funnyhearts | TEST DRIVE MEME 002

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TEST DRIVE MEME 002

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. THIS IS OUR GET ALONG SHIRT

You haven't been at the hotel long when you run into another Oyster. Hardly unusual for the hotel, after all. But there's something about this person, something that draws you in. Do you know them? Perhaps they're from your world, perhaps you've seen them around the hotel before, or perhaps you've never met at all?

No matter. Hopefully you enjoy this person's company, because suddenly you're unable to go more than a few feet away from each other. Maybe it's like a cord that snaps you both back together when you try, invisible but somehow there all the same. Maybe it's a feeling, a desire to stay together, a fear of being apart. Maybe it's physical pain when you're separated, and the sensation of comfort or pleasure when you're together. Maybe it's any combination of the above.

Whatever it is, looks like you'll be getting to know each other very well. The connection doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.

II. HONORARY STAFF FOR A DAY

It seems the hotel is a little short-handed at the moment. Why? Oh, no particular reason. These things happen to every establishment, of course. But since you're here, would you mind lending a hand? It's a two person job, and the staff member giving out assignments is just far too busy to help. Find a partner and report to your assigned area! They're preparing for something very exciting the Queen is putting on for guests. And of course, you'll be rewarded for your assistance.

There are a number of possible tasks that you could be assigned to.

Perhaps you'll be asked to assist with food preparation. You and your partner will be granted temporary access to the back area of the buffet to work with the kitchen staff — you can cook, can't you? Well. Perhaps you can put together some sandwiches. It will soon be clear that the food you're helping to prepare is all things that would be perfect for a picnic. Staff members will cheerfully inform anyone asking questions that the food is for the Queen's special surprise.

Or perhaps you'll be put to work sorting and cataloging a large inventory of items. Sleeping bags, tarps, pillows, toiletries, first aid kits, fire starting materials; all must be counted and sorted. A staff member will hand out a number of backpacks, and request that each be packed with one of every item. Not to worry about the size — each pack will have exactly enough room to store all the items.

Still others may be placed in a room lined with bookcases overflowing with books and loose leaf pamphlets. Examination of these will find that all are related to identifying native Wonderland plant life. Some are about edible plants, some discuss those that are medicinal, or poisonous, or likely to try to eat you should you get too close. Buried in all of that, you may even stumble across a particular poem. You will be given heavy card paper, pens and water colors, and tasked with condensing the information into portable, easy to read info packets.

At the end of the work shift, anyone who assists will have the expressed gratitude of the staff members they supported. They will also find an additional item from home, aside from what they were carrying with them, waiting for them in their room.

III. TIME TO UNWIND

What better way to unwind after a long day of work than with a massage? A staff member will hand you a token for the hotel spa. Yes, yes, all services are free, but this is an enhanced service. Premium massage oils, access to a relaxing tea, the devoted attention of the most skilled massage therapist, all for you.

When you arrive to take advantage of the offer, you'll find another Oyster waiting there as well. Did the staff member not mention it was a couple's massage? Oh dear, it must have slipped their mind. Or perhaps they just assumed, given how so many of you Oysters seem to be in pairs. Well, you're both here, you might as well take advantage of it.

Or perhaps something that gets the heart pumping is more to your speed than relaxation. A staff member may excitedly tell you about a rave occurring at the The Rabbit Hole nightclub. Invitation only, of course, but the staff member is happy to tell you the code to get in.

There is indeed a party in full swing at the club that night. Live music, flashing lights, alcohol flowing freely, the works. You may find that the alcohol packs more of a punch than you're used to. You may even find that drinks that are supposed to be nonalcoholic, ones that you've had before in other parts of the hotel, suddenly pack quite a punch as well.

It's all in the name of enjoying yourself, right? Hopefully you won't be too hungover in the morning.

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?

For purposes of the TDM, you're welcome to play with having more than one linked partner! If you choose to app in the next round after playing on the TDM, there will be an extra add on to the application for you to claim your additional item from home. 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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I. This is our get along shirt
It'd been a rough few days, but Wei Wuxian was glad to stretch sore muscles and be able to walk around the hotel without breaking into a sweat. He was starting to get used to wearing the more casual clothing offered here, and enjoyed a nice slouchy pair of athletic pants but the tank top and oversized cardigan he wore did almost nothing to hide the smattering of bruises and marks across his neck and shoulders.

He was eager to grab some breakfast before doing some rounds about the hotel, checking where staff was lacking, if there were any more places woefully unguarded. His earlier exploration had made him a tiny bit more cautious, but it wasn't enough to keep him away for long. He'd seen the new boxes start showing up in the lobby once again, and while he was curious, there were plenty of faces he'd rather not see.

So he watches from a safe distance, scanning for newcomers. Pity he doesn't watch his back though, because when he turns around, he runs straight into another resident before stumbling backward.

II. Staff for a day
Unfortunately, it looks like grabbing breakfast at the buffet may have been a mistake. Before he's even half-finished with his meal, there's a harried staff member dragging volunteers to help with a project in the kitchens. Curious, as ever, he let himself be led to the back food prep area.

After a few unsuccessful attempt to help add a bit more flavor, he was relegated to sandwich duty. Slapping together cured meats and other ingredients from a structured list. They did, however, set him in easy reaching distance of the freshly sliced peppers, so he made sure to slip a few in, even if they weren't on the list. Probably just an oversight. The staff member had looked rather stressed out.

III. Time to unwind
It was difficult to get Wei Wuxian well and truly drunk. Even with the stronger drink in the bars, he had a high tolerance. So when only two drinks in, he fell in a wobbly heap against the nearest wall, it was a lucky thing he was already far too drunk to let it sting his pride.

When he'd first heard about the rave, secret codes, and more, he wasn't entirely sure what to expect, other than that drinks would be served. The heavy beat of music, the lights, and fluorescent colors; what world or culture had parties like this? The dizzying blur of lights and sounds and bodies dancing in rhythm though, it was hard not to want to join in.

He overheard about a nightclub hidden somewhere in the hotel. A staff member tipped him off, gave him a code. He kept the code memorized because if there is one thing about a party served with drinks and starting at late nights, he has an intuition that this is where Wei Wuxian is going to hang out against his better judgment.

So every night, at a certain late hour, making his patrols because there isn't much to do on the hotel and he doesn't sleep much, he does have one duty, and that's making sure none of the Wei Wuxian's get themselves into trouble and become so intoxicated, that they will be injured and hurt themselves. And what if an incident where the hotel shifted and become imprisoned happens again?

It's only a patrol check. So one night, when Lan Wangji came in to patrol and check into the club. He was expecting to see Wei Wuxian, either one of them and lo and behold, he found Wei Wuxian leaning on the wall, looking rather ill.

"Wei Ying? Wei Ying, you hit your limit."

He looks up, at the sound of his name. Even with the steady thrum of music, it's hard to miss Lan Zhan's voice. Wei Wuxian looks up though, at the blurry image of his friend and grins back. The white fabrics Lan Zhan is so fond of wearing seem to glow under the black lights, and he can't help but reach out to brush them with his fingers.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" he insists, waving a hand. Limit? What limit? Bah, he could keep going all night, for sure!

"One more, at least!" he adds, pushing off the wall to teeter back toward the nearest table lined with drinks.

He noticed he was stumbling, walking unevenly with each step, and he helps him regain his balance to find his footing when he's leaning too close to the wall. His expression is that of concern, keeping it stony. The music is too loud and jarring. How can anyone dance to this awful beat?

"I wouldn't allow you to have one more. But fine. One more." He regrets being lenient with him, unable to say no, but if he won't be able to make it to his room to walk, he'll have to carry him back. "But no more after that."

He accompanies him to the table to the drinks, avoiding the people, not wanting to be touched by them or to dance with them. His concern is for the well-being of his friend and overrides the need to mingle. He did warn him that any food or drink can change anything, but by the smell of the drinks, it's clearly alcohol.

He reaches the table and tries to give Lan Zhan an appraising look. It's difficult to tell them apart sober, but drunk as he is, it's hard to be sure. After a moment though, he smiles broadly in approval, as if he's come to a decision.

"You're the fun Lan Zhan, I knew it," he nods, picking up a drink and taking a long pull. He's still well into the effects of the first couple drinks, so the third won't hit him for a minute or two, but it feels like a small victory, either way. If this stuff was strong enough for Wei Wuxian to be plastered after only a couple, it was potent, even if it tasted sweet and went down easy.

"Just this one," he promises, reaching a hand out to lean on the table, only to miss it entirely and tumble toward the floor.

Standing guard, close by, and nods. He tucks his hands behind his back and waited dutifully as he drinks if only in disapproval. But he recognized him at least since their last encounter, which had been long.

"Not fun. Just lenient." As he drinks aways. "It's been a while."

It's only then he becomes alarmed when he couldn't even hold himself up. When he tumbles to the floor, he kneels beside him, reached over to feel his pulse, and tapped his face to check if he's consciousness.

Feeling the guilt immediately, "Wei Ying, no more. You're intoxicated. I should have stopped you..." Thinking quickly, he slides his arms beneath his body and he lifts him up in his arms to carry him away from this place.

Edited 2020-06-29 03:04 (UTC)

He's not out for more than a moment, but Lan Zhan is already checking him over like a concerned doctor.

"What? N-no, I'm okay! I just... missed the table," he assures, words slurring together unconvincingly.

The world lurches as he goes from the floor back upright, and his arm moves instinctively around Lan Zhan's neck to brace himself. He has to close his eyes for a moment as the world spins.

"It's fine, s'fine! I c'n walk!" he insists blearily, head lolling back for a second or two before he catches himself.

"One more drink can kill you."

Holding him in tow, he evades the crowd of the party goers who are dancing the night away. The music is loud and pounding. The lights are flashing. Carrying him through the crowd, he made his exit and leaving the nightclub.

"We are leaving now."

Down the hall, he goes to the elevator and takes one to take him up to the residence hall, to the floor where Lan Wangji lives.

"But what a way to go," he laughs. Tired of trying to stay upright, Wei Wuxian just lets his head lean against Lan Zhan's shoulder, finding that helps stabilize a bit of the dizziness too. Getting a breath of slightly cooler air, air that's not tinged with light and smoke and bodies pressed up together helps too.

Maybe he shouldn't joke, but it's hard to filter out what he should and shouldn't say in this state, and Wei Wuxian filters precious little of what he says as it is.

"Where should we go?" despite being unable to walk a straight line, of course the first thing on his mind is what mischief they might get up to. Lan Zhan seems to already have a destination in mind though, and he tries to focus enough to see where exactly they're headed.

The air is much clearer once they leave the nightclub. "Wei Ying. No more drinking." He said his name sternly. The elevator door opens with a ding and he carries him inside. The metal box then proceeds to go up to the residential floors.

"To my room. To give you medicinal tea."

Once the elevator reached his floor, he took him to his room, and with the keycard, opens the door. He can see Wei Ying is in and out of consciousness. The room is made to the likeness of his Jingshi.

Going to his bed, he gently lowers him down. There's a scent of cool sandalwood mixed with lavender, using the essence of oil that he found from the spa.

"Lay down and relax. I'll go make the medicine."

"Boooooooo," he calls, even as he's carried off through the hotel hallways, far from any of the strangely strong alcohol. Even so, he sits still in Lan Zhan's arms, closing his eyes for a moment every time the room feels like it's spinning.

"Tea? You said no more drunking. Drinking," he slurs, reaching up to poke at Lan Zhan's cheek.

The room, when they arrive, is just different enough from the one he knows to further his disorientation, and the moment he's set down, he rolls off the bed to examine the room more closely.

"Lan Zhan... did you change your room?"

Upon his asking, he realized he must have been in his soultwin's room. He is not surprised if they're together since they're mirrors of each other. For now, he is more interested in getting him better for his health.

"No, this is my room. I haven't changed anything."

Much earlier, Lan Wangji found on his table a bag of medicine, containing fresh herbs and leaves from home that couldn't be found in the hotel. It's valuable and he's saving it for emergencies like this one.

With much efficiency, he grinds the teas and managed to find hot water to make it into an anti-hang-over tea. He hands a cup to him.

"Here, drink this. It's going to be bitter, but it's a herbal medicine to help what you're feeling."

He finds himself unsteadily weaving throughout the room, analyzing the differences. This definitely isn't the same room Lan Zhan has. So this is the fun Lan Zhan's room?

"O~oh," he says, finally seeming to understand. After making the rounds, he plops back down on the bed and accepts the tea, but not without distaste showing clearly on his face.

"But I feel good," he insists. And, at least for the moment, it's true. There's nothing to worry about and his problems feel far away. What else could he want? He holds it back out toward Lan Wangji.

"You can have it."

Lan Wangji peers over only to see he drank it half-way down. He sighs and takes the cup away from him to place it on the bedside table.

In the meanwhile, he drags a rocking chair from across the room and placed the chair to sit next to him by the bed. It's the one furniture he found that was given, that he has taken a liking to.

Rocking back and forth, "You are stumbling and unable to stand. How is that any good? You can rest here until you sleep it off. When you feel better, I'll return you back to your room."

He's managed to avoid most of the bitter tea, but this Lan Wangji doesn't even want to go do anything fun. Just stay and sleep it off. Where was the fun in that? They should be out causing a ruckus, or making a mess, or...

"Mm, I take it back," he pouts, "the other Lan Zhan is more fun."

He deflates a little, but sits up on the edge of the bed, head in his hands.

"At least play with me for a while."

"As he should. However, there are days when I must be responsible for you. The both of you."

After all, to Lan Wangji it makes sense. If one Wei Ying suffers, the other will suffer also. So, it's a burden and responsibility shared.

After much consideration. "...Okay. I'll play. I will play with you. What does Wei Ying like to play? I'm afraid I don't have my guqin with me. The hotel has taken my instrument away. So I can't play music for you."

"You said I could break all the rules if I wanted," he continues to mope, "were you just telling me what I wanted to hear?"

He mulls over a few game ideas though. Maybe they can still have fun after all. Has Lan Zhan even played anything but his guqin before? He gives an amused laugh.

"Games, we have to play a game!" he insists. What's an easy one...

"Hide and seek," he decides.

He puts a finger to his lips as if he wants to keep to a secret. "You could. You could break the rules and I wouldn't mind."

Then he lowers his hands to his lap and rocks back and forth slowly on his chair, considering it.

"Hide and seek? All right. If you're not feeling ill, we can play hide and seek. I'll close my eyes and you can hide anywhere in this room."

Wei Wuxian gives him a look that says he doesn't entirely believe it, but he ends up grinning anyway, mimicking the shushing gesture and winking, as if he's in on the secret.

"I'm fine, I feel good, this is nothing!" he insists, though he slurs his way through it, waving a hand as if to wipe away any lingering concern.

Only in this room? Well, he'll try. There's got to be some good hiding places.

"Okay, Count to... thirty."

He's willing to play. He wondered if his soul-twin also play games like this. There are few places to hide in the room. There's a bathroom, a closet, and...well if Wei Wuxian is somber, he would have suggested playing hide and seek in the lobby.

"All right. Thirty." He closed his eyes and started counting to thirty slowly. "One...two...three..."

As soon as Lan Zhan starts counting, he scrambles from the bed, searching out the best place. The closet seems a good option, but he only manages to make a mess, knocking a few things noisily down before he decides the bathroom might be a better option.

Ah, but there's only the tub to hide in really, and Lan Zhan will find him in no time if he jumps in there! There's not much time left, and even fewer places to hide. He's about to try diving under the bed, when he remembers... Lan Zhan said he could break all the rules, so...

He tries unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh before putting a hand over his own mouth, and sneaking rather noisily out of the room and into the hotel hallway, before hurrying down, weaving slightly back and forth as he scurries away, trying to find a place to hide.

Lan Wangji counts very slowly as he rocks back and forth on his rocking chair, with eyes closed. "13, 14, 15..."

He can hear Wei Ying moving about in the room, finding a place to hide. As he was counting, he remembers Wei Ying being blind-folded. Now that would be an interesting game if one of them is blind-folded, play in the forest, and try to find each other, that would be an interesting hunt.

It's only when he hears Wei Ying steps out, his laughter gave away, and he opens the front door to make his escape into the hallway.

So this Wei Wuxian is just as much as a gremlin as his soultwin! Lan Wangji feels...excited? As there's a spark he kept hidden from others and only Wei Wuxian can light it up.

However, he plays by the rules and keeps his promise. He counts up to thirty, and when he opens his eyes. He slowly rose, hands tucked behind his back, and begin his hunt looking for him, searching and stepping out into the hallway lightly with silent cat-like footsteps.

If Wei Wuxian is clever and cunning, as he felt Lan Wangji comes closer from the hallway, there's a way to escape from being caught. Take the elevator or the stairs to the lobby.

The thrill of the chase spurs him on, and while there's still no sign of Lan Zhan, the time has to be up soon. Elevator or stairs? Both, his mind supplies, and he manages a quiet snicker behind his hand as he uses the other to slam the elevator's call button. It takes precious seconds to arrive, but the moment it does, he sneak in, presses all the buttons on the way down, and slips back out before the doors close.

Distraction in place, he hastens toward the stairs, leaning heavily on the railing and ducking low to stay out of sight as he climbs down them.

In the quiet of the hallway, Lan Wangji searches for him until he heard a single ding of the elevator. He turns to that direction.

His intuition tells him Wei Ying is heading downstairs because he cannot find him in the hallway. By the time, he turns around the corner to the elevator area, he heard the doorway down the hall to the stairwell slammed shut.

He doesn't trust the stairs, not with the incident that happened last time with his Wei Ying. But still, he's worried, so he rushed toward the stairs and opens the door.

"Wei Ying...?" His voice echoes through the hollow of the stairwell. Holding the rail, he climbs downstairs as he heard faint sounds of footsteps.

There's a fumbling sound, when Lan Zhan calls his name. The surprise almost knocks his feet out from under him, but luckily, he's been hugging the railing like a lifeline, so he doesn't end up tumbling down the last few steps.

Once he finds his balance again, he bolts, throwing open the door to exit the stairwell, and takes off running. If he can't put some distance between him and Lan Zhan quick, he'll be caught for sure! If he could just... run a little straighter. The lobby furniture is up ahead though, and he slides behind the nearest sofa, peering under for any tell-tale feet coming his way.

HAPPY HEARTS HOTEL

I. THIS IS OUR GET ALONG SHIRT

II. HONORARY STAFF FOR A DAY

III. TIME TO UNWIND

IV. WELCOME HOME

Wei Wuxian | The Untamed

III.

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