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

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter sighs, grateful for David's arm around him.

"I'm glad you understand." He simply says, feeling a little bit of a weight being lifted off his chest. He's felt guilty having such thoughts since first running into Jean Paul and it's nice to be able to not only voice them but have a friend who understands.

[helpdesk_hero]

"If you ever need someone to stand between you and someone from back home, let me know. I'm content to be a barrier."

ANd he's enough of a downer when he wants to be that it's even effective sometimes.

[extrasensory_problems]

"Thank you, that's very kind of you to offer." Carter says, "And I will do the same for you if you want."

[helpdesk_hero]

David wants to laugh at the offer, but he nods.

"Yeah, please. And mostly keep me away from them because I'm stubborn enough to just walk into it."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Got it. I'll like...urmm pick you up and carry you away back to the temple. And force
you to stay there with me by hugging you." He says, smiling.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Do you really have the strength to do that?" David asked, smiling. Teasing.

But hte hugging he can accept.

"I like hugs. I can accept this.

[extrasensory_problems]

"To pick you up?" He pulls away a little to look at David, mentally trying to do the math of what he thinks David would weigh.

"Maybe? I mean there's really only one way to find out."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Oh, you suggesting you're going to try now?" David laughs. "I warn you, I'm more solid than I look. Comes from the muscles."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Oh don't worry, I noticed the muscles." Carter says with a grin, "And I'm not claiming that I could lift you over my head like Dirty Dancing style but I might be able to pick you up like a bride...."

[helpdesk_hero]

Bridal, huh? Good thing he's not worried about his masculinity.

"you're welcome to try."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Yeah?" Carter asks and then grins, giving David a quick squeeze before letting him go and hoisting himself up off the ground.

"How tall are you?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"Really, you going to do physics to impress me?" David asked, slowly rising to his feet. Really, this was a thing they were doing.

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter laughs and shakes his head, "Oh god no. I suck at physics, I was just curious."

i don't wanna figure it out /sad face

[helpdesk_hero]

"I'm sure you can put it together," David laughs. Instead he holds his arms out, open and away from himself. "Well?"

no worries :)

[extrasensory_problems]

He laughs, "Okay okay. You look taller than me but shorter than Kyle."

He stands for a moment looking at David and then steps forward confidently, bends a bit at the knee and then scoops David up like his bride. He manages to hold him like that for a few moments but eventually has to put him back down with a sigh of relief.

"Ta daaaaa. I mean I don't think I could carry you very far but I could at least get you over the threshold." He says, teasing.

[helpdesk_hero]

Well that was hilarious. David didn't mind being picked up for a moment. He was happy to have had the experience.

"I could carry you further."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Oh yeah?" Carter asks with a grin, then bats his eyelashes at David. "Well come on then, sweep me off my feet."

[helpdesk_hero]

Easily said. More easily done. David just moves forward and scoops the man easily into a bridal carry, and carries him right away from the tree.

"So, where am I carrying you to, damsel?"

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter lets out a surprised giggle as David sweeps him up into his arms with an ease he didn't suspect but fully enjoys now that he's in his arms. He wraps his arms around David's neck and grins.

"My goodness, I'm swooning! You can carry me anywhere your heart desires my hero!"

[helpdesk_hero]

"You know, if Jenn overhears us, you're going to lose all your chances," David teased right back. What a strange friend he's made. But... But strange is good. He likes this. His mood is definitely lifted.

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter laughs, his cheeks going pink. And yes he realizes that all you have to do is mention Jenn's name in order to make him blush.

"You're assuming I have any chances at all with her." He says, "Jean-Paul basically demanded I stay away from her since she is his lawyer."

[helpdesk_hero]

See, that's powerful. He's going to take advantage of that.

"You're silly. Ignore him. If you like her, you should try. So try."

[extrasensory_problems]

"I'll try if I feel like she's open to it." He tries to explain, "She's had some really shitty things happen to her recently so it's like...I don't want to just throw all my feelings and lustful thoughts at her and stress her out."

Especially when stress can cause her to transform and break things, Carter usually tries to take others feelings into account but is being extra careful seeing how Jenn is also a Hulk.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yes, being respectful isn't a bad choice. But David sighs and puts Carter down.

"Well, at least you're going through this with fondness in your heart."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter makes a soft "awww" sound when David finally puts him down, he really was having fun being carried.

"I'm just trying not to be a selfish dick." He says with a simple shrug.