riverviewlogs | monthly mingle: MEMORIA

Entry tags:

monthly mingle: MEMORIA

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: monthly mingle: memoria
when: the month of may
where: anywhere around the city
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

memoria

In the days leading up to May 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Memoria. A more solemn celebration than Sampremi or the Flower Festival, Memoria is a week-long time of remembrance for those lost in the Great War and the epidemic that decimated Riverview Quarantine's population 10 years ago. Memoria traditions include lighting lanterns for the dead, telling stories about lost loved ones or lost homes, eating meals with loved ones, and a special gathering to send floating lanterns down the river in honor of those lost.

a solemn commemoration of those lost

While the main city-wide event associated with Memoria is the floating of lanterns down the river on each Sunday evening of the month, the holiday is generally seen as a time of reflection on and appreciation of things that have been lost - people, homes, cultures, and planets. It is also a celebration of the things that remain. Many locally-owned shops will host displays of culturally-significant food, and will hand out informational flyers sharing the unique customs of their own homeworlds and inviting others to share those customs. There is a heavy emphasis on sharing time with family, friends, and lovers, and anyone who is able to will cook meals or treats for loved ones, or at least purchase them something good to eat.

i. hanging lanterns

Throughout the entire week of Memoria, residents will be hanging lanterns around the city. Lanterns are generally placed in greater number in places of passage - streets, bridges, and all alongside the train lines are particularly well-decorated, as are any trees alongside paths, and most homes and businesses have a profusion of lanterns around their doors and windows. This tradition is twofold; some people believe that the lanterns are hung in these places in order to guide the spirits of the dead back to those who still love them, other people believe that the lanterns are to give light for living loved ones to find their doors in times of darkness...many people believe both.

No matter what your character might believe, you can be sure they will find themselves offered a lantern for free from various businesses or friendly citizens passing by, and invited to hang it before the sun sets, or they may be handed a bundle of lanterns and asked to help share them with others.

ii. sharing life

Throughout the city, characters will find groups of people gathering to share hot drinks and talk about their loved ones lost, their homes and planets, or their experiences during the Great War and the epidemic. Anyone who has lost someone, who has fought to survive, who is feeling cut off and homesick, is welcome to sit and share their story. If your character chooses to sit and to share their story, they will find that people will gather to listen, will generally be respectful of the telling, and may share their own similar experiences in return. This is an excellent time to air grief in an environment where most people understand and respect grief, and a good time to deepen the connections to others around you, to understand them better.

There is also a very large focus on cooking or purchasing meals or treats for loved ones during Memoria, with many people taking meals with everyone they care about during the week of the holiday. Some go the extra mile and will hand out baked goods (usually chocolate or cinnamon), packets of candy, or other little treats to acquaintances, especially if they would like to form a closer bond with them. This is a great time for characters to reach out to someone they would like to get to know better with a surprise treat!

iii. floating of the lanterns

On the evening of May 8th, just before sundown, many of the city's residents will head toward the banks of the river, where they will light lanterns in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, in honor of their dead loved ones. The types of lanterns vary wildly, based on personality (either of the person floating it or the person they are honoring), culture, and many other factors. Some lanterns are very simple, others are incredibly complex, but the one common feature they all have is that people write on the shades of them - they write about their feelings for their loved ones, their wishes for their relationships and friendships, a memory from childhood or home, or even just lines of poetry or lyrics from songs that express something they miss, or something that hurts them.

Once those emotions are written on the lanterns, the lanterns are set free, floating down the river in the darkening evening, in a cathartic gesture shared by most residents of the city. Waves of lantern floating will start around 7 pm and continue until the sun rises on each Sunday evening of May.

iv. down with the sickness

The epidemic that happened 10 years ago was an incredibly traumatic experience for the people living in the Quarantine, on a cultural scale as well as a personal one. While most people who live in the Quarantine are able to leave after 5 years, the trauma lingers in any number of invisible ways in the city. Besides that, there is a small population of people who have chosen to live permanently in the Quarantine, who have made it their home and embraced its melting pot of cultural diversity as their own. Many of these people are survivors of the epidemic, and have a particularly poignant connection to the Memoria celebration.

One of these long-term residents is an engineer specializing in magically-enhanced robotics who lost most of her family in the epidemic, and as each year passes she becomes more and more distraught by how the population turns over and slowly loses track of the importance of Memoria. In her eyes, it's become symbolic, commercialized, a celebration of general grief and not the very specific grief the Quarantine experienced 10 years ago. And she has decided to do something about it, something to make the specific trauma of the epidemic very real and very current to everyone in the city.

On May 1st, she will be releasing a small cloud of self-replicating magically-enhanced nanites near City Hall. The nanites are drawn to warm, living bodies, and once they enter, they find their way to the brain and central nervous system (or equivalent, depending on physiology) and start to take effect on the parts of the brain (or equivalent) that control a person's sensory experiences and psychosomatic responses. In effect, the nanites work as an artificial virus that makes residents horribly ill, and which can be passed from person to person like a contagion.

Throughout the month, reports of this mysterious illness will sweep through the Quarantine, with residents uncertain of how to cure it. Symptoms vary widely depending on the person, with each affected person facing a uniquely personal set of symptoms - but each case has the same thing in common: it ends with the victim losing consciousness and lapsing into a coma.

How It Works

● Participation is opt-in, and while the "epidemic" can't be ignored in the city, characters are not required to get ill even if they are exposed.
● The "disease" can be spread from person to person by skin-to-skin contact or exchange of fluids (kissing, coughing, spitting, etc.) There is no set symptoms for the "disease," and how much or little a character is affected or in what ways is up to player discretion. Incubation period (time between exposure and first symptoms appearing) is also up to player discretion.
● Since the nanites are based in both tech and mgaic, they are much harder to defeat than they would be otherwise. However, they can be deactivated and destroyed through a combination of electromagnetic pulses and magical nullification or spell-dispersing abilities. Players are also welcome to come up with other ways to deactivate the nanites, keeping in mind that it should not be too easy.
● Affected characters can be sick for as long or short a time as the player decides, and once they lapse into a coma it can last as long as the player decides. Once the character wakes from the coma, they will no longer be sick and the nanites will no longer be present in their system.
● Once a character has been infected, they will be immune and cannot be reinfected.
● All sick characters will be well again by May 31st and there will be no long-term effects.

● If any players wish to pursue or bring to justice the perpetrator, please send the mod a PM and we can discuss your ideas!

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 Memoria, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: RAW Visual, image ii: by trenchmaker, image iv: Bianca Draghici; image iii: found uncredited on Pinterest - please let the mod know if you find credit!

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"Field of study?" She wondered if he meant to do with her job, though she definitely did not recall telling him about what she did here. "Well, the history books are more focused on military history, and as referenced, some are actually from my future."

Two hundred years was a long time to read on how the military has changed, and not even counting from the wider world. "Biology is two-fold, the first in regards to my post in the perimeter guard, and the second is less curiosity and more of a need."

She hoped, at some point, to find anything that might provide a cure to the plague back home. There were so many advances here, she strangely had to work backward to find out it all worked.

"I should be stopping by my floor, regardless." She hefted the bag at her hip. Though heavy looking, she carried it with some ease; the gesture was less an adjustment and more to show her reason for going. "And forgive me, but we have been talking and I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth Bennet."

[The resemblance this situation bears to that one in the past does nothing to calm Steve's nerves. Bucky had barely been able to keep his balance back then and it doesn't look like this time would be any different. He moves to Bucky's side, ducking underneath one of his friend's arms.]

That's you, Buck. You feel like you're burning up.

[As someone who grew up with frequent visits from the flu, he knows a fever when he feels one.]

We need to get you to the hospital.

That's why I'm here.

[He holds up the grocery bag for inspection.]

I've brought the basics. Nothing fancy. But it served me well every time I was down with the flu as a kid.

[He moves past Sam, heading straight for his kitchen.]

[He approaches and slowly kneels down next to her, facing the river. As happy as he is to see her, it's hard not to let that joy be overshadowed by the sad and melancholy atmosphere around them. But he also can't help but see the irony that on a day of remembering the lost, he's regained one of his friends.]

I could say the same for you. I've been here since December. When did you arrive?

The woman was decidedly impressive. She had decided thoughts and was practical. He appreciated that more than most. Perhaps she was a product of his mind and not Alex's as he'd previously thought. He doubted Alex, with all her emotion and empathy could think up such a logical person; that is until he heard her name.

Elizabeth Bennet, 'Pride and Prejudice'. It seemed both the stranges perfectly natural for Alex to have some predisposition to the novel. Or maybe she'd just watched the movies or miniseries. God knew there were enough versions of the damn thing.

His brows drew slightly closer now that he'd learned her name, but she was helping him and he had promised not to intentionally get himself punched. Telling a fictional character that they were, as such, fictional, would probably go a long way to breaking that promise.

"Ah, Richard Strand." It wasn't often that Richard tripped over his own name, even slightly, but it also wasn't every day that one met a literary classic.

Edited (I have been doing a bracket thread all day. I failed.) 2018-05-12 05:01 (UTC)

What is the Chantry?

[ Stan lifts a shoulder and then nods. ]

There's all sorts of religious stuff in the library. [ He's done his share of looking. ]

It is for God but it is also to others in our lives. Some people have their own traditions to go with it like with Christmas for Christians and everything.

[Victor is on his rounds checking in on everyone. He can't help smiling a little at Beverly's protests]

It's pretty simple, doctor. With all the different people from different worlds, there had to be some strain that you haven't been exposed to yet. Just ride it out like everyone else.

[Makoto has already contributed her own lantern, complete with a promise to the man it honours that she will do all she can to make him proud. It feels strange, not being able to share this moment with her sister - even though in recent years, that hadn't happened anyway. The option had always been there, and the fact that it's not now may have led to her adding a promise to make Sae proud too.

When she moves away, it's with the intention of finding somewhere quiet where she can watch and not have to engage with anyone. That changes when she spots someone familiar up ahead, one of the few people who knows what meaning this event has for her.]

I wasn't sure you'd be around for something like this.

[But that's not to say she doesn't realise that maybe there's someone he wants to honour, too, that he hasn't told them about. She really doesn't know too much about his life before he ended up living with Sojiro.]

A week ago? It hasn't been long.

[Maybe she shouldn't be at all surprised to see him here. They've both lost their homes. Of course they felt out of place.]

Thor said I was here before, but I don't remember.

Ronan slumped back onto the bed once Adam pulled away. For a few seconds, he lamented the fact that this morning would not be spent ~~cuddling~~ lying in bed with his boyfriend. Then he got up and followed Adam and their dogs. There wasn't a real reason to stay anymore.

He scratched at his jaw. His skin felt significantly cooler than Adam's had and he finally pieced together why that might be. "You feeling alright?"

"I feel like shit. What's it look like?" Ronan snapped. Illness did not improve his temperament.

He opened his eyes and looked at Gansey. "Adam's sick. I guess he gave it to me or something. Didn't think I'd come down with it right away." The warning that he should probably stay away went unvoiced. Gansey wasn't dumb enough to need it spelled out.

They were falling. [so he had no time to give a warning! clearly they were falling before he tried to shove them off and not as a result.]

[but the man is still not trying to give them back, so he'll take it.]

I am bound to get more. I've already gotten plenty just in walking down the street. [it's true but it doesn't completely answer the question.] But I can take one off your hands, if you like.

[ugh he noticed. though he supposes the transition and misdirect was a little too obvious, born out of a defense mechanism. but the other man doesn't press, so cassian won't bring it up either.] And what is your name?

[that's a much better attempt to steer away, but at least he sounds more like he's making polite conversation now.]

Undead in what sense? [reanimated corpses?? people who died back home and are alive here??? it could be something entirely different in the context of this man and his world too.]

Edited 2018-05-12 20:35 (UTC)

"Hey, give a guy some space. I'm just taking a breather." He'd rather not have Steve get too close. Accidentally sneezing in someone's face wasn't a great way to introduce yourself. Not that he cared.

He tried to size up this new guy, but given how dizzy he felt, he soon gave up and guessed. "I'm not gonna get back in and crash the car if that's what you're wondering."

[ Genji has enjoyed his time here as well. He misses home but it's nice to be in a place where he's allowed to exist in public. He would never walk around without his helmet on, now he only wears it when he's on on duty.

He nods at the stranger's answer and watches him light the lantern, but still hold onto it. ]

It is a nice way to remember and let go. Things fester when they're kept inside for too long.

It's cinnamon, special for the festivities. I thought it would be interesting to try.

[ Genji smiles and shakes his head, patting at the blanket he's sitting on. ]

I was simply waiting for anyone to wander past, you are not disturbing any plans. Please, sit down.

Five.

[ He takes a few steps to s how that he's fine now. Well, more or less fine anyways.

Honestly, he isn't used to strangers asking him so many questions. Or... seeming like they care. ]

[ He glances over at her from the corner of his eye when she walks up. A small smile forms on his face before he turns to look at her. ]

Information gathering. [ Although, it sounds heartless when he says it out loud. He's trying to be more active in learning about Riverview... maybe they can find something out about his options if he does.

His expressions softens instantly though. ]

Are you alright?

[ He figures she launched her own lantern, but, that doesn't always mean the emotions float away with the lanterns. ]

[Sam reaches up to pry Tony's fingers loose. As much as he likes the petting, that's a little too tight. But he twines his fingers with Tony's, trying to give him an anchor, a sense of security.]

I think that I'd like to be in a place that can keep an eye on my hydration levels. It's gonna be fine, Tony. Not all of us save going to the hospital for when we're actually dying.

[Which is kind of ironic, really. It's not like Tony has to worry about medical expenses - he's just a stubborn asshole.]

Did soup even come in cans when you were a kid, or did you have to kill the chicken with your bare hands?

[It's a terrible joke, but it amuses Sam. He drifts along after Steve, if only to keep an eye on him while he's loose in his kitchen. You never know what might happen.]

[She doesn’t believe his smile for an instant. She knows him. And while he’s a very good liar, she also saw him before he could start pretending for her. He greets her and she lets it go right by her, focusing on what’s important.

Her friend. Her family. And whatever it is that he’s going through.]

What did you mean, ‘Why didn't you tell me?’ What happened?

[Talk to her, Dorian. Please.]

Good enough for me. There's already enough weird illnesses going around right now.

[She watches him sit, eyeing curiously without turning her head, and then passes the bottle his way.]

I've found through a lot of trial and error that whiskey actually solves most problems.

First week. [Val whistles low under her breath, shaking her head.] Sorry. That is a lot. My first week here was during winter, so it was just cold as shit, not sad.

[She pauses for a long moment, her toe nudging the dirt idly.]

If it's too much, nobody's going to judge you for, you know. Staying out of it. Especially when you're new.

Adam was slow to get down the stairs, so Ronan easily caught up with him by the time they entered the kitchen. He glanced at Ronan, then eyed their begging dogs. Adam was weak, which meant breakfast came before coffee.

"Dunno. Maybe allergies." He shrugged and poured dog food into their bowls. Then he found himself needing to lean against the table so he wouldn't lose his balance. "Are you?"

[She grins, sharp around the edges, and shakes her head, leaning back too.]

Not a chance.

[The question earns Lucretia a shrug.]

They're fine. They're...important, I think. It's just weird to me, spilling your guts to a complete stranger.

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monthly mingle: MEMORIA

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