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.

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Comments

[neverwither]

( Chloe recognises the time and space needed for things to be said. While she casts the odd glance to Saxsice, she makes sure to not be watching her expectantly.

When she does speak, Chloe turns her head to her in acknowledgement. ) He's someone special to you?

( That much is fairly obvious, but she doesn't want to assume the relationship between Saxsice and the boy in the photograph. )

[queenking]

[Saxsice hums softly in assent, carefully tucking the photo in between the layers of her clothes, covering the spot with her hand.]

My kid. [The laugh she gives is humorless, self-deprecating.] Don't really seem the type, do I?

[neverwither]

( Chloe peers at her a moment, like she's trying to assess what 'the type' might be. )

Well... I know I don't know you very well but I do see someone who was able to forge her own path and build her own life, someone who must have a lot of inner resources so... It doesn't seem that strange to me that you'd have a child.

[queenking]

[That gets a surprised and genuinely touched little half-smile from Saxsice.] That's...really much kinder than I think anyone's been to me in a real long time. Kinda makes me sound almost...admirable.

[Then she shakes her head, looking at her feet.] I'm no good at it. That's...probably why I'm here.

[neverwither]

I don't think there's an 'almost' about it. ( Chloe's own smile is warm. )

Why would you say that, if you don't mind me asking?

[queenking]

Thanks. [Saxsice hesitates for a long moment, looking down at her Scrywatch and absently turning it to and fro so the little mirrored screen catches the fading light.]

...I ran away from home when I was sixteen. Didn't wanna live the life my momma wanted me to. I lived really...recklessly and stupidly for a long time, and ended up pregnant. My momma found me, and said that she'd give me enough money to go live my own life and never bother me again, if I gave her the baby.

[A raised and lowered shoulder, her eyes still cast down.] So I did.

[neverwither]

( Chloe puts a hand on that shoulder, keeping the contact light so it can be shrugged off if it isn't wanted. )

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn but it reminds me of the adage about putting the oxygen mask on yourself first. I wouldn't frame it as a selfish act. I think you made the difficult choice and that, too, is admirable.

[queenking]

[The touch has Saxsice stiffening a little, instinctively, but she doesn't move away or shrug it off. Instead she looks over at Chloe, expression raw and hopeful.]

Yeah? Do you -- actually believe that? [She exhales, short and sharp.] Even though I knew what...what it was like back home?

[neverwither]

( There's nothing about Chloe that suggests she's only paying lip service to make Saxsice feel better. It could potentially be a by-product but she means all she says. )

Please do tell me if I'm treading where I shouldn't but... Although home may have been a difficult place for you, it sounds as though it may have had more stability than the life you said you were leading. I think what you did speaks of courage and devotion.

[queenking]

[Saxsice sniffs, rubbing at her nose with her sleeve, which is both gross and strangely childlike. But her smile is soft, genuine.]

Have I told you yet that you're real sweet? [Another sniff.] He just...came back to me a couple months before I came here. I was tryin' to make things right. And now I'm stuck here.

[A hiccupy sigh, then she shakes her head, trying to shake it off.] What'd the, uh. Oracle-lady say to you? If you feel like sharin'.

[neverwither]

( Sure, it's not the most hygienic gesture but Chloe finds it endearing. )

And you're very sweet to say so. ( She pauses, wanting to choose her words even more carefully. ) I'm sorry you had to experience that kind of loss again. Although... being here might be part of making things right. Another space to figure things out and make sure that oxygen mask is in place.

( She diverts her gaze, looking off into the middle distance. ) She said... Well, she said that it's possible to earn a soul.

[queenking]

...maybe you're right. [Saxsice reaches up, covers the spot where she'd tucked the picture, as if making sure it's still there.] It's probably gonna be good for me. Make me a...better person and all that stuff. In the long run. [Another soft sniffle.] Short run really sucks, though.

[That's -- hm. That's an unexpected answer. Her eyebrows quirk up and she pauses for a moment before answering.] Huh. Well, I s'pose she'd know. Were you, uh...askin' for a friend?

[neverwither]

If you can have that sort of approach it, maybe it won't be such a long run. ( The smile she gives is hopeful, gently encouraging. ) And if you ever want to talk or some company to try and make the short run suck a little less, I'd be very glad to volunteer.

( She tries to keep her tone as casual as possible. ) For myself, actually.

[queenking]

I'll do my best. [It's hard to stay gloomy with that type of gentle, smiling encouragement, and the smile Saxsice flashes is a much more genuine one.] Thanks. It's -- weird talkin' about it. Him. I try to keep it kinda quiet.

[The eyebrows raise a couple centimeters higher.] Oh. What...makes you think you don't have one already? A soul?

[neverwither]

I can understand that. It's... I don't think the topic is something you should force yourself to talk about if you don't want to. ( Weirdly, Chloe can relate. She doesn't have a child she tries to avoid discussing too much, but there are plenty of other things she does. People. A person.

Awkward and trying not to be, she smooths out a couple of imaginary wrinkles from her dress. ) Well... The thing of it is, I'm not really a person, as such, you see... I'm an android. I'm sorry I didn't mention it to you before, but I was having such a nice time... ( She shakes her head, cutting herself off from rambling any further. )

[queenking]

In moderation, maybe. [Saxsice manages a hesitant, still-sad smile.] Gotta do my requisite momma braggin' and all that. [Even if it hurts, there's an ache that's eased by talking about her son, everything she's proud of and everything she misses.

There's a pause while she internalizes this, propping her chin in one hand. Finally, she nods, slowly.] Huh. Okay, gotcha. And no need for sorry, we were doin' other stuff. Still don't answer my question, though.

[neverwither]

( An oddly sharp thought pokes into her mind - she hasn't really done any requisite bragging about the one who's special to her. But that's because he wouldn't like it, of course. Some things are private. That's all. ) What's he like? Your son. ( Her smile says to brag away, if it might help.

Chloe finally brings her gaze back so she can just look at Saxsice for a moment. ) I'm a machine. ( As if that explains everything. )

[queenking]

[Saxsice's expression and body language soften immediately, much gentler than she has ever shown herself to be before. She twists her fingers together as she talks, both nervous and earnest.] He's smart. Smarter'n I ever was, even now. And he's real quiet -- total opposite of me -- but that doesn't mean he doesn't listen. He's always listenin', always thinkin' about somethin' big and complicated and serious. Doesn't laugh very much, that's my momma's influence I think. But he's...good. He's good that nobody could stamp out, y'know?

[Her gaze stays even at this, however, and she leans a little closer, voice softening.] You're Chloe. What's inside'a your head, wires or brains or whatnot, don't change that. Besides, you bein' worried about souls makes you much more human than a lotta folks I've met.

[neverwither]

( Both the shift in Saxsice's demeanour and the way she talks about her son warms Chloe. She keeps up her gentle smile, hanging on every word. Parts of the description remind her of her creator. Though she doesn't dwell on those thoughts for long at all. ) He sounds wonderful. What's his name?

( Her lips press together in a tight line at Saxsice's words hit home. She isn't really Chloe anymore. Not how she is supposed to be, anyway. But the sheer kindness and sweetness of what's said manages to temporarily cancel out those not so nice feelings. ) Thank you, Saxsice. I... Thank you.

[queenking]

Ryan. His name's Ryan. [Saxsice shifts a little in her seat, still twisting her fingers together, before finally pulling out the photo and offering it to Chloe, to get a better look.] Careful, it's...kinda delicate.

[Then she offers a smile, propping her chin in one hand.] You're welcome. I'm just callin' it like I see it. I know it doesn't always mean much, specially when you've got other stuff in your head sayin' the opposite, but...I do really mean it.

[neverwither]

( Chloe pauses, the gesture not lost on her. With the reverence it deserves, she takes the photo. ) He's beautiful. I can see you in him. ( The picture is handed back utmost care and a smile that thanks Saxsice for sharing. )

( She shakes her head, clearing the cobwebs as much as trying to reassure Saxsice. ) No, no, it does. It means a lot. It's just... So very nice of you.

[queenking]

Thanks. [She looks down at the photo for a moment, then tucks it back into her shirt.] He's not -- like me, I mean. I mean, he's human. All human.

[Another shrug, this time a little sheepish.] I'm worried I'm givin' you wrong expectations. You're gonna think I'm real sweet when instead I'm just a big ol' pain.

[neverwither]

( That comes as a bit of a surprise. Not that Chloe knows the mechanics of werewolf biology or society. ) Does he know about you?

( Brows furrowed, Saxsice's opinion of herself clearly won't do as far as Chloe's concerned. ) You are sweet. You've been very sweet to me. I'm grateful. ( And she is not one to talk about anyone being a big ol' pain. ) I really hope we'll be able to be friends.

[queenking]

Mmm-hm. [Saxsice shifts to prop her chin in both hands, elaborating a little.] He was raised by my mom and cousins in my hometown, and they're all like me. It can take a little while for the, uh..."change" to happen, so they kept waitin' for it to show up in him, but no dice. Just human, through and through. So they sent him to live with me. [She smiles, but it's humorless, all teeth.] Momma wasn't happy about it.

[Then she shrugs, scuffing at the ground with the toe of one shoe.] There's a lotta nastiness in the world, I'm just tryin' to balance it out, is all. [She glances back up at Chloe, a more genuine smile on her face.] I figured we already were.

[neverwither]

Is it usual for a child to be born human through and through...? And please do tell me if I ask anything offensive or entirely ignorant. ( Kind and tolerant as Saxsice seems, accidentally upsetting her through sheer stupidity is not on Chloe's agenda.

That genuine smile is echoed in Chloe, as is the tentative recognition of someone on a similar wavelength. ) That's very much how I like to think of things. From what I've seen, you definitely bring a lot of light and cheer to the world. And... thank you. We are. Friends, I mean.