riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: SAMPREMI

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: SAMPREMI

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Sampremi Celebration
when: March 8th - March 15th
where: In several different locations in the downtown area of the Inhabited City.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

sampremi celebration

In the days leading up to March 8th, new residents may notice advertising around the city, everywhere from digital screens to paper flyers pasted on blank walls, featuring the name of the spring holiday in celebration of new beginnings, new love, and lust: Sampremi. The advertising mentions that there will be street festivals set up at various locations throughout the week and lists where the market will be set up on each day.

street market

The main draw of the holiday is a roaming street market that features special treats and street food that can only be found during Sampremi, a bustling bargain market with any kind of goods you can think of, and fair games that allow a person to win a prize for that special someone.

i. street food

One of the major draws of the festival is the special street food that can only be obtained this time of year. Almost everything you can buy at the Sampremi Festival is meant to be shared - whether it's one piece of meat on two sticks or desserts baked with a narrow part in the middle for convenient tearing, everything is built in twos. The stalls sell everything from cups of soup, sandwiches, roasted or fried meat, deep-fried vegetables and cakes, dumplings, donuts, bagels, turnovers, and anything else you can think of.

Many of the savory dishes are based on the meat of a particular fowl native to the moon Riverview is situated on that has a taste and texture halfway between chicken and duck, cooked to be spicy (ranging from very mild to throat-burning). Many of the desserts are based around a fruit native to the moon that is spherical, red-orange, and has a light sweet taste that is similar to a combination of mango, pineapple, and strawberry. Both ingredients are considered to be aphrodisiacs. Of course, the foods aren't actually aphrodisiacs and any effect is purely placebo.

ii. fair games

The festival features an entire row of fair games ranging from very high-tech games featuring virtual reality and neon holograms to extremely old-fashioned games with darts and balloons or balls and glasses. The games all have prizes in various shapes and sizes, with the standard stuffed animals, but also with goods and special items donated by any business in the city; ranging from tiny prizes to huge and expensive ones.

Due to the nature of the holiday, many of the stalls are set up to cater to winning a prize for your partner, and due to the nature of the Quarantine, a lot of them involve aiming or other aspects of pretending to fight.

iii. shopping

Originally, the part of the street festival that involved an actual market, with stalls and booths set up with goods, was aimed primarily at romantic trinkets like flowers or jewelry, gifts intended to be purchased for a loved one. As time has gone by, however, this aspect of the market has increased, with many businesses participating, though the emphasis is still on small businesses and anything relating to local culture rather than booths for any of the larger more corporate businesses.

There is still plenty of jewelry to be found, for sure, mostly handmade and artisan, but the scope of the Market has widened immeasurably. The Sampremi Market is an excellent place to find specialty foods, clothing, jewelry, art, or other goods that were originally native to cultures on other planets in this reality, or other realities altogether. Many residents in the city use the market to share their unique cultural goods and traditional dress with others.

iv. adult

In a side alley of the Sampremi Market on any day, one can find an area roped off with a red silken cord, attended by members of the Perimeter Guard in casual dress who will ID anyone entering to make sure they are 18+. Once characters are permitted entry, they will find all of the adult offerings that the market has to offer.

Since Sampremi is, historically, a celebration of lust and physical love, the adult offerings are all set up to cater to two or more people of any sex or gender configuration. One can find an adult or sexualized version of almost anything that's featured in the main market, from fair games to adult goods to street food laced with actual aphrodisiacs (there are always warnings for food spiked in this way to avoid accidental consumption).

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 Sampremi Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit (left to right): Theo Prins, andreasrocha @ tumblr, hrormir @ deviantart, nkabuto @ deviantart

navigation

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[After seeing Wanda's post on the network, Sam had decided to contribute something to her feast himself. A holiday that celebrates the feeling of a community reminds him of growing up in Harlem, and all the potlucks and church suppers he'd gone to as a kid. So he's rustled up some ingredients, done a bit of experimenting with food, and turns up with a pecan pie in one hand and a large dish of baked macaroni and cheese in the other. Sam sets the dishes down, then turns to Wanda.]

Didn't wanna come empty-handed.

[His mama would shame him forever if he did something like that. Sam grins at Wanda as he takes one of the wreaths out of the box and places it carefully on his head.]

How do I look?

[Wanda looks delighted to see that Sam's arrived, and with food no less. She approaches, interest all too obvious on her face to see what he's brought. Macaroni and cheese and...pecan pie. She licks her lips before glancing back up at Sam, all too pleased.]

Thank you Sam, it looks delicious...

[She trails off, watching him pick up a wreath from the box. He sets it on his head, turning her easy smile into a brighter grin. Most of the man haven't seen fit to wear the wreathes, but it doesn't surprise her that Sam doesn't hesitate.]

And the wreath looks very good on you, only--here. [She reaches up, drawing it forward somewhat to adjust how it lays atop his head.] That's better. Now you're prepared to break some hearts, hm?

[Since they chatted at speed dating she feels comfortable making the teasing comment to him. It's certainly better conversation than the sorts of conversations they'd had back home recently, what with the Sokovia Accords being one factor among many.]

The pie's my mama's secret recipe. So's the mac 'n cheese, for that matter, but the pecan pie's been handed down for generations. I grew up helping her in the kitchen, always cooking for a crowd.

[His smile's a little wistful. He's missed his family since before they were worlds apart; it's not like he can pop home and see them, being on the run from most of the world's governments.]

Oh, I'm always ready to break hearts. [The wistfulness disappears from his smile suddenly - now his expression is more playful. Sam doesn't hide too many emotions, definitely not compared to the rest of the Avengers, but even he has his moments.]

Right after I have some of this soup, anyway. And the rolls look fantastic.

[There's a flicker of recognition in Wanda's eyes as Sam mentions his mother's recipes, not only because the beef stew and rolls are her own mother's recipes but simply because Sam strikes her as a man who was similarly close to his family. It's wonderful that he's brought food to help feed the masses, but it's in the true spirit of the event that they're special to his family as well.

Wanda serves up a bowl of the stew to Sam, as well as a couple of the rolls, both still hot and deliciously savory. After handing it off to Sam, she grabs a plate for herself, a spare serving spoon, and serves herself a healthy scoop of the macaroni and cheese.]

The beef stew is my mother's recipe. The rolls as well... [After a moment, she glances back to the pie and slices into that as well. She's hosting this feast, she has to make sure she doesn't run out of energy, right?] I'll sit with you while we try them all?

Good plan. You don't wanna miss out on the pie, I can tell you that much.

[Sam slides into a seat, waits for Wanda to join him before he tears a chunk off of a roll and dips it into the stew.] We didn't have a holiday like this where I came from, but we had a lot of community meals year 'round. Church suppers, potlucks, weddings, rent parties - whole neighborhood would get together and eat. My daddy was a preacher, so I always ended up in the thick of it all. Seems like there was something going all the time, whether we were cooking for a celebration, or bringing something to someone who needed it.

[Wanda settles down at the table as well and grabs a fork to dig into the macaroni and cheese. It is, as predicted, delicious. Creamy and cheesy, with the sort of home-cooked appeal that can't be replicated.]

It sounds like you grew up with a community as much as a family, like Pietro and I. [It wasn't the same kind of atmosphere, more about survival than thriving, but she understands it. People come together for one reason or another, and it's important. She wonders how Sokovia would have fared with a greater sense of togetherness.

In any case, it explains why Sam handles himself so well in social situations. Getting along with people and events like this were commonplace for him.] I'm not familiar with rent parties, however. What are they?

Yeah, I was lucky. It wasn't a good neighborhood to live in - hell, nowhere in Harlem was then - but my parents did their best to make sure I was safe, and even if I didn't have any brothers or sisters, the rest of the people in the church were like family to me.

[Not that Sam's still religious, but he's come to terms with that over the years. So has his dad.]

It's a Harlem thing; there were times when landlords would raise the rent to get tenants out, or folks just couldn't pay. They had parties where you gave what you could to help them pay the rent so they could keep a roof over their heads for another month - help them get back on their feet.

[Sam rips a roll in half, dunks it in the soup long enough for it to soak up some of the rich broth. He makes an appreciative noise as he pops it in his mouth.] Oh, this is good.

[There were people in Sokovia who might have been inclined to help Pietro and Wanda more if so many of them hadn't also died in the shelling that killed their parents. The rent party sounds like something they could have benefited from.

She's musing on that, on the sort of life Sam's led and some of the similarities, when she hears him make that sound while eating the stew-soaked-bread. Grinning, and a little smug, she watches him chew as she scoops up a bite of the macaroni and cheese for herself.]

Good enough that if I make it for you again you'll make me this macaroni and cheese again? I'll trade you home-cooking nights, Sam.

[She could easily picture herself with a giant bowl of this some late night, seated cross-legged on a couch, comfortable and cozy.]

You got yourself a deal. I'll dust off some other recipes, see if we can make a few more trades.

[He pauses for a moment, eats a couple more bites of stew contemplatively.]

Maybe we oughta get everyone together - the ones from the weirdo alternate universe and our world - and sit 'em down for a meal, talk everything out.

[Well, maybe not their Bucky. Not that he wouldn't be invited, but Sam knows damn well he wouldn't come.]

Might as well be friendly to 'em, huh?

[Wanda pauses a moment, considering what he's said. she's aware of the others, of course. Aware that they're there and from an alternate version of their world. She's even spoken to their version of Loki who despite seeming different doesn't seem any more trustworthy.

Her lips purse together a moment, but she does nod eventually.]

It would be good to learn more about them.

[To get to know them as people and as Avengers and see what common ground lies between them. It's difficult not to be wary, especially after everything they've been through back home, but if Sam wants to put on a meal for everyone then she'll be there and she'll help.]

You'll arrange it then? With everyone?

Yeah, I figure that with all us here, we're bound to end up working together sooner or letter. Better to get to know them before that happens.

Besides, I've talked to a few of them. Bucky and Steve, mostly. [ He hesitates for just a moment before adding, ] And Stark. [ And despite how they both feel about Tony Stark in their own world - 'complicated' would be the best word to use - Sam has to admit that this one seems like a good enough guy.

(Of course, he supposes, so did theirs till everything went pear-shaped.) ]

I'll arrange it, [ he agrees with a nod. ] See if I can get it to be kind of a potluck so we don't lose our minds cooking for everyone, especially on a budget. Find someplace to have it. That kinda thing. Maybe even bitch at everyone till they show up so it's not just the two of us sitting there.

[ Although he supposes he can at least get the Steves to show up without any chiding involved. Hopefully. ]

[She smiles despite herself at the last part and gently elbows him.]

Are you certain that might not be better? At least with just us we can be sure things won't explode terribly.

[Not that she's actually trying to dissuade him since he's right, it would be good to get to know their alternate-universe teammates because inevitably they're going to need to work together. There's no logical reason for them to stay separate if everyone is competent and respectful of one another.

Even if it's fucking weird.]

What did you think of them, though? The few that you've spoken to?

They're all right. Good, steady people - and Stark, but even he seems a little...toned down.

[ Which can only be a good thing, as far as Sam's concerned, although he's a little worried about what that might hint at. ]

If nothing else, I'm sure that their Steve can keep them in line long enough to eat. And - you know, I'd say that nobody fights if they're eating good food, but I've seen enough dinners go wrong to know that's not always the case.

[ Although it's a criminal waste, in Sam's opinion. Especially the pie. ]

[It says a lot about this version of Tony that Sam of all people claims he's a toned down version. And in light of what she's heard about the other version of herself from Loki...it's good to know that at least some of the people in the other world seem fine.]

I'll have to take your word for it. I think that even if things go badly at the dinner, we may stand a chance of keeping things calm if more people intend to keep things peaceful than join in.

[They're all Avengers. Well, most of them anyway. Who better to keep extraordinary people in line than other extraordinary people?]

I don't anticipate there being any issues on our side, however, do you?

[The only person here from Stark's side is Natasha, who Wanda has been staying away from, and she doubts that the woman would cause any issues at the dinner. Which in Wanda's mind leaves only the alternate Avengers to worry about. And Loki. Mustn't forget him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

introductory mingle: SAMPREMI

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

no subject