polymods: (Default)
polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-08-02 02:05 pm

Eternal Summer

POLYMYTHOS: THE ISLE THAT BLOOMS

The Isle That Blooms


Ⅰ. ALWAYS BLOOMING, NEVER HARVEST
July flowers bring, well, August flowers.

Another month has come and gone, and you may have noticed things haven’t changed much. Everything is still beautiful. There are still no signs of babies or prepubescent children or young animals.

In fact, if you’re paying close enough attention, you may have noticed there are no fruits or grains or vegetables that have come from the constant riot of color and pollen. Only flowers, always flowers.

You still have access to the city’s temple and the baths. The High Temple’s doors are open to everyone.

Some of you may still be dealing with the unpleasant side effects of the Ancient’s now dead and gone Flower Oracle, but it should wind down before the end of the month. Or maybe you already faced your demons.

Hiding out in the Temples for the rest of the month is always an option, but be careful not to get too stagnant. It would be a shame if your ScryWatch stays stuck on the same color forever because you, too, decided to stop growing.



Ⅱ. FLOWER MARKET FESTIVAL
CW: Optional Alcohol/Drug Consumption.
You didn’t think the celebrations would be over just because the Flower Oracle came and went, did you? There’s always a new event, a new thing to do, a new way to make some benefit off the Travelers who pass in and out of the Isle looking to take something away from this place.

This month it’s the Flower Market!

During the days, stalls bloom beneath the elevated buildings and in the empty center where the Flower Oracle once stood. There are flowers, of course, in buckets, arrangements, wreaths, crowns, growing in tiny little pots, made into cakes, salsas, and snacks! Artists will find pigments, paints, inks, dyes, and papers. There are perfumes, lotions, oils, soaps, and more. Spices and herbs are abundant; you’ve certainly never seen saffron this cheap. If you haven’t gotten enough tie-dye from the temple, you’ll find beautiful batik clothing, purses, and even jewelry. Everything is bright, everything is for sale.

At night, the stalls are all folded away and instruments come out. Little stalls sell flowery alcoholic drinks and did you know or remember that cannabis is a flowering plant? The locals certainly remembered to make the edibles. Careful, though, drink or imbibe and you’ll find yourself talking about the things you need that you cannot buy. The things you are aching for.

And you won’t stop until someone acknowledges it.

Notes:
1. If you want it and it’s made of flowers, it’s here. No drugs or alcohol during daylight hours.

2. The Temple gives a small amount of spending money daily. Save up and get fancy, or buy a little bit of everything.

3. There is a tiny group of unknown Travelers that show up for the market. They don’t seem to have access to the same network as PCs, but their watches flash green, blue, or purple. They seem to be avoiding PC Travelers and disappear into parts of the Temples that don’t seem to be open to our group yet whenever they get too close.



Ⅲ. POISON GARDEN
CW: Poisons, narcotics, ect.
As you wander the now familiar village, you will notice a new pathway has opened at the edge of the village. It leads to an area with a high stone fence and a heavy gate. A skull and crossbones are painted on the gate in bright white paint, but there’s nothing actually stopping you from opening the gate and walking in.

The garden is beautiful, but surprisingly formal after the chaotic abundance of the rest of the Isle. The paths are wide and there’s space between the plants. Each one is meticulously labeled with a stake in the ground.

Do you read the labels? How long does it take you to realize everything in the garden is toxic or poisonous? There are so many options from hemlock and oleander to aconitum and angel’s trumpet and beyond.

Welcome to a study on how not everything that's natural is good for you as you continue to wander the fractal paths. Of course, not everything that's poisonous has no purpose. By the opium poppies there’s a sign that tells you that you can choose to wander the deadly garden until it kills you or you can own up to a toxic habit or behavior that you need to deal with.

Notes:
1. In theory, a character could wander forever without touching or consuming any of the poisons. For plot/fun reasons, feel free to make it a little more difficult. And remember, some of your characters can be poisoned to death.

2. Acknowledging bad habits or a need for change in an honest way is very likely to result in a shift in a ScryWatch color. Remember, the Ancient is looking for growth and improvement, not moral perfection.

3. Characters can collect poisonous or medicinal plants but will be at risk while doing so.



Ⅳ. FLOWERY FIELDS FOREVER
Maybe you need to get away from the fuss at the market or just want to stretch your legs, but it’s time to explore the flowering landscape around the village. The villagers have baskets waiting at each of the outbound trails with the request that you come back with the basket full in trade for the picnic lunch they provide.

Wander the rolling hills and you’ll find a surprising amount of wildlife for an island without offspring. There are hummingbirds the size of chihuahuas, tiny pollinating bats, nectar eating possums, giant stingless bees, and more butterflies than you can shake a stick at. All of them seem entirely unafraid of humans despite being wild animals. If you get bitten or pecked, it’s your own fault.

As you fill your basket, you’ll notice patterns in what blooms. All kinds of plants bloom outside of reason and season and traditional need because the land is trying to talk to you through flowers. What did you need to hear? The villagers can help you translate when you come back from your adventure.

Notes:
1. The giant orchid mantises are still there! Thank Gideon and Harrow for negotiating a truce, so they probably won’t eat you. A mantis might even have a conversation with you if you ask nicely, (Quentin managed somehow,) and they have their own knowledge and worship of the Ancient.

2. Feel free to use any reference for plant/flower meaning. Here’s one to get started!

3. Don’t get too attached to any of the critters, they will stay here at the end of the month.

Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.


Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

quire: (hangin chillin little bit'o illin)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Quentin drops his back against the tree itself and lets his feet slid out in front of him until his ass touches the ground. "Well if it's any consolation or like, makes you any less nervous about stuff, I've never dated any guys. Just girls." And frankly not a lot of them either but he's not offering that up quite so quickly.

"I get that. I didn't date much in high school either. Not by choice mind you," he adds. Because his constant deprecation of things doesn't always exclude himself.
quire: (hangin chillin little bit'o illin)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
"So what'd they do to the Ghazikhanian family? Try to involve your mom in their endless polyamory drama? I wouldn't put it past them."

"It wouldn't be the first time," he admits, "And if they kill me for it then, at least maybe everyone will finally believe me about this place being a lot less altruistic than it seems."
extrasensory_problems: (angry)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-12 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Alex broke my mother's heart and abandoned us." He says flatly, surprised at the anger he still feels about it. "After promising to always be there for us."

His expression softens when Quentin mentions getting hurt, he can't help it. It's one of the reasons he will make a good nurse, he hates to see people get hurt. "Hey no, no one wants that to happen."
quire: (island lyfe)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh my GOD, of course he did." Quentin seems more disappointed in his own inability to guess as much when his instincts were already so close. "I've never met a bunch of dudes who's libido was so directly tied to their messiah delusions as the Summerses. It must be hereditary." He slings his hand supportively against Carter's shoulder. "Hey. On the bright side you're not related to them. Dodged that bullet."

If that's genuine concern Quentin doesn't know what to do with it. In fact he mostly mistakes it for something like charity. "I'm not afraid of dying," he says. "I've done it before. A lot. I know it might be different here, but you can just put 'HE WAS RIGHT' on my tombstone or whatever."
Edited 2021-08-12 03:26 (UTC)
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (hey)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-08-12 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Really? In spite of, what did you say? being pan before it was cool?" He sounds gently amused.

Kyle laughs a little. "Me neither. I was as much of a dork then as I am now. Worse, maybe. And I come from a really small town, so." He looks at Quentin with bright curiosity. "You've had sex though, yeah? That's all I've done. No dating. Not that I think you wanna like... romance me or whatever, I'm not trying to make anything what it isn't or whatever..."
speed_of_snark: (look up)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul snorts. "You're right, the flowers have a shit sense of humour."

He nods, looking around. "I suppose the next question is if it matters what the motive is at all. If we're determined to get out, we'll find a way regardless. And at least things seem benign so far...? I suppose those mantises were a little dangerous."
extrasensory_problems: (bw_laugh)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-12 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
Quentin is really the first person he's talked to about Alex's betrayal in years and the fact that Quentin isn't trying to make excuses for Alex's behavior or tell him that it's "just what happens when you date a superhero" is a welcome relief. He laughs and smiles appreciatively at Quire, "That's a very big bright side now that you mention it. Thanks."

Carter's brows furrow further, "You've...died before? Geez that sucks, I'm sorry Quentin. You shouldn't have to experience that more than once."
speed_of_snark: (bit softer)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul smiles at David. "Not quite what I meant," he says dryly. "I meant I shouldn't flirt with men half my age. It's not becoming, or whatever.

"How are you doing otherwise? Did you get to see some of the flowers that seem intent on bitching you out via Victorian meanings?"
speed_of_snark: (wine)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Twist my arm. Alright, let's get me a drink."
speed_of_snark: (into it)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
Right, you're a supervillain. Whatever, same thing.
dothelokimotion: (Money doesn't grow on trees)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-08-12 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Retired. And I highly doubt that.
speed_of_snark: (look up)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
I really, really am. [He gestures about them.] It's just flowers. Everywhere you look, flowers. Those giant bugs don't even seem to be around to beat up on now. Don't get me wrong, I love a vacation, but come on.
Edited 2021-08-12 03:50 (UTC)
speed_of_snark: (actual smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Depends on who you ask. I would think that you, as a god, would know that.
dothelokimotion: (You could say really awful things)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-08-12 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki waves a flippant hand. ]

People are welcome to have their own interpretations or ideas of who I should be. But I adhere to myself and no one else.
extrasensory_problems: (mmmaaaaaybe)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-12 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ooc: did you want to leave it there or keep going brosky?]
quire: (chill af)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Don't worry about." Try as he might to prove otherwise, he doesn't lack empathy. He just can't stand platitudes. He's just lucky to be in the company of someone who isn't offended by his chaotic rejection of social norms.

He looks at Carter over the brim of his glasses a long a moment trying to assess the meaning of such earnestness. Then he just laughs. "Dude, I've completely lost count. It's not as bad as every major religion would have you believe. Well. The being dead part isn't. Dying basically sucks a lot every time."
what_fourth_wall: (jaw drop)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-08-12 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, while Deadpool can be perceptive af under some circumstances, realizing someone was frozen in..terror?..due to being touched by him wasn't one of those circumstances. If it was, and if he had empathy for that kind of thing, he wouldn't have nearly so many boundary problems. As such, he really has no clue what was going on internally with her.

But, on the flip side, he didn't read anything as forgiveness either. Even if he knew he needed to be forgiven, he pretty much never expected it from anybody because nobody ever gave it to him.

"Elenore from the chat?!? HOLY CRAP!!!" He squints at her, as if that'll do anything. "You seemed pretty freaked out that you could have AU versions of yourself. Annnnd...you're wandering around the poison garden grabbing interesting stuff like a mad scientist. Okay, yeah, that tracks if you are an AU you. Well, as long as last name isn't Evans, you're set. There could be lots of blondie Elenores, maybe even lots who are into pushing science to the limits, but lots of Elenore Evans? That'd be too much to be coincidence."
what_fourth_wall: (Angryface)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-08-12 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
For several moments, Deadpool considers jabbing his finger in Jean-Paul's face again just to be contrary, but he knows that wasn't a bluff. Fear of the snap didn't bother him though - he just wasn't in the mood to regrow an appendage...again. Still, JP hadn't fucked him up yet, and that was a spot on his BINGO card...but no. He just wasn't in the mood suddenly. Maybe later.

"Some of you weren't hypocrites," he mutters. "Maybe that's why I want to be an X-Factor. You guys know what's up. You investigate the Kool-Aid instead of drinking it.

"I bet Charley doesn't want me on his fancy island because he knows he can't get in my head. I'd probably be the only one who legitimately wants to be there."
quire: (calm)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey, don't invalidate me based on a lack of experience. I don't need a guy to blow me to know I'd be into it," he says plainly.

"I'm not a virgin," he assures and falls easily into his rambly way of both divulging and explaining in tandem. Almost as if he's talking in some kind of stream of consciousness and forgets who's listening. It's candid if nothing else. "I've dated a bunch. I almost dated a guy once. We were kind of close like that, but then he met this other guy and decided I was too much trouble. I tried the Grindr thing too, but there's a lot of anti-mutant sentiment on apps like that. Plus, everyone assumes I want to bottom because I'm kind of a twink and it's exhausting."

He smiles a little. Rarely has Quentin looked so calm here without also looking intentionally indifferent. "I know," he promises. "You haven't really tried to tell me to change since we met. That's pretty rare. So I'm not worried about it. Oh. And for the record. I'm not categorically anti-romance."
what_fourth_wall: (Default)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-08-12 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
"What would you call the viral zombies, then? The 28 Days later zombies, the Resident Evil and Dying Light zombies?"

Actually, for that matter, what were the Marvel Zombies? Virus or magic? Neither. Definitely neither. They were marketing gimmick zombies. Moneymaker zombies. And the fans sure had dug it while it lasted.

"You can do a mind shovel, right? But if we do it, we gotta make sure it's one of the more aggressively invasive ones. Like a carnivorous mint plant. Shit you can never get rid of."
quire: (anxious)

[personal profile] quire 2021-08-12 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Last island there were water-zombies," he says. "And someone told me about this cursed skull thing he found that tried to destroy his brain."

He turns to Jean-Paul before the other man can say anything of death, or fear, or bravery. "You're from Krakoa right? You're like, living it up in the boneyard with your bae, leading X-Factor and shit?"
speed_of_snark: (damn I'm pretty)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
Mm.

Alright. I think I like you. For now, anyway. [Like this is some great favour he's conferring.]
speed_of_snark: (Default)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-08-12 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ooc: we can assume they had some flower cocktails and JP whined about like... everything.]
extrasensory_problems: (whuuu)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-12 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"You've lost count? Fuck Quentin, that can't be good for you mentally." He says, trying to wrap his head around how someone can be so blasé about dying so many times. "Do you at least like...get spared some of the details in your memory?"
extrasensory_problems: (food_laugh)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-12 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ooc: hahaha sounds good.]