𝐻𝒜𝒫𝒫𝒴 𝐻𝐸𝒜𝑅𝒯𝒮 𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐹𝐹 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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funnyhearts2020-07-26 03:00 pm
happyheartsstaff) wrote in funnyhearts2020-07-26 03:00 pm
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
© tessisamess
no subject
Did the war come?
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
That's correct, Buddhist monk. It's a good guess.
[Mu listens to his description of the future and he is filled in wonder of the future]
I don't know what's the internet or cellphone is, but it seems technology has really advanced where you are. I am impressed. I don't watch much of television or videos since I lived in the mountains and it's a lot of farms with sheepherders in the countryside.
[With some regret]
I wish I could live to see that.
no subject
Maybe he should have given more explanation, with monks generally living very humble lifestyles, though one never knows. ]
Ah yeah it's... Basically communication is easier than ever. I use special devices or programs on my phone or computer that can read text and recognize colors. So I can use it as well.
[ He does his best to keep smiling despite that sad thought. He pulls his empathy from his pocket. ]
These devices really are similar technology from what I can tell. The camera for example, they have cameras on phones regularly. People take photos and video. They can even call and use the camera and screen to see the person they called and vice versa.
no subject
When Matt shows him the empathy device, Mu is starting to get it]
Oh I see, so it's something similar to the Empathy devices. Now I get it. The meaning of the cellphone and what's a network. I must, I remember the camera...they are very large, black, and square. Do you remember those too?
no subject
no subject
[Mu manages a smile. He won't see the time where Matt is standing, considering he is no longer alive. The hotel gave him a life temporary. If he could ever hope to return, he will return watching humanity from the cosmos as a spirit]
The future sounds wonderful.
no subject
Ah well... You know from the sound of it, whatever future awaits your world, you were a big part of making sure it would happen.
[ In hindsight, maybe not the kind of words one wants to hear from a stranger or so soon. Matt reaches for his clay, hoping he didn't just make another kind of stumble. ]