𝐻𝒜𝒫𝒫𝒴 𝐻𝐸𝒜𝑅𝒯𝒮 𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐹𝐹 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
happyheartsstaff) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
angryhearts2020-09-11 09:01 pm
happyheartsstaff) wrote in angryhearts2020-09-11 09:01 pm
leave her behind with the kids —
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.
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.
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:
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.
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!
© tessisamess
no subject
"I"m sorry, xiao gongzi, I do not know Jiang-shushu. But I can stay with you until we find someone you know. Would that be all right?"
no subject
"I don't think they're here," he tries to smile, but it's hard to hide his worry, or the tears that are threatening.
"Do you know which-" a hiccup, "which way is Lotus Pier?"
no subject
Is this the younger Wei-qianbei? Perhaps from when...he had just arrived at Lotus Pier? Lying is forbidden after all. He moves closer and offers up a clean sleeve to brush at the corners of the little one's eyes.
"My apologies, xiao gongzi, I do not know which way is Lotus Pier," he says, regretfully. "I am lost here too. You can call me...Zhui-gege, mm? Are you hungry?"
no subject
"Zhui-gege?" he tries the name out, and nods, "I'm Wei Ying. And... hungry."
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Sizhui stands again and dusts at his knees before offering his hand to the child.
"Come on, I know a place that has plenty of food. You can eat to your heart's content and you can tell me about Jiang-shushu and Lotus Pier, mm?"
He leads them down the hallways, listening intently to the child as they make their way to the restaurant. He wonders when, in history, Wei-qianbei is from. Obviously shortly after arriving at Lotus Pier.
no subject
Wei Ying has to take two steps for every one of the other boy's, but he manages, though he does miss his shoes. Jiang-shushu got them for him specially, and they're the nicest shoes he's ever had. But he does notice, he's not the only one without them here.
"Zhui-gege, do you know where they put our shoes?"
no subject
He holds onto Wei-qianbei's hand. He wonders if Wei-qianbei truly was this way when he was a little one. He has to stop himself from wanting to scoop the little one up and hug him, showing as much affection as he can to the sweet child. Sizhui makes sure to take slower steps so the small one would be able to keep up.
He looks down and wiggles his own bare toes.
"I wish I could tell you, a-Xian. You see, I have only arrived here not too long ago myself. I'm still trying to understand the ways of this place."
no subject
"Did Zhui-gege get left behind too?" he seems almost shocked. Zhui-gege is so grown up and nice, who would leave him here? It doesn't seem right. He pats the hand that holds his. At least neither of them are alone. It's a lot less scary than being alone.
no subject
"I am not alone now and I promise that you will not be alone ever again."
Sizhui gives into the urge and scoops a-Xian up into his arms, giving him the biggest hug he can.
no subject
"Zhui-gege? It's okay, we'll find your family."
no subject
Sizhui hugs him extra tight, hoping to give a sense of security.
"And we will find your family too. Until then, you can consider me your gege, all right?" he reassures the young one softly.
no subject
"Okay," Wei Ying agrees, "but Zhui-gege doesn't have to go, if we find them. He can stay if he wants to."
He didn't want Zhui-gege to think he has to leave right away and be all alone if they're lucky enough to find Wei Ying's family first.
"It's okay. Shijie is the best, she'll make us some soup, I bet. And Jiang Cheng... he's only cranky at first, he doesn't mean it."
no subject
He turns a few corridors, trying to remember his way toward the restaurant. He wonders if they have a few meals prepared for little ones. Or Sizhui could simply share his portion with the little one. On their walk, he would love to hear more about Wei-qianbei's life from before as he so rarely talks of it.
He does have to hide his smile at the thought of Sect Leader Jiang always has been cranky with others.
no subject
"Shijie is the prettiest girl in the world," he says matter-of-factly and in a very-unbiased-little-brother sort of way.
"She makes the best lotus and rib soup and she carried me home when I fell out of a tree and..." it's a good while before he runs out of things to say about Shijie and it's quite clear she hangs the stars in his eyes.
Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, "...but he did get rid of the dogs, so I could stay, so he's good, mostly. We only get in trouble sometimes, since he doesn't tattle."
Priorities. Tiny Wei Wuxian has them.
"What's Zhui-gege's family like?"
no subject
Even Wei-qianbei's slight hesitation of Sect Leader Jiang is tempered by kinder words of boys sticking to each other. When he's asked of his own family, Sizhui makes a noise as if he were thinking on it. He walks into the restaurant and sets Wei-qianbei next to him.
"I did not have any brothers or sisters growing up. But I did have a best friend. His name is Jingyi. Sometimes, he's so loud, that the whole mountain rings with his shouts."
He teases and tickles at a-Xian's ribs.
"What would you like? You can ask for anything you'd like."
no subject
He's glad Zhui-gege has a best friend. He knows well that family doesn't have to mean blood. And he certainly approves of someone as loud and boisterous-sounding as Jingyi. Before he can say so, he's squirming and laughing as Zhui-gege tickles him and he tries to wriggle away, hiding behind the boy's legs.
"I bet I could be louder!" his face scrunches in a mischievous grin.
"Mm... anything? Can I have a steamed bun? Oh- or a roasted sweet potato?"
no subject
He tries to summon his best Hanguang Jun expression, stern. But his lips twitch too much in mirth to really be able to keep up the illusion.
no subject
"I'll be good, promise!"
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"Ah! Over there!"
Towards the end of one buffet line seems to have foods that are more familiar to them. He keeps a hold of a-Xian's hand.
"Now what was it that a-Xian would like...?"
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"Potato! Potato!" he reminds Zhui-gege enthusiastically.
no subject
"Ah yes, a roasted sweet potato."
Sizhui grabs two and places one on each of their plates. He scoops a-Xian, tucking him on his hip so he could see more.
"Do you see anything else?"
no subject
Wei Ying points to some of the more savory looking dishes, heavy with sauce and meat and even some vegetables. He glances from Zhui-gege's face back over to the food, looking hopeful.
no subject
Sizhui carefully plates smaller portions of the dishes that a-Xian had pointed out. He scoops a few of them onto his plate as well, wishing to sample what it is that they had other than the vegetarian dishes.
"Can a-Xian find an empty table for us to sit at?"
no subject
"Is this one okay Zhui-gege?"
no subject
"I think this is a great table to sit at."
He brings the trays over and carefully sets them down, laying out the dishes with precision and settling a pair of chopsticks and a spoon for the little one.
"Be careful. Some of it is very hot."
(no subject)
(no subject)