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

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

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!

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He settles and enjoys more of his coffee, trying not to smile at the sigh. What? He's got a point. And Loki clearly knows it.

"We take up hobbies. Though for some people destroying the species and the others on the planet is a hobby. It's a classic. Has been since time immemorial. Clearly humanity just needs to get laid more."

And most importantly, Loki dislikes that point. This will be a trying time. He frowns, raising his index finger as if to make a point..

"Judging by the speed at which humans reproduce, I would dare to differ on that last statement. And I doubt it would be looked upon kindly if I made murdering mortals my new hobby." Even though he kid of enjoyed doing just that when he was in New York.

Oh yes, David definitely smirks at that line. Dare to differ, Loki. It's amusing.

"Hey, we're a short lived species. We sort of need to reproduce at those rates. Sure, we could use SLIGHTLY lower rates, or higher rates of birth control, but your point isn't entirely good. And yeah, we prefer not to be murdered. Still, you could prove all of us stupid by coming up with puzzles we poor mortals can't touch."

Have fun killing them with your vast intellect, Loki. Feel superior.

He will differ the whole day if given the chance. You have no idea yet just how much Loki can complain about virtually anything when he's in a sour mood.

"I still consider it a valid point." Loki argues and takes another drink from his colorful beverage. He does perk a brow at the young man's suggestion, though.

"Puzzles."

Well, that's new. And worth a frown.

"Of course. I will just go and create a dungeon filled with... Puzzles. And then watch the mortals struggle and try to solve them in hopes of gaining a worthless price." Well. That last part at least has some potential to be fun.

David's used to complainers. He'll sit here and take it. And offer to fetch him breakfast meats, just for his own amusement.

"Okay, let's not go into puzzles that could cause harm. But not even kidding, you wouldn't BELIEVE the market for things like that. Not just brain teasers, but what we call escape rooms. Basically the concept is that you lock a person, or a team of people, into a room. Make it SUPER convoluted and difficult. And they have to work with what's around them to find a way out. Hold on a second..."

David digs out his rarely used phone and starts doing some quick searches, to pull up examples, even a few flash games for them, before sliding the thing over to Loki.

"Like this. People pay serious money to go and try and feel smart. If you had the reputation of putting together truly hard ones, people would shill out lots of money to challenge it over and over to try and beat the room, or do it faster, or just enjoy the frustration of the problem. Loki, people won't even need a cheap prize for it. They'll do it for their name and time on a board. We'll do it for the bragging rights."

And honestly? David would SO pay to go to an escape room set up by the Asgardian.

At David’s initial response of excluding anything harmful, the Asgardian gives a brief roll of his eyes, yet found himself intrigued once the other went on and got into more detail about this whole idea of escape rooms.

Even more so when David presents Loki with examples to give a clearer idea of what such a room might entail. David may not be getting his phone back quickly, however, as the Asgardian studies some of these example quite thoroughly.

Oh. He can do this. He most certainly can. And he’s a lot less interested in making money than at the challenge itself.

“A contest. One that is fought without weapons or actual foes, but with the mind and against time.” Loki muses aloud, head tilted slightly to the side as he inspects yet another piece of photographic evidence. That is indeed much more his sort of battle and the small smirk that makes it to his face may be telling as much.

Eventually, he puts the phone down on the table and looks back up at David “You have me interested.”

Thing is, David doesn't need the phone. He's got his glasses, and the pair is a computer of his own design. He can live without the phone as he drinks his coffee and enjoys watching the trickster god immerse himself in the study.

"Yeah, a contest against mind and time. In fact, brute force tends to be the absolute worst method of going about these things. And you've never got a physical foe against you. Just the mind of another person. You've got an amazing mind, Loki. I think you'd dominate the field."

He doesn't reach for the phone, just finishes his coffee and enjoys that smirk.

"I know there is a place that has Escape Rooms in De Chima. There may be some in other cities too. Test yourself against them, figure out how to be better than them. Make your mark. Hell, if you still have your illusions, they could even add a pretty impressive component that gives a visual flare to make people REALLY excited."

While a contest that favors brains over brawn may not have appealed to Thor, this Asgardian has a clear preference to using his head rather than physical means. And then there is David also feeding into his ego about the one thing he knows he holds superiority over his brother. As far as Loki is concerned humans are still inferior to many other species in many ways, but he will acknowledge their creativity in this regard.

"I shall find this place in De Chima." he declares, a determination in his tone that hasn't been there before "And any other like it. I will see for myself what the mortals have been able to come up with." And to himself he decides that he won't rest until it is his name at the top of those boards. He has time and little else to do and this? Sounds like a good way to spend his time.

Though one other thought crosses his mind as well.

"What do you gain from telling me all this, though? Aside from longer lasting boredom."

Ah, now there is a smart man, asking the exact right question. Good man, Loki. David grins and spreads his hands before him, an open gesture meant to imply honesty.

"Simple. I'd like to match my wits against you. This seems a way that could satisfy us both. And you did say you were bored. When I traveled with your young, alternate-dimesion counterpart, we learned not to let him get too bored. Better to distract him with teaching Billy magic, or have America sit on him. Because a bored Loki could lead to pranks. You seem too mature for that, but I'd rather protect myself anyway."

And maybe, just maybe, he gets to head some havoc off at the pass.

The Asgardian narrows his eyes at those words, a variation of frowns crossing over his face and he does open his mouth to say something, argue a point or even object.

Somehow he manages not to interrupt David's words, having kept his mouth pressed into a thin line at some point. After all, he had admitted to being bored. And he may have to admit that there are certain similarities between himself and this alternate version of him. Will he argue against being called mature, though? Certainly not.

"You have a sense of self-preservation." He comments instead of uttering a complaint. And while a slight frown does remain on his features, Loki still maintains a small smirk as well.

Then, he nods.

"Very well. I believe I can accept that. You shall receive your challenge. But one thing I must point out: No one will sit on me lest they harbor a death wish."

"I really do. Comes with what I am," David agrees with a smile. But then he's laughing because the idea of sitting on this Loki is definitely not something he's prepared to do.

"Oh trust me, I'm not as crazy as America is."

Permitting the younger man his laugh, Loki picks up his drink again, contemplating it for a moment "She may be making up for how exceedingly daft Captain America is." Loki muses aloud before taking a swig. Clearly, that remains the least entertaining of the Avengers.

"Is there an alternate version of that one, too?"

"Well, I don't know, America Chavez doesn't care too much about Steve Rogers," David laughs, shaking his head. But the least entertaining Avenger is definitely up for debate.

"Are you asking if America Chavez exists elsewhere, or if Steve Rogers does?"

"As I am unfamiliar with the first, the latter, of course." Though he should probably rather ask if he should mentally prepare himself for alternate Thors. Or furious, green monstrosities.

"You have been to multiple dimensions already, if I recall our past conversation correctly."

"Yeah, it makes sense that you're not familiar with the first. So far as we can tell, she's a singular being across the multiverse. Plenty of other people exist across the universe in multiples, but she's special."

Given she came from the isolated Utopian Parallel. But yes, prepare yourself, Loki. Easier that way.

But he nods at the question. Yes, he's been to quite a few alternate realities.

"If you needed a passport stamped to travel between them, I'd need to have more pages put in mine."

"Multiples, even." Part of him wants to groan and roll his eyes. This means there are several versions of him. To each there may be a version of his brother. And versions of... Many people he rather would prefer not to encounter while being trapped in this world.

Marvelous. He leans back, making sure to look a lot less irritated as he feels by such potential prospects.

"And what are your thoughts on this particular world? You appear rather at ease with your situation, I must say."

Very unlike himself. In fact, David even seems quite eager to change Loki's experience of being here. Which he still considers to be odd.

At ease? Amusement flashes across David's face at the very idea of being at ease.

"I want to go home. I'm just making the best of a bad situation. If I'm going to be stranded on this version of Earth, I'm not going to waste time being miserable about it when I can make myself comfortable in the interim. Comfort is important. Doing something worthwhile is important. It doesn't matter how long or short a period is, I'm going to do my best to make the most of it."

And honestly, he's someone who has the chance to help people in a different way than most heroes do, so why shouldn't he take that. Especially if he could be keeping someone as dangerous as Loki is distracted BEFORE he becomes a problem? Bad enough that Beck's gotten out of control. He'd rather not someone with actual intelligence and capability start making things hard.

Loki watches David as the young man speaks, keeping a neutral expression on his face. Once again he can't help but notice how... Reasonable all this sounds. Certainly not the way of thinking Loki tends to entertain himself. The Asgardian much rather approaches matters such as being stranded on a strange planet in a less structured manner, looking for opportunities where they arise and following his whims. And quite unlike David, being way too restless to seek comfort, Loki does take time to brood and, yes. Being miserable while doing so. That's usually when he gets the best ideas. Ideas such as trying to kill his brother and taking over Asgard. Too bad that didn't work out.

A faint smile on his face, Loki shrugs.

"I think I will heed your advice then, and see to make the most of this particular stay." He raises his hands in a manner of presenting their current location before pushing himself up from his seat, deciding to leave what is left of his colorful beverage to its own fate.

"It was a pleasure to meet you here, David."

"And a pleasure to meet you as you are, Loki," David allows, definitely watching the trickster god very closely. What? He has life experience that says this man could be complicated. Problematic, even.

"And be careful with your stay. You never know if your family is going to show up and make you have to think twice about things."

He hasn't heard of Frigga being here, but who knows, that could change.

David may have no idea just how problematic Loki could get. Though he does get a glimpse at it upon mentioning the Asgardian's family, which causes Loki to freeze and frown deeply for about a moment.

That same moment is veiled in heavy silence and Loki narrows his eyes before turning to leave.

"I have no family." He says, with a bitterness in his voice along with something else that is impossible to place. Clenching his hands into fists, Loki begins to walk away, adding almost to himself "They are all but lies."

"If that's how your heart feels, then it's true."

Something tells him there might be SOME fondness in the man's hart for his family. But that isn't David's to analyze. So he lets the statement go and he relaxes to finish his coffee. Loki, huh. That's going to be interesting.

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

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