Sacramento Book Festival 2026

[Thirteen]

"Bigfoot and Chupacabra have evolved, or still are. Be interestin' to look into how other cryptids have changed over the years."

Violet nodded, "The mind creates it's own answers when none are presented. We got a need to fill in the gaps, because we tend to fear what we don't understand. Even when our minds make up complete horseshite, we feel safer, somehow."

"In the end," she said, idly shuffling the books in her hands, "exploration's all well and good. Just got to be smart about it. The oceans really are Earth's last frontier. So much we haven't seen down there, and we're still discoverin' new species of really fecked-up lookin' fish. But science is always advancin'. It's only a matter of time before we reach the furthest depths, and there's those who'll keep pushin'."

All the biting talk was a bit strange, and it got stranger with the addition of sword-swallowing. Where was this conversation going? "Eh, right." The Acanthus really had nothing to add to this part.

[Kray]

Huh well it seems that despite trying to work around the potentially thorny issues of cryptids he had managed to contributed a valid point. That was neat. "Hm. Could be true for a lot of them really. Less Different ones and more of the same ones just in different stages of their lives." It certainly was one way to explain the many similarities between certain monsters. "Uh. What other Cryptid has a lot of stories about it we could compare?" Aware plenty existed but none to eager to lead the conversation. No quite happy to fish and see what came to others minds.

It was annoying him now that he couldn't remember the name. "Ah. If you want to. Might just one of the tricks of the mind that were mentioned earlier." Although he has to disagree with Violet. "Oh. The mind can make up fears far greater then what you are likely to encounter." Encounters with the supernatural should be after all fairly unlikely for he average person.

He did like exploring and finding new stuff himself, but that was less of a mundane task. Well unless you count some tunnels beneath a theme park. "Ah. People can yes. But should they? different question. We need to leave some mystery, some wonder in the world." That is a little off character for the large intimidating fella.

His brow furrows at Madison. "Uh. Well it could be done literally yes. But I was speaking more like a parable kind of thing." Maybe all the talk of sin and god had brought parables to mind. "Hm. In this sense biting didn't mean actually biting." But he knows why that was the word he had defaulted to without a shadow of a doubt.

[Aurora]

“You know, that would be an interesting study to see. Especially with how technology has changed.” Would make for an intriguing study too.

Laughing, “Or worse, depending on how your mind works.” The mind can work against you.
A shudder, “Some of those pictures they take of those fish are pure nightmare fuel.” No thanks, leave them alone. “Like, seriously, those fish are down that deep for a reason.” Chuckling, “But I’m all for science at the end of the day.” If it can be proven, it gets her vote.

“And maybe they change and adapt to where they are. Environment could change how one looks, we see it with quite a few animals.” Then thinking, “Well, Bigfoot has what I suppose could be cousins in some weird sense with Yetis. There’s the Jersey Devil or Mothman. Now the Moth man has a lot of interesting stories around him and when he is supposed to appear. He’s supposed to appear before an impending disaster.” Was there truth to him?

“I have to agree with him on that front. Your mind turning against you is a terrifying thing. Just think of things like mental illness and it having the ability to make you see things that are not there.” Shaking her head.

Nodding to John, “Another thing I agree with, leaving some wonder and mystery to the world.” Like, why not?

“Oh, well, ok.” Shrugging, “Then if I ever put on a show, you both know one of my tricks now.” Laughing.

[Thirteen]

"Humanity will never stop progressin'. We're always inventin' new things and seekin' new horizons. We're driven to it." And there's a certain magic to be found in that. "Risky? Sure, but nothin' worth findin' is ever easy. As a species, we're stubborn like that. Occasionally stupid, but always determined."

"Animals evolve to changin' environments. Look how raccoons and coyotes and crows have adapted to urban landscapes. Cryptids are possibly the same." The Highland lass nodded, "It was obviously easier for Bigfoot to hide a century ago, but he's adapted. The bone-eatin' may be a sign of that."

She shrugged nonchalantly, "Mm, to quote a movie, fear is the mind killer, right? Sometimes, it goes the other way, too."

"Got to admit, I didn't realize sword-swallowin' was a skill anyone still trained for, anymore." It was certainly a surprise to learn that about Aurora.

Violet checked her phone, then put it back in a pocket. "Gettin' late. I should probably go check for those cryptid books before headin' home. It was interestin' meetin' you, John. Maddie, a pleasure as always." She inclined her head to both of the much taller people.

[Kray]

But just how quickly could environment change a creature? If the creature was in someway supernatural it was really impossible to know. But something more interesting comes up. "Oh. They really do have family trees then do they?" He had not been expecting that. "Uh. I thought Yeti was more of a cold thing? Or was that the abominable snowman?" Might be mixing up his myths there. "Huh. Before a disaster? Is that cause the moth is causing them or drawn to them?" The most sure fire way to look like you had the ability to predict or know things was after all to rig the game so to speak. "Uh. If it's bone eating, if. Just an idea." It would explain things but was also utterly impossible to prove.

As someone who does not perceive reality quite as it was, the worry about states of mind was all to real. "Ah. Yeah it can be a fickle thing the mind." And whatever coping mechanisms it did try ultimately failed in the face of vivid imaginations and worse realities. "Ah. If whatever the mind makes up is better, then your living through some kind of hell." Vast swaths of his own memories missing, to traumatic to handle, was all the proof he needed of that.

Finally he snorts. "Oh. Humanity will stop progressing Violet, because one day it'll progress itself into not being here anymore." Just how many civilization destroying, species destroying disasters were they facing even now? Turn on the news and you get updates of at least three on any given day. "Bah. Humanity isn't smart enough to know when to stop sometimes. That's the problem." Be it individuals or whole sale. "Uh. Yeah interesting is what I'd call it to." Not often he had conversations like this that's for sure, responding to Violets preparations to leave.

Thank you both for a wonderful scene, with 1 day left I'll wrap it after the next round of posts!

[Aurora]

Nodding, “I’m very interested to see if there is any research into the theory of that. And if not, maybe do my own research and see what it uncovers.” Not many would want to read it in the Mysterium, but it did support her Teratology path.

Laughing, “It’s not seen that much anymore, more a side show skill that’s passed down. My grandfather taught me.” Much to her parents dismay, they didn’t want her to learn that one.

A small sigh, “Yeah, I should see if there are anymore language books.” Smiling, “Always a pleasure Violet.”

Shrugging, “I don’t really know if it’s a family tree of anything, it was just a thought. But it shares a lot of features with Bigfoot. Though it does live in a cold climate, and I think the terms Yeti and abominable snowman are one in the same, though I’m not sure.” She wasn’t too up to date on that one. “As to the Mothman, I don’t know a whole lot about it. I just know what I’ve heard, that he’s been seen before disasters have happened, kind of like an omen. But he has been spotted at other times.” So, there was that.

“Haven’t had this interesting of a cryptid talk in a while, so I thank you both! And John, it was a pleasure talking with you.”

[Thirteen]

"You always such a pessimist?" she raised an eyebrow at Kray. That was ironic, coming from Ms. I Have No Luck But Bad Luck. Maybe the future of humanity was one bright spot she believed in. Or maybe she was just toeing the Free Council line. Or maybe she was just making a private joke. "Regardless, have a good night, both of you."

Off she went, scanning tables of books for sale, for any relevant cryptid topics. She had to start her Library somewhere. In time, she'd find one on the Mothman, and another on the Skunk Ape. Both seemed decently well researched, so they were purchased and added to her armload and taken away.

Thanks for the scene!

[Kray]

Maybe he had gone to far, got a little carried away with it all. People actively researching was not the end he had been hoping to accomplish. It only takes turning over the wrong rock and well. "Hm. Well do be careful plenty of people get hurt or go missing when they go searching in the forests and mountains for this or that." Dreadfully true and a word of caution to try and temper any excessive flights of fancy to go looking. "Uh. But yes I had best get some more looking in, around here before they close up shop." After all an opportunity to find new books was always appreciated and he had got rather off task. "Ah. Keep well the both of you." And the giant to moves off to continue his own searching.

Indeed thank you both. And thats a wrap.