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
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"If I didn't know any better, I swear you are showing off in order to woo me to be your mate." It was a tease as she knew that no male in their right mind would want her.
She goes to enjoy the rest of the time, flying with him.... Well him flying around more while she hovers in the air. When he moves to land the vehicle, she goes to fly down and land next to him, idly dusting off her dress.
"That was fun."
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"Do you think I'm showing off to impress you? My apologies, that wasn't my intention." In his mind, he doesn't want her to get the wrong idea that was his intention when it's isn't.
"I was having fun flying around. I was thinking it maybe the same for you too, flying around with wings. You can go anywhere."
But they're a part of the hotel, so there's no way out in the meanwhile.
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"I was just teasing you, Mu. I knew that you wouldn't do that. Especially for one as myself."
A small sigh. "Yes, you were... Even without my abilities I could see that you were having fun." She goes to idly smile and nods. "Yes, it would be.... But there is something in this place that prevents me from truly flying."
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He smiles just for her sake. "They had taken people powers away, this I know and turned it into teas. So maybe your ability to fly, they had taken that too. I lost my powers when I woke up here."
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She blinks at his words and goes to chuckle her head, shaking it. "What I mean is... I can still fly, but the area it seems like I can fly in, that is what has been taken away. I am not really able to take to the skies like I normally could. I just don't have that freedom."
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Shaking his head, "To best of my knowledge, none of us have any freedom. So, I'm sorry about that. I would like to see you fly free again also."
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She goes to sigh and nods her head. "Yes... For that reason, I dare not voice any complaints or discomfort I may have." Another sigh. "That won't happen... Not until we find a way out of here."
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"I get you out of here if you want. I don't know how, but I will try."
After all, other than Kiki, he doesn't have anybody left back home and when this over, he becomes a spirit of the cosmos. So whatever time he has left, he's going to help.
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She smiles warmly up at him and shakes her head. "There are others who has been here longer. It would be selfish of me to desire to go home before they."
She moves to go and give his cheek and light kiss. "Thank you though... You have a second life here, you should spend however you please."
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Maybe it's his imagination, but he could also feel the tension between the staff and the oysters. At the kiss, he closed his eyes. He accepted his death long ago because it's for the greater good.
"Thank you, Leanne." Turning to the vehicle and then back to her.
"If you have time, do you spend the rest of the afternoon having tea and cake with me?"
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She smiles as he accepts the kiss and shakes her head. "For what silly? My words are true and you are allowed to be selfish. Do things that you want to do."
She blinks as he asks her once more to have tea and cakes. "I dont have anything else to do. I guess that I can join you." She goes to speak in a playful tone of voice.
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Shyly tucking his hands behind his back. "I really don't know. We shall see where fate take us." He said softly. He doesn't know how much time this place will give him. If it's his second life, then maybe the goddess sent him here for a mission.
"I would like that very much." And taking the lead, he leads her to the same restaurant as before to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together with her.
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"Yes, we shall see what and where fate will take us. But it is still good to indulge yourself and live how you want to." She coos up at him.
She smiles a genuine smile as he seems to finally catch on her playful tone. "This time I will make sure to order some sweets as well."
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"I'll think about it." He said, and this time, he's teasing her.
Leading to the restaurant where he's going to take a seat and have his usual tea and variety of cakes.
"Eat or drink whatever you like." It's her company that matters.
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She blinks as he goes to tease her and moves closer to give him a hip bump before moving to walk behind him.
Leanne follows him until they arrive at the restaurant and she goes to take her seat. "I guess then I shall have herbal tea and some tarts this time around."
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When the menu appears, he points at the pictures on the menu. "You should try the fruit tarts with the herbal tea. Those are good." SO he orders those when the waiter comes around to take their orders. "Milk tea and fruit tarts for me and her please."
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"Did you ever get to experience this with Kiki?" She asks after Mu finishes giving their orders to the waiter.
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"Not really. We played together and rarely visit the city. I think when we were training, we think of nothing else but meditation, using our spiritual energy, and learning how to fight. When training starts, we teach them while they're able to walk and talk."
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"I see.... So when you started training, that was when you no longer accepted the need to bond through play." She goes to speak softly. All they seem to know has been a warrior's life. This type of life was not what people should be forced into or at least, they should be given a way out.
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Leaning back, the food and tea finally appear, so he's going to help himself and drinks slowly before digging into the tarts.
"Kiki understood it's going to be his duty, so he learned well."
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"I see... I am sorry to hear that. About both you and Kiki. The both of you were trapped into that life due to your skills...."
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"Hm? We're not trapped. It's something we have taken it with serious duty and acceptance. If one feels truly trapped, I would take another path in life. So I stayed on the path because I have chosen to. I have to train Kiki or the art of our ancestors and generations before will be lost. So he understood."
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"In a way you were... Even if you did ending up choosing your path... It was still because there were no others who could take up your roles. It isn't a bad thing... Sad, yes but not bad. I know little of your world but I think I know enough about it to know that it isn't a bad thing."
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The conversation fell quiet. He spent the rest of the afternoon eating his tart in small bites coupled with tea.
"What of yourself? If you could choose, where do you want to be?"
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The next couple of moments were spent in silence as she goes to enjoy the taste of the tart.
At his question she blinks and goes to shrug her shoulders.
"I... I don't know. All I knew was mother's and Serene's wishes for me."
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