introductory mingle: MEMORIA

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Memoria Commemoration
when: May 1st - May 8th
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

memoria

In the days leading up to May 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Memoria. A more solemn celebration than Sampremi or the Flower Festival, Memoria is a week-long time of remembrance for those lost in the Great War and the epidemic that decimated Riverview Quarantine's population 10 years ago. Memoria traditions include lighting lanterns for the dead, telling stories about lost loved ones or lost homes, eating meals with loved ones, and a special gathering to send floating lanterns down the river in honor of those lost.

a solemn commemoration of those lost

While the main city-wide event associated with Memoria is the floating of lanterns down the river on the evening of May 8th, the holiday is generally seen as a time of reflection on and appreciation of things that have been lost - people, homes, cultures, and planets. It is also a celebration of the things that remain. Many locally-owned shops will host displays of culturally-significant food, and will hand out informational flyers sharing the unique customs of their own homeworlds. There is a heavy emphasis on sharing time with family, friends, and lovers, and anyone who is able to will cook meals or treats for loved ones, or at least purchase them something good to eat.

i. hanging lanterns

Throughout the entire week of Memoria, residents will be hanging lanterns around the city. Lanterns are generally placed in greater number in places of passage - streets, bridges, and all alongside the train lines are particularly well-decorated, as are any trees alongside paths, and most homes and businesses have a profusion of lanterns around their doors and windows. This tradition is twofold; some people believe that the lanterns are hung in these places in order to guide the spirits of the dead back to those who still love them, other people believe that the lanterns are to give light for living loved ones to find their doors in times of darkness...many people believe both.

No matter what your character might believe, you can be sure they will find themselves offered a lantern for free from various businesses or friendly citizens passing by, and invited to hang it before the sun sets, or they may be handed a bundle of lanterns and asked to help share them with others.

ii. sharing life

Throughout the city, characters will find groups of people gathering to share hot drinks and talk about their loved ones lost, their homes and planets, or their experiences during the Great War and the epidemic. Anyone who has lost someone, who has fought to survive, who is feeling cut off and homesick, is welcome to sit and share their story. If your character chooses to sit and to share their story, they will find that people will gather to listen, will generally be respectful of the telling, and may share their own similar experiences in return. This is an excellent time to air grief in an environment where most people understand and respect grief, and a good time to deepen the connections to others around you, to understand them better.

There is also a very large focus on cooking or purchasing meals or treats for loved ones during Memoria, with many people taking meals with everyone they care about during the week of the holiday. Some go the extra mile and will hand out baked goods (usually chocolate or cinnamon), packets of candy, or other little treats to acquaintances, especially if they would like to form a closer bond with them. This is a great time for characters to reach out to someone they would like to get to know better with a surprise treat!

iii. floating of the lanterns

On the evening of May 8th, just before sundown, many of the city's residents will head toward the banks of the river, where they will light lanterns in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, in honor of their dead loved ones. The types of lanterns vary wildly, based on personality (either of the person floating it or the person they are honoring), culture, and many other factors. Some lanterns are very simple, others are incredibly complex, but the one common feature they all have is that people write on the shades of them - they write about their feelings for their loved ones, their wishes for their relationships and friendships, a memory from childhood or home, or even just lines of poetry or lyrics from songs that express something they miss, or something that hurts them.

Once those emotions are written on the lanterns, the lanterns are set free, floating down the river in the darkening evening, in a cathartic gesture shared by most residents of the city. Waves of lantern floating will start around 7 pm and continue until the sun rises on the morning of May 9th.

iv. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to set up headers for a communal floor, or threads open to roommates for the purpose of getting to know each other. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during Memoria, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: glowconcepts, image ii: by trenchmaker, image iv: cherryorange; image iii: found uncredited on Pinterest - please let the mod know if you find credit!

navigation

Comments

Fatima Merali | OTA | Will match style!

[dust_of_life]

Hanging Lanterns

Fatima was trying as hard as she could to remain utterly unmoved by the ceremonies taking place around her. Half of it was that carefully cultivated image of hers. The other half was the fact that dealing with her feelings tended to work out best for her when she didn't deal with them. She knew she was prone to spiraling. And when she spiraled, it ended to end in a lot of vampires dead. Possibly some unjustified.

Possibly.

But still, for some reason she couldn't really name, when she was offered a lantern by one of the local Moonies, she accepted it. And throughout the rest of the day, she could be found here and there, staring at the lantern like it was both an answer and a question.

Life was always complicated when you were a dhampir princess. And death even more so.

Sharing Life

She wasn't really sure how it happened. Fatima had only gone out to stretch her legs. And to have an excuse to wrap herself in her favorite coat, the one Liam had given to her for her birthday. Maybe it was a way to feel closer to him. She wasn't questioning it too much. Anyway, at some point in her wandering, she wandered her way right into a group of locals sharing...death customs. It was really weird, but she stopped to listen and after that, she was hooked. The next thing she knew, they were asking about her own mourning.

Noddism didn't really provide a lot. But then there was Auntie Diana. She seemed to have a song for every occasion. And Fatima remembered the one that she always sang at funerals.

In the wasteland,
The land laid waste
The fruit of knowledge has a bitter taste
But the bliss of ignorance
Can never be replaced
It's lost in the wilderness

Fatima's voice was hardly American Idol caliber. But she could carry a tune. And without really meaning to, she carried the weight of emotion in her song. Enough to just barely crack her icy veneer.

Floating of the Lanterns

Okay, maybe she'd had a little too much of the Kool-Aid. Or maybe she really needed this exercise. Either way, Fatima decided to release her lantern.

She'd put a lot of thought into what she wanted to say. There was far too much unfinished business between her and her mother. There was how Fatima could never live up to Parvana Merali's greatness. And the anger that she'd left her alone just when she was figuring out who she was. And regret. Oh, so, so, so much regret.

In the end, her message was simple:

Mom. I will always love you.

A trifle cliche, maybe. And not exactly poetry in motion. But it was from the heart and, ultimately, that was what mattered, right?

Fatima let the lantern go, holding on with her barest of fingertips until the absolute possible moment. What was it Auntie Diana used to say? 'The hardest part of love is the letting go.' Shit, Auntie Diana had that right.

[OOC: This is in prose, but I'll happily match style, no problem. Also very open to any wildcard scenarios.]

hanging lanterns;

[advanced]

[Fatima isn't the only one who's somehow found themselves the proud owner of a new lantern that they're not entirely sure what to do with, Bucky is also clutching one oh-so-carefully in his gloved left hand as though afraid he might splinter the delicate wood if he holds on more tightly.

He glances over, only to see the strange woman who he has encountered once or twice - Fatima - nearby.]

You know what these are for?

[He didn't really listen when one was pushed at him, too busy being surprised and then backing off.]

[dust_of_life]

[So this is what it feels like to have the tables turned on you. Normally, she's the one stumbling on Ian. Today, it's his turn. Really, she's a little surprised that he would approach.

But it's not a bad thing. Maybe he's getting a little less insane. You never know.

Still. He could have picked a better time.

She glances up from the lantern, blinking away a slightly glazed expression that goes so very much against her facade. The shrug isn't as casual as she'd like it to be. Her voice isn't as disinterested.]

It's a festival honoring the dead. I'd say the lanterns are probably totems.

[advanced]

Oh.

[He assumes that her expression is because she's lost someone, and being presented with one of these lanterns has helped bring all that grief back to the surface again. It's not too far a leap to make, everyone has lost someone at some point.

The lantern suddenly feels too fragile and too heavy all at once.]

Do you want another one?

[He doesn't know if he has anyone to honour.]

[dust_of_life]

I'm not even sure I want the one I have.

[It's only partly a joke. Fatima's got a lot of conflicting emotions about the whole thing.

She runs her eyes over him, offering a sympathetic smile.]

Guessing you got roped into these festivities too?

[advanced]

[He gets that, he's not sure he wants his either.]

I guess so. It was just handed to me.

[He doesn't want to get rid of it, that seems disrespectful considering what the festival is for.]

[dust_of_life]

[She tilts her head to one side, a few pieces of hair falling out of the loose braid going down her back.]

You must have someone you'd like to light one for.

I mean, I'm sure everyone has lost someone along the way.

sharing life

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is listening to the stories, staying toward the back of the group so he can remain unnoticed and just enjoy the moment. Maybe make some connection as part of the audience instead of constantly needing to be active. After all, that seems to be tripping him up more often. He always has to lead, has to push, and this festival is no place for either of those things.

When he hears the singing, he waits, listening as Fatima conveys her feelings through the notes. He steps forward when she finishes, waving at her with a small gesture of greeting.]

That was beautiful. Where did you learn it?

[dust_of_life]

[Fatima ripples her fingers in return, taking a second to remind herself that, yes, this is Blocky Steve or Grumpy Steve or whatever Steve that had nothing to do with the unicorn, but is friends with Bucky. The mental gymnastics are getting a little bit easier. But's it's definitely still an adjustment.

She takes a few steps over to him, like she's stepping out of a spotlight. Singing in public isn't something she does often. Especially not without copious amounts of alcohol involved. And this is no karaoke bar.]

My favorite aunt wrote it. She, uh, she's a composer. Has a voice like...

I mean, I'd say "a voice like an angel," but that's kinda cliched.

[livingsymbol]

[In person Steve is built differently than the other Steve, with a thicker facial structure and darker blond hair. He holds himself with a casual sense of confidence, more like a fighter than a quiet, trained soldier like the other man she met. He almost seems older, more battle-worn and comfortable with it.]

I'm sure she would be proud to know you were honoring her memory.

[His reply is rooted in respect and a calm understanding that comes from being very familiar with personal loss. It's polite, but not reaching for emotion as others might. Steve doesn't presume he knows anything intimate about Fatima or anyone else in the crowd. He takes the moment at face value and gives it the respect it has earned.]

[dust_of_life]

Oh, Auntie Diana's still alive. I think.

[There really isn't a good way to know. Seems unlikely that the Sabbat fanatics would outright kill her. But Fatima's a world away from that now.]

Although considering my recent antics, I think "proud" might be the last word she'd use for me.

[Fatima shrugs. She's not ashamed of her screw-ups. They're just a part of who she is, really.]

[livingsymbol]

Really? That's good.

[Missing a living person is far easier than missing the ones that are gone. At least there is some hope left to see them again.]

Will you visit her again when you go home?

[dust_of_life]

Dunno.

[Fatima sighs, biting down on the inside of her cheek.]

Right now, I'm trying to focus mainly on finding a way to get home at all. Answers aren't really falling into my lap.

hanging lanterns

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky hasn't really gotten in on the handing out of lanterns. He's hung a few, himself, but mostly he's browsing for some to take to the river later on. It seems more personal, to float his thoughts down the water. More private than hanging them along the streets anyway.

He's studying a pale blue globe lantern, dotted with stars, and wondering if he likes it enough for his sister when he spots the woman he'd met at Sampremi, just staring at a lantern in her hands. (He did end up buying that hideous fringed leather jacket. He's wearing it now, over a plaid shirt.)]

They don't bite.

[dust_of_life]

[She recognizes the voice and smiles. It's sort of nice to hear someone friendly, for a change.]

Maybe not, but this lantern business turns out to be a full-body contact sport. I almost got shot earlier.

[And then she looks up. And sees the jacket. Oh, Bucky. That's just wrong.]

You went with the fringe, huh?

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Both eyebrows lift at that, skeptical.] What'd you do to nearly get shot? I didn't think a lot of people carried here. [He does, but. That's him.

And then he rolls his eyes.] Why does everyone have commentary on my jacket?

[dust_of_life]

I almost got shot for lighting a fire in front of our resident hobo. The guy with the long dark hair. Calls himself "Ian."

[She gives him a lopsided smile, imagining lighting a fire on that jacket because...seriously.]

And as for the jacket...it's a statement piece.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[His stomach sinks a little. The name doesn't mean much but 'hobo' with long dark hair sounds like a certain someone he knows. It doesn't surprise him if Bucky is going by a fake name but he wonders if Fatima has drawn the connection. He continues the thought,] And you startled him. You shouldn't do that. Some guys have reflexes they can't turn off.

[He brushes a bit of dust off the front of his jacket a bit defensively.] It's comfortable.

[dust_of_life]

In my defense, I had just offered to light his lantern.

[Of course, she did it by lighting her own hands on fire. But Fatima's feeling a little too self-righteous to admit to that, right now.

She shrugs, waving it off. Being afraid of guns would go so very much against the image she wants to project. Better to just ignore the whole thing.

If she can.]

Comfortable enough to do the Y-M-C-A dance, I'll bet.

[ hanging lantern ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Ah. Loki remembered her. The woman with secrets and old histories written on her tongue. After a moment's deliberation, he steps out of the shadows. ]

I believe you are meant to let them go.

[dust_of_life]

[She turns at his sudden appearance, not betraying any surprise. She's off her game today. Both because of the memories and because of nearly being shot by her crazy hobo companion. All the more reason to cling to the lantern, perhaps. Not that she would ever admit it.]

Luka.

[Fatima smiles slightly. At least he can carry on a conversation, unlike hobo boy. And hopefully he won't draw a gun on her. But there's no way of knowing these things any more.]

No one's shoved one of these things into your hands yet?

[dothelokimotion]

[ He tilts his head in greeting, a gentle smile playing on his lips. ]

I am afraid I am not as charming as you are.

[dust_of_life]

[That makes her laugh.]

I think "charming" is the last word anyone would use to describe me today.

I almost got shot earlier.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He frowns in concern. ]

Whatever for?

[dust_of_life]

[She tries to laugh it off. If it's all a big joke, it never really happened. So she waves her hand absently.]

Lighting a fire in front of our resident crazy hobo.