polylogs | Something in the air...

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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.

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Incapacitate him to eat him, maybe.

[Hell, is she really that much of a bleeding heart that she wants to rationalize the actions of monsters? He's killed enough to feel certain there's no point in that. If Sephiroth were the type to curse more casually, he probably would now, but instead he only grits his teeth in annoyance as she emerges into plain view to talk to them.

It's basically the opposite of self-defense, but if she wants to do something stupid, then he may as well take advantage. The singing has stopped, and as long as she has their attention, Sephiroth intends to circle around behind them.

Helping the boy? Not really his priority. But he doesn't have the range he's accustomed to, so getting in closer before he's noticed is ideal.

It's unclear yet whether the mantises understand Chloe; Sephiroth would posit their song is only an approximation of human speech, to lure their prey. But they do seem to be waiting on something more from her, rather than outright attacking. Maybe they're only sizing her up.]

( The fact they could be sizing her up has also crossed Chloe's mind. They would be some disappointed insects if they do decide to go in for the kill. She lacks any tasty human flesh to eat and ingesting her blue blood is... not the wisest thing to do. At least it could buy Sephiroth and the boy some time.

She keeps one eye on her companion as she continues to address her mantis audience. Hopefully he won't strike if they don't strike first. Hopefully no one will strike anyone at all. )

With so many people worried about him, we might not be the only ones who you meet. We just want to take him back to his village and his family but others might not see it that way...

( The mantis nearest to her rubs its front legs together, the rest soon following suit. It cocks its head at her. It then speaks, but its statement is a simple one. )

Food.

( It may help the mantises cause if they could be more specific. Is this a request? Telling them that they're on the menu? There's no elaboration at the moment, only the echoing chorus of 'food' from the other insects. )

[What's this "we" business? Sephiroth absolutely wants a fight.

And he thinks their response is clear enough: she would absolutely have gotten herself eaten had she come out here alone. If someone were to ask him why there aren't any children in the village, he has a working hypothesis.

What neither Chloe's optimism nor his pessimism quite accounted for was the boy beginning to recover his senses. He gives an abrupt start like someone coming awake from the edge of sleep and yelps as he nearly falls out of the tree, drawing the attention of several of the mantises. One of them spots Sephiroth, and suddenly all of them seem to notice him.

Sephiroth decides he's close enough. It's probably small comfort to Chloe that he's taking her advice about their front legs to heart as he darts in faster than any human has a right to be and just hacks clean through the foreleg of the closest mantis.]

( Chloe herself can picture why their might be an absence of children. The insects are alluring in looks and their song seems to lull people. A child could quite easily want to investigate or even try to befriend the wondrous creates.

Having that thought in mind doesn't stop Chloe trying to attempt the befriending herself. Before she can carry on with her diplomatic mission, a flurry of activity erupts.

Her first port of call is to try getting closer to the boy and be ready to catch him (or break his fall). Darting towards the tree, she glances to Sephiroth to make sure he's okay.

And he seems to be. The mantises? Not so much. )

Wait! Stop! They weren't doing anything! They weren't attacking!

( Whether they were gearing up to is irrelevant. They'd been talking. They don't know if the creatures are only acting on instinct or if they have the ability to be reasoned with.

A strategy that now looks like it's gone out the window.

The struck mantis emits a shrill cry that Chloe interprets as pain. The rest make the same sound, like they'd been dealt the blow themselves. They also look like they're backing off from the man with the machete and the fallen member of their group. Is it even dead? Or is it just suffering?

Awful as the scene is, and may yet become, the human in the tree is the priority. Seizing the opening, she carries on her dash so she can stand guard, coax him down. )

Sephiroth! Just stop! Please!

[And the boy will need some coaxing to come down. Between the tall weirdo with the machete and the screaming of the mantises, there's a lot about the situation that doesn't say "safe," and while he seems to recognize Chloe as a would-be rescuer, he's hesitant to leave his perch.

As for whether Sephiroth can be reasoned with, that also seems questionable at the moment. The mantises collectively draw back from him at the shock of his attack-- but though badly injured, the one mantis isn't dead yet, and when Sephiroth advances a step closer as if to finish the job, they seem to rally in its defense.

Lucky for them, they have a much longer reach than his current weapon, so while he's able to block and dodge those sharp spines on their arms, he's having a harder time closing in to strike at their bodies. Is he... smiling, though? It's a clumsy weapon, but it's been entirely too long since he's had a blade in his hand.]

( Smiling. Now there's smiling accompanying the violence. Chloe would like to think it's akin to nervous laughter during a dire situation but somehow... she doubts that's the case. If an appeal to better natures won't work, a more practical one might. )

They're advancing on you when you advance on them! And your weapon is disproportionate to theirs! Keep going and we might all end up with our heads bitten off!

( Do these mantises bite off heads? Does it really matter? The far worse thought is that her plea might only spur him on more. The reassurances she offers the boy don't match her face at all. Nothing about her expression is convincing anyone that it will all be okay and all is under control. )

I'd like to see them try.

[Chloe, anything that makes this more challenging is also what makes it fun. He severs the tip of one mantis's forearm, and they collectively reel back for an instant. Sephiroth glances back at Chloe.]

You wanted to get the boy out of here, so get him out of here. I believe I have their attention.

[The boy is edging towards a lower branch, at least; maybe he recognizes that this is a now-or-never kind of moment.]

( Being powerless is something Chloe is all too familiar with. Bitter a pill as it is to swallow, she realises that nothing she says or does is going to make any difference. That, too, is something she is all too familiar with.

In his single-mindedness, in his relentlessness, Sephiroth reminds the android of her creator. It's... disconcerting to draw such unfavourable comparisons. And they should most certainly be ignored.

With the boy looking like he's going to make a move, Chloe goes back to encouraging him. She also gets him to keep his focus on her as best he can so neither of them have to witness the violence. Him freaking out now and retreating back up the tree isn't going to help matters at all.

Tentative as he is at first, the boy then launches himself from the tree. Chloe scoops him to his feet, keeping an arm around him to steer him away and offer some comforting contact.

She glances over her shoulder to Sephiroth, not entirely comfortable with just leaving him there. Despite how he appears to be in his element. )

You'll be behind us?

[He's under no orders. There's no chain of command here, and she isn't a member of his unit.

But...

They do have some sort of agreement. And, this was proposed as a distraction, part of a plan to rescue the boy. As little as he cares about the idiot, if Sephiroth stays behind to fight here, and they're waylaid by some other group of monsters on the return journey, he won't really have held up his end of the bargain.]

...I will.

[He's clearly reluctant to disengage, and he won't do it until she and the boy are farther from the fray, but he'll do it.]

( That response is... unexpected. Maybe there is some form of tentative understanding between them. Or he's given up arguing with her to travel the path of least resistance. Whatever his reason, she gives him a look of gratitude. )

Be careful.

( Not delaying any longer for all their sakes, she keeps her arm around the teenager as they head back the way they came. He doesn't appear to be injured, except for a few scratches and scrapes from hastily clambering into the tree. He seems more shaken up than anything, though Chloe keeps a close eye on him.

Her head continually turns to look back for Sephiroth. Mental timestamps are taken to gauge how long might be too long before he joins them. Their disagreements don't mean she's any less worried about him. )

[A scoff at that. Be careful? Who tells him that?

He probably takes a little too long for comfort, waiting to deal another serious blow before pulling back. Maybe this one was fatal, or maybe the first mantis is succumbing to its injuries, because they don't follow him. Amid the chorus of insect screams, he turns to head back.

His long stride means he's able to catch up easily enough. Hopefully he doesn't cut too frightening an appearance, coming through the brush to join them. Now that he's closer, it's easier to see the light spatter of bug guts. There might be a tear in the sleeve of his robe that he doesn't seem concerned about or even aware of.]

( Shouldn't he be back with them by now? He should be back with them by now.

Concerns deepening, Chloe brings herself and the boy to a stop. They've gone far enough to be out of the reach of the fight. Without knowing Sephiroth is safe, she doesn't want to go any further. If she needs to turn back to find him, she'll do exactly that.

In spite of his appearance, she smiles when she catches sight of him. She doesn't move until he's right back with them. Then it's time for her to give him a glance over to see if he's hurt in any apparent way. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be the case. His robe looks like it's seen better days, however.

All too ready to break into 'I'm so glad you're alright' and make a bit of a fuss, she reins herself in. Doesn't seem like the right approach at all, and she should make more of an effort to relate to him in a way that might suit him better. )

It's good to see you back.

( There. Nothing too overblown or gushing. A straightforward statement. Though she can't resist tacking on a small something else. )

I can fix your robe later, if you'd like?

[Even that strikes him as a touch friendly, but it's muted enough not to earn her any disparaging looks. He spares a less-than-friendly glance for the boy, then looks down at the damage to his robe, but doesn't immediately address her comment.]

We should keep moving.

[He didn't eradicate the monsters, after all. He starts walking back, and after a short silence, he asks:]

...you sew?

[He doesn't like the robe, but at least it isn't some eye-searing color. Repairing or even altering it would be preferable.]

( Taking cue from him, she remains quiet, bar the occasional checking in with the teenager to make sure he's alright and assure him that he'll be home soon.

The ratio of insect innards to the number of insects that he'd faced would seem to indicate that he might not have wiped out the entire number. As much as she wants to query it, she doesn't. For now.

Out of the three of them, she wouldn't have thought he'd be the one to break the silence. Yet he does. And it isn't even to make a disdainful comment. Quite the development as far as Chloe's concerned. )

I do. It wouldn't be much work at all to repair it.

[Don't give him too much credit. It's just a belated follow-up question about something that serves his own needs. He'll be back to thinking about bug murder soon enough. As it is, he's keeping an ear out for anything that might be coming after them.]

Hm. Assuming you can locate the appropriate tools, that might be beneficial.

[Appropriate tools like a sewing kit, maybe? Needle and thread? It's like he doesn't even know what it's called.]

( Even if he's only being self-serving, Chloe will take it. And repairing his robe allows her to be useful, inconsequentially as it may be. )

I'm sure I can find the necessary things. A needle and thread shouldn't be too hard to come by.

( That would be Chloe's gentle, not meant to be patronising way of naming said tools. Not everyone has the skillset of a 1950's housewife. )

I also cook, should you ever feel like an alternative to what's on hand at the Temple.

Very well.

[The offer to cook does earn her an odd look. To him, she's just volunteering it out of nowhere, unrelated to anything at hand. Moreover...]

I'm entirely capable of cooking my own meals.

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that you aren't. I was only trying to be nice.

( As that's what she perpetually tries to be. Bug murder hasn't totally derailed her want to be friendly. )

Do you enjoy making anything in particular?

( That's a reasonable question, right? Harmless small talk. Sure, Sephiroth doesn't seem all that much for small talk but at least she isn't lecturing him on the ethical treatment of giant insects? )

[At least a lecture on not instantly murdering monsters would have been appropriate, in context. It's not that he expects no conversation after a battle, but this is when he hears men congratulating each other or checking in, or expressing things they're looking forward to. A warm meal might be one of those things, but she isn't offering it in connection to the task at hand.

He glances past her at the boy, trying to gauge from his expression if small talk at this juncture is in any way normal. He's really not sure.]

...no. It's simply a useful skill.

Ah. I see. Yes. Yes, it is.

( Chloe has no frame of reference for post-battle banter. Her aim was to show she wasn't going to drone on about how the situation played out and give him a reprieve. Establishing a rapport with him is... challenging. In the spirit of always looking for the silver lining, she decides to regard it as a learning opportunity. One she can use to hone her skills to more harmoniously interact with a more... subdued personality. Therefore she circles back to the matter she thought it would be wiser to drop. )

What happened with the mantises?

( She is careful to avoid asking what happened to them. All judgemental notes are kept out of her voice. They're reviewing, that's all. If her theory about there not being enough bug goo to indicate they were all hacked to pieces proves false... Well then. She'll just have to do better in future. )

[Inversely, he is clearly more comfortable discussing the bug murder. His response is prompt, easy. Like giving a report.]

I left three of them significantly wounded, but no confirmed kills.

They seemed disinclined to follow me, but I don't know that it's enough to deter them from eating any more villagers.

[Absolutely no regard for the nearly-eaten teenager mere feet away from him. He wasn't eaten, so he's fine, right?]

( No confirmed kills. That could be a positive. Chloe certainly regards the lack of outright massacre as a positive.

The boy doesn't seem as bolstered by what's said, letting out a strangled squawk at there being no guarantee he, or his fellow villagers, might not remain on the menu. )

I'd be interested to see if there is a way to deter them. I might go back with food from the Temple for the time we're here. If they have a steady supply and no one else is preyed upon, it might be a way to prevent this from happening. If we're to move on again, they will no longer have your strength and expertise.

You want to return... to bring them food.

[He understands what she's saying about the villagers not having him to deal with the mantises after their time here is up, but he also doesn't care. Either they figure out a solution on their own, or they'll all be eaten. They aren't his responsibility.

But what she's proposing is absurd.]

Will you ask them their preferences? Cook them their favorite meal?

[He's pretty sure it's human babies. Have fun with that.]

( Ignoring the... everything about how he says the words, Chloe responds to them as if they were sincere questions. )

As fish seems to be in plentiful supply, I'd start there. If we're to stay here for the same duration as we did Carcosa, I'd say it's enough time to test the theory.

( She also wouldn't outright reject his human baby theory. But a regular supply of easy food that doesn't involve anyone hunting them down might sway the mantises into settling for other cuisines. )

[Fine, she wants him to engage seriously with this idea?]

Say it works. Then what?

These people spend the rest of their existence in service to monsters? I suppose they'd prefer it to the current situation, but I expect having to supply food for an additional population will put some strain on them.

And plentiful now doesn't mean plentiful forever.

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