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

Jean-Paul Beaubier/Northstar | Marvel !616 | OTA

[speed_of_snark]

The Temple

"What d'fuck." It's a statement more than a question, uttered flatly. Arms crossed over his chest, mouth downturned in a moue of distaste, Jean-Paul stands inside the Island Temple, looking down at the clothes hung for the taking.

"So my choice is this ridiculous robe or an epileptic's tie-dye experiment? Chrisse."

He sighs and looks at one of the strange cats guarding the place. "I don't suppose you have Gucci on this island?"


The Lotus Baths

If it's remotely luxurious, Jean-Paul is there. If he must be stuck on some sort of... self help retreat or whatever this is, he's going to make the very best of the situation. The baths are undeniably pleasant, and he strips and sinks in with a pleased hum. Head tipped back, eyes closed, he stays that way as the stress held in his body gradually dissipates.

"Wake up, babe."

He opens his eyes, aware that he's still in the bath but feeling at the same time that he is in fact home in bed. Regardless, his husband is snuggled up close to him, smiling.

Jean-Paul smiles back brilliantly. "Non. I'm never getting up again. And you have to stay with me." He can just barely smell fresh coffee over the scent of the flowers. He reaches for Kyle's hand and is surprised when he can't quite seem to catch it.

Gradually what he sees will change, and the baths will seem far away and unimportant. Instead of feeling the soft, warm water there is instead the rush of air and the sensation of falling, faster and faster.

Which might be terrifying, if you're not used to it.


Nightblooming

Jean-Paul is a pretty terrible superhero. He has had to be practically blackmailed into action in the past, after all, and his temper and ego aren't particularly heroic. That said, Jean-Paul has also spent time as a teacher and guardian, and the idea of some stupid teenager out there in the dark alone with god knows what?

No. He can't allow that to happen.

He turns to whoever is closest to him and says, "Well, are you coming with me to help?"


Wildcard me, baby!

Temple

[helpdesk_hero]

The voice was what brought David from his explorations of the Temple. Live with a guy long enough and you know not only his voice, but his favored curses. And, in a lot of ways, it's a voice David hadn't heard in so long that of course he went to seek it out.

"Something tells me that Gucci isn't an option, boss," David spoke as he entered the space, smiling. He'd abandoned his robe quite readily for the vibrant clothing, happy to just not be in a robe. "And come on, you've worn way less tasteful stuff than this."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul's face registers surprise for exactly half a second, and joy for another half. But then he's back to looking grumpy, because Jean-Paul's flavour is smug-n-sour.

"I'll thank you not to bring up Alpha's ill-advised red-and-white costume phase," Jean-Paul replied. He turned to look at David properly, a smile playing behind his eyes.

"David."

[helpdesk_hero]

Damn grumpy punk. How has this island not taking that edge away?

"Oh no, we're completely talking about the red-and-white phase," David grinned as he stepped forward, offering a hand out of Jean-Paul.

"Jean-Paul. You're a sight for sore, and tired, eyes."

[speed_of_snark]

"Not my decision." Jean-Paul steps forward and pulls David into a brief hug before pushing him back.

"Mm, pollen everywhere, ouais. It's awful." He sighs and looks around. "It's not quite Krakoa, but I suppose we've seen a lot worse. The cats are weird."

One of the cats looks at them, yawns, and turns around to sit.

[helpdesk_hero]

The hug was welcomed, and even if it was there and gone like it always happened to be with speedsters, he was happy for it anyway. So happy.

"What, you've got allergies?" David asked, tilting his head and smirking as he moved to take the piece of clothing Jean-Paul had been looking at. "I think Kyle would say it looked good on you, if he was here. And yeah, it's not Krakoa. I'd be happier there."

[speed_of_snark]

"Non, thank god. It's still vaguely irritating to have it everywhere, though."

Jean-Paul makes a face. "If only he were. I get the impression this place thinks it can keep us here." Something Jean-Paul has no intention of accepting in spite of the reality of the situation. "We both would, David. You're alright, though? Not injured or anything?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"Perhaps," David agreed, but mostly he didn't care as much as he could. "I'm sure there will be times when home is bad too."

Still, he feels a bit awkward for the bringing up Kyle. That had probably been unkind. It hadn't even been something he'd thought of much. Mostly because he was so used to being so far from home and those he loved.

"From my experience? Places like this can and will," he noted. Don't aspire for a home you can't reach yet.

As for the question, David offers a small, sad smile.

"Not physically. But anything else is just part and parcel for a mutant."

[speed_of_snark]

"Hn." Jean-Paul privately thinks that everywhere is bad sometimes, but he doesn't want to encourage any pessimism at the moment.

"And what experience is that, David? I've escaped every false reality I've been put in." Often violently.

Gimme that Wildcard guuuuuurl

[extrasensory_problems]

Just when he thought that he was getting a grip on things; things like horrible spider babies, being beaten up by 1920's gangsters, running from sea zombies, and the horrible realization that Lovecraft seemed to be right and there were multiple worlds and times and ancient creatures all around them. Just as he was starting to sort of get a grip on all of that then he was tossed another curve ball.
A very large, snarky curve ball.

Jean
Paul
Beaubier

At first he can't believe that it's him, there's no way, but as soon as he gets closer he can see the elf ears and piercing blues eyes.

"It is him." Carter whispers to himself, hiding behind a large bush of neon purple and blue blossoms. He's been following Jean-Paul for about twenty minutes, which might not be an easy task seeing how the man has super speed, luckily for Carter JP seems to be more interested in exploring the island casually rather than quickly. He cringes when JP glances his way and shamelessly ducks further behind the bush, his heart hammering in his chest and he feeling vaguely sick from the multiple emotions that seeing Jean-Paul has stirred up. Excitement, fear, dread, joy, sadness.

"fuck."

bruh

[speed_of_snark]

Carter isn't exactly subtle. Jean-Paul keeps looking his way, one eyebrow arching high.

"You can stop jerking off in the bushes, you pervert," he calls loudly. "I'm not in the mood." He puts his hands on his hips - clad in the shortest shorts the island has to offer - and glares at said bush.

[extrasensory_problems]

And this is where he is faced with the ultimate dilemma. He can either stand up and actually say hello to his mother's old best friend.....or he could continue to hide in the bushes like a cowardly child.

"Uhh pay no attention to the pervert in the bushes!"

Great decision Carter.

"Who isn't actually jerking off...just...uh...inspecting the flowers! Yeah!"

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul rolls his eyes and marches over. "Look, you degenerate," he says as he approaches. "I'm giving you two seconds to pull your pants up so when I kick your ass at least it won't be hanging out."

[extrasensory_problems]

"I don't have my dick out!" Carter exclaims, who starts to half stand up in order to prove it but then realizes that Jean-Paul is headed over. He makes a startled squawk noise and decides this was all a bad idea and makes a dash for it, which is a stupid idea since Jean-Paul is the fastest mutant alive, something that Annie always joked should be on his business cards.

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul is, yes, the fastest man alive. He appears in front of Carter before he can even pick up speed - he holds out a hand to grab Carter's shoulder. This will either stop him, or knock him over. Jean-Paul doesn't care which.

He looks him over. "Hn. Alright, your pants are up. What the fuck were you doing?"

[extrasensory_problems]

Luckily Carter's reflexes are fast enough that he doesn't get knocked over, he manages to stop himself just in time. But now of course he's got an irate Jean-Paul in front of him, demanding what he was doing.

"I...I was following you." He says, staring up in wonder at Jean-Paul's face, still shocked that it's actually him and not an illusion or ghost. "I had to make sure it was you."

[speed_of_snark]

One of Jean-Paul's eyebrows ticks upwards. "I'm sorry, have we met?" he asks doubtfully. The young man in front of him is attractive but completely unfamiliar. Except maybe the eyes - there's something there.

Temple

[grayshulk]

"You missed the chance for hand tailoring on the last island," Jen says, walking into the storage room. She's clearly already given in to the tie-dye, and is dealing with the lack of stretchy material by wearing oversized shirt and wrap dress in shades of purple that practically sear the eye.

"I'd say it was good to see you, but, well, the whole abduction thing."

[speed_of_snark]

"Well, well, if it isn't the lawyer I hired to keep me from being deported from the dumbest country around," Jean-Paul says. "Obviously a non issue now, you should really refund me." They both know he was breaking border crossing laws on the daily.

He's almost smiling. "You look well, at least."

[grayshulk]

"Given what I remember about the amount of good work I did for an extraordinarily stubborn client, I'm pretty sure I won't be doing that," she answers with a ghost of a smile.

She shrugs, "It wasn't the worst time for me not to have to deal with the rest of the world. How about you?"

[speed_of_snark]

"I'm certain your client was absolutely reasonable," he says loftily.

"Mm, I'm pissed," he says. This isn't exactly an uncommon emotion for Jean-Paul. "One minute I'm drifting off to sleep in my bed with my husband, and now I'm on Allergen Island, where apparently I'm supposed to begin my journey of... I don't know, hugging my inner child or some nonsense."

[grayshulk]

"Never a day in his life, but heaven help the person who tries to convince him of that."

The smile evaporates as she listens. While Jennifer is quietly convicted by her presence here, even relieved by it, Jean-Paul doesn't fit. At least not at the time he described. "It's not as gentle as it looks. We had undead, cults, gangsters, and weird magic at the last island. Working on ourselves is the theory, the reality is...aggressive."

[speed_of_snark]

"I'm going to ignore that."

Jean-Paul waves a dismissive hand. "Ouais, the guy piloting the boat didn't seem to imply it was going to be a walk in the park. It still seems a lot like some new age therapy bullshit but in hell," he says. He still looks put out. "What I'm hearing, Jen, is that this place is probably hiding an Audrey 2 somewhere. Maybe we have to fight it to conquer some Freudian fear."

[grayshulk]

She shrugs with a hint of a smile again.

"It wouldn't shock me. Though I don't know if Freud made it here." She wraps an arm around her middle. "I honestly don't know that much about what they plan to do to rehab us other than it's one month of aggressively weird shit and one month of calmer weirdness. And I get why they picked me and Deadpool, but, well, you're shockingly well adjusted most of the time?" But she remembers the other people from the boat who seemed mostly well adjusted, and gives herself another squeeze.

[speed_of_snark]

"I know, right?" he says, gesturing at himself. "I'm the pinnacle of having-your-shit-together." He pauses, then groans.

"Deadpool? Chrisse. Well. HE'S never getting off the islands," he mutters. He looks around and sighs.

"I suppose even the very perfect - like yours truly - might still have some issues. Very few, mind you. And certainly none so dire that they require THIS nonsense. Still. I suppose for the moment I'm stuck."