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]

He blinks a few times in surprise, "A-ah..I'm glad." Darling?! That's an odd name for a friend. As for the kiss..well..maybe that is how they greet friends on her world. He can't really question the things other people do.

"Is darling a usual term for someone?"

[song_princess]

She felt a little bad for his reaction but it was a little funny. She can't wait to see how this will end.

"Yes, it is. What else should I call you after you proposed to me so wonderfully to be your mate?"

[scaredofdogs]

With that he nearly falls off the chair, "I..I..WHAT?!" He thinks back to the last few minutes and wonders just how exactly he managed to do that. Was drawing someone a proposal? If that is the case then he has proposed to Lan Wangji at least a dozen times by now!

"I'm sorry..but..when did I propose exactly?"

[song_princess]

His reaction was rich. She should stop but she can't help it, she had to keep going.

"When you joined my song. Twice even, darling. So romantic if you think about it." She added that line for the cheese factor but also to continue to egg on his current reaction.

[scaredofdogs]

[He jumps up from the chair and takes a couple steps away, leaving the picture behind. His mind whirling with with the fact that apparently he now has two fiances without meaning to.]

I'm really sorry...I didn't know that was a proposal! Ahh..I'm already engaged! This is a problem...

[song_princess]

Oh goddess! He really didn't pick up on her tone. This was too rich and she was tempted to keep it going but she should end it.

"Oh dear... This is a problem. This wouldn't do at all. How mean of you."

Okay, just one more trolling push for the sheer entertainment value of this whole thing.

[scaredofdogs]

He doesn't know what to do and he is certainly panicking. Lan Wangji is going to kill him if he finds out. "Ahh...I'm sorry. I'm very sorry."

Flirting will be the death of him yet..he needs to learn to turn it off. Normally he could probably take something like this in stride and perhaps even falling into a teasing way with it but the fact that he already has an engagement to an extremely jealous and possessive individual makes this a bit harder to handle.

"I am sure I wouldn't be a very good husband for you."

[song_princess]

It was so hard to keep a straight face while he was panicking and the temptation to tease him even more was starting to overcome the need to end this so he will calm down.

"I am sure that we can find a work around to explain to your other fiance." She coos ever so sweetly.

Okay, that was enough. The poor man has endured enough trolling and she lifts a hand to start giggling a little, keeping her laughter down to giggle. An arm moving to half-hug herself to help keep her laughter contained to giggling. But that will last until he makes either a confused or funny face towards her, then she would outright laugh at her own trolling of the poor man.

[scaredofdogs]

It takes him a moment as she starts to giggle and then as her laughter grows he finally sighs in relief and it is like his entire body just lost a huge weight. He wobbles down to the floor and sits there with a relieved expression. It seems his worry was for nothing.

"Ha..I'm going to guess you were just teasing me. That's a good joke."

It's a terrible joke..He's so relieved everything is actually okay and he doesn't have to come up with some awkward explanation to Lan Wangji.

[song_princess]

She continues to laugh and goes to nod her head before moving to sit on the floor so she wouldn't stand above him.

"Sorry, I was going to stop it a lot sooner but I couldn't help myself." She then goes to let out a sigh and reaches over with a wing to try and gently brush his cheek with the tip of it.

"But I wasn't lying that you did propose to me. But don't worry, I don't accept it as I knew that it wasn't your intention. I am not interested in things like love and romance myself." Been there and now she has issues because of it.

[scaredofdogs]

"I didn't know..I guess I need to be more careful until I learn about other people's customs." He really doesn't need to end up engaged to half the hotel because of a misunderstanding.

His smile returns though, "And you don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you are so understanding about it. Love is definitely the better reason for an engagement."

[song_princess]

"I know that you didn't, but it was fun to tease you about it." She chuckles out, still smiling. Though it would be funny to see that based on his reaction to her, she figures that he doesn't need that particular stress in his life.

She lets out a sigh of her own, nodding her head. "I am glad that you were not hurt or angry at my little prank." Leanne doesn't comment on the love part as really, she has given up on it completely.

"Won't you tell me about your fiancee?"

[scaredofdogs]

He waves his hands, "Of course I wouldn't get mad about something like that. If the circumstances were slightly different I probably would have done the same thing."

The request to tell her about Lan Wangji is a little surprising though and he gets a light pink tinge to his cheeks, "Ah..well..He's my soulmate and the most amazing person I've ever met."

He smiles softly as he considers what to tell her. "He's quiet and smart and very handsome. And even though he seems cold to most, he's really very kind."

[song_princess]

She giggles and lets out a sigh of relief, and her ears wiggle a little. "It seems like we think alike when it comes to things like this."

But when he goes to start talking about his fiancé. She just gains a sparkle in her eyes and her wings perked up. She blinks and tilts her head when he mentions that it was another man. How.... How was it possible? She wanted to ask a couple of questions but seeing how happy he was.... She decided to not ask them.

"He sounds amazing. How did the both of you meet?"

[scaredofdogs]

"We are from the same world and a long time ago my sect went and studied at his sect. So we met there. At the time I thought he hated me."

He apparently was very wrong in that assumption. Lan wangji has loved him from almost the moment they met and it took sixteen years for the truth to be revealed. Wei Wuxian was a fool for a long time.

[song_princess]

"Sect"? A small bird-like head tilt. Sorry, she never heard of that word before. "So you were both nestlings when you both met?" Yeeee! A long childhood romance!

The question is, is he still a fool even now?

[scaredofdogs]

He is still a fool. But at least a little less of one in regards to Lan Wangji and their feelings.

"Sect is..a large group of people who train together and fight together and are unified as one. Like a family."

[song_princess]

This was one of those moments that she wishes that she had her powers. If only because she could experience everything better.

"Ah, so a sect is the Beorc term for a clan?" See? She can learn human terms for things! Even though she has very little human contact before this hotel. The lack of experience with humans will be coming out with this next question.

"So? When will you mate and become mates?" And these questions were spoken with sheer innocence and curiosity.

[scaredofdogs]

His eyes widen slightly and the pink on his cheeks darkens considerably. He certainly isn't going to tell her that they 'mate' everyday.

"Ah well the wedding? We haven't decided on a date yet. There is still a lot to figure out."

[song_princess]

She blinks a little in confusion to his reaction, unsure why he reacted in such a way.

"Wedding?" Give her a moment to put two and two together. "I think I know what that is. But what do you have to figure out?"

[scaredofdogs]

"The most important thing to decide on is the date. It has to be a date that will be full of good fortune. And then there is what we are going to wear, who will come and what we will be doing besides our vows."

There is actually a lot more that goes into it then Wei Wuxian had expected and it all makes his head whirl a little. He's lucky that Lan Wangji is mostly taking the lead with it.

[song_princess]

"Dates bring fortune? I didn't know that." Huh, the more you know. "Well, you definitely have to dress up. Maybe a flower in your hair, one that accents your eyes to make them stand out more." She suggests, studying his face.

"One that isn't too big and have a vine attached to it. Around this size perhaps." She holds up her palm and idly traces a size, but then blinks before blushing and look away. "Sorry... that was bold of me."

So much blushing due to embarrassment. "What do Beorcs do at weddings?"

[scaredofdogs]

"A flower..?" He actually is curious about that. A flower in the hair would actually be very similar to how he had drawn Lan Wangji the first time. He holds out of a piece of a paper to her, "Would you draw what you are thinking of?"

He only knows a little about weddings, having not really been to one himself. "Typically the bride would be wearing a red veil. The wedding clothes will most likely all be red and gold. As for the wedding..we are hoping to have food and dancing for everyone to enjoy."

[song_princess]

She blinks when he goes to hold out a piece of paper to her and she goes to blush quite a bit and shakes her head. "I... I am not really good at art, my apologies, Wei Wuxian." So much embarrassment. "If I had my abilities... I could grow it for you."

Her blush doesn't fade as she just goes to think for a moment. "You would defintely need to find one with soft looking petals, maybe a couple of teardrop flowers to tuck to the side of it. The flower itself maybe either a purple or blue to go with your eyes." She then realizes something. "Ah, I didn't think of it. Males probably don't want flowers in their hair."

Though the subject of what happens at weddings causes her to ponder a little. "Well, with the hotel you won't really have to worry about feeding people. I am sure that there will be plenty who will want to dance at it. Red and gold?"

[scaredofdogs]

He lowers the piece of paper back down and starts to sketch as she describes the flower. He then starts to draw his face around it as if needing the visual of what it might look like. Since it is just a rough sketch he is working surprisingly quickly and it begins to take shape.

"The hotel should be able to give us all the food we can possibly want so that will definitely help. Otherwise I could see Lan Zhan trying to cook it al himself."