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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

helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-19 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I'm very serious. And oh god, don't remind me of the time she had with Worthington. They..."

His powers and awareness of the things they had gotten up to were very problematic. Especially around her own family.
extrasensory_problems: (cute curious)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-20 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
"They.... what?" He asks, curious about why they broke up. His memories of Paige were that she would always come into the med lab and gush to his mother about how perfect Worthington was. Carter, only being eight at the time, always thought Worthington was stuffy and boring and very far from being perfect.
unkindled_madness: (what does it matter...?)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-08-20 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
Sephiroth snorts out a short laugh at that. Love yourself? What sort of nonsense is that?

"Now you're sounding like something out of a children's book."
queenking: ([up] smirky face)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-08-20 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
As honored as she'd be to be credited with an awesome Dad joke, she's genuinely colorblind. Evidenced by how she winces a little, adjusting the bag in her arms. "I'm tryin' to make 'em. All that moonshine and bathtub gin last island was fine and dandy, but I miss makin' stuff that doesn't taste like straight poison."

Then she makes a face, looking into the bag. "Both. Red more so -- it's grey to me. THe blue's actually blue, but real pale, apparently. And don't even get me started on greens. This whole island looks grey and white."
queenking: ([up] double eyebrow arch)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-08-20 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
Aye-aye, captain. [She even salutes, because she's a jerk. Then she focuses, eyes narrowed a little.] Going...this way.
queenking: ([down] pensively staring)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-08-20 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
It's not stupid. [This comes sort of...abruptly, because Saxsice has decided to join the conversation. She was bored, okay? She's still all covered in fluff -- it takes a while to fall off -- but is still lying on the ground with her head on his knee.] Maybe it's an ego thing, but that doesn't make it dumb.
kyley_b: (RL jim morrison moment)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-08-20 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Kinda does. [He picks up a hunk of fluff and blows it away. He pets Saxsice's hair back without thinking about it.]

I dunno, dude. Envy's an ugly emotion. It convinces you to tear other people down more often than not.
howlett: (wiley)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-08-20 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
He chuckles a little. He doesn't mind moonshine. "I'll take when I can get when it comes to a stiff drink," he says. "But if you mix up something tasty I bet it'd go over real well around here."

"Huh. S'that hereditary or—" he's halfway through the question when it looks like something dawns on him. "sorry, I just sorta figured you for human. But I've met enough folks here to know by now that might not be the case for you."
Edited 2021-08-20 06:48 (UTC)
unkindled_madness: (appraisal)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-08-20 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[That earns her a raised eyebrow because 1) the salute is wrong and 2) he isn't a captain. He doesn't bother to correct her.

He follows her lead, keeping an eye out until...]


I see them.

[He starts to peel away, apparently taking her bottles with him. She'll get them back after they've cornered these people (or at least tried to).]
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-20 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a way to live your life, Sephiroth. Don't have such a problem with that.

"I'm sounding like someone who knows how to get through life."
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-20 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Listen, it isn't his place to talk about the break up too much.

"Let's just say Warren continues to be a mess. And will always continue to be a mess. The worst sort."
extrasensory_problems: (Default)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-20 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah okay gotcha." Carter says and then falls silent for a moment.

"Urm...so...speaking of people we both might know. Uh. Jean-Paul is here."
unkindled_madness: (what does it matter...?)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-08-20 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Sure, if he wants to go through life like a child, believing silly things.

"I suppose you've managed so far."
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-08-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I won't try to convince you otherwise." But there's still going to be a hefty dose of judgement in that resignation.

"We're all from drastically different places, anyway. No point in trying to sort out all of that strangeness while we're stuck with plenty enough of it, here."
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-08-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. Well, I'm glad we agree. [ That sounds more like thank you than if he actually just said the words, as allergic to sincerity as he tends to be. He tips his cheery floral crown and offers her his arm. ]

Well, I'll need to find a few things, if I'm going to be putting on a demonstration... But that all ought to be easy enough. What's left on your list?
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-21 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, judgement? Man, that's something new. Wait, nope. He's used to it. And it makes him just that much more resigned.

"That's horribly rational. I was hoping for less rational here because this place seems sorta to spurn that."

He sighs, fingers coming up to his temples. "I need a drink.
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-21 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
ARe they silly things, just because Sephiroth hasn't known them?

"I have. And I haven't. I try to find a balance."
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-21 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
"I know," David answered, his voice... Well, his tone was definitely complicated. How someone managed to convey relief and frustration all at once was a mystery. "We've spent some time together. We work together back home. He's my boss on X-Factor."
unkindled_madness: (skeptical)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-08-21 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. Yes, they are.

"I meant that you're still alive. Unless you're going to tell me you've died."
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Them Smooth Jazz Stylings (Chill))

cw: discussions of death (Sephiroth you walked into this one)

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-21 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
The statement had David just looking at the man for a long moment. Honestly, he decided, was best.

"Twice at home. Once in the last world. Three near deaths there as well. Mutants have a particularly strange interaction with Death. Helps, though, when your best friend is Biokinetic and frequently around when you die."
unkindled_madness: (confused)

he 100% did lmao

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-08-21 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
He wouldn't have suggested it at all had he not heard it from a few people-- either that they'd come back from death or believed this to be the afterlife. But the former case was Loki, a so-called god.

This seems excessive.

"...I rescind my assessment. You really don't know how to get through life." A pause. "Biokinetic is... a healing power?"
extrasensory_problems: (moody_2_boogaloo)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-08-21 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah I remember you saying that you knew him when we first met, so I was curious if you'd run into him yet." He pauses again and then sighs.

"Can I admit something? I'm like....99% happy to see him, he's like the only remaining thing that's connected to my mom but...." He cuddles closer to David.

"But part of me is also scared that he's here. Because it makes me worry that other people from back then will show up. And there are certain people I just can't take seeing again."
queenking: ([down] loud squinting)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-08-21 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Mmmm. [She clearly likes hair-petting just as much in this form as the wolfy one, rolling onto her back and sending more tufts of fur into the wind.] I guess you're right. But I mean, all kinds of emotions do that. You can feel like...righteous fury and let it turn you into an asshole.

Feelin' jealous doesn't mean you're automatically gonna hurt people.
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Default)

Re: he 100% did lmao

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2021-08-21 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I definitely cross people the wrong way," David laughs. He laughs because otherwise he'll stress over having admitted this aloud. "And yes, it's like... It's controlling biology, even at a celluar level, with one's mind. My friend? He was amazing."
queenking: ([up] oh hey there)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-08-21 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
She grins, a bright, wide, toothy thing, nodding emphatically. "I miss just mixin' somethin' up and talkin' to people. I think all this weirdness has everyone sorta...keepin' to themselves a lot. Nothin' like gettin' drunk to break down those barriers, yeah?"

Saxsice is busily fitting the bottles into her bag, alongside god knows how many others she's bought, but the implied question gets a matter-of-fact nod. "Oh, yeah, I'm a werewolf. Shape-shifter, whatever. Colorblind, like a dog." She taps next to one of her eyes, then shrugs. "Can't eat chocolate either."