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

[kyley_b]

Kyle frowns. "I do that? Huh."

He absently pets Carter's back. "I've done that here?" Like he didn't just have to work up to helping Carter that he caught feelings for someone.

[extrasensory_problems]

"Yeah a few times." Carter says and smiles when Kyle starts to pet his back, "You also get really weird around guys crying."

[kyley_b]

That makes him frown even more.

"Weird how? I'm SUPER used to guys crying, I can't even tell you how many times I've been cried on!"

[extrasensory_problems]

"You get a little...squirrely? Like you shift around like you have to pee or don't know what to do with your hands." Carter explains, remembering Kyle's awkward little shuffle after they had witnessed the spiderbaby and Carter had to let out his feelings.

[kyley_b]

Kyle can't possibly frown any more.

"When did I do that?!"

[extrasensory_problems]

"After the spiderbaby." Carter says, trying not to laugh at the ultimate stink face that Kyle has.

"I started crying and you sort of....pee danced around me?"

[kyley_b]

"Because you were a stranger, not because you're a guy! You were totally fine and then you lost it, most people wouldn't know how to react to that! Jesus, Carter, it's called context."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter shrugs, "You asked for an example and that's what I noticed. We were both freaked out by the Bicorn but you didn't act squirrely then."

[kyley_b]

"I don't care if guys cry," Kyle insists. "Stan used to cry on me all the fucking time. I don't cry, but I won't think less of others if they do."

[extrasensory_problems]

"That could also be an indication of toxic masculinity, what you just said." Carter points out gently.

"You just said you don't cry, why not? Do you think it makes you weak?"

[kyley_b]

Kyle shifts a little, but he doesn't stop hugging. "I just don't," he lies.

"Like there's not some deep psychological reason, I just don't like to. It sucks. And like... Okay. If I had to, I think it's just fine to like, do on my own."

[extrasensory_problems]

"You're lying again." Carter muses and moves a bit so he can cozy his head into the crook of Kyle's collarbone area.

"Everyone cries. I think you've just never let yourself think about why you'd rather do it in private and not let anyone see it or help."

[kyley_b]

He wraps his arms solidly around Carter, not quite resting his chin on top of his head. "Because I don't like it," he says. "That's not a good enough reason? Jesus, you make it sound like if I cut my fucking arm off I would be like... 'ah, be a MAN, Kyle!' and that's not true."

[extrasensory_problems]

"It's a fine reason, I don't really mind that you think like that. You're just asking about it and I'm offering up suggestions."

[kyley_b]

He sighs and gives up, resting his head against Carter's.

"I hate crying is all. People make fun of you for it."

[extrasensory_problems]

"I won't, promise." He says and then waits a moment before continuing.

"Maybe that's where the semi toxic masculinity comes through? Not from you specifically but from whoever used to make fun of you for crying."

[kyley_b]

Kyle's lips thin as he presses them together tightly.

"I guess. Whatever."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter brings and hand up and mock coughs into it.

"Cough-avoidingfeelingstalk-cough."

[kyley_b]

He smacks Carter's arm lightly.

"Ugh, shut up. Fine, I got made fun of a lot as a kid. I didn't cry about it almost ever, though. Because sometimes you shouldn't, it encourages people. And like, later... Look, I just don't feel comfortable with it, okay? I don't mind helping other people who have to, though."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Yeah some people really like to use it against people, which is unfair."

Carter pauses, digesting what Kyle is saying and what he is leaving out.

"What happened later?"

[kyley_b]

"Yeah. Yeah, but that's growing up."

He shrugs. "Nothing. I just never felt comfortable crying on my friends past a certain age."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Well you can cry on me if you ever want to." Carter says, giving Kyle a firm squeeze even though it kind of hurts his shoulder to do so.

"I won't ever make fun of you."

[kyley_b]

Kyle snorts and shoves Carter gently - and not on his injured side. "I know. You're way too nice to do a dick thing like that.

"Hey. Thanks. I had to tell SOMEbody."

[extrasensory_problems]

"You're welcome, I think it's cool that you got to kiss someone you like."

He gives Kyle a small grin, "If I find a guitar on one of these islands maybe I'll write a song about you two. Now let's see.... What rhymes with bone....."

[kyley_b]

Kyle snorts. "I'll have you know I'm actually an expert at love songs. I wrote a great one for a girl, once."