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.

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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.

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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 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.

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, if he's having that much fun... David scoops him back up, but this time he throws Carter over his shoulder.

Who needs people to tease you when you have friends like David who will treat you like a sack of potatoes for free.

"Trust me, I get that. Remember whole 'in love with two of my best friends' thing? Yeah, I respect it. A lot."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter immediately starts to giggle again when David slings him over his shoulder, when he speaks it sounds a little strained because David's shoulder is digging into his stomach but it doesn't hurt.

"I'm glad you understand. It makes talking about it easier." He says and then grins, "So is this amazing strength you have because of years of superhero stuff or is this all natural baby?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, well you asked for the picking up. Sorta. In enough of a way.

"The strength comes from working out. I run with what is effectively a team of very competent super heroes," David answered. "Have to be fit to keep up."

[extrasensory_problems]

Oh he knows, and he loves it.

"How often do you work out?" He asks, letting his body go a little bit more limp. Might as well enjoy the ride. "Do you still do it now that you're here on the islands?"

[helpdesk_hero]

No wonder he likes She-Hulk, if he enjoys being carried around like this.

"Every day. I also do flexibility training and I've been working with Akihiro, Logan's son, to keep my hand to hand skills up."

HE'd trained back in the ImPort world too.

"Yep. I train here too. I'm looking for help keeping it up, not to mention training my abilities too.

[extrasensory_problems]

"Flexibility eh? Does that mean you can do the splits and stuff?"

He twists his head to try and look at David's face, "If you ever want some company for training let me know. I need to get my shoulder strength back up after getting bitten by those giant bugs."

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh no, now he's got to prove it.

"Hold on, putting you down," David said, and he's lowering the guy to the ground. Once he's sure Carter is fine he easily turns himself into a hand stand and then smirks. And then does a split while he's doing the hand stand. A guy should not EASILY do this, right? But he is. Dude could be a gymnast.

"I can definitely help with some training."

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter lets himself be set down and then watches in awe as David goes from a handstand to a split, both his eyebrows going up.

"Geeeeeeez, well I guess I've been put in my place." He says seriously and then breaks into a grin as he goes into a handstand as well, which he can only hold for so long before wincing at his shoulder wound and dropping ungracefully back onto his feet.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh Carter, the things he keeps his body conditioned to do is fucking impressive.

"I try my best. It's hard to balance strength and combat with flexibility, but I try," David answers as he brings his feet back up to vertical. And then cartwheels back up to his feet.

"Seriously, man, with a bum shoulder? Don't be silly."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Well you succeed." Carter says and rubs at his shoulder, it was dumb of him to do that but he can't baby it forever.

"Yeah that was dumb. It's been healing up good though so that's something."

[helpdesk_hero]

No, but he has to baby it for a BIT!

"As your doctor, I'm telling you to give it a week before you try to put half of your entire body weight on it?"

It's just a suggestion man

[extrasensory_problems]

He smiles at David, his eyebrow going up. "Well I can't ignore a doctors orders now can I? I think they'd kick me out of nursing school if I did that."

"Any ideas on what I can do to help get the strength back up? I hate not being able to do my normal moves."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I don't know," David said with a shrug. "Sometimes it's really important for nurses to question. Because sometimes doctors don't notice things or write them down wrong. It's important to have a nurse that thinks for themself."

Still, he's glad the guy asked. He grins. "Dude, I'm going to set you up a whole physio routine. Promsie."

[extrasensory_problems]

"Oh totally," he says with a nod. "My mom was like that, she caught a lot of mistakes that the doctors made. I used to ask her why she didn't become a doctor because she sometimes seemed better at their jobs and she said it was because it would remove her from fully taking care of the patients. She liked to know them from beginning to end."

At the mention of having a physio routine he grins and reaches over to give David a one armed hug. "Yesssss! Thank you, you're the best."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well she sounded nice. But the past tense means David doesn't pry as much. He doesn't think Carter needs something sad right now.

"I know I am," David laughs, appreciating the hug. "I'll help you work through it until you have it down easily and don't need help."

[extrasensory_problems]

"That would be great," he says with a grin. "And if I can pay you back in any way for the help just let me know, you've already got an open invitation for free hugs at any time but I can also offer up foot massages or something."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Pay me back?" David said. Nah, he didn't think that was going to be a thing he asked for.

"Hugs I'll take, but you're not rubbing my feet, Carter. That would be weird."

[extrasensory_problems]

He shrugs, "Okay okay, no feet stuff. But you know what I mean, if you're going to be helping me out then I'd like to return the favor."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Being my friend is returning the favor," David promises, his voice gentle and fond.

He needs friends.

[extrasensory_problems]

"Awww." Carter smiles and wraps his arms around David, giving him a long full hug. "Okay done. I'm happy to be your friend."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Happy to be yours too," David answered with a laugh. "Just be careful with the PDAs or Jenn will think you're taken."

[extrasensory_problems]

He laughs and gives him a playful nudge, "Pffft like you'd date me anyways."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I make it a habit not to date straight men who are pining for women that could break me with their pinky finger," David answered, still smiling.

[extrasensory_problems]

"Fair enough." He says with smile and then sighs longingly, "Is it weird that the fact that she can break me with her pinky finger only makes her that more attractive to me? Kyle keeps teasing me about that, he says it means I have a weird fetish."