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[3.8★] "Too much water" — Yelp Reviewer
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.
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!
- 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!
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!
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:
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?"
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.
Then you notice some smaller text at the bottom of the Cold Spot's description.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
Relaxed, Refreshed & Resurfaced
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.]
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...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!]
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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.)]
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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?
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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.
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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???]
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"Women fear me, fish love me." So I think you're into some kind of weird aquatic kink there, my friend.
[He'll just assume the poor boy doesn't read the language. It's the kinder assumption in this case. The only reason he can read it is because he was well educated by someone...
And meme rules, but that's neither here nor there.]no subject
Seriously!?
[HARD STARE AT HIS SHIRT]
Who would put stupid lines like that on a shirt!?
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Oui. Quite serious.
[He merely smirks in amusement, chuckling darkly.]
Someone who thinks it will sell, naturally. And clearly it's worked on you, has it not?
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S-Shut up! How was I supposed to know that's what it's said?!
[Uuugh, this guy's getting the same vibe as a certain bespectacled colonel.]
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Hahaha! You could simply have asked first! But no matter-- It suits you quite well.
[Is he serious? Teasing? Seriously teasing?? Hard to tell!]
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Quickly he looks away and tries to hide his embarrasment.]
Ugh... I'm taking this off.
[On the plus side, he hasn't exactly bought it yet. So he takes a moment to return to the fitting room and come out back to his usual attire — flowy white coat and belly shirt and all.
...He's keeping the hat however.]
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Vanitas, you're eighteen, you numbskull.While for the moment he holds his tongue as the other gets changed, there's definitely an amused smile playing at his lips. This is more entertaining than he expected.Chuckling, he folds his arms in his cloak.]
A wise decision. Although I don't quite understand the words myself, it's best not to tempt fate with them.
[Well... That's a mild improvement? And yet Vanitas can't help being a bit more of an ass.]
I believe you've selected a shirt several sizes too small, my friend.
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Excuse me, who made you the fashion critic? This style's all the rage back home! I paid a lot of money for these!
[Never mind the fact that it's probably a trend that only caught on for a really short while back in Baticul. But Vanitas doesn't need to know that--]
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Have you not seen my attire? [He walks in a small circle, peacocking for all the world to see.] Peak fashion, this is.
[Honestly, he can see it working during the summer perhaps, but now that summer is giving way to fall, he thinks it's about time to change styles.]
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It looks stupid and girly, that is.
[Luke.................]
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It's dignified and refined, I'll have you know, you damnable bumpkin!
[Oh little does he know...]
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Refined, my ass. I've seen nobles with outfits a lot more dignified than your tacky get-up.
[Don't take his word for it. Luke's just being petty.]
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Tacky?! Who're you calling tacky, you half-dressed pompous twit?!
[Guess who is equally petty... Him. It's him.]
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Hah! Is that supposed to be an insult? I'll have you know I'm dressed the way I am because I know I worked hard on these muscles!
[COME AND STARE AT HIS ROCK-HARD ABS!!!]
I bet you're just wearing all that puffy stuff just to cover your wimpy build!
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Oh~? So you're the sort to show off how flashy you are then, hmm? Let's see you deal with this--!
[He's not entirely wrong about the lack of muscle, but rather than being lanky, he's more sleek buff. --and he proves it by suddenly whipping out one of his knives to try slashing at those exposed abs, dancing forward with practiced ease.]
Come, then! Show me what you've got!!
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What the hell was that for!?
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Come, now! Move your body, not your mouth!
[What he lacks in strength he more than makes up for with speed, coming after Luke again, dashing towards him with a swing each time.]
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Are you crazy? I'm not fighting you!
[He would draw his sword to defend himself by now, but the limited space within the gift shop makes it difficult to do so. Any wrong moves will only end up with him shredded into pieces by a madman, or worse — hurting some innocent bystander along the way. Yeah, no, that's not happening.
With a bit of quick thinking Luke tosses the shirt and jacket on his hand at the doctor's direction in hopes of landing on his face and distracting him. Once that's done, he immediately bolts it.]
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Then you'll die!
[Is he serious?! He sure sounds like it... Somehow he manages to avoid tipping over the various merchandise, only once slicing a single shirt hanging on a display. Thankfully there's not too many people mingling around near them... It gives Vanitas enough space to press the assault--
--until Luke chucks the clothes at him, catching not only his weapon but him in the face. It's a sound plan that goes well...! Until Vanitas yanks the shirt from his face and swings his blade -- sending out a wire from its hilt to wrap around Luke's ankle and trip him up.]
Got you now--!
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1/??? ahh I guess I'm doing this lol
2/???
3/4
4/4 THERE. DONE.
LMAO POOR LUKE IT'S WELL JUSTIFIED
thanks for the trauma, doc--
all part of the treatment~
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