funnyhearts | TEST DRIVE MEME 003

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.

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

Threaded | Flat

I. Shall we dance, shall we fly...

Wei Wuxian was a frequent customer of the Mad Tea Party, so it's no surprise he strolls in curiously, intent on seeing what all the fuss is about. When he sees they're serving wine and offering them painting supplies, he really can't refuse. His calligraphy kit is small, at best, so having access to all manner of brushes and paints and inks is something he'll surely take advantage of.

One can find him there at various times of day, inking a picture of a bunch of rabbits, a flowery landscape, a portrait of another handsome Chinese gentleman, or maybe, after a few drinks, you've caught him drawing something a little more shameless. Whatever the case may be, he's happy to greet fellow painters and raise a glass.

III. Secret Messages

He's been watching the pool a lot lately, annoyed at himself for how badly he wants to try the flying machines out. However, he'd promised Lan Zhan he'd be more careful, and those pink vehicles seem like an obvious trap for someone as prone to mischief as Wei Wuxian.

Instead, he's been just, conveniently nearby, watching them with open interest and spending a lot of time nearby, but not in the pool. As such, he's caught sight of an odd little scrap of green, wedged in the rocks a good ten feet up. It's probably too high to bother with, but since he can't fly around in the pink machines, he has to occupy himself somehow.

He can be found dragging pool furniture over, trying to stack it up enough that he can reach, or already standing on a precarious pile of them, still a few inches shy of his goal.

I. We Trade in Favors

Jin Ling is not a particularly happy camper at the moment. This entire situation is untenable and no one actually seems to answer any question he has to his liking. No one at all. His arms are crossed as he looks at the wares that the traders have out. Some of them look useless even if he's told what they can do he just shakes his head dismissively.

"Nothing of value," he murmurs, shaking his head -- not that he had anything to trade anyway. He turns to walk away from the area and right into someone.

"Watch where you're going!"

II. Welcome Home

[ The room is basically to Jin Ling's liking and as he goes through his belonging everything is there except the most important item he owned. His eyes went wide as a panic settled in his chest.

Suihua.

The only thing he had as a link to his father. He's furious and he's heartbroken and he hopes it's a mistake and spends a good deal of time tearing apart the room and searching for it before he finally lets himself cry. He cries for a good while too sitting on the floor before he notices chocolate that had ended up on the floor somehow in his rage. He wipes at his nose and then his face before grabbing it, unwrapping it quickly and popping it into his mouth.

It has a weird effect and he wipes at his face some more before getting up. He feels his fingers itch to grab his sword that had basically been a constant companion but then he remembers it's not there for him anymore.

The desire for closeness and the ache doesn't seem to go well together as he ends up a bit later in the casino but with no idea what he actually wanted to do there. ]

III. Wildcard

[ Whatever else you fancy. Any tenses/styles are good with me. ]

[ooc; will match replies.]

II - bargains?
It was one thing to offer items to the average person or the random tourist out in the great world for the first time. The one group wasn't looking for anything special but something would catch their eyes and a good merchant knew how to sell it. The other group was easy to fool; just look at the amount of common urinals that he'd sold to overly haughty travelers who thought they were fooling him. So when Wu Xie stumbles into this, a little bit of the tension in his shoulders relaxed.

Not all of it, no. He was still in a place far from home without any signs of Fatty or Xiao-ge. His Notebook was still with him, but the weapons he had packed - as well as the drugs needed for his lungs - were gone. It made him uncomfortable and wary and this market doubly so.

Passing each booth and humming at the wares displayed he finally stops at one and raises an eyebrow as the merchant talked about the wonders of his wares. Wu Xie does not dismiss the claims to magic - he has seen far too much to pretend it does not exist - it was just the items said magic was placed on that had him snorting.

"Look at that," he said, nudging the person next to him while pointing with his chin at the object in question. "Shameless. Passing off a reproduction of a reproduction of a Ten Kingdoms' bell. Tsk, it's not even proper bronze! Has he no face?"

III - Hidden Message
It might have been years since he truly was in the field, but Wu Xie never lost some of the awareness gained from it. Especially now when he can't find Xiao-ge or Fatty and there was a crawling sensation that this paradise was too perfect.

(His cough was gone. The tightness in his chest, the whispered words from the doctor, they weren't fake memories. He knows it, so why doesn't it feel right?)

While he was studying the layout, and making idle chatter over the construction of the building - I have a degree in this even though I'm rusty he'd say to anyone that takes an interest in his interest - he notices the imperfection in the wall. He doesn't start, or even look at it long, instead moving on to his next target before drifting back to lean against the wall under it and fumbled with a pack of cigarette-shaped candies. Putting one in his mouth, he mimes striking a match before chuckling tiredly, glancing around.

"I know, I know, but it's comforting," he casually explains as he stretches. As he stretches, he taps the foot of another Oyster and mumbles around the fake smoke. "Anyone watching?"

Wildcard
[ooc; what it says on the tin! Wu Xie is from the time skip in the series so he's a tired old semi-recluse of a antiques dealer who may or may not have once had a lot of adventures.]

1A. Pink Flamingos
[He stares at the change in the pool area in dismay. What has happened to his wonderful pool area and what are these flying pink things? He looks terribly upset by the changes but even more so when a staffer takes him by the arm and drags him up to one of the birds.

So he will deal with flying lessons..which seems kind of odd but who is he to complain. He already learned how to fly on his own, certainly these things can't be any harder to learn then that.]

1B. Dance Lessons
[With a wedding in his future, Wei Wuxian figures a few dancing lessons might not be a bad idea. And since the gym isn't exactly open to anything else at the moment, might as well continue to take the strange changes the hotel is undergoing in stride.

And so he is shoved towards a partner, he looks rather out of his element but willing to learn.]

I'll try not to step on your toes.

1C. Painting
[Of course he is going to go where there is painting supplies! He has something important he needs to work on and the hotel is giving him the perfect opportunity. He settles at one of the tables, paints and paper spread before him. He picks up a pencil to try and sketch out his idea before putting the paint to paper. And with a glass of wine that seems to constantly be refilled whether he asks for it or not, he is having a rather wonderful evening.

He looks to the person beside him.]

What are you working on?

2. Merchants
[Wandering through the lobby is like walking the streets back at home with plenty of people peddling their wares. Shouting to get your attention and shoving items under your nose in the hopes that you will chose to select their item over someone else.

Wei Wuxian smiles as he moves from table to table, wondering if there is anything here that he really needs. He has plenty of teas at his disposal having not used all the ones that the hotel has given to him. And even willing to trade a favor depending on what they ask for.

As he gets drawn in to one of the vendors, his hand moves across the smooth red fabric. His expression one of warm happiness and a small smile on his lips.]

3. Secret Messages
[He stares up at the odd green thing sticking out of the tiles. Flying up there would be easy for him. He's gotten pretty good at using wings. The problem is there is a lot of staff around and he isn't sure that they would be too keen on him flying up there and dislodging it from the tile. It's not fully destruction of property but it probably comes pretty close. And he has a tendency to break a few too many rules on a regular day that he doesn't need to have a dozen witnesses to him doing it again.]

I just need a distraction...

FLAMINGO
[ Matt thought his leg was getting pulled when he first heard there were flying flamingo vehicles at the pool and remains skeptical until a staff member shows him over to one. He reaches out and feels the shape of the head and the beginning of the long metal neck at the front of the little vehicle, laughing as it becomes clear he was mistaken.

His smile dims as a thought crosses his mind- That's probably the first time he's laughed since waking up in this place, and without his abilities. How the hell are they going to get out of here?

The staff member asks him if he needs anything else and Matt shakes his head, smile returning. He stays there, reflecting on the situation, though to an onlooker it might look more like he's disappointed he isn't allowed to drive the flamingo- being blind and all. Maybe someone will volunteer to do the driving for him? ]

HELLO

[ On his way trying to avoid the dance floor and the lessons there Matt walks a little too close to the art lessons and accidentally knocks a can of paint over on the floor. He apologizes, turning red and berating himself on the inside for the mistake he'd normally be able to avoid easily if his senses were their normal strength. The instructor doesn't exactly help by fussing either, and next thing he knows he's being shoved in a seat and presented a mound of clay to sculpt. Matt sighs and sits for a while, eventually picking at the clay. ]

Isn't there a music video like this?

[ Pretty sure it was a Lionelle Richie song. Blind lady in lessons, sculpting a bust or something of the singer. ]

TRADE

Excuse m- You'd like what?

[ Tee? Tea? Really? Is it the word for the local currency or is the craftsman really saying she'll take payment in T- shirt or drink, Matt isn't sure. ]

We shall dance we shall fly:

Pottery was something that Leanne would have never thought she wanted to do. But here she was, with a cup of tea by her side, unbeknownst to her that it was spiked. She was doing her best to not get dirtied and was failing miserably as the only things not dirtied was her wings....

At least until just a moment ago when somehow, someway a large portion of pottery clay smacks her in the wings and proceeds to make them dirty now.

Welcome Home:

After an exhausting day and she was at her limits of meeting humans... Just humans. There were no Laguz here. No others with wings. She goes to let out a sigh and now the weight of loneliness sets in. She wanted to go somewhere to let everything out. To let out all of the pain and now fear, anger from her.

She enters the room, that they told her was her, still having the smile on her face as she enters to keep up appearance. It only lasted until she entered and saw how her room was just like what she remembered as her own, the only difference was a huge gaudy pink heart shaped bed in the middle of it and plants all over. This was too much and before she could really stop herself, she let out a wail of a sob before sliding to her knees, crying, unable to stop and help herself.

Wildcard:

Choose your own adventure or make one up!

Casino
Xie Lian found this place to be odd, but not any stranger then Ghost City. Seated at a table in the casino he has learned that no matter what he does, he can't seem to lose. That is where the true peculiarity lies. A man that has no luck should not win every round of everything he tries his hand at. Especially when he has never learned how to play most of these games before. No matter what table he seats himself at, he ends up walking away a winner. It's perplexing.

Dressed in white cultivation robes with a battered straw hat hanging down his back, he is in stark contrast to the bright and lively decor around him. He didn't seem bothered by the lack of shoes as he taps his bare foot against the floor, still fascinated by the fact that it appears that once again he is going to win this game.

"I'm not sure what strange power this place has to make such an unlucky person win every round. I appreciate the change of fate but isn't it a little too much?"

He smiles as he looks around at the other tables. "By chance is there a game involving dice in this place?" If not perhaps he could create one. There are two small dice hidden within his robes still.

Market
As he is wandering the tables, Xie Lian is fascinated by the variety of goods being exhibited before him. It is a bit different from the vendors of the major cities on his world but there is something very enjoyable about being able to see what is available in this new world.

Young master, come enjoy this Charm of Good Fortune.

An eyebrow rises slightly as he comes up to look at the charm to see if he can sense any sort of spiritual power from it. "Do I look like a man that needs more good fortune in his life?" The other doesn't seem to have an answer but instead simply encourages him to buy.

"I'm afraid unless you wish to accept a cold, half-eaten steamed bun, then I don't have anything to offer you."

He doesn't think that is a particularly strong bartering item but he has already seen so many unique transactions occurring around him that perhaps that is just what it will take. But then the man says he accepts favors.

"What kind of favor would it take to make a purchase here?" Xie Lian directs the question to the person next to him, wondering if perhaps they would know better what the currency of this world is like.

Message
Xie Lian doesn't really know much about the hotel, but even he can tell that something is out of place. He isn't really afraid of drawing attention to himself as he stares at the oddity. Deciding to take the chance he extends his fingers towards the crack in the wall, but the tips are just inches away from the little sliver of green that is poking out of it. He makes a disappointed tsking noise as he steps away from the pillar and looks around for something that might offer him those few precious extra inches.

we trade in favors
The wares were certainly something he had not been used to seeing. Ever. Sizhui took his time to walk through and observe each and every stall of trinkets. The boutique had things for free and that had been a blessing. But this...these seemed to be different than what was so readily available. He would smile politely and leave whenever anyone tried to coerce him into buying.

For he had witnessed exactly what the bartering system was: favor for favor. Tea for things. He found himself homesick for simply trading ingots back home.

Sizhui wriggled his bare toes into the floor beneath him, feeling the pang of homesickness distract him for a moment.

wildcard!

Threaded | Flat

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. SHALL WE DANCE, SHALL WE FLY

II. WE TRADE IN FAVORS

III. SECRET MESSAGES

IV. WELCOME HOME

QUESTIONS

ENCHANTED ITEM CLAIM

Wei Wuxian | The Untamed | OTA

Jin Ling | The Untamed