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

Tch... Let's get the hell out, then... [Nagiri wishes he got to those people first, but at least they're out of the way. That said, he's not opposed to hiding, either.]

[He's not bleeding, his blood reserves are just low! Most of the blood he may have had on him has been absorbed, vampire-style, and his wounds close fast. That said, he's practically covered in thin scars, mostly around his arms and hands, but if you look closer you can find them basically anywhere you look. The deepest, biggest scars are on his palms, so Bucky might even be able to feel them with Nagiri holding on to him.

Still, Nagiri doesn't even consider them injuries, so he blinks in surprise at the question. Why is this guy getting gentle all of a sudden...?]

I'm... not hurt, what the hell... [Swearing to try and cover up the slight shake of his voice.]

[he sees them, he feels them, he smells the blood, naturally. it's certainly concerning, and Nagiri dragging himself around certainly worried him--

despite his efforts, the shake of his voice is discernable, and Bucky picks up his pace]

Good, then. We'll lay low for a bit, make sure no one's noticed. Then get out.

[Don't pity him! Nagiri hates that! Not that he knows what Bucky's thinking, but he's trying his best to not seem weak in general. He's got his pride.]

Good... You can just drop me off in the nearest river after we get out...

[Since there's no way he can go back to his normal life in the city without legs. It's not like he'll miss anything from where he lived. ~~Or so he tells himself, trying very hard not to think about the people he'd miss.~~ He'll just find some new place to live and drink blood from fish. (And fishermen, hopefully.)]

[if he thinks Bucky's just going to throw him into a river he's got another thing, and probably a decent set up via the Avengers, coming. Maybe even Namor the king of Atlantis...]

...You're fresh water, but you're a shark, huh.

[That sounds like something Nagiri would try to run away from, so good luck with that!]

...What? Something weird with that...? [Nagiri may not know the difference between a freshwater and saltwater fish.]

[to be fair, anyone would run from Namor.

he hums softly, a questioning noise]

No? I don't really know much about sea life. Besides a few things a friend beat into my head.

Well why'd you wonder about that then... It's all the same water anyway.

[Spotting a security camera near the ceiling, Nagiri points towards it.] I'll wreck that, get me closer...

Cause some creatures need seawater and some--

[ah, the camera. one he'd missed. sloppy on his part. but he comes to a crouch rather easily, even with Nagiri on his back, and begins to creep near silently towards it]

Seriously...? [Is he supposed to live in the sea now? No way. Even sewers would be better.

Nagiri waits silently, gauging the camera's reach and his distance to it, and lowers his head to make sure he's not caught on camera. Then, as soon as he's close enough, he points at it and forms a long, thin, rapier-like blood blade that stabs right through it... But the blade is more brittle than Nagiri expected, breaking apart as easily as the camera. Nagiri swears under his breath, withdrawing the blade. It wasn't as much damage as he'd like, but at least the camera's clearly not going to work anymore.]

[as he watches, he's reminded a bit of Laura, of Wolverine, as well as the first one. but instead of bone, or steel, it's very very thin and apparently brittle. but can still do enough damage]

Good deal.

Good deal...?

[He repeats in confusion. Is that some kind of slang Nagiri doesn't know about?]

Whatever, just keep going...

[yes, and its a slang the old man here doesn't need to use again, either.

but he nods, and does continue]

You got it.

[Well, he'll grab onto Bucky again and try to be as easy to carry as possible, but with nothing else to do other than that, that slang phrase will keep bothering him. A "good deal"? Was it a good deal to get blood blades as his power, or was it a good deal for Bucky to get Nagiri of all people to carry like a damsel? What did that even mean?

He won't voice any of these thoughts out loud, just lets himself be carried wherever.]

[Bucky would certainly be amused to know Nagiri's thinking about this so hard, and also thinks he's being carried like a damsel (more like a piggyback situation), but they walk through these halls, and it's quiet. Not a soul.

But they're getting closer to the exit of this section, quickly, and into normal patronage]

[Just being carried by someone and not being able to walk on his own makes it a damsel-in-distress situation, in Nagiri's mind!

When his ears pick up the sound of crowds of ordinary people (which is from pretty far away, he's got big ears) Nagiri tenses against Bucky's back. He's not a fan of crowds even normally, and now that he's a mermaid, he's just going to get stared at...]

Its fine. You've got that hood.

[he does sort of worry about nosy people, but if you just ignore them and don't act suspicious people normally lose interest]

[Having this hood does bring comfort, actually. It's basically the only thing he's still got. Still, he scoffs, not all too comforted.]

Don't have pants though... With my luck, I'll get struck with a public indecency charge...

[As if the cops would take "mermaid tail" for an excuse! But he'll try to take Bucky's advice and just ignore people. Maybe he'll be lucky just this once.]

You'd be surprised what the cops don't want to mess with.

[the smart ones who nope out of there when something looks weird. no one seems to be looking, maybe a few curious kids so far]

What, they don't mess with you...?

[Cops who nope out when something looks weird have all probably left Nagiri's hometown ages ago. Anyway, Nagiri avoids eye contact. Get outta here, kids. Nothing to see here.]

I tend to avoid them. [and his reputation isn't the best so...it's more government agents??

anyway, the kids are distracted by sharks or whatever]

Huh... Same. [That's good to know, less of a risk of encountering cops today.

Good, ignore the half-man, half-shark. He's not even swimming. Real sharks are totally more interesting.]

[There's the exit. it seeemmms like they'll get out of here safely--

and no one even jinxed it as they push through the door, fading into the crowd that gathers around the entrance]

That was easy. They don't have a tracker on you, do they?

[Huh, that was easy. Too ea- Nope, not jinxing it, not even in his thoughts.

He hadn't even considered a tracker, and the idea makes a cold chill run down his back.]

They better not...! [Nagiri starts checking himself over, but where would they even put one? He'd already checked his whole body to see the changes when he woke up like this. There was nothing, but... They did surgery on him, so they could've put it inside him...? Those fuckers...! No, but there's no proof there's a tracker, right...? Hands shaking, he grits his teeth, expression darkening.]

If they track me down, they'll regret it...

Well, if they did, we can check. If there's anything raised beneath the skin, that'd be it.

[he doesn't check Nagiri over, obviously, but he easily conveys this info as though he isn't too worried so]

Anyway, where to?

[...That tone of voice does make him calm down a little. The idea still makes him feel itchy and wrong, but he can save checking for later. (He doesn't even register the "we" part of that sentence, too used to dealing with everything alone.)]

Like I said, just drop me in the nearest river, or sewer... I'll figure things out from there.

[Figure out things like how to swim with a mermaid tail. Shouldn't be hard.]

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