angryhearts | you want to hear it? well

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mo dao zu shi: wei wuxian

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:

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He follows in suit. Pulling back the taunt bowstring while drawing arrows from his quiver. When it comes to archery, he is considered one of the best archers in Cloud Recesses.

Lan Wangji is pretty straightforward with his aim, letting loose arrows one by one, and each arrow landed on the target of the bullseye.

Seeing the shape of a rabbit and a flower, he can see Wei Ying's talent with his aim and acknowledged his skill in archery. "...Impressive and not bad. But a waste of arrows."

A waste? Hardly! What was the point if they weren't having fun? Clearly neither's aim was in question. Didn't it speak just as highly of his talents as hitting a little circle in the middle?

"Boring," he sniffs in reply, glancing at Lan Zhan's methodical and rule-abiding form. Wei Wuxian finishes off his quiver just as time runs out, and runs over to bump Lan Zhan's shoulder.

"All right, time's up, time to count 'em!"

"You found this game boring? Too bad there isn't anything to go hunt with." Unless they can use real weapons outside and go hunting in the forest.

"Mn." They went to count the arrows that were shot within the time limit. Because Lan Wangji doesn't care much for winning and competition...he only participates for the leisure and being able to handle a bow and arrow after not handling it for a long time.

"You have more than me. So that means you win." He said. He doesn't any reward for loosing to him, as he can gracefully accept his defeat.

"The game? No, no, I was just-" he shakes his head, laughing to himself. It's hard to remember that this Lan Zhan and the one from his world aren't always the same.

"Lan Zhan would say that to me, all the time," he explains, "when we were kids."

"Boring. Shameless," he tries to imitate his Lan Zhan's voice.

He honestly hadn't been counting the arrows, more focused on showing off and fooling around. Had he really gotten more? And he could hardly give Hanguang Jun some petty task or menial chore to do... so what to ask for?

"A~ah, looks like it didn't hurt to waste a few after all," he grins.

"I said the same words to Wei Ying when we're younger when he's a student disciple in the Gusu Lan Sect." He said, as he gathers his arrows and takes the responsibility to pull them out and places them back in his quiver.

"However, much time has passed and we're older now. Everything he does is extraordinary and never boring, and I honestly like..." Like? Love. "The shameless things he does on most days."

Taking a pause, looking at him. "Wei Ying, you won. Remember you made a bet? Now I'm not sure if I could ask you of anything because I can't figure out what I want from you."

He follows along, helping clean up the mess of the targets they've made as he mulls over a proper request. Even though this Lan Zhan isn't talking about him, it's hard not to feel a bit flushed when he praises his Wei Wuxian like that.

"I hope you tell him that," he grins, "if he's anything like me, he'll want to hear it as much as possible."

This Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, had struggled enough just to be certain that the Lan Zhan from his world was really in love with him, and not just... feeling as if he had to look after him, because he was a handy duplicate. He didn't have the same memories, hadn't shared the same experiences, it was a difficult hurdle to overcome. But hearing from his soul-twin, and hearing this Lan Wangji talk about him, it was clear, even to his outside perspective that their feelings were true.

"Ah... that's right, that's right," he drums his fingers, and because he can't take anything at all seriously, says, "Lan Zhan has to... call me Wei-gege. For the rest of the day."

He'd only heard it once before, when Lan Wangji was too drunk to remember, but he'd been amused then, and he'd certainly be amused by it now, he thought.

Maybe it was only his imagination, but hearing Lan Zhan phrase it that way, what I want from you, it feels like their little game takes on a slightly different meaning.

"You can ask, we agreed on it! What's Lan Zhan's request?" he tilts his head. What will it be? More art maybe? Drinks at the pool? He's curious now, and it shows easily in his expression.

Once everything is cleaned and he heard his request, he felt his Lan pride came up, and he pouts, trying to pretend to look stoic.

"Wei-gege...that will be difficult. Wei Ying is better." He said thoughtfully. He recalls very little when he's drunk, but he recalls a little bit of what has transpired. "Wei Ying is Wei Ying."

He stares at him longingly and considers it. Although his expression seems stoic, he is now curious. "I want to know you better, Wei Ying. So, let me spend more time with you to get to know you. And...you can call me Lan Zhan."

"Well, your Wei Ying can still be Wei Ying," he smiles, a bit smugly, "but I get to make the rule, and at least for the rest of the day, this one is Wei-gege. If you can't manage it, I'll have to think of an even more fiendish punishment."

Terrible. Truly.

As for the rest, he still smiles through it, but he can't help wondering. Was this Lan Wangji irritated that he'd been so overly familiar? It'd probably only been his Wei Wuxian, who was allowed such a thing. But luckily, this Wei Wuxian had a thick enough face not his own feelings on the matter show. It was already done and past anyway.

"That's easy," he grins, "whatever you want to know, just ask it. You know how shameless I am, I'll surely answer any burning questions Lan Zhan might have."

At that, Lan Zhan is becoming coy. "I don't know. I haven't thought of anything yet, other than does Wei Ying find me handsome?"

As for his rules, he's going to try to dance around his rules then, but if only because it's for his own amusement wondering how Wei Wuxian could ever punish him. "If I continue to call you Wei Ying because I can't manage it, then Wei Ying must punish me."

Impossible! How is it Wei Wuxian is the one feeling at a loss, his mouth falling slightly open. Lan Zhan was actually the one teasing him! And after he'd given him such an easy task too!

"Lan Zhan! You're not allowed to out-do me in shamelessness! Everyone knows the twin jades of Gusu are the best of the best, you're just fishing for compliments, aren't you?"

As if Lan Wangji doesn't know how handsome he is! Anyone with eyes would find him beautiful!

Slightly flustered, and leaving the question unanswered, he focuses instead on his own prize, and Lan Zhan's attempts to skirt the rules of something so simple.

"Don't think I won't! I'll... I'll have you drink a whole jar of chili oil! Or carry me through the hallways on all fours like Lil Apple! So you best watch out!"

At that, Lan Zhan pouts and looks downcast. "But Wei Ying says he will answer any burning questions I have. That is a burning question. So I guess that means Wei Ying doesn't find me handsome."

He pretends to pouts and looks annoyed. "I just want to know what Wei Ying thinks of me." Since he doesn't care much at how other people think of him as handsome and beautiful he is unless Wei Ying says something, then nothing else matters.

"I will not eat chillis oil. Don't be ridiculous and barbaric. And I'm not a donkey. Wei Ying is harsh and fierce."

"Lan Zhan," he tries for a reprimanding tone, but just comes off as more flustered by the minute. He doesn't even have alcohol to blame this time! Lan Zhan is plenty troublesome all on his own when he puts his mind to it!

"Am I not fierce? Haven't you heard about Yiling Laozu and all the terrible things he does? Of course I'd be harsh and fierce," he clears his throat, more to keep his voice in check than anything else, and tries to look intimidating. It doesn't work so well.

"Fine, fine," he gives in, but with the condition, "I'll answer Lan Zhan's questions, as long as he's addressing it to Wei-gege."

He is quite awake and aware, not inebriated. He pretends to pout again when Wei Ying doesn't give in to his question. "Of course, Wei Ying was intimidating at one point when he was backed up by his army of fierce corpses."

He continues to pretend to look annoyed for the part, then finally gives in. "All right. You're stubborn like that mule of yours." He murmured. He cleared his throat, he conceded and surrender.

With a sigh, in a low voice, deep and soft, "Wei-gege, please."

He only nods, folding his arms and trying to keep up the facade of being in control, "well, now instead of fierce corpses, I have the threat of chili oil and donkey rides."

Wei Wuxian can't help pulling a face at being compared to his mule, wrinkling up his nose, at least until Lan Zhan finally concedes. Once he hears the nickname, his face breaks into a pleased and rather impish grin.

"Mm, good, good," he nods, approval this time, "Wei-gege concedes that he finds Lan Wangji very handsome. The most, even."

Keeping a straight face. "Donkey is fine. No chili oil."

Seeing he is pleased and delighted that he willingly calls him and receiving a compliment in return, he felt his own heart full and he felt a steadfast affection for him.

He plays along, pretending to be stoic to his teasing. "Wei-gege is cruel with his chili peppers. Please, bestow mercy."

Right, meanwhile all of this flirting with the audience watching the competition of archery ending. But he walks off the field to head his way toward the exit.

He's sorely tempted to continue to needle Lan Zhan, especially now that he'd admitted he'd rather run around on all fours than deal with Wei Wuxian's spice addiction. Instead he hurries along to follow him off the field, leaving behind his bow and arrows.

"You're in luck. Wei-gege is feeling particularly merciful today," he has a bounce in his step as he tags along at Lan Zhan's side.

"What else does Lan Zhan want to know?" he's curious now, "that can't be the only thing you wanted to ask."

He can't tolerate spicy food, especially at Wei Ying's five-alarm level.

"I humbly thank the kind, merciful, generous Wei-gege for not enforcing me such torture." He said, almost deadpan as he walks out of the field finally away from the crowd and spectators, and going to the main lobby of the hotel now.

"Wei-gege should be the one asking questions of what he doesn't know about Lan Zhan. What does Wei Ying doesn't know about Lan Zhan?"

Torture? Surely it wasn't that bad! The Lan's palette had to have kept his tongue so coddled with bland food that a little spice was somehow akin to torture.

"About this Lan Zhan?" he taps the end of his nose a couple times in thought, "I know how our experiences differ, I guess. Your Wei Wuxian told me a little, but I'm curious how much is changed, you know?"

He follows along, hands behind his back, a bounce in his step.

"But between my bad memory and Lan Zhan's... succinct use of words, I worry it'd be difficult. Sometime we'll have to sit down and figure it out. Maybe I can tell you the things I remember, and Lan Zhan can tell me whenever something seems out of place?"

"Mn." He strolls by his side until the reach the main lobby of the hotel, wondering where the conversation is leading towards.

Tucking his hands behind his back, "All right. Where do you wish to talk? Then we can compare our memories and figure out what is in the right place and what is out of place. Tell me what you remember and I tell you what I remember."

"Oh, right now?" he shrugs, supposing that it's not like they've much better to do, and if he's going to pass the time, he might as well spend it catching up with Lan Wangji. Maybe he'll get his donkey-ride after all.

"Sure, ah..." where to talk? It did seem personal enough that he wasn't sure he wanted just anyone walking in or overhearing. His room was out of the question, not only was it terribly messy, he didn't much like dragging anyone over to a place that looked so much like the Burial Mounds.

"...maybe the library? Unless you'd rather somewhere else?"

Already Wei Wuxian forgotten that he said he's not a donkey. Alas, he'll also have another stubborn mule on his hands if he wanted that donkey ride from him.

"Right now. I have some time." At his suggestion, with a nod. "To the library then." Where the books and tomes and the silence is needed to sort out their thoughts.

"Right now, then," he says agreeably. It's not far, and rarely seems occupied, so it's no surprise that only silence greets them as they enter. He picks a table, and manages to sit improperly, even in a straight-backed chair, leaning most of his weight on the table and propping his chin in his hand.

"Hmm, let's see now. The first time I met Lan Zhan, well. It was memorable of course," he grins, at least able to remember some of his time studying at Cloud Recesses.

"There was some troubles at the inn in Caiyi, and we'd left our letter of invitation behind when we came up to Cloud Recesses. Lan Zhan turned us and all the Jiang disciples away at the gates! Can you believe that?" he laughs, because well, of course Lan Zhan must.

Lan Zhan took a seat and sitting across him at the table, leaving the course of the day of the games behind. He has an hour to spare before joining the other Wei Wuxian, his Wei Ying for dinner.

"Your first meeting? What it's like? Did you in particular tease him badly?" He asked, curious of that memory in particular.

Was even that different? Well, not everything could be similar, of course.

"Lan Zhan must have been returning from a night-hunt. I pled our case, that we had nowhere to stay for the night, and he just said if we had no invitation, no entry! And when I kept talking, he put a silence spell on me, so if anyone was teasing, it was definitely him first!" Wei Wuxian insists. Lan Zhan had been striking, for certain, in his pristine robes and elegant features, he'd thought then that it was immediately obvious why there were rumors about how good looking he was. But the beautiful exterior had such an abrasive interior! It seemed tragic!

"I had to travel all the way back to Caiyi by myself, and by the time I got back it was past curfew. The Jiang disciples were gone from their campsite, so I headed for Cloud Recesses and maybe broke the wards at the entrance to get inside," he grins at the memory, clearly feeling no remorse for it.

"I tried to sneak quietly, but when I climbed over the roof, Lan Zhan was already there, like he was waiting! He couldn't just tell me he'd let all the Jiangs inside and found rooms for them all," he shakes his head, "he was too busy pointing out all the rules I was breaking."

Edited 2020-08-31 22:01 (UTC)

Listening to him, this memory felt familiar, and the stirs the warmth of nostalgia, and memories of his Wei Ying in his first life. "Wei Ying, were you young at that time when you are learning to be a disciple and student of the lan clan? You snuck out and sneak alcohol and made it past curfew."

He can't help but to smile as he remembers how young and energy they both are. "Please continue. What did your Lan Zhan did next? Did he punish you for breaking the rules?"

ONLY, MY SECRET'S MINE, AND I WON'T TELL

QUEEN'S GAMES 8/12 - 8/22

THE CALL 8/16

INDULGENCE 8/13 - 8/23

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QUEEN'S GAMES
8/12 - 8/22

THE CALL
8/16

INDULGENCE
8/13 - 8/23