𝐻𝒜𝒫𝒫𝒴 𝐻𝐸𝒜𝑅𝒯𝒮 𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐹𝐹 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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angryhearts2020-08-11 11:18 pm
happyheartsstaff) wrote in angryhearts2020-08-11 11:18 pm
Entry tags:
you want to hear it? well —
ONLY, MY SECRET'S MINE, AND I WON'T TELL
The garden may no longer be available upon return to the hotel, but there is still a bustle of energy. How fortunate all the Oysters are, to reside in such a renowned place! It's a great honor for those in Wonderland to be granted opportunity to teach their skills or ply their trade here, and the Queen permits only the best. Hotel staff themselves seem to delight in the presence of the traveling merchants. Many trade teas or favors for enchanted items, and will eagerly discuss their purchases. "Oh, it happens regularly enough," they will say if asked, "but you never know if the merchant you liked or the item you eyed will be back next time!"
The talk lingers after the guest instructors and merchants have departed, but it isn't the only thing left behind. Glimmers of green may catch your eye, tucked away in hidden places that seem almost impossible to reach without drawing attention to yourself. Those who manage it will find a scrap of heavy paper with a drawing of a stylized caterpillar, a series of numbers, and the words call a friend.
Are you curious enough to input the numbers into your Empathy? It will ring, if you do, until an answering machine picks up and asks a single question — How doth the little crocodile improve his shining tail? Do you dare leave a message? What will it be? Whatever you decide, the call will disconnect after a few minutes. It seems the only thing you can do now is wait for a call back.
But of course, the hotel is not in the habit of allowing such a thing as idle waiting. Her Royal Highness has noticed that some of her beloved Oysters seem quite reluctant to partake of the many splendors that the hotel provides, and she will be offering a special treat — indulgence.
QUEEN'S GAMES
8/12 - 8/22
What's more fun to indulge in than a little healthy competition? It's time for the Queen's Games, a truly dazzling spectacle. Competitors come from all over Wonderland, and this year for the first time ever, Oysters are invited to join! Announcements for the games schedule will be posted all throughout the hotel, along with directions on how to register to join.
The games will be held in either the pool area or the gym, which seems to have expanded to accommodate the number of spectators. Available games include:
Of course, even the games that Oysters are familiar with may not be quite the same. Chess in Wonderland is a team sport, for example, with each member of the team filling a role as a chess piece and a coach as a strategist directing the plays. Attempting to capture one of the other team's pieces includes having to successfully win a fight against them. Gymnastics and diving competitors include growing and shrinking in size to their routines, ice sculptures come to life when they've been completed, artistic swimmers and ice skaters change costumes and swap partners in the blink of an eye.
If they're lucky, Oysters may find one of the competitors willing to show them the ropes. If they're even luckier, or more persistent, there may be a spot or two open on one of the teams that Oysters can slot themselves into. For the most part, team members will be delighted to have Oysters there.
"You all just feel so much," one may say, sounding a little awed.
"Show off those emotions, it'll get us points," another will add.
Although competitors are friendly, with Osyters and with each other, it's clear that most of them are here to win. Rivalries may flare up throughout the month, ex-lovers may be reunited and broken up again, infighting may spark among the teams — all things that can be soothed or exacerbated, for Oysters who may have inclinations towards utilizing such things to increase their chances of winning.
Or to fan the flames of drama for its own sake.
The games will be held in either the pool area or the gym, which seems to have expanded to accommodate the number of spectators. Available games include:
- archery
- chess
- croquet
- artistic swimming
- diving
- gymnastics
- flamingo flying
- ice skating
- ice sculptures
Of course, even the games that Oysters are familiar with may not be quite the same. Chess in Wonderland is a team sport, for example, with each member of the team filling a role as a chess piece and a coach as a strategist directing the plays. Attempting to capture one of the other team's pieces includes having to successfully win a fight against them. Gymnastics and diving competitors include growing and shrinking in size to their routines, ice sculptures come to life when they've been completed, artistic swimmers and ice skaters change costumes and swap partners in the blink of an eye.
If they're lucky, Oysters may find one of the competitors willing to show them the ropes. If they're even luckier, or more persistent, there may be a spot or two open on one of the teams that Oysters can slot themselves into. For the most part, team members will be delighted to have Oysters there.
"You all just feel so much," one may say, sounding a little awed.
"Show off those emotions, it'll get us points," another will add.
Although competitors are friendly, with Osyters and with each other, it's clear that most of them are here to win. Rivalries may flare up throughout the month, ex-lovers may be reunited and broken up again, infighting may spark among the teams — all things that can be soothed or exacerbated, for Oysters who may have inclinations towards utilizing such things to increase their chances of winning.
Or to fan the flames of drama for its own sake.
THE CALL
8/16
Starting in the early morning hours and continuing late into the night, any who left a message will get a call back.
Those who completed the poem will be greeted immediately by a friendly male voice, with an apology for the delay. "Ugh, our lines are backed up like crazy," the caller will say. "Where are you reporting in from?"
Those who somehow identified themselves as an Oyster, as residing in the hotel, from off world, being held by the Queen, or otherwise potentially against the Queen, will have their call returned by a cold female voice, guarded and wary.
"Show me your Oyster mark," the caller will request. "We can't risk giving you anything without proof."
Regardless of which caller contacts them, anyone who cooperates will receive similar information.
The friendly caller will readily provide assurances that the resistance base was not found, despite Mad March and the Order's attempt at reconnaissance in the old kingdom.
"Can't say much more than that over these channels, you know, but worry not! Everyone is safe. We have a follow up from the last mission — sorry about the air conditioning, you know, couldn't be helped — you ready for this? Keycodes. Access keycodes. Didn't get more than a handful, of course, and the intel is vague about what they access. Are we glad to get your call! How about it, you ready to try one out and see what information you can get?"
The guarded caller will allude to the Order not being able to find what they wanted out in the ruins.
"Did you think they took you out there to show you the sights? They're looking for us, obviously. No I'm not going to tell you more than that — just because you're an Oyster doesn't mean we can completely trust you. All right, look. Last time we broke into the hotel, we recovered a few access codes. We had to get out of there before we could find out what they accessed. How about a trade? We give you the code, you call us back and tell us what you find."
Those who completed the poem will be greeted immediately by a friendly male voice, with an apology for the delay. "Ugh, our lines are backed up like crazy," the caller will say. "Where are you reporting in from?"
Those who somehow identified themselves as an Oyster, as residing in the hotel, from off world, being held by the Queen, or otherwise potentially against the Queen, will have their call returned by a cold female voice, guarded and wary.
"Show me your Oyster mark," the caller will request. "We can't risk giving you anything without proof."
Regardless of which caller contacts them, anyone who cooperates will receive similar information.
The friendly caller will readily provide assurances that the resistance base was not found, despite Mad March and the Order's attempt at reconnaissance in the old kingdom.
"Can't say much more than that over these channels, you know, but worry not! Everyone is safe. We have a follow up from the last mission — sorry about the air conditioning, you know, couldn't be helped — you ready for this? Keycodes. Access keycodes. Didn't get more than a handful, of course, and the intel is vague about what they access. Are we glad to get your call! How about it, you ready to try one out and see what information you can get?"
The guarded caller will allude to the Order not being able to find what they wanted out in the ruins.
"Did you think they took you out there to show you the sights? They're looking for us, obviously. No I'm not going to tell you more than that — just because you're an Oyster doesn't mean we can completely trust you. All right, look. Last time we broke into the hotel, we recovered a few access codes. We had to get out of there before we could find out what they accessed. How about a trade? We give you the code, you call us back and tell us what you find."
INDULGENCE
8/13 - 8/23
Throughout the event, there will be a number of activities available alongside the games designed to encourage unwinding. A concert set up in the hotel lobby will kick off the start of the games, at which indulgence teas will be made available for the first time. They will continue to be served readily at all hours of the day. Enhanced spa facilities will be made available as well — dazzling pedicures and manicures with nail polish that can do anything from change colors based on your mood to emit light so bright it can function as a flashlight; makeup that gives you a kiss that will literally stun the recipient; aromatherapy that will cure any kind of hangover; oils that double as aphrodisiacs, for those interested; healing massages that will take away your aches and pains, wiping away any bruises or injuries with no questions asked. A clean slate, ready to indulge again.
Then, of course, there are the less official activities. Whispers will begin to spread about another kind of competition being run after hours, when all good competitors should be sleeping. No one quite knows who's running it — one person heard it was the coach of one of the chess teams, eager to get her players extra practice; another heard it was one of the chess players themselves; still another will say it is an ice skater, a flamingo pilot, a gymnast. After all, it hardly matters, does it, as long as it runs, and there is a fight every night? Oysters are welcomed into this competition as well, where the only rule is not to kill your opponent. Teas of all kinds exchange hands as bets are placed on the fights, and the champion is rumored to receive a truly spectacular prize.
If fighting is not to your speed, fear not. All of the competitors seem to have different ways to unwind after the games are completed for the day, and all are happy to allow Oysters to indulge in attending the various get-togethers and parties they host. The knight on one of the chess teams has the most renowned wine collection, and he's brought some of his finest with him to be enjoyed alongside cheeses and poetry. One of the swimmers is a passionate musician, and has recruited anyone who can play an instrument to discuss musical theory and play together. A croquet player is known for hosting the wildest parties, with free-flowing moonshine and sips of ecstacy tea readily available. There is a flamingo pilot with a book club, an archer who is a fabulous chef, a diver who is a skilled debater with a wicked tongue — whatever you like to indulge in, chances are, someone's throwing a party for it.
The games will end on the 23rd, with a roaring celebration of all who participated in the competition. The pool area will be taken over for the farewell party, with music, food, alcohol, and dancing available. It is here that the winners of the competitions will be announced, and prizes will be awarded.
Then, of course, there are the less official activities. Whispers will begin to spread about another kind of competition being run after hours, when all good competitors should be sleeping. No one quite knows who's running it — one person heard it was the coach of one of the chess teams, eager to get her players extra practice; another heard it was one of the chess players themselves; still another will say it is an ice skater, a flamingo pilot, a gymnast. After all, it hardly matters, does it, as long as it runs, and there is a fight every night? Oysters are welcomed into this competition as well, where the only rule is not to kill your opponent. Teas of all kinds exchange hands as bets are placed on the fights, and the champion is rumored to receive a truly spectacular prize.
If fighting is not to your speed, fear not. All of the competitors seem to have different ways to unwind after the games are completed for the day, and all are happy to allow Oysters to indulge in attending the various get-togethers and parties they host. The knight on one of the chess teams has the most renowned wine collection, and he's brought some of his finest with him to be enjoyed alongside cheeses and poetry. One of the swimmers is a passionate musician, and has recruited anyone who can play an instrument to discuss musical theory and play together. A croquet player is known for hosting the wildest parties, with free-flowing moonshine and sips of ecstacy tea readily available. There is a flamingo pilot with a book club, an archer who is a fabulous chef, a diver who is a skilled debater with a wicked tongue — whatever you like to indulge in, chances are, someone's throwing a party for it.
The games will end on the 23rd, with a roaring celebration of all who participated in the competition. The pool area will be taken over for the farewell party, with music, food, alcohol, and dancing available. It is here that the winners of the competitions will be announced, and prizes will be awarded.
If you have any questions, please leave them over here! Results for the access code sign ups and the distractions will go out on the 14th, so players have until then to sign up. Characters can use the keycodes to access areas and cause distractions from the 16th through the 23rd — and beyond, but after the final party they may no longer have an easy excuse. If you wish to have your character compete in one of the competitions for the prizes, you can sign up here! Winners will be RNGed.
© tessisamess
Lan Wangji | mdzs | ota
Lan Wangji, known for his stoicism and difficulty to find fun in anything, surprisingly has a minor competitive streak beneath his cold, stony expression and attitude. He's all for good sportsmanship and playing by the rules and he does his best to stay focus and determined to win.
Archery: he is very skilled at. While it was a very long time ago where he won fourth place in the archery contest, his arrows hits the targets accurately with few misses and close to the bullseye. Otherwise, it's straightforward.
Croquet: He found the game odd but easy to get into. A whole afternoon easily passed by. Not hard to hit the ball through the hoops while everyone else is having tea and cakes watching the game
Chess: learning the rules of the game takes a very long while for him to learn and get used to, but the team's coach lends him a knight costume and the coach sure does yell a lot if he made a misstep on the checkered field and made the wrong move. Given the costume and a flat wooden toy sword, he's on the field, but he plays this game clumsily because he doesn't get the strategy of it all, but he tries to win by capturing the pieces or whoever is roleplaying the opposition pieces on the field to obtain a "checkmate".
"Stand still, I'm trying to capture you." And the idea of fighting, Lan Wangji is going to chase after you in a game of tag.
Ice skating: He doesn't bother to compete for victory, but he does make the crowd go ooh and ahh with his elegant costume that is given for the show. Hopefully, nobody recognized him dressing up like a white fluffy graceful swan with it's long neck and beak, crystal blue glass eyes as a head gear mask in the get-up. He felt ridiculous, but honestly, he felt graceful when he just skates across the ice and pretends he's a swan. As for the musical number, they told him he's skating to the classical number, "Swan Lake." It's a crowd pleaser and the audience claps in delight after the show.
II. Fight Club
His stoicism and cool indifference is a really a mask to hide the impatience, the irritation, and the stress from everything. When he heard of a hidden fight club that runs late at night. Normally, he's a pacifists and he doesn't care to fight, but he needs to vent out his frustration physically.
But the guy he's after or probably a few several were on his hit list. After all, he recognized them for flirting with his fiancé and his twin in the nightclub. He never forgets. His honor is not going to let it slide.
All bets and teas are off as Lan Wangji is set on the war-path fighting in the ring for his duel. Fueled by jealousy and pettiness to obtain his revenge. He doesn't want drama, but he wanted a fight to settle the score to teach the other guy a lesson, and he does so without saying a word at all.
III. Ice Sculpture
Is this considered a sport? Wearing a thick coat and gloves, using the tools to carve and hammer, he sculpts rabbits, flowers and hearts into the ice blocks. There's no skill needed. Each time he finished and completed a piece, clumsy in appearance, the rabbits comes to life in all breeds and size, the hearts becomes colored heart-shaped balloons flying toward the sky, and the flowers become real bouquets. He finds this activity stress-relieving and of all the sports, he plays this in every match, everyday, even if the activity is cold.
It's the perfect calm artistic creative activity to keep his mind off the bruises and black eye that decorated his skin and face from fighting in the fight club the nights before, licking his wounds, and find the time to recover.
IV. Wildcard
[Anything else? This top-level covers the games and indulgence. For everything else, more to come shortly! hmu for plotting here!]
I - Chess
"I bruise easily and also I'm sick."
He punctuates that last statement with a hard cough, bending a little to help with the breathing, and also so he can cover his mouth just in case. Not that it's been as bad as it has been since coming here, but Wu Xie just does not want or need anyone to grow concern if he coughs up a ton of blood. No, let's just keep that part on the low-down.
no subject
"Then how come you're playing?" Upon hearing him cough. "Are you all right? That cough doesn't sound good."
no subject
"I thought this was going to be a regular game." With a regular board and regular rules. He did not expect that he was going to have to get on the board to be the piece himself.
"I'm fine." He had told a Lan Wangji about his condition so this one must be the other Lan Wangji? "I told the other you about it, right?"
no subject
"This is a wonderland. Nothing is ordinary around here. I take it you're new here."
At his question, "Ah, you must have met my other-self. I am Lan Wangji also from another parallel version of his world."
no subject
(He could actually. For some reason he makes enemies as fast as he makes friends and that talent has jumped with him as did his weak lungs. He really had the stupidest of lucks.)
"You know, where you're standing right now you are too close to actually remove me," he adds in a lower voice, tilting his head to the side and nod at the space he should be standing on. His oyster mark was easy to see with that, winding around a scar cutting across his throat. "You might want that space instead but what to do? I'll be moving again and that spot will be useless unless you take out the bishop from there."
no subject
Except the chess coach is yelling at Lan Wangji to make his move and take out a specific piece. Rather than taking Wu Xie's advice, Lan Wangji knows it's better to cooperative with the wonderland.
"That's kind of you, but it's better to take the advice given by the locals here. I'll make my move and capture you, and then you should leave the field. I'll talk to you later after the game perhaps? Over cakes and tea?"
He can't stand in the space for longer, so Lan Wangji moves ahead and reaches over to tap Wu Xie on the shoulder. "Tag. That was it. You're captured." Just like that, Wu Xie place in the game is forfeited.
no subject
"Congratulations on your marriage," he began and then Lan Wangji reached out to tag him. Wu Xie blinked at that. Then he frowned down at the hand on his shoulder. He looked up, the wide-eyed innocent expression flickering to more stubborn lines and then huffs.
He was no fighter, so while he's sure Lan Wangji could wipe the floor with him, Wu Xie still reaches up to grab his hand and twists his body trying to drag Lan Wangji off his square.
"That's an illegal move! Against the rules!"
no subject
Lan Wangji stares at him at what he is trying to do. Being a stronger fighter, it may difficult for him to try to twist his hand and drag him off the field.
The coach yells, and he orders Lan Wangji to remove Wu Xie off the field.
"Wu Xie, please remain calm. I will not fight you. I will escort you off the field."
He's going to take his hand to gently guide him off the field, so he doesn't have to play and make his breathing condition worst.
no subject
(They were. He knew they were but Wu Xie was also someone who didn't care about his own health when he had more pressing concerns.)
So it was with the sullen silence of a spoiled young master that he suffered himself getting led off-field, though he didn't go as far as stomping his feet or crossing his arms. He might be over forty but he knew that acting like a child was also off-putting to some people. And the more he can downplay his own skills, the better it would be later on. People had always dismissed him as a pretty and spoiled child before until he undermined their entire world on them.
"You'd think that they have a grudge against me that they are ignoring the rules so much."
no subject
"No. I just don't want you to get hurt." He held his hand gently and lead the way until they're off the field.
"Anyway, I thought the game is a game of normal chess also, but then they have specific rules that I didn't know about."
Now that they're off the field. "How is your breathing?"
no subject
"I'm not that fragile," he says, even as they stepped off the board and head for the sidelines. "I just have crappy lungs."
The other Lan Wangji knee about his death sentence so he's pretty sure that soon all of these historical people will hear about it. Wu Xie hopes that it would at least let him have a little bit more leeway when it comes to getting into trouble instead of people treating him like glass. He really did not want that.
"It's fine. I'll be fine."
no subject
The coach is yelling for Lan Wangji to return to the field because a knight is needed to take out more pieces from the field and the crowded is cheering and getting restless.
"I have to get back to the game. I'll see you and talk to you later?"
no subject
"Good luck. And sure, I'm not that hard to find. If I'm not in my room, I'll probably be looking at books."
no subject
He cups his hands and makes a quick bow, before running back in a rush to his place as the knight on the checkered field, joining the other players playing their part as the chess pieces.
(no subject)
II
He's been lingering around the ring after hours on more than one occasion, and when Lan Zhan fights, he's always generous with cheers, even as he studies the way he moves, and the surprising anger he sees against a few of the opponents. But Lan Zhan also isn't the only one who signed up to fight. After his last run-in with the suits, he's eager to prove his mettle, and get a taste of the fighting styles from other worlds.
So maybe it's just a stroke of bad luck that lands them both in the same ring, facing off at different corners. Wei Wuxian in a loose pair of black athletic pants and a red tank top, a faint sheen of sweat on his face and shoulders from earlier matches, and only a few bruises to show for it.
"Lan Zhan!" he grins, wiping a hand across his brow, "don't go easy on me, okay?"
no subject
When Wei Wuxian enters the ring, there's a black cloud over his head. It has been there long before the fight. At the moment, he doesn't feel honorable for venting out his steam on his opponents through his fists and kicks on a few individuals he's targeting, but the rush of violence is pure adrenaline on several emotions that is storming and brewing inside of him beneath his stoic mask as he was done punishing them to teach them a lesson.
When he sees the few bruises on his face, he frowns and looks visibly upset.
"No. I will not fight you. I came for what I'm looking for." Unable to look at him as he felt his victory is hollow and he felt better, he doesn't get any joy from the andrenaline of the fights from the previous round. He turns his back and willingly forfeit in order to leave the ring.
no subject
Wei Wuxian is left with his mouth slightly ajar, watching Lan Zhan leave without taking so much as a single swipe! Is he really discounting him so much? Or think him capable of so little? He's out of practice, perhaps, but they'd once stood on equal footing! Neither of them had use of their cores here, so why wouldn't it still be the same?
"Lan Zhan!" he shouts after him, irritation plain in his tone, even if Lan Wangji won't turn around. What reason did he have for being so sour and upset, anyway?
Wei Wuxian never does things by half-measures, so it's no surprise when he takes off after Lan Zhan, the thud of footfalls growing louder and faster with his approach, intent on a high-speed collision as he launches himself at Lan Zhan in a tackle.
"Sneak attack!" he yells, as if it was stealthy in the slightest.
no subject
"Wei Ying...? I don't intend to fight you. You are already hurt." That was why he was upset. Because Wei Ying is already hurt and he didn't want to fight him. "Your bruises."
no subject
Instead, he pulls back, narrowing his eyes at the accusation that he's already hurt. He's about to deny it, when Lan Zhan points out the bruises, one dotting his cheekbone, a lucky punch, and a few more across his arms and shoulders.
"It's fine, it's fine! This is nothing, I won't break that easy Lan Zhan," he assures, "they can treat them at the spa so they heal right away. They won't even be here come tomorrow!"
They had a hangover cure too, that worked like magic, and he was dying for the recipe. There were almost no consequences! Injuries healed, he could drink as much as he wanted and not have to worry about his head pounding the next day, and there were a number of contests that stoked his competitive streak.
"I'll get so out of practice without a good sparring partner," he tries the logical route, tempered with a bit of begging, "please?"
no subject
Finally, he surrenders and turns to him. He sighs, perhaps weary. "Wei Ying, I'm tired, so I could not. When it comes to you, I would rather spend time with you and rest. But if it's sparring you need, then could you meet me at the gym tomorrow afternoon? I could help you."
He does not wish to fight him, but if he felt the need to spar and fighting lessons because he is slacking, he could help him with that.
"In the meantime, tend to your injuries at least? Could you do that for me? Once you're healed, I will spar." He can relent that much.
no subject
"Oh- right, ah- don't worry about it. You should... you should get some rest, Lan Zhan. Maybe stop by the spa yourself?"
The ever-present smile feels thin, but he forces it anyway. It's a weird sort of relationship they've found, and he feels often like he's treading into places he doesn't belong, misreading things, letting himself get far too comfortable. Whatever the reason is, Lan Zhan seems pretty upset, in a way Wei Wuxian is not sure he's seen from the man since he met him.
"It's probably not my place to ask, but..." he hesitates, glancing aside, "...is everything okay? If I did something to upset you, you can tell me."
no subject
"All right. I'll do that. Head to the spa." Though he doesn't being touched by anyone at this point.
"You didn't do anything to upset me. I just don't want to fight you in front of these people. You're very strong, and if you want to spar with me, then I think it's better to train together in the gym, and not in the ring."
It's a complicated relationship. For one thing, they're both engaged and he has respect for his soul-twin. This one belongs to him...and he doesn't want his own Wei Ying to be upset.
He wants to be sure if Wei Ying is following. "So tomorrow. In the gym. Spar with me? I like to spend time with you one on one alone. Without people watching." He stressed about being alone with him.
no subject
"Oh- I'm sure your Wei Wuxian would help, if you don't want to go alone," he says instead, even if it is putting his own soul-twin on the spot without his knowledge, "they let you do couples massages there, so..."
He trails off, leaving that as it is. Lan Zhan's words are meant as a balm, not to be patronizing or build him up with false praise; lying is forbidden, after all. Still, it gives him enough hesitation to wonder if he should really be going at all. Just the mention of wanting more alone-time, even if it is sparring, is enough to make his heart speed up, and he convinces himself it's all the more reason to refuse the offer.
"I ah... I have plans tomorrow," he's not the one forbidden from lying, and it's not completely untrue, "but another time, okay? You better be ready, I won't go easy!"
He flashes a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, before darting ahead, eager to slip away.
no subject
When he slipped away, he wanted to reach for him. "Wei Ying..." But the noise of the den is giving him a headache and so, he lets him go.
"Another time..." He mouthed quietly, as he watches the other Wei Ying slipped away in haste.