There must be something in the water

[maskormods]

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!

Comments

☂ { Evil spirits flowed, she drank the blood like lemonade

[numberthree]

[ Allison Hargreeves has seen this movie.

She didn't like zombies any better when it was her brother's egging for watching them, or herself playing a bit part in the early stages of her Hollywood career. Having them suddenly real, and mobbing, for no better phrase, out of the water at the Swear-In crowd, as her brother stumbled about trying to make himself useful and figure out a power he'd been running from all his life, was even less of a reason to like them.

At least for anything other than target practice.

There's a clear, brutual simplicity to her thoughts that never exists anywhere other than a fight, and she gives over to it without a thought after she runs down with those who have. There are no ifs and buts, no careful plans, no trying to remember be or do or choose anything, when her entire world shrinks down to her opponents and taking them out. When it's the blissful crunch and crack of bones she gets from slamming a creatures head with the back part of a chair she broke on him only half a minute earlier, and following it with a kick to his chest that sends him falling back into the waters with a crashing splash.

The one going down, even as she hasn't yet spotted the one that's rage-running directly for her back. ]

[irwins]

[Shaun may be an Irwin, may be used to getting up-close-and-personal-ish with the undead, but close combat with zombies is downright suicidal where he's from. So he watches the woman with something between admiration and an oddly detached academic sort of horror.

She's good in a fight. That much is clear.

He glances back at George, just momentarily before he notices the revenant that Allison hasn't spotted. Shaun doesn't hesitate, sweeps his gun to aim, squeezes the trigger. A gun shot rings out and the water-zombie drops with a splash.]

Don't let them bite you!

[numberthree]

[ Allison's training is deeper than any choices she's made since leaving home, maybe any choices she's made in her life, and so when a voice yells something from one direction, the same time as gunfire, and a splash comes from the opposite side of her -- it's the second she turns to, not the first.

Your opponents and your surroundings always before any distraction, any interactions.
Another desiccated body is sinking beneath the waves as Allison steps out of the surf.

Close enough for wreckless baiting still, but not enough space to hide a body, to give them any chance to yank her under like some of the people have been. It's a fairer fight for her if her feet stay on solid ground. But without a close enough next target -- even though there are several still headed in toward the beach -- she does throw a look toward where the voice had come for.

There's a slightly surprised look, for the kid from the network, holding a gun. But all the same, she gives him a two finger salute from the from off the side of her brow with a smile. The last things she's worried about is anything biting her, when she's not going to let them even touch her. Still, she appreciates the cover. ]

[choosetruth]

[It should be pretty obvious advice, but it's amazing how often people forget to be careful. Or don't have a choice in the matter, since it's not like zombies really ask permission.

George steps up next to Shaun, keeping an eye out for his blindspots. She raises her gun and shoots another revenant before it can get close enough to even qualify as a threat.]

You okay?

[She certainly looks okay. If Georgia had any vanity, she'd probably be jealous at how completely picture perfect the woman looks. How can someone look so clean when fighting zombies? ]

[irwins]

[Shaun shifts, barely a noticeable change in his posture, when George approaches. He doesn't have to look at her to know; it's all muscle memory at this point in time. That thought alone is so comforting it almost distracts him.

Instead he's waving at Allison, cheerful enough even as he scans around to make sure none of the other soggy undead are showing up for the moment.]

Nice move with the chair by the way. Very vintage wrestling. [Really vintage. Pre-rising vintage.

Movement to his left has him raising the gun to aim a headshot at another revenant that has decided to poke out of the water. But he doesn't miss a beat.] George, this is Allison. Allison, this is my sister, Georgia.

☂ + Mental Network

[numberthree]

[ Allison's look toward the girl joining them is more just evenly appraising and muted because questions are harder when she doesn't have the time, and she certainly doesn't have her notepad now. It was left on the deck with Ben's book, and her bag, and the rest of the people who hadn't fled entirely.

Shaun waves and hers eyes go back to him.

Then, to the girl. Georgia. The sister Shaun had mentioned.

There's no real change to Allison's expression as she makes the decision. She doesn't have the time for thinking about it out here, and Shaun helped, and Georgia was someone he'd spoke of like he trusted. A second later a small text box appears before each of their visions, lower and to the side of in front. ]

To: Shaun & Georgia Mason

Nice to meet you.

And, thanks. For the cover.

cw implied adopted sibling incest

[choosetruth]

I know who she is.

[Georgia sounds stiff and uncomfortable, even moreso than usual. There's no good way to say "I saw you in a weird shared sex dream I had with your brother." It raises way more questions than she wants to answer.

Then words appear in her eyes and she swears, dropping to a crouch before she can rock the boat.]

What the fuck?

[irwins]

[Shaun glances over at his sister at that tone. He has no idea what is going unsaid here (which may be for the best? somehow?) but he knows there's something.

But then he's startling at the floating words too. Nifty trick.

Without thinking, on pure learned reflex, he's reaching out to settle a hang against Georgia's back to make sure she's steady before looking back to Allison.]

Huh! [Very interesting trick.] But yeah, don't mention it. Every person not bitten by a zombie is one less zombie to worry about. [At least back home. They haven't gotten confirmation about whether these revenant things can spread the walking undeath to the living.]

[numberthree]

[ Allison's brow only crinkles marginally at the tone, as well as the words the girl had said. How exactly it was Georgia knew her, without Allison knowing her. Whether it was the constantly over-invasive nature of this place, its network, and its mad fans of everything imPort. Still training is deeper than superfluous questions in the middle of a fight, and Allison dismisses it for now. ]

Mental Network, for combat and mission communciations.

So, what is the game plan here? We just keep hitting them down until they stop coming out?

[choosetruth]

[Georgia doesn't need a mental network to communicate silently with Shaun. She gives him a look that clearly means later, then turns back to Allison. Right, she can deal with this.]

Unless you have a better idea. Or some underwater grenades.

[irwins]

Man, grenades would be awesome. Why don't we have grenades, George? Add that to our shopping list.

[Shaun bemoans with his usual flair for the dramatic, working to change the subject, even if he spares a faint half nod. Later works for him. Explanations can wait until the dead are back to being dead, for good.

He turns to Allison and gestures towards the water, letting the joking fall by the wayside in favor of getting down to business. Shaun is in his element, as weird as that is.]

They're coming from the lake. The resort has shit all for defenses, so the best outcome is keeping these assholes from getting up there. Go for the head if you want 'em down to stay.

[And then, cheerfully enough.] And since we don't know if the swimming undead are as contagious as their terrestrial cousins, don't get bit don't get scratched don't get dead.

[numberthree]

[ She doesn't miss the tiny interplay between them, but she doesn't actually care about it beyond the noticing either. Not more than to make her wondered where her brothers might be. To acknowledge they should regroup.

Still, the silly to severe is something Allison takes with easy aplomb and only the faintest press of her eyebrows when he makes a very Klaus-like complaint, before dropping it entirely. Her response contains no sound, given the format, and the way her eyes are back to scanning the waves in a meticulous fashion. ]

So just like all the movies and the books. Sounds easy enough.

[choosetruth]

Only if you promise not to try and juggle them. Again.

[Bickering with Shaun is second nature. Both because it's fun and because it enforces the impression of their relationship most people have: normal siblings.]

The movies were surprisingly accurate, turns out. Probably why our world survived when the people in the movies didn't.

[irwins]

Why do you hate fun?

[Sigh. But he nods in agreement with what George has to say.] George Romero, patron saint of the zombie apocalypse.

[And even if these undead aren't the type to spread their undeath, it can't hurt to follow that formula, tried and true as it is.

This is when the sound of shambling splashing catches his attention again, and his weapon swings out over the water.]

Our friends are back. Let's do this.

[numberthree]

[ Their bickering reminders Allison a little of her siblings. Though she and her siblings didn't bicker in the middle of fights. There were different rules and regimens and requirements that went deep as the bone for what they did during a fight -- and they all did it flawlessly, and viciously well, in tandem with each other.

Especially Number One, Number Two, and Number Three.

Allison turns without a response at that; toward the shambling bodies beginning to break the surf. Training deeper than any need to respond, even if neither of the young Masons' is her leader, or that she's even had one in over a decade and half. In the back of her head, she knows she needs to find Luther. Find her siblings.]

[choosetruth]

[Bickering in fights has always been encouraged for Shaun and Georgia. It plays well on the cameras, and it shows their minds are still sharp and functioning properly. If one of them can't come up with a comeback, well, then you might have to start worrying. It could be a momentary lapse in creativity. Or it could be the virus starting to assert itself. Only time or a blood test will say for sure.

Her main camera's still focused on Shaun, but she touches the button camera pinned to her collar to start it recording Allison as well. You never know what footage will come in handy. Especially in a world with superheroes.]

Don't get dead.

[irwins]

You heard the lady. [Shaun agrees, chipperly. He may not know what cameras George actually has in play, but he's sure there are at least a couple. Ostensibly, the wink he gives is for the camera, but it's also entirely for George's benefit too.]

Here we go.

[Shaun, borrowed boat paddle and gun both in hand, starts for the water to meet one of the emerging revenants.]