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

cw: mention of spousal abuse

[kyley_b]

Kyle watches Carter carefully. "I mean... it's not the same, though," he says softly. "I totally get why you'd think that, but it's not like that."

He thinks. He hopes.

"It wasn't violent. I figured it out, so it was okay. And like, you know, we're not like... it's not like that.

"Look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you."

[extrasensory_problems]

"I'm glad you told me." He says, "I would feel worse if you hadn't."

He sighs and moves his un-injured arm up behind his head, cushioning it as he continues to stare up at the sky.

"Like I said, I know that neither of you are a total piece of shit like my Dad. I'm just voicing my concern that maybe a safe word is a good idea, like...just in case. Just in case we go to an island where there's something weird that could fuck you both up."

[kyley_b]

"Yeah. Like he's not my boyfriend or whatever."

Kyle gnaws at his lower lip a little. "...are you scared I'd hurt someone? Or is because he's got brain powers like you do?"

[extrasensory_problems]

"He's someone you like and that's enough." He says and finally looks at Kyle, a small smile on his face.

"Neither but also both, but don't take that as an offence. I'm a natural born worry-er. I just think that because we keep getting bounced around to weird islands where fucked up shit happens it can't hurt to have a safe word. It's like if you do bondage stuff, my friend Liz is into that and she always taught me that it's better to have one and not need it then to get into a situation where someone gets really hurt or their boundaries get fucked with."

[kyley_b]

"I do," Kyle admits quietly.

Then he makes a face. "Dude! We're not doing bondage stuff! What the hell do you think we're doing that we'd need a safe word?!"

[extrasensory_problems]

"I'm sorry." He says and then sighs as Kyle completely misses his whole point.

"I don't know what you're doing because you won't share any details with me." He points out, "All you've told me is that you got pissed off, hooked up, and that you think his nose is cute. Can you blame me for jumping to some conclusions?"

[kyley_b]

"Yeah, I kinda can because I'm not sure how you conflated that with like... what happened to your mom. Which I'm sorry about. But like... that is kinda a shitty thing to say to me, dude."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Because I hear the words 'anger and violence' and have a knee jerk reaction. But that's my issue and you're right it is shitty, and I apologize."

He sighs again and sits up, wincing as his shoulder wound complains about being moved around so much.

"So what do I refer to you guys when we all hang out together? Boyfriends? Friends? Fellow Passengers of the Sexy times Express?"

cw: domestic abuse discussion

[kyley_b]

"Look, I'm not mad, I just... this isn't an abuse thing. Okay, is a hatefuck dynamic a little weird? Yeah, okay. But like... you know me. And brain powers can be good!"

Kyle scowls. "You need to get that shit looked at," he says.

"Dude, I don't know. He might decide he made a terrible mistake and we should never acknowledge it again."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter's slanted smile returns and he lifts one eyebrow up, a trait he most likely learned from Jean-Paul.

"So.... you two hate-fucked?" He says slowly.

He motions at his shoulder, "I'll be okay. Just a giant mantis bite."

He smiles and gives Kyle a little nudge, "Naaaah I bet he likes you."

[kyley_b]

Kyle buries his face in his hands. "You don't want details," he mumbles.

"You should make David look at it."

He peeks out from behind his fingers. "...you think? God, I hope so. The ones I like never like me back."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter laughs and gives him another playful shove, "I don't want a blow by blow but come on! Give me some details! Was it full sex? Mouth sex?"

He nods, "Yeah I should. I probably should have woken him up when it happened and got his help with it but I was woozy from blood loss and not thinking straight. Jen did her best to help me with it though."

Carter's smile turns from mischievous to warm and compassionate, "Kyle. Come on, how could he not like you? You're awesome."

[kyley_b]

Kyle groans and flushes bright red. "Oh my GOD, Carter! What does it matter?!"

He shoves Carter back. "Oh, Jennnnnnnnnnnn," he says. "Iiiiiiiiiii see."

He gives him a withering look. "Don't. Please. It's an insult to my intelligence and like, lived experience or whatever." He gnaws his lower lip. "He's kind of a dick. But I am, too, I guess."

[extrasensory_problems]

"It matters because I'm your friend and who else are you going to talk to about all the fun details? I'm not bothered by the fact that you're both dudes if that's what you're embarrassed about."

He smiles and nods, "She was in full Hulk form but still managed to help me with cleaning it out. Then she slept next to me all night to make sure I was okay."

"That's not an insult! Geeeez! I mean that. You are awesome."

[kyley_b]

Kyle huffs. "NO. I mean. I don't think so." He sighs. "I'm sorry. I've never talked to anybody about this stuff, really." He sits silent for a moment, pulling his knees up to his scrawny chest.

"...he kisses like there's nobody else on the planet," he says finally. "Is that dumb to say?" But then he's snickering and punching Carter's shoulder.

"Oh I BET she did," he says, grinning.

[extrasensory_problems]

"That's not dumb at all, it's really romantic." Carter says, smiling. "Go on, tell me more. I'm not going to laugh at you, you're talking to someone who writes songs about how certain people feel or the color of their laugh."

He smiles and shakes his head, "It's not what you think. She slept next to my bed, not in it. Still, it was sweet of her to stay."

[kyley_b]

"Oh my GOD dude, you're so..." he can't even say, he just gestures helplessly, but he's also relieved. he looks around like maybe somebody will overhear them (or care) and then confesses, "There were oleanders in the poison garden, and they're the same colour as his hair."

"Did you tell her you have a boner for her?"

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter can't help but smile at the way Kyle is acting, "That's lovely."

"No, and I probably won't. She's....got some stuff going on right now and I don't want to add any complications to her life you know?" He says with a sigh.

[kyley_b]

"It's stupid," Kyle sighs.

He reaches over and claps a hand to Carter's shoulder. "All joking aside, I'm sorry. I do know, though. ...you want a hug?"

[extrasensory_problems]

"It's not stupid!" Carter says, shoving Kyle. "It's sweet and nice and really cute, and if you say that it's dumb again I'm going to march back to the temple and find Quentin and tell him what you just said."

"You're offering me a hug?" He says and after a moment grins and nods, "Yeah of course I want one. I like hugs."

[kyley_b]

"Don't you dare!" Kyle says, panicked. "He'd rip on me forever."

He hauls Carter into his arms. "Good, 'cause I'm a hugger."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Well then you better start accepting your sweet side you dummy."

Carter let's himself be pulled into Kyle's arms, closing his eyes and wrapping his own arms around Kyle and hugging him back.

[kyley_b]

Kyle is actually comfortable with hugging, so what Carter says gives him pause.

"Do you think I have like, toxic masculinity?"

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter burrows a bit deeper into the hug, taking a moment to think about Kyle's question.

"I don't know if I'd call it toxic masculinity but you do seem uncomfortable with showing softness or things that could be considered traditionally feminine."

[kyley_b]

"Really? Huh." These boys are both good huggers.

"Is this about the hair conditioner?"