>>5418893Bobo is content to just sprawl out on the deck and relax for a while with his hat pulled tightly over his eyes.
Gaius spends the time polishing his aquila, even though it’s already been burnished to a high sheen several times over.
Pandion is determined to learn how to pilot the boat, and alternates with you a few times to learn the basics.
Set produces a deep-sea rod with lures and begins to haul in a few wayward fish that he stuffs in a big cooler, presumably for a BBQ or something.
Jack chats with you about everything and nothing as he does his best to skip rocks off the surface of the loch, a difficult feat to accomplish from a moving vehicle.
Thoth is sat in a lounge chair with a pair of binoculars, more occupied with observing the herons than anything else.
The next few hours pass comfortably, even though you don’t find hide nor hair of your target. You’ve always liked the water, and having good company only enhances the experience. You’re a little sad that you couldn’t find anything, but it’s not like you’re overly surprised.
Right as dusk begins to fall and the group opines that it’s time to start heading back to shore, you spot something odd in the murky depths.
It might just be your eyes playing tricks on you, but you don’t get that feeling.
Something <span class="mu-s">big</span> is down there, you just know it.
An insight in the back of your mind compels you to activate Mage Sight and take a closer look as you slow the boat down to a crawl.
You notice a faint concentration of energy, but that’s not all; it seems to have noticed you as well.
“C’mon, kid; It’s just a log, don’t-“
Right as the implications of that begin to set in, there’s a loud roar as a massive creature surfaces from the blackish depths and looms menacingly over your comparatively tiny vessel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uufxnsmu0_sThe Loch Ness Monster, an actual goddamn plesiosaur! Just like the conspiracy nuts said!
The others go for their various weapons, but you yell at them to keep things friendly for now.
As for yourself, you nearly drew your backup piece on pure reflex, but keep it tucked away when you realize that Nessie is content to warily examine you.
There’s a look in its eyes, a spark of obvious intelligence that indicates you aren’t dealing with a mindless predator or unthinking monster.
And if it can think, you can probably find some way to calm it down if you play your cards right.
> “Watch my back. I’m going to get a little bit closer. Don’t make any sudden movements, or you might spook it. Get ready for a fight if things get aggressive.” You stage-whisper your orders to Pandion, who relays it to the others.Before anyone can countermand you, you begin shifting closer towards Nessie.
It instantly notices your approach and issues a warning hiss, giving you a clear look at the rows of razor-sharp teeth
Christ, you’ve seen saltwater crocodiles with a friendlier smile.
You immediately stop in an attempt to avoid provoking it further.
