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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
What you see when you turn the corner is a cornered beast ready to strike. A gangly, lean shark merman vampire, with sharp blades of blood sticking out of his palms, wearing nothing. Two more blades stab out of his head to form horns, as the vampire grits his larger-than-normal teeth into a forced grin, rearing up to look bigger than he is, one hand stabbing into the wall for support. He looks confused for a moment, seeing a cat instead of whatever he expected, but gathers his bearings quickly.]
A cat...? [His voice is raspy and wheezing, a creature that can't get air in his lungs but doesn't need to breathe.] Get out of my way... I've got no time to waste on you...
no subject
But those large teeth and protrusions made of blood are enough to make him keep his distance. His current body is one of the prettiest he's ever inhabited, having once belonged to a cherished pet that died in its sleep without experiencing any injury or trauma in its short life. It'd sure be a shame if it ended up being torn to shreds by this thing.
The way it pulls itself along with its arms while struggling to talk is nostalgic. He smiles, then moves off to the side, technically getting out of the way as demanded. When he opens his mouth to speak, the voice of a young boy emerges, bright and curious. ]
Where're ya going?
no subject
At least it made way... But whatever that presence is, even if it looks like just a cat, Nagiri doesn't want to turn his back to it, or crawl next to it. It gives him goosebumps. Bracing his back against the wall opposite of the cat, Nagiri drags himself along the wall with his blades awkwardly. The damn fin on his back makes itself known by getting in the way, and his tail flops awkwardly, being no help at all in keeping him upright... But he keeps his head up with dignity, glaring down. (Even if he's shirking away from a damn cat, refusing to take his eyes off it...)]
Away. [Is all he wheezes at the cat in response. "Fuck off" remains unsaid for now, only because talking is difficult, but his tone clearly implies it.
(He does have the complexion and body heat of a corpse, but he's alive, in some sense of the word. But right now, he might just smell more like fish than death.)]
no subject
[ the open hostility in the creature's reply doesn't diminish the cheerfulness in his at all. Sticking to the opposite wall, he easily keeps pace with its crawling, tail held high and swishing gently as if he's strolling down a sunlit forest path instead of this darkened, dismal hallway. Throughout his existence, so many people have regarded him with contempt and suspicion that he's long since learned to take it in stride. So that glare doesn't bother him one bit. He simply returns it with his own steady, watchful gaze. ]
You're gonna scare a lot of people looking like that.
[ just a glimpse of a shark's fin can be enough to send humans into a panic. Or so he's heard. If whatever this being is actually makes it out, a vision from a nightmare spilling out into those crowds he passed through earlier... well, it should be interesting to watch.
Maybe he'll even get a meal out of it. ]
no subject
Nagiri draws one blood blade back into his body and punches the wall, letting out something that sounds vaguely like a breathless swear. Why is dying instantly the best-case scenario here?! Is that the only way out?! No, there has to be a way to survive!
If he was at the height of his power, this would be no problem at all... Even without legs, his invulnerability and power would let him slaughter his way through this whole damn aquarium. Scientists, Hunters, by-standers, even this cat! And he wouldn't feel a thing! But now... he's this pathetic...?
No, he's still Tsujigiri Nagiri! Even weakened, even if he's a fish, he's the most feared vampire in the world, right?! All he needs is blood! Just enough that he can cut through all the walls in his way and escape into the sewers or something...
...He glances at the cat, considering. Weighing the amount of blood against the effort it'd take, including that spine-crawling feeling he gets... No, he doesn't know what the cat can do. A small body like that barely has enough blood to make it worth it.
Nagiri slides down to sit on his tail, running the bladeless hand over his forehead with a groan that sounds more like choking.]
Shit... If I just had more blood... [He mutters to himself.]
no subject
Well, maybe the two instances aren't comparable. None of that girl's glances ever made his hackles raise like this one, even if it's just by a little. Then again, this is a predator by all appearances, however sorry it looks right now. Should he really be surprised?
His fur settles again when it sinks to the floor and groans. Ah, poor thing. There's really no reason for him to worry. Plus, the way it's acting all but confirms to him that it isn't a demon. No matter how much fondness it may hold for a certain form, no demon would allow itself to become trapped like this—himself included. To escape from anything, a demon merely has to discard their previous body and become incorporeal again, as uncaged as air or light or shadows. Nothing further is needed. Certainly not blood.
He cocks his head, considering. After all, he's still hungry. While this isn't a human, he might be able to use it like it is. ]
How much blood d'you need?
no subject
...What's that question for...?
[Was the cat going to offer to get him blood? Sounds dubious... But if there was any chance of it actually happening, then... He grins.]
If I slashed all the scientists in this aquarium, that'd be enough blood for sure... Kihihi... [He lets out a breathless laugh, imagining it. Those bastards would get what they deserved, and he'd have all the blood he wanted... And after a bloodbath like that, nobody would ever forget the name Tsujigiri Nagiri.]
no subject
The cat looks at the creature doubtfully. While he's no stranger to singing for his supper, to borrow a human saying, that usually results in a proper agreement and the subsequent birth of a witch with magic of their own that make getting his next bite much, much easier. But in this situation, when he has to rely on something that can't even move around without struggling... ]
Will you really be able to catch so many, the way you are? How 'bout just one or two of 'em?
no subject
One or two...? If I can catch one or two, why wouldn't I get the rest of them while I'm at it...
[After all, the more blood he has, the easier it gets to hunt down others. His senses will sharpen, and he'll be able to find them easily, too. It's so obvious to him he doesn't see the point in saying that out loud.
Suddenly, a thought occurs to him.]
Hold on, are you doubting me...? [He leans closer with a glare, teeth exposed.] You think I can't slash even one scientist, just because I don't have legs... Is that how pathetic I look to you, cat?
[Talking this much without air in his lungs sure is a pain in the neck, and wheezing isn't making him look any less pathetic...]
no subject
Nope. I think you can handle one, or two. But a whole group's a different problem.
[ his voice is flat, all traces of his earlier chirpiness gone. ]
Say they come walkin' around that corner right now. [ with a sharp swish of his tail, he indicates the end of the hallway. ] When you don't talk, you look scary enough that they'll probably run away to get more people to drag you back into your prison. Then it's probably over for you, right? So you can't let a single one escape.
Can you do that, without legs?
no subject
[That's... a good point! And Nagiri hates that a cat's making that much sense!]
Don't underestimate me, cat... If push comes to shove, I'll summon all I've got and launch myself at them. Just one slash and then... They can run away and bring more for all I care... I'll be ready...
[He can create blood blades anywhere he wants, including his tail, which should get him enough purchase against the ground to launch himself properly. He just hasn't done it because it's a waste of energy to create more blood blades than he needs, alright? And he's got no need to tell the cat everything about his abilities, either!]
no subject
He'd better be able to eat his fill after this. Otherwise, it'll just be a huge waste of time, energy, and magic. ]
Yeah? Then prove it.
[ the cat stretches and yawns, exposing a mouthful of small sharp teeth. Then he looks past the creature in the direction of the rest of the back rooms. It crawled from there. Is that where the scientists are? ]
I can get a few of 'em to follow me back here. [ while looking cute isn't the reason he prefers wearing the form of black cats, it's come in handy countless times. ] Maybe all, if they're in one place and I cause a big enough ruckus. Then you can do as you like with their blood.
[ he glances at the beast again. ]
If you're really ready.
no subject
[Nagiri grins. So the cat's going to make himself useful? He doesn't know what the thing's motives are, but he doesn't care. As long as he gets his blood, and his revenge.]
One or all, bring them on... A weakling scientist's no trouble, even in a gaggle of them...
[He moves to a location where he has a wall behind him to kick off of and a clear path to a corner people would turn without seeing him until it's too late. This far, they wouldn't be able to smell or sense him either. It'll work. He's sure of it.]
I'm ready, cat...
no subject
Around a quarter of an hour later, a faint meow drifts through the air, followed by the brisk footsteps of three people and their raised voices. Two men, one woman: annoyed, angry, complaining about the unreliability of the lights in this area of the aquarium and the recent blackouts that forced them to pause their work. With how important their research is and the dangerous specimens involved, isn't it past time they moved to a more secure location that didn't have these issues? Now there's strays running around knocking over samples—honestly, what a pain, trying to catch a black cat when it's so dark, they wouldn't be able to see their hands in front of their faces without these flashlights?
The cat trots back around the corner. The beams of those flashlights follow him, shining through the hallway that's nowhere near as pitch-black as the scientists seem to think it is. He meows again. The sound, pure and innocent, sounds farther away, originating not from where he is but from where he last saw the creature lurking about.
He doesn't go all the way there. Instead, in one graceful motion, he leaps onto some machinery tucked away in an alcove. The scientists go right past him with flashlights extended, fully unaware of what lies ahead. ]
tw: blood, body horror?
But when he hears the meow, the footsteps and the voices, he grins. Heh, so that's how it is... Hypnotizing them into thinking it's a blackout, how convenient. Now that he thinks about it, maybe causing a real blackout and waiting for someone to come fix it would've been a good plan, too. He'll have to keep it in mind if he ever ends up in this kind of a situation...
When the scientists are in his sight, Nagiri launches himself. Get ready for a shark torpedo, assholes!
He makes contact, headbutting one with his blood horns goring right through, and spreading an arm and forming a blade on his forearm to stab right into another one, knocking them right off their feet before they know what's going on. He lands on a heap with the two under him. He licks his lips as he pushes himself up and turns to the third, who's frozen in shock and confusion. With the blood his blades absorbed rich and strong in his veins, Nagiri grins and points at the third one, forming a long, spike-like blade from his fingertip to stab them from a distance, right as they're about to start screaming and running. The third scientist faints from fast bloodloss as Nagiri recalls the blade, absorbing their blood through it.
All of that took less than ten seconds, and now he's feeling stronger, more alive than he's felt in a long time. His body feels warm again, and he can sense the call of warm blood elsewhere in the building, too... Tsujigiri Nagiri is back in business, baby. Feeling giddy with his new powers, he lets out a dry giggle.]
Kihihihi... Not bad, cat...
[Out of habit, he left the three scientists alive, though the one gored is in a critical condition. Nagiri absentmindedly presses a hand to that one's wounds and opens his scar, drinking in whatever extra blood he can get.]
no subject
Yeah. Not bad. They really didn't stand a chance.
[ he hops down from his perch and approaches one of them. There's no reaction when he steps onto the body and climbs up to peer down at the face. It's pale, the eyes unfocused. Underneath his paws, a coldness is starting to spread. The chest scarcely moves with shallow breaths and a slowing heartbeat. Death is close by, but not here just yet. Maybe it's still possible to save this life.
But why would he want to?
The cat makes himself comfortable atop the soon-to-be corpse, sprawling out the same way he would in a patch of sunlight. He watches the creature drinking blood... through its hand? Huh. ]
Why not use your mouth?
no subject
Told you so... I'm Tsujigiri Nagiri, after all...
[Come to think of it, he hadn't told the cat that before now. Now that Nagiri's got some of his strength back, he should really start telling his victims his name before attacking them, spread his fame again... Being a mermaid is going to make everything more complicated, though. With his luck, people will start thinking he's a mermaid copycat of Tsujigiri Nagiri... Ugh.
He watches the cat getting on the dying human with mild curiosity. It sure looks happy. Maybe that kind of thing is what the cat likes... Well, Nagiri's seen worse.
Speaking of worse, Nagiri makes a face at the cat's question.]
And touch them with my lips...? Gross...
[Does he look like one of those pervert vampires? Sucking in blood with his blades is much more convenient, so he's not going to go out of his way to put his mouth on anything he doesn't have to.]
no subject
It's not too strange. After all, didn't one of the stories about the beginning of humanity start with a pair of them in a garden naming everything they could see?
A soul is a much better way to know a being by. He hasn't forgotten a single one he's eaten. His gaze stays on Nagiri while his tail thumps softly and haltingly against the ribs of the dying person beneath him, following the rhythm of a faltering heart. What kind of soul does he have? Would it be more bland and straightforward, like an animal's? Or closer to a human's, rich and complex? ]
So you're not gonna eat 'em? If you're drinking their blood, you might as well, right?
no subject
The cat's question has him get even more disgusted. What the hell is this cat's deal?]
"Might as well"...? If you're drinking coffee, you don't eat the coffee grounds... And I'm not a damn cannibal.
[It's technically not cannibalism since he's not a human anymore, but if you need to say it's "technically" not cannibalism then it's too close, in Nagiri's opinion. He's got standards. And anyway, does the cat even know what coffee is?
Well, whatever, he's lost his appetite. He takes his hand off the bleeding wound and pushes himself off the pile of victims. He's gotten enough from them already. Might as well hunt down some more.]
cw: blood, gore??
... but it looks like Nagiri is done here, so the cat doesn't voice any of those thoughts. Instead, with a lively carelessness, he says: ]
Suit yourself.
[ he rises and walks on the body over to the other two in turn, examining them in much the same fashion as he did the first. As he expected, there's no hope for either one. The third—the one that Nagiri skewered with his horns—is in particularly rough shape. Heedless of the still-flowing blood, he makes his way up the torso. The last gurgles of a life ending are too faint to drown out the slight squish his steps make on red-soaked clothing and flesh. ]
I'll take it from here. [ he stops at the collarbone and sits. Setting a paw on the lower jaw, he pushes down on it until the mouth gapes open. A sudden spasm from the body splatters his tail with a fine spray of blood, but he doesn't react at all. He stares down into that wide, dark hole, waiting, not even looking at Nagiri when he speaks again. ] Thanks for the meal.
no subject
He watches the cat go about things, a bit curious where this is going. He grimaces slightly at how gross that twitch is, but it's not like he hasn't seen worse over the years. Well, if that's what the cat needs to eat, whatever... But if it's going to eat those humans, Nagiri would rather people didn't mistake it for his doing.]
If you're gonna eat them, don't leave anything behind... And you're welcome, I guess...
[Well, now that Nagiri's got his blood, there's probably no need to stick around with this cat. He prefers keeping his prey alive so they'll spread word of him, so if the cat's just going to kill them, they're not going to work well together.]
no subject
It happens in seconds. The very instant the human stops breathing, the cat darts forward, practically shoving his muzzle inside the mouth, then draws back with his fangs sunk into something invisible, something long that he yanks out and away, holding it down with his paws while he tears at it viciously with claws and teeth, devouring it with great bites. Then the body jerks and goes still for the final time.
The cat raises his head and licks his lips, then his paws, not wanting to waste a single scrap. ]
Don't worry. It'll be like they weren't ever here.
[ already, the corpse is starting to vanish as if it's no longer flesh and blood, but something far more insubstantial, easily swept away with a single swish of the cat's tail. Within a minute, it's completely gone. True to his word, nothing remains to mark its existence. Even the spilled blood around it has disappeared.
He turns to stroll back to the first body—but then he pauses, looking at Nagiri. ]
Though, those other scientists might come lookin' once they notice these guys aren't back yet. Are you gonna stay?
no subject
Yeah... Good.
[...The cat's got a point. Being able to ambush the scientists when they come looking would be useful. He could attack them all and take their blood, and the cat would get rid of the evidence, and...
And it would be like Nagiri was never here to begin with.
Suddenly, he feels like he's in a rollercoaster and trying not to throw up. Unbalanced and feeling shaky, sick to his stomach.
He grits his teeth and glares at the cat, trying to look unaffected.]
No thanks... I've had enough of this place...
[He turns and starts crawling away like before, dragging himself by his blades. He needs to get away from this cat. He can't attack anyone else in this place, or the cat will erase them.
Like they never existed.He suppresses a shudder.It'd be smart to work with the cat. It'd be easy to work together. If Nagiri was a creature of pure logic, he'd absolutely decide it was the most efficient way. But he can't stand even being near this cat right now. It feels like his very way of life is completely incompatible with this cat's way of doing things. His instincts were right from the beginning.]