you want to hear it? well —

[happyheartsstaff]

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:

• 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."

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.

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.

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[scaredofdogs]

[He laughs softly.]

Why would I want to think about how I would look? Lan Zhan is the one that is going to look handsome in the wedding clothes.

[billowing]

Hm. Think of how beautiful Lan Zhan will look in wedding clothes.

[ As long as it helps. ]

[scaredofdogs]

Is the wedding all you think about now?

[A small concern that the man is being completely consumed by thoughts of that and nothing else.]

[billowing]

No.

[ But he has singular obsessions and he has been waiting a long time... ]

...Almost.

[scaredofdogs]

[He sighs softly and his fingers move lazily up and down Lan Wangji's back.]

Maybe you are the one that needs the distraction.

[He is teasing though since he knows the wedding is very important.]

[billowing]

No distraction.

[ Not the kind where Wei Ying does more touching anyway. ]

Does Wei Ying wish to sleep?

[scaredofdogs]

[There is not much he can do considering he is currently trapped beneath the other man.]

I'm not tired, Lan Zhan. But if you are, then you can definitely sleep.

[He doesn't mind if he is meant to be Lan Wangji's pillow.]

[billowing]

[ He shakes his head, but doesn't get off Wei Ying. ]

It's comfortable.

[ He's not sleepy, he just wants cuddles. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He's quiet for a few minutes before turning his face to rest it against Lan Wangji's.]

I'm sorry...I wasn't careful..

[Dying again was unpleasant but what was even worse was the knowledge he would make Lan Wangji sad once more. He never should have gotten off the elevator. So he feels he owes him an apology for letting his life be taken, for panicking and not thinking of a way out, for everything he probably put the others through in his absence.]

[billowing]

You are back now.

[ But he blinks, and in his drunk state, tears come. Wei Ying had been lost to the Burial Mounds. Wei Ying had been lost to the cliffs at Nightless City. And now Wei Ying had been lost to the belly of the Hotel.

When would he be able to keep Wei Ying? For good? ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He feels those tears fall against him and he gets concerned. He tries to free his hands enough that he can find the other man's face to wipe them away.][Which is more then he could say a few days ago.]

[billowing]

[ He doesn't like to cry, he doesn't do it often, but he thinks he can be allowed some tears in the wake of Wei Ying dying a third time. ]

Don't leave.

[scaredofdogs]

I'm not going anywhere! It's fine now, okay? I'm back and that is what matters.

[He is definitely allowed to cry. And Lan Wangji can stay like this for as long as he wants to. He nuzzles what he can of the man's face or head.]

[billowing]

Mm. But Wei Ying shouldn't go at all.

[ It was only 3 days this time, only 3 months the first time, but what happens if the next time it's another decade? What will he do? ]

[scaredofdogs]

Ah..I hadn't planned on going anywhere..

[Things just got out of hand quite quickly. He wishes there was some way to prepare. Some way to know who else lived in this hotel and what their quirks were. So that every time the ended up in one of those situations the outcome wouldn't be so bleak. He definitely didn't go in that elevator expecting to die.]

I don't think we should go anywhere in the hotel all alone anymore. Especially some place new.

[billowing]

You hadn't planned on going anywhere and died.

[ He almost sounds angry, but he quiets himself, because he doesn't mean to direct his anger at Wei Ying. Rather, he directs his anger at the hotel. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[He flinches all the same. He did..he broke his promise about being careful. He deserves to be yelled at by them. He buries his face against the other man, ashamed of himself and how it all unfolded. He wasn't the only person with a code but it seems his outcome had been far worse then most. of course..it's hard to get worse then death. Luckily it seems that dying in this place isn't permanent or at least..the first one isn't. He wonders if there is a limit to his luck in that respect. All he can do is mutter apologies as they lay there together, his grip on Lan Wangji tight as if afraid to let go.]

[billowing]

[ He holds Wei Ying so tight that he might cause his second death from constriction or suffocation, but he refuses to let go. He hadn't held on tightly enough, once. Look how well that had turned out? ]

I didn't know if I would see Wei Ying again.

[scaredofdogs]

Honestly.. I didn't think anyone would.

[He had no idea that dying would not be permanent. He thought for sure his life was ending for good in that strange room and that he would never see Lan Wangji's face again. Apology after apology had run though his mind while those dogs tore him apart and he only hoped that perhaps he would come back as one of the spirits that live in the hotel so that he could still talk to him somehow.]

At least now we know death isn't permanent here.

[billowing]

Stop.

Don't.

[ If he thinks like that, then he'll stop believing that his life holds any value, and continue to make such dumb and sacrificial moves. ]

[scaredofdogs]

[What is a few more gold marks on his body if he can find out more about the hotel or the queen or protect someone else from having to deal with that same fate. He's died before, he can handle dying as many times as he has to. It's unpleasant but better him then someone who doesn't know that pain.

He sighs softly and stays silent. At night his dreams are still plagued by what he went through. He would do anything to spare someone from this same ongoing torment.]

[billowing]

[ And Lan Wangji would give anything to spare Wei Ying of this pain another time. ]

Promise me.

[scaredofdogs]

I can't...

[Because he promised once before and broke it. He can't handle making yet another promise that he might not be able to keep. As much as Lan Wangji wants to keep him safe, it isn't in Wei Wuxian's nature to sit back and do nothing.]

I'm clearly not good at keeping them so I just can't. Knowing I broke a promise already hurts just as much as what happened.

[billowing]

[ Lan Wangji waits a moment, and then, he disentangles himself, and gets up out of bed, stumbling around as he's still quite drunk. ]

[scaredofdogs]

A-ah! Lan Zhan!

[He scrambles to get out of bed and follow after the other man. His room is much bigger then the last time Lan Wangji was there so he doesn't mind if he wanders around in here, but he doesn't want him to go stumbling out into the hallway or back downstairs.]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...