NOW DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES —

[happyheartsstaff]

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.

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."

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.

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.

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[billowing]

[ He'd already tried to put the furs away as best he could, for fear of scaring Wei Ying. He has been told the whole point of the holiday is to be scary, but he sees nothing frightening about Wei Ying's bare legs besides the fact that other people might be looking.

And that is just unacceptable. ]

Then after the party, we should try out your gift.

[ If anyone were to look over, they'd only see Lan Wangji caressing Wei Ying's hand and whispering something to him. ]

Anything else you would like. Ask, and it is yours.

[sadflutenoises]

[Wei Wuxian hadn't found much reason to celebrate his birthday in... well, a very long time. So, to have been cared about so much today, spoiled with gifts, he barely knew what to do with it. He squeezes Lan Zhan's hand lightly a mischievous smile lingering on his mouth.]

Mm, the best gifts are the ones that can be shared.

[And when Lan Zhan offers more, he barely knows how to respond. Isn't this enough? To be loved and thought of and desired, what more could he want.]

Why tempt fate when I already have what I want the most?

[billowing]

[ Wangji would celebrate Wei Ying's birthday with him every year for the rest of their lives, if he's allowed. ]

Fate does not owe you, but you deserve more.

[ He brushes Wei Ying's hair with his hand, kissing his forehead. It's rather sweet for the types of words coming out of his mouth. ]

And whatever I have to give, is yours to take.

[sadflutenoises]

[He laughs, breathy and quiet. Fate has given him a second chance, and it's far more than he deserves. Lan Zhan doesn't often show such physical affection in public, and even Wei Wuxian flushes a bit at the intimacy of it all.]

Just you.

[He returns it, a soft and playful kiss at the tip of Lan Zhan's nose before his own crinkles up in a teasing little smile before he lowers his voice, leaning close to Lan Zhan's ear to whisper.]

I'll be happy to take all you can give, til all I can remember is your name, Lan Zhan.

[billowing]

[ It's a special occasion. It's Wei Ying's birthday, so of course Lan Wangji is going to allow himself a little leeway into being a devoted husband who is adequately expressing his desires, having been able to marry the most beautiful man in the world. ]

Are you tired? Perhaps we should head upstairs.

[sadflutenoises]

[His teeth graze his lower lip because that's tempting, very, very tempting.]

We've barely gotten to enjoy the party, you don't want to try the games?

[He knows they're not set out just for him, but it seems a shame to leave the party so early. Wei Wuxian reaches to thread their fingers together, tugging him toward the piñatas.]

[billowing]

Hm. Later, then.

[ He will let Wei Ying enjoy the party because he's the birthday boy. And he will go over to the piñatas. ]

What do we do?

[sadflutenoises]

[Later can't come soon enough, and he presses a kiss to the corner of Lan Zhan's mouth before explaining the game.]

It's really easy. You hit the piñata with a stick. If you hit it hard enough, candy comes out.

[He picks up a strip of cloth and a stick, holding one in each hand.]

The trick is, you have to do it blindfolded. Do you want to go first? Or should I?

[billowing]

...This appears to be patently unfair, as I have seen your aim when you are blindfolded.

[ It was sexy. Very sexy. Too sexy. Wei Ying, he thought you didn't want to go upstairs just yet? ]

[sadflutenoises]

[He laughs, his smile wide and playful.]

Ah, that's the trick. Whoever isn't blindfolded, they control the pinata with that string. It's a moving target.

[He purses his lips, leaning on Lan Zhan's shoulder.]

But if you're worried you can't beat me...

[billowing]

I am not.

[ He unties one of Wei Ying's wrist wraps, as he had done once, so he can offer him a blindfold. Not for nothing Wei Ying, but the Lan headband is kind of way too thin to use as a blindfold, he's still not really sure where you were going with that one ]

[sadflutenoises]

You want to help me tie it?

[His mouth quirks into a smile as he glances at the black strip of fabric, rather than taking it from Lan Zhan's hand right away, then turns his back toward him.]

You get to spin me around a few times too, gotta make it challenging.

[billowing]

I do not think being dizzy will pose a challenge to Wei Ying.

[ But he will comply by these silly rules anyway, help him tie the blindfold on tightly - and oh, he's filing this away for later - and then spinning him around a few times and pointing him towards the piñata.

It can be heard anyway, because the rope is being pulled against the hook so that he can bring it up and down. If he does so quickly enough, the weight of the candy actually makes the little papery toy swing to and fro, making it harder to hit with the requisite force. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[The blindfold is snug, of course, Lan Zhan wouldn't want him cheating, and a smirk never leaves his lips as he lets Lan Zhan spin and maneuver him into place. He takes the bat, listening for the sound of movement.]

Don't let me down, Lan Zhan!

[He laughs, taking the first swing, a low-to-high slashing motion.]

[billowing]

[ He anticipates this, and moves the target out of the way. It's not so hard; he thinks Wei Ying will do better once he gets over the disorientation. He always had. ]

I will try.

[sadflutenoises]

Oh, quicker than I thought, not bad Lan Zhan.

[He lets out an amused laugh as the bat whiffs through nothing but air. Without much warning, he follows up with a backhanded strike and a jab, estimating where the bulky paper mascot must be swinging.]

[billowing]

[ Of course he would. Very good, it makes a little dent in the papier mache. But Lan Wangji will pull on it again, making it swing and twist so as to not present its now wounded flank to Wei Ying for another hit. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[There's no verbal response, but he doesn't expect one, listening instead for the creak of the rope through the hook, the unsteady sway of the wounded beast. He tries to picture just where it might be, and whether Lan Zhan will yank the rope or let the beast drop lower.

Since he's hit it once, he tries to follow up quickly, aiming high, laughing as he does so.]

[billowing]

[ He does manage to crack the beast in the belly, and Lan Wangji immediately lets it plummet to the ground to make a longer swing, because now it's quite structurally unsound. One more hit should do it... ]

[sadflutenoises]

Can't hide from me, Lan Zhan!

[His smile widens into laughter as the hit lands, even as the swinging motion makes the toy's movements harder to anticipate. He tries to anticipate where it will be, and- throws his weight into a heavy baseball-bat-swing.]

[billowing]

[ The hit lands and the piñata splits entirely in half, a paper rainbow butt flying in one direction and candy spilling out everywhere, some of it pelting Lan Wangji in the face. ]

[sadflutenoises]

[It's easy to hear the pattering of candy spilling over the floor, and Wei Wuxian is quick to slip out of his blindfold, laughing as he runs toward the mess and starts putting the treats in his wicker basket.]

Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, you're supposed to collect the prizes when it breaks!

[billowing]

I did not win the prizes.

[ But he'll help Wei Ying to come gather them into his wee basket so he can have his candy. ]

[sadflutenoises]

Everyone wins once it bursts open, you get some too!

[Wei Wuxian doesn't pay much mind to his short skirt as he bends and squats to pick up the candies, pausing to unwrap one so he can hold it out, in close range of Lan Zhan's mouth.]

Try one?

[billowing]

Mn.

[ He leans in the rest of the way and takes the candy into his mouth.

He doesn't really like it, since it tastes artificial, but he swallows and then hands Wei Ying his share. ]