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

[lunchbreaks]

Aziraphale receives his message and then closes Crowley's hand into a fist, and lays his own over it reassuringly, giving it a squeeze before letting go to lay back in this lounger.

He hadn't realized how far back it would go and falls back most of the way with a "whoomph!" noise.

"Perhaps we should enjoy one of the services," he says after a pause. Maybe that would help to calm Crowley down just the slightest. He's too on-edge. It makes Aziraphale nervous, but more importantly, breaks his heart.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley doesn't hear the 'whoomph!' but he certainly feels it, and is immediately at Aziraphale's side. It seems he hit the back of the chair a bit too hard, but nothing major.

Exhaling with relief, Crowley settles at his side, sprawling his legs out over the floor.

"All sweaty. Could use a bath. Didn't even know I could sweat, m'a snake. Aren't I supposed to be cold blooded?"

[lunchbreaks]

"You are, but I feel like our bodies aren't quite operating as usual," he signs, his first words strained both in hand signals and in voice as he attempts to sit up right.

He presses the back of his hand to Crowley's forehead. "You're fine, dear. Not more sweaty than you ought to be. Not too much, anyway." Perfectly normal amounts for a warm-blooded creature.

"But if you want, we'll book us a bath, shall we?" he offers. He doesn't mean both of them in one, just. They should book baths. Two baths.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley's mind, oddly enough, doesn't go There. He and Aziraphale have met in saunas and baths in the past in times and places where that sort of thing was en vogue, and while Crowley certainly admired the angel's physical form, he'd never really viewed such meetings as potentially intimate rendezvous, so he doesn't really think they'd take one separately. Especially since it doesn't seem wise to split up right now.

"I'll go with you then - be your eyes, yeah? Not sure I trust this lot. Practically swarmed us when we got in."

[lunchbreaks]

It's been quite out of fashion to take baths with your friends for some time, except for in Japan and in Finland. Though, put in that context, he really wouldn't mind a dip with company.

"So long as nothing odd happens. No... shrinking oils or growing bubbles," he signs while pouting. He's still upset about turning pocket-sized...

[inlovewithmycar]

This actually gets an actual laugh from Crowley.

"Oh I don't know, I rather liked having an angel on my shoulder."

But Aziraphale had made a very good point.

"I'll test the waters. Give it ten or fifteen minutes. If nothing happens, I'll help you in. Otherwise you might have to fish me out."

[lunchbreaks]

"Oh, alright, but it's going to be rather difficult as I can't see you and you can't hear me." He raises an eyebrow because Crowley, this is honestly one of the worst plans that they have ever decided.

And they'd had plenty of bad ones.

"You have to come with me when we eat, by the way. Safer that way. I decided it with one of the others here, that one of us would be a taste tester, except. Well. We both like to eat..."

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley doesn't think they can have good plans here. Not yet, not until they figure out just how this place works.

"Sure. I don't mind playing guinea pig. I imagine it was torture having to worry about every bite...?"

He sounds genuinely sympathetic. So far they've messed with two of Aziraphale's greatest pleasures - reading and food. Crowley is not at all happy about it.

[lunchbreaks]

Yes, it was in fact, quite torturous, but mostly for his partner who was the volunteer as not the guinea pig. It honestly wasn't that bad for Aziraphale who just dug right in and ate as fast as possible to make sure that it was safe.

That was totally why.

The two of them get led into a chamber for bathing, and Aziraphale waits for the staff to leave before he starts to disrobe in the antechamber, behind a dressing screen.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley doesn't bother with modesty. It's not like Aziraphale can even see him, and even if he could, it isn't anything the angel hasn't seen before. He snaps to miracle his clothes away, realizes that isn't going to work and then grumbles as he manually has to fiddle with buttons. And layers.

And his jeans.

He gets stuck twice, but eventually manages to get them off, stuffing his clothes in one of the empty plastic bins in the cubbies and pulls on one of the fluffy bathrobes.

"Angel, you want me to fold your things?" he asks, grabbing another bin.

[lunchbreaks]

"Oh," he says, from behind the screen. "Could you?"

He hands Crowley some of his clothes from behind the screen and then fumbles around for a towel to wrap around himself as he comes out.

Yes, it doesn't really matter, he's about to be naked, but listen, he wears glasses despite not needing glasses. The towel is part of the look.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley is much more careful with Aziraphale's clothes than his own, folding them neatly, with his underthings on top and each subsequent layer below so that the angel doesn't have any trouble finding what to put on next when they get dressed.

He also grabs another one of the fluffy robes, draping it over Aziraphale's shoulders as he makes great efforts not to let his gaze linger overlong.

...Well, maybe a little.

"All set?"

[lunchbreaks]

He's so very thoughtful.

With a smile on his face, he reaches for Crowley's arm. Er.

Hmm.

Once more. There we go.

He takes ahold of Crowley's hand and he's ready to be led into their bath.

[inlovewithmycar]

Well then.

He passes no remark and instead tries very hard to look directly at the wall as Aziraphale sorts out what is, and is not his hand.

Once that's sorted, Crowley guides Aziraphale out of the antechamber into the baths proper.

It is rather impressive; large and steaming, more a pool than a tub and with soft scents coming from tealights floating amidst delicate flower petals. Oils had been laid out, along with stacks of towels and Crowley would be very impressed if he actually trusted any of it.

Also maybe a bit embarrassed, but this was far from the first or most awkward time he and Aziraphale had been mistaken for a couple.

"Okay, I'll get in first. If I start shrinking, just follow the scream that increases in pitch, alright?"

And so Crowley shed his robe and, with great trepidation, stepped into the bath. And sits rather awkwardly for a good ten minutes.

Nothing seems to be happening.

"I think it's safe, angel."

[lunchbreaks]

Aziraphale waits patiently for ten minutes while Crowley figures out if it's safe or not, and when he gives the go-ahead, Aziraphale shrugs the robe off of himself and then places his towel on the bench as he steps forward less than one inch at a time to find the edge of the pool.

He is probably going to need some assistance.

Eventually, he does dip a toe into warm water, and he bends down to lower himself in, as he has no idea how deep it is or how slippery the bottom.

When seated, he does feel a sense of calm, and he reaches out for Crowley.

[inlovewithmycar]

Crowley hovers a bit, arms out, ready to catch Aziraphale if he falls, but also not wanting to startle him.

Once the angel has two feet firmly in the tub and seated, Crowley takes his outstretched hand in his own.

It's all very romantic in its way, but Crowley's too on-edge to pay much mind to the whole situation.

"I don't know where they're getting the kind of power to do - what they're doing. Mortals shouldn't be able to have this kind of influence on reality. ...No, forget mortals, even we can't do this kind of stuff."

He exhales loudly through his nose.

"Just what is the Queen of Hearts' deal here?"

[lunchbreaks]

"I don't know," Aziraphale admits, softly. "Perhaps we should make an alliance with the others? There aren't many of us who've been brought here from somewhere else. Kidnapped.

"They're likely all as confused and upset as we are."

He heaves a sigh and tries to relax. For a moment, he doesn't seem blind anymore, at least, he doesn't have that concerned look on his face and he isn't staring off into space for no reason. He's thinking.

"If this place was made to test our emotions, I'm afraid we won't have seen the worst of it."

[inlovewithmycar]

There's a grumbling affirmation from Crowley. It wouldn't be the first time they'd sided with humans.

"Allies couldn't hurt," he says grudgingly. He knows it's pragmatic, but humans can be so difficult. Especially if they know they're dealing with a demon.

And it's not like Crowley can just hide what he is anymore.

He gives Aziraphale's hand a squeeze as the angel settles. The water is nice, a pleasant reprieve from their current crisis, and Crowley is already feeling the warmth return to his bones.

"I don't think it's a test, angel. I think they want us compliant so they can harvest our emotions. Whatever the long-term ramifications of that entails."

[lunchbreaks]

"I still don't know what that means, harvest our emotions. I'm still feeling mine, after all. I don't think they're taking any. But how could they be harvested, then, if they have them, yet we have them?"

Also, he has a lot of emotions to spare. They could've just asked. Seems rude.

"I don't know why they couldn't just give me my powers back. I could generate a whole slew of emotions!" For free!

[inlovewithmycar]

"We don't exactly need our powers to generate feelings, Aziraphale," Crowley says a tad wearily. The demon was also far from short on emotions. Though they generally weren't the kind one usually wanted to bottle and sell.

"It's all a power play. Like - like how Gabriel would always pop in on you unannounced with Sandalphon in tow. You know, insinuating what might happen if he didn't like what he saw, while always keeping up that upper management smile in place so it's not an actual threat. Just a reminder."

[lunchbreaks]

He doesn't like how Crowley said all that, but it does make sense. Certainly it's all the things that he'd experienced in his life.

Which means they were unlikely to let them go anytime soon, considering what a pain it was to get Gabriel and Sandalphon to leave him alone. Ugh.

Hopefully the Hoteliers weren't as overbearing as angels.

Oh, who is he kidding? They most definitely are.

"Something tells me we should've packed up and moved out of London," he says, heaving a sigh.

[inlovewithmycar]

"What, get little place in the country?" he asks, trying to sound rather incredulous about the whole thing, and not as though that were the best idea he'd ever heard in his whole existence. He's not doing a very good job of it, but the attempt is there.

"Doubt it would make a difference - they're pulling people from all over. Other worlds. Parallel dimensions. All sorts of stuff like that."

[lunchbreaks]

"Yes, but I think it would've been easier to hide away. No one would go looking for us there," he says, as if he thinks it's truly in the middle of nowhere.

He has lived the last few years in Soho, after all.

"But yes, what do you say? When we get back?"

[inlovewithmycar]

Did Aziraphale just suggest they move in together? Just. Get a house in the middle of nowhere and live together like a -

Crowley is sure he read the angel's lips correctly but his brain is not really processing what he says.

"Yes," he says, before he can stop himself. "I mean, if you could stand it. I'm probably not easy to live with. Had my own space for ages, wouldn't know what to do with a - a -"

What would that end up making him and Aziraphale? Housemate sounds so impersonal - it's not what you'd call your best friend of six thousand years that you've fancied since slightly after the existence of linear time.

Their situation seems to have completely escaped Crowley as he scrabbles to figure out just what Aziraphale means, if anything at all.

[lunchbreaks]

"Well," he says, sensing hesitation in Crowley's voice. "We don't have to. But you are sort of... my..." He frowns.

"You're my best friend, Crowley. And it would be difficult to move away from the city if you were still there. I had quite thought it'd be nice to get you a-- a real garden, and I could only open the shop on certain days, and."

He shakes his head. "It's alright. Just a silly idea I had."