Event Log #004

[caelumstaff]

EVENT LOG number 004 Happy New Year, folks! The Hotel is settling into the New Year with little fanfare. Mr Bennet remains at his post behind the hotel desk and helps check guests in and out daily. The Hotel continues to hustle and bustle and nothing seems to be going too awry beyond the usual shenanigans. In fact, one might even call this the slow season for the Hotel. THE FLOOR IS LAVA That is until the second week of the month where the intercoms start with Mr Bennet's pleasant voice coming through. "Hello, hello! This is just a small warning that one of our floors, the current 79th floor to be exact, has had a small... malfunction, I suppose, and will be affecting the other floors of the Hotel. No word yet from maintenance when this will be over, so stay on your toes, my dear guests!" And that's it. No indication of what the problem is, or anything like that. It's up to you to figure out what's going on! And what is going on? Well, it'll become obvious very quickly when wherever characters happen to be in the Hotel, they'll soon start feeling a very obvious warmth on the floor below them. It'll increase the longer they stay standing in one spot until it's almost burning their feet. The only salve for this will be hopping onto a nearby piece of furniture and getting their feet off the floor. It'll soon become obvious that the entire Hotel has been wrapped in a game of The Floor is Lava, including the floor turning into actual lava on some of the floors. SAFETY SLEEPOVER Of course, the Hotel is not cruel enough to make the entire Hotel unsafe and soon enough Mr Bennet's voice will come through on the intercom again. "For those looking for respite from our current Hotel wide game," because clearly it's a game now. "We'll be serving tea and cake in the lounge on the ground floor. Maintenance has been able to fix the lounge for now so feel free to come by when you can if you'd like to rest. We have sleeping bags!" As folks enter the lounge, they'll find that Mr Bennet is true to his word. The lounge has been converted into a giant sleepover, with sleeping bags lining the floor and a long table off to the side where people can eat their tea and cakes. Mr Bennet is near the food table, handing out pajamas, toothbrushes, and sleep masks to those who request them. There's some new doors off to the side leading to some restrooms, at least, so guests can change in private. Though, one thing to point out is when Mr Bennet says there's tea and cakes, the cakes happen to be lava cakes. He thinks he's funny. THE FLOOR IS ICE It'll take about two days for hotel maintenance to fix the Hotel and return it to normal. So that's two days of living out of the lounge or hopping around the Hotel to get places. What a headache. Mr Bennet will make another lively announcement on the intercom. "We are back in business, folks! I've just been given word that everything should have return to normal now. Though, there is a warning to make sure not to walk around barefoot for at least another day or so while the Hotel settles. Thank you for your patience!" What that means becomes obvious soon as anyone walking around now will feel that the floor is especially cold. That's a bit better than the heat, at least, but still kind of a pain in the ass. Anyone who tries to walk around barefoot will find that their feet quickly start to freeze but any permanent damage is easily avoidable by putting on some socks or getting off the floor entirely. Though that said, the ice does lead to some furniture sliding around and even with shoes on, characters might find themselves sliding too. What a lovely end to the holidays. NAV | PREMISE | RULES | FAQ | TAKEN hotelcaelum | caelumserver | caelumooc

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[velluminous]

[ but there, just outside, just up the hall from this room, her room, her home now for lack of anywhere else in this world or any other—there is lava. there's flame. and it is engulfing...

everything. ]

I do not want to watch it burn!

[vecna]

[To lose everything to the flames again… Of course she wouldn’t want that. But why did the hotel have to malfunction in a way that would deprive him of her?]

The things you want to save the most in here… maybe I can make sure that they stay safe.

[velluminous]

[ she looks around--at this idealized (yes, you read that right) space of hers, everything she already had and lost. her trinkets. her books. her phonograph. the divan from her grandfather's house and the star charts from Teaferth stencilled on the ceiling. all of it hers, though none of it gets to come with her again. ]

It's... it doesn't matter. It all already burned.

[vecna]

And why does that mean we have to leave what’s in here to the same fate?

[velluminous]

...Save what you like, then. When I am gone, it is most probably going to vanish, regardless. Like so many motes of stardust.

[vecna]

[GIRL DON’T SAY THAT, THAT’S DEPRESSING to think every trace of her might be gone if she leaves.

Honestly, the thought is hollowing enough for a few rare seconds that Henry has no reply to it.

But finally-]

I’ll save all of it, if I have to.

[velluminous]

[ what is going on why does this feel the way it does ] You do not have to save any of it, Henry.

[vecna]

[you're doing this to you, sprezzatura]

I don't want all traces of you to just disappear for however long you're going to be gone.

[velluminous]

But that is what happens! I do not know what else to say to you! [ dismayed frustration, not anger ] When someone leaves, even if it is only for one week, it is empty room they leave behind.

[vecna]

Then I'll put all of your things into my room.

[With the utmost seriousness. Even if it makes a mess, he can and will move her possessions through the hole in their wall.]

It won't be any effort at all. [He might not even get a nosebleed.] It'll be like still having a piece of you close.

[velluminous]

[ a hole she doesn't know will be there for much longer. she wisely chooses not to suggest this, though.

heaves a deep breath, bringing up one knee. she lays her forehead down against it and mumbles tiredly, ] Then take them.

[vecna]

[Well. If she's going to leave as soon as tomorrow, then why doesn't he start...

Right now.

A whole assortment of items begins to lift into the air, floating evenly as he focuses. He can and will usher them through the hole in their wall unless she has reason to stop him.]

[velluminous]

[ her life, again, in someone else's hands. there's a lump in her throat, but she watches it happen almost dully, bracing for something to crack or break. it doesn't. ]

You are going to hate this mess.

[vecna]

[No, he’s careful this time. This isn’t the same as crashing a desk through the wall.]

Not this one.

Besides, it’ll just be temporary.

[velluminous]

[ mumbles into her knee, ] Temporary...

[vecna]

Until you return. And then, everything back in its rightful place.

[velluminous]

[ nearly laughs, because--its rightful place? do either of them know what that is? he hated this mess. twenty minutes ago he hated it. ]

...I suppose I should thank you.

[vecna]

[You come to appreciate the mess when the threat of it simply not existing hangs over their heads.]

I always said I would help you. That comes in any form... including this.

[So, no need for thanks. A part of this is a selfish desire, too.]

[velluminous]

[ hehe you like her mess. ]

I am thinking this is more about helping you, Henry.

[vecna]

[ONLY RIGHT NOW]

I like keeping important things close by. In that sense, maybe I'm being a little selfish.

[But he doesn't care.]

[velluminous]

[ YOU WUV IT

a lengthy silence fills the space between them. he can admit to it, at least, which is better than her.

creeps one hand down to touch her pinky finger to his. ]

[vecna]

[ >8[ !!!

...He doesn't halt his telekinesis, and the things in her room still march through the hole in the wall, but he shifts his hand just enough to cover hers.

He forgot how tangled emotions like these could be. The human heart really is just a receptacle for more pain than pleasure.]

I... [He has a thought, one that is like trying to pull barbed wire out of his throat, but true self-reflection is always impossible for Henry if he has to make an effort on his own. The notion starts and dies in the same breath, and he just trails off.]

[velluminous]

[ is it strange to find it symbolic? the steady movement of everything that makes her... her... through the maw in the wall, absorbed into Henry. don't think about it.

don't.

she hooks her finger over his. ]

I will be back.

[vecna]

[The gesture makes him finally glance at her, that little mote of connection.]

Okay. I believe you.

[(He will try very hard to.) Despite himself, he offers a faint, wan smile.]

I know you think I'm being ridiculous. I just don't want another repeat of the past.

[velluminous]

[ painful. ]

Do not put words in my mouth. I do not think that. I think... you are very hurt man.