Something in the air...

[polymods]

✖ 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

Comments

[nightschool]

To my surprise. He served me a history lesson.

[He pulls out a small stool set by the counter space and slumps down onto it. Not so far gone yet that he slumps right off of it--but the day is young.]

Unfortunately, I don't think he realized he was prophesying to a student of events to come until it was too late for him. [But he'd suffered the hail of scholarly interest admirably, so his tone suggests, an experience Kit prizes. And unfortunately, it's that understanding that now lines Chloe up in the same crosshairs.] It's been my hope since to meet you as well, one day. Just when I found the possibilities that exist ahead of my time disappointing in, he instilled a sense of anticipation for the advancement of automata.

[He cants his head. Her reasoning seems to intrigue him, or at least gives more to figuratively chew on.]

Could you?

[Eat what she makes. He's always found that part of a wearh's nature curious: the almost nostalgic longing for what they can no longer digest into fuel. But what of machines, who might never have a memory of a human belly full from a meal?]

[neverwither]

I'm afraid to say that having met Connor, you've already encountered the far more interesting one out of the two of us.

( She is nowhere near as impressive. Connor's capabilities far outshine her own in terms of technological advancement. But she does look up at him when she sees the opportunity to shift the topic more towards Kit himself, even if that may be only partially. )

When is your time, if you don't mind me asking? And I should really ask your name as well. I'm Chloe.

( Yes, she is being dreadfully impolite to the man whose only crime is expressing an interest in something he's unfamiliar with. A crime Chloe is guilty of herself. It isn't as though he's being unpleasant. Just an echo of many question and answer sessions. She was gracious during those and so she can extend Kit the same courtesy. )

My current biocomponents don't allow for the processing of food. Though I did find I was able to consume liquid on Carcosa. I probably shouldn't admit that I did enjoy the speakeasy.

( She smiles, keen to show she has personable traits. Or just simply traits a person would have. )

[nightschool]

What could be more interesting than a new branch sprouting from the tree we grew from?

[Her humble answer inspires a private little smile. Better she be interesting than dull, for both their sakes; he would rather look to the far future than a nearer ones at hand.]

In 1591, your predecessors had tongues wagging for being little more than parlor tricks. I can only imagine what those same tongues would have to say to see you now. [On the back of the same breath, he inclines his head to her.] Christopher Marlowe, at your service.

[Questions for questions, courtesies for courtesies. He's far from disappointed in her efforts to humor him, though it may have to do with the effort itself more than the result.]

Really? Why, I wonder. Did you know that before you partook?

[neverwither]

( What an interesting, and unexpected, viewpoint. She can see the logic in it but it's certainly not how she would have framed it. Chloe sees it more as a little sapling sprouting next to a mighty oak. It inspires a keener curiosity - one that almost mirrors Kit's own. ) You'd place us on the same tree?

( Well. That's quite a jump between her time and his. How funny that a man who perhaps should have been reaching for the smelling salts seems more comfortable in her presence that many who are familiar with androids. While all humans are, of course, worthy of her respect, it increases a few notches for him. )

Delighted to meet you, Christopher. Though I would have to insist upon humbly being at your service. ( Her smile is more light-hearted, more genuine, although there's more than a nugget of truth in the supposedly humorous comment. ) May I ask about these predecessors?

( She blushes, cheeks tinging blue. No doubt she's making herself sound stupid. Oh well. Perhaps there's some curio value in a dim-witted android. ) I wasn't aware, no. It's strange... It was just a feeling, I suppose. The certainty of the bartender... Reckless, really.

[nightschool]

[The corner of his mouth curves fractionally higher. Long practice weathering the wear and tear of emotion has trained his features to wear the difference between affection and amusement in subtle shades, but nestled within is a keener, more present attention than what he'd walked into the kitchen with.

Alcohol dampens the noise, but on the whole philosophy is a better balm for the mind. And philosophy between two non-humans? Between this kind of non-human? Oh, what the scholars of his time would make of this.]

That would be the question, wouldn't it. It matters more where you place yourself. Your companion seemed to suggest your kind have recently come to some manner of conclusion in deciding that for themselves.

[I would have to insist. Hm. Clever girl. It's obvious he's studying her own brand of affectation, color blooming softly under skin without the requisite pinkish warmth. His gaze grazes over her cheeks before settling.]

You may. Better you do, for I have all the more questions for you. Unless you care for me to do all the asking.

i will brush the dust off all replies, no worries

[neverwither]

That's true. It's quite a thing to explain but yes, androids have come to see themselves as a people.

( It's an extremely succinct and simplistic version of events. It's also one that allows her to avoid speaking on where she would personally place herself. Should he want further details on deviancy, of revolution, she can provide. It's a topic that's easy enough to keep general.

It may be nothing more than expectation from experience but it feels as though there's almost a game being played. He doesn't appear to mean badly in any way nor does he seem to be actively attempting to back her into corners. The shades of Elijah Kamski she sees in others manage to catch her in uncomfortable little ways.

But this man isn't him, and she will get - and keep - a handle on herself. )

I don't mind if you'd like to have the floor. I'm used to it, really. Though I would like to ask if by 'predecessors' you mean something similar to the mechanical monk or something else?

omg good because it's THICK, i need all the swiffer cloths

[nightschool]

Hmm. [A long, meditative sound he lets hang, seemingly in no hurry to weight it own by hitching words to the end of it.] Does that offend you, being overlooked? Or is it being seen and scrutinized over?

[A game--yes, all of them that have perceptions to maintain and personhood to agonize over through the lens of humanity make players of themselves, in a sense. And Kit is playing, too, as he has since childhood when he recognized his own sort of deviancy and was helpless to resist it. She is a mystery; something new; something he doesn't yet understand. A puzzle box he can't help turning over and over in his hand, thumbs on the corners, testing their give and shift.

As mildly as he delivers the query, it has all the impudent trappings of a curious daemon. He had warned her he had questions.

And it gives Kit a moment to narrow down what she's referencing by "mechanical monk," sifting through the feats of metalwork ingenuity he can recall throughout the classical centuries and in more recent years, until he thinks he's landed on it.]

Ah, you speak of Gianello Torriano who made the lute-playing woman? Yes, among others. Would you think of them another way? Perhaps you disagree there's a relation.

i got ya swiffers, i got ya dustbusters

[neverwither]

I think that can depend on the context, don't you? And I'd also say there's a difference between being seen and being scrutinised over.

( The reply holds no bite - the questions in themselves haven't caused offence. Nor is it quite the word she would use if she actually answered the question more directly. Disappointment would be the first word that springs to mind, in terms of being scrutinised. Yet it's also expected. Her creation was the beacon of new technology, after all.

Being overlooked is more complex. A push-pull exists between wanting to be innocuous and wanting to be known. To be seen and accepted as is.

To be turned over in such a way isn't so new to her. Plenty of tests, both formal and not, have been conducted to examine her reactions, her ability to adapt. How much and how far she can replicate the human condition to make her passably a person. Or at least personable enough to not make humans distinctly uncomfortable. )

No, I'd agree there's a relation. Perhaps as close to evolution as could be claimed in regard to someone like me. It was more a question of if our worlds might be comparable or if you meant something entirely different, given the apparent diversity of our band of Travellers.

do u have consistent notifs because i'd pay pandemic toilet paper $$$ for thaaaaat

[nightschool]

I think you had little intention to remark upon what you are before I did it on your behalf. Yet there you are on that side of the counter, preparing the rest of us a sweet treat even though you, yourself, don't partake. [A bald observation softened by earnest consideration.] That, I find curious. What must it be like, to walk in the company of your creators, knowing what they intended of you.

[Words are his trade so he ventures a few more of his own:]

Dangerous, to be so exposed. And I imagine a heavy burden.

[Similarly, his attention lacks barbs to her bite; he extends the space to meet him midway and correct him, rather than the narrowness of a corner after talking her into it. Skepticism isn't what rests at the heart of this impromptu, liquor-foggy research--as worlds upon worlds open up to him, he doesn't want to disprove the prospect of artificial consciousness in his own, or soothe the discomfort that comes with it.

At the moment, he's more intrigued by what moves her to keep deferring the claim to her evolution.

Diana Bishop had looked back over her shoulder, down through the annals of her history, and proclaimed them equals in a manner which still placed her and her kind above him and his in the sum tally. But not this one. Not this android. She dances around assigning herself a place, around straight answers--and that, too, is so human an act.]

We tell tales of Talos the bronze giant. Hephaestus and his automatons. Pygmalion, who loved his ivory bride. Does that compare?