introductory mingle: HARVEST FESTIVAL

[riverviewmod]

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

harvest festival

In the days leading up to November 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The Harvest Festival. This holiday is in celebration of the harvest season and autumn, as the moon transitions into its winter period, and is characterized by indulging in the plenty that comes with the harvest season with loved ones, cleaning house figuratively and literally, and making sure that those in need don't suffer during the winter. Celebrations tend to focus around food and charity, with citizens enjoying and sharing cultural meals and sharing stories, or participating in any of the wide range of charity projects and events going on during this season.

a celebration of sharing

The biggest traditions of the Harvest Festival are centered around giving and sharing. Charity is central, and the each year the city sets up a large open tent with warm places to rest for anyone who might be homeless and a table capable of sitting over 50 people at any given time, with a round-the-clock catered feast for anyone who wants to sit and have a meal with anyone else who's dropped by. Besides this, there are a wide variety of events benefiting charities in the city, including a karaoke concert, stray animal round up, and the annual "stuff swap" where residents clean their homes and donate anything they don't need to those who might be lacking. There is also a tradition of writing down repressed or bottled up thoughts, feelings, regrets, sins, and other troubles and tossing them into a bonfire to go into winter with a clean soul.

i. harvest feast & stuff swap

For the first few days of November, anyone dropping by the city center will notice a large tent structure being put into place - by November 3rd, as the last of October's ghosts fade into nonexistence, a veritable banquet hall will have been sent up. For a week following the setup, anyone who drops by the hall and steps inside will see a large table laden with food. Bread, stew, fruits and vegetables, soups, roasted meat, and almost anything else one can think of will be on the table, along with plates, silverware, and cups. Anyone is free to take a plate, settle down at the table, and help themselves to a meal.

The Feast is staffed entirely by volunteers, who do the cooking, cleaning, and tidy up the dishes and area afterwards, keeping the constant stream of food coming. Whether your character is heading in to sit beside a stranger and strike up a conversation, or volunteering their time, energy, or cooking skills to the hall, they're more than welcome.

One corner of the hall is entirely dedicated to the yearly "stuff swap." There's a long-standing tradition of fall cleaning in Riverview Quarantine, where residents will thoroughly clean their homes and rid themselves of excess in preparation for the winter. The extra things that aren't needed can be dropped off at the city center where the Feast is set up, and anyone who is in need of a particular item that has been donated can take it free of charge. This is an honor system, so please be kind to others! (Or don't.)

ii. charity karaoke

On the weekend of November 10th and 11th, while the Feast will be cleared away, the tent is being repurposed for a new event - a Karaoke Concert for the needy! Set up as a makeshift bar and lounge area, the space will be fronted by a large stage where singles or groups of people can choose a song and karaoke their hearts out to a crowd of spectators. There's a by-donation cover fee, and guests are encouraged to reward the best (or most hilariously bad) renditions of beloved songs from across the multiverse with digital "tips" that are transferred to the karaoke performer's charity of choice.

Whether you're a spectator tipping a performer, or a performer who's singing their heart out on the stage to benefit a variety of charities from the homeless to the animal shelter to children in need (and almost anything else you can think of), the Karaoke Concert is both hilarious and heartwarming.

iii. stray animal roundup

One of the main charity events that seems to happen every year is the stray roundup. As the seasons turn and it gets colder and colder at night, many residents who have a soft spot for animals band together to round up as many stray animals as possible and take them to shelters where they can be rehabilitated, given a warm bath, fed, and have a safe place to sleep. Volunteers take to the streets with crates and nets or restraining poles as well as generous bags of treats of food to entice the strays with, and capture them safely to be brought back to the various animal shelters around the Quarantine. Any animal who's caught is put up for adoption, and volunteers are encouraged to take home any strays that they bond particularly well with, or are invited to foster animals in their homes.

Whether your character is a die-hard animal lover, looking for a new pet, or just wants some wacky hijinks trying to chase a wily critter around the streets, they'll be suited up with supplies by other volunteers and released into the fray. The most common animals to be found are cats, dogs, and small domesticated foxes, but feel free to assume that your character is rounding up a reptile, rodent, bird, or a domesticated alien critter. Playing a thread with this prompt is a great opportunity to get a cute alien pet for your character without spending AP.

iv. letting go

On the evening of November 15th, a series of large bonfires will be set up all along the beaches of the river, and as the night falls, people begin migrating to the beaches from all over the city carrying slips of paper in a wide variety of colors with words written on them in a wide variety of languages, and throwing them into the fires. This is a way of psychologically and emotionally cleaning house for the residents of the Quarantine, because the papers they bring contain the stories of their pain, poems written about the feelings they bottle up, a venting of their anger and fear and resentment, all to be eaten up by the flames and washed away by the river with the next rain.

No matter where a person comes from, they carry pain and suffering and hurts that they must hide. This is a welcome opportunity for characters to write out their thoughts and feelings and release them. And if the symbolism of burning them isn't enough, there are always other people around the fires who are willing to listen, to hear all those things that people keep locked up inside. Share a story willingly, listen to someone's story, or just get caught holding your deepest darkest secrets on a really vulnerable piece of paper...it's up to you.

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 the Harvest Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i & iii: Bastien Grivet; image ii & iv: unknown (stock/hobbiton)

navigation

Comments

Yamada Hizashi ☆ OTA

[yeeeeeeah]

ii. sing it!
[ Kareoke. For charity. Oh, this was practically made for him, wasn't it? Still dressed in more or less his costume without the speaker collar, he was ready to take on the town. He was here now, unable to go back. He'd deal with the implications of that later. that has always been kind of his thing, hadn't it? Smile through the pain, process it later.

Besides, it was for a good cause!

Hizashi does not have an angelic voice. It's gravely and worn from years of abuse with training and Pro Heroing. He's not going to try and make it sound too amazing, there's no chance. But he can carry a tune, keep on key! More than that, Present Mic knows how to put on a show. The ol' Razzle Dazzle.

He takes the stage and hypes the crowd, "Are you ready?!" and so on. Now his song in question? Pour some sugar on me. Every inch of stage used. Using his comedic timing and lack of dance skill to his absolue advantage. Putting on a show doesn't always mean being a badass. He wraps up the song with a big "YEAAAH!" although nothing powerful enough to break eardrums. He's got more control than that.

Hizashi jogs off the stage to immediately find water. He certainly isn't going to be turning anyone down if they want to chat about Def Leopard. If you'll let him guzzle half this bottle first, thanks. ]

iii. c'mere, dang it.
Here kitty, kitty...

[ There's a little brown tabby that is hiding just out of reach. Depending on your size, you might be able to get it better than this stick of a 6'2" doofus. ]

Hey!

[ He says to you with a pleading sort of grin. ]

Got an extra set of hands??


iv. (not) letting go
[ The night air is that wonderful kind of chilly you only get in autumn. It's weird, right, how there's this sort of... nostalgia to the smell of it? How you feel transported to childhood or even further back. Then again maybe he was just a poet and didn't want to admit it.

Or maybe he's avoiding looking at the charms. English, Japanese, didn't matter. There were some things he just wasn't ready to admit. So, instead, he does what a hero does: helps people. He's scoping the crowds for someone who looks like the weight is a little too heavy. Someone who looks like they want to talk or needs to, whether they like it or not. He'll approach them with hands in his jacket pockets - he's managed to buy a sensible leather jacket rather than the one that goes with his hero costume. His hair is down, tied in the back. ]

It's a relief to get something off your chest, right?


v. hey i heard you was wild one
( plot with me via pm or geiszler OR new roomies on floor 12, hit me up! )

1/3

[almightiness]

[Yagi had been hovering for same exact reason -- as a hero, you provide your services whether you're incognito or not. With that in mind he wanders through the crowds with mixed success. Some give him concerned or disturbed looks, but overall people here seem to be pretty accepting of the really skinny tall figures appearing in their lines of view. He does eventually have temptation nearly dumped into his lap when someone hands him a pen and paper and happily says he should get something down, too. It is...

More difficult than anticipated.

He carefully writes, hesitation in every pen stroke, and when he's done he folds it with extreme care into many little squares. Hunched in his fur-rimmed winter jacket and illuminated starkly by the bold fire, he casts a long shadow as he clutches the paper in hand -- for some reason, he can't get his hand to move and toss away the written selection, especially when he thinks about what he's written. It doesn't seem very heroic, very strong, to let these sorts of things go... Not some of what he's written, anyway. Maybe he should cross some of these out--

When someone (... familiar?) speaks up behind him he jolts a bit and smoothly tucks the letter into his jacket pocket, ultimately unable to do the task of 'letting go', before swiveling and standing more tall.]

Aaa, yes, absolute--!!

[almightiness]

[#RECORD SKIPPING SOUND]

[almightiness]

MIC-KUN-!

[He only spurts a little blood, mmkay. Just a little.]

Where did --

You're here! When did you arrive?!

[yeeeeeeah]

[ Worth it. Mic was holding back a laugh and instead threw both arms into the air to loudly (although not Quirk loudly) say ]

Yo yo, All Might-san!

[ Now hands back down and joining him to be right at his side next to the fire. The chill, the chill. ]

A few days ago. I haven't done much besides get to know the city and my new job, actually... How long have you been here?

1/2

[almightiness]

[gsdkfujdlfjk he wags his hands at the air, before making a 'shh' motion.]

Yagi-san's fine here! I'm still -- incognito, at the moment...!!

[All Might actually rescued a shitload of cute animals the other day.]

[almightiness]

[His hands drop, and he coughs lightly into his hand, cheeks burning a bit.

Hopefully he wasn't caught too red-handed in this whole 'letting go' business...]

I haven't been here very long myself, actually!

Though I have started working at the high school nearby. Physical education, as a matter of fact...!

[What were the odds, he wonders, of this portal sucking multiple people from their world here...?

Surely a fluke.

There will be no other heroes here.

None at all.

Not a single one.]

iii.

[shoplifter]

[Laura stares at the man for a moment, wearing her signature cupcake-patterned sunglasses and her super awesome galaxy-patterned hat. She's a bit of a straight-faced and more serious child, turning toward him and moving toward the location of where this mysterious creature could be.]

I don't have an extra set of hands, only one.

[She holds up her hands; she'd thought he literally meant what he said, okay?

She's not questioning why he'd need someone with four arms, but there are probably reasons.]

[yeeeeeeah]

[ ... He isn't sure whether he should laugh or not. Is this a joke? Kids are fucking weird. ]

Ah, perfect enough to help me reach then! You want to help me get this cat, huh?

[shoplifter]

[Kids are weird, but this one in particular...!

She gives a nod and hunkers down low to inspect the cat with him.]

... It looks very scared and hungry.

[Her frown deepens just slightly, sympathetic.]

IV

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar looks up when he's spoken to, a bit distracted as he watches the pieces of paper burn. He's just stuck one in with Norse runes on it that say 'I wasn't there to protect my mother.' He still feels guilty over letting her die, but not as much as he once did. He plans to go back and avenge her murder someday. Of that, he's made certain.]

Mmm. A little bit, yes.

[Ivar's got a lot to think about for one so young. He hasn't led the easiest life up until now.]

[yeeeeeeah]

[ He definitely looks to be the age of some of his students. He can tell with one look the kid is carrying a heavy weight.

Hizashi looks up at the sky to watch the embers flutter away. ]

Whatever makes it easier right? Life can be... pretty difficult.

[ Ah yes ancient wisdom from an ancient source: a 30 year old. ]

What was on your mind, anyway?

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar shifts around on the sand. He'd left the wheelchair at the edge of the beach since it didn't do so well in the sand. Hizashi might notice that Ivar's legs are curiously tied together to prevent them from flopping all over the place.

A thirty year old? Psh, for Vikings, that was practically middle age. He really does have wisdom if he's reached that age. Ivar's face looks a little guarded as he responds.]

Death.

[Not those he's caused. Ivar has never regretted anyone he's killed. No, what he regrets is the deaths he was unable to stop, those of his mother and father. Losing them in such a short amount of time one right after the other had been awful.]

iii

[talentedscavenger]

[Rey may or may not be the right size to try and get to the brown tabby, but she could give it a shot. She wasn't expecting to be part of the animal round up crew.]

Depends, where's the cat exactly?

[Behind something? Up on a top shelf?] Is it stuck in a corner or something?

[yeeeeeeah]

[ You are small and friendly looking, Rey. It's a consequence. ]

Ah, here!

[ Hizashi points down in this tiny space between two rocks. ]

My hands are too big to really get a good grip to get her out of there...

[talentedscavenger]

[Friendly looking? That's a first.

But, she can see where he's pointing to and the gap really is small.]

Hold on..I can try. [She crouches down, mindful of how her staff will hit the floor and looks at the cat stuck between a rock and a....well, another rock.]

Come...here....

[She's reaching in with one hand, trying to grab the cat but it's fur or body.]

Think you could pull or push one of the rocks away a little? More room for me to get the cat out.

iii

[billyrocks]

[Billy is shorter than Hizashi, but he's not busy and has an idea.]

Yes.

[He nods his head and comes closer, pulling out some cat treats from his pocket.]

Come here. It's all right.

[He holds out the treats so the cat can see them.]

[yeeeeeeah]

[ Blinks in mild surprise. ]

Do you always keep those on you??

[ This was worse than a certain someone he knew back home! Possibly. Actually knowing Shouta...

The cat at least seems pretty interested! Not enough to come out but eh. Small victories. She'll be safe soon. ]

[billyrocks]

The shelter gave me these after I agreed to volunteer.

[Taking care of the Master's prized hunting dogs had been one of his tasks as a little boy. Apparently the older servants thought it would do good for his mental well being (which it did), so they managed to convince the Master in allowing Billy near his hounds. (Though, the Master had given him a firm warning to not let anything happen to his dogs, or else he'd get a beating.)

He may not have as much experience with cats, but he does kneel down to leave the treats on the ground before taking a few steps back. Maybe she'd be less nervous if he stood further away.]

How long has the cat been in there?

iv

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve is lingering on the outskirts of the groups, staying out of the crowds but still wandering close enough to see what they are up to. The practice is fascinating to him. He's been doing more drawing and painting since his arrival in Quarantine and the act of expression is still something that catches his interest. But he doesn't necessarily want to write down his own resentment. That seems... unfair, in a way. A selfish thing to do. So he just watches, guiltily looking away when he finds himself looking too long.

He straightens up quickly when Yamada approaches him. ]

I guess so. It's nice to have the option.

[ That he'll very carefully keep avoiding. ]

[yeeeeeeah]

Mm. I know what you mean.

[ He's avoiding too. For equal reasons. Selfish and-- well it's just silly the kind of thing he wants to write down! So nevermind, right? Save it for another day. ]

Would be nicer if they gave us some hot dogs or marshmallows to roast or something.

[ He says in some vague attempt to be half serious and make the other man laugh. He looked like he had a lot on his mind. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ It's fine for other people to write away their frustrations and vent, but they are setting examples! Or something. Steve has trouble expression his personal issues in any form. He's actually relieved to talk to someone that isn't completely into the local traditions. Hanging back gets lonely. ]

I'd take the food, honestly. It would feel more familiar than writing down and burning my thoughts.

[ He smiles at least. ] And taste better.

I guess I'm just not used to everything here.

[ Which in a way just makes him feel more strange when he watches other people participate in activities he doesn't quite get. ]

How long have you been here?

[alchemyfreak]

[Ed probably fits that category pretty well, because while he's certainly not writing anything down or participating in any of this, he sure is staring at that fire pretty hard. He's standing there with his own hands buried in the pockets of his leather pants, scowling like he thinks the whole practice is stupid - or he's thinking real hard about whatever he needs to throw into that fire, like everyone else is. You know, the thing he's not writing down. At the voice, he visibly startles, glancing at the guy curiously with narrowed golden eyes, seeming to debate just how to answer that before determining an answer: Not Honestly. He's not about to admit that he's not participating, he'll just give a vague not-answer, that's not entirely a lie, instead.]

Yeah, I guess so.

[For other people, anyway. In theory. Whatever, take your pick.]

This place has a lot of pretty interesting traditions.

[yeeeeeeah]

Oh yeah? You've been here a while huh??

[ He couldn't help but to be curious. He'd always been that type, y'know? Smile through the pain. Why be upset when there was nothing you could do to change your circumstances. He'd already found two friends so. That was enough, wasn't it? ]

What's your favorite part about being here?! For all our sake's, tell me it's the food!

[ Someone is too used to giving interviews! ]

[alchemyfreak]

Not long, just since June.

[That wasn't long when he'd been in the last place a year and the one before that for several. Ed blinks at the question, honestly almost considering what his favorite place about Riverview was. His brother was here? It wasn't a hellscape? No gods trying to control them? Being able to see the sun every day? There were a lot of perks- but then the guy offers a suggestion and honestly...]

Yeah.

[Have a grin, slow but sincere. Followed by an almost uncertain laugh. The food was one of the benefits after Purg, it was one of Ed's favorite things about this place, even if not his complete favorite, and if this guy wanted to hear it was the food? He could tell him it was the food without a problem.]

Actually, the food here is pretty great.