riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: FLOWER FESTIVAL

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: FLOWER FESTIVAL

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Flower Festival Celebration
when: April 2nd - April 15th
where: In several different locations in the downtown area of the Inhabited City.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

flower festival

In the days leading up to April 2nd, residents new and old may notice advertising around the city, everywhere from digital screens to paper flyers pasted on blank walls, all advertising an upcoming holiday: The Flower Festival. Celebrating springtime, beauty, joy, and togetherness, the festival heavily features floral themes and dancing. The advertising mentions that on April 10th, a paid holiday, there will be a Blossom Picnic, as well as lists of various public dances at clubs or other open venues, and adult raves.

a celebration of spring

The Flower Festival's main event is the Blossom Picnic on April 10th, but it also features traditions of sharing food and drink, and dancing that span over the course of the whole two weeks. There are a large variety of events going on throughout the city, from dancing lessons in any wide variety of traditional dances, to old-fashioned sock hops, to adult raves complete with mild party drugs. Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own event at any point during the festival, and if your character creates an event and hosts it in a top-level, you can submit that thread for extra bonus points.

i. blossom picnic

The main event that kicks off the second week of the Flower Festival is the Blossom Picnic on April 10th. A relaxed and low-key event, it draws several thousand people every year to the spacious Riverview Central Park, where there is a generous lawn lined with various blossoming trees, and families, found families, lovers, and groups of friends are encouraged to lay out a picnic blanket and share food. There will be live bands playing (but not loudly enough to distract from conversation and peacefully watching the petals flutter in the wind), a variety of demonstrations of traditional cultural dances from many different realities and planets, and a ton of ice cream vendors. This is an excellent festival not only for celebrating togetherness with the people who are already important, but for mingling and making new friends.

Characters may either pack their own lunches or they can purchase pre-packed Blossom Festival lunches. Stores and street markets are carrying a wide variety of specialty food that is only available at this time of year - predominantly pastries, an assortment of types of candies, and ice cream treats all in various floral flavors, as well as a sort of ambrosia salad based around a sweet rose-flavored cream and a native fruit that is bright green and tastes like a combination of peach and citrus.

ii. dancing lessons

Starting on April 2nd, there will be dancing lessons offered almost everywhere you look! From partner dances to group dances to line dances; sexy and sensual or innocent and childlike - almost any type of dance you can imagine is represented, from any reality or planet that has people in Riverview Quarantine.

Additionally, the Riverview Central Community Center has multiple rooms blocked off so anyone who knows a dance from home can teach it to others in their community - sharing is caring, after all. Characters are welcome to block off one of these rooms and offer lessons in any dance they happen to know from home (and these sorts of thread starters would be eligible for the mingle AC Point bonus)!

iii. flower festival dancing

This is pretty simply what it says on the tin - in almost every club, community center, or other public space, there will be dancing at almost all hours of the day or night, formal and informal. Musicians bring out their instruments and play in the street for demonstrations of cultural dances and music at the same time as clubs are offering VIP cover charges for exclusive dances, and you can find anything in between.

There are also many low-cover-charge raves that allow under-18s so younger characters can stay up all night and dance like crazy. The legal drinking age in Riverview Quarantine is 14, and so anyone over 14 can enter and indulge in a few drinks, dancing, and playing tag with a non-intoxicating version of the colored powder featured at the adult raves. There is copious amounts of security on site to ensure that everyone is safe, as well as nurses and off-duty police officers to offer advice or care for anyone who overindulges out of lack of experience.

Grab a partner, a group of friends, or just cruise and mingle the various dancing events.

Characters may also notice that most of the street markets and clothing shops are offering clothing that features floral patterns, flowers as accessories, and that show a lot of skin - for men, women, and anyone in between!

iv. adult raves

Advertised on flyers and digital screens around the city, made to pop as if they were under blacklight, is a series of adult raves that are happening in various large empty warehouse spaces around the city, including one that is listed as the danger rave and hosted in an abandoned factory outside the inhabited city walls. With bouncers at the door to ensure that anyone entering is 18+, the raves are comfortably adult in nature. Clothing is optional, showing skin is encouraged, and there are a lot of neatly tucked away spaces for attendees to get some time alone with one or more than one person, as well as spaces intended for orgies. The atmosphere is sex-positive and non-judgemental, open to any orientation or preference, with various forms of protection available for free, however, to ensure that everyone plays safe there are sober security teams out en masse at all premises to oversee the events.

(CW: DRUG USE) In each location, there is one specific room where attendees can enter, and dance or play tag with brightly colored powder that contains small amounts of a legal party drug commonly available in Riverview, which is absorbed through the skin. Not much more intoxicating than having a few beers, the effects of the drug are a pleasant low-key buzzing euphoria, positive sensitivity to touch, a heightening of desires for intimacy, and a mild lowering of inhibitions. Once a character has been hit with the powder, the color lingers on the skin so other attendees can know who has partaken, but once the powder makes contact with a surface it deactivates, meaning that partakers can safely dance with non-partakers without sharing the intoxicating effects.

Please be sure to warn in subject lines for any threads involving drug use. And remember, there is always security to intervene and make sure everyone is safe.

v. 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 at the Flower Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: third image by Steve Goad; other images found on uncredited on Pinterest or Google images - please let the mod know if you find credit!

navigation

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Otabek had been checking out the festivities when he spotted him. He hadn't really intended to stop and watch the dancing, but something buried deep within him told him that he should - that he didn't want to miss out on watching any of the performances. He enjoyed watching dance, and new dances were always a curiosity. He had never quite grasped dance in the same way as many other skaters, but he still enjoyed watching the sport.

He almost walked past it after a moment, but then --

There he was.

The blond-haired, green-eyed Russian he had taken to so fondly. The way he felt was visceral. It brought him back five years. He's twelve, trying to dance, and there he is watching the ten year old - so strong, and a soldier. He had been struck then, that moment then guiding him towards the path he found himself on. The path that made him Kazakhstan's Hero.

He's struck again, differently this time. He had always admired Yuri so much, but now he had his friendship, and the admiration was much more real. He was glad he got to witness it here now. He enjoyed it because there was something there, this time - in Yuri's dance that there was always in his skating. It was filled with feeling and skill. But Yuri always made it look so easy.

As the dance came to an end, he stepped in closer, now unafraid of interrupting the other's steps by making him aware of his presence. ]

[ Laying upon the concrete, Yuri was lost. In a world of his own, aching, heartbroken. Feeling stretched too thin and painfully exposed. His breaths were shuddering, unsteady. His vision swimming in a way that he would have claimed was lightheadedness, and not the watering at the edges.

Slowly sitting up, Yuri came back to himself, blinking slowly, his expression softer than usual. His usual walls down. So it made his surprise, and delight at lifting his head, seeing Otabek all the more genuine. ]

Otabek? [ His voice caught, his tone breathless as he stared at the other, unable to quite believe what he was seeing. ] Otabek!

[ Startled, excited, Yuri launched across the courtyard, diving at the other in an enthusiastic hug, his legs locking around the other's waist and his arms around the other's neck, the younger boy positively beaming at the sight of his friend. ] I can't believe you're here!

[ Otabek's arms shift around Yuri. If it were anyone else, this person would have been dropped, but this was Yuri. It was different with him. He would always hold onto him tight. Holding onto Yuri comes so naturally. Even with having only spent a few days together, Yuri was his dearest friend. He'd stand there, holding onto Yuri, letting him cling as long as he wanted to.

If there was anyone he would be happy to see, it was Yuri. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It was small, rare, and there just for Yuri. His arms tightened a little. ]

Yuri.

[ His tone was happy, as well. He doesn't want to let go of his friend. Not ever if he can avoid it. ]

I just got here. You're here.

[ He hadn't even really considered the fact that Yuri could have been there, and really - it was just now registering. Even after watching him dance, he had been so caught up in the moment, that he wasn't really thinking about it. ]

I've been here a couple of weeks- almost a month. [ Yuri doesn't let go, because Otabek doesn't either. Just hangs on, can't stop smiling. It's almost as good as seeing his grandpa; being confronted with one of the only person's Yuri had actively wanted to see. ]

I can't believe you're here. [ He repeats it, more breathlessly this time, before laughing and hugging the other tight with his arms, gripping the other's shoulders and tucking his head against the other's shoulder, cheek nose turned outward. A little less intimate, a little more appropriate. His soft blond hair probably tickling the other's nose.

Something inside of Yuri felt fractured; sensitive. He sucked in a sharp breath,
swallowed over a lump forming in his throat as his fingertips dug more tightly into the other's jacket, as though he were afraid the other would disappear if he let go.
He hadn't wanted this, not really. Hadn't wanted to bring those he loved or cared for into such a dangerous place- and yet seeing someone from home... it helped to ease some of the longing, some of the homesickness that he'd felt as though it were crushing him. ]

A month...

[ It certainly hadn't been that long since he had last seen Yuri. Interesting. It figures that this place would do something weird like this. He doesn't ask, though, since he's sure that he won't necessarily understand. Regardless, he's happy. He's happy he gets this time with Yuri, even if it is here of all places. He holds him tight and close.

The way he's holding Yuri seems to shift from just supporting him, to an actual hug. His eyes, close when blond locks tickle his nose, and his smile gets just a little bit bigger. A little happier. He shifts his head so the smile isn't for anyone else. ]

I can't believe you're here, either.

[ He's torn on how he feels about it, but decides to settle on happy. He's just happy that he gets this. ]

I haven't been here long.

[ He was excited. Maybe he'd finally get some uninterrupted time with his friend. ]

[ The crowd around them didn't seem to matter to Yuri one single bit. All that he was interested in was Otabek. His presence, his solid warmth in Yuri's arms. Still not quite able to believe his luck, a shuddering breath leaving him as slowly, he drew his head back. But still didn't make to put his feet on the ground again. ]

Have you seen the others? Victor and the pig are here too. [ Yuri scowls a little to say it, but it's more for show and good measure than any genuine feelings of animosity towards the idea. It's... almost relieving, really. To have something familiar with the deeply bizarre. ] Have you been exploring? Did you eat? Can I show you around?

[ Yuri thinks this is probably the most he's smiled since he'd arrived here, and it's all thanks to Otabek. ]

[As if summoned, Yuuri chooses that exact moment to pass by them, bemusedly holding onto a few flower accessories he'd had practically shoved at him by particularly enthusiastic dancers. He brightens when he spots Yurio.]

Ah, Yurio! [Surprise flickers in his eyes when it registers that he's practically latched onto someone else. Yurio? Willingly hugging someone? Huh. Not for the first time, Yuuri's extremely curious to know how close the other two are.

That's something for another time, though. Yuuri smiles at the two of them.] And Otabek! This festival's really something, isn't it?

You can show me around --

[ He's not surprised when Yuuri makes an appearance. He had already encountered the man once. Not only that, there are lots of crowds gathering around the dancing, so it only makes sense that Yuuri would be there. And Of course he found them. He sighs, but he makes no move to set Yuri down unless he wants to be set down. His arms are secure around Yuri, and he's pretty comfortable holding him right there.

His change in expression is immediate, too. He's smiling, but the smile gets a little more subtle, because he's still happy, but he's now he's not alone. It's not necessarily an intentional shift, but it just seems to happen. ]

It is impressive.

[ The face Yuri made at Katsudon's sudden arrival was one that clearly wasn't impressed. Why the hell couldn't he or Viktor ever manage to mind their own damned business? What was it about being in Otabek's presence that seemed to bring those assholes out of the woodworks? Scowling fiercely, Yuri stuck his tongue out at Yuuri, though notably didn't move from his position in Otabek's arms. If Otabek wasn't embarrassed, and wasn't going to put him down, then Yuri saw no reason why he should be! This was a perfectly normal action between friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time! ]

The festival is all right. Sampremi had carnival games. [ Which clearly made it superior, duh.

Yuri looked supremely put out just by sharing in Yuuri's presence, wanting to tell the other to get lost. And he would, too, if he didn't step off soon enough for Yurio's tastes. ]

[Well then. If Yuuri hadn't already noticed the thoroughly put out expression on Yurio's face, then he definitely gets the message when Yurio sticks his tongue out at him. He's interrupting something here, this much he knows.

Glancing between the two, though, curiosity seems to override sense for a moment.]

Sampremi? Haven't heard of it. What is it?

[Sorry, guys. He'll leave...eventually.]

[ Yep. Otabek doesn't seem inclined to let go at all. His muscles seem to flex, and his grip gets a little tighter. With that, he seems like he's prepared to tote Yuri around all day. The other isn't even slightly heavy, and Otabek is strong. It doesn't seem like it'd be too hard. It'd be nice to have some quiet time alone with his friend.

Despite that, he didn't seem to mind Yuuri's presence. He thought the older skater was pretty inoffensive, honestly. He was nice enough, at least. He's not sure of the history between Yuri and Yuuri, but he doesn't ask. If they wanted to share, they would.

He tilts his head a little, resting it slightly on top of Yuri's. It's a gentle, simple - and a little shy - action. He wouldn't normally be publicly affectionate...but he's excited. ]

This one has dancing, though.

[ And he seems to like that part of it. ]

[ Yuri just kept scowling, not at Otabek- but at Yuuri. He was happy to have his friend's presence there; immensely pleased to hold and be held by this familiar face. ]

Sampremi was like- I dunno, fun and games. Good food. Spicy stuff. Although it was also all pushy about dating and shit. [ Yuri scowled, his cheeks tinging pink. ] Love, and stuff. That was annoying.

[ Glancing at Otabek for his comment, Yuri blushed a little more, and shrugged his shoulders a little. ]

Yeah, this one does have dancing. [ And that was kind of nice, he had to admit. Something familiar. Something Yuri knew he was damned good at. ]

[Well. Yuuri's had his fair share of people back home (looking at you in particular, Phichit) tell him that he can be pretty oblivious, but even he isn't so blind that he'd miss the blush on Yurio's face. This explains a lot of things, actually.

All Yuuri does is raise his brows. He's not stupid enough to tease or bring it up when it's Yurio of all people.]

Love's not annoying. [He feels obligated to say this, considering his whole season's theme had been based on that very emotion.] How were they being pushy, though?

It's not annoying at all.

[ Otabek turns his head away from both of them when he realizes there's a blush in his cheeks, waiting for the heat in his face to cool down. His attention diverts back to Yuuri and Yuri immediately, waiting for Yuri's reply. He's curious as to what he means by 'pushy', though. He hopes Yuri is okay from that. After all, he didn't seem to really enjoy that part.

He's quiet for a few moments before he replies. His tone is quiet, clearly - what he's saying is only really meant for Yuri. ]

Your dancing is great.

[ Still a bit too shy to express that loud enough for Yuuri to hear, too. ]

Edited 2017-05-14 02:51 (UTC)

Of course it's annoying. Look at you and Viktor, you two drive me crazy. [ And Yuri mimed barfing, for emphasis, his nose screwing up a little, before he glanced at Otabek, looking a little betrayed- and then, uncomfortable. Embarrassed and mollified. ]

It was like- there was a lot of things you could only do with someone else. And I wasn't... [ Yuri trailed off, his gaze dropping as he scowled. ] It was stupid. Trying to hook you up with other people. Ugh. It was gross.

[ Yuri softened a little at Otabek's compliment, though. Trying to keep from looking quietly pleased- and failing. ]

[Like most of Yurio's barbed comments, the one about him and Viktor slides right off of him. He lets out a thoughtful hum as he glances between Yurio and Otabek again.]

I can see how the excessive matchmaking would be annoying--I wouldn't have liked it either.

[Slightly ironic, considering what he's about to do. Yuuri pulls his phone out, making a show of checking the time.] Speaking of Viktor, I should try to find him. Will the two of you be okay on your own?

[He asks innocently, as if he hasn't grown increasingly aware that they'd probably like him to leave.]

[ There's the slightest hint of jealousy in his face at the thought of Yuri being paired off. He doesn't even realize it's there, so he can't fight it off until his expression shifts and his attention diverts to Yuuri.

Distractions are so useful. ]

I think we'll be alright.

[ He nods towards Yuuri, and looks towards Yuri to confirm. It'd be nice to spend some time with Yuri alone. ]

[ Snorting at Yuuri's question, Yuri found himself rolling his eyes again. Huffing out a breath. ]

I've been fine here for months without you, Katsudon. I think I can manage to show Otabek around. I promise we'll get home safe. [ The last few words were spoken in a mocking, sing song tone, before finally easing his legs back down onto the ground. He didn't let go of the other, though. Instead of having his arms hooked around the other's neck, Yuri's body turned so that he was properly facing Yuuri, but his arm was still linked with Otabek's. Not holding his hand, but his hands both touching the other's arm possessively, looking irritated and just wishing Yuuri would finish going away. ]

[Another quirk of Yuuri's mouth as he watches them being cozy with each other.]

Good to know. Alright...I'll head out and let you two have your fun here.

[With one last glance between the two of them, Yuuri gives them a little wave of his hand and smiles before he goes in search of his wayward fiance.]

[ He sets Yuri down with ease when the other seems to be wanting to not be held any longer. Still, the grip he has is rather possessive. Not that Otabek minds - hell, he even likes it. He offers his free hand to wave as Yuuri leaves them. He turns towards Yuri. He leans a little towards his friend now that they're alone. ]

So, you're going to show me around now, then?

Edited (html brokeeeeen) 2017-06-21 03:25 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

introductory mingle: FLOWER FESTIVAL

iii.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

you called?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject