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

[lucklessgege]

Hua Cheng has always been a charmer..a flirt that Xie Lian has often cast off as just being a part of his personality and not something meant exclusively for him. But a part of him hopes that it is as an arm encircles him, drawing him close.

He feels his heart pound a little harder in his chest as he turns his face to look up at the other man's face.

"A-ah..alright, San Lang. We probably should take a few moments to get warm after being out in this snow barefoot."

Xie Lian tries to laugh it off as an obvious need to do so instead of being drawn into the romantic tone of the way it was asked of him.

[crimson_rain]

Hua Cheng is a flirt, but he never does so with anybody else. He has been devoted to him that lasts for centuries. He finds him warm, and not hug quite enough.

He hugs him briefly, to coax him to change course from the game. His gaze is unwavering.

He can sense it's an obvious need, so he smiles. "Yes, let's take a few moments to get warm." He'll take his hand to lead to one of the fireplaces and there are sofas and soft bean chairs scattered.

"Look gege, the fire changes colors." He pulls up a chair to make sure he's comfortable.

[lucklessgege]

He smiles as he settles into one of the chairs. There is something nice about enjoying a fire. He notices some teas set out for them to enjoy and reaches out to collect one of the mugs, letting the warmth of it heat up his hands.

"Everything here is a little odd, I suppose it's not surprises that the fire also has magical properties."

This place would be amazing if they were there by choice and not abducted.

[crimson_rain]

The fire is very warm and cozy, so he's going to pick up a mug of hot coffee, then pulls over a chair and have a seat right next to him. The warm heat of the mug heats up his hands and he takes a sip to gaze into the changing color of the fire within the fireplace.

"I recall a staff said if we burn something into the fire, it shows a vision of the past or future. Do you want to give it a try? It's a type of divination I never tried before."

[lucklessgege]

Xie Lian brings the cup of tea to his lips and tastes it. It has an interesting flavor and is quite unlike anything he has had before. But it is good and so he drinks a little more before lowering it back down.

"We can try, San Lang. We have such a long past I wonder what it would choose to show us." He laughs softly. Hopefully it shows them something good and not a lot of the bad that he has had to endure over those 800 years.

[crimson_rain]

He settled the mug down and gathers a pencil and a pad of paper to hand it to him.

"Dianxia..." He knows he has the worst luck in their 800 years together, through their past lives. In this one, he's determined to give him all of his luck to turn their fate around.

"Let's write our wishes on paper together. How's that?"

[lucklessgege]

"Ah..ha..would you like me to write yours as well?" Hua Cheng's handwriting is so atrocious that perhaps even the fire won't understand the words that are on the page when he throws it in. It would be a shame if the man couldn't see anything because of it.

He takes the paper and considers what wish he would want to write down. It takes him a moment but he jots it down and then looks up at Hua Cheng.

[crimson_rain]

With a nod, he knew his handwriting is illegible, despite being an accomplished sculpture and painter. "Mn."

He waited for Xie Lian to write his wishes down. As for his wish, when it's his turn to write it down.

"Your name. Just write your name down. That was it."

[lucklessgege]

He places the pen against the paper but then pauses when he hears the wish. He looks up at him surprised, feeling his ears heat up and trying to pretend it is just from being close to the fire. The wish makes his heart do a little flip in his chest.

"Ah.." He scribbles his name on the paper quickly and then folds up the paper. He holds it out to Hua Cheng. "Would you like to toss it in the fire?"

[crimson_rain]

He smiles sweetly at him, seeing the blush and the effect of his words on him, because that's the truth. Because one name, his name means everything to him, that extend many lifetimes and beyond.

"En," he said, confirming. "Of course, just toss it into the fire and let see what happens."

[lucklessgege]

He nods and turns to toss it into the flames. He's a little curious what they will see but there is also a small bit of fear considering theirs has been such a difficult path. He doesn't want to show that at some point their paths might diverge.

But what he sees instead is a reunion. Thousands of lanterns being lifted above a little run down shrine. A man in red releasing them and then turning to greet a man in white as he returns home. The two run into each other's arms and embrace as if reuniting after a long separation.

His heart is beating rapidly as he watches the scene with awe. It's clearly them in the image and he wonders just how far in the future this image might be.

[crimson_rain]

Seeing the vision, he watches, at first expressionless, and then with a look of relief, he softens with a gladness and joy he feels, filling his heart. What a beautiful vision of seeing thousands of glowing lanterns being lifted and hovering toward the night sky from his God's shrine.

"That's beautiful. Do you think that could happen? When we return home, gege?" He is hopeful for this outcome, that he returns to his Beloved at long last after many trials. "That we'll be together? Because you deserve much more for your happiness."

[lucklessgege]

He feels slightly embarrassed by what he just watched but also hopeful. He looks up at Hua Cheng and smiles, "I hope so, San Lang. I would like to be able to stay together for as long as you want us to."

Because if anything he figures Hua Cheng will grow bored of him eventually. He doesn't have a lot to offer the man and his home is not nearly as exciting as the one he has in Ghost City.

[crimson_rain]

"Gege, I belong to you in body and soul." He said calmly, in absolute and the truth. "If it's your wish, I will stay with you forever."

The fire is comfortable as they huddle close, while the warm glowing light of the fire glow. He pulls a blanket to cover around his shoulder to make him comfortable.

"Gege, there's a lot of books. Shall I read a book to you? I'll pick." He smiles again, he'll pick a story or a poem that is most pleasing to him. He wants to spend time with him. There's plenty of time to whisk him away to his own room of paradise manor or sleep on the bed in his temple, he doesn't care where he ends up tonight.

[lucklessgege]

He smiles and settles onto one of the couches with the blanket around his shoulders. He would gladly listen to Hua Cheng read to him. He enjoys hearing the man's voice.

"If you would like. I'm curious what the stories of this place might be like."

[crimson_rain]

"En." He looks up and reads the titles on the spine of the books, that seem to comes from other worlds. How does this place does that? Many caught his eye. He remembers he doesn't have his powers anymore, so he silently gets up and picks a few books and goes to sit back down next to him.

"I have a poetry book. Would you like me to recite a few to you?"

[lucklessgege]

"I would like that." He smiles as he shifts slightly so that he can watch him as he reads, still being relaxed against the couch. He places the blanket over both of their laps.

[crimson_rain]

He sat next to him, laid the book on his lap, flips opens and reads a few pages, and reads out a few. One caught his eye. "How about this one? The title is, Unending Love..." He reads the poem slowly.

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times…
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever... … … .

He reads out the rest of poem and when he finished, he turns to look at him. "What do you think gege?"

[lucklessgege]

"Ah..it's a very pretty poem. The writer was clearly very much in love with someone. I hope they ended up together happily."

Xie Lian tries not to think too hard about the poem that Hua Cheng selected. After seeing what he did in the fire and now the poem, Xie Lian is feeling a little uncomfortable with some overwhelming feelings.

[crimson_rain]

"It is. I like it very much." He can see his discomfort, and that will not do for him, so he sets the book aside and read no more. "All right, I think that's enough."

Kindly, he wants him to relax and feel at ease. "What does gege like to do? Shall I order food and tea for you?"

[lucklessgege]

"Ahh no no..It's okay San Lang. I enjoyed listening to you read, you don't have to stop." He feels bad that he made the other stop and he doesn't want him to go to so much trouble as to order food.

He realizes this is question he should have asked much sooner... "What was the last thing that happened before you came here, San Lang?"

[crimson_rain]

At that, at his answer, he cupped his face for a good long time, his thumb rubbed against his cheek. Through his touch, he gazes at him with affectionate longing.

In a tone soft, sweet, and sad. "I'm scattered with the wind gege. And I'm sorry."

[lucklessgege]

Xie Lian feels his heart sink as he realizes that the moment they got separated was the last thing that Hua Cheng experienced. He had been treading so carefully because he wasn't sure what the man remembered and he didn't want to get his hopes up that perhaps he wouldn't have had to experience that. Or that perhaps he had and their memories would match up. Now that he has seen the future in the fire it makes him realize he really did see them getting reunited.

"San Lang..You don't have to apologize.." He feels tears sting the corners of his eyes.

[crimson_rain]

"You gave me everything you have, your spirit energy to save me. You tried." With his thumb, he wipes the tears at the corner of his eyes. If the vision in the fire is true, he completely believes in it without question or doubt.

He continues to hold his face, comforting him. "You're the only love in my life dianxia."

[lucklessgege]

He hesitates because that statement is so lovely and heavy at the same time. Hua Cheng has loved him for so long and he was so blind to it all. "I love you too, San Lang." And he knows that he does. Even if he doesn't know when it happened.