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!

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© tessisamess

Comments

[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!"

[inquiryguqin]

"Then a sedan isn't necessary if nobody is going to carry it. That will be lovely, but maybe we can do that if we ever return home and have a second wedding there."

He smiles softly, "Whatever Wei Ying wishes. I would like that too. Dancing and music with cake and ice cream. It's going to be a special day."

[scaredofdogs]

He drapes himself over Lan wangji's shoulders, wrapping his arms around them. "I love you, Lan Zhan. Even if we did nothing I would be content." But he likes the idea of a big party, a big get together like they used to enjoy at Lotus Pier. Everyone having fun and celebrating. They need to enjoy such upbeat things once in awhile.

"Should we make decorations?"

[inquiryguqin]

He gently lowered his brush. His painting is finished. He turns his body around to face him and wraps his arms around him to hug him and hold him softly. "I love you too, Wei Ying. Very much so. I wouldn't mind doing nothing, but it is a party to celebrate." Also, it helps to distract their minds and promote happiness.

"We can ask the staff for that. We will put lights and lanterns in the garden, hanging on the trees." Once he figured out if the garden is accessible. "As for the food, we can figure out what will be served at the banquet."

[scaredofdogs]

"It should be all our favorite foods." Which would mean Lotus soup for him if that is still possible. They had it at the camp but that doesn't mean they will have access to the ingredients now.

"We don't have to pay for anything here so we should take advantage of that!" All the food, all the decorations, all the extravagance. Because bigger is more fun.

[inquiryguqin]

"It should be a variety of foods and not just soup. I remember you complained that the food of Gusu Lan is so bland." So, not just lotus soup. He was thinking of fish, chicken, flavored meats. For once, he'll break his restricted vegetarian diet for this banquet.

"Mn. And we should ask for desserts and sweets. It's going to be a big banquet for the people here. Do you want to invite everyone?"

[scaredofdogs]

"That's because it is bland, Lan Zhan!" He settles back into his own spot and lets the man go.

"Of course everyone is invited. If we leave someone out and they see the party then it will make them sad. No one should feel that way when its a day of celebration."

[inquiryguqin]

He is always touched by Wei Ying's thoughtfulness, not wanting anyone to feel left out. "Wei Ying...you always thought about everyone. So of course everyone is welcomed to come."

Thinking this through, "What about our soultwins? If they come, do they intend to get married as well or they haven't realized it yet like us?" He hasn't touched base with their twins yet other than helping them and aiding them on missions.

[scaredofdogs]

"They got engaged awhile ago. So I guess they were a little faster in figuring things out." He isn't sure exactly when the engagement was, and he doesn't exactly talk to his own soul twin very much. But he knows enough from the other Lan Wangji.

"I'm not sure what plans they have made so far."

[inquiryguqin]

"You're not sure? Then I'll be sure to try to speak to one of them." Because there is so many thoughts and ideas that they need to share and discuss. "Weddings is a serious matter that involves family."

"Maybe they want their own wedding a little different." And it's concerning that his Wei Ying doesn't know much and remember of the traditions.

"I do know weddings can be complicated. I wish my brother and members of my family of the sect can give me advice, but we're all that we have during our stay here."

[scaredofdogs]

"Even if he isn't from our world, you do have a brother here. I'm sure he would be willing to help. Even if he might feel more connection with the other you because of the same world, I still think he feels like he is your brother as well."

The same goes for his senior sister. Although they might not be as close, their memories are similar enough that the feelings are there. He is sure she would want to help out with both weddings as well.

[inquiryguqin]

"Mn. I'll speak to him." Lan Wangji thought his way through. Already in the hotel, there's a lack of resources.

"We'll figure out a way. Honestly, I would love for us to have a traditional wedding, but I wouldn't mind to make it simple and just have a banquet. We just need to wear something red, and then pick a lucky day through fortune-telling to be sure that our marriage will be full of happiness and luck. I think that was it. Then one day we go home, we'll have a traditional wedding, I feel that it will happen."

[scaredofdogs]

"Mm..We will ask all the family members what they think and see if they have suggestions. Especially if we have one the same time as the other us then we want to make sure it is good for everyone."

It makes him a little nervous to be having such an important event or even planning one in a place that can be so..unpredictable.

[inquiryguqin]

"Considering I need to consult the family, I don't think we will be able to have a wedding this month. If you can be patient, I think next month or sometime in the fall will be feasible once everything is in agreement and on the same page. Also the hotel doesn't give us much resources to make it a proper wedding."

He sees the nervousness in him, and he gives him a kiss on the cheek. "For now, we're formally engaged."

He smiles, "Also autumn food are the best. I hope the hotel's autumn food is good too."

[scaredofdogs]

"You don't have to worry about me, Lan Zhan. I can wait however long as we need to. I know you love me, and I love you. That's all I need."

He smiles and leans over to kiss his cheek lightly. If the hotel has seasons then a fall wedding with the leaves changing into bright colors would be a pretty backdrop to have.

[inquiryguqin]

He looks pleased with the idea of an autumn wedding or even a winter one, depending on how and when they could pull it off. He manages to smile back and pulls Wei Ying into a hug. For now, their engagement is going to be a topic until their wedding day comes.

"I love you too, Wei Ying." Followed by a kiss on the cheek, a kiss on top on the crown of his hair, then on his lips. All the kisses.

"I'm free for the evening, so if you want to spend some time, I want to spend time with you."

[scaredofdogs]

"I always want to spend time with you, Lan Zhan." It would be quite a difficult life together if he didn't want to spend time with him. So he is laughing as he hugs him back, getting buried beneath those kisses.

"What is it you would like to do?"

[inquiryguqin]

Looking at him with absolute love. His laughs and smiles always cheered him up and give him hope. "Always...?"

He thought about it. He wanted to spend not worrying about marriage and how to set it up. It's complicated. When it comes, the wedding comes.

Turning to him. "They're holding dance lessons in the gym. Would you like to go? I never dance before and I want to dance with you."

[scaredofdogs]

"Of course, always!" He would happily spend every minute of the day with this man.

"Okay. Let's go dance." He doesn't really have a lot of experience dancing but that is what lessons are for. He collects his drawing and rolls everything up so that it stays save and ties it closed.

[inquiryguqin]

Taking his beloved's hand, he smiles softly and heads toward to the hotel's private gym, the Caucus-Race. There are guest instructors there to teach dance lessons of all kinds and what is offered.

Facing Wei Ying, taking his hands. "What kind of dance you want to learn? They have the waltz, the salsa, the tango." Just to name a few.

[scaredofdogs]

"I don't know any of those so let's just learn them all." He hasn't ever really done any structured dancing before. Most of the things he knows is much more freestyle and simply enjoying the music. He isn't against learning though, especially if these are the kinds of dances they would be doing at their wedding.

[inquiryguqin]

The instructor sees them as a couple or they presumed them to be. They show them all manners of dance. The music plays and Lan Wangji tries to mimic the moves as he dances Wei Wuxian around.

Lan Wangji never dance before in his hand. He dances clumsily as he mimics the steps and moves, moving Wei Wuxian to the beat. He goes slow and at times fast.

Though he is lively the most with the tango and salsa, as the waltz is much slower.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian is a quick learner and danced a few of these already with the other Lan Wangji. So he helps to guide this one through some of the moves he does know. The tango and salsa are definitely harder but the waltz is one he has gotten quite good at with all the practice.

"You don't have to follow along exactly to the steps, Lan Zhan. Just let the music guide you." Music and dancing should always be more relaxed and flowing and less structured in order to be more fun.