polymods: (pic#14773073)
polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-07-12 03:30 pm

SPECIAL EVENT: The Flower Oracle

POLYMYTHOS: THE ISLE THAT BLOOMS

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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neverwither: (A happy curious girl)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-08-08 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose it isn't fair to judge, considering all of this is extremely weird.

( She considers it for a moment or two, not entirely sure where she stands. ) Not everything that it may have inspired was good. Or helpful. But yes, it's good in the sense of helping those androids feel... like people.

( There's a quick shake of her head. ) Oh, no, no, I genuinely do find it fabulous. I'm sure I could make you a hair mask out of all the natural ingredients around us, if you'd like?

It does. I'm familiar with the premise but I haven't seen it myself.
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (gah!)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-08-09 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
I think androids are people. [In case it wasn't obvious.] I'm guessing it might have inspired some pretty violent reactions.

[He has to stare stupidly for a second, blushing pink.] Oh. Really? I mean. Thanks. I fucking hate it. But I look even dumber with it shaved down, so.

[He nods.] Okay, yeah, it's like... there's a character in it, and she's a female android so she's designed to, uh. Well. Men obviously designed her. [Shit, why did he bring this up?] Anyway, I just meant like... yeah, if dudes design anything humanoid they make it hot.
neverwither: (When you stare into the abyss)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-08-09 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. Androids have hurt, even killed, humans. It's all... complex, and I can understand how they would do such things but... It's more fuel for a fire that was already burning.

Why would you hate it? I really am trying not to gush too much, but I easily could. ( She has to chuckle just a little at herself. )

An artist helped design me, actually. But I'm very much my creator's vision. Though your line of thinking isn't wrong - we've been created to be aesthetically pleasing and to reduce the feeling of the uncanny valley as much as possible.

kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ ('fro)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-08-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. But at the same time, like... if you're essentially a slave class and you rise up against the people who did that to you, it's kinda understandable.

[He looks very, very cautiously hopeful.] You're serious. Huh. I've always hated it, even when I was little. It's frizzy and it's red and it's like... totally a mess all the time.

Dude, yeah, I never would have known.
Edited 2021-08-11 02:21 (UTC)
neverwither: (You can tell me all your sins)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-08-11 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
It's just... Why give anyone any more reason to think that androids who can feel and think for themselves pose a threat? I can understand when those things have happened through fear but... If it's just hate or spite or revenge? ( She shakes her head. ) That I find hard to understand.

Of course I'm serious. It's a gorgeous colour and I like the fact it's a little wild. It's unique and, well, as I said, fabulous.

( The blue blush returns along with a little smile. ) I know it's silly but it makes me happy to hear that.
kyley_b: (RL sweet boi)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-08-12 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
It's certainly not an easy issue. I feel like... I'd support the revolution, myself. If humans pushed you to violence it's sort of our own fault. That said I'm sure glad you can see not all humans are dicks.

[Oh, he's just blushing red now.] Uhm. Thanks. I get it from my mom.

I don't think it's silly. Nobody likes standing out for negative reasons.