it's getting hot in here

[happyheartsstaff]

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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© tessisamess

Comments

[sadflutenoises]

[He hesitates only a moment before following, and once in the bathroom, sets down a towel and seats himself on the counter beside the sink. His trunks are still slightly soggy from the pool, and he should probably find a robe before long. If it wasn't so hot, he'd already have goosebumps rising on his skin.

He should probably unwrap his hand, but he just sort of holds it out helplessly, an uneasy look on his face.]

Be gentle!

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji is gentle, and undoes the towel, careful because Wei Ying's skin might have started healing and he might be adhering to the cloth.

It smells a bit of chlorine, so he moves his hand under the faucet to activate the tap and gently tugs at Wei Ying's wrist, smoothing his thumbs over parts of the blood that have started to congeal, trying to get the smudges out of the way without opening up any of the cuts.

He has an absolute look of concentration on his face, as careful as if he were setting a cast for a bird's wing. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[Wei Wuxian isn't squeamish, but he also doesn't want to look up close at his cuts and injuries if he doesn't have to. If Lan Zhan weren't here, he'd probably just try to suck the remaining bits out with his teeth and watch it closely for infection.

He can feel the cool water on his hand, the careful way Lan Zhan inspects his wound, but his eyes are fixed on his face. It's rare he gets to appreciate Lan Zhan's beauty up close, and though time has passed, he looks just as flawless as ever. Wei Wuxian hardly notices whether or not he's still working on it, nor how soft his smile as gotten as he watches Lan Zhan work.]

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji is so focused on his task that he doesn't notice Wei Ying's smile, which is a shame, because he's seen many of his smiles but never gets to appreciate the small, soft ones. Once he's cleaned off most of what he can clean - some of the delicate bridges made by platelets have burst, but the blood is fresh, and not excessive.

With Lan-like precision and grace, he picks out any bits and pieces of glass that catch the light, carefully surveying the hand back and front, and underneath his nails. He washes those out with the most care, as blood gets trapped under and makes it harder to see anything.

He gently presses onto Wei Ying's palm, to see if he's missed any miniscule bits that would grate like sand. For this part, he looks up, carefully monitoring Wei Ying's face for signs of discomfort as he moves. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[The smile lingers, his eyes wandering down to Lan Zhan's mouth for a moment before catching himself. There'd been a time, certainly, when they'd been close enough to play house, to let himself pretend they were a family, but it was just that, a game. He'd taken the narrow path, and it simply wasn't wide enough for two.

He tried to banish those thoughts, glancing down at his hand only to regret it, wincing slightly now that he could see the damage. It was worst across the pad of his thumb as well as the first and second finger. A couple smaller cuts decorate the fleshy side of his palm, nearest the pinky. Probably heal in a few days, he thought. Might not even scar if he found some ointment.]

Lan Zhan...

[He swallows roughly.]

I need to say it properly. About before... what I said, I didn't... mean it. I'm sorry.

[billowing]

[ When Wei Ying was walking that single-plank path, he hadn't looked behind him to see that Lan Wangji was behind him the entire time, just one step back, looking around, keeping alert for foes.

He supposes that's what happens when his feet are even quieter than his demeanor.

He pauses this, only to look up and speak to him. ]

Between us, there are no such words.

[ Once the glass is all out as far as he can tell, he turns on the tap and runs Wei Ying's hand under water again, rinsing it clean, and then asking him for the alcohol. He offers Wei Ying one of his clean towels to bite onto. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[He swallows again, under that intense gaze, and it's a good thing Lan Zhan can't hear how his heart speeds up. Wen Qing had reminded him how difficult it could be to apologize, and it was, truly, but...

It was hard to fully grasp Lan Zhan's meaning. Wei Wuxian had just yelled and sulked and thrown a hurtful tantrum, all because of some enchanted tea. The least he could do was say he hadn't meant it. It hardly seemed fair. Especially given that Lan Zhan had greeted him with so much regret, expressed how he wished he could have stood by Wei Wuxian, of all people.

He opens his mouth to ask why, but before he can get the word out, Lan Wangji is already set on the alcohol next. He knows full well how much the stuff stings in cuts, but it keep the infection out, and bluff as he might, he'd have a hard time without his hand.

Still, he shakes his head, and hands over the bottle. He can handle a few stings. Though as he closes his eyes, he instinctively reaches for Lan Zhan's sleeve, taking hold of the loose fabric as if for support.]

It's alright, just do it, I'll be fine.

[billowing]

[ He doesn't wrest his sleeve out of the way, let it be broken for all he cares now.

He mouths the words three, two... one, and pours the alcohol generously on Wei Ying's hand, which is cut up everywhere. He'd usually be more careful, but he wants to ensure that he gets every cut, every opening.

He doesn't trust the medical staff, and Wei Ying can't afford to lose his hand.

He puts the bottle down as quickly as he feels comfortable, and makes sure that Wei Ying doesn't immediately move his hand somewhere else. He reaches out for his wrist above where the cuts end, and holds it tightly.

Should he feel a quickened heartbeat, it's masked by how painful the stings undoubtedly are. Should Wei Ying feel a matching pulse, it can be due to the stress of treating your friend's wound with limited supplies. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[The hand on Lan Wangji's sleeve curls into a tight fist when the alcohol starts to burn through every tiny cut. He lets out a slow, hissing breath, turning away, even though his eyes are closed.]

Just fine. I told you!

[His voice is strained, but he tries to laugh, even so.

He doesn't try to pull his hand away, not as if he could, given Lan Wangji's iron-like grip. What he didn't have to offer though, were bandages. What else was there? Bed linens, some of his old clothes...

Wei Wuxian slowly loosens his grip on Lan Wangji's sleeve though, once he realizes he's been doing it, offering only a breathy, nervous laugh. He raises three fingers near his temple though, as if to site a solemn promise.]

No more tea.

[billowing]

Not the sweetened kind.

[ He reaches behind Wei Ying for his ribbon and unties it with one pull, watching as his hair loosens all around them. It's the cleanest strip of fabric that they have without having to leave, and they can clean it up afterwards when they find new bandages.

After all, blood would be so hard to get out of the headband, no?

But in the meantime, he wraps Wei Ying's hand. ]

Too tight?

[ Now that the immediate danger is over, he can let go of the breath he'd been holding, and he looks up at Wei Ying, not realizing the searching face he's making, staring at all his features, as if trying to see if any are just slightly different than he remembers. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[If his heart was beating fast before, it almost stops when Lan Wangji's hand reaches toward the side of his face. He's so close now, the moment between them so quiet, and Wei Wuxian lets his eyes flutter closed, mind racing. Is he going to...

And then he feels the ribbon at the back of his head loosen, his hair hanging down, and the reason becomes so obvious he wants to laugh. Right, of course, of course, Lan Zhan just needed the ribbon to wrap his hand. Like he'd ever do anything untoward like lean in and...

The other version of him though, hadn't he suggested... that maybe...

He can feel his face heating up and he glances away as Lan Zhan ties the ribbon securely. Red, how sensible, if any stains are left, it's still red, isn't it?]

Great.

[His voice nearly cracks and he clears his throat.]

It's great, how clever of you Lan Zhan!

[billowing]

[ If only Wei Ying knew, how Lan Wangji wished on all the stars, just to hold Wei Ying's gaze one last time, just to hear from him from beyond the pale. Just to have another waft of the perfume of his hair, pass by and move him to tears.

Preoccupied with the injuries, he hadn't even noticed that Wei Ying's eyes fluttered closed for anything other than a trying day, emotionally and physically. But with his eyes closed, and he could swear he saw his throat bob-- oh, okay. Yeah. Now is not an appropriate time for handstands.

He ties the ribbon in a little bow. ]

It's too slippery to stay put. We will need to find some more permanent bandages.

[ But this is enough for now, so they can get up and go find something more suitable, yeah? ]

[sadflutenoises]

[Foolish, he chides himself. Is it not enough to have such a trusted soulmate? Someone so reliable? It's childish, selfish, and he swallows it all down like bitter medicine.]

Cute and practical.

[He slides down from the counter and takes his hand back, already missing the warmth of Lan Wangji's gentle touch, but he puts on a smile all the brighter.]

Just let me change and we can go!

[Without waiting for a reaction, he hurries from the bathroom to rummage through clothing for something that's both clean and not stifling.]

[billowing]

[ Wei Ying is always quick to move, where Lan Wangji likes to linger where he wishes to stay.

Still, he gets out of Wei Ying's way. He can do that.

He waits inside the bathroom, standing ramrod straight, careful not to move, not to betray his trust and peek. He doesn't move a single inch from the spot he was left. Instead, he looks off to the side of the mirror, though in his peripheral gaze he catches the sight of himself. Peerless, jaded, calm as always.

Inside, a storm. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[The moment his face is out of Lan Wangji's sight, he can feel it burning. The heat doesn't help either, and he almost trips over his own legs trying to change. He just grabs the nearest clean and dry garments, shucking off the wet trunks. It's the loose black pants from shortly after he'd arrived, and a red sleeveless shirt. Getting both on without straining the recently treated cuts is a challenge, and one he doesn't quite manage without a couple pained hisses. But he's not going to ask Lan Wangji to help him dress. Absolutely not.]

R-ready!

[He feels a bit better in dry clothes, though it's odd to have his hair down like this. He can't help running his hand through the messy strands a couple times, trying to tame it.]

Is there a shop here with that sort of thing?

[billowing]

No. But I doubt that they will poison the bandages in the medical center.

[ Just mess with the drugs. Hence, why they did this instead of just heading straight over there.

He watches Wei Ying fuss with his hair and takes out one of the ribbons holding his hair back. It turns out he has multiple, so he can just readjust with a different style that only requires one. But as he passes the ribbon to Wei Ying, he realizes that he won't be able to do it with an injured hand. ]

Turn around.

[sadflutenoises]

Right, right. Haven't had the dubious pleasure of visiting them just yet. Hard to mess up cloth though.

[The request has him somewhat baffled, but he complies, back toward Lan Zhan. Honestly, it's a bit of a relief, he can regain some of his poor lost composure for a moment without those dark eyes on him.]

What? Is there a bug on my shoulder? Did I put the shirt on inside out?

[billowing]

[ He hasn't met any of the medical staff either, but he just doesn't trust anyone who works here.

In the meantime, he ignores Wei Ying's questions and starts to tie up his hair in a simple fashion, half up in a ponytail, using his pinky nail as a fine edge of a comb to get his parts correct, using his fingers to get his hair nice and smooth. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[Without a response, he just holds more or less still, fidgeting only slightly. He's about to turn his head to ask again, but feels fingers in his hair. It must truly be a mess for Lan Zhan to feel the need to fix it before they leave. Any hope of getting his wild heartbeat under control is lost.

He feels guilty for enjoying this so much when he's sure it's just a hassle for Lan Wangji. But the opportunities for skinship are rare, and Wei Wuxian craves them like a starving man.]

How does it look? Roguishly handsome?

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji rounds him to get a good look and nods affirmatively before he moves to fix up his own hair before they leave.

But since he'd taken out one of his hairties for Wei Ying, his hair needs to be taken out first, so he undoes the other tie and shakes it out. That it's been up all day, gives it a sort of romantic wave. He leans forward while fixing it up, but since that's where Wei Ying is, he is definitely encroaching on his personal space. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[Even if the nod is barely perceptible, he can't help smiling broadly in response. Unfair, he can't help thinking, for him to agree like that and give him any glimmer of hope.

He should step back when Lan Wangji starts leaning closer, but he's distracted by that elegant fall of hair. His hand reaches up without really thinking about it, only to hesitate partway through.]

Oh- Ah- How's your head? You haven't been too rough with it after that bump, have you?

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji has his own moment wondering why Wei Ying is reaching over here to the side of his face; is he trying to help him put his hair up?

Oh, right. ]

The injury does not bother me.

[ Which means that it hasn't fully healed, unfortunately, but he's just not letting it get in his way. ]

Wei Ying...

[ He says, suddenly, extremely close, as if being slowly pulled in by a gentle current, imperceptibly until he looks up and realizes he's holding Wei Ying's gaze, quietly staring into his eyes as if trying to piece together his thoughts into words.

He finishes his tying, and backs up. ]

Infirmary.

[sadflutenoises]

As long as you're taking care of it.

[He lets his hand drop to his side, catching Lan Zhan's eyes when he speaks his name. Even if it sounds poetic to think there are some things that don't need to be said between them, he can't help wishing that others could be spoken aloud.]

Mm?

[And just like that he's stepping away, probably just reminding Wei Wuxian to stop spacing out so they can finish treating his injury.]

Oh- Right.

[He makes room for Lan Wangji to exit the room, then follows, glad to leave the dark room behind them.]

[billowing]

[ As it turns out, there is no infirmary at the hotel.

Lan Wangji stops a staff member to ask, and they helpfully point the two of them towards the closest thing which is... a... spa?

A spa. ]

Are there bandages?

[ The staff member apologizes, for she does not know, but is all fake smiles. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[Seemed a little odd that there was nothing at all for treating the injured. He should've been more thorough in his search of this place after Lan Zhan's head injury, but it seemed like every day brought new distractions.

The spa, at least, seems to have potential. It's a place meant for healing, after all. After Lan Zhan's unsuccessful attempt, he glances over the spa's listed offerings, noting the herbal wraps use soaked cloth. Surely they had some that hadn't been treated just yet?]

Ah- let me explain.

[He offers a pleasant smile as he explains their dilemma, and asks if there are any spare linens from the herbal wraps they offer. At that, she seems to understand, and hurries to check.]

We could stop and get one while we're here, Lan Zhan. What do you think? Massage? If it wasn't so hot already, I'd see if their baths are full...

[He's mostly teasing, just to get a reaction out of him. He still had trouble thinking that this Lan Wangji held anything but the most proper of thoughts, neatly ordered just like his thousands of rules.]