Into the woods and who can tell what's waiting on the journey?

[maskormods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The West Virginia Federal Cryptozoological Reserve
WHEN: September 15th into the 16th
WHAT: September Swear-In
WARNINGS: Creatures of the night! And day. And in-between.

Welcome, welcome, imPorts of all shapes, sizes, and atomic composition! As an acknowledgement of all your hard (or not, for some of you, but imPorts celebrate as one) work over the summer, the government is granting you a sneak-peak of the new Federal Cryptozoological Reserve in the lovely rolling- and now carefully guarded- hills of West Virginia.



It’s only a couple hours drive from multiple porter cities, meaning you’re free to transport yourself or hop onto one of the reserved tour buses waiting to depart from the De Chima, Nonah, and Maurtia Falls porter buildings. The bus ride is relatively low key, with a nice promotional video playing in the background highlighting the lovely forest, mountain, fresh water and- in the case of ocean or ice dwelling creatures- enclosed artificial environments all the newly arrived in this universe creatures can now thrive in. ImPorts are thanked from saving these amazing creatures from a horrible, agonizing death they would have suffered without nanites to stabilize them. The video also makes careful note that while they have given the creatures plenty of space to wander and thrive, heavy security measures are in place. Think Jurassic Park, only with more experienced security contractors and oversight.



The main event is being held in the information center, a beautiful mountainside lodge/mansion with glorious views of surrounding Appalachia. See the trees just starting to turn colors, the lovely rivers and lakes, the blue skies outside the windows. Wander around to read informational panels about various cryptids- including which imPort or government official bagged and brought them in (OOC: to see a list of imPort caught cryptids, click here), read the very short history of the founding of the reserve, or obtain a map of the outdoor exhibits.

At the Mystery Mountain Mezzanine Lounge and Bar enjoy your on the house lunch and dinner and your first two drinks free, whether they be brightly colored, cryptid inspired cocktails like the La Chupacabra Chaser or Kappa Kosmo, or soothing teas, coffees, or juice smoothies (all also creatively named, such as the Lusca Lavender Earl Grey and Bigfoot Banana smoothie). From the comfortable window facing booths, lounge chairs, and couches, you can also watch the occasional (non actively predatory, those are in their own area) flying cryptid pass by, like the gorgeous Olitiau, from behind the safety of bullet-proof glass. Or the slightly more adventurous can go up to the rooftop bar and experience it all with only a few patio umbrellas to separate you and nature. Signs remind you to please don't feed the animals, including the Thunderbirds- they have their own designated blood troughs they've been trained to drink from.



The reserve itself has walkable trails or, for the lazier, a narrow gauge railway that will take you around the major exhibits while serving drinks and snacks. Again similar to Jurassic Park, there are fences separating you from the more dangerous creatures, but the very benign crytipds, like the Fresno Nightcrawlers, are allowed to wander around similar to the native deer and may even come close enough to say hello. All enclosures are large enough that creatures can be outside of curious human eyes if they want to, so be sure to come back again if you don’t see the crytpid you were hoping for!



These paths and rail also go through temperature-controlled glass tunnels throughout the artificial environments, allowing you to look at aquatic or chilly creatures in their man-made versions of native environments. Some of the more aggressive, people eating, creatures may test the barriers from time to time, but don’t worry. It’s the strongest glass known to multi-dimensional technology. It should be fine.

All in all it’s a gorgeous, and surprisingly calm, reserve that managed to spring up over the summer. A place like this seems like it should have taken longer to build with government bureaucracy and all- even the very short history of the location in the main building is rather vague about anything beyond the glorious involvement of the imPorts in helping create this facility and find the silver lining in the dimensional bleedthrough that’s been happening. But don’t worry about it. All the cryptids you helped catch are safe and happy in a place where the public can see them and important scientific research can be performed. Isn’t that all that really matters?

After a nice day of seeing the sites and enjoying the food and drink, the normal swear-in ceremony is gotten out of the way and two last events are underway: the naming and adoption event.

For the naming event, imPorts can bid to have a cryptid of their choice named after them! Or after their friends or enemies. Who doesn’t want to name a blood-sucking slug creature from the bottom of the ocean after their roommate that just won’t do the dishes. Or a glorious phoenix after themselves, take your pick.

The adoption event is perhaps a bit more concerning, ethically speaking, but really there is only enough room for so many Jackalopes or cat-sized Zaratans in the building. For a donation to the reserve and signing a contract agreeing to monthly check-ins from the government on the health and well-being of the creature, imPorts can adopt their very own pet cryptid to bring home with them. All the cryptids available are the size of a Great Dane or smaller and have no powers or abilities beyond that of your average Great Dane. They’re just awesome to have around.



Starting just after these auctions buses will start leaving every two hours for the porter cities. However, people are welcome to stay until dawn, enjoying food, drinks, and picking up a pair of night-vision goggles for walking the trails or riding the trains to see some of the more nocturnal crytpids (the Mothmen, for instance, can only be seen at night). You can even borrow camping supplies and set up for an overnight in designating areas of the Reserve for the really adventurous!


OOC: FOR QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL PLOT INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THIS POST!

Comments

Conner Kent | registered

[callmesuperboy]

Conner bypassed the bus and instead flew in, his mind excited for the swear in. He knew that he was being bouncy, almost like his friend, Bart, but he wanted to see this! The place sounded amazing. He wanted to make his time in this new world as good as he could.

Arriving, he landed in front of the information center and whistled at the sight of it, grinning wider. This was cool! He wandered to read the plaques with some others, and is impressed. It sounded like he had missed some amazing events. He collected a map, then headed into the lounge and bar where he collected a large lunch, and a soda.

He tended to eat a lot, despite being fueled a lot by solar radiation. And this place had some awesome food and drinks. He might have to visit more often! He grinned as he sat on a booth, looking out over the cryptids that moved about outside one window.

Once he heard about it, and lunch was done, he went upstairs to the roof bar to sightsee the flying creatures up close. And if he floated upward to say hi, well, he was not normal. And he liked animals. They all seemed, at least at the moment, utterly friendly.

Walking around the reserve, he was smiling, and saying hello to those animals who ventured close, even falling over when one curious one poked him, gently, and he had not been expecting it. He laughed and tapped its nose in return, and it fled to hiding somewhere. "This is fun!"

Dinner back at the lounge, and then the swearing in. Conner is nervous as he swears in, but he does, anyway. He knows what he is here for, and if things go badly, well, he will cut out on his own. He is already storing money out of banks, just in case. His trust level for governments was low.

He attended the naming and adoption event, grinning as he saw the ones nearby. He didn't bid on names, but he did cheer as others did it, and applaud when someone got one.

He ponders adopting one, but he is not ready, and he lives with others, even if one of them looks enough like Krypto to make him a little sniffly. But no, for now, he will just have to look and see.

He hangs around for the party, because it seems like fun, and seeing the cryptids and talking and partying with others seems cool. he can be found wandering the trails, dancing, and talking while drinking root beer.

Lunch Time

[helpdesk_hero]

When you regularly work with people with enhanced metabolisms and thus needs to seat vast quanta of food, seeing a guy close to your age walking around with a large meal and settling down by a window to watch the mess of weird creatures outside, well, it's all something you take in stride. Or at least it's something David takes in stride because it is genuinely something he's seen before. In fact, what Conner has going on for him isn't much more intensive than what David's used to from the speedsters he's known, so he merely nods at the guy as he settles down to stare at the creature through the window.

"Crazy things, aren't they?" he asks, keeping his tone conversational as he works through a salad and follows Conner's gaze.

Finn | Registered | OTA

[hatejakku]

Finn didn't know what to make of this whole Cryptozoological thing. Honestly, that's mostly why he went. He had heard about the cryptids but never got the chance to see one up close, thankfully. Or he was pretty sure he hadn't. Anyway, he goes out of curiosity.

He snags a few pamphlets from the lodge after reading all the panels and heads for the Mystery Mountain Mezzanine Lounge and Bar for some food and light reading. It's not a crime to know what these things are before he encounters them, and Finn loves going in prepared.

While waiting for a meal and nursing some bright yellow drink, he flips to the next page only for a shadow to pass over the window beside him. He looks and finds nothing but the beautiful Virginian- oh dear God whAT IS THAT!?!?

... After embarrassing himself with a loud, shrill scream in a crowded restaurant, Finn doesn't let the experience deter him from the rest of this trip. Though, when he's outdoors now, he's definiltely a lot jumpier.

He makes a point to check out the aquarium area of the cryptids' habitat. Working in an aquarium for nearly a year now, he finds himself interested in what these sort of creatures look like and what kind of habitats the government provided. Despite the fact that some very large... thing is trying to chew through the glass to get to him, Finn leans forward to see the engineering job on beds of the aquariums, particularly nosy.

Lastly, later in the night after going around pretty much the whole area, Finn makes his way to the adoption event and doesn't really expect much. He goes just to see what kind of creatures they're letting go to other homes, curious about this whole domestication effort.

What he didn't expect were several pairs of large, watery eyes staring up at him with tiniest shred of hope at the prospect of love and family... That's why it's his last stop. Once Finn gets there, he doesn't leave. "Hi... hi..." He speaks softly, petting everything individually, knowing that he absolutely 100% cannot take one or more home. Cannot. No.

... No.



[ ooc: Catch Finn wherever you want. He'll be all over until late in the evening when he finds the adoption place. ]

[flightforfreedom]

Poe is not far behind him, wearing his dress uniform for the Air Force, frowning at all the adorable animals.

He is trying to be strong. He is. Generally he thinks pets are a terrible idea for imports - knows he could port out at any second - but these aren't the normal pets. They're displaced, like them.

And a lot of them are really cute...

He stops in front of one of the dwarf unicorns and tries to look stern, but...

"... It's got an orange mane..." He mumbles to himself.

Harry Dresden | Registered Hero | OTA

[iminthebook]

After finding out where the place was, and visiting it briefly before the opening, Harry was ready to go. He and Wanda teleport in, appearing a little ways away and walking in. He could be found sometimes at her side, but when he was alone, he wandered a lot.

Taking in the beautiful countryside and the beautiful exhibits as he wandered, Harry smiled, loving the sight of these cryptids being protected. He made his way to the Mystery Mountain Mezzanine Lounge and Bar and sampled a drink and food, looking outward to see the cryptids here, too, before just enjoying his meal.

He was somewhat curious at how fast this had all come together, and at the... well, who ran this place, exactly? And who did they answer to? Maybe he would make some covert inquiries. As with most places he went, he could, at various areas, seen taking samples of rock and dirt, and placing them in small vials.

He walked the trails to enjoy the air, but also took the railway once, because who the hell could resist that? He cheered as the railway took them along, as if he was a kid once more. When walking, he did smile and let the cryptids approach, even if he held magic at the ready, when it happened, every time. He was nice, but he as also paranoid. Ish. was it paranoia when half of your universe tries to kill you occasionally? Anyway...

The aquarium style paths were fascinating, and he held his magic close, and his field under tight control, not wanting to disrupt things. Watching the more aggressive creatures testing the barriers made him curious as to how they were fed, and how they were kept...

He watches the swear in, and notes who registers, and who does not. He likes to pay attention to these things.

The adoption event draws him and he finds himself adopting one small cryptid, and naming it Molly. Shh. He grins as he makes plans to pick it up on his way home.

When he learns there is camping as a possibility, he laughs and finds Wanda again, and they gather items to go camp for the night.

Adoption Event

[devilishly_handsome]

Anton is sitting there, petting a small, pygmy goat sized jersey devil.

"I'm trying to think of a name for her. Do you think she looks like a Penelope?"

Ahsoka Tano | Hero | OTA

[foundherway]

Ahsoka had opted to take the bus in, curious to see what path the driver would take them. She'd been told enough about what was expected from this day that it only made sense to go in on one of the earlier buses and do a thorough amount of exploring. Sure. There were plenty of opportunities and ways to get around between the Porter cities. This was just the easiest.

And for the day's purposes, she chose not to bother with the new human form she'd been given. These people would have to get used to seeing a Togruta wandering around. Orange skin, blue and white markings, head tails and horns and all. She had her lightsabers at her belt of course, but didn't plan to use them unless absolutely necessary.

She took her time, exploring and poking her head in everywhere. How quickly she left depended on what she'd find. She wasn't actually looking for trouble! And while she kept her presence in the Force quiet, she would listen to the usual warnings. Just in case. Especially around the animals in the reserve. They just didn't seem so bad, even the 'dangerous' ones behind the extra security, despite the strange and often fearsome appearances of some.

Much of the food and drinks provided were...strange. To her. But she was willing enough to let the waitstaff choose for her.

When it came to announce her choice at the swearing in, she gave every indication of confidence as she threw her lot in with being a registered hero. Expected or not, that was what she wanted to do. Her purpose. And unless shown otherwise, she wouldn't stray.

People who came across her when cryptids were brought out to be adopted would see her eyes wide with delight. One of them, some might call the small, scaled creature a dragon, kept making sounds at her and strained against the leash around its chest (better than around it's neck where it might be strangled) and she immediately paid the donation requested and signed what paperwork was needed.

So by the time she left, there would be a small cat-sized dragon draped between her montrals, tail curled around one and peering around her as she walked. Clearly she'd had no choice in this adoption.

[iminthebook]

Harry saw her during the swear-in and his eyes went wide. Despite knowing other people he had heard of were here, he still fanboyed a little every time he saw one.

When she was at the adopted area, and so was he, he chuckled as a flying cat tugged the leash, nipped at her handler, and then leaped at him, and clung, even as she was chosen as well.

"That is a nice one. Looks like we are both lucky."

He was petting the cat, the what was it? Harry glanced at the sign, oh yes. Pantherine? Yes, that was it. He was petting the pantherine, and it was rubbing on him and purring.

"Alright, alright. I'll adopt you... Molly." he nodded, knowing he had the name right.

Loki | Registered | OTA

[tricksterofasgard]

This event sees Loki quite unlike to how he had introduced himself just a few years ago. No Asgardian robes, armor or massive, horned helmet to have him stick out like a sore thumb. Instead, he is dressed entirely in black, wearing a plain black shirt along with black pants along with a black suit, tie and shoes. He isn't out to gain any attention today, so he might as well make an effort to fit in.

The ride with the bus is plain dreadful. A slow, underwhelming vehicle and advertising he could have done without.

At least the information center proves to be an interesting structure, even though the Asgardian is less interested in hearing about its creation or who contributed in what way as to get this done and over with.

Of course they would drag this out needlessly.

For a good while, the Asgardian can be found at the Lounge and Bar, mostly ignoring his nearly rainbow-colored drink that sure enough offers a vast contrast to his own appearance.

Eventually, even Loki sets out to explore the reserve just like everyone else. Apparently this is part of the entire event and whether he likes it or not, he will have to go and look at strange creatures. Creatures he doesn't truly care about and has no intention to thoroughly study either way. He does stop for a few moments in one of the long glass tunnels, but overall his interest is rather limited and he moves along quietly, paying more attention to his own thoughts than the gathering of curious beasts.

The swear-in is the true and easily the only reason Loki has even joined this trip. To officially pledge his allegiance with the government. Which may seem an odd move to those familiar with Loki, but can he blame them for their suspicions? No. And he has no intention to do so.

With those formalities out of the way, Loki attended the final events as well, the naming actually catching his interest for once. And who would be surprised to learn that a particularly ugly slug-like creature would end up carrying the name of a certain thunder god from this day on.

Feeling rather pleased with himself after this little success, he even takes a look at the creatures up for adoption. Loki has no intention to adopt anything, but he has the feeling that he will be seeing a few of these beings on that upcoming drive back to Nonah. Splendid.

Lounging

[helpdesk_hero]

The last time David was in a bar with Loki, it was an entirely different Loki and the whole team was debating whether the young adopted-Asgardian even had the right to drink. Here, he's not going to question it. Here David just halts at the end of the trickster's table, holding his own virgin drink, and considers the man.

"A flamboyant drink, but an understated choice of clothing. You're definitely nothing like the Loki I knew, then. He'd never choose to dress drably, and wouldn't bother with a showy drink when he could have something more effective and to the point. Which means you're a whole new mystery. I think that's quite pleasing to see."

The Outsider | ota

[crypdick]

[ The Outsider can no longer see the future with his deep black eyes, at least, the future of this world. He doesn't know this will be a perfectly boring swear-in. He assumes a high possibility it will be, of course, but there's always a chance that things will get interesting. So he's here, as he always is, just in case.

He does take some time to enjoy the park, though, at turns walking through it, other times disappearing and reappearing in places in clouds of black smoke. He may even blink right next to you.

He pauses for a time in one of the aquarium-esque sections, staring up at the sea-creatures with a head tilt. One strange smaller kraken-esque creature draws his attention. ] So unusual for this world, but no one would blink an eye seeing you in mine.

[ At the adoption event, finally something really catches his interest. a strange whale-dog about the size of a bulldog that calls out to him. Almost literally, since he can hear both the thoughts of whales and dogs and this is a hybrid of both. After signing the papers, he crouches down to pet it. ]

I wonder what kind of name you would choose?

adoption

[moonlitpath]

You could try asking it with different names? It's really cute, so maybe something cute might work as well.

[Says the kid with a small pseudo-dragon on her shoulder, but she is also taken with the whale-dog, if only because it's like nothing she's seen and it reminds her a bit of a pokemon.]

Tina Belcher | OTA

[continuousgroaning]

Tina's torn about the idea of this reserve. On the one hand, she's glad that the various creatures from other worlds are being taken care of and not dying painful deaths, but on the other hand, she wishes they could be free, or that there was more focus on returning them to their own worlds.

But then again, she remembers, if it were that simple, imPorts themselves wouldn't still be trapped here.

She spends the most time hanging around the aquatic animals, spending a lot of time just watching, quieter than normal, lost in thought, the sight of ocean-going animals combined with the events of the past few weeks making her ache to go home and be where she should be deeper and more painful than usual.

At the adoption event, it's obvious she's longing for the unicorn she and Ruby had rescued, longing with the deep and serious longing only a horse fan would no, and she has to walk away from it several times with a visible effort.

"... No. It's not meant to be."

Please forgive me I am just the world's biggest bob's burger's fan.

[privatepurchases]

There were a number of creatures that made him genuinely anxious to be around because they just seemed so weird but the unicorn gets a genuine smile and he points, "Hey! How about that! I haven't seen one of those in years."

Gosh. Staring at it he withdraws, "...that's a real unicorn right? Like really real?"

Noah lost the last one.

That took time to make. Unicorns had taken time. This one feels real though and he has to pull himself away and nod to the girl, "...You're lucky to see one of those. I mean really lucky. Absolutely incredible creatures. Better then hellhounds even."

Archangel Gabriel | Registered | Good Omens

[privatepurchases]

The Bus

[Gabriel has never been on a bus before. No really he hasn't. He needs to go places he travels by speed or lightning but no after telling him he had been transported here (and no he hadn't been fired. Like that was some kind of fucking joke) here he is, on a bus. The Bus is pretty normal except for the grown man who is gripping the edge of the seats like a cat being transported to the vet. Given that he's a grown man who looks to be in his early fifties staring out the window with wide eyes that might be unusual. His eyes are also purple. He's clearly not human but still panicking.

When the bus stops people better get out of his way because his first thought is Oh thank God and he rushes out. Nearly knocking people out of his way because fuck everybody. Never doing a bus again. Never again.]

[The Lounge is visited because he has to attend it and he gets drink coupons he sort of crumples them and tosses them into the trash because nope. He can do this though this is totally normal human behavior and even if his head still aches and his chest aches now he can do this. It could be worse he's not fired.

Sitting for awhile and holding on to that he starts to feel a bit better, watching everyone warily from a corner before - okay. Not fired. He can do this. This is just - a setback. A test somehow. R&D concluded that Armagedidnt was a test from her so this was just - another one for him.

Great. What did the humans say? Cool. Cool. Cool is good.

So he still offers that slightly offbeat smile before staring upward and missing Sandalphon who knew more about dealing with people when one of the olitiau pass overhead and he freezes like an animal, hands out, ready to fight...

And it passes.

Well. Cool. It may not be her creation (maybe?) but hey it didn't attack. Leaning over to the nearest person he points. His purple eyes are bright.]

That was really ...cool.

[You're supposed to say it like that right. Like a jazz singer. Like he's hip.]

[The rest of the time he can be seen in the ice tunnels or the underwater tunnels before he attends the swearing in and agrees to register. It's a test. That means he makes sure he's known as being someone people can trust.

Besides these environments are neat.

The naming ceremony actually makes him smile. For those who happen to be glancing around he actually looks genuinely pleased - actually happy about it. Aw. Human beings with dominion over other creatures. How cute. You're welcome for all the work the angels and deities of this dimension and other dimensions did to make them for you.

Still, it's hard not to shake that pleased expression and warm smile at the most simple of human things. Naming stuff.

Another person gets accosted.]

Thank Heavens nobody named one platypus right?

[Still think Adam screwed up that one.]

[At the Adoption event however there is one Jackalope that has decided it's taking matters into it's own paws. It is getting adopted. It is going to find someone and has been nosing it's way between other jackalopes trying to get noticed. Long and gray with big soft antlers, the creature is up on it's hind legs and preening.

No one wants it however. It's being rather rude after all. Gabriel, standing off by himself staring placidly at the creatures garner's the creature's attention. Hopping along, the jackalope bumps against it's enclosure.

Hey. hey human thing. notice him.

Oblivious to anyone else the angel stares down at it.]

...No.

[Okay except. He's getting adopted.. The creature bumps against the enclosure again. Notice him. Look how cute he is. Unbeknownst to Gabriel he's probably just met himself in cryptid form.]

Look mutant rabbit. I know what you are supposed to be and I am not going to indulge you. do you hear me?

[Yes. That is a grown man talking to a jackalope.]

[hisfavoriteson]

[Lucifer has so far been enjoying the evening; he tends to enjoy social events such as these, and this time he didn't end up in some embarrassing costume. And the notion of naming things is intriguing, given the first time it happened. He's got no desire to name any of them himself -- he'd rather leave his enemies where they belong, buried in the past -- but it could be amusing to see the names that others come up with.

He's taking advantage of the fact that Chloe has wandered off to smoke while he watches. The cigarette pauses on the way to his lips as he feels a familiar tingle: there's an angel somewhere nearby. A quick scan of the crowd tells him it's not a angel he knows, and when he finds the one in question it's with a bit of surprise. None of his siblings have that kind of fashion sense.]

If I didn't know better, I'd say that dear old Dad was drunk when he came up with that one. He must have just stuck together whatever parts of animals he had left and called it a day.

Lain Iwakura | Registered

[mem0ry]

Lounge and Bar

[Lain isn’t interested in alcohol, but fortunately, they have non-alcoholic drinks. Apparently apple cider is a traditional fall drink in America, and it looks nice enough, so she decides to try one and go out to the rooftop to watch the cryptids. She’s oddly calm. Somehow this isn’t surreal or strange the way a lot of the other things here are; the strange creatures resemble something from her dreams, and are enchanting in their own right.

Curiously, she steps up to the railing around the porch, getting as close to the creatures as she dares. West Virginia is gorgeous in its’ own right. The trees in Japan couldn’t compare, at least in Lain’s overly urbanized neighborhood where the plants had been driven out to make way for more and more hole in the wall businesses.

Caught up in the moment, an Olitiau swooping dangerously close startles her, and she squeaks, staggering backwards and right into someone standing behind her.]

I – I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!

On the Trails

[Her current outfit maybe isn’t the best for hiking, but she enjoys fall walks. The crisp air, the changing leaves, and the faint feeling she’s in a magical forest movie keeps her in high spirits. Then she sees the Fresno Nightcrawlers, and she claps her hands happily, promptly stopping in her tracks to watch them. They’re so derpy. She worries they might fall over, walking around like that, but they keep their balance well enough. Her fascination is obvious, as is her delight when one dares to get closer. Lain holds still, hoping not to startle it as it waddles over to her, hesitantly, bit by bit.

Then the next person on the trail behind her steps on a twig, and the Nightcrawler scampers away, making faintly horrified trilling noises. Lain’s face falls, shoulders slumping miserably as she turns to stare down the person responsible with a sad, desolated look on her face.]

Adoption

[There are many jackalopes here, but one hasn’t gotten much attention. He’s the runt of his litter, the employee working that part of the adoptions explains, and he can be temperamental. Lain watches him huff at the other jackalopes and silently disagrees. He’s just nervous about being around other jackalopes, she thinks, who are bigger than he is and have bigger horns.

This is how she ends up with a small jackalopes in her arms. All of her allowance from the government now spent, she can safely say that it was an awesome investment. She spends the rest of the evening with him in her arms as she talks steadily to him, giving him a running commentary on everything so he doesn’t feel ignored. For his part, the jackalope seems content to hide under her jacket.

It’s probably too late for her to be talked out of getting him, but if you have concerns about a twelve year old wandering around talking to a lump of disgruntled fluff in her jacket, now might be the time to voice them, since she’s a bit young for the responsibility of a pet…]

Lounge and Bar

[namesaquestion]

[There's little more than a grunt from him, as if to cover the fact he himself stiffened. As cool and awesome as the Cryptids are? He's been in this world far too long if he's starting to startle at things like this.

He does shove her off him though.] Tch. First time seeing something like this? Heh. These things aren't as bad as fearow or the like.

Darth Nox | Registered

[a_gaggle_of_ghosties]

Nox was not the most social of creatures, but for the sake of appearances he was at least trying. While he'd at least had the sense to leave his helmet behind- it being as unsuited to making a first impression even remotely resembling anything that could be described as friendly- he didn't bother finding a set of normal clothes. He had every intention of wearing something familiar and comfortable for the duration of his stay on this world, however long it might be, and people were going to need to get used to the sight of him in his his armor one way or another.

Until the swearing-in ceremony, he'd split his time equally between cloaking himself to observe the goings on undetected, and at least putting in an appearance. It was rare for him to make the first attempt at striking up a conversation however, so locals and imPorts alike could expect to get little more than a brief "hello" until they pressed him for further engagement.

While he wasn't familiar with any of the cocktails on offer, some of the terms were familiar enough that he was willing to risk some of them. For some time he could be found enjoying a drink up at the rooftop bar or just quietly taking in the view once he'd finished. He'd also take his time walking the trails, though curiously the one place he doesn't linger is near any of the aquatic habitats. For the others, he seems all too content to just quietly observe the creatures through the glass, and doesn't seem to be bothered even when some of the more aggressive creatures smash up against the observation window in front of him.

He'll attend the swearing-in ceremony, of course, and while at first glance he seems comfortable enough making brief conversation with any curious staff or local personnel, anyone capable of a more thorough observation might pick up on the fact he doesn't particularly want to be there. He'd just as soon be anywhere else, really- he has nothing against them, but there will be just too much weighing on his mind to really get too invested in it until he's more adjusted to his new "home." Finally, he'll return to the trails at night to relax. He'll even spend most of his time here, well, visible. He won't be staying the entire night, but he'll at least catch one of the later buses.

No matter where he is though, there is one constant to all of them: the moment he senses anyone with a signature in the Force approaching, he vanishes completely- both from sight, and from the Force. For one reason or another, he seems to be actively avoiding dealing with any Force users today. For everyone else, unfortunately he's not making much of an effort to keep his aura in check. Partly because he is curious to find out if a concentrated presence in the Dark Side has the same chilling effect on non-Force Sensitives here as it did in his own galaxy.

swearing-in ceremony

[namesaquestion]

[Nikolai is equally not wanting to be here, but at the same time, he's really, really good at hiding it. Almost as if he's been to events similar to this in the past.

His own presence at the ceremony is to assure the military that yes, he's still a Registered Hero^TM. Even though he died recently and deep down in the 'too hard' basket of emotions, he's not actually sure he wants to continue on the path. But the benefits? Those he's here for, thanks.]

You registered? Don't worry too much about this. As long as you put in a good show and smile for any cameras, they don't care much.

[Far as he knows, anyway.]

Noah Czerny | Registered | OTA

[deadthing]

on the bus from De Chima

[Noah boards the bus outside the De Chima porter building with no idea what to expect. It's his first swear-in and he still hasn't fully read the welcome pamphlet and he's kind of jittery about the whole thing. He's probably annoying to sit next to because he keeps jiggling one leg and shifting around in the seat. At least he manages not to ghost out.

When the video starts emphasizing how safe and secure the reserve is, he makes a quiet distressed noise.]

Is anyone else worried now that they said that?

[He's seen Jurassic Park, okay. This is totally how you end up with Jurassic Park.]


at the reserve (this is a loosy-goosy all day prompt, catch him whenever)

[Noah drifts around the information center, checking out the displays and skimming over any long panels of text that seem boring. Concerns about a JP situation aside, he's not sure how much he likes this? Something about it gives him an icky feeling he can't really put his finger on.

Having absolutely zero desire to venture out onto the trails or ride the railway, he gets a sandwich and a smoothie from the restaurant and parks himself on one of the couches to hang out until the ceremony or whatever. If he spots any familiar faces, he might give a small wave. Mostly he watches his fellow imPorts mingle with a mix of curiosity and mild envy. He's pretty sure he used to be good at parties... Now it all feels like too much.

He does occasionally manage to pipe up if anyone joins him on the couch, asking if they've been to one of these before or how much longer they think it will be.]


adoption event

[Some of these cryptids are kind of cute....... Jackalopes and winged frogs and mini gryphons. Noah is in no way ready, financially or otherwise, to adopt one but that doesn't mean he can't look. He crouches near something that looks like a cross between a bird and a house cat and tentatively holds a hand out for it to sniff.]

Whoa. Hey there.

Bus Trip

[helpdesk_hero]

[David hasn't even bothered to pay attention to most of the things the video talks about. Instead he'd been reading a book, listening with one ear, and trying not to notice the nervous energy of the man sitting across from him. But when the guy speaks, David smirks, still looking at his book, and tries not to laugh.]

Someone's seen Jurassic Park. And, given the fact that things seem to happen at a lot of these events from my research, there's a decent chance that something bad will happen. Which is the only reason I'm going.

Dipper Pines | Registered

[pinetreehimself]

Words cannot begin to describe how excited Dipper was for this event. Sure, he'd already had a summer's worth of cryptids to deal with, but we're talking PARALLEL DIMENSION CRYPTIDS right now! Absolutely anything goes! As he takes the long ride on the bus, Dipper can barely begin to contain his excitement, and his very close to bouncing in his seat as he stares out the window.

It's only on arriving at the information center that it really sinks in where Dipper is right now. A whole entire institute, beautifully decorated, where cryptozoology is a publicly recognised and respected field of research. All reservations about getting kidnapped from his homeward are gone. This is officially the greatest day of Dipper's life. Off he goes now, from one exhibit to the next, jotting down every note he can about the various marvels of nature.

"Gryphons, check...Unicorns, check, yep, those are definitely nice ones...Chupacabra- Woah! Bitey little fellas...Oh my gosh, no way! So THAT'S what a bunyip looks like!"

Up at the lounge, Dipper can barely hold on to his Bigfoot Banana Smoothie with one arm, as both his hands are hard at work making the most detailed sketch possible of an Olitau.

Up and down the the Trails he runs, occasionally stopping to add to his sketch of the Fresno Nightwalker herds. He takes the the Train too, and can be heard going 'woo woo' and giggling like someone half his age. Tomorrow, he can feel ashamed. Today he's just too giddy from his crypto-safari paradise. Besides, if Mabel isn't here, it's his obligation to act silly on trains in her stead.

The Aquarium is just as exciting, as Dipper all but flattens his face against the glass to get a good look at the beasties, before returning to his notes and sketches. By this point, his notepad is overfilled, and he's resorted to scribbling on napkins.

By the afternoon, the excitement has run low, and the registration is a sobering event. Placing his life and soul in the hands of the government, especially a cold-war one, is not a decision taken lightly, but for a boy his age, Dipper hardly feels he has a choice. He signs himself over, shakes hands, salutes the flag, and finally lets himself take a breath.

Naming brings a bit more pep back to Dipper's step, and he enthusiastically goes for the opportunity to make his mark on Cryptozoology. Unfortunately, he spends too long agonising over whether to call something a Dipper or a Pines creature, and misses his first opportunity. Even after abandoning pride, he sadly loses out on naming a rodent Soos, but in the end, takes pride in naming the beautiful and feisty Wendy Bird.

After a bit of um-ing and ah-ing, Dipper decides to bite the bullet and go for adopting a little cryptic critter. After nearly getting his finger bitten by a zaratan, he decides to go for the flufflier ones, and soon enough finds an old yet hardy block of fluff that definitely looks like a 'Stanford'.

Camping?! In a cryptic safari? How could he refuse?! Dipper gladly selects one of the smaller tents, sets out into the woodlands, tries to pick a spot close to others yet far enough for privacy, and spends so long fussing over the location, rotation, shade and contents of the tent that he almost forgets to bed down for the night.

Camping!

[moonlitpath]

[Mizuki is trying really hard not to laugh at you, Dipper, as she sets up her own tent with the aid of a mimikyu and shiny Alolan raichu.

She's pitched it near enough that it could end up 'a group' but far enough away for privacy too. Plus, two of her pokemon are out. Well, three, if you count Mushu the wimpod, but he's hiding in the tent with still-unnamed pseudodragon she adopted. ]

Camping's more fun if you just pick a spot.

Adam Young | Registered | OTA

[perfectlyhuman]

⤗ Arriving/General

After sitting on a bus for two hours - well, actually, having fallen asleep on the bus - Adam isn't too sure what he expected to find in this place. He heard the promotional video, of course, and got really excited about the possibilities, but he could only hold onto his awakened state for so long as the open fields continued to roll by. When they do arrive, he's not disappointed - the wide open space, the trees, the enormous mansion - it's all very different than the ceremony last month (his first one), and hopefully will involve less forgetfulness of self.

The video that played on repeat on the bus plays in his head again and again, by the time he finds the panels containing information about the cryptids that are supposedly around. He grins down at Dog, leashed and standing idly by the boy's feet.

"Lets go find us some monsters."

Dog does not respond.

( Adam and Dog will be seen running around the reserve in many locations, interacting with as many cryptids as he can. If none of the prompts catch your eye, feel free to start something entirely of your choice!)


⤗ Mystery Mountain Mezzanine Lounge and Bar

Food and real monsters. Real monsters he can see with his own eyes, while he drinks a banana smoothie with a funny name. You know, if it wasn't for the kidnapping aspect, this place would be pretty cool.

He's made sure to grab a seat right in front of one of the windows, watching expectantly for any creatures that might come by. When the olitiau flies by, he perks up immediately with a wide, excited smile on his face. In fact, he gets up and makes his way right up to the window to get a closer look.

He really wants to go out there. And everyone's lucky he doesn't pull a baby Harry Potter right then.

Once he finds there's a less covered spot where he can take a closer look, he quickly makes his way to the rooftop and gets right by the railing. A Thunderbird flies over and he watches, wondering just how many ...monsters? Animals? They're keeping in this place.

Gosh, he wishes the Them were here. They'd love this.


⤗ Enclosures

You bet he's on that train for hours. Whenever he sees anything, whenever he can stop, he walks right up to the fences to get a better look. Which is not a great idea, no, but can you blame him? He's excited!

He's particularly lucky when it comes to a pair of Fresno Nightcrawlers. Dog, however, doesn't seem as excited about this development, standing in attention near the boy, growling and sometimes yipping at the slowly approaching creatures. Adam, for once, smiles in in utter delight at the weird looking things. When he spots a little one, he crouches, holding out his hand to it.

Is this how you make friends with these? Are they anything like dogs and cats?

"It's okay. I won't hurt you."


Later on, he can be easily found in the underwater tunnels, fascinated by all matters of creatures, thoughts of a certain well known, gigantic, deep sea dwelling legend coming to mind.

He may also be found attempting to approach and pet some unicorns and other creatures. Watch the horns. And teeth. Or other things.


⤗ Adoption

Well, he was excited before, but now his little child mind positively races.

You thought he wouldn't want to have his own monster? Well-- perhaps not the first, some may well be aware, but that doesn't matter. He can have one of these cool looking guys and he fully intends to talk to a certain angel and a certain demon to see if he's allowed to keep more pets. Dog had never exactly been put in question, only back home with his parents, but there's always going to be a pair of adults to convince, it seems.

Unless...

Regardless, he's paying attention to some Jackalopes, when a particular one catches his eye. A little bit different. Small. Enormous horns for it's little body, none the less. But the way it stands on its back legs and twitches its little nose up at Adam...he's made a new friend, as far as he's concerned.


⤗ Mothmen

Almost time to go. He's exhausted, but happy. Surely, he should have been either incredulous or neutral about this experience, seeing all these creatures, but all he wants right now is to plan another trip back. Maybe there's something he didn't manage to see, maybe more creatures will pop up (if he had his way, a lot more of them would suddenly be showing up mysteriously in the next few days, maybe hours. Alas, the range of his wishes and beliefs are limited, nowadays).

He's stepping outside the mansion when he sees it- in the not so far off distance, up a tree, a strange silhouette and a pair of large red eyes. Adam stops to look at it, tilting his head slightly and squinting.

"...what's that?"

Adoption

[privatepurchases]

[Gabriel has not managed to shake his own little friend. The big gray jackalope has decided that this human is worth attachment to. Big, strong, able to intimidate all the other humans. Naturally the perfect partner and even if they didn't take it home well the jackalope would cross that bridge when he came to it.

Gabriel for his part is tired of the thing sitting casually on his shoulder but it's not like he could be exhausted and sometimes the strange creature looked at him with the same "What do we do" face that Sandalphon had and that was...

Strangely comforting.

So he turns, continuing to roam with his hands in his pockets before the jackalope bumps the side of his face. Grimacing, the angel tugs at it.]

Get down mutant rabbit if you're going to hit me in the face.

[A handler gestures at him and shakes their head. If he has to get down he has to get back in the tank. The jackalope digs in it's claws and tries to make itself as small as possible.

After trying again the archangel sighed, jackalope firmly in place.]

...These things are more trouble then they're worth.

Lucifer Morningstar | registered | ota

[hisfavoriteson]

Lucifer lives in De Chima, so that's where he gets on the bus. He doesn't bother with the video this time. As movies go, it's not that great, and it's the same kind of thing he's been hearing since he arrived here. Instead he spends the ride scrolling through his phone or watching cat videos.

He spends most of his time in the lounge, sipping at a drink and watching out the windows. He has no comment except for when something goes flying by, which can only be replied to with "I'm pretty sure I've seen this movie."

Or just, you know. Humans messing with things they don't understand.

During the naming event, he just stands aside and watches. He remembers the last time this happened, although the circumstances then were somewhat less ridiculous. He's here simply for the entertainment value.

And since he's here, he might as well stick around for the adoption event too, although he's not planning on adopting a cryptid either. He just finds the whole thing terribly amusing.

[ooc: feel free to find him somewhere else too!]

Lounge

[a_gaggle_of_ghosties]

"You're familiar with these creatures?"

He might have been giving the invisibility a rest, but that didn't mean Nox had to give up the sneaking. Most of it was just habit at this point, as unlike some people he couldn't just bulldoze his way through a troublesome situation. So moving cautiously and quietly was important. Even if he wasn't necessarily expecting anyone he chose to approach was actively planning on ending him.

Especially since it'd likely end up spelling the end for two perfectly good drinks, even if Nox wasn't quite sure what the one he was carrying around was.

"From your time here, or somewhere else?"

Sandman | OTA

[manmeasand]

[ Flint Marko is a big man, big and muscular and wearing his striped shirt and squinting at the informational signs with suspicion. This is gonna be a day and a half, isn't it?

He's pretty skeptical of getting registered, so he dodged the actual ceremony, but he wanted to see what one of these swear-ins was like so he turned up. And honestly? ]

This is some weird crap.

[ Or maybe he's at the lounge and spots an Olitiau or exploring elsewhere and gets approached by a Fresno Nightcrawler but he jumps, his body losing all colour to turn to sand as he says - ] The heck's that thing?!

Nigthcrawler

[mem0ry]

[Lain shushes him, which is a pretty brave move for her.] Don't scare him! He's friendly.

[The Nightcrawler, already unsteady in its' waddling, teeters dangerously close to falling as it takes a step back, clearly unnerved. Lain clasps her hands together, obviously fascinated and delighted, but sadly, Sandman has startled the poor thing enough that he turns and waddles away, back to the forest and safety.

Lain's shoulders slump, sadly.] ...bye-bye, Nightcrawler.

Anton Roudin | Registered | OTA

[devilishly_handsome]

The entire place is amazing, and he can't help but take it all in with a look of awe and wonder. After all, he's never seen anything like this in his own world. Oh, sometimes the wealthy elite, kings and the like, may have a menagerie, but that sort of set up mostly involved creatures in cages, not these large, realistic natural environments they could live in. Anton thinks they look far more magnificent in their natural environment, and it's much easier to enjoy that fact when he's not out in the wilderness wondering if they intend to attack. When he spends some time in the rooftop bar with his lunch and tea, he ends up watching the thunderbirds and olitiau with such fascination that he seems to have forgotten to eat anything.

Naturally, after he finally remembers to eat his food, he decides to get a closer look, so can be found walking the trails. Some of the cryptids wandering around start to draw near, but when he moves closer to get a better look, most of them seem to scamper off. There were, however, a few Fresno Nightcrawlers that let him get close enough to get a good look, though Anton isn't sure how to interact with them once he gets there.

The adoption event, however, is what has him the most excited. Meeting several of the creatures, Anton's entire focus is soon on a red eyed jersey devil that's about the size of a pygmy goat. It...no, she as one of the handlers informed him, had been screaming and generally pulling away from everyone until Anton showed up, but when he did, she seemed to watch him curious. He holds a hand out, she sniffs it, and after a bit of hesitation, she even lets him pet her. Twenty minutes later, he's sitting cross legged on the floor, jersey devil laying halfway on his lap, and he's signing the papers for her adoption.

On the bus home people can have the fun of having an anxious goat creature riding with them. Fortunately, Anton is able to keep her occupied by giving her a steady stream of beef jerky. She seems to enjoy meat.

Will Solace| OTA

[pocketfulof]

Reserve

Will had forgone the usual festivities in favor of trailing along the reserve paths. He wasn't much for a lounge since he couldn't really partake in the promoted themed drinks, and he wasn't going to stick around and get roped into the swear-in ceremonies when he had no intention of actually registering. So, a camper at heart, he sought out the more natural environments to explore.

"I know they're dangerous and all, but I almost feel bad for the ones behind the wire and fencing. Almost..." It's the most sympathy a demigod could muster for beings that reminded him too much of the monsters that still brought nightmares to his younger siblings and new campers back home--but it was sympathy nonetheless.

Adoption

Larger, more dangerous beasts aside, Will couldn't deny that the smaller cryptids were kind of...cute. And the idea of having something waiting at home after a long shift at the clinic had a certain allure to it.

"What do you think? Worth it or not?"

He couldn't believe he was actually considering a donation just to have a weird pet.

[WildCard]

[Want Will somewhere not listed above? Want his certified demigod opinion on the man, the myth, the legend that is Mothman? Drop a starter, or link me to one/hit me up on plurk @ likeredgold]

adoption!

[hellosirs]

"Yessir. Definitely. Absolutely."

Angus replies, totally deadpan. He's obviously made his own decision, since he's carrying a chubby silver pseudodragon in his arms, and the critter is chewing happily on the brim of his cap.

Futaba Sakura | Registered | OTA

[codeoracle]

Lounge

Futaba is never one to say no to free food--or delicious, ridiculously-named, themed drinks. Which would explain her being up on the roof, seated and content with a rather large smoothie in hand. Who knew Mothman Minted-Vanilla Chip would be so good?

"You think it's really all that dangerous to like...toss them even a scrap?" She asks the first person she's able to catch the attention of. She didn't see the harm in a treat or two, but then they were meant to be trained for a reason.

"Oooh. Maybe they could charge for a feeding session or something."

Genius.

Adoption

"You don't think they eat cats do you?" It's a very important question, considering their household currently held three cats. She definitely couldn't bring something like a Chupacabra home. If something happened because she wanted to collect everything that practically screamed 'close to a persona' home.

Her roommates were just lucky that anything larger than a large dog wasn't up for bidding. If the mothmen had come up? She'd ask for twenty. That's just how it was sometimes. Especially when someone let a total nerd run around without supervision where cryptids were concerned.

WILDCARD

[Want Futaba somewhere not listed above? Want her to wax poetic about some demonic being? Drop a starter, or link me to one/hit me up on plurk @ likeredgold]

Lounge

[eloquentness]

"Oh, definitely dangerous," Iris can't help saying as she sits down next to Futaba, trusty cup of coffee in hand - and some snacks to share, of course.

While she's not as close with the girl as Tohru, she's picked up on a few things, primarily the snacks and munchies her boyfriend stocks for her (and now, with Iris's grandson hanging around, how that stock has doubled or tripled, depending on the day). Seeing her on the rooftop had been, honestly, a happy coincidence.

Iris, after all, is still wearing her press badge. If there's a story, she's going to write it up for the next edition of the paper.

"Not because the animals'll get hurt," she has to add, after a moment, "But because they'll get dependent on us and forget how to hunt and forage or... however else they get food."

Finn Onaru | Registered | OTA

[fireandhoney]

Reserve
Finn strolls through the exhibits, looking for the amphibious man he and Jonathan helped last month. For now, he's mainly leaning on the rail of one exhibit, looking down at some creatures lapping up what's apparently goat's blood.

"So that's a chupacabra. Bit smaller than what I pictured."

Aquarim
Going through a glass tunnel with water all around him seems a bit strange to Finn, as if the glass could break at any minute. But he's soon distracted by the various aquatic animals swimming above his head.

He points at a long, serpentine creature gliding through the water.

"It's it amazing?"

Naming
Seeing as there's about two others with the name Finn, he instead bid to have a cryptid get his full name, Finndarimus.

"I'd love to adopt something, but I'm not sure Nirnroot would appreciate it." Not to mention the robotic lion that happens to belong to one of his roommates.

Naming

[drivesadesk]

"I'm pretty sure Nirnroot would not appreciate it. Unless it was small enough to eat, and then it wouldn't appreciate her."

Either way, adopting a cryptid sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Kurt | Registered | OTA

[youarespecial]

Lounge and bar
Of course he can be found where there's food and drink. He orders himself a fried chicken dish, along with a rather colorful cocktail. No skin suit today, since he's not the most non-human looking person at this event.

Kurt watches the flying cryptids through the window, nibbling on a french fry.

Reserve
Kurt walks through the exhibits, having seen some of these either on the internet or when out an about, before they were caught.

He comes to a stop in front of an interesting looking one, looking down to read the information about it. "Jackalope. Huh."

Reserve

[drivesadesk]

"That's not even the weirdest thing here."

In fact, it looks downright normal. All the parts are normal Earth creature parts, they just typically don't go together on the same animal.

Angus McDonald / Registered and HIDEOUSLY LATE

[hellosirs]

The Reserve

[ Now this? This is cool. Ango is having a great time exploring the reserve, watching the Jackalopes bounding through the grass while sipping a banana smoothie, trying to track down the Batsquatch that Magnus had found earlier in the summer, and jerking away with a yelp from a Fishman that slams itself up against the glass walls of the underwater tunnel.

Throughout all of this exploring, one pointed question does come to mind, though. ]

How did this place get built so quickly?


Adoption

[ Angus has never considered getting a pet. Magnus has two dogs, Taako left behind a giant snake, Sabrina has a cat, and even Tina has a pet horse, and between five humans and several animals, there just isn't room.

This conviction lasts right up until the minute Angus locks eyes with a chubby little pseudodragon sitting in one of the pens, and instantly falls in love. The dragon is roughly the size of a cat, with silvery-blue scales and big sad puppydog eyes, and within minutes, Angus has paid for the dragon and is carrying the little guy around on his shoulders, trying in vain to stop him from gnawing on his cap. ]

Caleb! Stop that, we've discussed this!

Adoption

[perfectlyhuman]

[ Adam is still walking around and making his final decisions in adopting one of the several jackalopes, although his heart has been set on a specific one from the beginning. Dog trots along by his side , every so often stopping to sniff and/or stare at many of the different smaller cryptids.

The boy stops as soon as he spots the creature on Angus's shoulders. ]

I'm sorry, is that a dragon?

Lonnie | Unsettled

[hordinglife]

Travel and Information Center
[The transportation feels so advanced and yet so primitive on Earth, but Lonnie can only teleport items, never herself. That means she's taking the bus just like a bunch of other people. A bunch of people she doesn't know or care to know and she was so tempted to toss the crying baby and its parents out the window, but reminded herself how little attention she wanted. So she didn't. Great.

But at least the scenery is nice. For a such a weird world where traveling wasn't a journey for survival even half of the time.

The food when she gets to the bar inside the information center better be worth it.]

Ugh. Why would anyone put themselves through that?


Cryptid-Sighting
[Sparing herself the train, Lonnie decided to take the walk herself. She doesn't see anything yet that reminds her of home, but she walks the trail, looking over the creatures.]

This is more boring than I thought it would be. Rogelio or Kyle would have gotten a lot more fun out of it.

[And just as she says that a screech breaks out from the other side of the glass and she takes a step back, seeing the bat....thing, high in the sky. If she backed into you, she's gonna act like she totally didn't.]

info center

[mostlyprofessional]

[Chloe likes driving, but views public transport as a chance to put in headphones and curl up with a book in a way she can't when she's in the driver's seat. As such, she's in relatively good spirits as she disembarks the bus, stretching her arms above her head when she hears that complaint and chuckles.]

Not a fan of public transport?

KYLO REN | OTA

[photophobic]

Kylo, of course, being from a galaxy far far away, has absolutely no idea what makes a creature a cryptid— he certainly wouldn't know from sight alone which animals are native to the planet currently his home and which are not. He also has very little idea what he's supposed to be doing here, particularly as something about the concept of an auction for adopting cryptids made him uncomfortable enough to suggest Ronan go check it out alone.

So, instead of bidding on unnatural creatures, Kylo's wandering among them, stiff and sour-faced. His senses prickle as he picks his way through the reserve... because he's being followed.

The curious cryptids keep a very safe distance at first, stopping utterly still should Kylo turn back in their direction— but there's clearly something they want from him. As they grow bolder, they creep a little closer to stare at him with blank, featureless faces and unblinking eyes. He stares back. Before too long, Kylo has a small flock of the creatures tailing him. Perhaps it's something he's got in his pockets?

[nightmarist]

Ronan never made it to the auction.

Instead, the cryptid he's brought back with him is the ghost who's apparently been haunting him for years. Which sounds like it would be an unwelcome discovery, but the only unpleasant thing about it is that Ronan can't remember the haunting. Or anything else about Noah, outside of the brief bursts that illuminate the entire picture before it slides out of sight once more - a flashlight beam passing over a portrait of someone he once loved, now hidden away in a dark cellar.

All of this has made Ronan feel strangely ill. The only thing he wants to do is go home and climb into bed. But that means he has to get home, first, and he's not going anywhere without Noah, who's following close behind at his insistence.

"Kylo," Ronan says, instantly draping onto him and hanging off one shoulder. He does this even when he's not swooning. Today, though, he's truly lightheaded. "Let's go. You're driving."

He has no idea whether Kylo can even see Noah, so he skips the introductions.