monthly mingle: SAMPREMI

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: monthly mingle: sampremi
when: The month of March.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: there will likely be nsfw content; please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

sampremi

In the days leading up to March 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Sampremi. This is one of Riverview's four yearly celebrations of love, this one focused on sexual love and lust, and sexual relationships that might bloom into more (or not). Traditions associated with Sampremi are a roving street market, raves where residents can seek out some free love and get a little crazy, a massive week-long kink convention, and a tech expo with all-ages and adult options.

a celebration of sexual love and lust

Riverview has always been a place focused on love and building connections in order to foster community, and for a lot of people, sex is part of that, which makes it something worth celebrating! For people who use sex as a way to connect with others, even if only for a short time, or those who use it as a way to connect on a deeper level with the ones they already love, Sampremi is the perfect holiday to get their freak on in a host of new and exciting or comfortable and familiar ways. The holiday features a large kink convention, where various entities in the city can show off their toys, explain their niche kinks, and share their insights with anyone who might be interested, a series of raves that are both all-ages and adult where residents can find someone(s) to share a night (or a week, a few months, or even a life) with. This year, there is a large tech expo where cutting edge tech companies in the city are sharing their newest toys, like improved virtual reality, robotics advances, and many other types of toys - all for work, play, or, in the spirit of the holiday, pleasure. And for those who don't want to connect through sex or who aren't old enough to, there are dances, games, and an entire market full of street food that's meant for sharing, so they can connect in other ways.

● OOC NOTE: Please be sure to warn in subject lines for any threads involving sexual content, drug use or other content that fellow players may wish to avoid, and do not use the prompt mechanics to circumvent consent in your threads, as non-consensual sex is not permitted on the game communities. Items such as aphrodisiacs, VR, or party drugs mentioned in the prompts are intended to facilitate consensual sex, not to encourage sexual assault, or to 'trick' characters into having sex that they would not normally have. ICly, please remember that there is always security to intervene and make sure everyone is safe.

i. color raves

Advertised on flyers and digital screens around the city, made to pop as if they were under blacklight, is a series of what's called "color raves" that are happening in various large empty warehouse spaces around the city. They are called color raves for the bright colorful lights, the preponderance of glowsticks that attendees wave around, and for the brightly colored powder for attendees to play with, some of which is spiked with a mild party drug and some of which is just for fun (with the difference clearly marked, of course). There are three types of color rave - adult, all-ages, and youth raves.

(CW: DRUG USE) At each adult rave and all-ages rave there is one specific room where attendees can enter (after proving themselves 18+), 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 (whether it is skin, clothing, or structural) it deactivates, meaning that partakers can safely dance with non-partakers without sharing the intoxicating effects.

Adult raves will have bouncers at the door to ensure that anyone entering is 18+, and there is no limit to when and where the debauchery happens. 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.

All-ages raves are open to anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of age. There are bouncers at the door who will check ID and stamp the hand of anyone who is 18+ with a special ink that shows up under blacklight for easy identification. At all-ages raves, 18+ and underage characters can mingle, but there are specific areas set aside for only 18+ characters where they can get down and dirty either in private or the open.

Adult and all-ages raves will have only spiked powder to avoid confusion.

Youth raves are intended only for younger characters under 18, so they can stay up all night and dance like crazy, and meet other young people in the city. 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 version of the colored powder featured at the adult raves that won't give you anything but a sugar high. 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. Youth raves will have only sugar powder, brightly colored and sweet to the taste, meant for fun and to play tag with rather than to cause intoxication.

ii. kink convention

For the week of March 4-10 there will be a massive kink convention on the top floor of one of the large exhibition centers downtown, limited to characters 18+. The exhibition is a sexy adult informational convention featuring various kinks and fetishes. Whether you're into leather, latex, lace, or anything else, you'll be able to find the clothes, toys, guides, books, erotica, fiction, and a wide variety of other interesting stuff to explore. While the atmosphere is sex-positive and there are private and public (for the voyeurs and exhibitionists in the room) venues for having sex, it's definitely focused on exploration and information about different stuff to try.

If someone has thought of it and figured it sounded sexy, it can be found here, and with Riverview's high level of tech advancement and widespread acceptance of magic, things can get pretty kinky. Whatever your kink is, there's probably a VR program, sex toy, potion, or spell that can make it happen, and someone who's got the downlow on how to make it great.

iii. tech expo

Riverview prides itself on its technological advancement, and so, running concurrently with the Kink Convention on March 4-10 and on the bottom floor of the same convention center, various cutting-edge tech companies in the city will be sponsoring a Tech Expo. The expo features demonstrations of all of the most advanced technology that's coming into use in the city, ranging from advancements in VR and holotech to robotics and gadgets, you can find the latest and greatest in almost any area of modern technology. Attendees will be able to come with a friend or a date or anything in between to play VR games, enjoy holoprojected escape rooms and puzzles, meet robot pets, try out the most recent music player or that new cell phone that can bend without breaking, and a wide variety of other gadgets.

While most of the tech expo is all-ages and non-sexual, there is a decently-sized adult area where characters must show ID proving they are 18+ in order to enter, where the technology is mostly related to sexual use. This area features advanced sex toys, VR systems intended to explore sex with other people in a virtual environment with no strings attached, sexy video games and holoprograms, and many other sensual technological.

iv. street market

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 or more sticks or desserts baked with a narrow part in the middle for convenient tearing, everything is built to be shared. 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, though there are some booths (clearly marked and with someone to check ID) that sell actual aphrodisiac-laced foods and drinks to people who are 18+.

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(s), and due to the nature of the Quarantine, a lot of them involve aiming or other aspects of pretending to fight.

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.

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 Sampremi, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: saber XU; image ii: Jose Borges; image iii: Nicolas Sitbon; image iv: Andreas Rocha

navigation

Comments

dorian | almost human | ota, 25+

[sentiences]

[ 1. colour raves ]

[ He's still surprised they let him in. Yes, he had an ID, a place of his own, a job that pays and he is uniquely equipped to be security at a rave though Dorian didn't quite understand why. But it was still hard to wrap his mind around it. It's funny though, trying to deal with his own dissonance and ideas how things should be. It makes him feel hard-headed, almost human. He smiles as he saunters into the club, dressed casually as he watches people throw coloured . . . powder into the air. Blue lights flicker over his face as Dorian brushes his fingers against it, analyzing the compound structure. Huh.

No wonder they were explicit about having him around. Dorian smiles as he finds himself a corner, occasionally weaving himself in and out of the crowds, jostling the . . . writhing bodies. Mostly Dorian will be checking up on anyone who seems lost, uncomfortable or simply unsure. ]

Is everything all right? Remember, there's no pressure to be here if you want to leave.

[ iii. tech expo. ]

[ Honestly, it was the Tech Expo that made Dorian feel the closest to home. Being around the holograms, the digital displays. He visited all of them, constantly asking questions and uploading new data into his hardware. Even picking out a few programs that weren't in his system before. However, every time Dorian's face lit up, he was approached by someone with a very awkward question. ]

For the last time, no, I am not a sex bot.

[ wildcard ]

[ Dorian is a robot, early 40s, has all the equipment for sex though he would struggle to understand why. If you want to hash out the details, you're welcome to PM this journal or captainkink ]

tech expo

[winscenario]

[ Jim's near enough to hear Dorian's rebuff to a random stranger, and he can't help a soft chuckle as they pause, then walk away, looking rather disappointed. ]

Sounds like you're popular around these parts. [ He cants his head a little, brow raising. ] Are there sex bots where you come from?

[sentiences]

[ Dorian smiles at Jim, bright and warm. ]

Of course. They have a little bit of my old technology in there. To make them more . . . intimate.

tech expo

[jolting]

[at least Victor isn't the only one asking questions. While he's looking at something else he overhears the comment and can't help but glance over. A little smile touches his lips]

You can understand their confusion.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian doesn't look too amused as the lights wink out over his face. ]

I'm not sure I follow.

iii. Tech Expo

[tevinteraltus]

(Dorian was actually enjoying this holiday more than most of them. He wouldn't explain precisely why to just anyone, but a tech expo was a nice place to see what was new in a place so full of wonder, regardless of whatever else this particular celebration may have in mind. He'd been in awe of all the blatant technology in the Quarantine since he'd first arrived and he'd made it his mission to understand it, embrace it, use it to its fullest capability. He was far away from that goal, but it was a goal, nonetheless.

He was wandering the displays, uncertain where to stop first really, when he overheard something that caught his attention. He hadn't heard the question posed to this man. He assumed he was a man. Did 'robots' have gender? He supposed they would have to to have such a reaction. Olive eyes cast over the other man before his lip curled in a smile of at least slight appreciation, but he waiting until his awkward conversation was finished before he remarked.)

I can see why you may be frequented by that particular inquiry, rude as it may be.

(He inclined his head in greeting.)

Dorian Pavus, at your service.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian blinks at hearing his own name and the greeting itself. He tries to imitate it as well with a twinkle in his eyes. ]

I'm afraid I am not immune to insensitive queries. My name is Dorian as well, though I don't have a last name.

Colour Raves

[angelic_archer]

[Alec looked like he'd been hit with a rainbow, bright colors splattered over his black mesh shirt and dusting his leather pants. It takes him a moment to recognize who had spoken to him. Alec had been told that the powder was only slightly intoxicating but combined with a few drinks, he might be a little tipsy.

Alec grins at Dorian, struggling briefly to remember his name.]

You're the guy who finally got furniture!

[Okay, maybe he shouldn't have let Magnus order his drinks.]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian beams as he keeps a steadying hand on Alec's back, bemused. ]

I am that guy. And you are . . . Alec, correct?

iii tech expo

[buildsomething]

[Tony catches the tail end of that, and can't help a faint snort. He can't actually see whoever asked the question, but it hardly matters.]

Oh my god, Karen, you can't just ask someone if they're a sex bot.

[And there's Tony's too-innocent grin, just behind Dorian.]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian's lips twitch. ]

My hero.

tech expo

[kievs]

(Well, that's certainly something to hear out loud and out of the blue. Alyssa stops fiddling with a piece of communicative tech and turns on her heel, eyebrow raised.)

What's a sex bot, (she asks, hands jammed into her pockets. Is that supposed to be a robot made entirely for having sex with? Seems like a waste of a robot. Unless the sex is really, really, really good or whatever.)

Can you not have sex at all, then. (Rubbish.)

[sentiences]

I can. Probably.

[ He's never tried it. And it has certainly never passed through Dorian's mind. ]

tech expo

[starfortress]

[ She looks at him, confused.] No, I was just asking if you knew where-- [ She looks him up and down.] What is a "sex bot"?

[sentiences]

[ Dorian smiles, congenial. ]

It is a robot designed for sexual gratification.

tech expo.

[hylights]

[As far as festivities went, this was the kind Zelda threw herself into with joy. She's been wandering the floor of the expo for hours, jotting down endless notes and taking photos (when allowed - she's been shooed away more than once for trying that). She had just been petting a robotic cat when she hears Dorian's exasperated remark from behind her, and turns to look. What she sees is an embarrassed woman backing away with a deluge of apologies, and a man with odd glowing lines across his face.

When the woman has disappeared back into the crowd, Zelda offers Dorian a curious smile, still holding the robotic cat in her arms.]

Are you having some trouble?

[sentiences]

[ Oh no, cute. Dorian lightly touches the cat on the nose curiously. ]

Just a little. People aren't used to talking machines.

colour rave

[felinefox]

[Shalimar is absolutely not one of those lost, uncomfortable or unsure - she knows she can take care of herself, after all. But that doesn't mean she doesn't notice the guy offering reassurances to those who aren't so cut out for all of this.

She waits until he's done with his latest enquiry before moving closer because he has her intrigued and hey, she does have to start somewhere in making friends around here.]

Well aren't you sweet? Guess some people really do need someone else to tell them it's okay to not want to be here.

[She knows what it is to want to fit in. It's something that's landed her in plenty of trouble of her own, in the past.]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian smiles at the compliment, genuinely touched. ]

Thank you. I assume a place like this can be rather overwhelming and no one should feel out of place.

[ He holds his hand out politely. ]

I'm Dorian. I'm working as security here.

iii. tech expo

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco loves himself a good rave and kink convention and all the rest of it but the tech expo? This is what he's really excited about. It's the first day of the expo, and he has been running around all morning, like a kid in a candy store. He'd been there right as they opened the doors. After those first few frantic hours, he's finally started to calm down a little, isn't just zipping around from booth to booth asking a million questions, greeting friends, congratulating them on their new inventions.

He happens to spot Dorian, to see that flash across his face, unlike anything he's seen before. So, naturally, he comes over, about to say hello, introduce himself, and ask what the whole technicolor situation was going on on his cheek.

But Dorian anticipates a much different inquiry, and Cisco is left spluttering and awkward, face heating up as he waves his hands in front of him. ]

No- no, that's not- I wasn't going to- people just walk up and ask you that?! Like, for real?!

[sentiences]

[ Dorian's lips twitch as the stranger steps away, disappointed. The lights on his face have faded away. ]

I think they just got carried away, that's all. I can't say it's their fault.

i

[buildingcastles]

[Well, there is one person that looks sadly out of place at the rave. It normally wouldn't matter, since Christian is used to his natural obscurity letting him explore unnoticed by people who really have no reason to pay attention to such an average looking guy who is dressed in too many clothes and staying at the edges of the room to watch. He almost starts when Dorian addresses him directly.]

Why? Are you offering to walk me home?

[sentiences]

[ If Dorian notices, he doesn't call attention to it, just rolling with the punches. ]

Would that help?

iii. tech expo.

[luckyescape]

[Freya is making a lap around the expo before she heads out and goes to check out the raves. She's wearing a galaxy themed skirt with a black top and a pair of wild boots that raise her to the amazing height of 5' 3". A few of her tattoo's are visible.

She has a robot in her arms and while she has no intention of taking Prom-prom to the rave, she doesn't feel right leaving him at the tech expo without her. She'd rather take him home and tuck him in first. All of that is diverted when her ears pick up Dorian's voice. Freya slides over to him with an amused smile dancing across her lips.]

You get that a lot? It's because you're so cute.

[Her voice is a little teasing and when she realizes how frustrated he is she changes the topic.]

It's nice to see you in person. I also wanted to introduce Prom-prom to you. He's a baby but he's learning. [The robot opens it's mouth but only Rick Astley comes out.] He can only talk through music right now.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian doesn't know how to respond to "cute", so he just deftly moves away from that comment. ]

Any specific notes? I'm an excellent singer.

[ Sort of. He really just sings to annoy Kennex. ]