to lose all my senses —

[happyheartsstaff]

THAT IS JUST SO TYPICALLY ME

It's not clear how many days it's been since you arrived in Wonderland. With it stuck in perpetual twilight, it could have been days, perhaps longer — everything starts to blur together, in this artificially joyful place. Maybe you've started to feel like you you're getting used to it, maybe not...

But eventually, something happens to break the monotony. Your ears begin to ring, and ring, and ring and then — stop. The lights become blinding, forcing you to squeeze your eyes shut and try to rub the afterimage of all that light from them — but when you open your eyes, you still can't see.

The staff don't understand when you ask them what's happened to you. "You've always been like this", they insist. They sign at you, or try to hand you papers written in braille — if you insist you've never signed in your life, or that you can't read braille, they laugh at your funny joke. You begin to wonder — have you always been this way? You were so sure... But everyone around you is equally sure of their truth, and their voices are so much louder.

As if that weren't enough, nothing in the hotel can be found in the same place twice. All the shops keep switching places, once you enter one area it's as though everything shifts in the minutes before you leave again. Getting back to your room is a struggle — where are the elevators? Finding food is nearly impossible — the Pig & Pepper was there, but now it's not. The staff are equally useless here — they have no idea what you mean about moving shops. Where would you want to move to when all your needs are accounted for right here?

What is going on?

SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL — 5/11

The day starts like any other has in the Hotel — unsure if a new day has started at all. Perpetual twilight and lack of clocks makes it difficult to tell time here in the Hotel, but on this particular day, something breaks up the monotony. It begins slowly — or else it happens all at once. Over the course of the day, all Oysters find themselves losing a sense. Staff don't understand their complaints — you've always been like this, they say, gentle, as though to a person in the middle of a break with reality.

Losing your temper won't help, either. Oysters who shout and yell will find staff remaining frustrating calm and compassionate, insisting that they cannot fix what has always been and murmuring about Mad March before taking their leave. Physical aggression may result in a spike of fear, but staff will quickly make their exit and may avoid that Oyster for a while.

If that wasn't enough, nothing in the Hotel is staying put.

IT'S LIKE A MAZE IN HERE — 5/11

The interior of the Hotel has ceased to remain stationary. Beginning at the same time as the loss of senses, the establishments of the Hotel begin to jump around, never staying in the same place twice. An Oyster may have entered the Pool of Tears from the lobby, but exit it into the middle of the casino. The Pig & Pepper Buffet is never in the same place twice, and always seems to move right when Oysters desperately need a meal.

Even as the old shops move, new establishments seem to be being added, but they aren't easy to find — Oysters will see a new sign across the building from where they are, only to see it's moved again by the time they get there. If you take your eyes off an establishment as you head toward it, it disappears and reappears elsewhere. Making it to the new establishments will take some time and dedication (or perhaps plain stubbornness), but there are rewards in it for any Oyster that can manage the feat!

Back To Rights — 5/15

A few days after the effects of the event begin, they just as suddenly end. Sight, hearing, speech — they all return in a rush, possibly overwhelmingly so, and when one tries to make their way to a shop, it stays exactly where it was when they first saw it, and they exit the exact same place they entered. Staff will react much the same way as they did when they were questioned after the loss of senses — you've always been like this.

You made it through, Oysters. You've completed your first event in the Hotel.

We hope you enjoy this first event, Oysters! If you have any questions, please leave them on the first comment to this page. Happy playing!

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[stargazed]

[Mikumo gives an understanding sort of smile at that, halfway between amused and dry. She's been in ostensibly worse situations, but the fact that this is ranking at all when the setting itself is pleasant enough speaks for itself, as far as she's concerned.]

I've performed in some terrible places, but this one is threatening to rank depending on how this goes.

[Turning her head to look over the area, quick and pointed like someone scanning for obstacles or enemies, she points out a couple of staff members a fair way down the hall. They seem to be pushing a housekeeping trolley through an intersecting hall, and she wonders how blatantly audible they would have been in other circumstances.]

Should we try them first?

[stargazed]

"Ah," is all Mikumo says initially, because that's what just about everyone seems to be looking for, and that's kind of the problem. "I'm not sure if it's to do with how frustrating a lot of things seem set up to be right now, but the restaurant seems particularly prone to running away when anyone gets near enough to it. Two heads might be better than one for catching it, though."

[stargazed]

[Mikumo actually blinks at that, because she's seen people with bad alcohol tolerance in her time (though not a lot, admittedly, since a lot of the people she works with are grizzled military types who could drink enough to down your average elephant), but that's. Impressive.]

That almost sounds like an allergy, if it's that bad. Though I'm not sure how equipped I am to deal with it myself.

[Literally. She doesn't know whether ability to digest alcohol would've been engineered into her if the person she was cloned from didn't have a decent tolerance.]

[stargazed]

"It was a few more people than just one 'she' in my universe, but yes, they do seem to have been quite conceited," Mikumo admits, with an enigmatic smile. Being that she's a clone of a Protoculture priestess, she's literally the closest thing to them remaining in her universe. She's aware of the concept of a singular God, she was just never very attached to it considering her origins.

Taking the offer of a drink as a sign that her presence isn't unwanted, Mikumo finally sits down across from him.

"The worst that can happen is it doesn't work, so I'll try it out. I've seen people I work with drink that same sort of thing when they were sick, though I can't say I've ever had it myself."

Considering she's never been sick. Engineered humanity has its perks, though she wishes she could say this was the worst headache she's ever had. It's bad, but she's had some very bad experiences on that front.

[scaredofdogs]

"The restaurant is running away?? Now that is cruel.." How can any place deny them food and a way to forget that they are being inconvenienced.

"It's not like I can really find it if it's moving. It's hard enough to avoid running into a cart. I'd appreciate the help in getting there!"

[spoilers]

"More exercise," she answered, sighing.

She could see the benefit of having a pool for swimming laps that was separate from the one other guests used for entertainment and relaxation, but at the moment, she thought it was entirely unnecessary.

"I'm guessing everything is top of the line, too. Aside from, well, this, the hotel seems very accommodating."

Which she found incredibly suspicious.

[scaredofdogs]

"It does see to want to make us comfortable when its not making us..uncomfortable."

He dips his hand in the water. "It's so surprising that the water is always warm here." Not that bitter bite of coolness that the lakes, rivers and ponds back home have.

[thotsandprayers]

That's an interesting thought. But if they've been changed too that makes finding an explanation or a solution more difficult.

[She hadn't considered that angle, figuring only they were affected. It's not like it changes her perspective much, but if that's the case, she does wonder about those who have decided to become violent with the staff. How could that play out in the future?]

Hard to get answers from someone who doesn't know more than we do.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley makes a sound of frustration.

"Angel, I don't think we can fix this! The staff are pretending that we've always been like this and the building is actively fucking with us. I just - I need a minute to think!"

His voice shows where he's beginning to crack. Crowley isn't just scared, he's utterly terrified, and he doesn't know what to do. Worst of all, he's worrying about what might happen to Aziraphale should they get separated. His mind keeps doubling back to the choking smell of smoke as a bookshop burned around him.

[lunchbreaks]

"Fine, alright," he says, turning to face Crowley, reaching out for his shoulder but getting his cheek instead. Fine. Sure. He reaches over and cups his cheek.

"Let's stay a little bit, then. Maybe get you booked for a massage?" He smiles softly at Crowley's forehead.

It's at least close.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley flips over the alcohol selection. It really is quite a list. He's almost, grudgingly, impressed.

"Any particular kind? They probably have it."

Crowley was thinking of a good port or marsala. He needed to be drunk to cope with the week he was having.

[inlovewithmycar]

"Never actually been sick," Crowley says. "Hungover though? Plenty of times."

He orders up another steaming mug of the stuff once the waitstaff passes them, and then turns his attention back to the young lady.

"So how far have the humans made it in your universe? M'guessing if there's aliens, they've gone beyond their solar system at least. Unless there was something actually fishy going on with Mars and Europa...?"

[scaredofdogs]

"Mm..anything. I will trust whatever you pick. I'm sure it will be new to me since there was only a small selection back home so I'm looking forward to it."

Wei Wuxian relaxes in his chair, looking around the room..which is more out of habit since ha can't actually see anything.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley is quickly stunned to silence. He sputters a moment, but nothing intelligible comes out. His fear is momentarily forgotten, though quickly replaced by a new kind of panic.

Is he doing this on purpose? his frantic mind wonders, veering off into every scenario where Aziraphale might ever be inclined to touch him so intimately, and came up short. It must have been a mistake, and that, at least, was familiar enough territory.

"Don't need a massage," he says finally. "Just. A place to think. That isn't some twisting hallway."

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ That relief is echoed in Sam - it's not great for ease of conversation, sure, but in the scheme of things he'll take British and American sign language being surprisingly incompatible over it being the hotel doing something else.

He skims over the note, then looks back up with a nod. ]

Enough to get by, though I might have to ask you to repeat things sometimes.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ Sam's staring at his own Empathy, which is far enough away that he doesn't quite get all of it, but, well. He gets enough.

It would be easy, to pretend like he hadn't caught any of that, like he was unphased by the remnants of Aziraphale's wings. It wouldn't even be untrue, really, and if there's one thing that Sam's good at, it's being genuine about the things he can be upfront about at the same time as he hides the things he can't.

But it feels dishonest, somehow, if he pretends like he hasn't caught on to the fact that there's clearly something more about Aziraphale.

He mulls it over as he takes the device from Aziraphale, fiddling with it until he activates the talk to text - and opens up a direct message to his own device, both so it's in there for the future and for ease of communication right now.

Then he hands it back. ]

A few of my friends back home aren't exactly human, you know. I won't ask if you don't want to tell.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ That gets a smile from him as well as he tips his head in agreement. Sam has definitely seen worse, but considering they haven't been here all that long and are already having to put up with shit, this is starting to be a contender.

Under different circumstances, Sam'd be curious at the mention of performing. Really, he still is, but now is not the time to ask, so he saves it away for later, when they might hopefully get a chance to talk without all of this going on.

Instead, he nods when she points out the staff members down the hall - he hadn't heard them coming, which should have been obvious, but it's just enough of a reminder to get his defenses up a little. And enough for him to be even more grateful he's not alone as he starts towards them. ]

Hey - weird question, but you guys still hear us?

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Yeah. It'd make sense if they really don't want us to figure out what's going on. Either that, or they'd have to trust the acting skills and ability to withstand interrogation of who knows how many staff members.

[ He runs a hand over the back of his neck as he considers that - honestly, both are pretty damn unsettling in different ways. ]

Not that it's gonna stop people from trying.

[lunchbreaks]

No, Aziraphale is not doing any of this on purpose. He can't see, and if he could see how Crowley was taking all this, he'd rip his hand away as if being burnt.

"Alright, alright. We'll stay." For as long as they need, because Aziraphale wouldn't want to go anywhere without Crowley at this moment. They're all the other has right now.

He does let go, eventually, and stick to taking Crowley's hand. None of this makes the staff think that they're less of a couple, which even Aziraphale can tell by the tone in their voices.

[thotsandprayers]

[She's happy to put a smile on someone's face even during this trying experience, but...]

If they can do this I don't think I want to know what they'd consider repercussions.

[She sure looks like she doesn't like the idea there. Definitely not something she wants to find out. Except no, she'd really like to know what they'd do.]

[lunchbreaks]

[ Oh, he's such a sweet man, being concerned over something like Aziraphale trying to hide his identity. He feels a tug at his heartstrings. ]

Sort of difficult to hide, isn't it? With the wings.

[ The device seems to be working at least, and doing a good job parsing Aziraphale's accent. He slips the device back into his pocket with a nod of thanks. ]

'M an angel.

[ He says this, plainly. His wings droop, disappointed. Now look, he's here in this hotel, eyesight gone, powers gone, God nowhere to help him out. ]

And I've been around a long time, Sam. I've seen many things. It was sort of my job, you know. Help the humans along.

[ He smiles a little, at that, though it's weak and immediately turns into a pout as he adds: ]

But I've never felt so useless. I'm so sorry.

[spoilers]

"Yes, it does..."

She sounded thoughtful, but she didn't say anything more. A moment later, she knelt next to him, similarly dipping her fingers in to test the water.

"Nothing but the very best," she said finally, "Keep us happy and healthy. And if, on occasion, they should make us blind or deaf or rearrange the rooms, we shouldn't have anything to complain about, I suppose."

[scaredofdogs]

"Pretty sure most people are still going to complain about stuff like that..even if given the best." Wei Wuxian isn't one to complain about anything. He tends to just go with the flow and see how things turn out. He's always been pretty good at adapting, this place just likes to make him adapt to things that wouldn't normally be humanly possible.

"But if they want us to stay healthy then that means at least they don't intend to kill us." Which is at least a little reassuring.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ Sam - has to do a double take, and read that again to make sure he saw it correctly. That's - yeah, okay. Mostly he kind of wonders if Aziraphale is an angel the same way Thor is technically a god, but you know what, does it really matter?

Not with all of them stuck here, at least. And especially not with just how damn disappointed Aziraphale looks, and now it's Sam's turn to feel a stab of empathy.

Some people are protectors, helpers, and when they don't have that to fall back on, well. Sam knows what it's like to feel useless, is all. ]

I don't know what it's like to be cut off from something like that, but, uh. You don't have to have your powers to help. Sometimes just being a friend can make a big difference.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley holds Aziraphale's hand like a lifeline, and guides him to one of the loungers. It made from wicker but shaped in a modern, ergonomic design, and there were a few plush white cushions.

"I don't think there's anything we can actually do about this angel. It feels like - like they're sending a message. 'Look what we can do just for a lark, now play nice'."

Crowley hates this. This feeling of helplessness, of being constantly watched and monitored.

He signs gently into Aziraphale's palm; 'I don't know how to fight back yet. But I haven't given up either.'