riverviewlogs | monthly mingle: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

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monthly mingle: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: monthly mingle: the festival of light
when: The month of January.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

festival of light

In the days leading up to January 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The Festival of Light. This holiday is in celebration of the end of the Quarantine's short-lived winter and serves to welcome the new year. The traditions associated with The Festival of Light involve fireworks every weekend of the month, a days-long formal ball that with an open invitation to everyone in the city, and lighting magical candles and incense with loved ones and new friends alike.

a celebration of the end of winter and the new year

As the Capitol World stops blocking the path between the sun and its moon, the snow melts and the rains of early spring begin to fall and the residents of the Quarantine gather together to celebrate the new year. New beginnings are honored as the sky is lit with fireworks to banish the cold and dark of winter, and residents share the light and warmth of the new year with each other by sharing candles and incense with fellow residents. These traditions are steeped in magic, like many other things in Riverview, and have certain magical emotional effects on participants. Additionally, over the weekend of January 5th - 8th, the Government will be hosting a formal ball to welcome the New Year, which is open to all residents and offers food, drink, dancing, and other activities, as well as places to stay the night and relax or 'relax' with friends.

i. fireworks

One of the main traditions of the Festival of Light is to brighten the sky to welcome the new year, and as always, the Government of Riverview and various other city entities including businesses and various organizations and clubs, have gone all out to light up the sky. Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month of January, residents can gather outside on the beaches or park, or indoors at various observation lounges set up on city rooftops for the occasion, to watch elaborate, beautiful fireworks displays.

Outdoor observation is facilitated by use of rented forced-air umbrellas that make viewing the fireworks without having to squint into the rain or peer out from under a traditional umbrellas easy. Curl up with a friend or lover under an umbrella to watch the fireworks displays. Temporary indoor observation lounges have also been set up on most of the rooftops of buildings in the city, if the outdoors isn't your thing. The lounges can range from simple transparent-roofed spaces with rustic benches and hot cocoa to elaborate, fancy bars or restaurants with food service, music, and dancing. Some of the lounges may even have themes, whether they're 18+ adult or just quirky. Let your imagination run wild - if you can think of it, someone in the city's probably set one up.

ii. lighting up

Throughout the city, residents will find booths and special sections in their favorite stores set up with stands displaying magical incense and candles in a wide variety of colors. These are traditional trappings of the Festival of Light, the original and ancient tradition that's built up into the modern celebration as residents know it. Most prolific are the candles - ranging from tiny tea lights to large pillar candles, they are inscribed with the word 'glow' in a variety of different alien languages, including some that residents might recognize. The incense comes in small variety of dusky, earthen colors, each with a different scent and effect, all clearly labeled.

Candles are meant to be lit with one or more other people, and when this tradition is observed properly with a candle inscribed 'glow' - the wick lit by two or more people at the same time, and held together between them for a minimum of 30 seconds - every participant will feel and see certain magical effects. As the candle is held between the participants, they will start to see each other's skin glow, seemingly lit from inside, and as the glow increases, all participants will start to feel an emotional lightness. Stress and despair will slowly dissipate, giving the participants a temporary feeling of absolute contentment, warm and happy. The effects last from 5 minutes to a full 24 hours, depending on the number of people who participate and the length of time the candle is held between participants (more participants or longer timespans will increase the length of the effect), and effects are cumulative - lighting a large number of candles with different people will cause the effect to draw out for longer.

Incense is something usually lit in private, at home or a small gathering at a friend's house, and in recent years as the celebration has become a bit more modernized and commercialized, at the Glow Ball. There are a few varieties of incense with different psychological effects, all of which are pleasant and take strongest effect when the incense is lit with one or more other people, and enjoyed long enough for the whole stick to burn down. Orange and yellow incense will increase feelings of affection and openness, sienna red incense will do the same but also induce arousal; blue-grey incense will make it easier to share and ease grief and sadness, while grey-purple will lull participants into an easy sleep with pleasant dreams.

iii. glow ball

Every year during the Festival of Light, the Government of Riverview hosts a formal ball called the Glow Ball on the first weekend of the month - this year, it spans from nightfall on Friday January 5th until dawn on Monday January 8th. The ball is a relatively new custom, but has quickly skyrocketed to one of the most anticipated events of many residents' year. Similar to the castle-themed maze during Hygge, the Glow Ball is hosted inside a beautiful golden palace erected in the City Center that is much larger on the inside than it appears to be on the outside. While there is no specific theme to the ball, many residents take it as an opportunity to really glow in a wide variety of ways, all up to each person's imagination.

The palace is magically-augmented to be lavish, comfortable, and fully-stocked at all times, and features a banquet hall with ample and frequently-replenished food, a bar and lounge area for attendees to get a drink and sit for a while, a beautiful grand ballroom as well as several smaller ballrooms with different styles of music, a swimming pool with hot tubs, a garden, and smaller private vestibules that feature a pillow lounge, incense selection, and a small bedroom where residents can rest or enjoy each others' company in private.

NOTE: New characters are welcome to join in with the party, even if they haven't had time to prepare. Any new arrivals who come to the party in the clothing they arrived in will be whisked up by a fussy light golem or attendant who will fit them with a nice set of clothing for the evening so they can enjoy the festivities.

dinner and dancing

The banquet hall is ringed with tables that offer a buffet food catered to the time of day - breakfast in the morning, light food in the afternoon, lavish dinners in the evening, and desserts, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and snacks available all night. With ample seating at group tables, residents can share a meal with friends new and old. The bar and lounge has several large free bars staffed by glowing, ethereal light golems that never tire and never get an order wrong, and offers seating at tables and in cozy dimly-lit booths. Riverview's drinking age is 14 years old.

The grand ballroom is themed golden this year, with the walls tiled in gold and featuring a dance floor of white marble veined with gold. The grand ballroom has classical, traditional dance music playing for those who want a classy formal dance. There are four wing ballrooms that feature different genres of music for residents who enjoy alternate types of dancing, with the genres consistently rotating - whether you like punk, country, rock, pop, or any other type of music from any planet or country, it's likely to be playing in a wing ballroom at some point. Schedules are posted outside of each door and there are four genres per wing ballroom per day.

swimming and gardens

Another feature of the Glow Ball is the beautiful swimming pool - warm enough to be comfortable but cool enough to be refreshing, the outdoor pool has both flower petals and the season's glow candles floating on it, a champagne service offered by light golems, and tables to sit and enjoy a drink and conversation while drying off. There are also small hot tubs ringing the swimming pool where residents can soak away the aches and pains of the day. The pool offers change rooms where speaking a magical incantation (helpfully posted on the door) will change the occupant's formal clothing into an equivalent swimsuit, and will change it back (and dry the occupant) after the dip has been taken.

The gardens are also available for any attendees who want to get a bit of fresh air. With beautiful flower-lined winding paths under a perpetually starry sky and ample candles hanging from the trees and edging the paths for visibility, the gardens are a scenic and relaxing place to take some time away from the light and get some air.

privacy

For residents who want a little private time or want to spend more than just an evening at the ball, there are small private vestibules scattered throughout the palace. Featuring a lounge area with pillows and lap tables for eating, and a comfortable queen-size bed, each room also has a vanity whose drawers hold both suitable pajamas for sleeping in and (in 18+ rooms only) supplies for intimacy ranging from massage oils to packaged toys. And most importantly, each room is fully stocked with a selection of the season's incenses for use in private.

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 Festival of Light, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Jakub Grygier; image ii: Shutterstock; image iii & iv: credit unknown

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Lola had scanned over the room looking for a friendly face. Instead she found Rey. At least this time they wouldn't be forced to kiss, or cuddle, or some other nonsense. Lola watched Rey attempt to hide, which was silly because Rey was surprisingly cleaned up. To the point it took Lola a moment or two to be sure it was the same girl. Lola considered a moment, and walked over with some food to sit next to her.

You really don't look at home in that outfit.

*There wasn't much accusation, merely observation on Lola's part as she sat down. Lola was fairly at home in any outfit, but with the red hair and the red and black dress she definitely looked a step or two removed from her casual attire. She casually worked on some food and continued.*

Why did you pick to wear something like that, then hide out here?

[If the earth could swallow her whole right now that would be ideal. That would be perfectly fine. The Jedi traditions could go on with someone else, and Rey could stay in the earth and not deal with anything for a very long while...

Or not.

Lola was coming over to her, and at least this time, they weren't forced to kiss or anything else. Rey rolled her eyes at her, letting her hands rest on her lap and started to grab the fabric there.]

No, really? I feel just fine. [Sarcasm, when in doubt, sarcasm always worked.]

I didn't pick this...a friend did. Said I looked fine in it. [Pretty was what Marco had described it to be but...she didn't really believe it.]

*Lola actually smiles at the sarcasm, regardless of what weirdo universe Rey is from, she's still a teenager with teenage responses. It's comfortable, having someone be sarcastic to her, normal.*

It isn't bad on you, something that shows off your arms and shoulders works when you have arms like those. Your hair looks nice and nothing is wrong, you're just clearly not happy.

*Lola's ability to just look and judge and dissect on fashion and appearance was a peculiar little talent she had. Maybe not useful by any stretch, but it was all her's. Still, what made more of an impact was people. It didn't matter what you had going for you, but if you weren't comfortable that soured the whole thing.*

Well, next time keep looking, until you find something a little more... you. I guess. You don't want to settle for fine when you can look better, right?

[Well....color Rey surprised. She didn't think Lola would actually say she looked...nice or 'not bad.' Really, she was expecting more...criticism? Of her look? Simply because, it's not her, but another aspect she's never explored...

And it feels so weird to not have a blaster, her staff, or a lightsaber on her at this point.]

...Thank you.

[The words are whispered, but they are sincere. Okay, maybe there was more to Lola than Rey initially thought.]

I'm just...not used to this. Or heels--they're evil. These sorts of things only happened on wealthier planets...not Jakku. [Not to her.]

I don't know? This was something I could move in and Marco said it looked nice...and I didn't want to wear black so...? [That's how the outfit was picked, more or less.]

*Lola caught it, just barely, and smiled. The part of Lola that didn't have a mom, lived for the little moments where people appreciated her.*

Marco means well but I would have told you not to wear something if it made you feel weird. I might have even take you to try on suits. Wouldn't show off your arms but if you're smiling and not hiding in the corner you'd have more fun.

*Lola wasn't sure why wearing black was a bad idea, it was slimming and accentuated curves like nothing else. But she wasn't going to question the one thing Rey said that was an actual choice.*

I get it being weird, and different. Quarantine is probably more like my home than yours from how you act. But even if it is weird, it's pretty easy to feel if what you're wearing is right for you. It feels... natural, easy... like a second skin. You don't feel like you're stuck with it. I feel alright in heels, unless I'm working or planning to dance.

*Lola shows off she's wearing flats.*

I do like being a little taller.

Oh, I didn't know you knew Marco.. [Marco was a very friendly person, of course she should've known....and she can't recall if they talked about suits or not..]

I don't do well at parties, so even if I were in a suit, it's doubtful I'd be doing much of anything.

[Black equated to Darkness which was something she was trying to steer away from...and really it belonged on other people ~~like Ren~~ than her.]

..You could wear those with a dress like this?

[That flats that is. Marco...why didn't you tell her that? But...the advice is appreciated.]

Clothing has more of a function than just looking pretty. So having this...on, I don't feel like myself, but it does feel..nice, if I'm being honest. A different side of me that I didn't knew existed, but it's not me at the same time...

And I feel like I'm talking in circles now.

I live with him. And Ivar, and Nico.

It depends on how long the dress is, normally I have to wear heels just because the dress is too long for my legs. I'd trip. I got kinda lucky and I really wanted to do a lot of dancing tonight. It does show with how I walk if I'm wearing flats instead of heels, but I doubt anyone really cares. Other than any guy checking out my butt.

*Most days Lola was too active to wear heels, but sometimes she liked the looks it got her so she'd do it. Lola also spent more days than not in pants over dresses and skirts, for various reasons. It all depended on how she wanted to look and feel.*

Clothes do all sorts of stuff besides just looking pretty, I just find that part the most fun. Like how food is meant to keep you alive, keep you healthy, all of that. But tasty food is more interesting.

And I think I get what you're trying to say, even if you're not really saying it. That this is a part of you, even if it still doesn't feel quite like you you. I think.

*They're so good at communicating, both of them.*

Oh, I didn't know. I didn't see you when I went to visit Ivar.

[And Nico was someone she didn't know...so hard to tell if she would ever meet them. Then again, considering how small the Moon was, more than likely she'd meet them.

She listens to Lola about her dress and when she wears flats with a dress. What catches Rey off guard is how her rear fits into the equation, and why would a man be staring at it--wait, no never mind. It just clicked. So women wear heels to get the attention of men? ...Weird, utterly weird.]

At least you look comfortable in your dress and shows. I shoudl've asked Marco if I could have brought a pair of changing shoes, but too late now.

[...and would you look at that. Lola actually is starting to make some sense and equating something that's unfamiliar to Rey to something that was vital; food.]

...Yes, that. [This is a part of her, one she didn't believe existed, and it's taking time to come to terms with it. But it's just for one night. She could live through that.]

Just another side of myself that I didn't think was there. Wouldn't have seen myself in something like this if it wasn't for this 'party' or Marco taking me to go shopping.

The rooms are all soundproof and the place is huge anyway. Also I work.

*She also has a boyfriend she visits, and friends, and generally Lola likes going out. So her being out is more common than one would expect. Also Lola likes attention from everyone, thankyouverymuch.*

It's a good idea, eventually you want to just walk around without having to consider things. And I'm really used to events like this, mostly from being in the Quarantine for almost a year.

*They're like bonding and not bitter and angry and stuff. Lola's pleased with this. It shows, she's not very subtle with her feelings.*

Well, good to explore yourself, when you can. Which this city is pretty good for. Like, I know it's weird, but you can just try on clothes and feel out what's you and what isn't? They're just clothes, you can always never wear them again if they aren't you.

Yeah, I nearly got lost trying to find Ivar's room and then the exit.

[Wasn't this nice? To actually have a conversation with Lola that didn't involve their space being shared and having to waste an hour in uncomfortable silence. Who would've thought there was more to the girl than Rey initially thought?]

I have my own pair of shoes that I've worn for ages. Comfortable, practical...really, they work well for anything except this. [She gestured around them for the elaborate ball.

As for 'exploring' herself, there earns something of a slight scoff.]

I don't think I'll have time to do that through clothing. There are other things I have to think about...but I will say this. I had no idea how well my friends could look in a suit.

Marco's place is huge, it's really nice for privacy though.

*Literally the only reason Lola wanted out of public housing.*

You can have, you know, different pairs of shoes? Some that are fancy, some that are functional, and some in between.

*Okay the privacy wasn't the only reason to have her own space, she had a ridiculous clothing collection she loved and loved wearing and shoes take up so much room.*

It isn't like you have to do a lot, just like an hour here or there to try on clothes and see what you like. See what makes you feel... better. But yes, everyone here looks so nice wearing nice clothes. One of the many reasons I love these parties, along with the food, and how weird all the traditions here are. It's just so much fun.

I suppose--assuming you don't get lost in the process.

[It doesn't really matter to her, just as long as there's enough room for her to sleep and put away her few things.]

But...why would you need more than one pair? [This is coming from a woman who is very practical and a frugal. She only needed one pair of shoes unless they were worn out and she has to buy a new one. Though, she has purchased some other clothes--something to go with what she currently has. More tunics like the one she currently has, and pants same as what she has.]

I don't know how you could spend more than an hour trying on clothes. Then again, I think we spent many hours going over the different dresses and then the shoes and it.. [There was a pause as she shook her head as a faint smile tugs at her lips.] It was an experience but.. [Something entered her mind right then.] I can just wash off this make up stuff with soap and water, right?

*Lola managed to bite back the angry tirade as to how important accessorizing is, she didn't prevent the horrified expression at the thought of 'one pair of shoes.' Still, she takes a moment, thinks it over, and tries to come up with an explanation Rey might get.*

Because there isn't a single tool that can fix everything. In mechanics you have a whole box full of tools, in cooking you need a bunch of different knives and pans and pots. Knowing exactly what you need for each job, clothes and shoes are the same.

*Lola felt very proud of how that went, as far as answers go it was one of her better ones.*

Picking the right outfit is all about finding just the right way to express yourself, like... art. Just that you're wearing it. *Which is before Rey's question that causes Lola to give her a look that translates exactly into 'oh honey.'* You really shouldn't do that, if you want I can walk you through taking off your make-up after the party dies down.

[Yes, that horrified expression can be read loud and clear. Rey simply stares at Lola. It's not the end of the world if she only has one pair of shoes. Though, if Lola does bring up accessories, she might confuse Rey, because...why would you need all the extra stuff?

And she surprises Rey further....she doesn't want to admit it, but Lola has a point.]

That I understand...so, I'll just buy a second pair of the same kind.

[So she can trade them out. Because that's what Lola was getting at, right? She could have a second pair and have it be the same one? Or did she not understand the message completely?]

I think I express myself just fine--able to survive, comfortable, and light weight. [So...yes, that's what she'll stick with--

And was with that look?]

Why? Soap should remove it. [urgh, okay, she wont' be doing any more make-up from now on. Why was it a pain to put on and then take off? What was the point to it?]

Not... the same kind. You need different size wrenches or whatever right, the shoes can be similar but, like, less heel so they still look nice but don't suck to walk in. Or a really durable boot that's also fabulous to look at?

*Lola has her work cut out for her on this one. Like, on all of this, this was asking to be one of those teen drama makeover things.*

Well, soap also takes out all the moisture in your face too. There are better cleansers to do it without turning your skin into a desert.

[Maybe Lola should work on getting Rey different colored items aside from white, beige, and brown.]

The point of the wrenches, yes. You do need them in various sizes and different styles, depending upon what you're working on.

[Every thing else....kind of didn't stick with Rey.]

Isn't that why you put on creams? To replenish the moisture you lost from washing your face?

[See! She's not too much of a novice at this! She washed her face with soap and then just put on lotion. Tada!]

*She will take on one battle at a time. At least those are colors that are easy to add things onto.*

Clothes work the same way, a few options to have just the right tool for the right occasion. You have so much to learn.

*And as if to compound that. Rey brings up using creams to rehydrate after using soap.*

Well, yes, but you could avoid damaging your skin in the first place? Maybe try that instead?

[If Lola is ever so bold, she'll come to see that Rey's closet has maybe 2 outfits (the same kind) and one pairs of shoes. She should brace herself for that horror.]

But my clothes would work in any occasion--aside from this one. Really, it's done me a lot of good over the years.

[....wat?]

So...you're saying not to wash myself? [Partially teasing...cause what is face wash?]

Well, wearing the same clothes all the time makes washing them more of a chore, and puts a lot more wear into them so they stop looking good even when they're clean. While having a lot seems like more work it's actually less.

*Lola takes a moment to look scandalized at Rey before realizing they have reached the point where they can mess with each other.*

Just that not everything can be washed the same way. There are more... delicate ways, like how you can't wash different fabrics the same way. Which, I'm guessing, you know nothing about.

*Lola's a ditz, a very capable ditz, who knows some things very well. Basically all the things Rey doesn't seem to know.*

[Yes, she is playing around with Lola a little. Though, she doesn't know about any other facial cleansers or soaps that would be less intense for her skin. Really, there are a lot of things that Rey knows how to do that Lola doesn't....and there's clearly a lot that Lola knows how to do that Rey is confused by.]

Different fabrics, yes. I do know the more coarse materials need a different wash cycle than ones that are more delicate.

[Staring at Lola a little, yes, she knows some domestic things. Rey has had to do her own laundry, thanks.]

So then you're saying I should stock up on the same clothes...could do that tomorrow.

Edited 2018-01-10 04:39 (UTC)

*Lola managed to bite back her initial response to Rey's boring desire to buy more of the same clothes. Which is a dangerous thing, same with that smile on Lola's face. Rey should realize her terrible mistake, her terrible horrible mistake.*

You know, having a second opinion might be good for going clothes shopping. It wouldn't be a bother to me.

*Anyone that knows Lola knows that she's not asking for an invite, Lola's flat out invited herself and is going to help Rey, regardless of Rey's position on the matter.*

[That smile on Lola's face makes Rey think she's taken a joke pretty well. Okay, well, she wasn't exactly joking...she could go out and buy new clothes but the same type.

But, what?]

No, it's okay. I'm good on my own....

Oh, it's no trouble. Believe me. Besides, I know this stuff better than you do.

*Lola's very confident, and self-assured, that her involvement will be of no trouble. This is, well, not a lie from a certain point of view. Not, Rey's point of view, but she's wrong about fashion anyway so Lola has chosen to ignore her desires on this.*

Yes, but you're probably busy....

[Don't make her be blunt, Lola. Rey is enjoying your company a little.]

For me going to look at clothes is fun, and helping out a friend is worth the time.

*Lola is daring bluntness. She really is, cause otherwise you're trapped with this. There is no polite way to escape.*

monthly mingle: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

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