maskormenacelogs | There must be something in the water

There must be something in the water

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Lake Tahoe, the Nevada side
WHEN: May 17 all day
WHAT: Swear-In
WARNINGS: Some violence

Welcome imPorts new and old to the lovely city of Jeopardy! For the five minutes the swear-in is here, anyway. See, there’s been some unusual activity at the (relatively) nearby Lake Tahoe. The Better Believe It Museum of Cryptozology has appealed to the government for help, and the powers that be generously volunteered this Swear-In as a chance for imPorts to be voluntold to help. Of course, you can always skip the swear-in or just decide to kick up your feet at a nice lakeside property in May, but the local natives would really appreciate the assistance. So much so that they’ve rented out a legion of party buses to transport you from Jeopardy to the museum in style. Yes, there’s a bar and snacks (though only juice for the kids). It’s about a three hour drive, try not to get too sloshed on the way over.

Just what is the issue? It seems that Nevada’s most famous cryptid, Tahoe Tessie has...well. Been seen. And, yes, of course, there is that whole museum you are going to at the edge of the lake dedicated to fuzzy, shaky-cam ‘sightings’ of Tessie and other cryptozoological marvels over the years, but this is different. Like, ‘oh no, we actually found her’ different. And by all appearances, Tessie’s pretty pissed at being found. Any boats that attempt to go out into the lake are sunk, divers have vanished to never be seen again (whole, anyway. A few parts have washed up), and police have noted a sharp increase in random, violent attacks around the lake shores.

That’s where you come in.

The museum has requested Tessie be captured and transferred into their crypto-aquarium where she can be studied (and rubbed in the faces of all those ‘real’ scientists that called them crazy over the years). There are other options, though. The police are just fine with you killing the creatures; let the scientists dissect the corpse. And a very well funded individual party is more than willing to pay an exorbitant amount to the imPorts that hand her over to them.

While you ponder about the ethics and money involved, here’s the lay of the land.

First there is the cryptid museum itself. Not the tidiest of places, the museum is three floors of winding narrow aisles between shelves heaped with curiosities and walls covered in fuzzy photographs with plaques explaining what cryptozoological marvel is depicted in them, or poster sized print outs of ‘testimonials’ of alien abductions, bigfoot sightings, etc, along with artists interpretations of events described. There is also, of course, quite an expansive gift shop. Get your BELIEVER t-shirt before supplies run out. Please no powers in the museum, the owner is quite forceful about how everything in there is one of a kind.

For those of you not into monster hunting, or hunters that need to recharge, the cryptid museum is right next to a resort that has thoughtfully opened its doors to imPorts. It’s lingering around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit at the lake, not exactly swimming weather, but there’s charming outdoor seating, fire pits to gather around, and free drinks and finger foods abound for every one to mingle with. There’s plenty of nice walking paths around the lake, some low-key events like horse shoe tossing or croquet to pass the time with. Just a nice break by the lake to recharge after a rough month.

Then there’s the lake itself. The locals have provided you with canoes, small fishing boats with radar, diving suits and snorkels, fishing nets, pretty much anything they could think of that will help you catch dear old Tessie (if you have a specific request for an unusual item, ask here if it will be provided!). A certain eccentric (the one offering cash money for Tessie to be turned over to them) even provided a one person submarine for use- though it doesn’t have any arms to grab with or much in the way of catching power, the gesture was still nice?

But catching a cryptid isn’t that easy. See, turns out that surge in violent attacks isn’t just dear old Tessie. If you just pressed A and skipped to the lake itself, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. Those that took time to view the museum first, or chatted with the hotel staff about local legends, will have some warning of what is waiting for them. They’ll learn that in addition to cryptids lake Tahoe has a very real monstrous history- it’s a known mob mass graveyard. Through the 1900s, possibly up to today, the lake served as a very convenient spot for mobsters to send people to ‘sleep with the fishes.’ No one knows how many bodies have ended up under those placid waters, but it’s an unpleasant number. Just an interesting historical tidbit until you actually enter the lake. There you’ll see these dead are, somehow, awake. And not that happy about it.

The lake is crawling with revenants. These angry undead will fight tooth and nail anyone that comes into the waters of the lake, trying to pull you down to meet the same watery fate as them. We’re literal on the tooth part, their bites are strong enough to rip out chunks of flesh. They will follow anyone that disturbs them out of the lake, focused on destroying the life they no longer have. These creatures will need to be destroyed or laid to rest for the lake to be safe again. This can be done through sheer physical assault, break enough of the bones or destroy the skull and the creatures will collapse into the muk. Or they can be put to rest one by one with rituals specifically made for putting the dead to rest (from any religion or philosophy). Those that can talk with the dead and have the dedication can talk the spirits into releasing their mortal coil and returning to the void. Just remember their first emotion is rage at the living, and their first instinct will always be to attack. Those going for a more peaceful route may need back-up to keep the creatures at bay until they start seeing results.

Finally, there’s Tessie.

While legends have reported, and the cryptid museum lead you to expect, a more serpentine creature, characters are once more in for a surprise. Those that finally get past the undead to Tessie herself will discover she is none other than a legendary lusca: half shark, half squid, all attitude. For those still trying to apply biology to this, Tessie’s front half looks like a bull shark, a species infamous for its ability to swim in both salt and fresh waters. There is a little good news: unlike the revenants, Tessie isn’t looking so hot. Some of her tentacles are rotting off and teeth are falling out. She is mostly working to avoid anyone that wants to bother her, darting to deeper waters and running away from close encounters. Anyone that does get too close will face a fight, but it’s that of an animal in its death throes. While an unlimited number of characters can see Tessie, the final decision of what happens to her will be decided by a poll.

After a long day at the lake, imPorts are bused back to Jeopardy in the same party buses. Hopefully still more or less in one piece.

OOC PLOTTING AND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED HERE!

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[Diego's no stranger to a fight, even with the weird and unusual-- admittedly the dead were really more his brother's area, but at least he can see these particular dead things. They're brutal, ruthless, and angry, which is fine by his count because it just means they're fair game. He grew up in such a way that death to anyone-anything, so long as it was for the ever-arbitrary "greater good", was really just a game to be played on par with tag for most kids. He is entirely in his element in a battle, has fun with it in a way most soldiers don't tend to have about them.

He hears the banter between the two and it brings a smirk to his face, reminding him of the way things used to be, once, between he and his siblings. He kind of misses--

Shit!

Distracted by his own reminiscing, Diego finds himself being yanked into the water by one of the revenants. Apparently, they're smarter than they look, because it's grabbed him in such a way he can't get to one of his knives to throw it. He tries to get out of its grasp, squirming against its hold, throwing his entire body weight against it, but to no avail.]

Fuck!

[Georgia turns the cameras towards Diego’s struggle, which is more instinct than anything else. Instinct she’ll feel bad about later, but she’ll have the footage either way. She points her gun, but she can’t get a clear shot without risking hurting Diego, and that could make things so much worse. She runs through her options quickly: her strength and flight mean she could probably tear Diego free, but there’s still risk of him getting scratched or bitten. She doesn’t know if these zombies work the same way hers do. She doesn’t want to find out. Plus, while she doubts she could actually get hurt, she suspects Shaun will have trouble not panicking if he sees her in danger.

There’s really only one plan that makes sense.]

Shaun, use your powers!

[The splash catches Shaun's attention first, because this is the sort of situation where splash is not at all a good sound. A quick glance to George shows her trying to line up a shot, but he can tell as quick as she can that she doesn't have the angle. Not with all that movement.

Shaun is already holstering his gun in motion when he hears his sister's voice, and yeah actually that's a good idea. He'll just pretend that was totally plan A (actual plan A was using his pilfered canoe paddle and doing some bashing, but this will be much safer and quicker). And nod at George with a grin. He's got this.

He closes the distance between himself and the man struggling the the revenant. His hand snaps out, Intent on closing around Diego's arm. His power snaps out -- a little too far at first, encompassing Diego, himself and the revenant. But he dials it back until it's just him and the other man, phasing them both out of physical contact. The water zombie can grasp and grab as much as it likes; it'll pass through both of them like they're not even there -- at least as long as they're in physical contact.] C'mon. Out of the water!

[Diego might have had objections about some stranger using unknown powers on him if he...wasn't about to be dragged to a watery grave. As it is, he's too focused on doing everything he can to prevent the ghoul from dragging him under.

When the guy grabs his arm, Diego's whole body feels like it's under a muscle spasm and, at first, it didn't do any good because the power sank its hooks into the revenant as well.]

Shit! [The revenant tries to grab him again, but Shaun's shifted his power to just the two of them and it misses its target. That's all the split-second it takes for Diego to snap into action, following the stranger's demands the second he gets his feet under him to scramble toward the shore.

For good measure, he whips out of Shaun's grasp and back toward the revenant and curves two daggers, which go in wide, opposing arcs and both land in unison at the temples of the ghoul.]

[All good? Cool. Now Georgia’s gun is pointed at Diego’s head because, well, pulling him away from the bad guy is only half the battle. She doesn’t want to save him only to have him bite her or Shaun. They know how this goes far too well to take stupid chances.]

Were you scratched or bitten?

[Her voice is entirely too calm for someone holding a gun and pointing it at another human being, her aim steady. Only Shaun knows her well enough to catch the tension hidden behind her sunglasses. Being practiced at this doesn’t mean it’s fun.]

Whoa. Nice throw.

[That was genuinely impressive. And Shaun can admit that, even as his sister has Diego at gun point and he's reaching for his gun as well. George has it handled, but he's here if it comes to it. He knows full well how tense she is. His own weapon is in hand, and he thumbs the safety off, but doesn't level it just yet. He does take a couple steps back.

He's waiting for the answer to George's question too, but he adds,] Can't take chances with the undead.

[And if this guy was bitten, well, he supposes they'll find out if this sort of undeath is catchy or not.]

Thanks. [He's totally smug and smirky at the compliment from Shaun and not at all trying to hide it.

The gun the woman has trained on him seems to not phase him at all, or at least, it and her questions only seem to confuse him more than anything else.] I don't think so... why?

Chances of wh- wait, you think I'm going to become one of them? [That's directed at Shaun, an incredulous look spreading across his face.]

They do have zombie movies where you're from, right? [She raises an eyebrow behind her sunglasses.] We live in one. You learn to be sure. Now show me your hands.

[The rest of him seems armored up enough that he's probably okay, though she'd murder for a working bloodtest. If his hands and face are okay, she'll lower the gun, though she's not lowering her guard til she's a whole lot more sure.]

You should probably listen to her. I've got two decades of learning that lesson that says it's definitely the best choice.

[Shaun offers a shrug and a grin. But his gaze is sharp, still fixed on Diego. He doesn't look like he was bitten, but he's on George's side for this. They need to know. Seeing his hands should be enough to go on for starters.]

[He's going to have to process this whole 'living a zombie movie' thing later, but for now, he checks himself over at the pair's insistence.]

Yeah? [He smirks.] I gotta sister like that too.

[He's pretty well covered with his gear and what bits of skin that are visible aren't handing over any evidence of injury.] All clear. [A beat, hands still lifted, he realizes they have no reason to actually trust him and even adds:] You can check for yourself if you want.

[He wouldn't be so willing, in a normal situation, but he'd really rather not be shot 'just to be sure', here.]

[Georgia glances over at Shaun, then lowers her gun. She doesn't put it away, though that's not personal. Even if they had a bloodtest for Diego to prove he's clean, she'd keep the gun out. They're in an area swamped with zombies. She's not putting down her weapon.]

Fine for now. No sudden moves, though.

Sisters, man.

[His gaze flickers to George as she speaks. Shaun nods his agreement with his sister, letting his weapon track down, still out because yes, the dead still walk. And swim.]

But hey. Congrats on remaining among the living.

[Shaun's posture eases, superficially at least, and he flashes a grin.] Try to stay that way. It's better to take these assholes out from a distance if you can.

[He doesn't remark on the comment about sisters, but there's a look thrown Shaun's way all the same. A kind of commiserating brother look.

He swings his attention back to the woman.] If it's all the same to you, I'd rather make a headcount of my siblings. I'm sure some of them are running around in all this mess.

[He flashes Shaun a thumbs up at the "among the living" comment.] I'll be more careful, don't worry. One near-drowning is my limit.

Oh, you've found a better way to contact them than "yelling at strangers?"

[She hasn't forgotten his entry to this world.]

[Oh hey. George knows the guy. This alone is enough to set something in Shaun's mind ever so slightly more at ease.]

How many siblings are you headcounting?

[Because Shaun's met one big family here, or least a couple members so far, so he's actually got a guess.] You're not another one of the seven little Hargreeves are you?

[He just gives Georgia a little half-hearted glare, but doesn't actually respond to her. It's Shaun's question with his last name already in his mouth that gets his full attention. If there's any amusement found in the way he'd asked the question, it's nowhere to be found.] Actually, I am. Which one of us do you know?

He's the seventh, I believe.

[To arrive here, she means. She doesn't know their numbers.]

Luther and Allison.

Those are the two I've met too.

[Shaun adds, cheerfully enough. He considers making a "Luther should probably count for two" remark and instead adds,]

I'm Shaun by the way. Sounds like you already met my sister.

No I'm not. [The words roll out of his mouth so fast, they're practically overlapping Georgia's own, as soon as that number is out of her mouth.

His mouth twists in a shadow of a smirk. Why is he even surprised?] Of course they're the ones you've met. [He shakes his head a little and waves vaguely in his own direction.]

Diego. Yeah, she didn't approve of the way I went demanding for my siblings. [He doesn't really seem so bothered about that fact.]

[George shrugs, her face bland and expressionless.]

I've met your siblings. I wouldn't precisely call us friends, but I like them enough I wouldn't turn their locations over to someone who sounds like they tend to stab first, think never.

You realize that describes like half the Irwins on staff, right?

[He half mutters to Georgia, mostly joking. MOSTLY? Mostly. Okay so most of them are stab/shoot/explode first, ask questions at some time to be determined rather than never, but you know. It's a hop skip and a jump away.]

Speaking of stabbing, that was really something before, with the knives and the... [He lifts a hand to tap at his temple in a quick tap tap sort of pantomime.]

I would... [There's a blip of hesitation. He's honestly made up of too much brutal honesty to not just be real about it; He manages a facial shrug before he finishes that statement:] be incredibly less likely to stab my siblings.

[He can't help the slightly smug smirk that comes to pass his lips at Shaun's comment, though. Look. Look. He lives to be impressive, okay. Shut up.] It's pretty handy.

[If there's anything Georgia appreciates, it's brutal honesty. Even when it's about stabbing people. She shrugs and glances at Shaun.]

The people our Irwins aren't asking questions to are already dead.

[Shaun appreciates brutal honesty, but his approval is shown with a surprised laugh,] Not ruling out the sibling maiming. I can respect that. I think George has me on a sliding scale from "signs point to no" to "how have I not stabbed him yet?" on any given day.

[He does however nod.] Most of the time, true.

I think my sister probably has me on that same scale on a regular basis, too. [A beat passes and he glances over his shoulder, at nothing and no one in particular before he focuses back on the pair of them.] Speaking of my sister... I oughtta see if I can find any of my siblings around here. I can think of at least one of them who's likely to end up in trouble if he gets caught up by one of these guys. And-- uh... thanks, I guess. For not letting that bag of bones sink my ass. [The gratitude fits wrong in his mouth completely, but it exists in the world now all the same.]

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choosetruth - 2019-07-04 22:59 (UTC) - Expand

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There must be something in the water

4 {Fight or fall, it's one for all

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