monthly mingle: CARNIVALE

[riverviewmod]

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

carnivale

In the days leading up to July 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Carnivale. This holiday is in celebration of music, and the onset of summer and warmer weather. The celebrations are marked by street parties, an extensive program of live musical performances, with two large parades on July 8th and July 9th.

celebrating music, and summer

After a couple of months of low-key or even solemn celebrations, it's time for Riverview Quarantine to throw a good, old-fashioned party. Carnivale is a city-wide festival that pretty much everyone gets into, and many residents take the entire week off so they can enjoy all the festivities. With events ranging from impromptu street parties, free live musical performances, food stands, themed club nights, adult lounges with kink shows, and topped off with two massive party parades, the holiday has a lot to offer for anyone who likes to sing, dance, and show some skin!

i. street parties and food

One of the staples of the Carnivale festival is the spontaneous street parties and food trucks and carts. It's not unusual during the holiday to turn a corner and run into a group of people dressed in bright colors and sequins having an impromptu party with a few drinks, and then be invited to join right in! Carnivale is a celebration of music as well as summer, so most shops and stalls will be blasting danceable music into the streets to facilitate these little street parties - it's considered a sign of good luck for the owner of a business if an impromptu Carnivale celebration starts up in front of their door.

Considering the proliferation of street parties and people out and about to celebrate the warmer weather, local business owners also take to the streets. Food carts, stands, and trucks pop up on almost every street corner offering a wide variety of food from savory treats to sweet desserts. Many of the carts are offering one free item to anyone dressed up for Carnivale - anything shimmery, shiny, or brightly colored will do!

ii. live musical performances

One of the major roads in the city center has been completely roped off for the entire week, and all along this street, various temporary stages have been set up, each with a nice hefty sound system. Volunteers hand out printed flyers, and digital boards are set up here and there with schedules of various performances that are all free to attend, ranging from well-known popular music artists to new up-and-comers or independent artists who are looking to make a name for themselves. This event is very widely advertised around the city, and is accepting entries until the very last minute.

So jump in and stomp around in a mosh pit or just dance around in the streets, let yourself get lost in the music and the summer heat!

Any player-characters who are musically inclined are more than welcome to assume their character was fit in for a performance, and can post up a top-level with a rundown of their performance to get bonus Activity Points for posting a mingle!

iii. carnivale parade and children's parade

The other main attraction of Carnivale week comes on the weekend of July 8th and 9th, which are paid holiday days for everyone in the city. There are two parades, the Carnivale Parade on July 8th, and the Children's Parade on July 9th.

Both parades will start out by City Hall and wind through downtown in a lazy pattern so everyone in the city has a chance to see them. There will be all sorts of floats, dancers, marching bands, with all sorts of clubs, businesses, and other organizations represented. Observers can expect great music, excellent dancing and marching shows, neat vehicles provided by classic car clubs, the fire, police, and Perimeter Guard. They can also expect a lot of party favors, whether it's a sparkly plastic beaded necklace, a fan to take the edge off the heat, candy, popsicles, a temporary tattoo, or any number of other little treats or toys to be tossed into the crowd.

The Carnivale Parade on Saturday has a more adult tone to it, and party favors thrown may be toys or gag gifts of a more adult nature suitable for older teens and grown-ups. The floats are more risqué and the people in the parade show more skin, dance more provocatively, and there are wet T-shirts, occasional flashing, and other things that might not be suitable for children. The theme is theatrical, big and showy, bright and colorful, sparkly and shiny, with loud music and lots of glitz and glamour.

Geared toward children and younger teens, the Children's Parade is on Sunday and generally more low-key, with more of a cartoony than glitzy theme. The Children's Parade will have more conservative floats, with bright colors, juggling and dancing, and mascot costumes. Party favors will lean more toward candy and temporary tattoos, rainbow pinwheels, and small toys. Keep an eye out for floats with pop performers and for popular cartoons in the city!

And make sure you wear your waterproof mascara - Carnivale and Children's Parade floats have a tendency of spraying or spritzing water, both in an unspoken competition to see who can make the biggest water-refraction rainbow in the air, and to keep observers cool in the new summer heat.

iv. adult: lounges

Thanks to the Carnivale tradition of showing as much skin as possible, some event organizers' minds have turned to topics of a more adult nature. In the evenings, residents may see clubs doing "lounge nights"; these adults-only events have bouncers IDing everyone at the door to ensure they're 18+. The themes may vary, from very specific niche themes like 'golden age superheroes' to broad themes like 'rainbows,' and each event is clearly marked as what it is - all-nude or clothing-optional, and can host events ranging from amateur to professional exotic dancing, food served off of nude bodies, anonymous masked hookups, or just provide a comfortable space where casual sex is encouraged with whoever happens to be around. Various legal substances can be found at these lounges, but nothing that would cause violation of consent, and every substance would be clearly labeled and have warnings to ensure that no one partakes unless they choose to. Please be sure to warn in the subject line for sexual content or drug use (since some mild party drugs are legal in Riverview).

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to set up headers for a communal floor, or threads open to roommates for the purpose of getting to know each other. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during Carnivale, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Roger Patterson Jr.; image ii: Jie He; image iii: Aaron Walker; image iv: Lewis Monson

navigation

Comments

Breq | ota

[breqintopieces]

i. Food

[It's impossible not to notice the hubbub filling the city right now, and Breq is not immune to letting the curiosity bring her out of the routine of work and resting in the communal housing apartments. She's more forewarned, this time-- In deference to both the heat and the occasion, Breq has left her usual muted jackets at home, to be traded in for a soft shirt in vivid yellow, though there's no jewelry for her.

That doesn't seem to bother the vendors of some of the carts she's passed, who have pressed food upon her quite insistently, if the little plastic bowl that's just been pressed into her hands is any indication.

Not one to be caught flat-footed, Breq only waits until the vendor has moved out of sight, and holds it out to the nearest person, saying blandly;]

Would you like to try some? I've heard it's quite good.


ii. Music

[Ever since she heard about the live concerts, Breq has come circling back to the street filled with music whenever she has spare time.

Today is no different. She's found herself a rare seat on the edge of one of the stage's crowds, where she's stayed despite occasional cajoling from people in the mosh pit/dance square looking for partners or just not wanting anyone to feel left out.

She's sitting with legs stretched out and crossed in front of her, attention on the stage, but as soon as anyone comes close she pulls them back, clearing the path without taking her attention away from the current performance, clearing space to the few free chairs next to her.]

Feel free to sit.


iii. Parades

[Enjoying the parade? Breq is here for that too. Unfortunately for this particular stretch of crowd, one of the hoses on the float had a bit of a malfunction, and rather than a spritzing, everyone got something more like a soaking.

Breq is still standing in place unlike some of the other crowd members who shrieked and tried to escape while the hose was being wrangled back under control. Instead, she's using her hands to wipe water away from her face and eyes with a muffled sound that could be a laugh.]


iv. Lounges and Paints

[The particular lounge that Breq has found isn't especially amped up or risque, compared to some of the other parties. There's the usual array of debaucheries offered in other sections of this particular lounge, but Breq has settled herself, casually cross-legged, on one particular array of couches.]

Would you like one?

[The 'one', in this case, is a decoration in body paint-- she tilts her hand to show the abstract swirls of purple and dots of silver curling from the tip of her middle finger to her wrist. The other hand has a clean brush, and an array of unopened little containers of more paint are arrayed next to her.]

v. Wildcard

IV

[indigobird]

[Not the most exciting lounge ever, no, but Hawke doesn't mind all that much. There's been a lot going on the past few days, and perhaps it would serve her well to just sit and take it all in, rather than bouncing from one activity to another. She's always been full of energy, but admittedly, she's not exactly a spring chicken anymore (whatever the Void that means).

It's when she's on her way to do said sitting and taking in that she spots the woman on the couch, surrounded by paints. Relm's sorely tempted. When the offer's made, she lets out a little laugh.]

What gave it away?

[Gee, it couldn't be the smattering of painted tattoos she already has on her, could it? (plus the permanent one she's got on her face, though that's been there)] But I'll bite. I rather like what you did with your hand there.

[breqintopieces]

You didn't finish your step.

[And yes, the painted tattoos that she's already decorated with were a helpful hint that she might be amenable to it. Breq shifts over slightly on the couch, making space for Relm to take a seat if she likes.]

I can only take credit for the application, not the design.

[She flexes her hand slightly, letting the light of the lounge play over the specks of silver and the purple, then nods politely in her companion's direction. There's no masked hookups here-- no reason not to be polite and make an introduction.]

My name is Breq.

[indigobird]

That, too.

[Hawke takes a seat next to her, stretching out her legs and generally making herself comfortable.]

So honest. I'd have been none the wiser. Still, you apply it well, and that's just as important as a good design. [And Hawke nods right back in greeting.] I'm Hawke. Are you one of the natives here, or someone who came through a portal?

[ ii ]

[sentiences]

Don't mind if I do.

[ Music, after all, is one of Dorian's few interests. Though he really just likes singing and usually doesn't do much listening. There's never been any need. ]

[breqintopieces]

[Dorian gets a nod of greeting in addition to Breq moving her legs out of the way for him. She doesn't bother to mimic a smile, but she turns her attention entirely away from the stage for this.]

Cousin.

[She gestures toward the stage and the current group, decked out like the glammiest glam rock band in existence.]

They're surprisingly catchy.

[sentiences]

Why is that a surprise?

[ He has preferences but not much in terms of musical taste. He can't really see what is "bad" or "good". He's meant to empathize, after all. Teasing criticism is one thing, but over criticism is difficult to muster. ]

i.

[democratically]

[Padmé can admit that this place does seem to like to keep busy. Even if these carnivals and festivals aren't happening every day, there are any number of events that one can attend to keep oneself busy. Of course, days like this when they are hosting something they do seem to go all out to attract people in to their hub. Padmé has no desire to explore everything, as even with everything, there are parts of her that are still more conservative, but the areas that are open for all she does enjoy exploring.

She's dressed down, or at least as dressed down as she tends to be. Hair coiled in a messy bun at the back of her head with a flowing dress that is snug up top and flares near the bottom, there is an ease to her. Crowds are nothing new for her, especially after having faced down the Republic Senate. It is lively though and her attention is drawn from place to place, taking it all in, which is why the voice does catch her off-guard. Padmé does shift her focus, giving a blink before a smile, recognizing the woman, although her brain takes a moment to process the question.]

Hello again. Sorry... What is it?

[breqintopieces]

Representative. [Breq follows up her informal greeting with a bit more of a nod and a bow. Things don't seem to be as uptight here, and the festival certainly doesn't call for formality, but being polite never hurts.]

From the description, some sort of seafood. Fried, of course.

[Because of course. If Padmé looks closely she'll see something that looks a little like a tentacle on a stick under all of the fried outsides.]

iv

[wingedman]

[Sam's opting for a bit more laid back celebration of Carnivale this year, all things considered. He's still frequenting the adult lounges, but chooses quieter, calmer areas. As he wanders around with a colorful drink in one hand, looking for a place to sit, Breq's paint catches his eye, and he sits down in front of her.]

If you don't mind, sure. Your hand looks lovely.

[breqintopieces]

Not at all.

[She did make the offer, after all. She tucks her feet back to give him room to sit, running her thumb over the designs on the back of her other hand.]

Is there a design you would like?

iv

[valr]

[There's a similar feeling to these nights as there was at the Sampremi raves, although the themes occasionally throw Kara for a loop, mostly because she can't be bothered to pay attention to what they're supposed to be. So her outfits tend to be the same, shorts and a crop top, usually black, but showing enough skin that she still blends in with the rest of the partygoers.

She's not searching for anything in particular, which means she's free to make her way over when she spots Breq. Tonight involved pre-gaming at Trixie with it's Asgardian strength liquor so Kara is a tiny bit tipsy, more than she usually gets. That might be why she sits a little closer than strictly necessary.]

You any good with it?

[breqintopieces]

[A familiar face, derived of the familiar context she's seen it in before. Kara looks rather different when she doesn't carry a sword at her side. Not a bad sort of difference, Breq notes as she lets Kara set in close to her side.]

Good enough for festival work.

[A twitch of her fingers is enough to have the silver paint glimmering a little even in the dim light of this particular lounge. She's no master artist, but she has a steady hand and a large mental inventory of imagery to pick from.]

Is there a request?

i.

[11calls]

[Okay, Alex loves random food. She can't help it, she loves it so she's taking all of these food carts to be some sort of sign from heaven. Balancing a cardboard container of fried oreos covered in powdered sugar with a couple of forks sticking out of it, Alex just stopped at Breq's question and gives her a broad grin.]

Sure, I'd be glad too. Let's call it a split. Have you tried the fried oreos?

[Lifting up the cardboard by way of gesture to it, she just asked:]

What did they force on you?

[breqintopieces]

I have not.

[She doesn't even know what an oreo is, though a quick glance over at the cardboard in Alex's hand gives her some hint that it's at least not too far beyond the kinds of food she's used to.

She holds up a little bundle of bamboo leaves tied with string, opened slightly to show the innards.]

Rice with some sort of filling.

ii.

[bythehand]

[ You know what, Finn isn't gonna look a gift seat in the mouth right now. He's been floating in and out of the mosh pit areas for a little while now. They wound up being fun to throw himself into during Sampremi, and even if the energy is overall very different between the two holidays, he thinks he experience mostly holds up.

It helps that a lot of people are looking to have fun and find some distractions after the fallout from all the kidnappings. He can get into that. It's nice to shelve things and just have fun.

In doses. Not in huge stretches. Gotta have standards. ]

Thanks. [ He drops into one of the chairs, absentmindedly folding his hands. ] It's a pretty good setup, right?

[breqintopieces]

[It's impossible not to recognize Finn, after the impression he made with those lanterns. Breq picks up a still-sealed water bottle she's had sitting next to her chair and holds it out to him in offering.]

It is. How do you find the dancing?

[Between her relaxed lean in the chair and the lack of sweat, it's probably obvious that she hasn't partaken herself.]

iii

[scholiast]

(Lucretia is similarly drenched and blinking through the water on her glasses. Usually she'd employ a cheeky bit of prestidigitation to wick the water away instantly but the coolness is a relief from the heat. She will use it to clear her lenses, though.

Breq is next to her, and she sounds like she's laughing. It's... a nice sound. Lucretia looks at her, and smiles, then shakes her head to give Breq a second, much lighter spray of water.)

[breqintopieces]

[It's hardly the absolute soaking from the first time around, but Breq makes a slight sound again when Lucretia sends droplets of water flying at her, then turns, an eyebrow raised critically.]

Sharing the bounty?

[From the dry tone of her voice, she doesn't seem particularly approving... except for the fact that she immediately flicks water from her own hands right back at Lucretia.]

ii

[tetherer]

[The Tetherer is quite enjoying the concerts themself. Now concerts are one thing they have been to before; live music wasn't uncommon on the Nexus by any means, but the concerts they've personally attended involved less frenzied dancing and more sitting back and closing one's eyes and letting the music encompass the room silently. This is a lot more exciting than all of that, but the dancing and thrashing of crowds of bodies is very intimidating to them, at barely five foot and dressed in a thin black romper and white ascot.

So when they wander off to the edge of the crowd to enjoy from a more conservative distance and Breq catches them, they smile and take the offer to sit beside her gratefully.]

Thank you, Breq. I was worried there would be no place to simply sit.

[breqintopieces]

There's the ground.

[Breq says, dryly, from her chair. She glances away from the stage only briefly, to acknowledge the Tetherer as they take their seat next to her. Most of her attention is up toward that stage and the performances on it-- in this case, some band members who seem as eager to be in the mosh pit in front of them as the dancers are themselves.]

ii

[buildsomething]

[He hadn't been intending to come. Tony's been vacillating between wanting to hole up and wanting to be anywhere but home, but mostly he's been looking for any kind of distraction. The very obvious reminder that he's been in this place an entire year probably isn't going to help, but the moment he'd found about the concerts, he'd been curious. For one, he can't remember those from last time. But mostly, music's always done wonders for getting him out of his own head. Which is pretty much what the goal is.

So he finds himself wandering over towards the stages every so often. It's not always to his taste but it is always loud, and sometimes that's good enough. He mostly keeps to the edges, and apparently he isn't the only one.

It takes a moment to register the offer, even with the flicker of movement out of the corners of his eyes, but when he finally glances over its to see a familiar face. And that can't hurt. Can it?]

Breq. [He offers her a small smile as he moves towards one of the seats.] Thanks.

[breqintopieces]

[Breq is dressed down from their previous encounters-- for one, there's no sign of any weapon visible on her, for once. For another, the light jackets she's been fond of wearing are abandoned out of practicality, replaced with a sleeveless shirt in gray-green.

Even though she offered the seat, her attention is mostly toward the stage and the ongoing concert (she may be humming along under her breath) until she hears her name said. Only then does she really look away and catch the stranger's face she's met with.

Well. Not entirely a stranger. The voice is familiar, and there's only a few people here she's heard but not seen the face of. It takes her 1.2 seconds to be sure of the answer.]

Tony. [No smile, but she does nod in welcome.]

i

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky is fresh off patrol, sweaty shirt sticking to his skin, making his way home to shower. The holiday crowd reminds him that the fridge is empty, though, and it couldn't hurt to pick up some dinner on his way back, for himself and in case Steve comes back hungry.

Someone holds a plastic bowl out to him, and he smiles a little wryly when he recognizes her from sparring a while back, and generally from around the gym.] If it's so good, why're you tryin' to give it away? Is it gonna burn my tastebuds off my tongue? 'Cause I hit up this truck yesterday and they did not mark the spice levels appropriately.

[breqintopieces]

[There's a glint of amusement in Breq's eyes as she continues to offer the bowl, even as she maintains her innocently neutral expression. Pawning off unwanted food on someone else? Certainly not, she would never. Especially not unsuspecting passersby.]

Sharing the experience seemed an important part of the holiday. I wouldn't inflict a dish like that on anyone who didn't agree to it.