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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.)
no subject
[When they start begging for food and fight you for it, then perhaps they're no different from them.]
no subject
[They definitely have the air of monsters. As Emil stares at them, he frowns and groans suddenly, holding a hand to his forehead. No, Ratatosk, we can't jump into the enclosure and fight them, they're not hurting anyone... No, not even to fill up pages of the Monster Book!]
no subject
[Well, there's a good reason why. But at the same time, the world's fate is at stake. He didn't have much of a choice but to take it down.
Luke does notice Emil's looking pained and quickly drops his attention on the penguins to worry about him instead.]
Emil? Are you alright?
[The penguins meanwhile remain oblivious as ever.]
no subject
[Emil sighs as Luke notices his pain, kind of wanting to bonk his own head on something. Thanks a lot, Ratatosk...]
I-I'm fine. Ratatosk just, um... He wants to pick a fight with those "penguin" monsters.
no subject
[And then from that response, he just blinks. Puzzled.]
...Why would he want to pick a fight with penguins? They're just birds...
no subject
[Which does mean Emil is offering to fight dragons until he manages to make a pact with one... Well, Ratatosk would probably do the fighting part, but still.]
Aren't they bird monsters? They feel like monsters to me...
[Being the lord of monsters, he does have a feel for these things... But this isn't his world, so he could easily be wrong. Still, it feels like he could probably make a pact with one of these penguins if he defeated one.]
no subject
[Translation: Emil (and Ratatosk too), please don't go fighting monsters for the sake of satisfying his curiosity.]
But monsters attack you when they think you're getting in their way, right? They look way too calm for monsters.
[A few penguins already started approaching towards the glass the boys are standing behind with curiosity in their eyes. But what does Luke know? Emil's kind of the expert here, while he's a seven year old copy of a young noble and not the most knowledgeable on the topic.]
no subject
[It's not really that big of a deal, but if Luke says so...]
There's monsters that are friendly and calm, too. I've met a few. And if we're talking about attacking people that get in the way, well... Ratatosk is like that, too.
[Hey.
Emil gives a playful mental "sorry" to Ratatosk, then kneels down to look at the curious penguins closer, smiling. They really are cute... Hopefully they're friendly.]
no subject
But you know, I think it's cool that you can get monsters to follow you around. So you're not always fighting on your own, and they seem pretty chill too when you get up close to them. That kind of reminds me of Arietta and her monsters.
[One penguin tilts its head at Emil's direction, but quickly grows bored as it returns to its huddle. The rest seem to just be chilling.
pun not intended]...I wonder what these guys think about us?
no subject
Yeah... I think it's nice too, being able to rely on them. I think I'd be a lot more lonely if I wasn't able to make pacts with monsters. [There are times when he wants to be away from all people, and just hang out with his monsters for a while... At times like those, he truly appreciates them.]
Arietta? Who's that?
[Emil and Ratatosk are both disappointed by the penguin snubbing them, but for different reasons...]
I, um... I don't think they think much of us...
no subject
[Luke takes one more look at the penguins. He watches a few of them diving into the pool, while spotting some others roost with their bellies on the snow-covered ground.]
Well it's not like standing here and gawking at them is going to keep their attention.
[Though it sounds like Luke's starting to lose interest in them too. They're not exactly doing anything exciting...]
no subject
[Don't say that, Luke, Ratatosk is starting to have ideas on how to get their attention...]
U-um, well, it's not like we can really do anything with them unless we pay extra...
no subject
[Luke hums. He never really had time to stop and think how Arietta felt, but her desire to kill them every chance they meet makes it an impossible feat. Though that doesn't mean he's entirely unsympathetic towards her.]
Oh yeah, they did mention that, didn't they? [For a moment, he looks thoughtful.] Well I don't mind paying for the both of us.
[Thank goodness his mom gave him a hefty allowance for today!]
1/2
O-oh, you don't have to do that! I'm fine just watching.
2/2 [seriously, ratatosk?]
I'll take you up on that.
better make him change his mind!!
...On second thought, maybe we should just move on to the next exhibit.
[The last thing Luke wants is regretting his choices!!!!]
1/2
Tch. Don't offer if you're just going to take it back.
[Whatever, he's got money, he can just pay himself!
Ratatosk, you're not using my money to beat up penguins.
It's our money! But fine, if Emil won't agree to it, seems there's no choice...]
2/2 [emil icon for a ratatosk comment]
Sorry about him... I'll make sure he behaves. If you want to look at the penguins closer, then I'll join you. Um, if you don't mind.
[Emil, meanwhile, should probably be stopping this... but it's kind of funny and he kind of wants to see how far Ratatosk can take this.]
1/2
...Well, alright. As long as he behaves. The last thing I want is getting ourselves into any trouble.
[Famous last words before Luke proceeds to pay for entering the enclosure.]
2/2
Ugh, gross! I didn't think this is how we're gonna be feeding them!
[Luckily they were given gloves as well to hold onto the fish. And Luke's pretty aware of that. But he can't help but feel a little nauseous at having to hold some slimy wet dead fish.
Soon a few of them are starting to approach the boys with expectant eyes.]
no subject
He's going to try and behave for now, since he doesn't want to get Luke into too much trouble. He makes no promises though, just nodding with a soft smile before Luke pays for them.
Alright, gotta keep up the Emil body language, no grinning, act like you're trying not to get into anyone's way...
(Emil's basically eating mental popcorn now, watching Ratatosk put the gloves on as he follows Luke. Wow, Ratatosk, you're actually succeeding...)]
It's just fish, no big deal. [Soft voice, soft voice...] Um, here, let me try.
[He shoves his hand into the bucket a little too brusquely for Emil and kneels down to wave a handful of fish at the penguins. Get over here, you little monsters, and show me what you've got!]