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

Get ready for cuddles and the puppy dog eyes icon

[extrasensory_problems]

That decides him, that one soft sad word.
Carter moves closer to David and wraps his arms around him, pulling him into a close hug. His mother brought him up to never be afraid of showing his emotions nor of hugging another man, so he does this without any hesitation or awkwardness.

"I am so sorry that you've had to go through that. That you have to feel that."

Re: Get ready for cuddles and the puppy dog eyes icon

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh, a hug. David... hadn't expected that. The arm around him, the comfort offered by what was effectively a stranger. He almost melts into it, leaning against Carter and not making any move to pull away.

"It just keeps happening."

[extrasensory_problems]

"It shouldn't happen at all, least of all keep happening, that's unfair and really shitty." Carter says softly, moving his body so that David can fully lean into the embrace.

"You can talk about it if you want, if it will help." He says after a long moment of silence, "Or I can just keep doing this. I didn't mention it before but not only am I telepath but I'm also a world famous hugger."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I don't know how much talking helps," David admits. "I'm... I think I'm here because I need to move on from it. The weight of my own spilled blood, literal and metaphorical."

A world famous hugger. David laughs.

"I missed hugs. For the longest time in the last would I had to avoid them. Skin to skin contact would activate my powers."

[extrasensory_problems]

"That makes sense." Carter muses and then smiles when he hears David laugh, moving one of his hands down to gently rub his back.

"Well I am always happy to hug, so you've got an open invitation to get hugs anytime you want."

[helpdesk_hero]

"You sure? what if Jenn saw us?" Davis teased.

He needed the distraction and chose teasing.

[extrasensory_problems]

His cheeks go red again but he's smiling, "Then I guess it will just give her an opportunity to see my cuddle skills in action."

[helpdesk_hero]

David hadn't really heard of a Hulk (other than Hulkling who wasn't the same) that was into cuddles, but he would let Carter keep that idea.

"I'm glad someone is happy with being smitten."

[extrasensory_problems]

His cheeks somehow manage to go an even darker shade of red.

"I'm not smitten I just..... Okay maybe I am. A little.
A lot."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Twitter patted," David cooed at the other man.

What, this was just who he was.

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter laughs and tightens his arms around David, falling over onto his back and pulling David with him.

"Shut up! I am not."

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh no now he's down IN the flowers. He laughs and lets Carter hold him.

"You really are, Carter."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter sighs and leans his head against the top of David's, looking up at the sky where clouds are drifting lazily by.

"Yeah... I'm sure nothing will come of it but that's fine."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well this is nice. It's... It's like having Trevor or Josh around. Not quite like Tommy. And David can't help the way tears start to form in his eyes. He just tries to blink them away so Carter can't notice.

"But it's still nice, to have that sort of space in your heart."

[extrasensory_problems]

Despite David's best attempts Carter does notice the tears, but says nothing. He can feel the pain and the heartache coming from David, he isn't trying but he is a telepath and when he's in close contact with people he has a tendency to pick up on feelings.

"I've got a big heart." He says and rubs David's arm comfortingly, "Lots of room in there. Hint hint."

[helpdesk_hero]

All of his practice, all of his training with telepaths and the like, and he knew he still didn't for all of that have mental shields that did more than give a true telepath more than a moment of difficulty. Still, that it was being respected with the polite fiction and he appreciated that.

"Yeah, I'll be your friend in your big heart."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Good." He says and gives David a little squeeze, letting a comfortable silence wash over them. He's happy to have found another friend, especially one that seems to enjoy and appreciate a good solid hug. Kyle is fast becoming his best friend but to say he's resistant to hugs is an understatement.

"Do you sing?" Carter asks after a few moments of just quietly looking up at the sky.

[helpdesk_hero]

Kyle was probably too stubborn for his own good.

"Sing?" he asked, then shook his head. "Picking up other people's skills doesn't guarantee that my body can perform the act. So no, I don't sing."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Aw shame." Carter muses thoughtfully, "You've got a really nice speaking voice. Me and Kyle were talking about how you should do books on tape or something which made me wonder if you sang because that would be great sounding."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Everyone always says books on tape," David laughed, shaking his head. It drove the lingering tears away. "Glad to know my friends talk about the wonders of my voice. Back home, one of my best friends Trevor makes the same suggestion about reading things. He makes me do it over breakfast in the mornings."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Trevor is a genius." Carter states, smiling at the mental image of David reading things like the news or fiction out loud at the breakfast table.

[helpdesk_hero]

"He is," David agreed, his voice so soft over that statement that there was undoubtedly weight to the statement.

[extrasensory_problems]

He can hear the weight of that statement so he gives David another little squeeze to let him know that it's okay, and goes back to the topic of singing.

"If you ever want to learn how to sing I can try and teach you." He offers, "I'm not like a fancy opera singer but I know some stuff."

[helpdesk_hero]

How could he even explain the singing thing?

"You ever hear a recording of your voice played back to you?"

[extrasensory_problems]

"Of course, I've recorded a few original songs to make sure they sounded as good in my head as they do out loud."