angryhearts | all at once the winter's here

all at once the winter's here —

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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.

"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."

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."

"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."

"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.

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.

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."

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.

"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.

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."

He smiles back, feeling better with the fire and the warmth of his husband's body as he rests on him, providing him the soft things to hold. He encircles his arms around him to hold him.

"Mn. It does remind me of home back in Gusu city. When it's winter, it snows all over Cloud Recesses. It's cold, but everyone back home huddles up toward the fire. Winter is beautiful but very cold."

He turns his gaze into the fire, "I heard the staff are talking. They say if we burn something into the fire, we'll be able to get a vision of the future. Some kind of fortune-telling. Do you want to try it out? I can throw a paper with a list of wishes."

"I'm a little scared about the future it would show us, Lan Zhan." He doesn't want to see anything bad that will make them fall apart. If it would show them good things then he wouldn't mind but this is the hotel and he just can't trust anything that it does..or anything the staff says.

He turns his head to look up at him, "But if you want to try it..we can give it a go."

He doesn't want to deny Lan Wangji if the man has a curiosity about what the fire will show.

Lan Zhan is quiet for a bit. He can see how scared he is and remember how he reacted after their deaths, leaving them shattered afterwards. It takes a while to rebuilt and recover and heal. Confidence, he needs that now, and a steady calm.

His light-colored eyes gaze into the fire. Softly, "Wei Ying. Don't be afraid. No matter what the future brings, I'll be with you always."

He reaches for a pad and a pencil. He hands both items to him. "Let's try it together. Why don't you write down a list of wishes? I'll do the same."

He takes the items and stares at the blank piece of paper. He is worried about what could happen but perhaps if he keeps all his wishes strong then they will bring about a good future.

He starts to write slowly, finding it pretty easy to write down what he wants out of his future.

With a pencil, Lan Wangji makes a list of his wishes for the future. He jots it down in neat calligraphy, then carefully folds up, puts his hands together, and prays for a good future, a happier one. He prays hard with all of his might.

He can see the worried look in his eyes. "Ready? Who will go first? I'll throw it first or we'll throw our wishes together?"

"Ah..why don't you go ahead.." He's still a little nervous about it. His trust in this place has been steadily dwindling over the last few months and with everything going on he is afraid that the hotel will show him something he doesn't want to accept.

But perhaps if Lan Wangji tosses his in they will see something bright and wonderful. "Unless you think it would be better to throw them in together."

His trust and faith may have dwindled, destroyed, and shattered. So is his own. He deeply regrets being powerless and at one point, feel weak to protect him and himself. Their whole stay in the hotel has been a trial and a test of their bond. Sensing his fear and his own, seeing those sad eyes, those eyes he could gaze as much as eternity allow and deeply ingrained in his memory and translate his emotions into the strings and songs of his guqin. It's that very same fear that more than anything, he now knows it's up to him and his love for him to decide the outcome of their destiny together. But Wei Wuxian is never on his own to decide. He's not alone.

"I think it's better if we throw it together, because your wish is my own." With care, very gently, he folds their paper together. "On the count of 3...1...2...3!"

When Wei Wuxian flungs the paper into the fire, Lan Wangji flungs the paper at the same time as well. They watch the flames burn the paper until it becomes black and charred into ashes.

In the fire, the scene plays before them like a movie. The fire shows a scene of Lan Wangji leading Wei Wuxian on a donkey, taking their leave from an inn. They leave out of town and into the forest. Lan Wangji is holding the reign, leading the way. Wei Wuxian is laughing riding on the back with a jar of Emperor smiles in hand.

They came upon a cliff to take a rest. Wei Wuxian, smiling stands on the cliff, the wind plays with his long hair and red ribbon. He looks out to the horizon, playing his flute, and playing their song, Wangxian. Lan Wangji stood by his side, listening, also smiling, and looking at him with absolute love and devotion as he looks toward to the horizon, journeying together for the years to come.

The scene in the fire ends. Lan Wangji looks at the fire with hopes and expectation, trying to figure out and interpret the vision. With so much heartache in his heart, he realize this vision maybe a possible future ahead.

"Wei Ying, my love. I think for sure we will go home. It could be a sign. So our stay in this hotel isn't permanent as we think. What do you think? We go home together, yes?"

He watches the scene play out and there is a little bit of hope that sparks because of it. It means that they will be together even on their world and will get to travel wherever they want to. It makes him feel good to think that such a future is possible and that they won't be separated as soon as they get home.

"We will definitely get to go home, Lan Zhan. I don't know if we control how or when or if we return together.." Because he already knows from experience that the hotel likes to separate them. "But it means someday we will get to be home together and that is what is important."

Seeing the hope spark in those eyes, more than anything, he wants to keep it alight and his words is the truth.

"We will return together. I know it. You...you have no idea. It's your soul that I always wanted. I have searched for it after so many years. I realize...I'm not going to give up now and not ever. And I will never leave you. When we go home, we are free."

Turning his body around, he cups his chin to comfort him with his touch and pulls him into a hug. "I love you, Wei Ying. I will never get tired of saying those words."

He looks up at him and smiles. He'll never grow tired of hearing those words and he hopes the man is right and they will always be together. "I love you too, Lan Zhan. Always and forever."

He leans up and kisses him lightly. It was such a pleasant image in the fire and he looks forward to when they can finally make it a reality. But until the day when they do that, he is ready to enjoy every moment they have together in the hotel.

Lan Zhan looks...and ah? Finally, he smiles and there's a warm peace between them. He welcomes his kiss and he kisses back on the lips. He kisses between the place on his brow.

It's the moment between counts. He searches for his hands, his is big, and gently squeeze. "Wei Ying, your smiles lights like a bright lantern."

Since this is a comfy place and things felt peace, he gently pulls Wei Ying to him for a cuddle to keep him warm.

He lays his head against Lan Wangji's chest as he wraps himself up in the man's embrace. He would happily stay like this for hours. There is nothing warmer and more comforting then being in his arms.

"The brightest smiles are always saved just for you, Lan Zhan."

Wei Wuxian is a warm weight against his body. His heart beats steadily. So soft, so warm as the fire glows on them.

"For me?" He doesn't feel worthy of his love at times. Since it's comfortable, they will stay like that for hours. "Thank you, Wei Ying. You should smile because you're happy and I intend to make you happy."

As they're waiting for their food to be brought to them. Lan Wangji looks around and eyes the books on the bookshelves in awe.

"They have so many books. I never see them before. I'm going to read, but I could read out loud to you if you like?"

Edited 2020-12-04 04:25 (UTC)

"If you would like to Lan Zhan I wouldn't mind listening. Find one that looks interesting." Because he might just fall asleep in Lan wangji's lap while he is reading if he isn't careful.

The warmth and the safe feeling is enough to make him completely relaxed. But he would gladly listen to Lan Wangji read him a story until he did lose consciousness.

He will disentangle from him for a few moments, to stand up and pick the books from the sheleves, selecting a book, scan through the pages, and pick the ones he's interested in. He picked a handful of books and then goes back to him.

Once he's comfortable enough again to snuggle for the warmth and safety. Wei Wuxian could sleep as much as he likes, but he will wake him when the food comes. With the book open. "It's a poetry book. Let see..." He goes to read a few. "How about this one?"

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every days... ... ...

He read the rest of the poem and look into his eyes when he finished reading out. "Do you like that one? It's nice."

all the lochs are frozen over

SNOW FUN 11/11 - 11/15

HOW ABOUT A CUP OF TEA 11/12 - 11/23

BABY IT'S COLD IN HERE 11/24 - 11/ 30

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SNOW FUN
11/11 - 11/15

HOW ABOUT A CUP OF TEA
11/12 - 11/23

BABY IT'S COLD IN HERE
11/24 - 11/ 30