Eternal Summer

[polymods]

✖ 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

Comments

( a )

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki is stocking up on oils, creams, soaps. going to go all out on his beauty regime. he tucks them neatly in his basket before glancing at david. ]

Perhaps they're meant for the drinks. It is not an uncommon practice.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Of course he's all about his beauty routine. Looking good for yourself is a goal everyone should have. Not everyone has to be the most stunning, but looking your best can make you feel your best.]

I've never been moved to try putting ground sage in a drink. Even with teas the most you want is dried and sorta more minced.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shrugs. ]

It depends on the tea. There are more variations than what you would find on a single planet.

[helpdesk_hero]

[He had to roll his eyes at that statement.]

Yes, I'm very aware. But plants vary from planet to planet unless you've brought in old species, and that doesn't tend to happen from Earth seeing as most species tend to look down on us. But this is absolutely sage. Thus my confusion. I suppose some people might use it for magic though.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his nose wrinkles at that. ]

If you're nothing but a hedgewitch, perhaps. Magic doesn't require . . . frippery.

[helpdesk_hero]

And yet here I am, aware of a good number of spells used by the Sorcerer Supreme that require supplements to make function. Sure, maybe there is more prevalence in what one sees as hedgewitchery, and there are of course religious practices involving sage, but my point I feel stands.

[Why was there so much sage when there wasn't even stuff to use it with?]

I swear, this place has a serious lotus eaters vibe.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki gives a low snort. ]

That half-rate magician may consider himself well-read but he knows nothing of the true nature of magic.

[helpdesk_hero]

And who are you to be so certain you know more than the magical protector of a whole dimension?

[Because he's not buying that the ancient title of the Sorcerer Supreme is empty. Because he knows exactly what it means and what they do. He had, after all, been in a room with Doctor Strange once.]

[dothelokimotion]

I am Loki and I say any person who calls themselves the Sorcerer Supreme has too much ego on their hands.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh. Oh no. David looks Loki up and down, and now that the name's there, he suddenly gets it. That hair, those eyes, the regal posture. David wants to laugh.]

Really? That's a serious pot-kettle thing to say. Like your ego isn't a hundred times that of Stephen's, and you know it. Also I saw some mixed sunflower and chamomile oil at one of these stalls. It would be better for your skin type. A few drops massaged into your hands will help keep them soft and hydrated.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki raises an eyebrow at him. ]

Do I know you?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well, given the man hadn't used his name yet or mocked him specifically from their history...]

Apparently not. But you are Loki of Asgard, right? God of Mischief and Stories?

[dothelokimotion]

[ he cocks his head. ]

God of Mischief, yes. But I doubt I hold the title of Stories.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Huh, interesting. David turns from the stalls to truly look at Loki. So like the young man he had known, had nearly shared a moment with. That was strange.]

And you're saying that you've never gone on a dimension hopping adventure caused by your own meddling in the fate of a young man of great magical potential?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks. ]

I think I would remember doing that.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Ah. So his point stood. But David supposed he could sort of fish around for that then.]

Does the place Broxton, Oklahoma mean anything to you?

[Because if it's the Loki from his world but perhaps just before David met him, perhaps even before he even came to be 'Kid Loki' as he was known as in that time, then Broxton would mean something.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki slowly shakes his head. ]

The only places I've visited on Earth recently are New York and Norway.

[helpdesk_hero]

[New York and Norway. That... Definitely sounds like a troublesome part of Loki's life.]

Well then, I guess I'll have to settle for having the advantage of you with familiarity.

[So he offers his hand out to Loki, after transferring his bag to his other hand.]

David Alleyne. I know things.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki eyes him with a slight amount of wariness before reaching out to shake his hand. ]

Things you want to know or things you have to know, regardless of intent?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh the temptation to push with his power, to know the things that Loki knows, to learn the skills the man had. Not that he'd be able to make use of the spells or illusions. David had always been hopeless with magic, no matter what it was called.]

Typically the latter. I'm Psychomimetric. Comes with the territory. I have more control these days, but not really as much as someone would want.

[Something he should probably be careful with around Loki. The man's magic was absolutely more than enough to overwhelm David's mental shields, he knew that much.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ ah. he should tighten his mental guards, just in case. ]

Do you want it?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Perhaps they both should. At least Loki was probably able to, though.]

It's like a sense. As well ask me whether I want to see or not. Of course I do. It's part of me. It's as much what and who I am as breathing.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he nods. that's how magic feels to him after all. but magic is less invasive in nature. ]

I am not aware of mortals having special abilities.

[helpdesk_hero]

[How strange. Was that even really possible?]

Really? No mutants? I mean, I know our numbers are down due to racism, but surely if you've been to New York you've at least run into one of us. Or a mutate at the very least. You know, your Spider-Mans, your Hulks, your Luke Cage.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki briefly grimaces. ]

I know of a Hulk. But it seems to mostly meddling with science. No one there is born with powers so to speak.