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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.)
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[Truly an embarrassing state of affairs when he has to be rescued by a young lady from an earlier time than him, but needs must! When it gets right down to it, there's nothing to be done for it except hauling ass once the coast is clear, which Vanitas does with aplomb. He's quick on his feet and puts plenty of distance between him and the offensive little beasts before hurriedly examining his clothes. No rips, luckily, but it might smell of fish for a while. Hnnngh.....]
What is with these devil creatures?! You would think they could tell when one is out of food for them!
[Any enamor he felt towards them has been quickly quashed by their horribly rude behavior. Stupid birds.]
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[Is this statement correct or even a fact? Well it's not like Shisui knows— she's seeing these bird like things for the first time in her life. Though if the penguins are still hungry then maybe that says more about their caretakers than anything else...
She does however, point at the enclosure description, which declares that the aquarium was not to be held liable for any injuries or losses caused by the animals.]
Well the staff did kind of give a warning. Of sorts.
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[They sure didn't seem to mind tearing him limb from limb! (This is an exaggeration.) Most likely they keep the birds hungry so that they can snack when visitors come, although the ethical treatment is up for debate. He'll be speaking to a manager about this!!
And yes, okay, so the sign did have that warning, such as it is. It's still not enough to get him to admit fault just yet, as he merely crosses his arms with a huff.]
They should have specified the rowdy buggers don't know when to quit!
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Maybe, but the description also says the penguins swarm around for food, so it should be a little expected that they'd do that.
[She's working off her experiences with other birds and insects here— and also Maomao the cat.]
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I still maintain it was uncalled for and unnecessary of them! They should learn to wait their turn!
[Vanitas, plz... They're birds, not people. Get a grip, man.]
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They're birds. I don't think they really care about waiting in lines.
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Well they should! Order is paramount! Bad enough they go wherever they want without reason. They could at least show a little sense of restraint!
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Hehe, I wouldn't call it 'going anywhere they want without reason' since they're kinda stuck in here.
[She pauses for a moment to stare the penguins before mumuring under her breath.]
Well maybe thats why they're prone to attacking.
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Hmm... I suppose you may be right about that. Being imprisoned here day in and day out may make the lot of them restless.
[He joins her in staring at the foul creatures, debating.]
...should we free them?
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On the other hand, she's currently a fugitive in her own country, on the verge of leaving said country entirely to escape her possible (very likely) execution. Compared to treason, helping a few animals escape a cage can't be that bad, right?
....Besides, she doesn't like seeing any living thing caged and suffocated for their life when they could be free.]
Mhm, we should! Though we should probably make a plan first.
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They may get arrested and thrown in jail (nothing new there) or chased and hunted (there either) but it seems like a better alternative to simply leaving the annoying flightless birds to rot in their admittedly decent prison.
Thus, it's jailbreak time!]
Indeed. We can't simply open the doors and expect them to waddle to freedom. We'll need a method of transportation first.
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They could probably jailbreak themselves if it came down to it. Probably.]
Ice to make them comfortable too, I think. [She gestures at the enclosure that's covered in ice.] Also a place to drop them off....where even is this aquarium? Where do penguins live?
[The first roadblock: knowing nothing about penguin care. Or penguins.]
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So long as they leave him his lock picking tools, he'll bust them outta wherever they end up! Hell, maybe he will even without them.]
Hmm... I wonder where we would obtain such large quantities of ice...? [The more in depth they go, the crazier and unfeasible this idea sounds.] I suppose we should start with where to stash them while we make arrangements to get them to the north pole.
[Bzzzt! Wrong answer! Clearly these two are the perfect pair for the job.]
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For her sister who does not know on the other hand...well it was safer that way, for her sister.)She's about the respond to the ice issue before the words "North Pole" are spoken.] The— the what? How far is that?
[She's from 15th-16th century Not-Imperial China— or well, probably in that range— unfortunately they are just starting to explore the Arctics then and the idea of a North Pole is kind of distant to her for very understandable reasons!]
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Once again, he finds some of his useless knowledge coming in handy. Good thing he reads a lot.] Roughly four thousand five hundred kilometres, if I correctly recall.
[It's amazing how much people accomplish in just a few centuries, isn't it? Though even in his time it's no less distant, they've made great strides in exploration.]
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That's so far! How are we supposed to transport all of these— [She gestures wildly at the couple of dozen penguins scattered around.] —that far away?
[Between them how much money do they even have to keep these penguins fed, happy, healthy while also probably being chased by law enforcement till the North Pole?? Truly the dream team for this heist.]
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I know. I'm thinking... [Wracking his brain for some kind of solution!] If we were in my world, we could borrow-- [Steal.] --an airship. Alas, we are not, thus rendering the notion moot.
[They're at least smart enough to think these things through before acting? That's something to their credit....]
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There's a lot of water here....is there a boat anywhere nearby? [Okay she doesn't think thats the case but it wouldn't hurt to voice it as a possible option.] Or— the staff had to have transported these penguins somehow, right?
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Ah! They should have a dock nearby, I believe, yes. [He thinks he saw mention of a marina on the way in...] This is also true. We could simply ship them back in the same way. Good thinking!
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Oh thats good then! But...all the issues about keeping them healthy are still there even if we have a way to transport them. [Do they even have a way to transport the penguins. Shisui has lived on land her entire life and is also a former noble woman. She has no idea how to work even the smallest of boats.] And how do we get them out without alerting anyone...?
[Justice.....might have to wait.]
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Tch... A valid point, I'm afraid. It seems we are at an impasse. [He has a rough idea, but there's no way two people could steer a boat big enough to contain all their penguin captives.] We could smuggle them out under my cloak, but that would take time and I fear we'd be discovered eventually.
[So much for their grand rescue...]
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[Well at least they tried! Though maybe not all is lost....]
Maybe we could complain about the penguin's treatment? In a structure like this there has to be someone that handles all this.
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[Why is he bothering with this again??]
I wish I could say I have faith in people's goodness, but I don't. Selfish creatures.
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Shisui glances at him out the corner of her eye but its not like she doesn't understand that point of view. She doesn't really believe in people's goodness all that much herself. She's had to rely on it for her plan to work...but she's grown up mostly surrounded by syncophants who only cared about power to have much faith.
(And if the dolphin thing is anything to go by any complaints might be discarded)]
Guess we really are at an impasse then!
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To say Vanitas is a bitter and cynical person would be a vast understatement. Despite trying to claim he does whatever he wants, regardless of other people, he does have a tendency to act to help others. And while penguins aren't human or vampire, they're still creatures who don't deserve to be mistreated. The dolphin, too, honestly.
Sighing, he tucks his hands into his cloak and frowns.]
It seems so. Perhaps we could at least find the birds' feed and ensure they get more of it? That way they don't go hungry for now.
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