angryhearts | it's getting hot in here

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it's getting hot in here

SO (PLEASE DON'T) TAKE OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES

Days are almost meaningless, here in Wonderland. With the eternal twilight outside the windows and many of the hotel's amenities open around the clock, it can be hard to keep track, can't it? But you must sleep, or at least return to your room, some time. It's on one of these times that you may begin to notice a faint sound coming from inside the walls. Or is it the ceiling? The floor? Something that sounds like scratching, or tapping, or the strained whir of machinery. Then it fades away. Whether it's moving on to another room or stopping entirely, it's hard to tell.

After a few nights, or days, of this happening, it suddenly stops. There's a brief period of peace, and perhaps you even get some rest. Then there's a series of thumps, sharp clicks and a loud stuttering sound that signals the hotel's air conditioning unit giving out.

At first it's not so bad. It's dark out, right, how hot can it really be outside? The air itself still seems to be circulating, albeit more slowly, but it's enough that you can breathe. But the heat seems to keep building, and building, the air hanging heavy and thick and leaving a lingering feeling that it's pressing down on you. Even sitting still no longer becomes enough to ease the suffocating heat.

The staff don't know what's happened to the air conditioner, when you ask. "Oh, that finicky thing", they say, as if it's a minor inconvenience. They assure you that the Queen's mechanics will have it fixed in no time — they always do. In the meantime, can they interest you in a refreshing iced tea? Perhaps a dip in the pool?

Is it your imagination, or do a few of the staff seem a little uncertain as they try to brush off your questions? A little less confident than they always have been before? Whatever their demeanor, it seems they still have no answers to give. The astute may notice that after a conversation with one of these staff, they can't seem to be found again.

As if that weren't enough, the scratching in the walls starts up again. With the oppressive heat, the rising tension and frayed nerves, is it any wonder that the staff might seem more apprehensive?

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT 06/11 - 06/13

Sleeping is probably hard enough, in a hotel where the activity never seems to cease. At least it's generally quiet in the upper floors, at least Oysters can turn out the lights in their own room and find some peace.

...usually, anyway.

At first it's only the faintest sounds, something only noticeable to those who sleep lightly. The staff, if asked, don't acknowledge hearing anything and seem politely concerned about anything disturbing the rest of their guests. Oysters may be offered ear plugs, or a device to listen to music, or a trip to the spa for relaxation.

Then it grows in both volume and frequency, disturbing even the heaviest of sleepers at night. Some staff still say they haven't heard anything, other staff acknowledge the sounds but brush them off, unconcerned. Every building has its quirks, after all! There does seem to be an increase in staff milling about, however, making it difficult for those who may want to look into things without being seen.

CLICK CLICK... THUMP
06/14 - 06/21

The fourth day of the event begins with a short period of blissful silence, quickly ruined by a loud, persistent clicking sound, audible in all parts of the hotel... And then an even louder THUMP as the air conditioning unit gives out.

At first, it's not terrible — the air is still circulating, and while the heat is uncomfortable it's not unbearable. As time goes on, though, the heat builds and builds, until not even staying in place will provide any relief.

The staff profess ignorance to whatever happened to the air conditioner, if asked — some more convincingly than others. They all offer iced teas for relief, and suggest a dip in the Pool of Tears, though those who seem uncertain when answering any questions will try to leave the conversation faster, and won't be easily found again.

While the iced teas are incredibly effective at helping to beat the heat, they once again seem to offer some strange effects — enough glasses, and Oysters will be overcome either with anger and irritation, or a sense of serene calm. Any little thing could set off an Oyster who's been affected by the anger-inducing tea; an Oyster who drank the calming tea is utterly unflappable. These effects persist for just as long as it takes for the cooling effects to wear off, at which point Oysters are left with a choice — deal with the heat, or take their chances with another tea?

And to top it all off, the scratching noise in the walls has started up again. The few staff remaining at this point are as unhelpful as ever, but they don't have the same infuriating calm to their answers — but who could blame them being a little nervous?

QUEEN'S ADDRESS
06/21

And finally, the tenth day brings relief in the form of a loud shuddering sound, and then the quiet whoosh of a working air conditioner. Over the course of the day, the Hotel gets progressively cooler, until it is once again at the comfortable, cool temperature Oysters had grown used to in their first month here in the Hotel.

It also brings an address from the Queen.

"Oh, my curious Oysters, when you try to play with that which you don't understand, you break things! Not to fear, all has been set to rights now that our dear Dormouse has fixed what some careless guest disrupted. If you wanted to play games, you should have simply said! I have a dear companion for you who is so eager to join in the fun."

The Queen will not respond to any messages sent back to her.

If you have any questions, please direct them to the OOC post here. RNG results for the off limits areas will be going out tomorrow, so if anyone would still like to sign up for those that hasn't yet please do so tonight!

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He hesitates to answer at first, and then quietly. "I believe you. That we'll be okay. But..."

The warmth of the kiss lingers like a warm tingle, the warmth that thaws and disentangles the confusion in his heart. That has been nested there for decades.

"I want..." So much want, but he doesn't want to rush or go too fast or panic like the last time where he smacked himself, because he could not truly believe that this is happening.

"I want to be sure and certain that you're all right with all of this and..." Searching for words. "It felt right with you...with liking me. That you feel safe. Because I want to be together with you, no matter what."

"I'm sure and you need to stop worrying. Like I said..I want to go slow, but I know that liking you is right. And that is how i feel."
He already knows how Lan Wangji feels. Even if he had shut down that night, he will heard every word. He heard every word outside of the bar a few days later as well. He had a lot to sort through and he has come out with with this conclusion. That the feelings he was most scared about were the ones he had in his own heart.

"Mn. Okay. I'll stop worrying. I'll go slow too."

At that, feeling more trusting now, he eased up. More relaxed. A lot less tense. He gives himself permission to be selfish after what seems like an eternity of not seeing him, being patient with his pain and his fears, and wraps his arms around him for a hug, finally returning the embrace, and gently pulls Wei Wuxian close to his chest to have him listen to his heartbeat.

He settles against him, smiling as he listens to that beat. Lan Wangji's emotions are very easily betrayed by that heart beat even when he looks perfectly calm.

He closes his eyes, "Your heartbeat is fast, Lan Zhan. I must have made you happy." He's happy as well. Finally free of all the bad emotions of the past couple weeks and free to enjoy more happy times.

He smiles back, accepting all of him, at least learning to. "Because Wei Ying makes me happy. When he's happy, I'm happy. When he's sad, I'm sad too. And I believe you're doing your best. Always."

He holds him in his arms for what seems like a long time, but because it can get hot eventually, he gently lets him go as well, trusting himself he is able too without fear and doubt.

"Do you feel better as I am...?"

"Yeah, Lan Zhan. I feel better. Except for the heat. The heat makes me sad." But it also gives him an excuse to camp out at the pool and there really isn't anything wrong with that in his mind.

When Lan Wangji lets him go, he flops backwards into the water as if he needs that to cool back down after all the contact.

"If the heat makes you sad, then let's get iced tea. You'll feel better." Feeling more relaxed and at ease, he wades in the pool. It's the only cool place in the entire hotel.

It's a simple matter of calling for the servers to bring them a tray of iced tea, which they happily provide to the both of them.

"Was it hot in your room too? Maybe I'll spend the night here. I can't bear my room."

"Lan Zhan..are you really going to trust any tea that they serve us?" Wei Wuxian has his doubts...He sits in the water and watches the staff bring the drinks. Anything called a 'tea' at this point is considered suspicious in his mind. He's had enough bad experiences with tainted beverages.

He blinks, feeling the emotional weight has been lifted, and let himself be cooled down. At his question, he did wonder if the tea is to blame, but he did drink more than he usually does.

"No. But I'm really thirsty. And this iced tea is different. It helps me cool down."

Just like that, very calmly he drinks the iced tea that he knows gives him a measure of relief for the heat and he sinks further into the pool.

He moves to the edge of the pool and still looks at the tea a little uncertainly. He finally reaches out and picks up the tea to take a small sip.

It's not a bad flavor and right away it doesn't seem to do anything so he drinks a little more. Then he starts to feel it cool down his body. He still doesn't trust it but at least it does help with the overall heat issue.

"If we start feeling weird...let's promise to go in opposite directions." He doesn't want to end up with the same issues he had last time the hotel played games.

With a sad look, he doesn't want to part from him, not after waiting for so long for him.

But reluctantly, he's felt peaceful at the idea. "Agreed. Opposite directions. I think I'm all right. I want you to stay. I want to stay with you." But now he remembers his promise, he will keep his word in case it's a game of the hotel.

After a few several moments, "Do you feel anything...?"

"Cooler." That is what he feels. But besides that he still feels normal..almost..calm. That's an odd feeling to have from a tea but he won't complain about feeling calmer.

"So far it doesn't look like we have to worry about anything crazy." Which is a relief because he doesn't want to have to run away from Lan Wangji again but he is prepared to if he starts to feel strange.

With a nod, "Mn. That's good. Nothing out of the norm yet. At least, you're not overheating."

"I wish this heatwave will be over soon. It's uncomfortable to sleep on the bed. That's why I propose that we'll stay overnight here to keep cool. How about we do that tonight together and make camp here?"

"Camp out at the pool?" Wei Wuxian considers it and then nods slowly. He likes that idea. It wouldn't be any more uncomfortable then anywhere else he has had to sleep in his life and at least here there are chairs and things they could sleep on.

"Sounds good! Then everytime we get hot we just have to jump in the water!"

It certainly doesn't look like Lan Wangji is more than eager to spend time with him this way. The idea of spending the evening and night with him, but it's true. His bedroom is too hot to sleep and only this place is cool.

"Mn. That's exactly right. We camp together. We tell each other stories. If it's hot, we jump in the pool. We won't be sleeping much, but better than heatstroke."

His expression is extremely bright and excited at the idea of camping out. Sleeping anywhere besides his room is a good change of pace and being able to sleep in the room that is about as close to being outside as someone can get..it just a wonderful thought.

"It's too bad there won't be stars we could sleep under!" That would be just a perfect way to spend the night. Sleeping under the stars with Lan Wangji.

"I wonder if lots of people will have that same idea or if it will be quiet."

He hopes it will be quiet but he wouldn't be able to blame anyone that might also decide that it is the best idea. He's already thinking about all the things they could do at the pool to spend the evening. He's sure the staff could help them get food and drinks so that it will feel just like a real camping trip.

That...that expression of his. Bright, excited, and bubbly. That's the Wei Ying he remembers and he has desperately wanted and yearning to see. Not seeing him crying or in pain or being terrified.

He couldn't think of a better way to spend the night. "We're sleeping outside here tonight. So we should be able to see the stars." He would like that very much with him.

At the thought, "If they decide to come out, we have to share." He doesn't want to see them suffer from heatstroke.

Lan Wangji managed a small smile since Wei Wuxian likes his idea and because he wanted to.

"Wei Ying. Tonight...?"

He starts looking around the pool area as he leans against the side of it. "Those chairs over there are the most comfortable. We can use those..and I like that spot by the cave because the cave is pretty." He wants to pick the perfect spots for all their camping activities. He points to each place as he talks.

Then he looks over at Lan Wangji again, "I wonder if they will let us have a fire." Because what is camping without a fire? OF course it is warm enough without it already..but they don't want it for heat, but rather for ambiance! "Ah a fire might make it even hotter..no fire.."

He tilts his head a little as he hears the question. "Tonight?"

Leaning toward the edge of the pool, as he imagines a campfire and the way, Wei Ying talks of a perfect camp.

"Mn. Let's do all of that tonight. Make camp here and together. They should let us have everything to make a proper camp, and I'll make it perfect for you. With ambiance too. It shall be as you imagine it." He said.

"And anyway, I'll be sleeping here. I can't sleep. My bedroom is too hot."

Wei Wuxian nods his approval. He doesn't care if they spend every night here until they fix the air. At least as long as the pool doesn't malfunction. It would be rather unfortunate if that happened and ruined their camp. But hopefully only one thing can go wrong at a time in the hotel.

"It will be fun! I'm looking forward to it."

He pushes away from the side of the pool so that he can float on his back and look up at the fake sky above them.

"And starts above us..even if we just have to pretend." But maybe the hotel has a kind of night version of the pool..that would be rather pleasant. Or maybe they will at least let them turn off the lights so the sky can be dark and they can just imagine it is the night sky. "Do you think they would let us make it dark in here to pretend it is night time?"

At his suggestion and his ideas, he considers it. His idea sounds romantic to him.

"If we asked them, they might do it for us. It would be nice if they do that and if we're alone together. I would like us to watch the stars at night when we're camping. Like we used to do when we're traveling on our journey back home. Even if it's not a real night sky, we can pretend."

"We should get everything we will need so it will be ready when the time comes. I can talk to the staff about the lights and see if they will agree. Maybe they automatically turn them off and I just haven't been here late enough."

Which wouldn't be surprising. He doesn't usually stay at the pool area after dinner time.

Lan Wangji is significantly happier at the suggestion, and since Wei Wuxian agrees with him with his ideas.

"Mn. See if you do."

Evening came soon enough and eventually, he can't stay in the water for far too long. It gets itchy and wrinkly after staying in the water for long periods of time. Eventually, the both of them has to come out to get dry.

With the towel in hand, at the very least they had this talk, Lan Wangji managed to smile a bit.

Wei Wuxian is reluctant to ever leave the water because of the heat but the teas are helping and he has cooled down enough to be able to wander around for awhile. They have a lot to do before they can enjoy their little camping trip and all of those preparations require being out of the water.

He dries off and then wraps the wet towel around his shoulders to enjoy some of that cold a little longer.

"Should we split up and get everything ready for tonight?" He knows he has to talk to the staff about the lights at least as well as see what else he can find out about staying in the pool area all night.

Using the towel to dry himself and in agreement with his plan.

"Mn. We split up, get ready, and we meet back here at 8:00 pm." One hour before his designated lan clock deems it to be bed-time. He was looking forward to tonight.

With a nod, he will reluctantly part from him. He does not want to hang out in his hot hotel room, which is just as humid as it was outside.

SO (PLEASE DON'T) TAKE OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT 06/11 - 06/13

CLICK CLICK... THUMP 06/14 - 06/21

QUEEN'S ADDRESS 06/21

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CLICK CLICK... THUMP
06/14 - 06/21

QUEEN'S ADDRESS
06/21