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

[inquiryguqin]

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.

[sadflutenoises]

"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.

[inquiryguqin]

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.

[sadflutenoises]

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."

[inquiryguqin]

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?"

[sadflutenoises]

"Mm," he agrees, "of course you'd remember that! How could I go all the way to Caiyi and back and not grab a couple bottles? I wouldn't have made it back before curfew with or without them, and I felt I'd earned it, making that trip back and forth!"

He catches the smile on Lan Zhan's face, and he grins back in kind. It's nice to know they have such a memory to share, full of the mischief of their youth.

"Punishment, ah... well he broke one of my bottles of Emperor's Smile, that was punishment enough. Then, he used the silencing spell so I couldn't even finish drinking the first one!" he makes a face, little bits of that night humming to the surface of his memories.

"Took me to Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen to decide punishment, writing lines or something, probably," he adds, "ah, but Lan Zhan, you'd already welcomed the Jiang sect visitors into Cloud Recesses while I was gone and didn't even mention it! I tried to thank you, but you were so prickly then!"

[inquiryguqin]

"Hm. I don't remember that, but of course, you did." It sounds like Wei Ying's usual mischief back in Cloud Recesses like the good old days. "You took that punishment well."

Still, it wasn't him to experience the memory from his timeline, but for him, there's a similar memory. "But me and Wei Ying experience something similar in our history." But he is happy for Wei Ying to speak of his memories.

He is pink at the ears, at being called prickly. "If you copy lines, do you remember the rules and virtues of the Lan?"

[sadflutenoises]

He coughs, a little flustered. Took the punishment well? Not particularly, if his nights of copying lines and falling asleep at the table was anything to go by, but he'd done it, either way. It was only a small thing compared to the lines he'd end up copying later, for daring to suggest a fourth option when dealing with an unruly spirit.

Does he remember the Lan's rules and virtues? Despite his best efforts not to, after copying them so many times he could swear they were engraved on the back of his eyelids as well.

"Maybe some," he admits, jumping ahead a little, "did the other me get us into a lot of trouble for reciting them at the Wen indoctrination camp too?"

He'd felt particularly pleased with himself over that one, though it'd earned all of them a day hauling dung to fertilize the Wen's fields. It was worth it for Wen Chao's sour expression alone, he figured. His night in the dungeons afterward, perhaps less so.

[inquiryguqin]

"That's good." Lan Wangji managed to smile, if only by a little. That he has forgotten Wei Wuxian bet and wager to give him a donkey ride and to eat chilies oil raw. "He did. I won't remind him anymore, because he is tire of it...and not even for you."

He leans on his hand as he propped an elbow on the table. "Anything else you wished to know, Wei-gege?" Besides, Wei Wuxian already concede that he finds him handsome, so he will remember his words for all time.

[sadflutenoises]

He nods, unable to keep his smile from widening when Lan Zhan uses the nickname again. Wei Wuxian mimics the way Lan Zhan sits, though his own posture is much sloppier, more relaxed, as he rests his chin in his hands.

"Anything else, hm..." he hums for a moment, thoughtful. There's a few memories that his other self has that he knows never happened in his world.

"Oh, I know something that's different," his grin turns a little wicked, and he makes a soft tsk tsk sound, "I heard you were naughty, Lan Zhan. During the night-hunt on Phoenix Mountain."

[inquiryguqin]

He's only teasing him, just for fun, but does so because Wei Ying wishes to hear it calling out his name, and seeing him relaxed as they're talking.

"Oh?" He pretends he doesn't know anything, but he does. Keeping his expression cool. It was his well-kept secret. "Who told you? Nobody could have known about it."

[sadflutenoises]

It's a game, is it? Well, Wei Wuxian is nothing, if not skilled at playing coy. He's not about to back down either.

"Nobody could have? I'm pretty sure at least one other person knows about it," he needles, studying Lan Zhan's expression for any cracks or tells.

"Either way, I asked you first! It's only fair you answer first."

[inquiryguqin]

Also being coy, pretending to be shy about it. "Hm? What are you asking about? If you wanted to know what happened at Phoenix mountain, then ah, he must have told you and gave you the answer as to how it goes for him. I didn't do anything naughty at Phoenix mountain if he didn't see it for himself."

[sadflutenoises]

Basically, if no one saw me do it, you can't prove it, hm? Wei Wuxian knows Lan Wangji better than to think he'd outright lie, but there's nothing in the rules about leaving things out, or refusing to answer, is there?

"Hmm, since Wei Wuxian seems to have a faulty memory, why doesn't Lan Zhan tell me what he remembers then?" he persists.

[inquiryguqin]

"Oh his memory is faulty?" His persistence may have earned him a clue. "If you really wanted to know the answer to the question, then why not experience it for yourself? I suggest playing a game with your Lan Zhan. If he agrees, go find a blindfold, wear it, and then take a nap. Be in a place where he can easily find you. Depending on his mood, then and there, there is your answer."

[sadflutenoises]

His memory, my memory, both certainly are faulty. He'd even had his doubts as to whether his soul-twin was having a go, trying to get him to believe some tall tales. But Lan Zhan's evasive answers were enough to confirm it, and his suggestion, more than enough to make his skin flush.

"Lan Zhan," he says, sounding utterly scandalized as he puts a hand to his chest, "you'd have me do such a thing? Where just anyone could prey upon my innocent form? Who knows what might happen? Someone would most certainly ravish this poor, weak, and terribly handsome man!"

[inquiryguqin]

In response, with a flush of heat to his pale jade face from the discussion as he realized he is flirting with him shamelessly to get a rise out of him.

"Wei Ying, no. Don't be shameless. Certainly not with me! I meant, play with your Lan Zhan. Go play with him. I'm sure he doesn't allow that to happen to you." He huffs.

[sadflutenoises]

He's pretty sure that's the first rise he's gotten out of this Lan Wangji, and he can't help laughing, falling back in his chair.

"Oh? Is that a guilty conscience I hear?" he hums, laughter still in his voice, "I only said someone might do such a thing. Surely someone like Hanguang Jun would never, right?"

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji tightens his lips as his jade cheeks gone redder at his laughter and perhaps felt a slow heat rising in his body.

"No someone. Just Hanguang-jun." Then he slowly rose from the chair and the table.

"I need to go. If you excuse me. I'll see you next time."