introductory mingle: DRAGOSTA

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Dragosta celebration
when: The month of September.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

dragosta

In the days leading up to September 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Dragosta. This holiday is in celebration of romantic love, and seen as a time of the year for Quarantine residents to try to find someone special to cuddle up with in preparation for the cold winter months. Romantic love is highly valued in Riverview Quarantine, as it can foster an incredible sense of wellness and belonging, and is often the cornerstone of found families as well as biological ones. While there are no official city-sponsored parties, there are various holiday traditions and a paid day off on September 8th so anyone who wants to indulge in them with their loved one can do so.

a celebration of romantic love

Rather than anything structured and organized by the city, Dragosta is a celebration usually left up to the citizens of the city to organize for themselves - there are a few traditions that many businesses (obviously) capitalize on, mainly the tradition of special date nights with small gifts exchanged for people who've already matched up or want to. There are also various singles dances intended to help people without partners find someone to share the special holiday with, and a tradition among the various magic users in the city of preparing soul mate potions and spells intended to help people find the person they're meant to be with.

i. soulmates

Almost as soon as it hits midnight on August 31st, booths and street corner vendors are popping up all around the city offering various magical potions and spells in little rows of bottles. The number of types are overwhelming, with a different concoction available for every type of magic that exists across thousands of different worlds. But the purpose of every single bottle and its contents is exactly the same: to help you find love. Specifically, these are the traditional magics that promise to give anyone who uses them the ability to find or identify their soulmate.

These little bits of magic can have various effects on the person using them (reminiscent of the soulmate trope in fiction), depending on the type of magic and the person who prepared them, and the options are almost endless. There are a few comfortable standbys, though, that pop up pretty much every year:

● Rainbow Potion: Tiny bottles of a soft rainbow-colored potion that affects the vision. Once drunk, the potion will remove the partaker's ability to see in color until the first time they meet their soulmate after ingestion, then all the colors will come flooding back.
● Time Spell: Purchasing a time spell will get you a little vial of liquid with a tiny hourglass inside. Pouring out the liquid and turning the tiny hourglass will result in the appearance of a timer counting down on the partaker's skin somewhere - like a moving tattoo, it will count down the days, hours, minutes, and even seconds until the person will meet their soulmate for the first time after the spell is initiated.
● Red Thread: Some residents might've heard of the legend of the red thread of fate, a red thread that is tied between the ankles or little fingers of two people destined to fall in love. Tiny jars with a delicate red thread attached to a note (the contents of which are unreadable) are sold to invoke this legend. Once opened, the user should tie the red thread around their smallest finger on the left side and a red thread only that person and their soulmate can see will appear, tying them together. It may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
● Ink Potion: Small vials of a mysterious black liquid are one of the more common offerings - this liquid, once carefully spread on a portion of the partaker's skin, will result in a tattoo-like marking in a particular shape, that matches the marking that magically appeared on their soulmate!

While these are the most common types, there are almost infinite numbers of other types of potions, spells, and magics intended to help people find their soulmates, of varying type and quality.

A Few OOC Guidelines:
● Soulmate potions/spells can be used multiple times with different partners, and the effect can last as long (or as briefly) as you want it to.
● Since there is a wide variation of different types of potions/spells, they can vary in effectiveness. Feel free to use this prompt for either serious shipping or silly pairings for comedic effect.
● There is no compulsion involved in this prompt. The potions/spells will only show the character who their supposed soulmate is, not compel them to fall in love with the other character.
● Because there is no compulsion or alteration of behavior involved, and all effects are temporary and mildly annoying at most, characters ARE allowed to use them on other characters without asking. If your character wouldn't take one of the potions/spells, one of their friends can definitely spike their drink with a potion or use a spell on their behalf. Also, only one party has to use the potion/spell in order for it to work, both parties do not have to partake, though it is up to player discretion how heavily affected the person who did not partake is.
● A long list of trope ideas and variations can be found here. I've only included specific potions/spells for the most common ones I've seen, but please go as wild as you'd like with the types of potions and effects they have, so long as everyone involved is on the same page.
● Mod questions and plotting regarding this prompt can be found here.

ii. singles dances

All around the city, various businesses are hosting and sponsoring singles dances. These dances are an ancient tradition of Dragosta, originating from the reality of a very early group of displaced arrivals. Observed since the founding of Riverview Quarantine, the events have grown and changed with the times, still serving the interests of the modern citizen. The dances will be advertised throughout the city and range in quality, size, and tone, but they will always have the same objective and methodology: to match people up based on chemistry on the dance floor.

All singles or polyamorous pairings/groups looking to add additional members will sign in at the dance of their choice, and attach nametags or stickers to their clothing - pink, blue, or purple to indicate their preferences in partner (female, male, or any), and a "P" or "D" for "poly" or "duo" to indicate their preference for a polyamorous match-up or only one partner. Once they've indicated these preferences, they head out onto the dance floor, where they can either seek out someone they're interested in or wait for someone to come to them. As the dance goes on, and one person approaches another (or a group or pair), the person (or people) approached can either accept or reject the advances, and after finding someone with chemistry, the happy couple (or triad, etc.) can leave the floor together.

Every person who attends and participates will receive vouchers for free dinners and discounts or gift cards for various places in the city to have a nice dinner and get a present for a new paramour, or two or three...!

iii. date nights

This one is pretty simple: restaurants, clubs, hotels, movie theatres, and anything else in the city that might even vaguely be construed as a date location will be offering romantic date night packages, discounts, and other promotions to the lovebirds of the city. There are a few highly-anticipated special events that crop up every year, though.

One of the most popular are the movies in the park, hosted on almost every night of the month, these are romantic comedies and other good date movies from dozens of realities featuring romantic stories in a multitude of different configurations. Lovers are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and settle on the grass for a nice relaxed show, or tickets can be bought for special experiences such as the mini-deck, with romantic table settings, wine, and catering with a waiter, or the cuddlebug, where a comfortable couch is set up with popcorn and blankets for the lucky lovebirds to curl up on together. The variations are endless!

Another popular option is a retro-futuristic drive-in experience, where any type of vehicle can be driven up to a temporary drive-in diner for a meal, and then pull up to a temporary outdoor theatre. Once parked, the lovebirds can "park" - that is, cuddle and neck in the car to their hearts' content, probably instead of actually watching the movie.

For this prompt, any type of date night discount is cool to assume, or make a mingle top-level with a special event of your own imagining and earn bonus activity points!

iv. kiss and tell

Something a little different is happening during Dragosta this year - one of the magic researchers at Gramarye, who was recently married and only just returned from her honeymoon, got hit with a confusion spell by accident. A little muddled and love-drunk, she acted on her intense desire to make everyone in the city feel just as happy as her, and shared the love by whipping up a potent spell to do so. As a result, residents will see bright little glowing 'fairy lights' floating around the city throughout the entire month of September. What do the fairy lights do, though?

Two or more characters walking under one of these glowing, floating lights will get stuck for one hour, trapped inside an invisible enclosure with an approximate three foot radius. The only options are to either wait out the hour, or to kiss! Characters will know they're meant to kiss, because part of the magic spell is the sudden and intense knowledge that they should kiss in order to break free. There is no compulsion to kiss, just the knowledge that that's how to get free. What the characters won't immediately know is that any kind of kiss will work - a hand, forehead, cheek, or butterfly kiss will work just as well as a kiss on the mouth, but that will require some experimentation to find out.

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to meet new roommates, for the purpose of getting to know each other, or hit up the mod-posted prompt to create a Communal Housing floor mingle. Or, if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during Dragosta, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Anya Goo; image ii & iv: unknown; image iii: Raphael Grimm

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Comments

Obi-Wan Kenobi | Star Wars | OTA

[jedies]

[ i. soulmates ]

[ It is fascinating to see soul-bonds distilled into bottles of colourful drinks. Potions, apparently. It reminds him a little of the magic the Nightsisters would weave. He does not doubt that they have similar vials in their arsenal, albeit with more sinister motivations. This seemed more like parlor tricks to earn a quick few credits. Though now he wonders if it can actually imitate a force-bond. He plucks one from the table, eyeing it before taking a sip.

Sometimes the best way to study something is to take the leap. Obi-Wan glances at his arm, watching numbers appear with a faint air of bemusement. ]

[ ii. single dances (duo) ]

[ Obi-Wan is one of the few Jedi who knew how to dance. Not that other Jedi can't or aren't capable. But it is not one of their requisite classes. They may be peace-keepers but they rarely grace the halls and parties unless they were on business. No, Obi-Wan knowing how to dance came from a personal reason. In the early days of Mandalore, when Satine was setting up her government. She had dragged him along for a few lessons and they had bickered all the way through.

It brings a quiet bittersweet smile to his face as Obi-Wan fetches another drink. He'll indulge any partner who asks. It's the least he can do for her. ]

[ iv. kiss and tell. ]

[ The lights had fascinated him. Even more so since he had trouble moving them with the Force. He tries again, his attention focused on the lights and not necessarily what's in front of him until the Force nudges at him, bringing his attention back to the present and he finds himself in front of another person. And they can no longer move very far part.

At least he looks apologetic. ]

My apologies. I should have been more careful.

[ wildcard. ]

[ you can hit me up via PM for specific plotting. ]

iv

[advanced]

[You know who the last person anyone would want to get trapped in a kiss bubble with for an hour is? It's Bucky Barnes, that's who.

He'd been too intent on avoiding a different bright light to notice the one right above him, until all of a sudden he's in very close proximity to a stranger and he can't actually move away. His own expression is an irritated scowl.]

Damn.

[Also hello.]

[jedies]

Hello there.

[ Obi-Wan doesn't seem particularly annoyed or put off. There's a twinge in the Force that tells him to be gentle. ]

I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention.

[advanced]

I guess I wasn't either.

[Which is very irritating to admit, he should have avoided this sort of trouble.]

You'll have to wait it out, I don't kiss.

[jedies]

[ What a straightforward admission. Obi-Wan simply raises his eyebrows. ]

Neither do I. It's not exactly the Jedi way. But how long are you willing to wait?

[advanced]

[He has absolutely no idea what a Jedi is, but that's not exactly important right at this moment.]

As long as it takes, I have patience.

[jedies]

I don't doubt it.

[ And his tone rings with sincerity. ]

But surely you would prefer freedom to a kiss?

iv

[seductless]

I'm sorry?

[Grace's attention is pulled away from the lights she's been absently studying as someone speaks to her. She blinks at them in confusion before giving a startled] Oh! [when she realizes there is suddenly nowhere to go.

Her wings shift a little as she suddenly realizes there is no room to spread them, but all she can do is offer the man in front of her a wry smile.]

The fault is just as much mine, it seems.

[jedies]

I'll accept that.

[ He glances at the light. ]

It seems to be some form of magic I'm not familiar with.

[seductless]

Nor I. But I am no arcane caster.

[She reaches out to brush her hand lightly against the barrier. It's solid to the touch, completely smooth despite the absence of anything visible. One of the stranger traps she's ever come across, if that is indeed what it is.

Grace turns to look at her companion, then finds herself following his gaze towards the light flickering overhead. The one that had caught her attention in the first place.]

Do you suppose that to be the cause?

[jedies]

It feels like it.

[ But magic, a twisted use of the Force has never been Obi-Wan's expertise. Every time he reaches for it, his grip slides off. ]

I am afraid we might be here for a while.

[seductless]

That's alright. I have nowhere I need to be.

[Though there is a slight tension in the air, one that makes her wings twitch as much as they can while still tucked up tightly against her back. There's something whispering in her mind, a quick way out of whatever trap this is. It's not something Grace is willing to entertain, but the idea is insidious.]

iv.

[dancingmd]

[Damn it. Beverly has not seen Obi-Wan since... since she fell asleep in his bed. The embarrassment is creeping back in, especially when she tries to move back a little bit and finds she can't, like a force field has sprung up around them.]

What's going on?

[jedies]

It seems we're caught by some playful yet benign force.

[ It certainly doesn't seem to possess any ill intent. And yet, here they were. Obi-Wan squints briefly at the light. He can't seem to get it to budge, even with his powers. ]

[dancingmd]

There seems to be a lot of that going around lately.

[jedies]

Yes. It certainly seems like this place keeps itself busy.

[ While Obi-Wan isn't particularly physically affectionate, it's a little charming to watch the way the locals and people intertwine with each other. There are some awkward feelings, but the Force feels alive here. ]

[dancingmd]

Mmm. And not just today... [She looks away for a moment.] The other night I um. Found out there was a... additive? Potion? In some of the food that made people... disoriented.

ii

[wingedman]

[Sam meets his gaze over the table and gives him a warm smile. He's seen him around a few times at work, but hasn't yet had the chance to introduce himself. Draining his drink to the dregs, he sets the empty glass down on the table.]

Interested in a dance?

[jedies]

[ Obi-Wan smiles back. ]

I do have the card and everything. It would be a shame to let my attempt go to waste. I'm afraid I am a little rusty though.

[wingedman]

No problem. [His eyes slide to the nametag for a moment, then back to his face.] Obi-Wan, huh? Not the kind of name I'm used to, but pleased to meet you.

[Sam offers him a hand.]

[jedies]

Then it pleases me to be the first.

[ Obi-Wan takes it politely, his grip steady. The callouses from using a lightsaber all his life are noticeable. ]

I'm afraid I'm on my own here.

iv; i fuckin had to ok

[followhim]

[poe had been walking, distracted by whatever was going on in his own head … when he walked straight into obi-wan. and the faerie lights. it's not his first time, so he knows what's up, but still … awkward much???]

Oh! No, I'm sorry. I guess we're stuck here, huh? Unless … ?

never be sorry

[jedies]

[ Obi-Wan chuckles lightly. ]

I think I can muster up a kiss or two. Unless you have any fervent objections.

yes good

[followhim]

No! Not at all! I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable, you know? [he grins sheepishly.]

[jedies]

While I can't say I do a lot of kissing in my line of work, it's not frowned upon. But perhaps, it'd be more polite to start with introductions.

[ He holds his hand out. ]

My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi.