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!

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley shakes his head, slowing his pace as they climb the stairwell. ]

I've got no idea, angel. Hopefully something useful.

[ It is quite a ways, leaving even Crowley winded. Though, in all fairness, he's as averse to working out as Aziraphale. The sound is gone, but there is something else. The murmuring of people - Crowley recognizes a couple of the voices as fellow oysters, but also a number of others who are less than familiar. ]

Weird. I can hear them clear as day. You reckon this is how they spy on us...?

[lunchbreaks]

[ He nods. ]

Or...

[ There's some magic involved. Or some technology. He doesn't know how far it's come, but he does gesture wildly to that extent and keep quiet. Hopefully after six thousand years, Crowley knows what he means. ]

Closer?

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley nods, trying to quiet his footsteps as they ascend the stairs. ]

You'd think there'd be someone around.

[ At the top of the stairs, there is a door. No windows to see where it leads, but it seems fairly innocuous.


Seems being the operative word. Crowley is well aware of how good things are at 'seeming' around here.

He glances at Aziraphale. ]

...Shall we...?

[lunchbreaks]

[ He nods and then ascends with Crowley, rounding out the back, checking over his shoulder. ]

Is it locked?

--Did you bring a pin?

--Do you think your glasses could do the job?

--Ah!

[ He pulls out his nifty little spectacles. ]

Do you think mine might do the job?

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley gives the handle an experimental jiggle and, much to his complete lack of surprise, it's locked. ]

Keep your specs, angel, I don't want to ruin them.

[ Crowley rather likes Aziraphale's glasses, however extraneous they are. They're cute, and they make the angel happy, and Crowley is very much in favour of things that make Aziraphale happy.

He does have a makeshift lockpick, assembled from a fork he nicked and bits of wire he's hoarded like a rather stylish-looking magpie. On his knees, Crowley fiddles with the lock for a while, looking increasingly more impatient until it gives a final 'click'. ]

That was easier than I thought it'd be. What d'you say? Want to take a peek?

[lunchbreaks]

Ah, it was ajar the whole time.

[ That's the story he's going with, which means yes. As he puts his glasses away, he starts to walk in with Crowley. ]

After all, we heard something suspicious.

Could've been someone in danger.

Would've been remiss not to check!

[ These two, always making up little white lies. ]

[inlovewithmycar]

Right, just a pair of good samaritans, us. Just bursting with altruism.

[ They could come up with their lies later. Crowley peers around the corner of the door, and he can't see or smell anyone inside. Encouraged, he slinks further into the room and then lets out a low whistle. ]

Aziraphale, get a load of this.

[ Not far from Crowley is a table laden with sharp and dangerous looking implements. ]

Reckon a few of our fellow guests could use some of these.

[lunchbreaks]

Well, we shouldn't just... pilfer them.

But it... is rude, I think, to leave us all with no weaponry.

And!

[ He takes a closer look. ]

Well, how are we to know that these don't belong to the guests?

[ After all, these look like they might belong to Sam. Or Shepard. If there's a tire iron, who's to say it wasn't Crowley's to begin with? ]

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley nods in agreement. ]

Right? They see fit to take things from us, s'only fair, leveling the playing field a bit.

[ The knives definitely look like they'd be the easiest and safest to sneak out. The staff would spot the bigger weapons in an instant and then - well, that would be all sorts of inconvenient. ]

No one's around - let's get a closer look.

[lunchbreaks]

[ He takes one look behind him before following Crowley in. ]

Hmmm...

[ And as if on cue, Aziraphale starts taking things that he thinks they won't miss, and stuffing them into his coat pockets. He doesn't have that many, but he has some on his waistcoat... ]

They won't miss this, will they?

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Unfortunately, just as Aziraphale approaches the table, the door slams shut and the room is plunged into darkness. ]

Shit - grab whatever you can hide in your pockets - I think we're in trouble!

[ There is a low thrum, a sound like a migraine made manifest. Crowley's snake eyes aren't just for show - he has excellent vision in low light - but that doesn't seem to be a problem for long, because the floor starts to glow a faint, day-glow green, swirling like a bad acid trips.

Crowley pockets some of the rope, a pair of handcuffs and some, well, pocket knives, before beckoning Aziraphale to the door. It is, of course, locked. ]

[lunchbreaks]

[ Aziraphale grabs whatever is handy, stuffing his pockets before he runs over to join Crowley. ]

Oh, move aside!

[ He yells, panicked, trying to shove his shoulder against it.

No good. ]

We should've known it was a trap!

[inlovewithmycar]

Fairly obvious in retrospect.

[ After Aziraphale's first attempt to shoulder-check the door open, Crowley joins him, growing increasingly panicked as the green light seems to well up from the floor, forming a strange sort of sphere.

Yeah, that definitely doesn't look good. ]

[lunchbreaks]

[ Oh, that doesn't look good. Aziraphale quickly turns his attention back to the wall, banging on it. ]

Help!!

[ Is that light getting bigger? He puts an arm around Crowley, as if attempting to shield him from it. ]

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley's instincts to shield Aziraphale are the same as the angel's to do exactly that for him. Pulling Aziraphale close just as the angel reaches for him, he wraps his wings around him, bracing himself for the worst.

The expected blow of energy doesn't come. Rather, there's the click of the door unlocking, and the light dims and fades back into the floor.

A small group of stern looking men in stern looking suits file in, politely stating this is a restricted area and that Crowley and Aziraphale should really get back to the hotel proper. ]

[lunchbreaks]

Y-yes! That's what we were... trying to do!

[ He murmurs, keeping Crowley close, not bothering to get a good look at the men. He has his arms out, ready to shield Crowley in case they come near, but he can't see for the wings.

It catches his breath, but he blames it on their current enemies. ]

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley, his wings and arms still around Aziraphale, holding him protectively, glowers at the suits. ]

Yeah - door was unlocked. Thought it might've led back to our rooms.

[ He lies easily enough for the both of them - he's a demon after all, that's what he does. His need to be as open and honest as possible with Aziraphale doesn't really extend to humans. Especially not their captors.

Fortunately, there isn't much fuss as they're ushered out, back to the lobby with one of the suits smugly pointing at the 'staff only' sign with an added warning not to go poking where they don't belong. ]

[lunchbreaks]

Haha, oh, is that... what that says? Yes, of course...

[ He hurries away with Crowley, trying not to walk too fast but just at a brisk enough pace to be out of arms' length and more importantly out of gunshot range because this man does seem rather shady. ]

Crowley.

[ He breathes a sigh of relief. ]

Shall we head up to my room?

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley nods, scowling back at the suits one last time. As they head back to the relative safety of Aziraphale's room, Crowley's arm never once leaves his shoulder. ]

What in the name of Satan's crimson pucker was all that?

[ The uncharacteristic quiet that had fallen over the demon is gone once they reach Aziraphale's room. Crowley begins a tirade of questions - or at least the aborted attempt at questions. He has no idea what they just saw or even where to begin asking about it. ]

[lunchbreaks]

Would really rather not think about Satan's--

--Anyway.

[ He lets Crowley start and stop all his questions, but naturally he doesn't have any answers. He reaches out to steady his friend, takes his hand reassuringly. ]

Crowley. They mean to confuse us.

[inlovewithmycar]

Well it's bloody well working, isn't it?!

[ The hand on his own brings him down out of his panic and he at least stops ranting. His thoughts, however, are racing. He has no idea what that thing had been but it didn't look particularly friendly and, given the nature of things here, it could have very well killed both of them. Crowley stares at Aziraphale for a moment, realizing they may have just had another brush with actual, permanent death, escaping only by the skin of their teeth, and he feels a rush of guilt for going in without so much as a second thought. ]

...Angel...

[lunchbreaks]

Crowley.

[ he looks worried, but he pushes it aside. ]

We don't know what we're dealing with here. We just have to... think things through a little more.

[ Because they're so used to being in charge of their own domains. It's a little difficult, watching this, being a part of this. But he holds Crowley's hand steady, and he resolves to remember that being an angel and a demon here mean nothing to them. ]

[inlovewithmycar]

Yeah.

[ Crowley's shoulders sag, the demon looking almost defeated. ]

Think things through.

[ Clever though he is, Crowley knows that's not necessarily his strong suit.

Crowley adjusts his hand in Aziraphale's, and signs into at At least we have some things that might be of use to the humans.

He does, at least, remember Aziraphale's note. Who knows who is listening, even now. That strange corridor where they could hear conversation certainly indicates that anyone, any time could be overheard. ]

[lunchbreaks]

[ Yes, but they've always communicated well with just a look.

Speaking of, now in the private of his own chambers, he reaches for Crowley's glasses. ]

You said you would take these off in private, yes?

[ Now he really does just want to see Crowley's eyes. It would be much easier to talk to him this way. ]

[inlovewithmycar]

[ Crowley shuts his eyes and lowers his head for Aziraphale to do as he pleases with the shades. ]

You sure, angel? I mean, they don't bother you?