leave her behind with the kids —

[happyheartsstaff]

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Does anything in this hotel ever stay put? Those who go looking for the gym, the hotel spa, or the nightclub are out of luck one day, as they're simply no longer there. The hallways themselves go topsy-turvy, only staying put when one looks directly at them. For those who've been here long enough to have seen the last time the hotel shifted like this and remember how unhelpful the hotel staff were — it seems little there has changed. The only difference is the manner in which they are useless. They will acknowledge the shifting hallways, of course, and even provide direction back to the lobby, but profess they are much too busy to provide an escort.

Eventually, the hallways settle. Gone are The Caucus-Race, the Pearls Within, and the Rabbit Hole in favor of new amenities. Where once there was a gym, there's now an indoor playground. The nightclub has been replaced with an arcade, and the spa is now a massive movie theater. Were there always quite so many kids items on the restaurant menus? When did This Elegant Thimble get such a large children's section?

If asked, the hotel staff will shrug. Some will insist things have been this way for as long as they've been working there. Others will state that, like their wonderful Queen, the hotel will always know what's needed for any occasion and make suitable preparations.

ARCADE

9/11 - 9/23

The arcade, if possible, seems even larger than the nightclub that once stood in its place. There are rows of pinball, action games, shooting games, driving games. An entire room of air hockey, and another of dancing games. Clusters of skee-ball, whack-a-mole, and claw machines. The floors seem to be eternally sticky with spilled soda, and the smell of pizza and sugar permeates the air. No matter how many patrons are within sight, the sound of laughter and excited shrieking somehow seems to echo throughout the arcade.

Token dispensers are scattered amongst the games. Hotel staff will be stationed at the snack bar and the prize counter, ready to hand out tokens or trade tickets won from the games for small prizes.

Occasionally, one of the games will spark and short out. If asked, hotel staff will say it's out of order and put up a sign proclaiming it so. They don't seem all that concerned about fixing it. Soon enough, it will seem to fix itself and switch back on. It will still spark every so often, and something about the music will seem off. Anyone who decides to play one of these games anyway will find themselves feeling slightly dizzy. Is the arcade spinning around them, or is that just them?

When the spinning stops, they will no longer be where they were before. They will find themselves in the middle of the game they had previously been playing, regardless of what it was. Welcome to the other side of the arcade — where the game play is more realistic than ever! Hopefully they had a partner brought in with them, or someone else comes along to try to play who can help them win the game to get back out.

MOVIE NIGHT

9/11 - 9/23

The entrance to the movie theater is lined with concession stands. Snacks and drinks of every kind can be picked up here before going into one of the theater's two auditoriums. Films will be playing round the clock in both, a different one on each screen. Oysters may find the same movies they would have seen on their own world, movies one might find on modern day Earth, or even movies about old folktales or traditional stories that might have been told where they were from. The only thing that will not be showing is any version of Alice in Wonderland, or any story set in Wonderland itself.

At times, particular showings may be billed as interactive. These will be of all genres: musicals, adventures, mysteries, romance, comedies, even horror. Oysters who attend these will be encouraged to dress up, and will even be shown to a dressing room with a selection of suitable clothes. It will only be after they've been seated and the film starts that what is meant by interactive will become clear.

The musicals will have sing alongs, with people from the audience being pulled up to participate in the dance numbers. The adventures and mysteries will have characters on the screen turn to the audience as though they are part of the story, inviting them along in the investigation or interrogating them as a suspect. Protagonists and antagonists alike will walk off the screen of horror movies, seeking help from or looking to torment the audience until their story is completed and they are sent back to their film world. Comedies and romances will find those in the audience being pulled up to act out parts of the story — and may find themselves transported into the setting until they do.

DAYCARE AND PLAYGROUND

9/11 - 9/23

The front of the daycare is small, with a place to check in and drop off or pick up kids. This is the only area that Oysters who are not either helping out at the daycare or being dropped off themselves will be able to easily access. Behind this are sectioned off areas for quieter activities, with materials such as books, art supplies, toys, etc. There's a small kitchen that will be off limits to the kids, and an area for snack time and nap time. Hotel staff are very present and interactive in these areas — reading to children, making crafts with them, telling stories, fixing snacks. Some will be taking a quiet break for themselves in the kitchen, and may be willing to talk to Oysters helping out at the daycare.

The back of the daycare is an expansive indoor playground. Here, the children are mostly left to their own devices. There are some hotel staff out there to keep an eye on the children as they play, but they tend to cluster together for conversation. Oysters helping out at the daycare will be somewhat warily included in this if they approach. These hotel staff will mostly be dismissive of any children coming to them unless they are injured or crying. There are multiple parts of the playground that can be used to sneak in and out to the hotel area at large, if one is looking carefully! Any children who are not supposed to be there have a low risk of being caught unless they draw attention to themselves or try to enter the other area of the daycare.

The other children in the daycare fall mostly between the ages of 6-11, with three or four outliers who appear to be toddlers or in the 12-13 age range. Astute Oysters likely to observe the behavior of the children will notice that there are clear social groups among them, as though they have known each other long enough to have friends they're accustomed to playing with. There are some who seem friendly and popular, some who seem to keep to themselves, some who seem to have good relationships with the hotel staff and others who seem determined to cause trouble, those who are bullies and those who are picked on. Their willingness to play with or answer questions from Oyster children or adults is equally as varied.

There will be a posted list of Oysters banned from helping out at the daycare. It will not be easily seen from the front of the daycare, but hotel staff will identify who is on it if asked. It will include the below names:

• Lan Wangji (novel)
• Wu Xie
• Wei Wuxian (novel)
• Crowley
• Commander Shepard
• Matthew Murdock
• Lan Wangji (TV)
• Sam Wilson

Characters on this list who have been de-aged will also find that hotel staff are reluctant to accept them into the daycare. They will be allowed only if someone not on the list vouches for them, and otherwise will have to sneak in through the playground.

If you have any questions, please leave them over here! For those interested in asking questions or interacting with the daycare staff, please reply to the first comment on this page, and the second comment for the other children!

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[radishgrown]

Xian. Wei Wuxian. This has to be the other Wei-qianbei. Sizhui rips a clean cloth apart to form a bandage small enough to wrap around the scuffs, hoping that the cleaning of it wouldn't hurt him too much.

"a-Xian, ah? You are very brave, a-Xian, for not crying while we make your knees better. Do you like lotus soup?" he asks, trying to get him to not think about his scuffed knees anymore. "I've tried lotus soup a long time ago and it was delicious."

[scaredofdogs]

He winces when the cleaning starts but when he gets told he is being brave he blinks back the tears that are forming at the corner of his eyes, not wanting them to fall. He is brave and he is determined to prove it by not crying.

When asked about lotus soup he nods his head in response. He lives in Lotus Pier with his mom and dad and there arre lotus everywhere. He likes to eat the seeds too. But none of that comes to his lips, still shyly looking up at the other.

[radishgrown]

"Ah, you are so brave, a-Xian. Look at how good you are."

His hands are quick to tie off the tiny bandages off and smiles kindly into the child's eyes, reaching up to dab at the corners with his long sleeve.

"See? Now you must be careful when running. Perhaps we could find some clothes that will fit the xiao gongzi a-Xian. What do you think?"

[scaredofdogs]

He nods again, wanting clothing that won't trip and make him fall again. Especially since his knees are so nicely protected now.

He holds up his arms and shows how the sleeves dangle off the ends of his hands. "Not mine.." He doesn't know why anyone would put him in such baggy clothing.

[radishgrown]

"Then I think we should some clothes that will fit a-Xian, shouldn't we?" he asks gently.

Sizhui offers his arms again to the the little one, tickling his ribs a little bit. He had been around the children at Cloud Recesses, babysat on occasion while the elders needed some time to themselves for whatever reason.

[scaredofdogs]

He squirms when those hands tickle his ribs, letting out a small laugh and then immediately snapping his mouth closed again as if he didn't want to let that out.

He reaches towards him so that he can be picked up again to begin this quest for smaller clothing.

[radishgrown]

The laugh is cute as how a-Xian stops to not share his joy. Sizhui immediately sweeps him up into his arms, hugging him close and cuddling the child to show him as much affection as he can.

He sweeps out of the room and makes his way down toward the clothing shop.

[scaredofdogs]

He lays his head against his shoulder as he wraps his arms around the teen's neck for support. He keeps his face mostly hidden, only making it so he can see where they are going while they walk. Wanting to make sure he doesn't spot his parents on the way.

[radishgrown]

He can't help but tickle his ribs a little as they make their way into the clothing shop and brings the toddler to the kids section, showing him the...strange looking tunics and pants that they have available.

"Is there anything you like, a-Xian? You don't need to be shy."

[scaredofdogs]

He stares at the clothing..it is all really weird. He shakes his head and buries his face against his shoulder. But after another tickle to his ribs he looks at them again and points to a black tunic with red trim. The kid knows what he likes.

[radishgrown]

So shy and sweet. Sizhui is very protective of a-Xian and holds him close as he buries his face. When he points, Sizhui asks for help to get the tunic that the child pointed out along with a pair of black pants that seem to fit his body.

He gives a slightly confused look when directed to the changing room and sets a-Xian down to present him with the clothes.

"You can change in that little room. I will be right here when you come back out."

[scaredofdogs]

He looks down at the clothes and then up at Sizhui. Is he really supposed to do this himself? He looks uncertain as he takes the clothing. He looks back at the door they want him to go into and then back towards Sizhui, not really sure he wants to go alone. He reaches up and latches onto Sizhui's clothes with one hand.

[radishgrown]

Ah. So he doesn't know how to change clothes yet. He watches the expressions flit over the small features and feels the hand clench onto his own clothes.

Sizhui takes the clothes and opens the door to the spacious changing room.

"I will help you, a-Xian. Come on," he offers with a kind smile.

[scaredofdogs]

He waddles into the changing room, trying very hard to keep from stepping on the long tunic again. Falling down again would not be fun. Once inside he tries to wiggle out of the tunic which is mostly successful since it is so big he can pull it over his head without untying any of it.

He doesn't seem at all ashamed that he is now naked in front of basically a stranger.

[radishgrown]

He closes the door after the little one waddles in and stands by the door to ensure complete privacy. When a-Xian wriggles carefully out of the tunic, Sizhui holds out the pants to him.

"All right, one leg at a time. Hold onto my arm for balance if you need it," he coaxes him.

[scaredofdogs]

He takes the pants and very carefully pulls them on, wobbling a little on one leg but managing to do it without falling over. Once they are on, he looks up at the older brother to make sure he did good and to reach out for the top.

[radishgrown]

Sizhui makes sure that the pants sit right. There's a stretchy band within that has them fit so easily to a-Xian but makes it simple for the toddler to take off his pants should he need to.

"Good job, a-Xian! Let's get the tunic on, then!"

He picks up the small black and red tunic, chuckling to himself before helping a-Xian tuck his arms into the sleeves and tying the knots.

"There we go. What do you think, a-Xian?"

[scaredofdogs]

He looks down at the clothes and nods enthusiastically. This is much better then the shirt that made him fall. He then turns to look in the mirror. He notices that the person in the mirror is the other boy from the room. He walks up to the mirror and places his hands on it. He pats the glass a couple times and it slowly starts to sink in that the boy he saw isn't someone else..it's him.

He looks up at Sizhui then points at the mirrow, "Not me." He looks back at the face that stares at him and shakes his head, "Not me!"

[radishgrown]

He smiles when the little one nods enthusiastically. It really is better now that the small one isn't going to trip and scuff up his knees more and more. When he turns to look in the mirror, it seems to upset him and Sizhui watches as he pats the mirror a few times. His heart breaks when he turns to him and points at the mirror. Not me. Realization dawns on him: this must be the child face of Mo Xuanyu.

And Wei-qianbei of that world had been brought into Mo Xuanyu's face and body.

His heart breaks a little more and gathers the little one in his arms. How does he explain death and rebirth curses to a child?! The first step would be to not lie to the child.

"You're right, a-Xian, this face and body is not yours," he says softly.

He hefts the little one up and cuddles, sniffing at his cheek. Hanguang Jun had not been much of the affectionate type of parent growing up but Zewu Jun had been and he had seen Jingyi's parents bestow the same sort of affection on his best friend to calm him when he was upset.

"It's a very long story. And I will be happy to tell you, if you'd like to hear."

[scaredofdogs]

He wraps his arms around the older brother as he gets pulled into those arms. All he really understands is that he wants to tell a story and so Wei Wuxian would like to listen to it. But something about the story is making this older brother seem sad.

"Story time?"

He does like stories so he wonders what story this will be and how it will make him learn about the face that isn't his.

[radishgrown]

He carefully picks up the tunic that a-Xian had shed, knowing that...wherever Wei-qianbei is, he'd want it back. Sizhui makes his way out of the dressing room and gives a kind smile before making his way out.

"Mmmm, story time." How is he going to explain this so that a small child would understand and not be scared? ...and not lie? "Well. a-Xian went away for a very long time. Then someone called for a-Xian back. But a-Xian's body," he tickles the ribs a little bit, "couldn't come with his spirit. So his spirit was put into this body for safekeeping."

[scaredofdogs]

He wiggles when his ribs get tickles and a soft laugh comes out which he tries to quell again so that he can continue to listen to the story. He looks up at the older brother as he tries to explain.

"I'm a spirit?" He has more questions but he doesn't know how to ask them. Why did he have to go away? Is that why he is here now? He doesn't really understand but if this body is keeping him safe then it doesn't scare him as bad to have a different face.

[radishgrown]

"a-Xian's spirit is in this body, yes," Sizhui responds, hoping there wouldn't be more questions that would mean complicated answers no child should need to shoulder. He smiles kindly at the toddler and cuddles him close again. "Just because it is not your face, a-Xian, doesn't mean that your loved ones love you any less."

That is certainly the truth. If the Sizhui of Wei-qianbei's world is anything like him, he would still love Wei-qianbei as family no matter what face he bore. And if the conversations with Hanguang Jun had been any indication, Hanguang Jun loved Wei-qianbei no matter what face he bore as well. The same would go with Jin Ling and Jingyi.

[scaredofdogs]

"Body protects me." Because that is how he is understanding this. It means the scrapped knees are just a small price to pay for what injury his spirit might have gotten without a body. Even if he isn't grasping all of it, he at least isn't upset about it any longer.

"I'm still me." And his parents will know and love him if he can ever find them. He accepts this explanation easily.

[radishgrown]

"That's right, you are still a-Xian," Sizhui replies. "a-Xian is so very clever, isn't he?"

That is the truth. Mo Xuanyu is nowhere in that body, as far as he knew. He reaches and tickles the ribs again. Some day, he would need to ask Wei-qianbei what he was like when he was a child. Though he suspects that what he's seeing is before he had lost his parents. Wei-qianbei had been such a sweet child, it's no wonder he had treated him so well when he was a child himself.