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!

PREMISE RULES FAQ TAKEN RESERVES APPLICATION MOD CONTACT HIATUS & DROPS WORLD INFO NPCS CALENDAR AC REWARDS

© tessisamess

Comments

[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.

[scaredofdogs]

He laughs and nuzzles the man's face, "Then you can have me. Every night." He has promised him that once before and that promise will never change. "Because I want you too, Lan Zhan." And that is something that will also stay consistent.

"And I'm happy doing everything the hotel has to offer, or nothing at all. As long as I am with Lan Zhan, I am content."

[inquiryguqin]

"Have you every night with me as long as I am with you." He repeats after him.

He's going to mark his words, down to the letter. Taking his hand gently to the elevator to take him to the floor of the residential floor where his room is located.

[scaredofdogs]

He smiles as he follows along after him. "Is the day over already? Did dancing get you that excited, Lan Zhan? Or is it wedding talk that does it?"

Of course he is going to tease the other man when he seems so eager to get back to the room already.

[inquiryguqin]

"A little bit of both. It's always my dream to marry you." He answered. "I don't about the rules, but when we go back home, everyone will know we're married and you're my husband."

Once they reached his bedroom, he's going to pounce on him to the soft bed, his arms wrapped around him eagerly as he kisses him, greeting him with lots of passion and tenderness.

[scaredofdogs]

Lan Wangji always seems to have so much energy in bed and it's such a stark contrast compared to how he is in front of others. It's amusing and Wei Wuxian laughs as he gets pounced. "You've already promised me a second wedding so that everyone will know." But they need to get through the first one before that.

Wei Wuxian kisses him back happily, ready to enjoy Lan Wangji's body against his own once again.

[inquiryguqin]

"Mm, a wedding here, and a wedding there." The real wedding will be back home. The wedding here will make their bond stronger. "Mine."

He looks happy when Wei Wuxian smiles and laughs, that a rare smile forms. He pins him to the soft bed and chews on his clothes, and wordlessly he starts undressing him, with every intent to make love to him.

[scaredofdogs]

He helps with the undressing, first his robes and then starts to work on the ties holding Lan Wangji's clothing closed. All this wedding talk makes his head swim but now he will have a chance to forget about the ceremony and simply focus on the man involved in it.

He finally let's Lan Wangji worry about the clothing while he places his hands on either side of the man's head so that he can kiss him lovingly.

[inquiryguqin]

With the clothes and robes off, he pins Wei Ying to bed as he kisses him passionately, and then nips on his neck, leaving marks on his skin.

It will take him a few moments to fetch the oil needed for the lubrication because he doesn't want to wait. He slicks his fingers with the warm liquid.

"Wei Ying, my love." He whispered with gentleness in his eyes. He playfully grabs the soft globes of his ass to make his intentions known that he wanted to prepare him.

[scaredofdogs]

He smiles at him, spreading his legs slightly so that Lan Wangji can prepare him. "You're so eager today, Lan Zhan." Seeing him like that makes excitement build in the pit of his stomach. It makes him happy that Lan Wangji desires him so much. He will happily give himself to this many any day, every day, all day in order to make up for all the lost time they have had.

[inquiryguqin]

When Wei Ying obediently spread his legs, surrendering. "Mm. Good." He's definitely making up for the lost time.

With lube slicken fingers, he pries the soft globes of his ass apart for entry and slides his fingers inside of him through the tight entrance, preparing him as he pumps his fingers in and out.