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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He was always so much deep in thought that she tried to pick up even the tiniest emote to see what he was really thinking. She goes to let out a sigh and shakes her head. He probably wouldn't really understand what is wrong and why she is focus on the cup.

"A nestling is what Beorcs call a child. A small babe."

Without their respective psychic powers, it's hard to tell what each other is thinking or feeling as he seems to be so deep in thought and seemingly stoic, and speak rather straight-forwardly.

"Oh. I see. Your cup isn't so bad. You can still use it to drink water or have tea with." Which...his remark isn't helping!

Either way, he won't be speaking for the next few moments as he is using a torch to take shape of the handle for his vase...which he's determined to make a water pitcher out of it.

Edited 2020-07-31 22:02 (UTC)

She idly goes to fidget with a lock of hair as he remains so stoic. She blinks as his remark doesn't help at all with her pride.

"Yes, it still can be used but still..."

But then, he is using a torch to make his vase. His can make just about anything so perfectly. While she... She can't help but to only see remainders of the childhood she lost, never getting the chance to learn things and gain skills.

"It looks beautiful so far."

"Your cup is fine."

Using the tools, he makes the handle into a curved shape. With finishing touches, the water pitcher is done and he uses the cold water to carefully cool it down, rolling it into shape.

Then gently lay the water pitcher on display to cool it down. It has a certain glow of light green as the light bounces off the surface of the glass.

He turns to her and finally smiled, "Thank you. For your cup, this glass pitcher can be yours."

He may say that it is fine but it almost sounds like he was just trying to picante her. Which almost makes it much worse. More of a stab to her pride.

She goes to watch him make the water pitcher. A part of her felt jealous and her own inadequacy was making itself known as he watches him make it perfectly again. A part of her was praying that this wasn't his first time doing this type of craft. But she kept it all in, only showing a smile on her face towards him.

Her eyes blink at his offering of the glass pitcher. "Thank you Mu, for the kind thought but I couldn't accept such a trade." She coos as she shakes her head, the smile never leaving her face.

It wasn't perfection. He studies and paid attention to the offered lessons. He paid attention to details. He was careful because he's using a blow-torch and fire. He takes his time. He is slow in making the water pitcher, making sure it's sturdy. The glass and color shines.

"It's for you." He insisted. In the meanwhile, he left the water pitcher on the table for her to accept it. He cleans up the tools and then, quietly, wordlessly, he takes her cup the way it is.

"And I shall take this one."

Compared to hers, it was perfection. She was also paying attention to the offered lessons.

She watches as he sets the water pitcher down before taking her cup wordlessly. "Mu! It isn't good." She protests a little before sighing. He was going to accept it... No matter what then.

Another sigh as she goes to pick up the water pitcher and cradles it in her hands. "We should... Go and drop them off so we won't break them. Especially something so beautiful."

He managed to smile a little, taking the cup in his hands. "It's fine to me. You made it for me, right? The cup will hold water and that's all that matters."

Seeing she's taking her glass pitcher, "I'll take it to my room for safe-keeping."

Her wings briefly droop as she nods her head before they perk back up again. "I did but..." She was stubborn but she also knew when to back off.

She cradles the glass pitcher and nods her head. "At least... Until I make one that is more worthy of being a gift?" And here is an attempt at compromising.

"A...a gift?" He's not accustomed to giving gifts, let alone making one.

"Why do you want to give a gift? What's the occasion?" He is curious now, as there's a look of confusion, but only because he's trying to understand.

"Yes, a gift." She quirks a brow up at him.

"Because you are my friend and I want to give you one. No occasion is needed to do that. At least, I hope no occasion is needed..."

Finally, after a few moments, understanding and he managed to smile brightly.

"Oh. Okay. Gifts are good. I like gifts. If you like the glass pitcher, I can make something else to give more gifts...?"

She goes to blush and looks away.

"Ah you don't have to for one as myself. This pitcher will be enough, really it would be Mu."

"I can make many more glass pitchers. You can fill it with water and you can use it to water plants."

But then after some more thought. "Unless you like something else? What does Leanne like?"

"One will be plently. Truly, this gift is so much more than one as myself could ever be."

She blinks at his question and goes to look away, thinking hard. "I can't think of anything... I am truly content, Mu. Truly I am. I dare not to be selfish and ask for things."

"It's hard to think of something to give in this place. In my world, it's much more modern than this. And I live in a rural place near the mountains."

Now Mu truly thinks it's a shame that he die for a cause much bigger than himself. Still, he managed to smile at her.

"If you like it, then I can make other things." At least, if he could make something for someone it will keep him going with a purpose and have much to live for.

"Modern? I fear I don't understand the term. But even in a place like this it shouldn't be hard to give gifts. Just give what you wish to give."

She goes to smile back up at him, moving a wing to brush it against him to give a bit of comfort.

So much blushing as he seems to be determined to give her things. "I do like it but you should make things for yourself."

"Mn. I'll think of something to make. Oh, modern means, I used to live in a temple in the mountains and countryside with my disciple, Kiki. Far away, there's a lot of humans living in big cities. By modern, try to think big homes with humans in it together, and a lot less forest. Modern is something like living in this hotel, but lots of humans living together."

Tilting his head, not sure what to make from feeling the wing feathers brushing against his cheek.

"...I don't know what to make for myself." He said, looking at her blankly. "I'll make a gift with flowers for you next time." Then he smiles a little bit. "You like flowers, do you?"

Edited 2020-08-04 02:52 (UTC)

"Kiki? I don't think you have mentioned him before." She frowns a little before smiling again. "I dont know if I would like that. Living with that many Beorcs."

She watches his reaction to the wing brush and just gains a more gentle smile. But then blushes as much as she physically could and looks away.

"Yes, I do like flowers but Mu... You really don't have to."

He lightens up a bit and he smiles, talking about the child. "Oh Kiki. He's a nestling. About eight years old. He's my student and disciple. I raised him when he was an infant and taught him everything I knew. I turned thirteen when I found him. He's an orphan. He's very smart and bright."

But then grimly, "It seems not too long ago that I left him before I died." And it's best if she turned away.

With difficulty changing the subject, "But I want to. Get you flowers in this place. I could not find any, so I'll draw you from memory. I'll try."

She smiles when he does and enjoys hearing him talk about Kiki. "I wonder if I will ever get to meet him. Look at you, being a father to him." She teases him a little.

Only for him to mentioned his death and how his tone changed. she looks away briefly but then moves a wing to try and cup him in it, a small attempt to give him a comforting hug.

With the subject change, there was no way she could refuse the gift now. "Alright... I will accept your flowers. I will be looking forward to seeing them."

"I'm more of a big brother and teacher to him. We don't have fathers. I was an orphan for as long as I could remember."

The attempt for a hug is welcomed if anything helps ease his pain, now that he survived from that trauma and lives again in this world. He even slowly raised his arms to hug her back. Just a small hug then quickly released, realizing what he is doing.

Since she approved of flowers and he figured out she likes them. "Mn, I'll paint it. Just for you."

"I see, but still... I bet that you were a good brother to Kiki." She frowns at the mentioning of being an orphan and looks away. "... I am one too." She goes to speak softly.

She blinks when he hugs her back for the wing hug. However quick it was, it was still surprising. She almost zoned out due to the touch before snapping back to reality when he speaks again.

"Just... Just one or two will be fine, Mu."

"All right, just one or two. I hope he remembers my lessons that I parted to him and he uses it wisely to guide his life and the lives of others if he chooses. He doesn't have to follow my footsteps to become a knight for the goddess."

His smile gently faded. "You're an orphan too?"

"I am sure that he will.... Especially if he is anything like his big brother. I am sure that whatever path he chooses, you will be proud of him for it."

She doesn't make eye contact and just continues to look away when he asks her that question. "Yes... I am."

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. SHALL WE DANCE, SHALL WE FLY

II. WE TRADE IN FAVORS

III. SECRET MESSAGES

IV. WELCOME HOME

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