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]

This Wei Wuxian is a perfectly well behaved gentleman with absolutely no gremlin tendencies and has certainly never used them to get sex... And there would be no way he could actually say all of that with a straight face and anyone who would believe that if he did manage it does not know him very well.

"Not even for one day while we get married?"

[billowing]

"I will try, but I make no promises," he answers. He did already agree to marry the other one multiple times if need be. He has all the hopes and dreams of making this wedding a success, but it's not the end of the world if he can't enjoy it.

[scaredofdogs]

He finally turns his face back to the other man but keeps laying there. His body actually feels rather tired so laying down feels better. His lips are in full pout mode as he stares at him, "If you can't be relaxed and happy and without frustrations on that day..then what is the point?"

[billowing]

"The point is getting married," he responds. Wei Ying is so cute when he pouts, no matter whose face it is. "It is long overdue."

[scaredofdogs]

His feet bang into the bed a couple times like a frustrated child. And there is the frustration they were talking about..

"If it is long overdue then you should be able to let go of frustrations to enjoy it!" Even for just one day. But he supposes he is asking too much when talking to any Lan wangji about relaxing.

[billowing]

Wangji reaches for his legs to try and still them. "We don't know what they might do to us at the wedding. But regardless, it is not the point. We will promise to be together forever. That is the point."

[scaredofdogs]

"I feel like we already make that promise every day." He doesn't need a big ceremony to be able to tell the person he loves that he will be by his side forever. But he knows that the wedding will make everything official and he just hopes that everything goes as planned and the hotel doesn't do anything to cause more frustrations.

[billowing]

"We do, but not in front of everyone," he counters. And he would like everyone - the Queen, the Carpenter, and everyone to know.

[scaredofdogs]

"I didn't realize you liked the whole world to know your feelings, Lan Zhan." He's amused. The man has always seemed so quiet and kept his feeling stuffed down for so many years. But he knows that he has a side that is quite the opposite as well. It's just still surprising at times.

[billowing]

"Only about this," he responds. And honestly it's partially because Wei Ying had asked him if it was a mistake, if he perhaps wanted to take back his association with Yiling Laozu.

But he had wanted nothing more than to finally be on his side.

[scaredofdogs]

"It's a good one to want to tell everyone. I already have, both here and back home." He might as well have shouted it from the rooftops. Proclaiming what he wanted to do with Lan Wangji in front of everyone..he was hardly shy about it. It made for some interesting looks and behavior the rest of the night.

[billowing]

"We did not get to tell everyone at home," he confesses. He'd like the opportunity to do that.

And he'd like a temple confession, to be honest.

[scaredofdogs]

"If your Wei Wuxian is too shy to do it, I'll go back to your world and shout it out for him so that everyone knows." He isn't afraid to do it again. He rolls onto his back and sits up so he can smile at Lan Wangji as if he were going to go do that exact thing right then.

[billowing]

"He will," he answers, sure of himself. He does go and tap Wei Ying on the nose because he seems to think it's a cute gesture. It can be "their" gesture.

[scaredofdogs]

He laughs at the nose tap and reaches out to wrap his arms around Lan Wangji. It's not a particularly fluid motion as he tries to avoid wings. But he does manage to do so to give him a hug. There is something even more endearing about being bopped by a Lan Wangji that is in such an intimidating form.

"He better or I will beat him up and make him do it."

[billowing]

He grows very serious and puts a hand to stop Wei Ying. "No. We do not hurt other Wei Yings," he cautions.

[scaredofdogs]

He pouts as he looks up at him, "A joke, Lan Zhan. It's a joke. I'd never actually hurt him." Okay..so their first encounter was kind of a fight but they haven't really beaten each other up since then.

[billowing]

He raises an eyebrow because he's sure that Wei Ying would actually have a fight with himself, and most likely, the other one would too. Don't try to lie to your husband.

[scaredofdogs]

He hangs his head because he knows that he's been caught. But it was worth a try. "It's not like we see each other that often. Or fight every time that we do!"

[billowing]

"That you fight at all is enough," he responds, because he doesn't fight with his soul twin.

Well, yet, anyway.

[scaredofdogs]

Just you wait...

"We only fought one! Though I still owe him a beating for giving me that fear tea..." Hearing dogs barking when there are none is terribly traumatizing. But he quickly holds up his hands and waves them back and forth, "But I won't do it. I promise!"

[billowing]

"What fear tea?" he asks, looking up at Wei Ying, serious expression on his face.

[scaredofdogs]

"Ah..it was right after I got back. I still didn't have all my memories and he took me to Burial Mounds and he gave me that tea. It wasn't a good night..I locked myself in the bathroom..."

It was embarrassing and terrible and he never wants to drink another fear tea ever again. This is why he tries to avoid all the teas that the hotel gives them.

[billowing]

"Why?" he asks, wondering why his husband would do such a thing to his own soul twin.

[scaredofdogs]

"I said I was thirsty and maybe he thought it would be funny." Which..to be fair..he would have probably thought it was if he wasn't on the receiving end of the terror.

"I don't really remember much about that night so I can't say for sure." And he would rather forget all of it.

"But its one of the reasons I try not to drink the tea anyone gives me any more." Except the power teas. Those he has figured out are fairly safe.