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

[dothelokimotion]

They might. These things start small.

[ and he scowls at the idea that this is his fault. ]

I expected many things. A curse isn't unbelievable, but it tells me to look beyond the curtain at the very least.

[epitaphs]

It's not a bad idea to investigate. I'm just saying maybe it's also not a bad idea to help each other out while we're pretty much limited to what this place wants to do with us. Unless you're hiding superpowers that can break you out?

[ It's said skeptically; if he's got superpowers, the flower issue should've been no biggie. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki grimaces. ]

My magic can't break curses. At least not this kind.

[epitaphs]

Well, there you go. Guess you're stuck mingling with the peasants like everyone else.

[ She's not unsympathetic, but honestly. Most people don't get magic. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ he gives her a long look. not because she's wrong, but he's curious what made her come to that conclusion. ]

You make a strange correlation between peasants and magic.

[epitaphs]

I wasn't being particularly literal, though where I'm from, appearing to have magic gets you treated like a god even when nothing's really magic there.

[ It's an academic distinction, but you can learn advanced science. She's not sure she could learn magic, if given the opportunity. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ ah. hm. ]

That is news to me.

[epitaphs]

Unsurprising, if people have magic where you're from as a general rule. They don't where I'm from, and humanity's kind of on its last legs. We're easily impressed.

[ Humanity's done where she's from, but she doesn't owe anyone that story.]

[dothelokimotion]

They don't. It's not what I would consider common.

Hence why I was surprised by your comment. Humans prefer technology. They care little for magic.

[epitaphs]

Guess it's different at the end of the world.

[ She'll never understand how so many religions had sprung up among the remnants of humanity who'd lost their tech, but she's never been one to cling to a lie. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ he cocks his head. ]

The end of the world?

[epitaphs]

Yeah. We managed to end it twice, if you can believe it.

[ Humanity's track record was pretty bad those last few centuries. ]

[dothelokimotion]

That's not too difficult to believe.

[ humans suck. ]

[epitaphs]

Okay, judgy. I'm guessing whatever your people are did a better job of things?

[ Having magic seems like an unfair advantage, but she wouldn't bet on it having mattered. ]

[dothelokimotion]

My people banished illness, poverty and chose a reliance of maintaining nature and a simple life over an over-reliance on technology and wealth.

So yes. We did.

[epitaphs]

[ She looks at him with a bit more consideration. ]

How'd you manage it?

[ Call it professional curiosity. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ he blinks, not expecting that. ]

Well, we're long-lived. Our civilisation is eons older than yours.

[epitaphs]

[ Her face falls, and something in her expression closes off at once. She's been here before. She's not up for being judged and found wanting again. ]

Of course it is. Stupid humans, right? Not worth saving, or helping.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he assesses her quietly. ]

My impression of humanity is that they pride their independence above all. Accepting help from others is not something that comes easily to them.

[epitaphs]

[ She can hardly deny that. It's probably her own worst flaw, thinking she's responsible for everyone but never allowing it to be reciprocal. ]

It always comes back to trust, doesn't it? Accepting help means giving up a tiny bit of control, and we don't trust each other nearly enough for that, as a rule.

[dothelokimotion]

[ hmm. ]

I honestly can't tell if you care for humanity or not. You seem angry with them but you also want more for them.

[epitaphs]

I wanted more. I thought we could do better.

[ A beat; it's still crushing to think about all the ways she'd failed them. ]

It doesn't matter now. Humanity's over, where I'm from. I don't get a say in it anymore.

[dothelokimotion]

Then what do you want to save?

[epitaphs]

[ She's quiet a long moment. It's a good question. Her friends aren't here, but there are people from other worlds. People who could avoid their mistakes. ]

Whatever's left.

[dothelokimotion]

That is still a monumental task.

[ but, loki recognizes, a worthwhile one. he should do what he can for thor. for asgard. maybe even go home. ]