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

[inquiryguqin]

"They are art. You're a good artist. That's why I still kept it." It was exactly the silly drawing with the oversized flower in his hair that he made when Wei Wuxian was a student and he arrived at the Gusu Lan Sect.

If he still has it with him, he'll show Wei Wuxian the picture to show and compare similarities. He kept it well-preserved as if it was drawn yesterday. As to why he still kept it, he is very sentimental on holding onto memories and mementos.

The light color of his eyes lights up. "You won't be interrupting at all." Anytime with Wei Wuxian is always a good time. "Would you...would you draw me rabbits and hares?"

[sadflutenoises]

He's not sure how to take the compliment, given that it wasn't him that drew for Lan Wangji, technically, at least. But he's sure his soul-twin has many of the same skills, and clearly they'd taken similar paths, and both relentlessly teased Lan Wangji through their time in Cloud Recesses.

Still, he nods his thanks and smiles in reply, before taking another long pull from his drink. It's all but dregs and bits of fruit, so he starts picking at them next, breaking into a wide grin at Lan Zhan's request.

"Mm, I should have guessed. Like the one on our lantern, right?" he nodded. Even if his memories were patchy in places, it would be hard to forget the first time he'd seen Lan Zhan smile.

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji knows he didn't draw it, and the copy he has, it was drawn by his own Wei Wuxian. But still, he was curious of it. Moreso where the similarities and differences draw the line between their histories.

Still, the idea that this Wei Wuxian will draw him a picture, he would like to have it to keep as a memento of their friendship. So inspired, he will write good poetry for him to read and that which will please him and impress him.

Smiling softly, "Lantern? I recall Wei Wuxian draw rabbits on a lantern before. Probably not the same as yours, but I would like that. A picture of a rabbit."

[sadflutenoises]

Just like it's hard not to compare this Lan Wangji with the one he's known, it's hard not to feel a bit of a rivalry with his soul-twin when it comes to things they've both done. What did the other Wei Wuxian's drawing look like? Did he have the same style of brush strokes? The same handwriting?

"Right, not ours, I meant- mm, you know what I meant, right?" he always seems to stick his foot in his mouth around this other Hanguang Jun lately, doesn't he? His worry eases though, when he catches the little smile on Lan Wangji's face. The other Wei Wuxian really is lucky though, that the Lan Wangji from his world thinks so well of him.

"Lucky you, you'll get to have original works by two Wei Wuxians," he sets the drink aside on the edge of the pool, already wishing for another.

"I guess I'll... later tonight, right?" he took a couple steps back.

[inquiryguqin]

With a nod, "I already know." Even if Wei Wuxian fumbles, he understands him. "Lucky." That means they're friends, and this one is his friend. But then again, he always stay by Wei Wuxian's side.

"Later tonight. Pick a place of your choosing. It can be the pool again or the lobby."

He didn't want to leave the pool because everywhere else is hot due to the AC unit is broken. But he must go to his room where the paper and brush are at and start writing.

Being the first to leave the pool and gather the towels to dry, then put on his robe.

[sadflutenoises]

"I'll send you a message then, when it's done," he agrees. He's still getting used to the communication tool, but it seems handy enough, especially since he can't really use paper talismans or other means to convey messages quickly.

It's hard to explain, being around this other Lan Zhan, he thinks. So, in the end, he doesn't make much effort to try to reason or make sense of it. Lan Zhan is still Lan Zhan, so there's no reason they shouldn't be friends, at least, right?

He watches Lan Wangji go, taking a moment to kick his feet in the pool and order one more iced tea, to-go, before climbing out of the pool and toweling off.

[inquiryguqin]

After he dries up and puts on his robe. "Do you know how to use empathy? Not your technique. The device." Since the device is the only way to send messages. While he knows what Wei Ying is capable of, seeing this one use his powers had him curious, but he didn't want him to overexert himself

Perhaps no explanation necessary. It was a strange connection, but friendship is all he could ever ask for.

"Let's meet again."

[sadflutenoises]

Had Lan Zhan seen him use Empathy? He tried to remember a time or place, but came up short, as usual. Probably the other Wei Wuxian then. Still he shrugs


"Oh, yeah, they took the name and it's not the same at all, is it? Don't worry, I figured it out eventually!" he assures, passing him a brief wave.

"I'll see you!"

[inquiryguqin]

With a nod, and a wave back, a casual one. His stoic expression drops considerably, that Lan Wangji may look significantly friendly.

"Mn. See you, Wei Ying." And at that, he parted from him, heading toward his room.