𝐻𝒜𝒫𝒫𝒴 𝐻𝐸𝒜𝑅𝒯𝒮 𝒮𝒯𝒜𝐹𝐹 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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angryhearts2020-10-12 12:31 am
happyheartsstaff) wrote in angryhearts2020-10-12 12:31 am
NOW DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES —
HARVEST FESTIVAL
10/01 - 10/23
The sun rises early in the garden, the air cool and crisp. Gentle breezes occasionally stir up fallen leaves of orange and red. The sun never heats the day enough for it to become warm despite shining until late in the afternoon, creating perfect sweater weather. Hotel staff are stationed out in the garden to provide ladders and baskets for apple picking, instructions on how to operate the hand cranked presses for cider, ingredients and recipes for cobbler and tarts cooked over the fire. Long tables are set up by the pumpkin patch in between the festive scarecrows, lined with paints and carving tools.
As the sun sets, more bonfires are lit while small, twinkling lights appear in the trees. Cider made during the day is heated over the fire, along with hot chocolate, hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores. Blankets appear folded neatly in baskets by the fires, and there always seems to be a storyteller near by willing to spin tales of ghosts and goblins.
The longer Oysters spend in the garden, the more hints they may pick up that all is not as idyllic as it seems. The scarecrows seem to grow more numerous every day, spreading from the pumpkin patch to the rest of the garden. Asute Oysters may notice that some of the scarecrows seem somehow familiar. Is that one wearing the same clothes as a family member? Does another have the eyes of a former lover, the facial features of a long dead enemy? None will be exact replicas, they are after all only made of straw, but the resemblance will be undeniable. Now that it has been noticed, Oysters will begin to see the scarecrow all over the garden, and will hear indecipherable whispers that are also all too familiar.
The scarecrows can be demolished, should any Oysters have a particular tendency towards violence. Their faces will twist into expressions of horror at any scarecrow destruction, mouths open in silent screams. They will be back in the garden the next day as though nothing happened. Those Oysters who choose fire as their method of destruction will find a much different reaction — these scarecrows will scream in the voice of the person they bear resemblance to until they are reduced to ash. They will not return the next day.
Determined Oysters who tire of the garden, or who maybe wish to test their luck at escaping, can find the entrance to the hedge maze that borders the entire garden. Hotel staff will warn against it, of course, but it can still be entered. No matter what time of day it is in the garden, it will be night in the hedge maze, with no lanterns to guide the way. The entrance back to the garden will glow warm and bright for only a few moments after stepping inside, and will then disappear entirely.
It seems there is no way to go but forward.
The deeper into the maze, the darker it gets, as though even the moon and stars are growing dim. Oysters may catch sounds of soft breathing in the night, and may even observe that the hedge wall itself seems to sway as though something just beyond it — or in it — is moving. Those who enter the maze will find themselves wandering for what feels like hours, days. Does that turn look familiar? Have you been down this way before? Who can tell, when nothing about the maze ever seems to change.
Eventually, Oysters will find that they have been lead back to the garden, exhausted and hungry, though no time at all has passed for everyone else.
As the sun sets, more bonfires are lit while small, twinkling lights appear in the trees. Cider made during the day is heated over the fire, along with hot chocolate, hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores. Blankets appear folded neatly in baskets by the fires, and there always seems to be a storyteller near by willing to spin tales of ghosts and goblins.
The longer Oysters spend in the garden, the more hints they may pick up that all is not as idyllic as it seems. The scarecrows seem to grow more numerous every day, spreading from the pumpkin patch to the rest of the garden. Asute Oysters may notice that some of the scarecrows seem somehow familiar. Is that one wearing the same clothes as a family member? Does another have the eyes of a former lover, the facial features of a long dead enemy? None will be exact replicas, they are after all only made of straw, but the resemblance will be undeniable. Now that it has been noticed, Oysters will begin to see the scarecrow all over the garden, and will hear indecipherable whispers that are also all too familiar.
The scarecrows can be demolished, should any Oysters have a particular tendency towards violence. Their faces will twist into expressions of horror at any scarecrow destruction, mouths open in silent screams. They will be back in the garden the next day as though nothing happened. Those Oysters who choose fire as their method of destruction will find a much different reaction — these scarecrows will scream in the voice of the person they bear resemblance to until they are reduced to ash. They will not return the next day.
Determined Oysters who tire of the garden, or who maybe wish to test their luck at escaping, can find the entrance to the hedge maze that borders the entire garden. Hotel staff will warn against it, of course, but it can still be entered. No matter what time of day it is in the garden, it will be night in the hedge maze, with no lanterns to guide the way. The entrance back to the garden will glow warm and bright for only a few moments after stepping inside, and will then disappear entirely.
It seems there is no way to go but forward.
The deeper into the maze, the darker it gets, as though even the moon and stars are growing dim. Oysters may catch sounds of soft breathing in the night, and may even observe that the hedge wall itself seems to sway as though something just beyond it — or in it — is moving. Those who enter the maze will find themselves wandering for what feels like hours, days. Does that turn look familiar? Have you been down this way before? Who can tell, when nothing about the maze ever seems to change.
Eventually, Oysters will find that they have been lead back to the garden, exhausted and hungry, though no time at all has passed for everyone else.
THEY FOLLOW
10/23 - 10/30
At the end of the third week of October, the garden will no longer be accessible. The entrance to where it once was will simply be gone.
"Why would it be there?" hotel staff will ask if questioned about it. "The festival is over."
But it seems not everything in the garden wanted to stay there.
The scarecrows will begin to appear inside the hotel itself. At first it is in public areas, always just out of reach, voices faint and distant. They being to grow closer as the month winds down, voices growing louder, until eventually Oysters may find them in their bedrooms, hiding in their closets or showers. Their voices are curses now, death threats and words of warning filling the air despite that their lips never move.
It becomes apparent that there is something moving outside the hotel windows, where before there had only been twilight looming over the lake and forest, and the skyscrapers in the distance. Whatever it is that lurks outside is too quick to be seen out of anything but the corner of one's eye, a creature made of shadows. Before long, it will no longer be movement outside that may catch Oysters' eyes, but something in the corners of their room. The breathing heard once in the hedge maze will now follow Oysters, sometimes right behind them, sometimes just out of arms' reach. Always, there is the ever present looming feeling of eyes staring at you from behind.
Oysters may notice that they don't seem to be the only ones effected. Hotel staff are more tense than ever, paranoid and afraid, constantly looking over their shoulder.
"You let it out!" a hotel staff may shout, unprompted.
None will answer questions if pressed further.
"Why should we? We told you not to. You never listen to us."
"Why would it be there?" hotel staff will ask if questioned about it. "The festival is over."
But it seems not everything in the garden wanted to stay there.
The scarecrows will begin to appear inside the hotel itself. At first it is in public areas, always just out of reach, voices faint and distant. They being to grow closer as the month winds down, voices growing louder, until eventually Oysters may find them in their bedrooms, hiding in their closets or showers. Their voices are curses now, death threats and words of warning filling the air despite that their lips never move.
It becomes apparent that there is something moving outside the hotel windows, where before there had only been twilight looming over the lake and forest, and the skyscrapers in the distance. Whatever it is that lurks outside is too quick to be seen out of anything but the corner of one's eye, a creature made of shadows. Before long, it will no longer be movement outside that may catch Oysters' eyes, but something in the corners of their room. The breathing heard once in the hedge maze will now follow Oysters, sometimes right behind them, sometimes just out of arms' reach. Always, there is the ever present looming feeling of eyes staring at you from behind.
Oysters may notice that they don't seem to be the only ones effected. Hotel staff are more tense than ever, paranoid and afraid, constantly looking over their shoulder.
"You let it out!" a hotel staff may shout, unprompted.
None will answer questions if pressed further.
"Why should we? We told you not to. You never listen to us."
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
10/31
On the morning of Halloween, the movement of the shadows stops. The scarecrows are no where to be found, their disembodied voices silent. The oppressive feeling of surveillance seems to have lifted, and even the hotel staff seem to be in better moods.
A ballroom has opened up off of the hotel lobby, decorated for the Halloween party that is announced to be later that day. There are stations set up for karaoke, pumpkin carvings, bobbing for apples, piñatas, and a stage being laid for dancing and a costume contest at the end of the night.
Many of the hotel staff are already in costumes, and will encourage Oysters to select one from This Elegant Thimble for themselves.
The first part of the party goes off without a hitch, but as it gets later, the lights begin to flicker. Or maybe it's the shadows themselves that begin to shift and waver, coiling in on themselves and coming alive. Screams come from the hotel staff at the party before the shadows have finished solidifying, and they retreat to barricade themselves in a staff only area as some of the shadows break off to chase them.
The majority turn their focus on the Oysters. The shadows move as one at first but quickly begin to take on an individuality. All have wickedly curved claws and a mouth of sharp teeth, but their fighting styles slowly start to diversify as they take more solid form. Their features become more unique, and they develop voices — the same voices once connected with the scarecrows. Oysters will quickly find themselves facing off against shades of the people they know, and these shades are not afraid to play dirty and pretend to be the people they look like.
A ballroom has opened up off of the hotel lobby, decorated for the Halloween party that is announced to be later that day. There are stations set up for karaoke, pumpkin carvings, bobbing for apples, piñatas, and a stage being laid for dancing and a costume contest at the end of the night.
Many of the hotel staff are already in costumes, and will encourage Oysters to select one from This Elegant Thimble for themselves.
The first part of the party goes off without a hitch, but as it gets later, the lights begin to flicker. Or maybe it's the shadows themselves that begin to shift and waver, coiling in on themselves and coming alive. Screams come from the hotel staff at the party before the shadows have finished solidifying, and they retreat to barricade themselves in a staff only area as some of the shadows break off to chase them.
The majority turn their focus on the Oysters. The shadows move as one at first but quickly begin to take on an individuality. All have wickedly curved claws and a mouth of sharp teeth, but their fighting styles slowly start to diversify as they take more solid form. Their features become more unique, and they develop voices — the same voices once connected with the scarecrows. Oysters will quickly find themselves facing off against shades of the people they know, and these shades are not afraid to play dirty and pretend to be the people they look like.
If you have any questions, please leave them over here! Like the scarecrows, the shades can be destroyed with fire. The monster will retreat from the hotel back into the hedge maze once many of its shades have been destroyed.
© tessisamess
III. party
Wearing a wizard costume and feeling the magic of the party, perhaps they can forget the hardship of the month. He holds his husband's hands and dances around to the music. Their numbers dwindled, he noticed. So many oysters were selected to go home, but some of them remain, but very few. It feels almost lonely, very lonely, but that shouldn't stop them for having a good time and happiness in the meanwhile.
"Happy birthday, Wei Ying." He smiles at him as they dance in a circle.
Re: III. party
He smiles brightly as they dance, always wanting to be in Lan Wangji's arms ever since their wedding. Something about being his husband now makes him want to hold on and not let go.
"Thank you, Lan Zhan. Are you going to make it a memorable one?" It is his first birthday with Lan Wangji and he wants to enjoy every minute.
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He smiles brightly back. Usually a stoic man, after marriage, the man's stoic facade melted. He smiles a little more.
"Mn. I will. Just tell me how to make your night memorable. It's your birthday, my love."
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"I want to spend all night with you, and I want you to sing to me, and I want to have a fun after party." He smirks with that last part. Perhaps the best part is the after party in their bedroom.
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He acquired Mikumo's singing skills, a dear acquaintance who returned home. Her power is a special gift to him that helped him so much. "I would love for you to sing with me. I want to sing for you and then tonight, I want to have fun in your bed." His body sings with a warm fire thinking about making love to him for his birthday.
As they dance to the music, he tilts his head, noticing his fangs. "But what kind of costume you're wearing...?" He's curious.
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"The staff at the boutique said that it is called a vampire costume. I'm going to bite you and drink your blood, Lan Zhan." He smiles teasingly as he runs his tongue across his top teeth.
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"Vampire." He closes his eyes and grins. He squeezes his hands as they go to the karaoke machines. "I like it. I want you to bite me. What sharp teeth you have. But perhaps not in front of everyone. Let me sing for you, then we eat first, and then we have the whole night together."
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He looks at the karaoke machines, not entirely sure how they work but having some idea given he has seen a few other people use them. But most of the music is strange and unfamiliar.
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He found a seat and sat in front of one of the karaoke stations. "Shall I go first, pick a song, and sing for you? Why not you have a drink and cake while we're at it?"
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When he returns he has a nice big piece and a fun spooky themed alcoholic drink to chase it down with. He plops down into a chair with the plate of cake in his lap.
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"Wei Ying, I like this song. This one is for you." Taking a deep breath, summoning his singing power from the depth of his belly to make him feel especially special, he sings into the microphone:
♪ Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, dear Wei Ying.
Happy birthday to you ~ ♪
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When he finishes he applauds enthusiastically. "Thank you Lan Zhan! That was a wonderful song choice."
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"I like this one too. Care to hear another?" He smiles again, wanting to sing for him again because whenever he is at his happiest, he sings for him.
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Bringing the mic to his lips, he sings a variety of songs. Mostly love songs because that's the mood, sweet and romantic songs. Eventually, he has gotten tired and finished singing.
"Do you enjoy that my love? All of my music, they're for you. I even composed a song just for you. It's called Wangxian."
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"Thank you for singing to me, Lan Zhan. I enjoyed listening to all of it."
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He nods, "You're welcome." Then without saying anything at all, he tilts his head to the side and gently kisses him, as he enjoys being in his arms and being told of his rules.
"I love you." He whispers in his kiss.
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When they have to pause for air, he smirks against the man's lips as his hands grip the front of his costume. "Lan Zhan..if we keep kissing then I'm going to want more."
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"I want more too...I want Wei Ying." He shuts off the karaoke machine and carelessly drops the mic. He cups his face and kisses him back some more, lost and distracted, but happily so as if Wei Ying beckons him in a sweet dream and he surrenders himself to him.
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"Lan Zhan..I want you too.." ANd he always will, everyday and in every way. It's hard to not get too distracted from the party with the way those kisses make him feel.
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Eventually the kiss breaks, he smiles into him, looking into his eyes. "Let's join the others if they have games to play, then eat dinner, and then we can continue in our room, yes?" Since that seems to the idea to wrap up their evening.
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"I wouldn't mind either. But I only just have a slice of cake. Let me eat, and then we go up and call it a night. Ah, whatever is on the table. I guess they brought spaghetti and pizzas? It seems to be a variety."
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He looks at the spread across the table and just picks a few small things to snack on. He also ate some cake and it had not been a small piece. So his hunger is quite satisfied. But he will help himself to another drink.
/gently wraps this up and everything goes wrong from here...
From there, it's going to be a very long night to remember...