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

[deferences]

[he isn't too worried about being stared at; sizhui would honestly take that and having wei wuxian acknowledging who he is over him gawking without any readable recognition whatsoever. this at least means he realizes his son's still alive.

apprehension aside, the laughter makes sizhui's mouth fleetingly curve at the edges. it's him, without a doubt, and the fact wei wuxian sees it has an indescribable warmth flooding the lan boy's chest, one that almost makes him lift a hand to clutch the front of his robes. he hesitates, however, thoughts derailed at the sudden reminder.] A strange-acting white rabbit... [wait, that actually (oddly!) seems familiar—

but he lets it trail off for now, helps the man get to his feet with the hand he's still got lifted, tentatively withdraws afterward to tap his cheek with thought.] Do you think magic has anything to do with it? That would make sense why the rabbit was odd and why we're suddenly here, especially if they have the power to pull people from other worlds.

Seems almost like too much. [so, that's a ‘yes’ from him on stopping it too, which'll only solidify when he remembers doubles exist here.]

[sadflutenoises]

[The smile is most familiar of all, Wei Wuxian can't help but think. How many times had that smile greeted him at his knee while he dugin the gardens or carefully tended his makeshift lotus pond? Knowing what to look for, it's easy to see the similarities, they've just changed a bit, matured into this boy who is nearly grown all on his own.

Wei Wuxian's usual smile is in place, though it's a bit more genuine, a bit wider. It's no surprise A-Yuan catches on to his train of thought right away, bright as he is.]

Ah... [He clears his throat.] I do! It's one of the more powerful magics at work here, but definitely not the only one.

[He rubs the side of his nose, not sure how much is safe to say here, but...]

The ruler of this place, from what I can gather, can give and take the powers or abilities of others as she sees fit. That's- I assume, why we can't use our golden cores here.

[How many of these were her own innate ability, or just another power she'd stolen, that was hard to say.]

But she also seems unable to hold them all at once. We've managed to recover a few, here and there.

[deferences]

[wei wuxian must realize it, must certainly see the resemblance given the way he's smiling more genuinely, which has sizhui outright grinning in kind. hanguang-jun had mentioned letting him come to the conclusion for himself and standing here, seeing it for himself, he can agree with firm wholeheartedness it was for the best.

sharing information with his son certainly won't be the worst thing? at least he knows the boy is trustworthy and won't be going around telling anyone what they discuss.]

...wait, really? [he lowers the hand, straightens slightly, spares the briefest glance around them then shuffles a little closer so he can lower his voice,] Is that why they took away our weapons as well? She has all these servants to do her bidding, regardless of what that includes.

[and not like sect personal attendants, no, these are different— again, in a way he can't explain, but it's alright, he needn't put it into words right now.]

Does that mean you've recovered some of your abilities, then?

[sadflutenoises]

[The smile between them feels like a secret shared, unspoken. He knows better than to bring it up, of course, Lan Wangji cautioned him against flooding the poor kid with memories, especially memories of that place, but he's content, even with just this.

He leans in a bit to match Sizhui's level, frowning a bit that the news he has to break is so unfortunate.]

Mm, it's- well- You'll want to be careful around them, she's given them enough power that they were able to subdue me and Lan Zha- [Oh no, what does he call him in front of the juniors... he's going to take a wild guess...] ah- Hanguang Jun.

[It hadn't been pleasant, thrown into solitary as punishment, but the threat of future incarceration hardly kept him from exploring and breaking rules and making himself a bother. They were already imprisoned, it was almost silly to be concerned about being put in a slightly smaller cage.

Much as he wants to say yes, he's recovered some of his abilities, he has to shake his head faintly. So far only Lan Wangji, and briefly, his soul-twin, but even then it hadn't lasted.]

I've recovered Chenqing, but I can't use it to channel, unfortunately. We were able to use Inquiry for a bit, but... even the spirits report to her. It's best to be careful what we say, never know who might be listening.

[He leans back, clearing his throat once more and giving Sizhui a light pat on the shoulder.]

So why don't I show you around, hm?

[deferences]

[they'll come back in due time, there's no need to rush anything. this little exchange they have now is more than enough to tide sizhui over, particularly when it's clear that wei wuxian has no problem joining forces.

while they are leaning together in a rather obvious manner, he's listening, yet also alert to their surroundings in case anyone nearby may try eavesdropping.

it isn't wei wuxian's trademark use of lan zhan that makes sizhui's eyes widen; it's when he says the attendants have enough power to subdue them both. how? how is that possible unless it's true and their golden cores really aren't working— or is it that they're not in their proper places? regardless, things are wrong which is worrisome enough.] That's... not good. [and that's putting it mildly.

because if the spirits answer to her too, they're certainly in trouble.]

Well, let's hope they aren't listening right now, then. [he straightens briefly, glances around them a moment before dipping back down just long enough to say.] Or we'll have already ruined our chances at being stealthy.

[then he restraightens again, smiles at the shoulder-pat and neatly tucks his arms behind his back.] I'd like that, please and thank you.

[sadflutenoises]

[Though Sizhui's expression is nothing short of worried, Wei Wuxian tries to keep his smile. No need to burden him with only the bad things all at once. He adds in a short laugh, in hopes of lightening the mood.]

Oh, don't worry, I've already ruined those chances several times over.

[Even if the spirits hadn't caught on to his words, the staff was well aware of his actions, having been caught at least twice over, and making disruptions wherever he went. And the number of things he'd said to the other captives here, well before they knew about the queen's listening spirits, well...]

It's fine though, it's fine!

[Well, it's less than ideal, but fine will do. No changing it now, anyway. Besides, it wasn't like Lan Sizhui had broken any rules just yet. He makes a motion for the youth to follow along, and heads for the door.]

What have you seen so far? Did you find your room?

[deferences]

[yeah, that actually. doesn't help matters any? but at least sizhui can relax somewhat, knowing the fact their chances are technically already ruined.] Good [???] to know.

[it doesn't feel fine, but given the reassurance and knowing that he has both wei wuxian and hanguang-jun – times two! – here with him, that eases some anxiety. the same goes for zewu-jun and jiang yanli, even if he doesn't exactly know the latter quite yet (though he's on the fast-track of learning). so long as he keeps telling himself the same thing “it's fine, though,” perhaps he'll start believing.]

If you say so.

[which is about as much agreement from the lan boy as he'll get, but hey, better than nothing, isn't it? and he hasn't broken any rules yet, although he will at some point.

without missing a beat, he falls into step beside wei wuxian, humming thoughtfully.] I've found my room and seen the dining hall. Most other places haven't caught my attention or they're somewhere I don't have much interest in. [like the bar, the casino, the nightclub— all things he's (technically) too young for so why try despite the allure?]