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

[billowing]

Lan Wangji takes the offering of pieces of fruit and vegetables, probably somewhat also thinking the same things. It's odd to eat alone, and he definitely doesn't want any verbal apologies from Wei Ying. Those never end well.

Very simply, Lan Wangji takes a moment to think about this before he answers: "I will carry you." He looks back over at Wei Ying as if daring him to challenge him on such a thing, because he would absolutely do it, but also... it would be of little consequence or chore for him, strong as he is, loving as he is.

He is sure the other Lan Wangji would also acquiesce to this, should this one be needed for other tasks (for instance, his morning talks with Lan Xichen - but Wei Ying is never awake at the time.)

[scaredofdogs]

He simply stares at Lan Wangji for a few moments. Letting that sink in. His hand with the piece of fruit lowers back down onto the plate. It's really hard to argue with the logic that if he wants to go somewhere, Lan Wangji will just carry him there. He knows just how willing the man would be to do just that. Not that there are a lot of places to go but even just being in his room it will hard to keep him in bed. Wei Wuxian is not one to sit still for very long.

"But..what about when I'm in my room? You're not going to stay with me all day just to make sure I don't walk on it."

And he can't expect Lan Wangji to do that. He wouldn't ask either of them to do so. This injury is his own fault and he doesn't like to inconvenience anyone. It warms his heart that he's even willing just to help him around the hotel, still concerned the other man might be mad at him.

[billowing]

No, that's true. He couldn't be attached at the hip to Wei Ying. First of all, because he'd promised Xichen and he'd also promised Xichen that he wouldn't say anything about it. Not that it would be suspicious to take tea with his brother, but still.

And secondly because he was afraid if he showed too much attention to one of the Wei Yings, the other one might get jealous. Or, the other Lan Wangji might get jealous.

"I will make you a cruch," he announces, as if that were so easy.

Wei Ying should have just agreed to being carried around everywhere.

[scaredofdogs]

"Ah..ah..right." He definitely does not see that happening but he'll let Lan Wangji figure that out. His expression clearly says he doesn't know about this plan but trying to argue with the Lan is pointless.

There is a heavy sigh as he resumes eating. His ankle throbs and he knows if he even attempts to walk on it things will only be made worse. He is seeing it for the first time now that Lan Wangji has rolled up his pant leg. He hadn't looked in the room because he didn't want to know. It was easier to just attempt to forget rather then look and know how bad things were. He looks at it, flinching at how large it looks. It looks just as bad as it feels which is not particularly encouraging.

"I really made a mess of things..." He feels like he ended up hurt without even accomplishing that much. What good did it really do to go into that staffers room? Only made more questions.

[billowing]

Trying to argue with Lan Wangji is always pointless. Nevertheless, he looks sympathetically at Wei Ying, because he knows that he too, feels that way about having fought with the suits.

"You have not. Your other self and I..." he trails off for a moment. Where is this story heading?

"...We were also put in cells. For twenty four hours." Of course, he counted them. "I meant to tell you." But when they'd returned, he had marched Wei Ying up to his room and they'd slept the day away, and then by the time he got around to it, this one was already gone.

"It is my fault." He gently places Wei Ying's leg into his lap, and tries not to look at him with his sad eyes.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian's eyes widen, "You were caught too??" He should have noticed...why didn't he? Now he feels guilty that he didn't keep up with the other like he should have. His empathy device had been forgotten during the excitement of everything but he still should have found a way to keep in contact. He feels guilty for always harassing the other man and then not being there to look for him when he was missing.

"How can you possibly blame yourself? I should have noticed and come looking for you...We promised to see each other every day and I am the one who failed..Maybe I could have helped find you so you didn't have to stay in that room so long."

He stares at the tray of food in his lap. He doesn't deserve any place in this Lan Wangji's heart. Even if he had known the other had been locked up, that doesn't change the fact he probably would have still gone hunting for answers. Perhaps it would have even fueled him to try and get more. He might have tried to demand answers from the Suits he encountered. It had started with himself just showing off his new talent with Inquiry..it just ended up badly. There is nothing Lan Wangji could have done or said to have stopped him.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji looks up at Wei Ying and then he reaches down and pinches one of his toes playfully. "Whatever you are thinking, stop thinking it."

He doesn't harbor any resentment towards Wei Ying, and he would not, no matter how much danger he put them in. After all, that was what Wei Ying did. It was what Lan Wangji signed up for.

That day he stood up, in front of Lan Wangji, and said, "if I am to die tonight, honor me and let me die by your hand." And how was he to argue with a man whose convictions were so? Who protected those who received no help from all others, who had done no wrong but to be born into a dictatorship with no power to have done anything about it?

It is not his actions that are the matter when he follows his heart, and his heart is correct.

[scaredofdogs]

He wrinkles his nose and his head shoots up as he glares at the man who is currently pinching his toe. There is no heat or anger in the glare as he tries to wiggle that toe out of the grasp.

"I can't just stop thinking about it even if you do abuse my toe."

But his somber mood is broken slightly. He can't exactly move his leg to escape the grip though so he's is stuck at Lan Wangji's mercy. Not that he particularly minds that either.

He picks up a piece of apple and holds it out to Lan Wangji as almost a peace offering.

[billowing]

He takes the proffered piece of apple, and nibbles on it. There's nothing sweeter than a boy you love who is injured and still takes time to feel bad for you and give you nice things.

None of those thoughts properly formulate into Wangji's head, but the general feeling does.

"We will be more careful," he says. "All of us." He doesn't say that they'll fight them together, but he does so with his eyes. There's a lot he has always left unsaid.

[scaredofdogs]

He takes another bite of his own food, not letting it be forgotten. But in between bites he still offers more food to the other man. He nods his agreement in silent acknowledgement to the unspoken words.

Suddenly remembering something, he dives into his clothes with one hand clearly searching for something. After a little bit of searching and panic that it might have gotten lost in the various falls and activities that occurred..he finally produces the switch blade form his pocket.

He sets it down on the table in his lap. "Before we got captured, we found some stuff."

It's not quite a sword but at least it is a weapon and could be used if things get too out of hand.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji takes it, only to look. After all, he still has Bichen, sealed away but still usable. He wouldn't want to take the blade from Wei Ying.

"Do you think this belonged to someone here?" he asks. Perhaps it was taken from them in the same way that their powers were taken away.

[scaredofdogs]

"I don't think so. I think this is one of the staffers personal weapons. But I don't know what he would be using it for..or who against. It was in a locked box in his room."

To add to the assault charges against them...they also stole a few things. The staffer who stays in the room has a lot of reasons to be mad at them.

"It was this and two of the teas that they give us. Lan Zhan got the teas."

They hadn't tried them and there wasn't exactly a lot of time to see what kinds they were before they were discovered.

[billowing]

He is slightly worried about that. What if they come back for them? "You'd better keep it safe." And it would have been better if they could check if it was enchanted. After all, they might've given it to them to be tracking them.

Or maybe the tea wasn't going to be very helpful.

He takes a deep breath.

The most important thing, is that Wei Ying has returned.

[scaredofdogs]

He slides it back into his pocket. If they do come back looking for it while he is injured, at least he will have it to fight back with if he has to. It's better then being completely unarmed and unable to do anything.

"Maybe this is the only size of sword I can handle now." He smiles a little. A small sword for a smaller Wei Wuxian. Since Chenqing is basically useless at this point he will have to use whatever he can get.

He finishes the food on his tray except for the little bowl of chopped fruits. He sticks one in his mouth and then holds out the next one. This is how he intends to finish this bowl. He won't have to be fussed at for not eating any himself and he still gets to enjoy sharing with Lan Wangji.

[billowing]

Ah, but Lan Wangji has already eaten his fill for the day. Regardless, he'll eat from Wei Ying's hand because Wei Ying is trying to feed him.

It's very cute. He is honestly quite cute being so much smaller, but Lan Wangji would never say such a thing aloud.

"You are tired. I should let you sleep." Which is his way of saying, stop worrying about him.

[scaredofdogs]

"Your blanket is torn, Lan Zhan.." He pouts as looks down at his ankle again. He sticks the last piece of fruits in his mouth and chews it sadly.

He wonders if the man is going to stay with him or leave him. Or even take him back to his own room. After being alone in that room the last thing he wants is to be alone again but he can't burden the other man any more then he already has.

[billowing]

"I will mend it." He lifts Wei Ying's leg and gets up slowly, careful not to hurt him. And then he takes the table and tray, puts it down where it belongs, and goes back to help Wei Ying get settled in.

"Does it hurt?" Lan Wangji gently combs his fingers through Wei Ying's hair.

[scaredofdogs]

He nods as he leans into those fingers. His hair is a mess and he knows it. "A lot. But I've been hurt a lot and it definitely doesn't come even close to comparing to a sword in the stomach." He still holds a little resentment towards Jiang Cheng for that.

"You've walked around on far worse." He will never forget about that moment when he heard about Cloud Recesses and what they did to Lan Wangji. He may not remember everything that happened during that time, but watching the man walk still so proudly with a broken leg really stayed with him. As if he didn't already have enough reason to admire the man.

[billowing]

"I had reason to," he responds. Because he had to do it. He couldn't show weakness to the Wen Clan, not after what they'd done to Gusu Lan.

And he'd exacted his revenge. They'd won. They were the victors in that war.

People had been too hurt, they'd taken it out on those who had nothing to do with Wen Ruohan.

[scaredofdogs]

"You're too strong, Lan Zhan." It makes him look pathetic. Especially at this moment. He wonders if he would have gotten injured at all if he had been in his old body. Maybe this one is even weaker then he thought..or maybe that is just an excuse he wants to use to try and accept why he couldn't handle falling down a flight of stairs.

[billowing]

"Would you like me to be less strong?" he asks, quirking a brow. Perhaps it isn't that Wei Ying is weak, but rather that he has a lower tolerance for pain. That was certainly always true.

And even then, they'd been well-matched as sparring partners. So Lan Wangji does not think of him as weak. It is a silly path to venture down.

[scaredofdogs]

"No..I like how strong you are." A little of that playful spark returns as he looks at him, "You have a good body, Lan Zhan. I wouldn't change a bit of it."

And if he was less strong it would be a lot harder to carry Wei Wuxian around the hotel, which..he might be slightly looking forward to just a little..not that he would admit it.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji is used to this one's shameless flirting now, but his ears still blush a little bit hearing that.

"Wei Ying. Sleep now."

[scaredofdogs]

He settles down onto the bed, rather pleased he's getting to sleep in Lan Wangji's room.

"What are you going to do, Lan Zhan?"

[billowing]

"Play qin. Meditate." He looks back over at Wei Ying before standing up from his spot. "If I leave, it will only be to get food."