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!

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

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Selfishly, he wishes he could take this one home with him. Or visit his Lotus Pier, and do all those things that he said they'd do. He has already imagined the scraped knees, the quarrels with Jiang Wanyin, the pattering of wet running footsteps on a dock, the sound of three children laughing until their cheeks hurt. He has already seen all this in his mind, but he wants to hear Wei Ying tell him these stories.

They could go traveling every day, and night hunt every night, and go back home and plan a future that wasn't certain but was in their hearts, carved in stone.

He feels Wei Ying's heartbeat underneath his palm and it takes his breath away. Wei Ying has always managed to surprise him, unerringly.

"Yes." He smiles, finally, shocked expression melting away, eyes twinkling. "Yes, I am."

Wei Wuxian's expression brightens, even as that smile takes his breath away as it always seems to do. He enjoys being the one that can bring that smile to those lips. He wishes he could make him smile like that every day.

He lets go of that hand to throw his arms around Lan Wangji's neck and hug him close. "Lan Zhan...you're only allowed to smile for me. I want to keep it as a special treasure." Even as he teases, there is a truth in those words as he feels a selfish need to keep that expression only for himself. He places his forehead against the other man's as if he can block anyone else from seeing it that way. And this is no small accomplishment considering he has to be up on his toes in order to do it, pulling the other over just a little to be closer to his height.

He doesn't care about the heat, or the others in the pool area. They can just enjoy the show for all he cares. There are few things in this world that has made him truly happy, but talking about all the things he would get to do with Lan Wangji were some of those things. And even if they never happen, the promise is there and as long as he holds onto that then there is always a chance that at some point in his life he might see them come true.

"Are you happy, Lan Zhan?" Because the question game still exists and now his heart is full of new questions.

Lan Wangji lets himself get pulled down as if by a riptide, because who is he to deny the natural disaster that is Wei Ying? "I only smile for you," he says, quite honestly, because aside from their son, he's the only one who has gotten to see him smile in the last decade or so. It's not like he counted the days, or anything.

It's not like he gave himself scars to remember, or anything.

He opens his eyes up slowly like a cat, not realizing they had closed as he basks in this warm glow, and... And Wei Ying's stormy grey eyes are big and bright and cheerful, and his lips look so soft, his hands are placed just so and he's close enough to kiss and he's just.

He's just asked a question. Isn't the answer obvious?

He must keep control.

His eyes flit around Wei Ying's face, before holding his gaze. Does he still doubt? Does he still wonder, with Lan Wangji so close, only his many, many years of training keeping him still? "With Wei Ying, always."

Wei Wuxian knows that he has caused this man more pain then probably any other human on the planet, and yet he still says that he is happy with him. There is an ache in his heart that this knowledge brings, but also like a bandage, those words wrap it up and make it better.

He's once again able to look into those dark eyes, seeing a sparkle and a warmth that hadn't been there. A change that he has been able to bring about in just those few short minutes.

He tilts his face slightly, as if wanting to close the distance between those lips but he realizes that he shouldn't act so selfishly. His first kiss was stolen from him all those years ago in the woods..he could hardly do the same to this man. Not without his permission.

"Lan Zhan...am I allowed to kiss you?"

Even if the answer is no, he wont be mad. He knows how precious that one thing might be and perhaps he hasn't earned it. But he also doesn't want the man to feel obligated either.

"You can tell me no."

Without meaning to, his eyes had already begun to shutter closed, and his head had already started to turn in anticipation of this kiss, which seemed like it was twenty years in the making. And despite never having done so before, his body reacts as if wondering what took him so long.

But then he stops, and he feels Wei Ying's breath against his lips, and he asks a question.

Which Lan Wangji has to stop and immediately play back in his head because he was too distracted to process it the first time.

The back of his head tingles as if he's poured ice on it, hairs standing up, skin prickled at the back of his neck. Yes, he thinks. He wants, and wants and wants.

The tea fights with his mind.

The tea tells him he doesn't care, this is yours. Take it.

He grits his teeth and swallows back watery eyes.

"Your Wangji will be angry." Which is a sorry excuse, and honestly he wouldn't fault either of the Wei Yings for kissing the other Lan Wangji, but he knows deep inside he would feel resentment towards his other self.

(And, if he's very, very honest, and very honest with himself, the deeper reason is because he is unsure of how the other Wei Ying feels, and if he drinks the wine of his lips and goes home to a Wei Ying who does not love him, how he would soak himself in all manner of drink to recall the taste.)

The answer tears at his heart and the bandage that was put on gets threatened to be torn off. He had felt the other respond, knew he wanted to. Can practically hear it in his voice and if anyone deserves to feel that love from the kiss it is this man who has yet to experience it. And he knows his own heart threatens to burst with feeling the love he has for this man in all his forms. Even in his short time with this one, he knew his feelings were the same as if each Lan Wangji had half of his heart. He already has such precious memories with this man he has known for a lifetime..and yet at the same time only a couple weeks.

But those words also sting because there is truth in them. Would he not also feel a little jealous if this kind of moment was had with the other version of himself and the Lan Wangji of his world? He can't be selfish and jealous..it wouldn't be fair. Would he be so willing to let the other enjoy this kind of moment without questioning it? And yet this also feels unfair..because what if the other Wei Wuxian is just like he was..not ready or unwilling. Then he might have made things even more difficult for him.

So he turns his face slightly and closes the distance, letting his kiss fall just to the left of Lan Wangji's lips. Not stealing his first, but also showing his heart is still unchanged. The kiss is soft, light and loving despite not being where he would have originally placed it.

When he takes his lips away, he smiles up at the other man again. "For me, there is no more yours or mine. Lan Wangji is Lan Wangji." And even if he can't be with this one, that doesn't mean he can't still hold him in his heart just as much.

He knows this, in his heart. That Wei Ying is Wei Ying, in this body or in his original. No matter where he is, his heart beats the same. His mind is the same, and his soul still cries out for justice, for goodness. Kissing this one should be just the same as kissing the other, and yet, somehow, he still manages to taste sour in the back of his throat knowing that this one has already shared a kiss with him that he hasn't gotten to experience.

Wei Ying kisses the corner of his mouth, and afterwards Lan Wangji caresses his cheek and leans in to kiss the corner of his eye, his feelings also unchanged. He still loves Wei Ying, more than anything in the three realms and beyond them where this Hotel lies.

And afterwards, he pulls Wei Ying to himself in a crushing embrace as if afraid to let go, as if relieved to be reunited with him after a long time. It's the embrace he wanted to have, all those days ago, when he heard someone else but his own instrument play Wuji. He takes one long breath and inhales the scent of his hair, something familiar to him.

He wants and wants and wants, but he won't reach out to take.

Not when so many pieces need to be put into place.

"Will you tell him?" he asks, though the sound is muffled into Wei Ying's hair.

Wei Wuxian is happy to melt into that strong embrace, already aware of how strong the other man is and feeling it in those arms as they hold him as if he might disappear if he doesn't. Happy to let him have as long as he wants to enjoy this feeling that has been denied him for so long.

"Tell him..?" Tell him about this..tell him his feelings? He isn't sure which question Lan Wangji is asking and perhaps in a way he is asking both. Wei Wuxian isn't afraid anymore. Not of his feelings, and not of showing them. He'll never feel held back by them again.

"Of course. I said I wouldn't lie. That applies to both."

It's only fair that his feelings be shared with each and if Lan Wangji knows him well enough, he would know that his heart is true. And just because there are two..that doesn't change. He doesn't want the other to feel jealous, but asking him to cut off his feelings would be impossible. He loves Lan Wangji and that is that. Perhaps this falls into the gray area that he has always lived in life in.

If he overthinks it then it becomes too complicated. Like so many of the pieces of this hotel. If he loves someone, then he loves them for eternity. Across dimensions. However many versions of him there are out there. Wei Wuxian loves Lan Wangji. That much will always be completely clear no matter how blurry everything else is. And in time he can actually voice those words. When he knows the moment is right.

He listens to Wei Ying's answer, and he is satisfied. For now, it is enough, that he should know this one's heart, and know his own. Of course he feels selfishly, that he has enough love for Wei Ying for two, for three, for an endless number of Wei Ying wondering whether or not they are loved by Lan Wangji. The answer is a resounding, echoing, yes.

But now it's not just something for the two of them involved to decide, but the four of them. What's white, what's black and what's grey.

He holds onto Wei Ying until it is too hot, and he is sweating into his clothes, and it's starting to seep into Wei Ying's clothes.

The tea is probably wearing off a little. A lot.

"I... believe you were going to play me Inquiry." Actually, he's looking forward to hearing what it sounds like on a flute. And he would never pass up an opportunity to hear Wei Ying play.

He grabs Lan Wangji's hand and pulls him towards one of the stairwells. Now that their feelings are in the open, he no longer cares about whether the other will accept his touch. The door has been opened and now this one has to deal with all his shameless tendencies.

"Right! We got a bit distracted." He doesn't even really remembered how that happened but he feels rather happy that it did. "We can't do it in here because it's too loud. But the stairs are nice and block unnecessary noise."

He feels rather excited to be able to play Inquiry for Lan Wangji. There is something fun about learning how to use something he couldn't before. And the fact it is Lan Wangji's ability that he got just makes it that much more fun.

"I'm sure it won't sound as good as yours, but it gets the jobs done."

Lan Wangji lets himself be dragged along by this literal ray of sunshine, and even though the tea has worn off, he still feels like his heart has had a little bit lifted off of it, a scar cut through the center that is slowly but surely healing.

Even though he's only known this incarnation of Wei Ying for several weeks, and even though they are not exactly the same, he would also say he loves the both of them in the same breath that he would say he has two lungs.

"I am sure you are fine." He will let Wei Ying take it away.

This Wei Wuxian is happy to be the light in Lan Wangji's day for as long as he wants him to be. He knows that the other version of himself remembers very little and barely has been brought back. That makes it a very difficult time..since he remembers how much he didn't want to be around Lan Wangji at that time. Or rather..how much easier he thought it would be if he wasn't.

His steps are light as he pulls him into the seclusion of the stairwell. It's a different one then he has been in during the previous attempts to talk to spirits so perhaps he will be able to get a few more answers.

"Let's see..how about I ask if there are any spirits and how many." that seems like a pretty easy way to start things off.

He let's go of Lan Wangji's hand so that he can life Chenqing to his lips. He plays through the notes, asking the question to any spirits that might be around.

When he lowers it there is merely a couple seconds of silence before the flute plays a few notes in response.

"Aha! There are a couple of them!"

Lan Wangji may not be able to perform Inquiry, but he still understands the interpretation. He does raise a brow because as far as he knows, Wei Ying doesn't know how to play Inquiry. But... he supposes he's done it enough times that Wei Ying knows the simple questions and simple answers by rote.

Not only this, but he'd played so much for him while he was dead. Perhaps some part of his soul heard his songs, wherever it was that he lay, imprinted not in his memory but on his soul all the same. Wei Ying, there are so many rabbits. Wei Ying, I will speak to shufu if you return. Wei Ying, Wei Ying. Come home.

Surely, those will be in his vocabulary.

"Ask them their names," he requests.

He nods and plays the notes. He can't say he understands why he can play Inquiry or why he understands the notes but perhaps he has picked it up over time. He wished he could tell the other man that he heard his playing while he was dead, but he obviously doesn't remember anything during that time. He wished he could have been that bird by his side, or even just a spirit willing to sit by him while he read.

When the response comes, he looks up at Lan Wangji concerned. "Why don't they want to give their names? It's like they are afraid someone will come after them."

But who could possibly come after a spirit besides a cultivator? Or is it that the Queen was able to take their powers away and use them herself if she chooses..which means all their cultivation powers are at her use.

Lan Wangji does look concerned at this, and he considers it carefully. Perhaps they don't want to be avenged. But why? Maybe they think it would be impossible for them, as they are powerless.

Wei Ying has gained some power back, slowly. Something must be slipping.

"Perhaps they are waiting," he responds.

--And then.

"Perhaps, they do not remember. Can you ask?"

He plays the notes asking if they remember their names and when the response comes it is..oddly inconclusive.

"It seems like they are mostly too scared of the queen to say. She must be quite the woman.." He wonders if maybe she is as scary as Madam Yu was. That would make anyone want to avoid saying too much.

Even the spirits are scared of this Queen. Which is interesting, because she hasn't presented herself to be so exacting. Formidable, yes: to have such powers to pull them here and to seal their own powers. But so far she has not shared what she wants from them.

"What is her goal?" he asks, though he knows that they won't answer. It's worth to see their reaction.

He plays the question and the answer comes much faster and seems to be hurried. It's all Wei Wuxian can do to keep up with what they are saying.

"I don't know that I got all that, Lan Zhan...something about keeping people quiet and rebels? And people losing their head?"

He reaches up and rubs his face, "This is all more confusing then helpful."

That's quite impressive considering that he seems to have picked up Inquiry overnight. "They mean it literally," he answers. That might be how they got to this position.

Which means they at least don't have to ask who has killed them.

But the question is... why? Why would she take their heads?

"This place might be more dangerous then we originally thought.." He had a feeling things weren't exactly how they seemed..but to be as dangerous as people losing their heads is a bad sign.

"What should we do? Is there anything we can do?" He wishes there was something they could do but all he has is inquiry...that won't exactly help to release the spirits or solve who killed them at this rate.

They will have to fight back, but how? When all that they can do seems to be catch up, and the Queen has all their powers. In fact, she's giving them back to the wrong people.

Which means...

"Wei Ying." He lifts Bichen and offers him the hilt.

What if she's switched their cores?

He stares at the sword and then up at Lan Wangji's face. He can't possibly think he could wield Bichen. He would be able to feel a core as strong as Lan Wangji's inside of him, especially after not having one for so long. And he definitely hasn't felt any differently.

"Lan Zhan..just because I can do Inquiry doesn't mean I can wield Bichen." He hasn't touched a sword in a long time. How can he possibly expect him to use it? He reaches out to test the theory though and wraps his fingers around that hilt. He let's out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding and gives it a tug.

Bichen stubbornly stays in his hilt, and is somewhat moody about Wei Ying in general, though no one can tell because his powers are stifled.

"How did you even find out?" that he could play Inquiry. But he supposes it doesn't matter, it's just. Very odd, is all.

None of this makes any sense.

He knows he should avoid the teas and there might be a little bit of a sheepish expression about admitting this.."I may have had a tea in my room that I drank. It came with a note from the queen. Usually I wouldn't trust it but when I saw what it was labeled as I got a little curious."

He lets go of Bichen and reaches up to to rub his nose.

"And so I just drank the tea and gave it a try."

"You drank the tea labeled Inquiry?" he asks.

Wait.

"Inquiry was a tea?"

If she's distilled their powers into teas, then... what has she kept for herself?

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