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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Victor's not the only one making poor life choices right now. And no, Jim's not the one this time around. In fact he's been going around the city trying to help those who don't feel so good, and in some more extreme cases, getting them to the hospital.

It's what he's doing right now, having caught a complete stranger just in time to stop them from passing out in the middle of the street. After delivering them to a nurse, he asks around for Victor, and ends up find him more or less leaning over a gurney on one of the corridors. Jim's not entirely sure whether he's trying to take care of a patient or about to pass out on them. ]

Hey— Victor! [ He grabs him by the shoulders and holds him up, pulling him away from the bed a little. ] You don't look like you should be working right now.

[He thought for sure he saw someone on that gurney who needed his help. It's why he stopped there, to check. But the image clears away and he's still there, gripping onto it when the floor starts to shift underneath him. He's so focused he doesn't notice James.

And even when the man pulls him back, Victor looks confused and unfocused. He sees James but it doesn't make sense in his head why the man is here]

You can't be here. It's only people who are sick.

[ Jim huffs and rolls his eyes a little, holding Victor close to him. ] Really? Must be why you're here, then.

[ Victor's even more of a mess than he looked at first glance. Jim's sure he wasn't this bad in the morning, so he assumes he either got the virus during the day, or it only kicked in after he left the house. ]

We should get you in bed. Come on, I'll take you home.

Hmm. Sick and twisted. I think those are song lyrics. [His forehead is on James's shoulder and for a moment he is okay with this position.

But then his head snaps up and he stumbles back]

No. Lucy's home. I want her to be home. I want you to be home. Unless you're sick, too? Then you can't be home, either.

[He's babbling, but he doesn't seem to notice or really care]

Lucy's at school right now. [ He corrects promptly, smoothing a hand up and down Victor's back. ] And I can make sure she'll be safe from the virus. But I'm not gonna leave you here.

[ One arm still holding Victor close and upright, his other hand moves up to cup the doctor's face. ] Please, Victor. You're not helping anyone around here. Seriously, you were about to pass out on that guy!

[ Somehow he knew this wouldn't be so easy. Doctors. He sighs, then tries to get Victor to look at him. ]

Come home with me? Please?

[Victor feels warm when James rubs his back. This is a normal response, except this time the warmth isn't caused by James but by the virus. He doesn't focus on James's face but on something off to the side. Whatever he's seeing doesn't exactly trouble him, but it is a distraction.

It's not the words but the tone of voice that gets his attention and helps him focus on James]

Don't let Lucy convince you to kiss me. I don't think this will be cured that way.

Edited 2018-05-04 01:44 (UTC)

[ Jim lets out a soft chuckle. Odd comparison to make, as he wouldn't really call Victor's current predicament a curse. ]

I know. But I can't say it wouldn't be worth a shot, even if I ended up getting sick too.

[ Squeezing Victor's arm gently, he starts steering him down the corridor, back to his office so they can get his things and then head home. ]

[He just figured that was the sort of child logic Lucy would leap to, and also he's feverish so he doesn't entirely know what he's saying. Because if he was aware, he would've been a lot more awkward and blushing about what he just suggested.

James saying it would be worth a shot does give him pause and he stares at the man. Then his eyes unfocus as the virus starts playing with his senses again. When he snaps out of it, Victor again tries to put some distance between himself and James]

I can walk on my own. The floor's solid again. You need to stop touching me or you will definitely get it, if you haven't contracted it already.

[ Jim does vastly prefer Victor awkward and blushing when he's feeling fine, not like this. He looks like a mess, and honestly Jim's just focused on trying to help him get better.

Despite Victor's attempts at pushing him away, Jim's hold stays strong. It doesn't take much right now, when the doctor is so weak. ]

I've been helping sick people all around the Quarantine. Trust me, if I was supposed to get sick, then I would be already. I must be immune or something. [ He's not really about to question it. And he wouldn't care either even if taking care of Victor got him sick too. ]

[Even at his best, Victor would never be able to match James's physical strength. And it's not like he can pretend that being near James is helping. The man keeps him more centered and it's easier to snap away from the odd sensory experiences the virus is giving him. Some of his usual mood is even coming back and his lips twist into a smile]

I should know better. The fearless adventurer won't let the terrifying vision take risks alone.

[His expression warms but he has enough sense to not kiss James, however much he would like to at the moment. Victor still stubbornly tries to get some control of things by guiding them around to pick up what he needs at his office and leaving a scrawled note that he'll be working from home.

And he starts babbling again. Whether this is a symptom or him trying to focus his mind away from the symptoms, who even knows]

What do you think about the word 'partners'? I think it's a lot more fitting than 'boyfriend'. We're not just dating or sleeping together. We're a team, we fit together. I think it's a good word.

[ Jim's lips curl at the comparison, squeezing Victor's arm a little. ]

Of course I won't. I'll never let you take any risks alone. In fact, I'll never let you be alone.

[ He eases his hold on Victor as he starts gathering his things, though he sticks close just in case the doctor starts feeling ill again and Jim needs to catch him. It ends up not happening, thankfully, and he manages to keep his balance and relative presence of mind as they make their way out of the office and down the hallway, headed towards the exit. ]

I think it's fine? I mean, I like 'boyfriend' too, but I'm not picky. We can go with whatever you like.

[ He's never cared much for labels before in any case. They know how important they are to each other and that's what matters; and anyone who sees them together can see that too. ]

[Again, James's words seem to make him pause. Even if he wasn't currently experiencing a weird virus, Victor wouldn't really know how to properly express what those words mean to him. Lucky for him, James does know him well and can probably read what Victor is feeling from his expression.

Even if said expression is a little more sweaty and fever-flushed than usual]

I know the word doesn't matter. I know that. But James, this virus... It's doing something to my senses. I'm seeing things, smelling, hearing. And I'm concerned if I don't distract myself, it'll get worse.

I only like the type of madness you give me.

[ Jim nods, taking in Victor's explanation quietly, and giving it some thought. ]

I get that, really. But Victor... you can't keep going like that. You're not only putting yourself at risk, you're putting other people at risk too. You can't help anyone in that state. Look, we'll... find ways to keep you distracted. Play a game, or read— or catalog your symptoms, compare them to other people's, try to figure out what's up with this virus. But we'll do it from home, okay? Where you'll be safe and I can keep an eye on you.

[ If it got really bad, he'd even find a place for Lucy to stay for a few days. But he'll cross that bridge if and when he comes to it. ]

You're right. I know you're right. And I want to help... I want to figure this out.

[He smiles warmly. To try expressing himself in a way where he won't infect James-- whether James really is immune or not, Victor doesn't want to chance it-- Victor kisses his fingers and places them over his heart]

My hero.

[ Even when the gesture is so simple and innocent, Jim still feels his insides warmer as Victor kisses his hand, then settles it on his chest. ]

Anytime, baby. [ He winks at Victor, as they walk past the door. ] Okay. Let's get going. It's a quick walk from here, but let me know if you're not feeling good and need to stop, alright?

[He grins; he does love all the different words of endearment James uses for him]

I can make it. I feel better now that you're here. This is one of those rare times where you make me sane.

[There's a little spark in his eyes. See, he can still tease]

[ Jim laughs at that, pulling back a little and holding Victor's hand instead, since it seems he's doing a little better with keeping himself upright. ]

You know me, I'm a man of many talents. [ After a small pause, ] We should order in for dinner. You know, something Lucy might like.

Yeah. I think I've experienced a few of your talents, geliebte.

[He glances down at their twined fingers. Well, if James wasn't infected before then he sure as hell is now. Victor might as well enjoy the contact]

Mm, right. Cooking would be a bad idea.

[Victor makes a noise like he has more thoughts on this, but he trails off and gets unfocused again]

[ He grins, nodding almost suggestively at Victor. ] Oh, damn right you have.

[ The handholding doesn't seem to bother him at all. Victor kissed his fingers after all, and that was much likelier to infect him than simply holding hands. ]

Yeah, a very bad idea. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. I know it must sound crazy, but I am a functioning adult.

[That gets him to smile more. Sadly it's hard to tell if he's blushing since he's already flushed from fever.

A fever that chooses to remind him of its existence as he stumbles over nothing. He manages to catch himself]

I.... am apparently not a functional adult at the moment. You may have to be one for both of us.

[ Luckily Jim doesn't seem to be aiming to get Victor to blush right now. His priority is Victor's well-being. Anything else can wait.

He reaches out and grabs Victor, catching his weight and holding him up before he trips up all over himself. ]

I'm sure I can manage that. [ He puts an arm around Victor's back, hand curled on his waist. This time he won't let go all the way home. ] I don't want you to worry about anything. And if you need anything, just ask. I'll take care of you.

[He's gotten more used to someone caring about him and wanting to take care of him, but every now and then it still takes him by surprise. He swallows a few times and breathes. A part of him wants to slump on James, but instead he focuses on getting to the house.

What does he need? It's a bit of a struggle to get through the sensory mess and latch onto medical knowledge]

I need rest, and to keep hydrated. A cold compress will help with the fever, too. We should be able to break it in a few days. This virus doesn't seem to act in a consistent way, though, so we'll have to monitor my symptoms closely.

[His eyes are unfocused for a moment, but he manages to center on James quickly] I need you to practice optimism.

[ Jim nods and makes note of everything Victor says for future reference. He seems lucid enough for now, but he really doesn't know how this virus might still affect Victor. There might come a time when he'll have to know what to do, and Victor might not have the presence of mind to help him.

The walk from the hospital and back to their place isn't long, but it's not exactly a quick one either. Jim wishes he had some means of transportation, but neither the bike nor the shuttle would be appropriate. At least his hold on the doctor is firm, though, so hopefully they'll manage to keep up a good pace. ]

I always practice optimism. [ He smiles, reassuring Victor. ] How's your appetite? Has the virus messed with that, too?

[Victor said nothing to that. He had't been able to practice optimism when James came in with that bite. He'd fallen apart, and only managed to be pieced back together when he was told James would pull through.

Though this isn't the same, he still has this feeling James will be going through the same emotions]

Ask me that question again when I don't feel like submerging myself in cold water. Which would be a dangerous thing to do, by the way, so we need to avoid that no matter how hot I feel.

[ It really comes down to how bad Victor will get. Right now, if flu-like symptoms are the worst of what Victor will suffer, then he thinks he'll do alright. Worried, yes, but hardly panicking or giving into despair.

But then he really has no idea at all of how harmful this virus is, so. ]

Good thing we don't have a pool then, huh. [ Just a bit of a joke. Though he wouldn't put it past Victor to just jump into a pool if he were out of it enough. ]

iv; part b

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