all at once the winter's here —

[happyheartsstaff]

all the lochs are frozen over

SNOW FUN

11/11 - 11/15

By the middle of the second week of November, the winter snow has spread out from the Pool of Tears and into the rest of the hotel. It falls gracefully in the hallways, the bar, the restaurants, even the nightclub and the gym. There's a gentle chill in the air, though there never seems to be more than a faint dusting of snow on the floor and it doesn't gather on the furniture.

The lobby quickly becomes a different story. Here, the snow begins to stick, and hotel staff can be seen piling it up in some kind of structures.

"Snow forts!" they will exclaim excitedly, and do their best to get any curious Oysters to help or make their own.

Shoes and foot coverings are still not available other than the ice skates in the pool area, but any Oysters who participate will find that the snow feels soft and fluffy beneath their bare feet, not cold at all.

Before long, multiple snow forts have been built in the lobby. It is then that hotel staff will start a game of capture the flag. Oysters will be encouraged to join one of the two teams and either try to sneak into the opposing side's heavily guarded forts to steal their flag, or guard the forts of their own team.

The game will span multiple days, and all Oysyers who join in the fun for any of it will receive a special reward!

HOW ABOUT A CUP OF TEA

11/12 - 11/23

If you can avoid all the commotion in the lobby to get to them, there are a few cozy spots tucked away that certainly weren't there before. Fire places have sprouted up in these, and though no one ever seems to tend to them, there's always a fire crackling merrily away. The fires seem to change colors, and will never be the same color twice.

"Of course it changes colors," hotel staff will scoff if asked. "Next you'll ask how it knows what it knows."

If pressed further, the staff member will share a Wonderland legend about the fire. Anyone who burns something in it and asks it a question will get an answer in the form of a glimpse of the future or a truth of the past.

Sofas, arm chairs, and bean bags are scattered around the fire places, with small tables covered with snacks and hot teas between them. Bookcases have also sprung up here, filled with fiction stories from all different worlds. Except, of course, for anything related to Alice in Wonderland.

BABY IT'S COLD IN HERE

11/24 - 11/ 30

In the final days of November, the novelty of the snow seems to wear thin. The uniforms of the hotel staff change, all of them now wearing coats, hats, and gloves even on duty. Whatever it was that kept Oysters' feet from freezing in the snow begins to fade. The air shifts from crisp and clean to cold and sterile, sinking deep into the bones of anyone who stays out in it too long.

Oysters will find some relief in their rooms, as the snow still doesn’t fall there, and the chill in the air is more bearable. It will drop lower at "night," and Oysters will find it harder to ward off the cold. Unless, of course, they happen to be one of those lucky enough to have someone to keep them warm at night.

Hotel staff won't admit to seeing a problem with this, when asked. Surely this is the perfect time to find that special someone, or discover the benefits of platonic cuddling! Why not try it in front of the fire, first, it does wonders to combat the cold in the hotel lobby!

Of course, their first recommendation is always going to be to enjoy a lovely cup of tea.

If you have any questions, please leave them over here! All characters who participate in the game of capture the flag will receive an item from home (which must follow the same rules as the AC reward) and a superpower tea of the player's choosing. This can be one of the character's own abilities, but it will not be permanent. Any character who chooses to burn something in the fire will be able to see a scene from their future or past. The future scene could be one from further in their canon, or could be a potential future either in canon or at the hotel (feel free to make this up!). The scene from their past can be any scene from their past. Anyone in the vicinity of the fire will be able to see either of these.

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

© tessisamess

Comments

[scaredofdogs]

"One goal, Lan Zhan. Get the flag!" He doesn't even slow down as he shouts the instructions at his husband. This is a welcome distraction for him, having spent so much of his time recently in the bedroom and not wanting to really be out and about.

He might not have been the one who died this time, but it hit him just as hard. And seeing Lan Wangji in such a depressed state makes him feel even worse because he doesn't know how to fix it.

So racing around and trying to avoid being tackled to the snow is a great way to get his mind off of everything.

[inquiryguqin]

For Lan Wangji, he's much slower to recover, and he tries to focus on the purpose of the game, which is to have fun as he did feel cooped up and he requires at least some form of semblance of exercise.

With a heavy sigh, he wanted his husband to have fun, so he is trying. "All right. As you say." And he does his best to participate. His movements are slower, but gradually he picked up the pace and catches up to his energetic husband.

He's worried about how the staff reacts when he returned. Some who recognized him doesn't seem they want to play with him, but there are others who did decided to pelt him with snowballs, which he stood still to allow himself to get hit...which he didn't bother to return the snowballs back in retaliation, afraid of getting into trouble if he attacks the staff by accident during the play.

Turning to his husband, "Which flag we should try to capture?" Well, it could be any flag, but he figures he'll try to capture the flag that Wei Ying wanted, or make an attempt as he infiltrate one of the forts to get it.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian dives behind a snow fall as more snowballs heads his way. He stays hidden there while determining his next action.

"The blue flag! Need to get that and take it back to the red fort!" Of course Wei Wuxian chose to be on the red team.

When he hears the staff pausing in their attack, he figures they must have run out of snowballs and so he takes off like a shot. He heads straight for that blue fort, never pausing to make snowballs and only aiming for a blitz attack.

[inquiryguqin]

As Wei Ying makes his evasion of the snowballs heading their way, Lan Wangji did the same. "The blue flag...?" He turns to look.

He's quick on his feet. For some reason, the snow isn't cold but it does hinder movements. "All right, I'll capture it. For you." But Wei Ying's nimbleness and cleverness may have an advantage and he maybe the one to capture first.

In the meanwhile, the staff was having fun, throwing at their opponents the oysters. Lan Wangji makes a dive and tries to sneak in the back of the fort and avoiding the attacks.

[scaredofdogs]

"We can make it a contest between us as well. Whomever gets to the flag first wins and loser has to give the winner a gift!" He laughs as he hides behind a couch as more snowballs get tossed his way. He is so very close to the fort, but some of those snowballs are packed pretty hard and sting quite a bit when he gets hit with them. But he is determined..

He sprints away from the couch, aiming to get the flag in this run.

[inquiryguqin]

"A gift? Really?" While he's up for a challenge, wanting a gift badly from him, for Lan Wangji Wei Ying is a gift himself. To see him laughing and smiling. He had been lost in thoughts for days, and just to see him again is a precious gift.

Still, up for a game. "All right. I'll agree to your conditions." He does the same, waiting for the right moment. He'll happily lose to give Wei Ying a gift, but then, that wouldn't make the game exciting, so he plays along trying to capture the flag.

But in the end, he slows his steps, and he lets Wei Ying step ahead first to let him win and capture the flag.

[scaredofdogs]

He jumps up and snatches the flag, avoiding a few more snowballs and starts to run back towards his own fort with it.

"I got it first, Lan Zhan! You better be thinking about my prize!" He laughs as he sprints to the other side of the playing field with that flag proudly displayed. He might have a slight inclining that the man let him win, but that is hardly important.

[inquiryguqin]

The moment he caught it, he follows after Wei Ying dutifully back to his fort, sharing the joy of his victory.

"And the victory is yours. Wei Ying wins." With a smile, he thought about his request for a prize and feels a bit stumped in what to give him for his prize. "What kind of prize does Wei Ying wants?"

[scaredofdogs]

He deposits the flag, sealing his victory and then comes away from the fort back to Lan Wangji's side. As he walks back, he pauses to bend down and collect some snow in his hands. He gets a playful smirk as he stands back up, smashing the snow into a ball.

"It's no fun if I have to tell you what prize to give me, Lan Zhan." He needs to consider his options. but while doing so he tosses the snowball at Lan Wangji's chest.

[inquiryguqin]

Lan Wangji simply watches. His stoic, emotionless expression remains transfixed. When the snowball connects and makes an impact on his chest, there is only silence as his response as the dust of the snow scattered and fell.

"...Wei Ying." As his answer, he slowly wraps his arms around his waist and looks at him in his eyes.

"I have nothing to give." He answers simply. "I give you myself. Would that be good enough or you needed more?"

[scaredofdogs]

He pouts as Lan Wangji merely dusts off the snowball, but it is short lived as he gets embraced. He rests his chin against Lan Wangji's chest and looks up at him.

"That's always enough for me, Lan Zhan." He doesn't care that they are still currently standing in the playing area and people are running around past them as they hug.

[inquiryguqin]

He closes his eyes and he felt a different feeling. As if no one else can complete him like this, and feeling a sense of peace. He was guilty of leaving him since the accident, so he's trying his best not to.

"Wei Ying, you're my everything." He hugs him again. Feeling much warmer, less dull, more feeling.

He thought about what Wei Ying's prize would be. Nothing else comes to mind. "Wei Ying prize is that he claims me and use me whenever he wishes, whatever he wants."

[scaredofdogs]

He laughs and reaches up to encircle Lan Wangji's neck with his arms. "Don't I do that anyway?" But it is definitely a good prize as he leans up and nuzzles the man's neck and chin.

He wants Lan Wangji to feel better, to forget about dying and be able to continue to live happily with him. He knows how long it took to get over his own death so he certainly isn't rushing him. But he will do everything he can to show him that no matter what, he is there and will do anything for him.

[inquiryguqin]

He pouts, feeling greedy for his warm affection. "You should do more. Everyday." It's a request, trying not to sound demanding, but more from a quiet need.

His expression softens as he nuzzles his neck and chin and he nuzzles back. He wants to make up to him ever since what happened last month and forget what happened as last month was an accident. So far, this month with the snow, it took him a while to actually feel safe again and think of happier days and thoughts. Though things certainly become quieter.

As he follows after him, in a low voice, a soft murmur, "Mn. I love you."

[scaredofdogs]

"Now it makes it sound like I am the prize for you, Lan Zhan." He knows that they are both each other's greatest gifts and so he doesn't mind giving the man anything he could ever want. He reaches out and takes Lan Wangji's hand and starts to take him away from the playing area.

"Is there anything else you want to do today, Lan Zhan? Or are we just going to retire to our room?"

[inquiryguqin]

"You're more than that. You're my husband and my family." So indeed, that's the prize, and that's why Wei Ying is the most valuable. "And you're the love of my life."

He takes his hand, squeezing, and will follow him all over if he must. "We can play the game again and capture more flags, then have dinner, and then we can retire to our room."

It's quiet nowadays that perhaps the Queen decides to give the oysters some peace for once.

[scaredofdogs]

"I'm done with the game. It's making me tired running all over the place. I haven't had to do a lot of that since being at the hotel." He's not out of shape by any means, but it is exhausting whenever he puts so much energy into something. Putting a little more into it today then normal just because he wanted to make sure he was able to distract Lan Wangji.

"Let's go have dinner."

[inquiryguqin]

Recent events in the past months left Lan Wangji exhausted as well. He's only grateful for a second life to be with his husband. Though it made him wonder what the Queen's and her people's true motives are other than taking advantage of their emotions.

His distraction works, and he noticed. Lan Wangji will put in more effort to appreciate his husband. "I'm tired too. So dinner in the dining room and then rest. If you have any emperor's smiles left, I'll drink with you."

A pause, a beat. "I also have new books to read from our world. If you want to read any or lend our soul-twins to borrow."

[scaredofdogs]

"Of course I have emperor's smile left!" It will take a long time to work through his stash. The wedding certainly made a fair amount of it go down but the hotel likes to give him more of it back.

He takes Lan Wangji's hand and pulls him towards the restaurant. "We can just take the food back to the room if you want."

[inquiryguqin]

"Then I would like to drink with you and spend time with you. But only before bedtime." Lan Wangji squeezes his hands back. He's very much looking forward to spend time with his husband. Eating out in a restaurant is one of the activity he enjoys.

"We could eat in there, it's fine." Once they arrived there. "Oh, it looks like there's snow in there as well, so it might be too cold to eat in there."

A thought, "I have an idea. We can gather food to eat in front of the fireplaces?" As there are some fireplaces scattered throughout the hotel and he saw one, and they do look very cozy.

[scaredofdogs]

Wei Wuxian frowns at the snow all over the eating area. This is going to be particularly inconvenient if they keep encountering it. At least it isn't cold to walk on but he wonders if that will change.

But then he suggests in front of the fireplace and he grows excited. He likes that idea and drags him over to one of the places to order. "Alright Lan Zhan! Let's get a lot of food toenjoy where we know it will be warm."

The fireplaces are nice and he enjoys curling up in front of them.

[inquiryguqin]

It's definitely inconvenient, but they do allow take-outs. He is excited too, and they can make their order for the staff to bring their food to them

The fireplaces has rows of fire and change color after gazing for a while. There are sofas and arms chairs scattered with small tables with self-serve snacks, pastries, and hot teas and coffee. There are bookcases filled with books from different worlds, so Lan Wangji can stay for a long while to read while cozying up to his husband.

He pulls up a pair of a chair to allow Wei Wuxian to have a seat. "They should bring our dinner to us. The fireplace is nice."

[scaredofdogs]

He plops down in the chair and relaxes, staring at the fire for a moment before looking around.

"I wonder if there are blankets around. I want to sit under the blanket and enjoy the fire."

There is just something warm and cozy sounding about that and he thinks they both need a little cuddling time.

[inquiryguqin]

"A blanket? As you wish." Lan Wangji is going to find blankets and pillows, and a staff member happily provides. He comes back with an armful.

"Wei Ying, here." He hands him what looks like a rabbit-shaped pillow and a blanket. He needs cuddle time with him too, so he sat with him on the sofa and curls up with him close to the fire heat.

[scaredofdogs]

He smiles as he takes the blanket and puts it over them once they are settled onto the couch. He rests against Lan Wangji and holds the rabbit pillow against his chest, laying his head against the other man as he looks into the fire. He's going to enjoy this cuddle time while they wait for their food.

"This is the good part about winter."