polylogs | Something in the air...

Entry tags:

Something in the air...

✖ The Isle That Blooms

Ⅰ. ARRIVAL
You can read all about your character's arrival in the game lore.
This is the first isle you can smell before you see it rising on the island. It starts with the faint hint of growing things that blossoms into a floral scent that teases you with the combination of familiarity and the unknown. The next breeze seems to carry you closer even as it coats everything in a delicate wash of golden pollen that only the Ferryman seems to be able to avoid.

Do you like your lips to taste the gritty sweetness? Or are you already starting to sniffle? Either way, the island starts as a smudge then turns into a riot of color as it reveals itself.

The Isle that Blooms lives up to its name as flowers vie in a silent war of roots and strangling vines to cover every viable surface with sprays of color and vibrant pulsing life. There are signs of human life in the form of a village built on stilts and full of little anachronisms like a glowing neon sign that hint that the island sees a large number of Travelers come through this place.

And who wouldn’t be drawn to the abundant flora, brightly painted houses, and lively locals?

Everyone seems to be glowing with health as the locals gather near the dock to welcome the latest set of tourists. They come with arms full of flower wreaths and friendly smiles, clearly in control of their faculties and interested in trade. Their clothing is as bright as the paintings on their buildings, as the flowers that surround them, and perfect for the warmth of the day.

Do you notice, though, the absence of any babies or prepubescent children? Or that while there are old people, no one shows signs of the infirmities that come with age? It might be easy to miss, especially as the Isle starts to affect you, too.

The ache in your back from that terrible fall, the craving for that next drink, the trauma that’s too close to the surface, all the petty hurts the build up in a lifetime start to fade as you, too, start to bloom.

Notes:
1. NO GUNS are allowed on this island. The Ferryman will keep them safe for you.

2. These residents of the island are normal humans. Killing them is possible and may affect the color of your Scrywatch.

3. Any type of flower could exist on the island, blooming somewhere, regardless of its real world requirements. Rare ones are difficult to find and magical ones need a check in with the mods.

4. There is nothing preadolescent of any animal species on the entire island, including insects.

5. The island’s ability leaves people as the healthiest, most energetic version of their current selves. Examples: A blind person in otherwise good mental and emotional health would notice minimal changes. A person with a disorder would find themselves having a string of good days. A 50 year old probably hasn’t felt this good since their thirties.

Ⅱ. THE TEMPLE
Orchids in shades of yellow and pink so bright they glow have been trained to grow along the walkways and bridges of the elevated village to guide Travelers to this island’s Temple. The building stands alone at the edge of the Village, extending out in the ocean of flowers that fill most of the isle.

The temple is made of simple stout wood that has been carved and painted in patterns ornate and lovely in a way that speaks of hundreds of hours of creation and maintenance. The same orchids that guided you here gild building and act as camouflage the sleeping porches ring the outside. They are kept private and safe from insects by fine netting, and you will find the bedding soft and fine.

This Temple’s Guardians are a pair of lazing cats with strange spots and scaly wings that regard you with affectionate disinterest as you explore the facilities. There are toilets and sinks, but no baths or showers. The pantries are stocked with edible flowers and fresh fish and the space and tools to cook. If you are brave enough, the Guardians will probably give you practical advice on how to use those supplies. There are new clothes and sandals better suited to the heat, and even practical machetes.

Notes:
1. The Main Temple is still open to those who are brand new to PM.

2. There are paints and carving tools if you want to add to the temple decorations. (Maybe mention it during the Oracle Event if you do.)

3. All fabric items are ridiculously bright and vaguely tie dyed.

4. The marker orchids have a distinctly strong smell of vanilla with a hint of lime.

Ⅲ. THE LOTUS BATHS
CW: fantasy setting drugs.
There’s only so long a person can stand to be covered in pollen, and when you ask the locals, they grin. Oh, you want a bath? There’s a path back to the ground and through the tall flowers to a natural spring. Make sure to head out early, they warn.

It’s always better to be in the village before nightfall, and you are clearly going to take a while.

As you walk the winding path to the baths, the everpresent flowers seem to thin out and even disappear as ground warms and rock rises from rich soil. You can smell the mineral richness of the bright blue pools that form waterfalls over a series of rising ledges. There is life, though, even here, in the form of delicate lily pads that float in rafts around vivid lotus flowers.

If you test the water, you’ll find it’s warm enough to melt the knots out of muscles and make it easy to understand why the few bathers seem to be so languid and relaxed. If you sink all the way in, well, not only will you manage to get clean, but you might find yourself mellowing out even more. So mellow you’ll hardly notice when the pleasant hallucinations start.

You’ll find yourself drawn into visions of your most private joys and of the pleasures you keep to yourself. Maybe it’s a matter of shame or maybe it’s because they’re too precious. There’s one small problem, though. If someone else gets in the same pool, not only will they start to share the same vision, but you’ll start to see theirs too.

Will the fantasies become a nightmare or will you manage to navigate them together? Will you ever be able to look at each other the same way again?

Notes:
1. The hallucinations will end when you leave the water, but only once you and your bathing partner are both out.

2. The flowers are magical and will affect everyone, even robots or super powered people.

Ⅳ. NIGHTBLOOMING
CW: abduction, violence.

You are warned to stay in the elevated village at night. The flower fields are safe enough during the day, but things happen at night. It’s hard to imagine during the day when stingless bees that glitter in jewel colors bumble along and hummingbirds the size of chihuahuas feed from the abundant flowers while squeaking their strong opinions at each other.

But as the moon rises, and most of the flowers close, there’s rustling sounds that make it clear that there are big things moving through that growth. Things that make the hair rise up on the back of a person’s neck. It would take a big prize to make it worth finding out what makes those sounds. A big prize or a reason to face your fears.

There’s a scream in the night. You can ignore it, of course. Not everyone is meant to run towards the scream. It might not even change the color of your ScryWatch.

But if you go to the source of the sound you’ll find a mother weeping openly while other locals gather around to comfort her. It seems her teenager decided that the best way to woo their lover was with glowing flowers that only open under a full moon. The teen has been gone for hours, and the grim expressions on the people around you say his chances aren’t good.

You have a choice to make. Will you go into the dark to face the unknown dangers? Will you offer some other form of comfort? Or will you go back to hide in the safety of the Temple?

Notes:
1. The danger in the flowers consists of six foot tall nocturnal orchid mantises who have the teen pinned in a tree. They are currently singing a human language lullaby to the kid to get them to go to sleep and fall out of the tree.

2. The mantises have a hive mind and will retreat if one of their number is killed, but can also be talked to and negotiated with. They will be willing to trade a regular supply of fish for no longer hunting people.

Ⅴ. SPECIAL EVENT: THE FLOWER ORACLE
In the center of the village, there is a giant flower bud that is bigger than a man is tall. The villagers tell you that you are lucky. You will be here when the Flower Oracle blooms. You will have a chance to speak directly to the Ancient One through the Oracle, and She even answers. All it takes is a little sacrifice.

Notes:
1. During the week of July 12-18, there will be a special event post where characters can choose to interact with the Flower Oracle for a chance to be rewarded, get an answer, get silence, or get punished by the Ancient.

2. Any starter posted during this window will be honored, specifics to come.

3. This event is optional!

Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.

Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Thor fights his instinct to down the drink in one go, not knowing how often he'll be able to enjoy such spirits. Instead, he takes a small swig before scooting over on the rock and patting the space beside him.]

Kept it warm for you.

[He looks from Loki to the water before them.] How long did you say you've been here?

[ there's a brief pause before he takes his seat next to thor. ]

On this island? Not long. But I've been here for over a month now. So far, it's just been me.

[ he hasn't seen or recognized anyone else. a few people seem to recognize him but loki doesn't know what to make of it. ]

[Thor smiles, cherishing this moment. He isn't sure how long it'll last; not long, given their track record. But it'll be enough to sustain him until the next.

There's always a "next" to look forward to.

He gives pause to Loki's words, a sinking disappointing in his belly at the thought of being alone here for that long. Perhaps Loki enjoyed the time, he thinks. He'd enjoyed his stint on Sakaar before Thor had shown up, gaining favor with the Grandmaster. Was there some such person on this island?] Maybe they're coming. [More specifically, he wonders if their parents will show up. What a reunion that would be.]

Are you waiting for anyone in particular?

Edited 2021-07-11 06:31 (UTC)

[ loki hesitates, letting a long pause stretch out before them before he admits, quietly. ]

I was waiting for you. I thought you'd come for me.

[ but thor didn't. thor doesn't even remember. loki doesn't even know if thor survived what happened to thanos. all he has is the maw of uncertainty, eating away at him, day by day.

but he's lived in the face of uncertainty before. loki won't let it break him.

he tilts the bottle against his lips once more. ]

[The bottle pauses on its way to Thor's lips, and he sets it down atop his leg as he collects himself.

He had been waiting for their mother's name to glide from Loki's tongue. It would've made sense, after all. While Thor knew that Frigga loved him, he also knew that she and Loki shared a bond deeper than and beyond what he'd had with her.

He fights off the incredibly strong urge to wrap his brother up in a signature bear hug, but he instead drums his fingers on his thigh.]

Well, Brother, it took me some time, but at least I'm here now. [He glances down to the bottle in his hand, swirling its contents.] To be honest, I didn't think you'd say it was me.

[ seeing frigga again would be downright terrifying, considering the way loki treated her. he missed her, of course, deeply. but the shame and guilt has deeper roots. at thor's reply, loki snorts. ]

Who else is there?

[ loki has no friends. he has no one know. just a life on a strange island, far away from thanos. this train of thought makes him sound utterly pathetic though, so loki pretends he never said that. ]

[Thor pauses for a moment before he quietly replies.] Mother.

You two were always thick as thieves. She could always see your potential. [He took a sip of his drink before turning to look at Loki, a faint smile painted on his face.] If the two of you were here, think of what you could do to this place.

[His gaze wafting back towards the water, he absentmindedly fiddled with the bottle.] I wonder if the others haven't shown up because they don't have anything to atone for.

[ loki grimaces. ]

I doubt she'd want to see me.

[ you're not my mother. he takes a hasty sip, eyes darting away with a huff. ]

And what do you have to atone for, Thor?

I doubt your doubt that she'd want to see you.

[He leans back on one arm, glancing towards the sky. There's an unsettling peace about it, like the steadiness of a snake before it's about to strike.

Or turn back into your brother to stab you in the chest.]

Truthfully? [He takes a deep swig of the liquor, grateful for its warming effects. It's a far cry from the kind he'd had that had been aged for a thousand years, but it'll do the trick for now.] Truthfully, it was letting you go on Sakaar. I know I had to get back to save our home, and being turned into the Grandmaster would've prevented me from doing that, but I regret—regretted now, I suppose—how things ended between us. Of course, that was before I knew you'd be here.

[ oh. loki hadn't expected that. honestly, that moment in sakaar hadn't rankled so badly. it gave loki time to rethink his own stance. and while loki is no stranger to holding hurts and grudges against thor . . . that had not been one of them. ]

The Grandmaster wouldn't have killed you. Hela would have.

[ he shrugs. ]

But it was the right decision. And it worked out. More or less.

He would have made me his new champion. I'm powerful, Brother, but we both know there are foes out there who are far stronger than I am. It would have caught up to me eventually.

[Thor's brows knit together for a moment.] It was the right decision, but I feared it was the last time I saw you. I suppose I should think of a new contrition.

.. Also, what do you mean by 'more or less?'

[ loki shrugs. he would have found a way out. reasoning with hela wasn't an option. but he's not keen on defending that decision. he shrugs, lackadaisical. ]

Our people lived. But Asgard died. Hence, more or less.

[Thor murmurs some sort of agreement before finishing off his drink. He wiggles the bottle around to see if he's gotten every last drop, and when he realizes his does, he sighs.]

I know you've told me, and I believe you, but I still can't believe it. Our home: destroyed. All because of our stupid sister.

Might I ask what it is you're atoning for? [He offers a wry smile.] Stabbing me countless times throughout our lives?

[ a shadow falls over loki's expression and he looks down with a wry smile. ]

What aren't I atoning for would be a fairer question.

You think yourself such a terrible person, Brother, and you'd be the first to self-flagellate, but you're far from being The Worst. I think that title still goes to our sister. .. uh, Rest in Peace, I guess.

But all right, I can play along. What aren't you atoning for?

[ you're the worst, brother. loki tilts the bottle towards himself, peering into the depths. maybe he can even make out a reflection. a distortion. ]

Saving you.

[Thor sharply turns towards Loki, brows stitched together.] Saving me? Saving me from what? Is this one of those, 'saving you from yourself' sort of things? Did I pet the wrong kind of snake? You know, like the one with the maracas on the end of its tail?

[ this is the idiot loki has sworn his loyalty to.

dryly. ]

Yes, Thor. That's precisely what I saved you from. Death from maracas.

[Thor lets out a chuckle, nodding his head.] That's good of you to do. You know, you think I'd have learned by now that there are some snakes that, while beautiful to look at, should not be touched.

Same thing with rugs. Some of them don't feel good against the skin.

[He gives Loki a gentle nudge with his elbow.] No, come on. What was it that you saved me from?

You'll remember soon enough.

[ with a shrug, he takes another sip. ]

Why spoil the surprise?

[Thor looks down to the empty bottle in his hand, immediately wishing he had another. Somewhere in the distance, there is the crackle of thunder and a flash of lightning.]

If it is something you're unwilling to share with me, then it must be something bad. You love spoiling surprises when they're trivial.

I suppose I have become rather predictable.

[ but that predictability had bought him time. usually. he did the right thing but he also did it wrong. still predictable in his sacrifice. maybe that's just what a loki is. predictable dead ends.

a monster at the end of a book. ]

As for bad or good . . . I'm not really the best person to gauge that. Personally, I find that system very childish.

[A predictable answer.

There's something endearingly familiar in this moment, sharing drinks, discussing some of life's deeper topics. A pang of nostalgia hit him; how he missed the great halls of Asgard.]

For as childish as you find it, I know you know the difference between good and bad. Our sister: bad. Korg: good. Devil's Anus: bad. Bringing about Ragnarok: bad. Saving our people: good.

But I won't push further, if you'd rather not speak of it. [Thor knew a losing battle when it presented itself, and Loki was an excellent keeper of secrets, especially when they benefitted him.]

[ loki huffs. ]

Technically, Ragnarok was your idea.

[ though he adds, gently. ]

It was the only way to stop her. Hela's powers were tied to Asgard. The longer she remained there, the stronger she got. It would have been impossible to rein her in.

[ there is a small measure of sympathy there. being odin's creature, judged by his ever-shifting standards, reduced to a one-note role. these are all features loki has seen in himself. but loki knows what he'd choose before all else. his sympathy wouldn't have saved her life. ]

What matters is that we saved our people from extinction and were able to resettle on Earth.

[Thor tilts his head, angling it up towards the sky.]

It is strange, knowing that you're from the future. You know all of what is to come, what is waiting for me whenever I leave this place. [A soft chuckle rumbles his body.] It's like you have Father's Allsight.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject