funnyhearts | TEST DRIVE MEME 001 (#2)

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TEST DRIVE MEME 001 (#2)

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 for our grand opening gala. 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. THE CASINO FLOOR

As you pass through the entrance to the casino floor, an attendant passes you a small bag of chips. The casino is loud and bright and filled with games of every kind — you want to play poker? They've got a table for that. Sabacc? There's a table for that, too. Slots, pachinko, and bingo are just a few of the other games on offer. The attendant in the lobby wasn't lying, either — everyone who plays wins. Everyone, every time.

Servers wander the floor with trays of shotglasses full of multi-coloured liquids, offering them to every Oyster "Compliments of Her Royal Highness." If you're expecting alcohol, though, you'll be surprised — these drinks are teas made of the distilled emotions of every Oyster in the hotel. Each colour of tea corresponds to a different emotion, and as soon as you take a sip, you feel overcome with that emotion.

JOY — the distilled essence of happiness, this tea makes even the most rough and tumble of Oysters giddy with happiness — for a moment. The effect fades into a general sense of contentment and affability after a few seconds, and that itself fades away slowly over the course of twenty minutes.

ANGER — this tea, anger in liquid form, can make the most even-tempered of Oysters ready to absolutely blow a gasket. For twenty minutes, anyone who drinks this tea will find themselves much more easily annoyed, frustrated, and all around irritable and snappy.

SADNESS — distilled sadness is a potent tea, capable of turning a stoic, stalwart Oyster into a blubbering mess in moments. Events that may have previously only been a minor disappointment become the end of the world, every repressed unhappiness comes to the fore, and for twenty minutes, any Oyster who drinks a sadness tea can hardly keep themselves together.

II. MAKING WAVES

If gambling isn't to your interest, there are many other areas of the hotel to explore! For the moment, only The Pool Of Tears and the Pig & Pepper Buffet are available for Oysters to peruse, but the staff assure anyone who asks that the other facilities will be open by the next day. Unfortunately, that means no one can buy any swimsuits from This Elegant Thimble, but the staff aren't going to kick anyone out of the pool for jumping in in their clothes!

There are four main attractions to The Pool of Tears: the pool, the jacuzzi, the wave pool, and the lazy river. The water is always just the right temperature, clean and clear and refreshing. It feels as if the sun shines down from above you, warm and comforting. Scattered through the pool area are clusters of modern lounge chairs, just waiting for someone to come relax in them. The Pool is, in a word, serene.

But not for long. The waves generated by the wave pool begin to get choppier, and larger, until it becomes clear that the generator itself is malfunctioning — too late, however, to avoid the tsunami that crashes through the whole Pool and leaves it flooded. Thankfully, no water escapes into the rest of the hotel, and the hotel staff work quickly to rescue those trapped in the Pool and drain the flooding — but you better hope you can tread water until they get to you!

III. EAT ME, DRINK ME

The Pig & Pepper buffet serves lunch foods from across all different cultures, offering something for everyone, and some things you've never even heard of.

On offer with these lunchtime dishes are cookies and biscuits and scones of all kinds, held on tiered trays with signs that proclaim Eat Me! in delightfully whimsical calligraphy. Nearby, hotel staff man a small booth for doling out cups of fruit waters from large pitchers, which have Drink Me! painted playfully on their sides.

It takes a while to feel the effects — perhaps you've even left the Pig & Pepper by the time it happens — but those who eat the cookies and scones inevitably end up growing in size, whether a few inches or feet, and those who drank the fruity water similarly shrink. Eat enough and you might strain the ceiling; drink enough and you'll be the size of a thimble! It's not permanent — if no one else can help you figure out how to get back to normal, the staff certainly will — but it's definitely inconvenient!

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?

Welcome to the (second!) first TDM of Happy Hearts, a new panfandom roleplaying game here on DW! If you have any questions, please direct them to the first comment on this page. Happy playing, Oysters!

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

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[ He looks at Wei Ying and stops on the step into his room, to think about it. Then he opens the door, and allows him entry.

Only after that, does he speak: ]

Do you remember, not long after that, when we were making wishes on the lanterns?

You painted me a rabbit.

And when you let go, you said, 'I, Wei Wuxian, wish to live so that I can always stand with justice, and have no regrets.'

[He looks around the room, amazed by the familiarity of it. Each one really is set to match their owner. He turns around to face Lan Wangji.]

I remember that. It was such a cute lantern..and you looked so surprised. It was a promise that I tried to keep but I'm not sure I did a very good job at it.

Unfortunately I also remember getting into a fight shortly after and getting sent home to Lotus Pier.

Mm.

But we were not separated for long.

[ It was a very cute lantern. Lan Wangji can still recall exactly how the rabbit looked, just like all those ones by the cold springs. Wei Ying, that entire time, and then with the statue that came alive, with the lanterns... he really became important to Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji finally understood him. Finally saw his intentions for what they were.

He offers Wei Ying take a seat, and then goes to make them tea as he usually does. It's almost like being home. ]

[He settles and folds his arms in front of his chest as he remembers back to that time. That really was a very long time ago..]

Is that when you determined we were friends? And yet you still acted so cold.

[But there is something different about their next memories..he can feel it based on what Lan Wangji said.]

For me..it was almost a year later before we saw each other again. Jiang Cheng finished out his year at Cloud Recesses and then we all went to Nightless City. It was at the Wen clan's archery contest that I finally got to see you again.

Yes.

You asked me to put my band around your eyes. In front of everyone.

[ He's not going to tell Wei Ying that he wanted to, just to see what everyone would say. After all, Wei Ying was already scandalizing everyone all the time. And something about him then... so stubborn, so strong. Everyone starting to see him come into his own.

Lan Wangji had looked to him then, as a friend, but something about how he tied his wristband around his eyes, making himself blind... No more of that thought. ]

Ooh! Yes and you turned me down! So mean..I had to use my own tie to do it.

[But what happened later..well he wonders if this one has that same memory.]

But wasn't that a nice shot that I made? Even though everyone said I was just showing off. That's why I left the blindfold on when I went into the woods. Figured I'd might as well prove the shot wasn't just lucky.

[His brain feels muddled for a lot of the time between Cloud Recesses and the archery contest. He even wonders what happened in that time and if he actually remembers things in the right order or if it is all just one big blur. But there is something about that time in the woods that sticks out. A secret that unraveled itself recently.]

And so I sat in a tree and something interesting happened to me while I was there.

[He pauses to see if his memories are still lining up.]

[ It didn't, so he asks: ]

You never told me. What happened?

[ Even though it hadn't happened, he has a mild panic about it, though he tries not to let it show. After all, he had thought about him, had thought about what it would have been like instead if he'd had a blue ribbon wrapped around his eyes with a silver medallion in the spot the Jins draw their sun-dots. ]

[He considers his options at that moment as unconsciously he brings a finger up to tap on his lips. If he tells him then he might end up upset, but if the memories are different..then this one didn't do such a shameless act and didn't have to be embarrassed about it. And since it seems he doesn't know..]

I think this is where our stories might differ slightly. I'm not sure you really want to hear about it.

Wei Ying, you keep doing this.

[ He's slightly amused, but also extremely exasperated. What does his face say?

Nothing. ]

If you do not wish to tell me, do not tell me.

I just don't want you to feel jealous, Lan Zhan, because I think my memory is a good one. You see...

[He looks off as if recalling a very pleasant memory and wanting to visualize all the details.]

As I was sitting in a tree someone came up to me. I was still blindfolded so I had no idea who it was but they grabbed my wrists and pinned me there. I thought I was in trouble but they actually kissed me! It was such a surprising act..but they kissed with such force..I thought it was a maiden that had a crush on me! I was quite admired back then after all..

And they didn't even ask..and just as fast as it happened, they left! I didn't even have time to take the blindfold off!

[ So.

While he was in a tree.

Someone who has excellent sneaking skills and balance, who managed to get close to Wei Ying without tipping him off, kissed him the way that-- kissed him, and sped off again so quickly and silently that he didn't even get a chance to witness who it was? ]

Hm.

[ No, he's not jealous. He's not seething with jealousy. He's not imagining that time he asked Wei Ying not to be a shameless flirt and Wei Ying accused Lan Wangji of having a crush on Mianmian which he absolutely did not. If only he had landed on his head, he would have survived, because his head is denser than bronze. ]

It was my first kiss too! How dare someone steal that..So I went around to see what I could find and I managed to find you! Well..other you. And he was destroying a tree. At the time I didn't know what he was so angry about.

[He leans forward as if he is about to tell the climax of the story and clearly it is a good one. And he only knows the rest of the story because he managed to figure it out through...certain experiences.]

But turns out I was able to find out who did it because you never forget your first kiss. Don't ask how because it's too complicated. But...the one who stole my kiss..was him! But I didn't learn that for a really long time because Lan Wangji's are very good at keeping secrets.

[He waves a finger at this Lan Wangji as if to accentuate his point. So if this Lan Wangji ever wonders why this Wei Wuxian is so forward..he has his reasons.]

[ Lan Wangji looks at him with wide eyes. Oh, wow, yes, that was definitely a deviation.

He searches Wei Ying's face for any signs of teasing. If he found out, it must mean they kissed a second time. That means-- Oh.

It means the other him is braver, that's what that means.

It means somehow his heart is full with love and wonder, and yet, feels like it's been shot through with arrows, ripped out, stomped on. To know how this one feels, but not to know if the one at home is the same in this regard. To love the man who sits before him, but to know that both of them belong to others who happen to also, somehow, be themselves. To feel like he should have been more brazen, as a young man, growing out of his boyhood, unable to understand or process his feelings. To have been bolder after that, to stand by Wei Ying and tell everyone else that they were the ones who were wrong.

He will not betray the other one and explain to Wei Ying what exactly his gestures mean.

He closes his eyes and the emotion is gone from his face. ]

Are you happy?

[ And he does mean Wei Ying. He can extrapolate how the other him feels. ]

[Unfortunately happy is not necessarily a word he could use right now. His own expression falters and as much as he would like to keep up the jovial way he has been able to tell the story..things have not exactly been the easiest path.]

Happy...might not be a good word to use right now..

[He feels guilt more then anything..he does know how the other Lan Wangji feels. He's been told as much recently but he still has his reservations...this world likes to play tricks and even if he can connect the dots of what happened on his own world...he's not sure how he can believe anything that happens here. He's sitting across from a second Lan Wangji after all!]

I have done some bad things, Lan Zhan...I haven't always behaved well when the other Lan Zhan was drunk..and I've behaved even worse here.

[Perhaps that is why he feels comfortable being with and talking to this one. The memories are different..the stories flow in different ways. Perhaps his mistakes are not as big. He doesn't know what his future holds but maybe this is why they part ways...because Wei Wuxian makes some unforgivable mistakes that he can't come back from.]

Edited 2020-06-06 06:15 (UTC)

[ The first response he gives, Lan Wangji feels anger swell in him. The other him is not making his Wei Ying happy, and Lan Wangji will hunt him down and have a conversation why - and

- And that wasn't the follow-up he expected. ]

I do not think he would blame you, or be angry.

I would not.

[ He wonders why he has always given Wei Ying the impression that the person he is mad at is Wei Ying. And he feels a twinge of jealousy towards the other Lan Wangji, though he tries to remember that is himself, and that this Wei Ying is not the one that belongs with him. ]

You should tell him.

[He slowly shakes his head, eyes downcast. He doesn't deserve forgiveness for the things he has done and said.]

Talking hasn't been very good for us lately...

[Even if things aren't as tense as they were a few days ago, he still doesn't trust himself to be able to hold it together.]

He was pretty angry when he yelled at me. I think he might have been drinking the tea. But I believe hose teas just..let you say what you're feeling inside.

[ He wouldn't know, he hadn't drunk the teas. But he can't imagine a situation he would yell at Wei Ying. They have already had their differences, their arguments.

Most of which stemmed from miscommunication. So he has learned to err on the side of trusting Wei Ying.

He asks: ]

What did he say?

It's complicated..but he called me a fool and said I was wasting my life and time here.

[But it was his fault. All of it. He pushed the other man away in the worst way. There was much more said between them but the root of the problem is with him and he knows it.]

He's right of course..I am a fool.

Wei Ying.... You are an idealist, but you are no fool.

[ The tea must've really pissed him off, made him say things he didn't mean. How could he convey this to Wei Ying? ]

[He pushes himself to his feet and goes to look out at the fake outdoor area that the room has. It's amazing how similar the place looks. He leans against the opening.]

If my ideals are foolish then isn't that the same?

I do not think so.

[ He gets up as well, to check on the tea. ]

Since when does Wei Ying care what others think of him?

I don't, but when it comes to what you think it seems that part of me does care.

[The rest of the world can just go right on hating him. But when it comes to Lan Wangji..he feels like this man's approval means everything. But now, he feels like it would be better for him if Wei Wuxian never existed.]

[ Lan Wangji takes the tea to the table, and calmly pours them both cups. ]

Those words were said purely in anger.

You are the person he holds in highest regard.

[ He knows he's giving a lot of information away that he never wanted to... but Wei Ying needs to know. ]

[He sighs and hands his head.][He knows just how much Lan Wangji feels about him. It's the whole reason all of this started. Because he is a fool that didn't know how to accept them.]

I...did something unforgivable. He told me how he felt and I..kicked him out.

[It's so much more complicated then that but it's a story too embarrassing to reveal.]

[ Is he trying to break both Lan Wangjis hearts because he is going to do just that as Lan Wangji misunderstands him completely. ]

...Wei Ying.

If you do not feel for him the way he feels for you, he will forgive your reaction.

[ He takes a deep breath and wonders how the hell he got onto having this conversation in the first place. There are many things he could say, and many things he shouldn't say, but he thinks he owes this one the truth. He can only imagine how bereft the other him feels. ]

If he has kept it a secret, it is only because he fears losing that which is more precious to him than anything: your friendship.

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. THE CASINO FLOOR

II. MAKING WAVES

III. EAT ME, DRINK ME

IV. WELCOME HOME

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