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

[billowing]

Lan Wangji does happen to be a little bit ticklish, mostly on the side, a little on his stomach, and he squirms underneath Wei Ying's assault, trying to hold back a laugh.

He takes Wei Ying's wrists, and tries to move them behind his back.

[sadflutenoises]

The reactions to his tickling aren't nearly as pronounced, but from Lan Zhan, that's practically rolling on the floor. He doesn't get far though, before his wrists are caught and pulled behind him. It gets him wriggling on Lan Zhan's lap and gives him far less to work with terms of fighting back, but he's clearly having fun all the same.

"Lan Zhan, my wrists aren't cold!" he whines, but only manages to hide his smile behind a pout for a bare few seconds.

"But my lips feel a little chilly."

[billowing]

Wei Ying is such a gremlin, but Lan Wangji wouldn't love him nearly as much if he wasn't, of course. He doesn't love public displays of affection, but he's starting to get more open to them here where people are more and more casual, and they are behind a bookshelf.

So, he brings his hands to either side of Wei Ying's cheeks, and leaves--

--A peck. Seriously, a peck.

[sadflutenoises]

Wei Wuxian lets his eyes close, lips slightly parted, waiting for Lan Zhan to spoil him, only to get the barest little peck of a kiss! Really, is that all?! His lower lip juts out in a pout and he gives a theatrical shiver.

"Terrible, just terrible, I think I'm even colder now!"

[billowing]

Yes, that's all Wei Ying. Sorry, but your husband is only a freak behind closed doors. In public, he's all buttoned-up and you know. Don't break the rules, don't step out of line.

He presses a finger to Wei Ying's lips.

"Your mouth is perfectly warm."

[sadflutenoises]

Lan Zhan's husband, on the other hand, has no such scruples about behaving in public. He's quick to open his mouth, biting the tip of Lan Zhan's finger and giving it a lick before he lets go, shifting in his lap to more shamelessly straddle his waist.

"Are you sure? You should check again," he smiles.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji doesn't pull his hand away, but he quirks an eyebrow up at Wei Ying as he demonstrates what a gremlin he is. He gently places a hand on his tiny waist, and looks him in the eyes.

"Wei Ying, if you would like to go upstairs to warm up, you could just say," he admonishes. His voice might be calm, but if Wei Ying keeps tugging on this thread, Lan Wangji might come undone entirely.

[sadflutenoises]

"But I'm comfortable right here," he pouts, leaning forward to drape himself on Lan Zhan's chest, slipping his arms inside Lan Zhan's outer robe. His husband's neck is so tempting, and he presses a few messy kisses against it.

"Are you worried someone might see?" he laughs, breathy and mischievous.

[billowing]

He wonders how he ended up with such a gremlin of a husband who would make his uncle rage if he could see them now.

"The ways I wish to kiss Wei Ying..." he starts, rubbing gentle circles into his shoulder. "Are for Wei Ying's eyes only."

[sadflutenoises]

Lan Zhan hasn't pushed him off, which he takes as a good sign, and even rubs his shoulder softly, which Wei Wuxian only takes as further encouragement as he nuzzles against Lan Zhan's neck, leaving another wet kiss in the meager space that's uncovered.

There's at least a bookshelf between them and anyone's direct line of sight, and admittedly that's part of the thrill. His hands, already beneath Lan Zhan's outer robe start to explore his husband's chest and sides in earnest, though there's several layers of fabric between them.

"Mine are the only ones watching," he insists against Lan Zhan's ear, before trying to slip a hand beneath those inner robes.

"It's only fair I get to warm you up a little too."

[billowing]

He gently places a hand at Wei Ying's wrist to keep him from actually getting a hand underneath his hanfu.

"Wei Ying. If you carry on like this, I will have to take you back to Gusu." For punishment. Clearly. Like Wei Ying kept thinking the entire time.

[sadflutenoises]

He was incredibly curious, just how much Lan Zhan would let him get away with, and as ever, if the end result was just rougher play, Wei Wuxian would push as much as he dared. Lan Zhan might have one wrist, but Wei Wuxian had another, and legs, and hips, and perhaps worst of all, his smug little mouth.

"Oh? There's a rule against this too?" he purrs against Lan Zhan's ear before pulling back just enough to look his poor husband in the eyes, smile nothing but trouble.

"And what's the punishment for breaking it?"

If Lan Zhan won't let him touch, his own body is perfectly good. Wei Wuxian's free hand reaches for his belt-ties, loosening them before he starts to slide his robes open; not enough for an outside observer to see, but more than enough to give Lan Zhan an uninterrupted view of the pale skin running from his collar bone down just past his navel.

[billowing]

Even just a sliver of Wei Ying's skin is enough to distract him, and he looks him up and down, but tries to maintain his composure. "Wei Ying," he admonishes. "What do you think you're doing?"

And how far does he intend to take this?

Lan Wangji looks Wei Ying back in the eyes, and then says, "The punishment is isolation and meditation."

He knows those are things that Wei Ying does not enjoy.

[sadflutenoises]

He's managed to distract Lan Zhan, and it feels as if victory is close, but Lan Zhan throws another obstacle in the way and Wei Wuxian's smirk turns into an offended pout. Whether it ends in some fun out here, or Lan Zhan getting riled enough to drag them both back to the room, either one is a win, but he's having fun with this game.

"I thought I was warming up my poor, cold husband, but I forgot he's made of jade, not ice."

Ice could melt, jade would not. Wei Wuxian might have stopped at that, but he hasn't retreated, not yet.

"Wouldn't that be punishing Lan Zhan too?" he asks, "if I am in isolation, I won't be meditating."

And he'd definitely be loud enough to Lan Zhan to know what he was missing.

[billowing]

"Hn," he responds. "The punishment for you is isolation. The punishment for me is meditation," he adds. Because he would need to be isolated or meditating in order to keep his hands off his husband, and surely he would need a little recalibration.

He puts an arm around him and holds him, but doesn't try to escalate.

Instead, he tries again: "Would you like to go upstairs?"

[sadflutenoises]

He sits back, still straddling Lan Zhan's lap, hands resting modestly on his shoulders as he studies his husband's face. The hand on his waist tells him Lan Zhan isn't actually upset, at least, not yet, and his threat is just that. As much as Wei Wuxian wants to stay on the couch and cuddle and enjoy these soft touches, he also can't help wanting more.

"Hmmm? What's waiting for me upstairs? Not copying the rules, I hope," he asks instead. If pushing Lan Zhan here will net him punishment, what will the reward for playing along be? He shifts slightly in Lan Zhan's lap, under the guise of making himself comfortable and definitely not to remind Lan Zhan of their proximity.

[billowing]

Wei Ying is the worst gremlin, but unfortunately, Lan Wangji loves him so, so much.

So much that he's willing to let this go, except that the little brain in between his legs is refusing to comply, and thinks that Wei Ying is calling his name. It's standing at attention, especially when Lan Wangji attempts to get it to stand down. Wires crossed. False alarm.

"No rules. If Wei Ying behaves."

[sadflutenoises]

Wei Wuxian might be selectively oblivious, but even he doesn't miss Lan Zhan's reaction, and chooses not to behave, shifting closer, intentionally, on Lan Zhan's lap.

"Hmm?" he withdraws his hands, fiddling absently with the open front of his collar before glancing up at Lan Zhan, a knowing smile on his lips. He glances pointedly down for a moment, then meets his eyes.

"Lan Zhan seems to like how I'm behaving right now," he says, amused laughter threatening in the tremble of his lips.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji's body might be enjoying this a little too much, but his brain is all sorts of frustrated. He places his hands on the small of Wei Ying's back and pulls him in. The angle is hot, and crushing.

He gives Wei Ying a look that anyone else would think is just - Lan Wangji, expressionless face - but Wei Ying should recognize as the one he wears when they're all alone and about to go to bed.

He gives Wei Ying a once-over too, and leans in, and whispers in his ear: "I'd like you to come upstairs with me."

[sadflutenoises]

He makes a softly startled noise as Lan Zhan pulls him close, the angle forcing his hips flush against his husband, and there's no mistaking just how interested he is. If that bit of body language wasn't enough, Wei Wuxian is more than familiar with that look, one that makes him feel a bit like prey about to be devoured.

It should be enough to make him re-evaluate his approach, but his teeth graze the corner of his lip.

"Are you sure you can make it there?" he raises an eyebrow, clearly perfectly content to sit right where he is. His hands move a touch lower, just below his navel, above the waist of his pants, sliding along the fabric with his thumb.

[billowing]

Lan Wangji is ashamed of how little control he has whenever his husband is involved, but he wraps then both up in blankets and stands up.

He could usually, easily march them upstairs with their combined weight and then some. The only problem right now is that his third leg is really killing his stride.

He holds Wei Ying close to him, and walks slowly, but there's a fire in his eyes and a furious beating of his heart.

It appears as if Wei Ying can't warm up his feet without his husband wanting to warm him up in other ways...

[sadflutenoises]

Wei Wuxian makes a disappointed sound as he's bundled up and marched out of their cozy little nook. It's all play, of course, as if he'd ever be disappointed to be dragged up to their room to play. It's stumbling and awkward to walk like this, and Wei Wuxian really doesn't help it along as he pulls Lan Zhan's arms around his waist, eyes alight with mischief.

To his credit, the position is meant to help Lan Zhan cover a bit of his excitement, and it gives Wei Wuxian the opportunity to not-so-subtly wriggle the curve of his ass against Lan Zhan's front as they wait for the elevator. He glances back over his shoulder, wearing a smirk that all but dares Lan Zhan to retaliate.

[billowing]

Wei Ying is going to be the death of him, and causes him to have to pause in his stride and readjust how he's walking.

In retaliation, he waits until no one's around them, and gives Wei Ying a playful little whap on the behind. He knows that embarrasses him.

[sadflutenoises]

Okay, showing affection in public is one thing; Wei Wuxian can see why people would be embarrassed by such gestures, but the clear message of fondness between two people is worth it, in his mind. A spank, though? There's nothing cute about that! He lets out an offended little squawk, whirling around, blanket falling from his shoulders as his hands cover his ass protectively, showing Lan Zhan his front instead.

It's not altogether better, since his robe is still undone, and his body's traitorous reaction just starting to show. He backs into the elevator, keeping his eyes on Lan Zhan, a pink blush covering his ears and cheeks. As an afterthought, he sticks out his tongue, just for good measure.

[billowing]

Wei Ying is a mess and Lan Wangji drops him in the elevator to try and get his clothes back together so he's not potentially flashing anyone anything he doesn't want them to see once they get out of the elevator.

They get to their floor, and Lan Wangji has Wei Ying's hand in his hand and he's trying his best not to run with him through the hall to get to their room. He nearly fumbles with the key, that's how affected he is.

When at last he pulls Wei Ying inside, he crowds him against the door, and pushes his hips against Wei Ying's hips. "You're ridiculous," he admonishes.