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

[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.

[inquiryguqin]

He was tense at first, nervous and shy because he felt ridiculous. "Ridiculous..." He whispered, his pale cheeks blushing lightly as he tries to follow the rhythm of the music to the dance.

"Wei Ying, I'm trying." He said in a huff as he follows his partner's steps to the beat. His robes swirl to the moment though each step is less elegant and graceful.

But eventually, he found a rhythm and moves in-sync with him. Daresay, he actually finds this activity fun, going with the flow and relax into it.

[scaredofdogs]

"There isn't anything Lan Zhan isn't good at, so I'm sure you will be good at this too." He smiles encouragingly as they move along the dance floor. He doesn't want to be a little more free with the moves until Lan Wangji is more comfortable with the moves.

He might have a little more bounce in his step then the dance would normally have in their moves, but Wei Wuxian has never been one for sticking to structured anything.

[inquiryguqin]

"It's fun, but I'm not good at dancing." He said, and after a while, finding the rhythm to the music, he's starting to get the hang out of it.

He takes Wei Ying's hand, lacing his fingers around his as they slowly dance around in a slow circle, becoming comfortable with the move and rhythm of the music.

"This is rather fun, Wei Ying. Let's dance for our wedding on the day we get married too."

[scaredofdogs]

"Of course, Lan Zhan. Isn't that why we are learning it now?" He can't promise he will dance exactly like this on their wedding day when there isn't instructors walking around forcing them to behave themselves. But he can promise that they will dance.

"We can dance as much and however we want on that day." Slow songs and fast songs. He doesn't care which as long as they get to enjoy every moment of the day however they want to.

[inquiryguqin]

"I can't wait for that day to come" He murmured. He seems lost in dancing with him, finding the happiness and joy dancing with his love and his betrothed. "I'll dance with you in my dream until that day comes." He doesn't care if it will be exact, as long it's him.

Eventually, he slows down the dance and when they slow down, catching his wind, and he looks at him in the eyes and kisses him slow and gentle while squeezing his hands gently.

[scaredofdogs]

The scandal that they are going to cause as the instructors watch this display with annoyance. He smiles into the kiss before returning it. Lovingly pressing back as he returns the squeeze of those hands. He keeps the kiss light and short so as to not traumatize the others in the room too much. And when he does break away he smiles up at the man with a soft and loving expression.

"You can dance with me whenever you want to, Lan Zhan."

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji is very much in love with him. He smiles back, the warmth of the kiss lingers on his lips.

Lacing his fingers with his, squeezing his hand gently. "Would you spend the rest of the night with me too?" He was hoping it will be every night as Lan Wangji craves routine. "I want to spend time with you."

[scaredofdogs]

"Of course, Lan Zhan. We can do whatever you want." They already spend most of their time together so it is hardly a difficult request to stay the night with him. He does most nights, usually in Cloud Recesses but every one in awhile they stay at Lotus Pier. He doesn't know if the other man has a specific activity in mind that he wants to do to spend their time together on this particular day.

[inquiryguqin]

"Whatever I want." He squeezes his hand. He loves this man since they are classmate together. His passion doesn't waver not after all of these years.

"I want you." He murmured with no self-restraint in his heart. He enjoys dancing and painting.

"Whatever Wei Ying wants. At the end of the day, I want you to spend the night with me." He's gently asking, enjoying that sort of activity with him very much.