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

Generally he trusts Wei Ying to handle his own, so when he sees the pan being thrown, his ire turns towards whoever threw it, as he feels overprotective, and he moves to attack that person, but then--

--But then Wei Ying stumbles onto the side of the ring and Lan Wangji rushes to catch him.

"Let's leave," he murmurs gently into his ear, placing an arm around his waist.

He nods and puts his weight against Lan Wangji. He is starting to forget where he even is as he starts to walk towards the exit of the ring. What was he doing here and why is it so noisy? He shakes hie head to try and clear it, wanting to push away the fog that that is trying to invade. His body almost feels like it is walking automatically..but to where he isn't sure.

He vaguely sees things are being thrown at them still but either they are very bad shots or the items aren't nearly hard enough to do any damage. He tries to offer the other a smile as he gets a moment of clarity back, "That was fun, Lan Zhan."

Probably not the most appropriate time to be smiling and saying such things but he has a bad feeling that if he doesn't say it now then it won't get said.

"Mn, we can fight again soon," he responds, wondering what happened to Wei Ying. He's usually not like this, so robust. Maybe it's the new body, but then, he should have already known how to manage himself, no?

"Stay close," he warns, arms still around him as he gets pelted with a few more soft fruits and walks Wei Ying away from all this. "Let's go back upstairs," he says, trying to guide him out of this area so that they don't get hit anymore.

Once they're out in the hallway, he feels slightly more relieved, but stops to inspect Wei Ying.

When they get to the hallway, Wei Wuxian is little more then a zombie. The light is fading in his eyes as if he is in a trance and he feels inclined to just walk..and walk..with no actual destination in his mind. He is still vaguely aware that Lan Wangji is there with him but even that is starting to fade.

This is similar but also different then when he felt himself being taken by the resentful energy. At least then he was still aware of himself and his surroundings and the pain it caused made him feel so much more then he normally would. This makes him feel like he is slowly being swallowed up by darkness that even a light won't be able to pass through.

Lan Wangji is... worried. To say the least.

"Wei Ying," he says, voice firm. "Talk to me." He tries to guide Wei Ying over to their rooms, so he can take him back to Cloud Recesses. He can explain to the other one.

He knows he can't play him a song of healing, but he will desperately make the attempts.

Wei Wuxian follows along, more because he is being guided versus actually knowing he is being pulled. This is the first time he has used the shapeshifter ability since it became permanent. At least it was the first extensive use of it. Never before had there been any side effects of using it and of course he never expected there to be any this time either.

But he doesn't say a word, not even knowing where or who he is at the moment. His feet just taking him forward as if he is sleep walking. At least this happened in the presence of Lan Wangji so no matter what he won't be ending up somewhere random in the hotel or in the presence of someone who can't be trusted.

Lan Wangji gets him up to the Cloud Recesses so that he can watch over Wei Ying, worriedly carding his hand through Wei Ying's hair. He just wants to make sure he can heal up, and doesn't go and walk off without anyone to watch him.

After awhile the light begins to come to his eyes and he slowly becomes more aware of his surroundings. The first thing he notices is the hand through his hair which he starts to lean into out of reflex. His eyes blink a few times as he tries to clear the darkness from his vision and he makes a soft sound like he is waking up from a dream.

He slowly turns his face towards the other man, realizing he isn't in the ring any longer but not remembering how he left.

"...Lan Zhan?"

"Wei Ying," he returns. "How are you feeling?"

He has kept an eye on him to see if his vitals are doing anything worrying, which thank goodness it looks like he's stable.

He looks around the room as his vision clears and notices his surroundings. "Cloud Recesses...? How did I get here?" He doesn't even know how long he has been out and not remembering what happened is terribly unsettling as he looks back over at the other man.

"What is going on, Lan Zhan?" He wonders if maybe Lan Wangji hit him a little harder in the ring then he thought but even that doesn't seem right. Certainly the man wouldn't have done anything that would have caused this.

The man asked him how he is feeling but mostly he doesn't know. He feels okay if not a little disoriented.

"We were fighting and you got faint, so we left," he answers. "I took you up here. You're safe." He thinks there's something odd that's gotten him paranoid, because he seems to have a lapse in memory.

He seems to be fine aside from that, but it's still worrisome.

Lan Wangji is worried, and going through the memory of their fight. He definitely hadn't intended to hit Wei Ying so hard...

"Did I do too much damage while you were in another form?"

Some of the forms weren't as strong as Wei Ying, after all.

He shakes his head slowly, "I don't think so, Lan Zhan. I could handle everything you were doing." And he doesn't want the other man to feel guilty about their fight. He certainly doesn't blame the man.

"After that last change I just started to feel light headed. And now..I don't remember anything from that moment on."

He reaches out and puts his hand on Lan Wangji's arm. "This definitely wasn't your fault." He looks up at him, his expression trying to show him that he doesn't blame him at all.

"Do you think it has something to do with the transformations?" he asks. "You did do a lot of them during the fight, and you don't have spiritual energy."

It was difficult to do too many things here, even with powers - after all, there wasn't any energy to draw from. It would've been similar for swordfighting.

"That was a lot of transformations in a short time..and apparently its permanent now. I don't have to drink any more tea to keep it." If it is a consequence of using it too much he will have to make sure to limit it to just once a day or something that won't stress his body out so much.

"I wonder what would have happened if you weren't there with me." would he have simply wandered off until he got his mind back and if so..where would he have wandered to? It could have been dangerous to just be wandering the halls with no memory.

"Don't think like that," he answers, curling an arm protectively around Wei Ying.

"Perhaps a limit would be for the best," he agrees. He definitely doesn't want for Wei Ying to be stuck like this, in this state of confusion walking around the hotel.

"But if it was the transformations..then it would also be good to test it. To do a lot again and see how many it takes before I black out." A very dangerous test but the only way to truly know if they were the direct cause of it. Even after countless drunken nights, he has never had a time when he really lost track of what he was doing. If not diagnosed this could lead to far worse things.

He rests his head against Lan Wangji as he considers that. Without knowing what exactly happens it is hard to say how he should proceed.

"If we find out that this is a side effect..we need to let everyone know." Because he would rather be the scapegoat and find out the truth to save anyone else from going through this.

Why does Wei Ying always want to use himself as a guinea pig?

"If you want to do this, we will have to monitor you closely. And we don't know if it's tied to all the teas, or just this power, or just this power on you."

There are too many variables to test, to him.

"We can at least try it and warn people that extended use might have a side effect. It's better to be prepared then be caught off guard." He hates seeing anyone suffer over something if he could have prevented it.

"I have two powers that I can now use all the time and don't seem to need to drink the tea for anymore. All I have to do is use both extensively at different times and see if the effect is the same."

Lan Wangji looks at Wei Ying as if he is very upset with this idea, but he knows that when Wei Ying tells him these things, he isn't asking for permission and anytime he says anything, it'll just make Wei Ying not tell him anything anymore.

"We will monitor you closely."

He nods, feeling a little guilty that he is making Lan Wangji upset but he is now determined. The more they know, the safer and stronger they are against the queen. If drinking the power teas has side effects then it is time to figure it out.

"I won't do anything without supervision." He doesn't know if doing it again today would be wise. Who knows what might happen if he wears himself out into a trance twice in one day.

"No more today," he commands, as he backs away to go get Wei Ying some water. He'll make him drink it, even if he doesn't want to.

He nods his agreement as he watches Lan Wangji move away, "Sorry if I worried you, Lan Zhan." He didn't really have any control over it but that doesn't mean he can't feel guilty about it regardless.

"As long as Wei Ying is safe, that is what I care about," Lan Wangji responds, frowning deeply because he knows he will just be more upset in the future.

He knows that as well but he can't help that he needs answers and is the only one who can get them.

He looks around the room, "It's been awhile since I've been here."

"You are welcome any time," he responds, knowing it to be true. The other one won't mind. Probably not any more than the other Lan Wangji would be surprised to find this one at Lotus Pier.

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