fourside | [3.8★] "Too much water"

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[3.8★] "Too much water" — Yelp Reviewer

THE OCEANARIUM
It's like a fish tank, but bigger.

The sea is a vast expanse of water that covers 70% of our planet Earth. It is also home to various marine life that dwell within the very depths. Then one day, someone decided to bring the ocean to the surface for Reasons. So now everyone gets the chance to see all sorts of seafaring creatures — man-eating sharks, living fossils, and whatever horrors found deep in the ocean trenches all safely confined inside these oversized aquariums.

Somehow, your character got their hands on some tickets. So why not dive right in and spend some of that free time to hang out with the fishes? Learn something about the ocean, pet a cute penguin, or even plot to free a killer whale. It'll be an experience they won't forget.

➤ What is this?

This is just an open RP post with a sandbox-like setting. While there's some scenarios premade for your roleplaying needs, you can mess around with it as much or as little as you want. Feel free to use it for voicetesting, create cross-canon shenanigans, or develop a ship even further. You can carry the story over to your musebox if you'd like too. And you can re-use this post as many times as you'd like (until it hits the comment limit.) So bring your blorbos, your originals, your AUs, your friends and your friends' friends along for the fun!

➤ How to play:

Comment with your character's name and series in the subject.
Follow it up with a starter, and state your preferences too.
Label any warnings when necessary.
Reply to other characters!
Most importantly, just don't worry and have fun!

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Upon arrival, the attendant greets you as she collects your ticket. She hands over a brochure of the park containing a map, and descriptions of each featured exhibit that you can access. Afterwards she explains some guidelines for you to follow while within the park premises:

No smoking.
Don't leave your children unattended.
Don't tap or slam against the glass.
Please keep your valuables with you.
Don't bring food or drinks inside any of the exhibit rooms.
Use of flash photography is strictly prohibited.
Ignore the noises coming from the backrooms.
Keep a safe distance from the pools, otherwise you will get wet.

Once she's done, she slaps a wristband over your arm and gestures to make your way into the main lobby where all of the other visitors are gathered. From here you may begin exploring around the facility on your own, with your partner, or tag along with a tour guide as they show you the way. There's a lot of places to be, and plenty of fish to see!

Scenarios
A Watery Wonderland ✦ Close Encounters of the Penguin Kind ✦ Operation: Free Willy ✦ Submerged in Shadow ✦ Deep Fear ✦ Relaxed, Refreshed & Resurfaced ✦ Wildcard!

❖ A Watery Wonderland

➤ Location: Sea-Through Tunnel

The Sea-Through Tunnel is the main attraction of the Oceanarium, and the highlight in most advertisements you find about this place. And you now understand why after seeing it up-close.

It is a long glass tunnel that passes through the large indoor aquarium, giving you a glimpse of the wonders of the sea. And like an aquarium, the exhibit presents a near-perfect replication of the seabed and the various kinds of marine life found exclusively under the sea. Though it comes with a few bits and bobs you expect from any fish tank like a shipwrecked galleon or a treasure chest. If you peruse through the brochure, you take note of the description of the tunnel as follows:

...The Oceanarium™ has even transplanted seaweed, anemones, giant clams and all from the Pacific and Atlantic depths to really nail in the accuracy of their natural habitat. It's the best place to find sharks, stingrays and other fascinating seafaring creatures from behind the glass without having to dive deep into the ocean itself. So you don't have to worry about that pesky thalassophobia kicking in!

Apparently this exhibit is also popular among families and young couples according to the guide that you overheard. They explained how with the vivid blue water, the colorful coral covering the surface, and an assortment of marine life swimming by, certainly all of these make for a perfect backdrop for any special occasion.

"First meetings, reunions, confessions, wedding proposals, you name it!" the tour guide enthused, "What could be more memorable than having a heartfelt moment or two take place underwater and being surrounded by thousands of fish?"

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❖ Close Encounters of the Penguin Kind

➤ Location: The Cold Spot

Another popular attraction in the Oceanarium is The Cold Spot, showcasing images and dioramas of wildlife that survive within polar habitats. And to really add to the experience, the temperature in the room is a bit lower than usual. So as the name implies, it does get a little chilly inside.

Though what draws people the most is the large penguin enclosure within the exhibit. It's where guests get to see these dapper-looking birds clumsily waddle around on the snow-covered surface or diving gracefully into the waters of the indoor pool. Many of them are seen idling by either at their nests, the fake rocks, or at the edge of the pool with little concern of their spectators standing behind the glass barrier with fascination and glee.

If you're hoping to get a close look of these birds, then lucky for you! For a phenomenally nominal fee, you can feed and pet them at your leisure within the exhibit.* Watch as these little guys will start swarming around you to observe and hope to get some fish out of your hands.

Then you notice some smaller text at the bottom of the Cold Spot's description.

* – The Oceanarium™ will not be held responsible for the animals' behavior, and any injuries or losses gained from them will not be compensated for as per agreement in the terms and conditions written in your waiver. Please take caution when interacting with these animals.

Other than that, if you're not up to paying for meeting penguins, there are a couple of penguin statues and a photo stand-in of a penguin with its face cut-out so you can pretend to be one just for laughs.

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❖ Operation: Free Willy

➤ Location: Aquatheater

Built for family-friendly entertainment, this area is an enriching experience for both you and our finned friends in captivity. The Aquatheater is made to hold more than a hundred guests to view over the stage – a large oval pool where our handlers hold the highly-anticipated marine show featuring our highly trained cetaceans and pinnipeds performing the most captivating acts of acrobatics in and over water.

But as it turns out, there was more to it than meets the eye.

Maybe it's something you caught word of before entering the facility, but you heard rumors that there were plans from the staff behind the scenes about getting rid of one of their poorest performers in the bunch. The Oceanarium has a bit of a seedy reputation regarding the welfare of these seafaring mammals, and have even called into question how they handled them in captivity. You don't know what they'll do to that poor creature, and wouldn't want to think the worst of it to happen. Frankly it's not your business to pry, yet you feel you have to do something if any of that is true.

Now driven to save the creature, you and your partner sneak into the backrooms and make an attempt to set it free.

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❖ Submerged in Shadow

➤ Location: The Abyssal Zone

You figured there's a good reason why this exhibit is called The Abyssal Zone, as it is almost pitch black inside upon entering. This makes it impossible to read the brochure in such darkness. And the only sources of light that you could find are the tiny LED lights embedded on the floor to illuminate your path, and the soft eerie blue glow coming from the fish tanks.

Apparently all of the specimens featured here are mostly found within the deepest trenches of the ocean and are highly sensitive to bright lights. That would explain why the attendant from earlier discouraged you to use flash photography. The tour guide mentions how a handful of them are species that have been around since the prehistoric era. They even proudly boast that the Oceanarium seems to be the only marine park that has the rare "Deep Sea Pucker-Faced Lanternfish" in captivity, thought to have been extinct during the Paleocene era. Seeing how these species of fish managed to survive for over millions of years makes you wonder what else could be lurking beneath the depths.

You then take notice of a few fish that seem to be glowing by themselves. One of them at a distance looked rather... humanoid in shape based on the silhouette. Though maybe you're just seeing things.

"...Oh and did you know?" you hear the guide continue, "Some of these fishes are able to produce their own light naturally – mostly to lure in their prey."

Somehow, you're getting the sense that you're being watched by whatever it is behind the glass.

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❖ Deep Fear

➤ Location: Basement-Level Research Laboratory

⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️
 
Slight body horror.

Something's wrong.

Your body swiftly jumps and aches as your nerves begin to connect to your sudden awareness. It's like you are weighted down with lead for muscles, your limbs are uncooperative at every attempt. Not only that, but there's an odd sensation coming from your hands and feet like they felt stuck together. And for some reason, it's become a chore to breathe through your throat as you rasp loudly. And as you awake, bright lights glare before your eyes and you immediately shield them away with your hand. And that's the first oddity you've discovered – the skin between your digits are stitched together, webbed like fins of a fish. The second is finding yourself atop an operating table.

A sharp chill takes over you completely.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary before you got here. But whatever reason you have for visiting the Oceanarium, someone had their sights on you and knocked you unconscious when no one's watching. And now you've found yourself in a strange yet horrifying predicament. Everything about you has changed, and you dread how your life will be like from this point onwards. It's become certain that you've regretted ever coming to the park in the first place.

There's no time to think about this any further. There's only one goal in mind right now – You have to get out of here. And you can only hope and pray the people running this place don't catch you if you're spotted.

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❖ Relaxed, Refreshed & Resurfaced

➤ Location: Gift Shop & Café

Had enough excitement for today? It sure seems like it.

Well, your time here in the Oceanarium is finally over. Maybe you got to learn a thing or two about the sea, that you found some appreciation towards our fishy friends. Or maybe you've just decided for yourself that you're going to stay far away from the ocean permanently. Either one of these is a valid response really. Just don't let the staff know about the latter part.

But before you leave, the tour guide encourages everyone to stop by at the gift shop and bring home a souvenir or two for you and your friends. There's Oceanarium-themed keychains, fridge magnets, bottle openers, t-shirts, baseball caps, and even plush toys of critters such as penguins, dolphins, octopi, a legally distinct clownfish, or the pucker-faced lanternfish that you can have as a new companion on your way back out.

Alternatively you can sit back, relax, and grab some bubble tea or try out some fish and chips at the indoor café. Of course there's more options you can choose from in the menu, with some food items specially catered towards those who are either vegan, vegetarian, have specific allergies, or just a really picky eater.

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❖ Wildcard!

➤ Location: Anywhere

If you're not feeling any of these prompts, or have some other ideas in mind, then go wild!

You can mix and match scenarios or come up with your own. Swap roles where you play the villain and your partner would be the hero or the other way around. You can even expand the setting with new locations, or AU it up and rebuild it into your own version of the setting if you'd like. There's no limits to what your imagination can create. It's free real estate here, and the world is your oyster! (No pun intended.)

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

🐠 A Watery Wonderland

[Being confined in his own home for seven years, Luke doesn't get out... well, at all. And ever since he was whisked away to the wild open fields of Auldrant, he's been taking in a lot of new sights and experiences that he'd never find in his stuffy old manor. Visiting the Oceanarium is just one of many. Even though there's nothing like this in his world.

Like a kid in a candy store, his eyes dart around the tunnel in awe, unable to hide his fascination towards what he's seeing. Surrounded by the bluest waters, fish of all shapes and sizes, these are things he's only been told and read about. He never imagined what lies beneath the ocean would be something so beautiful. And he didn't even need to learn how to swim to see all this!]

This is cool! It's a lot better than the view of the Qliphoth!

[In all honesty, anything is better than looking at the Qliphoth.

Eager to get a close look, he leans towards the glass with both hands and the tip of his nose pressed against it. Spotting something that catches his interest.]

Hey, what's that thing over there called?

🐧 Close Encounters of the Penguin Kind

[Luke's perfectly fine standing outside of the enclosure to watch the penguins. Compared to how he reacted at the tunnel, here he's only shown to be mildly interested with them. And the interior design inside the exhibit only reminds him of the snowscapes of Keterburg.

He's mostly being merely curious as to how these birds live their lives without the ability to fly. (Though he'd rather do without hearing their loud honking. Why do they sound so terrifyingly awful???)]

Hmm, they say they're supposed to be like royalty. [A slight head tilt.] I don't know, I'm just not seeing it.

[He's possibly speaking from experience here.]

🎁 Relaxed, Refreshed & Resurfaced

[As it turns out, the Gift Shop has a fitting room for fashion items. And there were a few things that did catch his fancy. Eagerly he exits the fitting room to show off his new threads to his ~~potential fashion critic~~ companion.]

Check this out! What do you think?

[No, he has no idea what the shirt's saying actually.]

🃏 Wildcard!!!

[If you got something else in mind, hit me up here or PM me! You're free to go ahead and come up with a starter too.]

[As someone from 19th century France, all Vanitas can do is regard the clash of colors and patterns with bleak horror, like he's seen a eldritch abomination come to life and devour all sense of style Luke might have possessed. Yet what can he say when the shop is full of such atrocities? Clearly there's a market for these things?? Unless they're all meant to be gag gifts, which he supposes may be possible...

So he holds his tongue briefly, trying to find some words - any words - that won't come across as abject disgust. Finally:]

It's... colorful.

[A brilliant observation from the guy who dresses mostly in black and white.]

[Come now Vanitas, you're just being overly-dramatic! This is clearly the peak of current era high fashion. These clothes rival the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton! Not even Dior would dare take these to the catwalk simply because they're too great(ly gaudy in style.)

...But none of those mean anything to Luke since he's from another world entirely. And he thought some of these are kind of cool. Only kind of. He's not the biggest fan of fish, but sharks are cool-looking. And the shirt's art is pretty neat.

Still, he can tell when someone disapproves of his fashion sense.]

You don't sound like you mean it.

[Be honest now, doc. Luke's a big boy. He can handle constructive criticism!]

[Overly-dramatic kind of IS the name of the game with him... Though perhaps he is being a touch melodramatic. Except THEY MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT!! NO GUCCI!!! Honestly, Luke reminds him of a tropical bird with all those colors. Not even the refined restraint of a peacock, with its jewel tones. More like a flashy parrot...

There may be some merit to these clothes, but Vanitas is yet to see it, honestly. And what's with the words on his shirt? He doesn't get it either.

Clicking his tongue, he lightly shrugs.]

How can I not mean a mere statement of fact?

[He's holding it in... for now. Because clearly this kid needs professional help (of the stylistic sense.)]

[Well he ain't wrong. It's colorful, but he's getting the feeling Vanitas isn't taking him seriously. At least, he's not wearing this beautifully garish tee to compliment his style.

Why is that in stock, you ask?

...Yes. Anyway.]

Whatever. I think it looks cool.

[Luke's metric of what is cool may be a little skewed. It can't be helped that he takes his fashion cues from a few magazines he's picked up during his confinement, and his own imagination.]

Kind of weird this shirt has these funny-looking symbols on it. Are they supposed to mean anything?

[It's difficult to take a guy seriously when he's dressed up as bright as a Harlequin... Though Vanitas questions the MILF shirt, because he has a feeling there's a joke in there he's missing. Otherwise it's just a fish shirt? Strange...

Fish stock.......]

Well, if you like it, that's what's important.

[Truthfully, Vanitas shouldn't throw stones either, give his penchant for bows and black. Though he is a touch more traditionally stylish with his formal attire. Terribly out of place here, however.]

Undoubtedly, though what I'm unsure of what. Perhaps you'd best not wear something whose meaning you don't understand. You may send the wrong message.

[The 21st Century is such a strange, strange era. The kids nowadays are spouting out nonsense like "aura farming", "chat am i cooked?" and "labubus" like they mean anything. These shirts may as well offer the same kind of vibe to a man from two centuries back. The fishiest kind of shirts in stock. :) ]

Huh? [He stretches his shirt to look at the strange letterings printed on it.] What does it say then?

[Though he isn't illiterate, he might start to come across as one. Besides, this isn't even in fonic!! Why are they so straight and rigid???]

Luke fon Fabre | Tales of the Abyss

Relaxed, Refreshed & Resurfaced

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Close Encounters of the Penguin Kind

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Penguins

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Close Encounters of the Penguin Kind

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