funnyhearts | TEST DRIVE MEME 003

TEST DRIVE MEME 003

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

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FLAMINGO
[ Matt thought his leg was getting pulled when he first heard there were flying flamingo vehicles at the pool and remains skeptical until a staff member shows him over to one. He reaches out and feels the shape of the head and the beginning of the long metal neck at the front of the little vehicle, laughing as it becomes clear he was mistaken.

His smile dims as a thought crosses his mind- That's probably the first time he's laughed since waking up in this place, and without his abilities. How the hell are they going to get out of here?

The staff member asks him if he needs anything else and Matt shakes his head, smile returning. He stays there, reflecting on the situation, though to an onlooker it might look more like he's disappointed he isn't allowed to drive the flamingo- being blind and all. Maybe someone will volunteer to do the driving for him? ]

HELLO

[ On his way trying to avoid the dance floor and the lessons there Matt walks a little too close to the art lessons and accidentally knocks a can of paint over on the floor. He apologizes, turning red and berating himself on the inside for the mistake he'd normally be able to avoid easily if his senses were their normal strength. The instructor doesn't exactly help by fussing either, and next thing he knows he's being shoved in a seat and presented a mound of clay to sculpt. Matt sighs and sits for a while, eventually picking at the clay. ]

Isn't there a music video like this?

[ Pretty sure it was a Lionelle Richie song. Blind lady in lessons, sculpting a bust or something of the singer. ]

TRADE

Excuse m- You'd like what?

[ Tee? Tea? Really? Is it the word for the local currency or is the craftsman really saying she'll take payment in T- shirt or drink, Matt isn't sure. ]

[ These aren't anything close to his wings, but like hell Sam is going to pass up the chance to do any kind of flying again. He'd taken the lessons they offered as soon as he heard they existed - the sky may be his second home, but he knows better than to think he can figure out how to work one of these easier than someone who already knows can show him.

But he gets the hang of it pretty quick, and then that's it, he knows what he's doing for the rest of the day, coming down only for a quick break or to grab something to eat.

It's during one of these that he spots a guy lingering among the other parked flamingos. It doesn't take long to guess what the dilemma might be, and Sam gives a little shrug before heading over. ]

Hey, man. You interested in going up?

[ Matt takes a sharp inhale and lifts his head, turning towards Sam. He's so used to the blaring signals of someone approaching, calling for his attention back on the present moment instead of his thoughts, he blurts out in surprise. ]

Oh! Uh!

[ He shifts his weight between feet and shrugs. What should he say? Well it won't kill him to say yes. It's better than standing around by the pool. ]

Yeah. Sure, why not? Who wouldn't want to be able to say they flew on a flamingo?

[ Sam feels a little bit bad for surprising the guy, but at least he doesn't seem to be too upset by it. Then he grins when he agrees, giving a soft chuckle. ]

My thought exactly. I've flown a lot of things back home, but a flamingo? That's a new one even for me. I parked the same way you're facing now, about ten steps forward, if you'd rather I not show you.

[ Because he doesn't mind leading him over, but he sure as hell isn't just going to go grabbing at him like he can't do himself. Sam learned better than that, working at the VA. ]

Thanks.

[ Matt taps his cane around to make sure he doesn't take a step right into the pool on the way. Just as described he comes upon another flamingo, easy to recognize with a touch to the head. ]

Alright... How do you sit on this? Like a bike?

[ He traces down the neck of the bird and finds the metal body. He can feel what he's pretty sure is the seat, much like a bike as guessed. Flamingos are slim so likely bike style. Matt grabs onto the little vehicle and mounts it easily by supporting his weight with his arms and throwing a leg over. He examines the seat a little closer and laughs. ]

No seatbelts. Must not made in America. Did I leave you enough space?

[ Sam laughs at that comment about the seat belts, warm and amused. ]

I'll give you a warning before I do any barrel rolls. How's your leg strength?

[ He's teasing. He hasn't even figured out if these things can do barrel rolls, he's not gonna make the attempt the first time with a passenger.

Sam hops onto the flamingo, settling himself in front of him. ]

I'm Sam Wilson, by the way. Figured I should probably introduce myself before I tell you to slide a little closer and hold on.

[ Matt chuckles. ]

Good leg strength but I might crush you around the middle with my arms if I can't hang on to the seat.

[ Sam Wilson sounds vaguely familiar but he can't think of who has that name. Apparently he can't ask his friends to remind him what he's forgetting. ]

Nice to meet you Sam, I'm Matt. Matt Murdock from New York City if that means anything to you.

[ -As in the city. He's not expecting his own name to be famous. ]

[When the man knocked over the can of paint, the color spilled over the painting he was working on. He sighed, and he realized the man is making a mistake]

It's all right. It was an accident. [He's going to find a clean rag to clean up and throw his messed up painting away and get a brand new clean blank of paper]

Music video? I'm not familiar. I don't watch a lot of t.v where I'm from. But you can make a vase out of clay.

[ It was an accident and the other man doesn't sound angry but Matt still cringes a bit like a guilty dog would, wondering if he just messed up something they had been working hard on. ]

I don't watch much tv either.

[ He chuckles softly, gesturing to his glasses and hoping a touch of humor can break whatever tension is left. ]

A vase- yeah, that sounds about as beginner friendly as anything.

[ He nods and starts to gather and roll the clay into a more cylindrical shape. ]

Are you an artist?

[It's hard to get Mu angry. If anything, he wanted to be helpful. Besides, it's easy to get new paint and paper to draw with, so it's not a problem. He can redraw from scratch.

When he points to his glasses, Mu understood that the other man couldn't see.]

There's plenty of clay if you need more, I can fetch you some. Just let me know.

I'm not really an artist, but now it seems like I have the time to put that into practice. I did a lot of martial arts training back home, so now I have all the time to try painting and writing.

Thanks.

[ Mu seems to have moved on from the accident. He brings up a subject Matt knows something about, though he doesn't normally broadcast that fact. He asks, in part for the sake of small talk but also wondering what the other oysters at the hotel are capable of. ]

What form of martial arts do you practice? You training for a competition?

[At his question, Mu chuckles a bit as memories of his childhood came rushing back in that instant]

No. Ever since I was a child and as soon as I can walk and talk, I was trained for war. I was a destined soldier for the war greek goddess, Athena. There was a prophecy that every 250 years, she is reborn as a human so she can fight against her enemy, the god of death, Hades.

[ Matt's eyebrows arch over his glasses. That certainly wasn't the type of answer he was expecting. He knows others with unusual stories, his own childhood had been similar in ways but he still thought the odds of running into someone like that would be low. Unless the abductions weren't so random. ]

Did the war come?

[In a quiet voice, answering honestly]

It did. Hades covered the Earth in total darkness. I died before knowing the outcome of Earth's final day, so I am praying for the best. Whatever is left of Athena's soldiers to fight against the remains of his army, I leave it to them to carrying on to save the world.

So, I'm sorry that I don't know the outcome of humanity and Earth. I hope it sees the light the next day and everyone survives. Up until now, I gave my everything.

I'm sorry you don't get to witness it yourself.

[ Is there a proper way to say, "Sorry you're dead"?

Matt frowns to himself as he attempts to wrap his head around the story and the hotel. He could be talking to a man with a wild imagination but it's also a sign that the whole you're in a different world claim was the truth. ]

We must be from different Earths. I've heard the names Athena and Hades in stories but there's no prophesy like that.

[Let alone Mu is trying to explain the hotel has the power to bring back the dead. He smiles serenely at the thoughtful answer, so with optimism.]

It's all right. We're here now, so let's make the best of it.

[At his remark, he thought about it, and this is a new discovery]

They are the names in Greek myths, but in my world, the gods are real with real divine power where they can decide the fate of humans. Different Earths you say? What your Earth is like?

[For that matter, he thought of the time and place and comparing this world and the world of Earth that he last remember]

The calendar of this world is different too. For me, the year in my Earth is 1990.

[ Make the best of it. Like the fact we get to go to art class instead of being held in prison cells. Matt huffs in amusement at the thought. Hey, he won't complain about that detail.

He nods at Mu. It's all Greek myths in his world. ]

1990 AD? In my world, it's over twenty years later. If you have Greece do you have other countries my world does? I'm from New York City in the United States if that means anything.

[With a nod]

That's correct. It's 1990 AD. [Now he's amused and in wonder] You come from twenty years later? What's the future is like?

[With a chuckle]

That's America, across the other side of the world over oceans. I don't have much to go travel there. I'm just a poor monk.

[ Matt laughs, thinking of the world he grew up in as a kid compared to the one he's in as an adult. ]

The future? VHS tapes are outdated. The internet and people's computers are so fast they stream movies and shows on demand for a monthly rate. Everyone has a cell phone that's at least as powerful as a desktop computer from your time. -The devices they gave us when we arrived are similar to give you an idea. It's a world where you can easily talk to people living across the globe, which has its pros and cons as you can imagine.

What type of monk are you? Buddhist?

[ Based on the martial arts experience that's his first guess. ]

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[This was her second day/attempts to try and perfect the art of sculpting. When Leanne hears the sound of the paint can hitting the floor, she lets out a squeak and flares out her wings in surprise. She looks around and sees Matt getting shoved into the seat and then him, picking at the clay given to him after a bit.]

I do not know what a music video is, my lord. Do you need help?

[ Matt hears her squeak and gives an apologetic cringe in her direction. He tries to make a joke to break the tension after his mistake but apparently it didn't hit home. ]

Oh. It's... nevermind that, it's not important. I'm fine... Though uh... I am having trouble choosing what to sculpt. Do you have any ideas?

[ He comes up with the issue as he talks, trying to make some type of friendly gesture by continuing the conversation instead of dismissing it all. She doesn't talk like anyone else he's spoken to so far- if she's a fellow oyster he should find out who she is. ]

[Leanne blushes at her own squeaking and goes to study Matt.]

I am glad to hear that, my lord. The worker seemed to e a little rude by shoving you. I have been trying to make a decent cup. Maybe either a mug or cup?

[She goes to study him a little bit more.]

Wouldn't the objects over your eyes make sculpting hard?

A cup or a mug. That's simple enough!

[ He nods in agreement. It takes him an extra second to figure out what she's referring to when he's never met someone who didn't know what glasses are before. He smiles and adjusts his glasses in acknowledgement. ]

Oh these? These are my sunglasses. They're dark to protect people's eyes when the light is too bright. It makes it easier to see when you normally have to squint. I wear them more for the protection and fashion though. I'm blind, so I can't see anyway.

Sunglasses?

[Headtilt but she listens to him as he explains what they are and how they are used.]

They sound like a wonderful invention, my lord!

[She goes to chirp out but then, her wings droop when he mentions his condition.]

I... I am sorry to hear that. If I may be so bold as to ask, were you born that way or?

[ It's the common kind of reaction and question he gets. Matt shakes his head and smiles at her. ]

I'm used to it, it's no problem. I wasn't born blind, I got in an accident when I was nine. So I've lived more of my life without sight than with it.

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TEST DRIVE MEME 003

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. SHALL WE DANCE, SHALL WE FLY

II. WE TRADE IN FAVORS

III. SECRET MESSAGES

IV. WELCOME HOME

Matt Murdock | Marvel Netflix

FLAMINGO

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II. Hello

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Hello

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