TEST DRIVE MEME 006

[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!

THEY FOLLOW

10/23 - 10/30

Was there a garden when you first arrived? You're sure you saw one, bright and welcoming through an archway in the hotel lobby that is no longer there.

"Why would it be there?" hotel staff will ask if questioned about it. "The festival is over."

But it seems not everything in the garden wanted to stay there.

Scarecrows will begin to appear inside the hotel itself. These are not just any scarecrows — Oysters may notice that some of the scarecrows seem somehow familiar. Is that one wearing the same clothes as a family member? Does another have the eyes of a former lover, the facial features of a long dead enemy? None will be exact replicas, they are after all only made of straw, but the resemblance will be undeniable. Particularly when Oysters begin to hear indecipherable whispers that are also all too familiar.

At first it is in public areas, always just out of reach, voices faint and distant. They being to grow closer as the month winds down, voices growing louder, until eventually Oysters may find them in their bedrooms, hiding in their closets or showers. Their voices are curses, death threats and words of warning filling the air despite that their lips never move.

It becomes apparent that there is something moving outside the hotel windows, where before there had only been twilight looming over the lake and forest, and the skyscrapers in the distance. Whatever it is that lurks outside is too quick to be seen out of anything but the corner of one's eye, a creature made of shadows. Before long, it will no longer be movement outside that may catch Oysters' eyes, but something in the corners of their room. The breathing heard once in the hedge maze will now follow Oysters, sometimes right behind them, sometimes just out of arms' reach. Always, there is the ever present looming feeling of eyes staring at you from behind.

Oysters may notice that they don't seem to be the only ones effected. Hotel staff are more tense than ever, paranoid and afraid, constantly looking over their shoulder.

"You let it out!" a hotel staff may shout, unprompted.

None will answer questions if pressed further.

"Why should we? We told you not to. You never listen to us."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

10/31

On the morning of Halloween, the movement of the shadows stops. The scarecrows are no where to be found, their disembodied voices silent. The oppressive feeling of surveillance seems to have lifted, and even the hotel staff seem to be in better moods.

A ballroom has opened up off of the hotel lobby, decorated for the Halloween party that is announced to be later that day. There are stations set up for karaoke, pumpkin carvings, bobbing for apples, piñatas, and a stage being laid for dancing and a costume contest at the end of the night.

Many of the hotel staff are already in costumes, and will encourage Oysters to select one from This Elegant Thimble for themselves.

The first part of the party goes off without a hitch, but as it gets later, the lights begin to flicker. Or maybe it's the shadows themselves that begin to shift and waver, coiling in on themselves and coming alive. Screams come from the hotel staff at the party before the shadows have finished solidifying, and they retreat to barricade themselves in a staff only area as some of the shadows break off to chase them.

The majority turn their focus on the Oysters. The shadows move as one at first but quickly begin to take on an individuality. All have wickedly curved claws and a mouth of sharp teeth, but their fighting styles slowly start to diversify as they take more solid form. Their features become more unique, and they develop voices — the same voices once connected with the scarecrows. Oysters will quickly find themselves facing off against shades of the people they know, and these shades are not afraid to play dirty and pretend to be the people they look like.

FIRST SNOWFALL

11/01 - 11/08

The morning after the Halloween party, all evidence of it has gone. The ballroom is no longer there, and any damage done to the hotel by the shades or the Oysters themselves while fighting them off is completely repaired, as though it had never existed.

"Our housekeeping staff have simply outdone themselves, haven't they?" hotel staff will say if asked. "Always cleaning up after the messes of others."

Very few will even acknowledge shadow monster at all.

Those that do will simply look at the Oyster who's asking. "What did you expect to happen when you were warned to stay out of somewhere?"

All hotel staff will quickly change the subject and encourage Oysterd to check out the new upgrades to the pool area. It changes with the seasons, of course!

Those who do go to look will find that the once beach like environment of the pool is completely changed. The sand dunes are now snow hills, the water slides are frozen over, and the coves and hideaways are now dripping with icicles. The pool itself is solid ice, and ice skates are available for those who want to take a spin. Similarly, skis, snowboards, and sleds can used on the snow hills and ice slides. Over all of it, tiny snowflakes fall from the artificial sky.

The only source of warmth to be found here now are the several hot tubs scattered throughout the pool area.

If the rest of the hotel seems a little chillier as well, surely not. It must be your imaginations, mustn't it?

If you have any questions, please leave them over here! Like the scarecrows, the shades can be destroyed with fire. The monster will retreat from the hotel back into the hedge maze once many of its shades have been destroyed.

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Comments

[lucklessgege]

"I'd like to see it. The way they are able to recreate the rooms is so impressive!" And Xie Lian is excited to see how well they matched the details of Paradise Manor. Even if this place as whisked them way from everything they knew, it is still a fascinating place. And he enjoys being able to investigate it.

It distracts him from the flutter of his heart like the wings of Hua Cheng's silver butterflies. This man just has that kind of effect on him, even if he understands his feelings now better then he ever has.

[crimson_rain]

"Then gege should see Paradise Manor." It maybe a long while for him, but no requests is ever too big or small for his prince. "Follow me, gege. I'll show you." Holding hands with him to lead the way, it's a matter of taking the elevator to the residential floor. On the outside, his front door doesn't look elaborate like the big gates back in the real paradise manor, it's a simple hotel door.

But once he turns the knob and opens it, it definitely does look like paradise manor, but on a smaller scale with red lanterns to light up the dark room with red décor, red, black, and silver color with the traditional oriental patterns of home in that aesthetic.

"Welcome and make yourself comfortable gege."

[lucklessgege]

He walks in and looks around, clearly impressed by how well the hotel is able to replicate things. The room can't possibly be this large but somehow it is when transformed into Hua Cheng's home. "It looks so much like it..the power of this place is so amazing."

It's a little intimidating just how strong the people in charge must be in order to not only bring them here, but suppress their abilities and recreate their homes in such a realistic way. He thinks they might be stronger then even most of the gods.

[crimson_rain]

After he enters, he shuts the door. It truly felt like they are transported back home. From the bed, furnishings, a small kitchen, and the bathroom. It's a nice touch with some modern conveniences. In another room, it looks like a smaller version of the Gambler's Den with tables and games provided since of course, the hotel is also a casino, but none of the furnishings has a magical or spiritual function back in Ghost City. It's only looking like that for decor.

"I think it's a replica. It wasn't perfect, but it's fine." He doesn't care much for it as it's comfortable. He's only amused that Xie Lan is observing his room in awe and wonder.

At the table, he pulls a chair for him to sit. "Have a seat gege. Do you want to drink or eat anything? I can call room service. I can also warm your feet with hot water."

[lucklessgege]

He walks over and settles in the seat that the man provided for him. "My feet are fine, San Lang. I don't even notice it." Slightly red from being in the cold, but barely noticeable to him. He certainly doesn't need to be pampered in such a way.

"I would be fine with some tea." Neither of them would normally really have to eat or drink much, but seeing how he is basically mortal in this place he has noticed that it is necessary for him to be a little more regular with his meals again.

[crimson_rain]

He doesn't look happy to see his feet cold and red from walking over snow. He calls for room service to bring food and drink to his room. "The servants will come over with tea." Being mortal, he strangely discovered he does have an appetite for food and drink being a ghost-type himself, which is strange and odd. And he has to feed himself despite the hunger and thirst pangs to his thirst to sustain his body.

While he waits for room service, he wordlessly, he uses a towel to soak it with hot water. Even though he was a powerful ghost king, but to his dianxia, he has humility.

He doesn't need to, but he wanted to. "It's fine gege. Relax. I'll take care of it. This will warm you and you'll feel better." He kneels as he always wanted to do, and then with the hot towel, gently wipes his cold feet to warm him up.

[lucklessgege]

"Ah really San Lang...this isn't necessary." He stammers a bit with embarrassment as the man takes to warming his feet. He hasn't had anyone pamper him in such a way in hundreds of years. He feels the heat in his cheeks over such a thing.

He smiles though, pleased to see the man even in such a situation. He has missed him during his time at the hotel.

[crimson_rain]

Then he doesn't have to be alone anymore because the man is so devoted to him. He's only rubbing his feet to warm it up with the towel and then drying it. It may feel ticklish, but he rubs gently through the towel.

"There. Does that feel better? Warmer?" He wants him to feel warm. Afterward, he wrings the towel to put it away and washes his hands, pleased that he has taken care of him.

Eventually, there's a knock at the door and he opens it to greet room service where one of the staff brought their meal and drink on a trolly. "Thank you."

Bringing the trolly in toward to their table, "Gege, look. They brought meal and drinks. They brought our tea as well." He then assemble the plates, and pour his highness a cup of refreshing iced lemon tea just for him.

[lucklessgege]

"Thank you San Lang. They feel much better." He looks over at the door as the room service arrives. He thanks the staffer that brought the food before he leaves and then accepts the tea from San Lang.

"I hope your arrival wasn't too difficult. I'm sorry I wasn't there to greet you."

He had no way of knowing that the man was going to be there, but he would have liked to have given him a friendly face upon arrival. It would have made it slightly easier. And although he doesn't have many answers, he could at least have helped a little.

[crimson_rain]

"Not difficult and not necessary." Most likely he'll be the one to find him. He promises to never leave him. "Don't trouble yourself for me. I would rather greet you myself." With food and refreshments served, he can relax in his chair a bit, at ease.

"Unless your highness has experienced any sort of difficulty?"

[lucklessgege]

"Ah! Not difficult really. This world is extraordinary in what it can do. It turned me younger for awhile." He picks up some utensils so he can start to try the food that was brought.

"I was lost in a maze for a bit and there were these tiny adorable creatures all over." He offers him a reassuring smile, "But nothing nearly as dangerous as we have seen before."

[crimson_rain]

He's not quite sure if he's following his story since he didn't experience the tricks of Wonderland. But if he says there is nothing dangerous, but he does feel it. He's mortal and his spiritual powers were taken away from him.

"You have been here for a while, your Highness?"

[lucklessgege]

"Not long compared to most that are here. Only a couple of months. But apparently time can also flow differently."

It's a lot to take in and he isn't sure he can really explain it well enough to San Lang. But it does take him into the next question.

"What was the last thing that happened before you came here?"

[crimson_rain]

"A couple of months." That was short, compared to the long lives they lived.

At his question, he hesitates. Unable to tell him at first. But by his nature, he will always tell the truth to his highness.

"We said our good-byes before I scatter to the wind."

[lucklessgege]

"A-ah.." He feels his heart shatter in his chest at the sheer reminder of what that moment was like. He remembers that moment vividly but over time the ache had started to ease. Because he knew deep down that someday Hua Cheng would return to him. He just never realized it would be in this way.

He looks down at the food laid out before them, any hunger he might have had fading just a bit. That was one of the hardest moments he had ever experienced.

He lifts his head back up and tries to smile, "San Lang is fine now though and that is what matters."

[crimson_rain]

Seeing his prince's sad expression and the reaction is heartbreaking. But it's the truth. The pain he cannot spare him.

"I come back to you. I will never leave your side." He said a solemn promise, he never wanted his prince to endure such sorrow.

He smiles back, a genuine one. "Yes, I'm fine." He'll have a cup of wine for now since he hardly felt hunger as a ghost king. But eventually, he needs to nibble on some food to maintain his body that was given to him.

[lucklessgege]

"I'm glad you are here San Lang, but I hope more that with the two of us together we can find a way to return home." Because as relaxing as it is in the hotel, there is also a danger he can sense beneath the surface.

"This place is peaceful most of the time, but with any world there is unfortunate moments."

[crimson_rain]

With a nod, he realized he maybe trapped here the months prior. "I will help you find a way back home, your highness."

Hua Cheng isn't aware of the danger yet, but even if he does know, it won't phase him.

"Such as? Any unfortunate moments I need to be aware of?"

[lucklessgege]

He shakes his head and holds up his hands to try and wave away any of Hua Cheng's concerns. "No no..I haven't been harmed at all since being here. You don't have to worry."

He's pretty lucky in that respect because he has heard that not everyone has managed to live peacefully.

[crimson_rain]

He'll take that as his answer for now. "That's a relief your highness. But do not worry. I'll be by your side from now on."

Hua Cheng is going to assemble the meal and pour a cup of tea, which he offers to him.

"A cup of tea for you. Also, maybe I should eat and drink something." It's rare that he felt a physical famish of hunger and thirst, but to try it for an experiment, he helps himself to snack on an apple and with a soft moan, he ate the rest. "I'm not sure if I'm human here, but it does seem like it." So he's going to eat away at the bowl of fruits for a start to fill his hunger and washes it down with tea.

[lucklessgege]

Hua Cheng has always managed to eat all the terrible things that Xie Lian has cooked in the past so he knows that the man is capable of eating just about anything. He smiles as he starts to feast on actual edible things, even as he starts eating as well.

"I do believe I am mortal again. I don't really feel any different but apparently our powers have been removed from us. That might mean we need to take care not to be too reckless."

Which means he can't be as self sacrificing as he normally is.

[crimson_rain]

Whatever Xie Lan cooks, food never seems to have much of an effect on him and give him much difficulty, other than fine wine as an exception.

"Are you sure? Are you truly mortal in this place? I discovered quickly that my spiritual powers have vanished and removed as well." More like taken away by Queen during the process prior to his arrival. "It's worrying."

With a nod in agreement, "Mm. We have to take care of ourselves. Especially yourself, your highness." Definitely no heroic self-sacrificing. "I'm definitely not a king in this place it seems."

[lucklessgege]

Xie Lian's disadvantage lies in the fact that he can't really feel pain anymore. And having gotten used to just being able to survive any sort of injury means that if he gets injured here, he might not realize it or at least not be able to tell how serious it is.

"I don't really want to test the theory and see though I have heard that even if you die, you simply come back in a few days." But he would really rather not be the test to see if that is true.

[crimson_rain]

It maybe the same for Hua Cheng, but he isn't interested to give that a test. Being a ghost, he's not sure what kind of body they, the Carpenter, had given him, but it's functional and there's physical sensation. He has long forgotten what being human feels like centuries ago, but he can feel a great weakness and perhaps a fatal mortality if he isn't too careful.

His polite smile falter somewhat, becoming serious, and he takes a sip of his wine. "Let's not die, your highness." At least, hopefully not again. "Let's work together."

[lucklessgege]

"Of course. I know we work well together, so as long as we do so then we will be fine. This place really isn't that dangerous."

And they left him with a weapon so he isn't completely without some tricks literally up his sleeve. Of course the hotel probably didn't realize that the little bandage on his arm actually had a kind of conscious to it. And that is Xie Lian's gain. Ruoye has been a good companion since being here alone.