the directions pretty well. "Go down that hallway towards the end." He gives him directions as best he can without the ability to point out where the little mini library is located. Luckily there are also staffers directing traffic towards the area where they are getting people to help them with pamphlets.

[billowing]

It's pretty easy to get to the area with the pamphlets, and he's impressed to see paper and utensils.

However... going over. They're um.

They're rough. Lan Wangji clearly disdains this material, though he knows beggars can't be choosers, so he takes some anyway.

[scaredofdogs]

He ducks his head into the robes whenever he sees someone, just in case pets are not allowed in the hotel. He doesn't want Lan Wangji getting in trouble. And then when they finally get to the room he can practically feel the man's disdain even if he can't see his expression from where he is located.

"They aren't the best but they will do for making a map." And they did well enough for the painting.

[billowing]

It's fine enough for now. He tucks the materials away and gives Wei Ying a little headpat for his troubles.

He even takes a few more pieces of paper, so Wei Ying can do more drawings.

"What are these supposed to be for?"

[scaredofdogs]

"Apparently they want people to write up pamphlets about plants or something. I wasn't really interested in it." It sounded too much like school work and he has no interest in going back to that time.

"You have nice handwriting, Lan Zhan. You could probably help them."

[billowing]

"I do not want to help spread their propaganda." He frowns.

But why are they being made to make pamphlets? What are they trying to write?

"Do you have an example of one?"

[scaredofdogs]

The little rabbit tries to wiggle out of his robes. "I think they had some on one of the tables. Or instructions maybe? The staff would know."

He tries to look around the room, nose in the air as if he could smell the answer to the question.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji makes his way over to see if he can find one because, as cute as Wei Ying is, he doesn't think he can smell the propaganda.

He does, however, indulge him in some more petting first.

"Did they make you copy any?"

[scaredofdogs]

"They saw my handwriting." That was all it took for them to decide he was an unworthy candidate and left him to do whatever he wanted.

He leans into that petting. This is good. He gives up on figuring out where the pamphlets might be. Too distracted by pets.

[billowing]

Very true. Wei Ying's handwriting is atrocious, and Lan Wangji has written several things and passed them off as Wei Ying's.... who did write them, but just completely... terribly.

Lan Wangji picks Wei Ying up so they can look for the pamphlets while he gets his pets. Spoiled rabbit that he is.

[scaredofdogs]

He is going to take advantage of these pets for as long as he can. "Maybe the staff already took all of them."

They should at least leave an example of what they want laying around. But perhaps they don't exactly care either. "Why do you think they want us to have pamphlets of plants?"

[billowing]

"That depends what sort of plants they are," he responds. He can't imagine why anyone would make informative pamphlets like that and copy them as if they were really necessary, but he supposes that he hasn't actually seen them. He'd want to inspect.