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Eternal Summer
✖ 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.
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.
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.
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.
Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.
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.
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.
cw: 18+ discussion
Kyle beams. "So. I guess that means you thought I was sorta cute before I hit on you in a fit of rage." He's going to bask in that feeling.
"Uhm, well. I've bottomed more." His cheeks are pink but he's not hiding. "I like both, though. Curious about... uhm. Everything? I don't even know how to answer that."
He chews the inside of his cheek. "No like, rimming. I'm sorry, I just can't, a thing happened once. And no pee."
cw: 18+ discussion
He knows a request for validation when he hears one. While he might take that opportunity to lord an admission over someone else, Kyle's been awfully good to his ego and deserves to hear the same. "Course. You're tall and gangly. I don't know why I'm into that, but I am. Plus, you laugh at things that make most people uncomfortable, you've got a cute smile, and you know how to argue with someone without taking it personally. There's lots of things I noticed about you off the hop."
He listens to Kyle intently, aware but caring that his expectant gaze is probably contributing to the blush on Kyle's cheeks. "Huh, I hadn't pegged you for a bottom, but I love that for you." He smiles. "Never go ass-to-mouth. Got it. While we're at it, we can just go ahead and rule out all the more extreme fetishes— especially if it plays fast and loose with basic hygiene, thanks."
cw: 18+ discussion
Kyle feels happy in a way he literally never has before when he hears that. Half of what Quentin likes are what most people consider flaws.
"I dunno if I am, but it's been my experience so far. I haven't slept with that many people." He exhales with genuine relief. "Good, yes, thank you. Hygiene is SO important. Thank you."
cw: 18+ discussion
He doesn't have to say out loud for Quentin to bask in the warmth of that feeling either. It's nice to have that impact on Kyle when most people take his praise with several grains of salt.
"That's ok, me either," he admits. "Seems like it could a fun thing to find out though, huh? Though I'm still full working under the theory that this tranquil flower island is designed to bore us into fucking. I'd be more torn about it I guess if I didn't really enjoy the sex."
cw: 18+ discussion
Kyle snickers. "You really think that, huh? And because everything is like... the fucking part of nature but with no offspring and stuff? It's just Horny on Main Island?"
cw: 18+ discussion
"It makes sense! Especially if you already subscribe to the notion that this is some kind of grand experiment, or giant ant farm where they're waiting to see what we do when they introduce different stimuli."
cw: 18+ discussion
Kyle pets Quentin's hair back. "Then we totally failed, dude."
cw: 18+ discussion
"Maybe. Or maybe now they think this is how sapiens reproduce and we've set back their understanding some weeks," he smiles.
cw: 18+ discussion
Snort. "Yeah, that would be a bit of misunderstanding... 'They cum in each other's mouths and then I guess babies?!'"
cw: 18+ discussion
He turns his eyes up to Kyle. "No judgement either way, you know? I don't have any friends either. But I know why people don't like me."
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He drags a finger up Quentin's arm. "You're not THAT bad, jeez." Conveniently forgetting his own professed hatred of the guy.
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He watches Kyle touch him and smiles. "No, I am."
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"Bullshit. You're funny and smart and so what if you're tactless? You're honest."
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"People hate honesty. They also hate supervillains generally, and I sort of got lumped in with that crowd," he admits. "I have a fairly chaotic track record."
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"Mm. It's okay. I'm kind of a war criminal and all, so. Yeah."
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"Really?" his eyes light up in a way that's wholly inappropriate as a response to that statement. "That's great! I mean not great, but like. Maybe we've gotten carried away with a few ideas before. I get it. You get it. No judgement here."
Should he be more specific about his history of flirting with supremacy? Maybe. Is he just hoping David or someone doesn't bring it up for him? Absolutely.
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He relaxes a bit himself. It doesn't occur to him that the pair of them are excusing one another again.
"Ditto. Whatever, people make mistakes." A light kiss to Quentin's head. "You're my kind of poison pollinating bee, I guess."
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"Hey, maybe they're waiting to see how long it takes us to figure out what we have in common with other people here and we're way ahead now," he says tucking back in close against Kyle and running his fingers lightly over his pale belly.
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"That tickles a little."
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He smiles and turns his eyes up to Kyle again. "If that doesn't freak you out we should try some brain stuff the next time we fool around."
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