Official Opening!

[extinctmods]

Who: All the lovely test visitors of Jurassic Park and your very own host John Hammond!
When: July 21st in the morning hours after the first helicopters with guests arrive
Where: All over the safe area - check the subheaders for specific location options or make your own subheader if something you'd like is not yet included!
What: Getting settled! Hammond holds a welcome speech and you can get a tour through the Visitor Center. Once that is done, why don't you choose a room or check out the exhibits and café? A new world of wonders awaits and you're just getting started!

It's a beautiful but slightly nebulous day on Isla Nublar. You have arrived this morning and didn't get much of a chance to check out the place yet. Still, one thing is clear... Dinosaurs are a new one. That herd of brachiosaurs you spotted walking in the distance is pretty impressive.

This is a mingle-log that you can use to tag around with as many people as you want. Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed all comments here are fair game to reply to with all characters - they are all in close proximity to each other after all. If you have any specific preferences for your threads, state them in your subject line (e.g. if your thread is closed to a specific character or is set at a very specific time or if you don't want thread-jacking once a thread has started).

The log also gives a chance for characters to talk to John Hammond for a while - he might not be overly helpful, but go ahead and meet your host!

Comments

Helipad

[extinctmods]

[ I suspect you may find this song relevant to your situation.

You just got off your helicopter and walk down the way to the Visitor Centerwhen you see it. The heads of brachiosaurs above the trees. They are far away, but it's still unmistakably brachiosaurs - and that shouldn't be possible. Make of it what you will, scream to your fellow test visitors and wait for an explanation - you won't get any until you make it to Hammond. ]

With Shiro, OTA

[big_blank]

[And here he had thought that the plane ride was bad enough. This trip was looking less and less promising, and with the fact that he and Shiro had pretty much had a dismal outlook on the whole thing to begin with, their mode of transport to the island itself just wasn't helping.

Somehow Sora's managed to get himself off of the helicoptor, likely clinging to Shiro, the handle of their luggage gripped tightly in his free hand. He's got a backpack slung over his shoulder, and he's dressed casually in jeans and his usual combo of a purple long-sleeved shirt with his favorite yellow tee over it that has "I ♥ 人類" printed on front and back.]

...I never thought I'd be so happy to be on solid ground...

[He trails off as he stares on ahead, his arm around the eleven year old beside him tightening just a little as he sees that what he'd mistaken as trees in the distance...don't seem to be trees at all.]

Sh-Shiro...are you seeing what I'm seeing?

[little_blank]

[Yeah, there was no chance Shiro was going to let go of her brother any time soon. Not after all those hours spent flying on both a plane and a helicopter just to get to an island lush with vegetation and wildlife. Just being outside was too much for the both of them, but Sora was her human crutch just as much as she was for him.

A little hand holds tightly onto Sora's sleeve as the other keeps track of the strap of her little backpack. She wears...a school uniform, of all things. Shiro's eyes are full of unshed tears beneath the veil of long hair falling messily over her face as her lower lip quivers in a fear she hasn't felt in a while.]

...Y-yes. Shiro sees. Nii isn't going crazy...

[inordertobelieve]

[ Teru isn't entirely convinced that what he's seeing is reality, but it still shocks him more than he feels it should.

He's almost glad to spot the siblings among the other visitors because by focusing on people who seem far more startled, he can successfully ignore how alarming this is to himself. ]

Are you two alright?

OTA

[radeonthecity]

[Undoubtedly everyone noticed this kid already: a short, scrawny punk in patched cut-off red shorts, beat-up combat boots, a sleeveless T-shirt with a picture of a wolf howling at the moon on it, and a black denim vest covered in band patches, anarchic and environmental slogans, swatches of animal-print, and giant spikes on the shoulders. Not to mention the studded belt, wallet chain, suspenders hanging down, red bandana tied around one wrist, the mohawk, piercings, and tattoos (mostly tribal) on various parts of his body, including his face. Conclusions have probably been drawn about him already.

Right now though he's all but jumping up and down in excitement at the sight of the brachiosaurs. Nothing in his excited babbling is anything related to "how is this possible?"; it's just a whole lot of "awesome!", "look at them!", "they're huge!", and other things that indicate that he's automatically accepting them as real and is incredibly excited about them.

If anyone was hoping for some stunned silence in which to collect their thoughts, Domri has other ideas.]

[big_blank]

[Wow. People like this really exist. Sora can't help but stare at the guy, finding the style and the personality a bit clashing. ]

...well at least someone's happy to be here.

[warrior_princess]

[Carrying her duffel bag, Plourr stops in her tracks and shades her eyes, studying the animals as closely as she could from this distance. Animatronics, is her first thought, and a bit of dread about how tacky this experience could be. But... hmm. Hard to tell from here. She frowns and glances to the side; what do you think of this?]

[peoples_keeper]

[Yeah, Izaya has seen the dinosaurs in the distance and he's not exactly looking ecstatic either, for different reasons than Plourr of course. Instead of attempting to inspect them further he glances around to see other people's reactions before locking eyes with Plourr. He feigns a small smile and shrugs in reply to her look.]

Hammond's Speech

[ingencorp]

[ Now that you're all gathered in the lobby, John Hammond, the elderly man with the nice cane, clears his throat and smiles at you. He seems almost child-like in his excitement, but his fingers shake a little as he gets out the cards he's written notes for his little speech on. His spirit may have remained young and naive in many ways, but there is no mistaking that Hammond is an old man. ]

Welcome...! Welcome to Jurassic Park. By the looks on some of your faces, you must have already seen some of the extraordinary attractions. I am absolutely delighted to inform you that what you've spotted is not a dream nor a fake... With years of extensive research, InGen has indeed managed to clone live dinosaurs. There are no animatronics and no special effects... Ladies, gentlemen, you have the privilege of being the first to tour an island full of living prehistoric animals.

[ From his expression, you'd think he's even more thrilled about that than he expects his visitors to be. It's almost off, almost too out of proportion to be all natural. ]

I can imagine you want to go see them right now, but sadly you'll have to be patient for a while. Those worrywarts that run the computers have insisted to complete further check-ups before you can use our ride... it's fully automated, you see? Very modern. We spared no expense. And somehow they still managed to fall behind schedule... It's a shame.

[ He shakes his head in disappointment, but he has enough decency to not show his anger towards Arnold to the visitors any more. ]

Still, I imagine our top notch hotel facility and interesting exhibits [ he motions over to them ] should keep you entertained until then, shouldn't they?

It is my pleasure to have you all here. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but in half an hour we'll take you on an exciting introductory ride that should answer all these curious little inquiries.

By all means, don't feel shy and enjoy your stay!

[ Judging by his nod, his little speech is finished. However, he's not leaving the lobby and seems willing to engage in a little conversation with the visitors. ]

[judge_ross]

Take the offer, they said. Get out of town for a while, they said. It'll be good for you, they said. Now here Sally was miles away from home, alone, and surrounded by real dinosaurs. She'd honestly been half-convinced that she was still asleep on the plane over to catch the chopper, and she wasn't even sure what words described how she felt right now. Surprised? Terrified? Amazed?

But beyond any awe at what she witnessed in the helicoptor, something had been nagging her even before she saw their attractions. After Hammond's speech, she stepped forward in the crowds to address the elderly gentleman.

"If I may, sir...how is it that I've never heard anything about this until now? I'm practically required to keep up with the news, and resurrecting creatures billions of years old - how does anybody keep quiet about that?"

[big_blank]

[Sorry if he doesn't appear all that eager, but the eighteen-year old is still kind of lightheaded from realizing that this "vacation" is going to last for three weeks.

Three weeks outside of their bedroom, away from home. This will be the longest they've ever been outside of their room. The thought's enough to make him want to curl up into a ball.

...the old guy up front seems to be saying something important, so Sora is trying to pay some attention. No animatronics, so then...those brachiosaurs that they'd seen earlier...were real???

He exchanges a quick look with his sister.]

...more importantly, doesn't this guy look familiar?

i don't need a response i just needed peanut gallery 8)

[underdogs_suck]

[he's not quite in the back of the crowd, but he's close to it- far enough away that when he pipes up, it's hard to tell just who's done so]

Oi, when do we get to ride 'em?!

Izaya & Light Tag Team, sorry Hammond.

[peoples_keeper]

Mr. Hammond, Hammy!

[A cheerful voice calls out over the chatter that begins after the speech. The information broker makes his way toward the older gentleman with the cane from the back of the group. He is all smiles so what accompanies those smiles is probably a little off-putting to anyone listening in.]

Are you telling us that the final safety inspections aren’t complete yet? Haha, are you trying for a repeat of what happened two years ago? Since apparently the interviews by Ian Malcolm and accounts by Alan Grant appear to have some truth to them after all.

[radeonthecity]

[Incredibly excited punk kid incoming. He may have Hammond tied for how thrilled he looks.]

How many are there!? Are they all that big!? Are there any predators!? Can we see them hunt!?

[The questions are delivered without a breath in between. Odds are good you're getting a glowing albeit inarticulate review from this one, John.]

Introductory Ride

[extinctmods]

[ The ride he mentioned starts out like a movie theater that meets a rollercoaster, with the way the seats are designed. There are no wild roller coaster motions though, just a video that Hammond interacts with for maximum effect.

Are you going to be as rude as the scientists in the original movie and talk all the way through? Or are you busy trying to get people to shut up so you can listen and figure out the how an why of dinosaurs?

After the end of this reference video, the ride stops for a while to let you watch people work in the lab a bit. Then it ends and you are left in the lobby again, free to discuss your impressions. ]

[radeonthecity]

[Option C: Start to fall asleep during the ride. Who cares how the dinosaurs were made? This isn't getting Domri any closer to actually seeing more dinosaurs. It's more like sitting in school.]

This is boring.

Lobby

[extinctmods]

[ Hammond is gone and you are left to make up your mind on this place all on your own. Maybe you should also familiarize yourself with your fellow visitors. If you're not the social type, you can go and check the various dinosaur exhibits. ]

OTA

[sunshinedays]

The young redhead in the crowds was very quiet the entire time, probably too shy to say much beyond a simple hello. But throughout the tour, she looked completely engrossed, taking everything in with wide eyes. Maybe she didn't entirely understand the specifics of how the dinosaurs were created, but she sure understood they were real and she was fascinated. It was also difficult to see her face most of the time behind the powder-blue digital camera she had practically glued to her eyes, taking photos of everything from the trees outside to the brief glimpse of the brachiosaurs over the trees to the big t-rex skeleton in the lobby.

Occasionally she does accidentally back into somebody while she's paying more attention to the camera and looks up briefly to mutter a hurried "excuse me!"

[inordertobelieve]

[ This is a lot to take in. Mikami mentally tries to go over the law situations this falls under, but he finds focusing to be harder than it should be. Dinosaurs... this is not the kind of thing he ever wanted to deal with in his life. Even if it's all science, it feels a little too out of order for something he can just process easily.

It annoys him how he just can't help but be more shocked than he considers an adult man should be.

And he also realizes, he doesn't know very much about dinosaurs in the first place. Why would he? He was never interested in something this long gone, not even as a child.

So he checks the exhibits - and honestly, he looks out of place. A kind of pale asian man with a serious look and a long dark coat, reading cutesy info plates obviously designed for children. Bother? ]

[cinematography]

[Throughout the speech and the ride, a young woman's been eagerly filming the proceedings. Once they're released into the lobby, she whacks in a new battery and tape, adjusts her focus, and starts approaching people.]

Hi! My name's Sam, Sam Nishimura, and I'm making an independent documentary about this first visit to Jurassic Park. [She usually doesn't bother saying she's an indie, but she doesn't want anyone to hold back because they think she's InGen.] Would you mind sharing some of your first impressions?

[Her finger's ready on the record button, but she won't press it until her new interview subjects are ready and willing.]

Café

[extinctmods]

[ Is your first reaction to being in a strange and scientifically revolutionary place to seek something to eat? You have come to the right place! The Cretaceous Café has prepared for your arrival and build up a beautiful breakfast buffet. There is also a giant pudding bowl shaped... like a tyrannosaur. Have a nice meal! ]

OTA

[masaka]

[Honestly, this has all been great so far. Being helicoptered in and being spoiled rotten with all this deluxe treatment has been a great change from the down he'd been feeling back home cooped up in his own apartment in Ikebukuro with nothing to do but brood. There's no shortage of cool stuff to check out here and Masaomi is beyond grateful for all of the distractions. Dinosaurs? Beyond cool. What kid never played out epic battles between plastic figurines of T-rex and Triceratops? There's just the one problem and he maaaay be voicing it in loud Japanese while helping himself to pudding.: Hey, a guy has to keep his energy levels up.]

Aww man, why'd this have to be such a sausage fest? It's totally not my style.

OTA

[judge_ross]

[Honestly Sally wasn't all that hungry. But given how insane this whole thing was she knew she needed something in case she needed to take her meds fast. So she scrounged together a small fruit plate and some decaf tea and found a seat by the window. She only grazed lightly though, leaning on the table with a pocket book she attempted to engross herself in.]

Safari Lodge

[extinctmods]

[ Seems like you're ready to get own to business. First thing you feel needs to be settled is your housing situation. As such you weaselled out of the social commitments pretty soon and made your way over to the hotel to get settled. Maybe you're not the only person with that idea though - you might run into some of your new neighbours here. ]

w/Shiro - OTA

[big_blank]

[One can bet that as soon as they're feasibly able to, Sora and Shiro are going to make a beeline for their lodgings, most likely as soon as they've been released from that lame intro ride. Well, presentation-wise, it probably only got several points, but once they got down to the informative parts, Sora had soaked it up like a sponge.

...but he's had his fill of socializing for the year day, so as soon as he and his sister figure out what room they've got, they're on their way up to the second floor. As soon as the elevator comes down. Sora is so not lugging this heavy luggage up two flights of stairs. That's what he gets for packing several video game systems.]