SPECIAL EVENT: The Flower Oracle

[polymods]

✖ Meet The Oracle

A low thrumming sound builds in the background noise of the raised village, starting so softly that it would be easy to mistake it for the ever present hummingbirds. It keeps building slowly, somehow managing to be both a sound and to bypass the ear as it hums in the bones. The local Temple Guardians bump heads and brush against each other, quietly affirming their bond as they divide their duties: one staying with the local Temple and the other winding through the paths of the village down to the bud of the Flower Oracle in its place of honor in the city center.

The villagers stop what they’re doing, not quite in a panic, but their speed is deliberate and definite. They gather things on their way, flower wreaths, fish, beautiful food, sharp knives, until everyone has something in their arms. There is an ecstatic tension in the air, after all, the time has come when these people will yet again see substantial proof of their god, and it seems they have forgotten all about the Travelers who might have joined them. There is plenty of room for everyone to gather in a circle around the green bud that has grown even larger.

The thrum rises until it is hard to breathe, until some of the structures around begin to groan in the onslaught, and then it stops, suddenly. In the vacuum of silence, there is a wet and meaty sound as the bud begins to open, a first hint of things that look like red lips and white teeth. A canny Traveler might be forgiven for running at that point. The visceral sound of the splitting, of this birthing, continues as the bud splits, then splits again as the four sepals fall open, exposing an inner surface that glistens red and is lined at the edges with white sharp growths that may be fangs. The villagers ignore the implicit threat. They have eyes only for the structure in the middle.

Who can blame them? Translucent petals form a breathing tower, curled tight and perfect as a seashell. A glow pulses like a heartbeat as the petals slowly unfurl, collapsing elegantly to reveal the Oracle and provide protection against the threat of the sepals. The Flower Oracle is beautiful, glowing, soft and round. She is initially surrounded by four guards, each masculine and clearly dangerous, but they move aside to leave a clear path. The villagers line up with their sacrifices, and there is ritual patience in the act. Everyone will have their time with the Oracle, and anyone must be allowed their time alone within the petals.

Notes:
Characters who wish to approach the oracle need to respond to the thread titled ‘Meet the Oracle’. After they get their response, they can post a separate reaction thread to play out some of the consequences of the event.

Responses to the Oracle Thread should include: a short description of their IC reaction/actions, a description of what they bring for a sacrifice, and their question for the ancient. Villagers will have let them know that traditional options include: fish, flowers, art, blood, secrets, or memories. Characters/players may come up with their own sacrifices. Please include a note if the character helped decorate the local temple this month.

WARNING: Contacting the Oracle may result in negative IC results for characters, and there is a degree of randomness in how the mods assign results.

Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

Comments

Thor Odinson

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

[Thor has never been one to easily shy away from magic; he'd grown up around it, been raised by it. But even he, a deity in his own right, can feel that the magic flowing in the Oracle is all together different.

He does not have much, certainly not in the way of the riches he once did. He removes one of his leather wristbands, offering it as a sacrifice. He had also done his best to decorate the local temple using flora and fauna that he found locally, carefully cutting leaves to represent some of his favorite animals as well as a few choice lightning bolts and hoped that such a display would please the Oracle.]

Loki said that we saved our people and settled on Earth. He has no reason to lie to me, but I gather that he is also not forthcoming with his information. What is it that he'd hiding from me?

[polymods]

The Oracle watches the arrival of the Asgardian with bright curiosity. He buzzes with power, a charged hum that is distinctly different from his brother. Just as clear to her vision, aided by lock of hair still tied around her finger, are the ways the two are bound together. She likes this injured lightning barer better for it even before his offering.

Though humble, the wristband is gladly received. Clear tendrils claiming the wristband so that she might wear it the same side as her earlier gift, pleased with the harmony and discord so that are so different than her own experience.

As her eyes darken with the presence of the Ancient, she is allowed to see the decorative work Thor has left in the Temple. Such interesting things to greet the next generations of Travelers as they come to this island and face the parts of themselves that need mending and growth. The Oracle is pleased, then, when the Ancient decides to give an answer, though that, too, will come with its own burden.

"He hides pain," she answers, her voice like wind in the trees, "he hides loss. He hides bravery and violence. He shields you. He shields himself."

It is not the place of the Oracle to wonder what will happen with this abstract knowledge. The most she can offer is a hopeful smile when the Ancient's presence drains from her, and a moment to process before Thor, too, is gently ushered through.

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

[Thor offers a deep bow of the head, grateful and humbled. The words will ring in his ears for weeks, months, years to come, unless he is able to find Loki and get him to reveal that which he's hiding.]

Thank you, Oracle .. ma'am. Sir? .. For your time and for your wisdom. I will speak to my Brother with haste.