TEST DRIVE MEME 003

[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. SHALL WE DANCE, SHALL WE FLY

Those of you hoping to make use of The Pool of Tears today are in for a disappointment — it appears to have been shut down for the day to make room for a special event! Dozens of small vehicles that resemble pink flamingos are parked along the grounds by the pool, and others are being flown above it with varying levels of skill.

People wearing name tags identifying them as guest instructors mingle around the parked vehicles to offer lessons on how to fly the flamingos. They'll also allow the flamingos to be checked out to be used for recreation, regardless of whether the person checking them out has had flying lessons or not.

Why is this taking place in the pool area and not outdoors, you may ask? Why, because a crash landing in water is so much softer on the bones than on solid land, of course.

Or perhaps you were hoping to spend some time at the Caucus-Race, making use of the hotel's private gym. It seems that, too, had been taken over for an event — dance lessons! There are more guest instructors there to lead dances of all kinds, from groups to couples to private instruction. Even if you didn't intend to partake of them when you came here, you may find yourself bustled away and facing your partner for the lesson before you know it.

Still another handful of guest instructors have set up in the Mad Tea-Party, offering a variety of art lessons — from paintings to drawing to pottery to glassblowing! Have a glass of wine, or something stronger, and try your hand at one! Anyone who chooses to do so will get to keep whatever masterpiece they produce.

II. WE TRADE IN FAVORS

The guest instructors aren't the only ones visiting the hotel today. It seems some traveling merchants have come to pitch their wares, and they've set up shop in the hotel lobby. There's display cases of delicately crafted jewelry, all manner of glassware, bolts of fabric, boxes of precious stones and crystal.

Why come to them when you can get what you need for free from the hotel's boutique? There's just no comparison when it comes to exquisite craftsmanship, of course, or the quality of their raw materials. But should you need a reason beyond that — there's something a little magical about their wares. This necklace is spelled to ward off evil, that circuit will grant clear thought, anything made from this bolt of cloth will always keep the wearer perfectly warm or cool, carrying that crystal will give a boost of healing or luck.

They deal only in trade. Teas, if you have them, will fetch the highest price and get you the most unique items. If you don't happen to have a tea, you're not out of luck — they will also accept favors. Perhaps they will ask you to convince someone else to make a purchase as well, perhaps they will send you on a hunt for a specific item. Perhaps they will ask you for something more intangible, like the shape of a smile or the salt of tears. Not your own, of course, you must inspire them in someone else. Hopefully there's someone nearby who can help you with that.

III. SECRET MESSAGES

By your second or third pass around the hotel, after all the visitors have left, you may notice something that looks a little out of place. A loose rock in the otherwise solid structures of the pool area, a shimmer of green tucked in among all the white abstract sculptures in a hallway, an odd knot in the wood of a bench or chair somewhere in the hotel.

No members of the staff seem to have noticed it so far, but for that to remain the case you'll have to work quickly — and work together. Maybe the rock is up too high for one person to reach, maybe the sculptures are too heavy for one person to move, maybe someone needs to stand guard or distract the hotel staff while the other pries out the wood knot.

All those who succeed in retrieving the piece of heavy green paper hidden away will find the same message: a drawing of a caterpillar, accompanied by a series of numbers and the words call a friend.

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?

Anyone who participates in the second prompt will receive an item with a minor enchantment of their choosing! For players apping in this round, you can include it in your list of items. Current players can reply to the second comment on this page to receive approval of their enchanted item. 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

Wei Wuxian | The Untamed | OTA

[sadflutenoises]

I. Shall we dance, shall we fly...

Wei Wuxian was a frequent customer of the Mad Tea Party, so it's no surprise he strolls in curiously, intent on seeing what all the fuss is about. When he sees they're serving wine and offering them painting supplies, he really can't refuse. His calligraphy kit is small, at best, so having access to all manner of brushes and paints and inks is something he'll surely take advantage of.

One can find him there at various times of day, inking a picture of a bunch of rabbits, a flowery landscape, a portrait of another handsome Chinese gentleman, or maybe, after a few drinks, you've caught him drawing something a little more shameless. Whatever the case may be, he's happy to greet fellow painters and raise a glass.

III. Secret Messages

He's been watching the pool a lot lately, annoyed at himself for how badly he wants to try the flying machines out. However, he'd promised Lan Zhan he'd be more careful, and those pink vehicles seem like an obvious trap for someone as prone to mischief as Wei Wuxian.

Instead, he's been just, conveniently nearby, watching them with open interest and spending a lot of time nearby, but not in the pool. As such, he's caught sight of an odd little scrap of green, wedged in the rocks a good ten feet up. It's probably too high to bother with, but since he can't fly around in the pink machines, he has to occupy himself somehow.

He can be found dragging pool furniture over, trying to stack it up enough that he can reach, or already standing on a precarious pile of them, still a few inches shy of his goal.

shall we dance?

[billowing]

Looking over Wei Ying's shoulder to see what he's drawing, Lan Wangji's ears turn pink at the tip. He takes a seat next to him, mostly to block the sight of anyone else who happens to be coming over.

"I hope you are not planning to slip that into my books while I am indisposed." He quirks an eyebrow, questioningly. Just how many drinks has Wei Ying had?

[sadflutenoises]

The brush goes flying from his startled fingers, clattering on the floor messily. At least he hadn't ruined the project with an unsightly smudge or streak. If Lan Zhan looks closely, he mightrecognize the figures, even if the hairstyles are a bit messy, he might even recognize the particular position they've been drawn in.

"Ah..." there's not much deniability, so he tries to change the course of the conversation instead, "no tearing this one up, I've been working really hard on it!"

just realized i left this tab open all day

[billowing]

It would honestly be more difficult not to recognize the figures, since once he's seen the position he looks for telltale signs, hoping that it's not another pair that's caught his attention, at least. Though, he doesn't feel too great about Wei Ying making this drawing out in the open like this; what if someone else sees?

"Wei Ying..." he starts, head cocking a little to the side. "I don't think you can do that."

oh nooooo

[sadflutenoises]

Wei Wuxian had little shame about sharing pornography with his friends when he was younger, and it seemed a pain to drag the art supplies up to their room, so why not paint here? Seemed like perfectly fine logic after a few drinks. He was hoping it might be a fun surprise for Lan Zhan, but he seemed almost as disinterested as he'd been in Wei Wuxian's early artwork.

"Criticizing my work?" he pouts, glancing down at the drawing to seek out the mistakes. Okay, so maybe they're a little exaggerated.

"You're just saying that so you have an excuse to try it."

[billowing]

A little bit? Hm. Well, at least they're very flattering depictions. He raises a brow at Wei Ying's accusation, but honestly, he wouldn't mind a demonstration. Perhaps not tonight, but maybe in the morning when he's sober and realizes what a stack of things he's drawn.

In the meantime. "You are drinking all alone," he comments. It sounds a lot harsher than he means it, because he's Lan Wangji.

He just wishes to know why Wei Ying wants to drink alone.

[sadflutenoises]

He was hoping for a bit of flirtation in return, maybe a blush, or he'd even settle for getting under his skin enough to see the drawing go up in a shower of paper scraps. Instead, Lan Zhan's tone is hard and though it's not mean, it's definitely disappointed, which somehow feels worse. His lip juts out in a pout, managing to look contrite for maybe a handful of seconds before he returns to his drawing, fumbling for the brush he's dropped.

"Not anymore," he corrects, "Lan Zhan is here."

[billowing]

"Ah, but he was not invited," he counters, not wanting to bring down the mood but wanting to maybe softly address his husband's slight problem with his relationship to alcohol. Still, now's not the time or place, and he doesn't want Wei Ying to think he'd wanted to marry him to change him or anything. They can table it for now.

He holds out a hand. "Will you let me try?" he asks, expectantly.

And no, he won't be drawing a similar subject matter.

[sadflutenoises]

Oh. Right. He may have lost track once he got started. But he'd only meant to have a few drinks! And there was a good reason he hadn't sent Lan Zhan a message right away, what was it? Oh, right-

"They were going to be a surprise," he has the decency to look somewhat sheepish as he glances at the pile of inked works. Maybe the last few got a bit... more risque as he had more to drink, but the ones stacked below were perfectly acceptable! Good even!

He abandons the erotic art, for the moment, and hands Lan Zhan his brush. A moment later he's pushing the small pile of other drawings in his direction as well. Maybe it was a bad idea, after all; hadn't Lan Zhan been annoyed with all his silly drawings before? But then... other Lan Zhan said he really liked them! And when Lan Zhan had been the drunk one, it was all he'd wanted to do! Draw little bunnies and his juniors and his home in Cloud Recesses... even if by then it all looked like scribbles.

"Well. Most of them. Maybe not all, ah... those were just practice ones, okay?" he adds, pushing aside some of the more obscene drawings.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji had assumed they would all be lewd, and so he hadn't considered that some of them would not be. He hadn't considered that the bulk of them would not be, and when he flips through them, he abandons the idea of drawing something for Wei Ying, because.

These are beautiful. The brushwork is so lively, and the likeness is good. He can see his own eyes reflecting back at him, and moreover, he can see how he looks to Wei Ying. He always thinks of himself as stern, but Wei Ying captures so much more of his spirit that he didn't even know anyone could see.

He's touched.

He offers him a small smile. "Wei Ying, they are very fine works." He'd hang them all up, wallpaper the Jingshi with them.

[sadflutenoises]

He's not sure what he expected. The plan, of course, was to make something Lan Zhan would like, that would make his face light up the way it did when they'd released lanterns together. He receives that, gladly, of course, but he wasn't prepared for praise on top of that. He watches Lan Zhan go through them, fidgeting childishly in his seat. Wei Wuxian has spent years downplaying any talents, worried to show them; if he didn't spend hours after placating Jiang Cheng, he was nervously skirting Madam Yu's gaze for days.

"You like them?" he smiles in return, and it's small, hopeful.

"Lan Zhan, ah- I mean, the other Lan Zhan, he said he kept a lot of his Wei Wuxian's drawings. From when I had to copy the rules down so many times. So I thought maybe... you kept them too?"

[billowing]

Lan Wangji wants to hide behind one of his cloud-sleeves, but he does look away instead, and submits: "Yes. I kept them all folded into books." That way they would remain flat and untouched for eternity. He'd only had those few scant things to remember Wei Ying by, for those years. Not even a pressed flower, an old flute. Just a few drawings and Emperor's Smile.

But he wonders why the other Lan Wangji had told him such a thing. Perhaps it had been while he was drunk. Lan Wangji might have to go talk to his other self about maybe trying a little harder to keep sober... who knows what sort of company they may find while drunk?

[sadflutenoises]

"You really did?" his shy smile only widens, genuinely pleased to hear it. That he would treasure even something so insignificant and silly of his, it made a warmth blossom in his chest and he scoots his chair closer.

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, I'll draw you as many as you want, okay?" he rests his head on his shoulder, looking over the works in Lan Zhan's hands, oblivious to the rest, occasionally pointing things out on the papers.

"Those are the rabbits, remember? From the caves by the cold pool. I couldn't remember mm... it's been a long time since I saw Cloud Recesses, so... some of it might be wrong."

III.

[inquiryguqin]

It's another day at the hotel, back to almost the same monotony, except now there are pink flamingo taking up around the pool. Seeing Wei Ying dragging furniture over to a vague spot, stacking them up on top of each other, and standing dangerously on top of it, he figured Wei Ying is reaching for something.

Approaching him, making his presence known, and standing close to him, he reaches for him and placed his hands on hips to keep him steady and to make sure he is safe.

"Wei Ying? What are you doing? This is dangerous."

[sadflutenoises]

He knows he ought to be more careful, but he'd thought he was avoiding the greater risk of those flying machines, and was instead just exploring the same open areas they'd always had access to. It seemed the less likely activity that would cause him to break any rules, at least.

"Oh, Lan Zhan!" he grins, "there's something up there, do you see it?"

He points to the bit of paper, that seems so deliberately placed. How else would it get there, anyway?

"This is perfect, can you help me reach it? Maybe if I stood on your shoulders..."

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji tries to keep him steady and balanced as he stands on the stack of furniture.

"You found something up there? Is that why you're searching for it?" He takes his word for it, as it could be something important.

Still, at his request. "I can lift you up." He just needs to stand on the stack of furniture himself, finding his own balance, and then without much effort, he holds him up with a lift using his strong arms, so that Wei Ying can reach to fetch that paper.

[sadflutenoises]

Lan Zhan's steadying hands help stabilize him, and he only wobbles a little when he joins him on top of the poolside furniture.

"Mm, well, it just- I guess it looks deliberate, you know? How else would it get there?"

That, and Wei Wuxian is getting desperate for any answers these days. It seems like they're only stumbling down a more and more confusing spiral. What few answers they'd gotten only led to more questions, and he still didn't know for certain which side March was on. Probably his own entirely, if he had to guess.

He doesn't mean for Lan Zhan to end up picking him up every time they meet, but at least this time, it's intentional, and more of an acrobatic act than anything else. Even so, Lan Zhan wasn't kidding about his ridiculous strength. Wei Wuxian tries to be quick about it, fingers just brushing the paper a couple times before he's finally able to pluck it from its hiding spot.

"Got it!"

[inquiryguqin]

The green paper was carefully tucked in knotted wood and needs to be pried out. Clearly, whoever placed the paper there, it was meant to be found, but in a tricky hiding place. Lan Wangji has good balance too. It's a matter of balance Wei Ying in his arms and then minding his feet on the piled-up furniture.

"You got it? That's good." It was easy for them, having used to maneuver their strength and balance from all of that training.

Just as gently, Lan Wangji slowly settles his foot down on the floor, carrying Wei Ying in his arms in tow as if he doesn't weight as much to him and then settled him down on the floor.

Eying the paper he got with curiosity. "What is it that you found Wei Ying? It looks like paper."

[sadflutenoises]

Once they were back on solid ground, he unfolded the green paper, standing companionably close enough that Lan Zhan could easily see over his shoulder. It's a drawing, just a caterpillar, one of those crawlies with too many legs.

He almost starts to read it aloud, but certainly, there's things listening everywhere, aren't there? He glances up at Lan Zhan to make sure he's seen the series of numbers and the message, call a friend, before folding it back up and pocketing it. He'd promised to at least try to be more careful, and even though his curiosity is bubbling up to find out more, rather than discuss their findings, he takes Lan Zhan's hand and scrawls the characters to ask, somewhere safe to talk?

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Zhan peers over his shoulder curiosity to see what he found. All he sees is a green paper with a caterpillar drawn on it and a series of numbers stringed together. Reading the simple words, Call a friend.

"Hm? Mn." He takes Wei Ying's hand, fingers lacing as he nods wordlessly, and follows after him as Wei Ying takes the leads to find a safer place to talk of their findings.

[sadflutenoises]

The last time he'd tried to exchange vital information, at least, outside of any prying eyes or ears, it'd been between the heavy bass of the gym's dance floor, lips close as they'd whispered secrets. He might not need that same level of privacy, but he also didn't want to discuss anything in easy sight of the staff, even if most were occupied in working with those flying machines.

Still, the idea was the same. It would be hard to overhear them where there was already noise, and it was less likely that they'd be specific targets of eavesdropping if they were in places that were already heavily populated. He pulls Lan Zhan along, making for the dining area. No matter the time of day, it seems like there's always plenty of people, and a low buzz of chatter. Two people leaning in close to talk wouldn't be out of place here.

"Are you hungry, Lan Zhan?" he asks, leading the way there either way, and keeping up a steady stream of inane conversation, talking about what soups they might have, or whether they'd have enough chili oil for him to add when things were much too flavorless.

"Why don't we get a table?"

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Zhan takes cue, figuring out what Wei Ying is up to, so he follows after him dutifully through the areas of the lobby and through the dining area. His perfectly jade-like face and light-colored eyes sparked with curiosity as he hangs on, fingers lacing with his.

"Yes, I am hungry. I would like something to eat." He managed to smile, realizing this is also an opportunity to spend time and have lunch with him.

Looking around, searching the dining area for a table, there's an empty one near the window. "I would like to eat chicken caesar salad and cheesecake if they have any."

Not the soups he has in mind, as Lan Zhan learns to have quite an appetite, having previously dined in before.

[sadflutenoises]

Some things obviously don't change between their worlds, because holding Lan Zhan's hand as they walk feels like the most natural thing, sharing a meal together, just as easy.

"Good, yes! Bring your appetite," he says reassuringly, glad that much of their communication is clear without words.

"Cheesecake? Mm, we can certainly check," he says amiably, making mental note that Lan Zhan might have found a sweet tooth in the desserts offered here. He's had plenty of fun of his own, trying out the otherworldly dishes and styles of cuisine.

He hands Lan Zhan a tray as they enter, only untangling their fingers long enough to serve himself up with a few spicy dishes, and carries a fresh shaker of chili flakes with him back to the table. There's plenty of light, and it seems in a lively enough area that their conversation is unlikely to be overheard, especially if they keep their voices low. And it hardly seems out of the ordinary for them to have a private conversation, sit close, or smile and laugh together. He's not the sort for covert operations, but he feels like he can manage this level of stealth, at least.

As soon as he's seated, he scoots his chair close to Lan Zhan's, so they're sitting almost elbow to elbow, knees brushing.

[inquiryguqin]

He held onto his hand, perhaps he realized he's not holding enough, but they're both engaged now, so he wondered if this is even appropriate. Yet, he felt safe doing so. His hand is always warm to hold.

"Cheesecake. It doesn't exist back home. I learned the recipe. I learn to bake a lot of things during my time here." With plenty of time to pass, Lan Zhan was hopelessly bored.

Sitting with him by the table, their bodies close, and when the food appears, he eats quietly without complaint of how hot the dishes were and how spicy it is to him. He drinks his water quickly though.

He only sniffed in response, eyes, and nose watery from the hot dishes, his pale jade face a bit red as he tries to tolerate the heat of the dishes.

[sadflutenoises]

"I didn't know you liked sweets so much Lan Zhan," he smiles.

Once seated, with plenty of food in front of them, he's almost distracted himself, the spicy scents enough to make his mouth water, but he only takes a few bites before leaning in close, as if teasing or making a joke between them.

"Lan Zhan, I think... either those numbers are a code, or... or more likely, they work on the Empathy devices," he swallowed, eyes flicking over Lan Wangji's face for a moment.

"But... we don't know the consequences, if it's really a friend, right? And I told Lan Zhan I'd be more careful, so..." he trails off. He'd become to accustomed to leaping before he looked, heedless of the consequences, so this as close to being careful as he got.