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]

Yes, Saxsice, and I agree with you. She's delightful. I've found quite a few people here are, actually. Not that they shouldn't be, of course, but it's not as though any of us are meeting under the most usual of circumstances.

( This sort of reaction is one she could get used to. Funny how people outside of her time seem less weirded out and suspicious. Then again, none of them are dealing with the fallout of the creation of androids. )

It's alright if it's a little weird. But thank you. ( Her own smile is grateful. ) A sentient advertisement... It sounds as though you've seen some interesting things, Kyle.

[kyley_b]

It kinda makes me wonder like... why they're here, sometimes. Like they seem super nice and kind and not like they need to learn some sort of lesson. Most people, anyway. I've met a couple of dicks. This one guy I swear to god exists just to drive me crazy.

Yeah, her name was Leslie. [It does his heart good to see her relax - he's seen and read enough science fiction to guess that some humans would react terribly to an android.]

I guess I have. I never really thought about it. [More like he's deliberately tried to ignore most of it.]

[neverwither]

I suppose that in itself could fit with the idea of this being therapeutic. Learning lessons about yourself or the world doesn't necessarily have to be some form of punishment or a negative. Maybe we need to shift our perspectives a little. Or perhaps the Ancient could use a better PR team. ( Jokes are not her strong point but attempts are made. ) Oh really? Who's the one driving you crazy, if you don't mind me asking?

( Ah. This might be a topic to dial back on. Best to be cautious and not upset a possible new friend. ) Well, for what it may be worth, it would seem like you're in good company here. The Island of Misfit Toys, as someone I met described it. Not that I mean that in a derogatory way, of course.

[kyley_b]

Probably both! [He laughs, but then he groans.] Oh, jeez. This guy named Quentin. Pink hair, super cute, totally an asshole?

Dude, that's a super good description, actually. I mean... I guess everybody has something to learn. The only difference here is we can all stare at each other's wrists and figure out how bad it is. [Kyle's watch is yellow - totally mediocre.]

[neverwither]

( Getting a laugh bolsters her that little bit further. The Quentin comment gets a knowing nod as an alluring but challenging man? She can relate. ) I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him yet.

I can’t take any credit for that description - it belongs entirely to my friend Carter. And who knows, you could learn something wonderful about yourself. As you said, how ‘bad’ it is may be largely subjective, hmm? ( Her watch dubs her mediocre too. )

[kyley_b]

He's a dickhead.

No way, Carter? I know that guy! He nearly got me killed last month!

[He glances at his watch and sighs.] Okay, true. Both comforting and frightening, really.

[neverwither]

Duly noted. Though I suppose driving someone crazy can be one way of getting their attention...

( Chloe blinks at him. ) Carter nearly got you killed? Sweet Carter? What happened?

Comforting and frightening. That's also a good description. Though, I suppose, someone not thinking as much of themselves as they could may show they're not that bad, really.

[kyley_b]

Yeah! Okay, I guess it wasn't really his fault - some gangsters mistook him for some guy. And instead of beating them up or using his brain powers he just let us get our asses kicked. We got away when I took a chihuahua hostage. [Kyle frequently sounds like he's delusional when he explains things.]

Huh. That's a good point.

Hey, stupid question, but... do you miss home?

[neverwither]

( She listens very seriously - it makes as much sense as anything else on these islands. ) You're alright now though, yes? That was a very creative escape strategy. Was the dog alright too?

I'm not advocating for a lack of self-esteem, of course, but an excess of hubris is more troubling, in some ways.

( A thought which, in combination with his question, makes her frown for a moment. But then she nods. ) It's not a stupid question. Yes, I do. But... ( There's that frown again. ) I like some aspects about here. And you? Do you miss home?

[kyley_b]

Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks. I think he is - Carter and I actually looked after the little dude for the rest of our time on Carcosa.

[Kyle considers that a moment, then nods.] No, you're right. It's. Hm. Okay, like... we tend to think of being overly confident as a selfish thing, right? Like we think the world revolves around us. But thinking you're the absolute worst, that feels like a different manifestation of the same base impulse that you're the center of the universe. Or something.

Is it, uh. Hard to be an android, where you're from? [He nods.] Yeah. Yeah, I do. I worry about my family a bit.

[neverwither]

( She has to smile a little at that. ) I hope you don't mind me saying so but that is quite an adorable image.

( That makes her take pause as it hits close to home. ) That's a very good point. Rather than think of this as a journey of redemption or to 'greatness', perhaps it would be worth considering it a journey of finding balance.

It's... complicated. A lot of people don't care for androids and to most, an android is just something to fulfil a function, serve a role. But there has been change, very recently.

( There's a look of concern. ) Of course. What's your family like, if I may ask?

[kyley_b]

Heh. No, I don't mind. I guess we're both kinda soft hearted. It was such a stupid little dog, too.

[He laughs.] I mean, it's as good a plan as any, right? And if we think it's making things worse we'll have to just adjust.

Oh, jeez. That's... sadly not unexpected. Humans are really good at treating others like objects.

[He smiles a little.] Oh, they're great. I mean, I haven't lived at home for a few years, but yeah. I have a younger brother, he's kind of the best. Literal genius.

[neverwither]

I think being kind of soft hearted is rather lovely. I’m sure your little furry friend appreciated your care.

I very much like your way of thinking. I’m sure we’ll rise from our apparent mediocrity to be the pinnacle of zen soon enough.

Well… It’s not entirely unjustified. And humans are… special. You came to exist through a myriad of chance events that may never occur again or elsewhere. Androids came to exist through the vision of one man.

The two of you are close? You and your brother.

[kyley_b]

Well. Thanks. [He looks genuinely touched by that.]

God, that would be kinda awesome, actually. I, uh. Kind of have a temper.

That just makes us a special accident, if anything. And frankly if we didn't think we could get along with another intelligence we never should have started screwing around with AI at all.

Yeah, very. He's adopted, but that doesn't matter. Do you have anything like a family? People you care about and stuff?

[neverwither]

You're very welcome.

Really? ( She looks kind of surprised by that admission. ) Well, for what it may be worth, I once heard that anger is a passionate response to injustice and the fuel to make it right.

( Wide eyed, she shakes her head. ) No no, you're far more than an accident. You have so much more than intelligence. While I think most androids would now rather not be regarded as an imitation of a human, I can see why humans would see it as such.

That sounds so lovely. And it's the feelings and bonds that matter, isn't it? More than blood, I mean... I have my creator. I care for him very much.

[kyley_b]

God, that is how it feels, anyway. I guess the problem is that what is perceived as an injustice isn't always one, objectively.

You mean like we have a soul or something?

It is, yeah. Blood doesn't mean much without connection. Oh, so he's sort of like your dad or a brat friend? That's a good thing to have.

[neverwither]

Does it matter if it isn't objectively one? Which I don't mean as a facetious question. Just... If the emotion can be seen as a message that something doesn't feel right to or for you, it doesn't feel right to or for you.

Yes. That's it. You have a soul.

( She blushes - which makes her cheeks turn blue instead of red. ) ...No. Not exactly like that, no.

[kyley_b]

I want to say yes, but... I've done some really shit because I thought I was in the right, and I wasn't. And it hurt people.

I guess I probably do. But I don't think that's exclusive to humans.

[Oh, now THAT is cool, and oddly charming.] Ohhhhh, like, uhh... a partner?

[neverwither]

Ah. Yes. I suppose it may come back to that idea of balance, perhaps? Channeling those feelings into something positive... And at the risk of using any of the therapy-esque speak again, at least you have that kind of self-awareness.

This may only be my opinion but I think all living beings have a soul. Or organic beings might be a better term. Though... This may sound silly but... The Oracle... She gave me hope that one day... Well... Maybe I could too.

A partner. Yes. And how about you? Do you have anyone special like that?

[kyley_b]

Yeah, that's probably what I should strive for. And thanks. I just kinda need to be self aware in the moment, and not in retrospect.

[He smiles.] Like the little mermaid? Do enough good stuff and you earn one? Yeah, that sounds legit. That might even apply to people, really.

[He goes pink and shakes his head.] Uhm, no. No, I never really dated much.

[neverwither]

It's difficult in the moment, but I'm sure you'll get to that point. Being aware at all is a very good start. ( Cue an encouraging smile. )

A lot like that, yes. ( He has no idea how much she relates to that story. ) And maybe, with people... Though I would personally lean more towards people reconnecting to their soul rather than having to earn one.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you or pry.

[kyley_b]

Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is. Thanks.

[He himself really only relates to it because of the hair colour. Get him a shell bra and he'd be... not a show-in at all, actually.] Yeah, I mean... I guess it all depends on your perspective, right? Like some religions people would probably be super pissed at the idea that you have to do anything to develop the soul besides follow some dumb rules.

No! No, it's cool, I'm not embarrassed. [He is, but not too badly thank god.]

[neverwither]

You're very welcome. It's useful to have an overall goal you're striving for but I hope you can give yourself credit along the way for the things that might seem small.

It sounds almost like it becomes more about control, doesn't it? It's funny, really. We seem to be so acutely aware of the possibility of the Ancient's control here and yet we can be subject to so much of it in our regular lives anyway.

Well, my sources tell me that the dating world is a bit of a minefield, even for someone smart and sweet like yourself.

[kyley_b]

You're like, really nice, you know that?

Jeez, that's a good point. Okay, this is a dumb question, but are all androids atheists? [He has a hard time picturing a robo-bar-mitzvah.]

Heh. I'm not that sweet, really. But yeah, it can be tough if you're not hot.

[neverwither]

Oh, thank you. That's very kind of you. I just say things as I see them. Too much so, really.

It isn't a dumb question at all. I'm not aware of any androids who follow any human religions - beyond any practices their humans may wish for them to adhere to - but some have developed a belief in a being called rA9.

Without wishing to sound, well, you know, I wouldn't say you're not. I think you're quite striking.