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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Spiritual energy? What does that mean? Perhaps it was the way that humans have learned traits that only Herons have. "I.. I would love to learn more of it. If it isn't too bold of me, my lord Mu."

She blinks at his huffiness and quickly blushes. "That is why I said after this. I... I am sorry. I know that you are only trying to help this one."

She accepts them and goes to force herself to eat the crumbs he was giving her, growing a little more with each crumb.

".... There are other worlds besides Tellius? Is that why you mentioned a god instead of a goddess?"

"It's not too bold to ask. I could teach, but not right now." His spiritual energies are sealed by this place, so it's odd and he couldn't find the reasons why. Even the locals are not helpful in that regard. It's a puzzlement by itself. "Because my powers are sealed."

Huh, why she's apologizing? "Don't apologize. I simply don't have all the answers to this place."

He took a moment to think. "I like to think so, yes, but I haven't spoken to the other people from other worlds, but they spoke of it on the network. So your worlds have goddesses and mine has gods. This world of Wonderland must be a different dimension."

She felt relief going through her when he said that she was not being to bold. "I am glad then." She blinks and tilts her head. "Your powers?" She guesses then that would make sense.

"But... you seemed to been hurt by my words. You don't smell as ones who lived her so I know that you don't have the answers."

Though when be mentioned that they could be in a different dimension she gains a confused expression and frowns, idly looking away and fidgety with a lock of her hair. "I... see.... Yes, mine just has two goddesses."

"Yes, they are sealed. I cannot access my abilities. What about you? Do you have any powers?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Hurt? No? I arrived here, so I don't know everything about this place." Just merely stating.

"I don't know if the goddess has any dominion here. But this place does have a Queen who rules this place."

"I am glad then... That it wasn't just me. It seems like they have blinded my eyes and dulled my ears here."

She blinks and just feels herself becoming more and more confused by him. "I see..." Did she mis-read him?

At the mentioning of a Queen, she goes to perk up. "A Queen? I bet if we ask, she can help find a way out."

"No, it wasn't just you. My spiritual powers are sealed, so I don't know what else to do."

On the subject of the Queen, "She made a post on the network not too long ago, but I don't think anyone gets clear answers as to how to escape or return home."

Or an exit to the outside world in that manner. The doors to the outside of the casino are closed.

She frowns a little when he spoke about his powers and she felt so powerless to help him. In fact, all she could bring herself to do was to give one of his fingers a small nuzzle in an attempt to give him comfort.

"Do you think that she is the one who decided to kidnap us? Perhaps that is the reason why she is being vague."

She was trapped inside another building. First the castle of her home and if what this Beorc says is correct then they are trapped here too.

Looking down at her due to her small size. It seems she can't eat anymore.

"I do not know. But I won't trust her easily either way. Until then, we're prisoners here. I think the accommodations is quite comfortable."

Speaking of which, "Can't eat anymore of the cookies?"

Give her a moment to grow again. She can't seem to stomach another bite right now.

"But still... We are a prisoner here. It would be better if we came here on our own free will."

She blink a his question before look away. "No, not right now...I will try to eat more in a few."

He has plenty of cookies should she decide to eat later. Cookies and sugar can't be good for heron stomach.

"You're right, we are prisoners. I don't know what to do." For once, he admits he's powerless in a sense.

"All right." He waited for her to rest, given her size. After waiting for a long while, passing the time by meditation.

"I can escort you to your room. For your size, I can carry you and it will be faster."

Not anymore than a human stomach. She was feeling grateful that he has saved some cookies for her when she feels like she can stomach them again.

".... There must be terms set up for our release. Even if it is a fancy place and they try to make us comfortable... it is still a prison." She then coos up at him in order to try and comfort him in this situation.

The wait was long before she managed to force herself to eat more. "Why would she create such a horrible thing." She couldn't help but to whine. She was feeling self-consious about her size before this.

At his offer, she blinks and suddenly blushes as much as she can. ".... I really don't think that is my room. She seems to have an obsession with a certain color and me." And she will die if she had to enter into that nightmarish room again.

"So far, she doesn't seem to answer any messages back." Heaving a sigh, Mu's knowledge of this place ha hits a limit.

Even if she wanted to take room in the forest, all the doors leading the way out are closed. He rose to his full height while carrying her on the palm of his hand, being careful to keep his balance.

"Then I'll stay until you return back to your full size." But that means eating all the cookies until she returns back to her normal size.

"... That is rather rude of her if I may be so bold to say so myself."

This... This made her feel like a pet but she understood why he was insistent on carrying her. Her wings drooping a little as he carries her.

"I do not wish to burden you more than I have as you have already done so much. I fear that my size may not be as taller as yours."

"You're no burden. I have nothing to do for the rest of the evening."

He takes a look around the casino lobby and sees what games they're offering. He takes a seat at one of the slot machines and gently lays her down on the counter with the buttons as he pulls back a chair and takes a sit.

"Might as well play a game to pass the time." Even though it's Wonderland, everyone is a winner. "Back home, I wasn't able to play games because I'm more interested in training under Athena."

She sighs and opens her mouth to protest but stops when he goes to carry her to one of the games.

"Even so... There must be other things you wish to do, my lord Mu."

Emerald eyes blink and tilts her head at the slot machines, confused as to what they were. "This... Is a game? What is it?" He then mentions training and she goes to look away briefly, finally growing a little bit more.

"I see, did you truly wanted to? To train under them?"

He searched his pockets to find a token, and insert a coin into the slot to buy credits to start the game. "What about yourself? When you get bigger?" He asked.

"I don't know. It's a slot machine. I never play it before. I live in the mountains most of my life, training to be a soldier for the war goddess Athena."

Immediately the monitor on the screen lights with colorful symbols aligned in rows, spinning on.

"Do I want to be born for the single purpose of serving the Goddess? Hm...I have chosen to. Because I know it's my destiny and I have no regrets serving Her. It's necessary for me to serve Her in order to help her to save the world."

Calmly as he pressed the button and pulls the lever to play the game, "I have no regrets and if I can go back home again, I'll return to my duties."

She goes to break off another piece of the cookie to munch on so she could get bigger.

"Ma-Shine? I never heard of a Ma-Chine." She then quiets down to listen to him talk about his life, only jumping in sheer surprise as the slot machine came to life.

So, he was a soldier and would go back to that life. Even though she doesn't have her powers, she smiles a little at how much at peace he was, talking to her about it.

"Then, I shall pray that you do return home soon so you can go back to her."

Mu finds himself relaxed and calm, playing the game, not thinking much into it. "Hm? The machine is this whole apparatus. The one I'm using and playing."

A server passed by, offering tea. Mu, without thinking about it, feeling thirsty takes the blue tea, and takes a sip.

Then suddenly, not realizing it, streams of tears roll down his face as he felt a sudden heaviness of sadness in his chest. "I could not return home, Lady Leanne. There's nothing for me to return too. I had died."

He's quietly sobbing, not finding the game interesting anymore.

She just gives him a confused expression, not fully understanding it but deciding to leave it alone.

That is, until all of a sudden, he started crying and she leaves the cookie in favor of moving towards him in order to not only wipe his tears away but to also try and hide them with her wings.

"You... died?" How does one really respond to that. "... Then, stay here and live. Live in the way that your Athena wishes for you to live. Smile, for you are alive now and have honored her."

He was bursting dramatically in tears streaming down his eyes, feeling a sudden heaviness in his chest that he got up, dropped to the floor, and start weeping. Much sad emotions filled him. He was comforted by her wings and her presence.

"It's sad, it was so sad. I have chosen to go. Gave up my energy to blow up a hole in the wall. There is no other way, and I made my choice." He sobs, speaking with difficulty. "Otherwise, those warriors, Seiya and the others won't make it to the wall to fight Hades."

Her advice is good as any. "Oh, I don't know. I guess this place wasn't so bad, but death wasn't so kind."

Leanne frowns as she grew bigger, now around 3 feet tall. She moves to continue to give him comfort as he pours his soul out to her.

"It was a brave and hard choice to make." She moves to give him a kiss on his forehead and cheek, using affection to help with the comfort.

"Since when is death kind? Especially when you still have a lot of life to live. Lets go into my room... That way you will have some privacy as my wings are not big enough to give you it."

At her kisses and affection, he relaxed somewhat, feeling much better that she is near. He is not used to being comforted as back home, he is more used to guiding and teaching others. He occasionally holds Kiki his disciple whenever he cries because he is a mere toddler and he started training him as soon the boy can speak and talk, but he taught the little boy to be stronger and instill teachings of being a future warrior of Athena.

With a deep sigh, he felt the heaviness in his chest remains as he lay there, feeling very ridiculous...and confused. Why he felt sad all of a sudden? Strange...

At her offer, he looks up at her. "Your room...? Are you sure I am welcomed?" He did not want to be rude and refused her hospitality. Clouded by emotions, his will-power vanished, and responding to her kindness, he felt calm and with a nod. "All right, I'll follow you."

He rose to his feet, dusted off imaginary dust. "Let's go."

She felt helpless but to watch, listen and try to give comfort where she can. The pettings, kisses and comforting touches continues as long as he was on the floor.

When he made eye contact, it was the first time she notices just how beautiful his eyes were. That shade of green... It looked so beautiful. Leanne smiles and nods her head. "Of course I am sure. I can tell that you are a proud man and for something like this, it would best to give you some privacy."

She watches as he gets up and just goes to fly as she was still small despite growing more. "Follow me." And then remembering something from her childhood, she couldn't use her wings but she could offer her hand. She goes to hold her hand out to him, offering it in case he desires more contact and comfort through touch.

"My room is fairly close to her."

"I'll go with you."

Trusting, heavy with the sudden sadness, he follows after her to her room. They just need to survive the elevator, the metal box to go up to the higher floors where the residential rooms are.

She smiles and was finally up to his waist. She lands on the floor in front of the elevator, holding a wing to him for him to hold. The elevators always caused her a great deal of fear but for him, she will keep up a brave face.

They just need to make it to her room, it was semi filled with plants and flowers but also some obnixous pink items.... Like her bed which was a giant pink heart.

TEST DRIVE MEME 001 (#2)

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. THE CASINO FLOOR

II. MAKING WAVES

III. EAT ME, DRINK ME

IV. WELCOME HOME

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