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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
Oh, I got a car out back. [He's not telling him more than he needs to know!]
[... to be fair, Bro is an amateur! All his tools are going to be cheap!]
What were you plannin' on doing with that tiny knife?
[A question for a question! Whales have thick skin and lots of blubber.]
no subject
[said calmly, though his gaze is just as suspicious on Bro. then he says]
You know you probably can't fit the tank in a car, right.
[So cagey... ^^;;; ]
Relax, I won't have to. The whale doesn't gotta fit inside anything. They're gonna fit it.
no subject
[Sounds like Bucky's from the Greatest Generation!]
Hey, I don't do free shows. [Firmly, getting quite annoyed.]
If you wanna see, how 'bout you gimme a hand?
I'll hold this end... you grab the other an' take it to the other side of the tank.
We just gotta run this under the big guy an' then, the motor'll do the work.
[Sorry, Bucky, a little longer before you see the whale trailer, first thing's first... weird contraptions! Bro doesn't have super strength, so his method involves tarp, rope, and the motor of his trailer, which he'll be happy to show Bucky if he'll help out!
(To be fair, Bro doesn't expect Bucky to be super strong either, so he won't know if this cobbled together pulley system is totally unnecessary...)]
yes that's the one!
or he could follow this harebrained scheme and see what happens. maybe it'll make his own extraction plan easier. probably not. he stows the knife at his hip, shrugging]
It couldn't hurt for this thing to get some fresh air. I'm sure it's bored.
[Knewit was either Greatest or Silent! Aaand now rping the whalr, fff.]
One very confused whale is going to be watching what they do, keeping away at least initially, but still watching them curiously all the same.]
just make the sounds or think about the whale from one piece
he takes the tarp one handed, raising an expectant brow at Bro]
[I have not read One Piece, but there was an orca in Black Jack! Ballad of the Killer Whale]
Perfect. Keep holding that, will you, big guy?
[Oh, boy, overly friendly nicknames, just what we're missing. Bro's heading to the other side of the tank, while the whale swims in a corner away from the tarp, until it sinks below the surface.
Curiosity getting the better of it, the whale dove to investigate it, only touching the unfamiliar addition to its tank at first with its nose and trying to push it, but didn't swim onto it.
It emerged a little later, blowing water... directly onto Bro, who swore and made a fist at the animal. Great going, Bro!
The whale retreated a little, but Bro tried to butter it up a little, which was very silly.]
Hey, relax...! I didn't mean to hurt ya... look, we're just gonna take you for a little ride, see...? C'mere... just get on the tarp...
[He's trying to tug the tarp so it moves under the whale now! It's a lot heavier under the weight of the water, Bro's definitely struggling with moving it... he might have to bait the whale, unless Bucky can get either of them to move...]
op will make you cry so its ok!!
Bucky sighs. he doesn't drop his end, but he does walk up to the tank, pressing a hand to the glass]
You've got to calm it down, at least.
[I usually like crying!! ... but don't have the energy for long-runners anymore, fff]
[He looed suspiciously at the whale. The whale seemed to like Bucky more than Bro, leaning closer to touch its nose to the glass, where Bucky placed his hand. He's calmer, less erratic and hostile than Bro, making a couple of clicks. It can even see through them and even see how fast their hearts beat. It might not necessarily understand Bro's lying, but his heartbeat certainly doesn't make the whale feel at ease!]
... think this whale'll like tuna?
[Bro's bringing out a half-eaten tuna sandwich.]
over 1000 chapters i do NOT blame you its been years since i was caught up
Bucky tries not to make a face at that.]
Well, it isn't a fish...so maybe.
[Totally! Some works are scary long. I fell off track with Detective Conan!]
... how'd you do that? [Sudpiciously, perhaps even a little enviously.]
ohh my god i forgot thats one of the longest running manga!
I have a friend who knows a thing or two about sea creatures.
[Yyyyep, although, at least, the main plot-focused episodes are considerably fewer?]
Yeah?
[Three's a crowd, Bucky...]
This friend'a yours here?
[He's already trying to decide whether or not to eliminate people...
He chucks the handful of tuna scraps rather carelessly into the tank, quite irritable...]
it makes sense since its been so long
He isn't. But I'd rethink whatever you're deciding if you want to make it home to your loved ones.
[Yup, most of it is episodic mystery of the day type of stories, but clever]
He started to feel anxious, maybe like he should give up on the whale, but he tried to laugh it off, perhaps too loudly in his attempts to sell it.]
C'mon, man...!
[Mind-readers might not make any sense, but nothing about this guy was normal... the whale thing was weird. Why was it staying so close to him? Was he tricked? Everything about this guy was weird! He didn't even... really have anyone to come home to anyway. It's whatever. Wait, could he hear that too?! He was starting to sweat, afraid, instinctively stepping back.]
no subject
You come on. Whatever you're gonna do with this thing isn't gonna be worth it. You should just get out of here.
[The evil has been defeated! ... at least, for today]
... whatever. I'm outta here!
[He considered reaching for a weapon again, but not to fight... to cut that rope he's glancing back at, but he's so scared of Bucky and his creepy little camaraderie with the fish, he's done! He can cut the rope when he runs back to his car! He didn't need to spend another second with these freaks! As he ran away, the whale sprayed him one last time to add insult to injury.]
rip bro's confidence for all of 5 mins
Yeah, I think Namor would love to have you on his side, hmm? [that takes care of that complication,]
[The whale has been recruited!! ... it was Free Willy after all, huh]
(The rope was cut, losing any tension and falling, discarded.)
Excited at the prospect and more than a little happy to be rid of Bro's unsettling prescence, the whale shot up to the surface and made a big splash!]
i think i loved that movie as a kid but ive forgotten all the plot
[okay, if he's going to make due with his plan, it'd be time about now. nodding to himself, Bucky grabs a device from his pocket and it sticks plainly to the side of the tank. it doesn't beep, but it does blink red at certain intervals]
This'll let my friends know you're ready to go.