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 | Mo Dao Zu Shi | OTA

[scaredofdogs]

1A. Pink Flamingos
[He stares at the change in the pool area in dismay. What has happened to his wonderful pool area and what are these flying pink things? He looks terribly upset by the changes but even more so when a staffer takes him by the arm and drags him up to one of the birds.

So he will deal with flying lessons..which seems kind of odd but who is he to complain. He already learned how to fly on his own, certainly these things can't be any harder to learn then that.]

1B. Dance Lessons
[With a wedding in his future, Wei Wuxian figures a few dancing lessons might not be a bad idea. And since the gym isn't exactly open to anything else at the moment, might as well continue to take the strange changes the hotel is undergoing in stride.

And so he is shoved towards a partner, he looks rather out of his element but willing to learn.]

I'll try not to step on your toes.

1C. Painting
[Of course he is going to go where there is painting supplies! He has something important he needs to work on and the hotel is giving him the perfect opportunity. He settles at one of the tables, paints and paper spread before him. He picks up a pencil to try and sketch out his idea before putting the paint to paper. And with a glass of wine that seems to constantly be refilled whether he asks for it or not, he is having a rather wonderful evening.

He looks to the person beside him.]

What are you working on?

2. Merchants
[Wandering through the lobby is like walking the streets back at home with plenty of people peddling their wares. Shouting to get your attention and shoving items under your nose in the hopes that you will chose to select their item over someone else.

Wei Wuxian smiles as he moves from table to table, wondering if there is anything here that he really needs. He has plenty of teas at his disposal having not used all the ones that the hotel has given to him. And even willing to trade a favor depending on what they ask for.

As he gets drawn in to one of the vendors, his hand moves across the smooth red fabric. His expression one of warm happiness and a small smile on his lips.]

3. Secret Messages
[He stares up at the odd green thing sticking out of the tiles. Flying up there would be easy for him. He's gotten pretty good at using wings. The problem is there is a lot of staff around and he isn't sure that they would be too keen on him flying up there and dislodging it from the tile. It's not fully destruction of property but it probably comes pretty close. And he has a tendency to break a few too many rules on a regular day that he doesn't need to have a dozen witnesses to him doing it again.]

I just need a distraction...

1b

[billowing]

The steps are not too difficult.

[ They both have weddings to learn dancing for, but honestly he's not sure what on Earth this music is or what this dance is about. There isn't a whole lot of dancing in the Cloud Recesses, even on celebratory occasions. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[At least the instructors didn't put him with a stranger. he knows Lan Wangji will forgive him if he steps on him.]

The steps might not be difficult but trying to do those steps at the same time as someone else and not get feet in the way of other feet..seems a lot harder.

[Most of the dancing he knows involves just...moving. Letting the music just pull you along. To have to learn actual steps to music that seems rather harsh and strange to his ears...less fun.]

[billowing]

I will lead. You need only follow.

[ In fact, Wei Ying could stand on his feet and Lan Wangji would go through the steps to show him. As he watches the instructor, he remembers all of the movements, and does them to the slowed-down tune of the music as it plays, careful to guide Wei Ying through the steps as he should, as the lead. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He looks down at their feet as Lan Wangji guides him through the movements.]

Have you ever done this before, Lan Zhan?

[billowing]

Only with Wei Ying.

[ And uh, that dance required a little bit more... movement and fluidity than this one does, but he isn't going to, uh, mention that. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He thinks about that and then laughs.]

Well now you have danced with both of us.

[he lifts his eyes back up so he isn't watching the feet anymore. He doesn't really think it's helping him and if anything it is throwing his balance off a little.]

1c

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji is working on a painting using a brush and watercolors. He's drawing trees and flowers in vibrant colors by the looks of it. When asked, he looks at him with a soft expression and managed to smile a little.

"Flowers." He answered. "Orchids and peonies."

[scaredofdogs]

He is still sketching out his own drawing but pauses so that he can drink the glass of wine that the staff has left for him. It has a pleasant flavor and he has already enjoyed one entire glass.

"You should draw out the wedding, Lan Zhan. We said we were going to do that when we got back."

[inquiryguqin]

"Mn." He finished the drawing of the flowers and set it aside. He's going to hang it in his room later.

"Do you remember any wedding traditions from home?"

[scaredofdogs]

"I never got to go to any weddings." He leans on the table and considers what he knows about them. "There is the bowing of course..and I believe a tea ceremony." And the traditional red clothing. He thinks the whole ceremony should be colorful.

[inquiryguqin]

"That will change when we make preparations for our wedding later this month." He managed to smile, he is so full of love for him.

"Yes, there's a bowing. You only need to do so to pay respects to the Heaven and Earth, then to the ancestors. Then pay respects to our parents...or in our case, to my uncle. Then us to each other. There's a tea ceremony, then you'll be carried in a sedan, and then there's a banquet."

After some thought, "But I'm willing to bend tradition to make it easier for us and keep it simple."

[scaredofdogs]

He laughs a little and shakes his head, "I don't think a sedan would be a very good idea. Who would carry it? And how could it get through the halls?" He doesn't even know if they can actually go back out into the gardens. He's prefer to have the wedding out there but he will be happy wherever they have it.

But he can certainly get behind a banquet full of all kinds of food. "And there can be dancing and celebrating with everyone. And cake!"

III. Secret messages

[aries_saint]

There's a new resident that Wei Wuxian haven't seen or met before. He's a gentleman with long lilac hair tied with a ponytail and a stoic, but focused expression.

He is also staring at the odd green thing that is sticking out of the tiles, and he wondered what is it? He can't reach it however. If he has his telekinesis powers, that would be easy.

"You noticed it too?"

[scaredofdogs]

He looks over at the other and nods, then glances around the room at the staff. "I know how to get it..but I'm worried about someone seeing." As long as he turns into a small bird then he can probably get the note and just hope he is able to pull it out with his feet or beak. But unless he tries he won't really know.

"But if you can stand here and distract anyone that comes by, I might be able to get it." Is he asking a lot of someone he doesn't know? Maybe...but introductions can be made after the paper is in hand.

[aries_saint]

"You were worried that someone might see you?" He's not going to ask. All he knows is that the other must get it and he needs his help.

He won't question it. As long he could get it. It's something that stood out to him and he wants to study it as he finds this hotel a total mystery.

"All right. I'll try to distract them and then you get it." He has some confidence, but he has no experience with the staff other than talking their way out.

SO he did that, he stood guard and if anyone passing by, he distracts by talking pleasantries and shooting the breeze.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian hides in a corner and then when the coast is clear changes into a small bird. Luckily he has started to figure out how to change into things and keep his clothing on so there is no longer a telltale pile of clothing!

He quietly flies up to the green piece and with his beak carefully pulls it out of its hole. Lucky it isn't in there very tight so it is quite easy to get it out. Then it is just a matter of flying back to his little corner to change back into his regular body.

Once back and the note is in hand, he strolls back to the other with a victorious smile on his face. "Victory is ours."

[aries_saint]

Which is good, Mu is tire of talking in circles to distract the others. When he announces he fetch the paper.

"You got it? What did the paper say?"

[scaredofdogs]

He holds the paper out to the other man. "Looks like some sort of message. I don't know much about caterpillars. I've not even seen one on this world."

But if they are friendly then he is all about trying to contact one.

2

[blessmefather]

[ Matt figured he'd give the merchant wares a chance just in case something useful was for sale. At least it would give him an idea of what the locals valued and maybe hint at exists outside the hotel prison. He's also examining one of the fabrics when Wei Wuxian pauses nearby. Matt raises his head and overhears the vendor talking to somebody else. Okay. He can ask someone else. He can tell someone is standing next to him so he turns and offers a smile. ]

Um, excuse me. What color is this fabric?

[ He lifts the corner of the black fabric. He has other questions but best start with the most basic. It might seem like a strange question but the cane resting in the crook of his other arm might clue the other man in on why he's asking. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He looks over at the other man and it isn't hard to figure out why he is asking the question so he looks down at the fabric in his hand.]

That particular fabric is black. Do you have a specific color you are desiring?

[blessmefather]

Oh, this would be fine. I usually go with black or blue.

[ Common, easy to match colors that are easy on the eyes. He pushes the dark red glasses up his nose. ]

Occasionally red.

I was wondering- is there any truth to the claims about the wares here or are those exaggerations? Like this, cloth that will "keep the wearer from becoming too hot or cold," or the "good luck" charms a lot of the vendors are selling. I'm new here, I don't know what to expect.

[scaredofdogs]

This is the first time we've actually had vendors like this..so it is hard to say. Generally sellers like this will say whatever they think you want to hear to try and sell their goods. But I don't think that is the case here. I believe it might be true. This world has some strange powers.

[If they can create teas with powers in them, they can create lucky fabric.]

[blessmefather]

Really?

[ He doesn't know what to make of that just yet. Magic of sorts is still new and foreign to him even now that he believes dragons are real. He wasn't about to assume his captors were telling the truth when they welcomed him to a hotel supposedly in a world other than his own.

He feels the corner of the black fabric again. It could be his dimmed senses but... ]

It does seem unlike anything I've run across at home... I heard they levitate boxes that bring people in but I assumed advanced technology, not magic. Are there other examples?

[scaredofdogs]

Everything here is advanced technology compared to what I am used to. We didn't even have running water inside.

[He considers what the most magical parts of the hotel might be.]

Well..at one point the entire hotel was just moving rooms around just because it felt like it. You never knew where you would end up. They also have these teas that can modify your appearance, make your emotions go crazy or give you a super power.