riverviewlogs | monthly mingle: CARNIVALE

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monthly mingle: CARNIVALE

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

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A. Street Food

Lola's not quite in the mood for street parties, but it is a good thing for the cantina. So she rents herself a food cart and follows the social media buzz to offer food for people having an impromptu party wherever those are. Lola's not quite the head for business that she wishes she was. But when it comes to marketing and being in the right place at the right time? She can do that.

So she will politely offer food to anyone having fun that looks hungry. Which let's face it is everyone she'd ever want to talk to, "Want anything?"

B. Children's Parade

As much as the idea of the adult parade is tempting, the child parade is more her speed. And probably more Keith's speed. And honestly she just wants a lot of really bright colors and an excuse to wear her hair in every color she can think of at once. Which is fun, and silly, and totally her.

Lola's dancing, her outfit and make-up are meant to get wet, and just really she wants to not think about past events for a little while. If she can avoid thinking about it.

C. Adult Lounge (CW: Drug Use.)

However, at night when the cantina isn't open to keep her occupied, and Keith might not be available to console her with hugs, she'll take to the Lounge's for a drink-

Or sometimes something a little spicier-

To take the edge off, she picks one that's clothing optional, staying dressed enough to not feel exposed (but exposed enough to attract attention, she likes that). She's relaxing, drinking up whatever available eye candy there is. And using what's available to be just a little bit more at ease than would be naturally possible for her. Lola's not shy about checking people out, and while she's looking, not touching, it is very clear she's enjoying the night out.

W. Wildcard

Simon had been having trouble deciding what to eat. After all, he's never really had to think about it before -- you don't get a lot of choices when you're a kid or when you end up in an asylum. Then, food had been the least of his worries when he'd gotten out and he just ate what those friendly to his goals provided for him.

Now, he has to make choices.

It's easy then when someone talks to him to turn his attention in her direction.

"What's good?

"This is my cart and my dad's recipes, I'm not really an unbias person to ask," Lola smiled, more playful than admonishing on the question, "But while tacos are always the right idea, my tamales are pretty great."

Although it was pretty clear the stand was a rental when you realized Lola was standing on a box to properly reach everything.

"Well, that could make you the best person to ask," Simon returns with a small smile. It's awkward, he's awkward but she's nice so it's not the worst thing in the world. He hesitates. To be honest, he can't remember the last time he had either.

"How about one of each?" he says. "You make it all yourself?"

"Then you've made an excellent choice," This is a choice that both brings her business (which means money), and leaves deciding up to her (which is always the right idea). "Yup, out here it's all me. I'm not the best chef, but I am the best chef who can also talk to customers."

"I prefer it this way, in the Cantina I usually leave all the cooking to my employees. Cause I like talking to people. Here I get both."

"Is the Cantina your restaurant then?" Simon said, and it feels awkward. Normal feels awkward to him. He's used to talking about Demons and the like or nothing at all. He'd been a selective mute in his childhood turned into a complete mute for at least 10 years until recently.

"Talking isn't really my thing..."

"Yup!" Lola's absolutely proud that Lola's Cantina is, in fact, her cantina now. It's a lot of work, but its her work. ...And people she strongarmed into helping before she hired a staff. And even then figuring out the right people to hire were work right? "Showed up a few months ago and I've opened it up again."

"That's a common trait here," Lola's hair brightens a little, "Lot's of people with stuff going on, brood too much, but... talking makes it all easier."

Simon raises a brow at her. She's a lot like Alex but like what he imagines a younger Alex would have been like. It makes her a bit endearing to him even if he really doesn't know how to act.

"I didn't talk at all for about a decade," he says. "And before that I barely spoke either." It was mostly yes and no answers before the asylum.

[ Hopefully she doesn't mind offering to a hungry looking half man half snake? He's always in the mood for some good food, so Aeacinos will gladly accept whatever Lola has to offer. His tail will undulate with curiosity at the question. ]

Perhaps. There are many things here I have never seen or tasted before. Asking if I want anything...we will be here all day if I am to answer.

*Lola has been in the Quarantine long enough that while she does notice, and stare a moment, at the snake bits. It's not really a problem. Like... sure, that's normal for her now.*

Okay, are there any dietary concerns I have to worry about first, and I can narrow down what to make from there? What ingredients do you like most.

*Please don't answer anything creepy.*

[ At least it's normal and Aeacinos appreciates that his appearance isn't throwing people off as much as it used to. But the locals are still staring while he speaks to Lola, almost as if they're worried he's going to eat her or something. ]

I am capable of eating mostly anything. There is no need to worry about dietary things like that. [ His tail flicks as he gives it some thought. What does he like...hm. ]

I enjoy...savory things more than anything. But sweets are fine too.

Okay, I think I got something.

*She's going to just go with a burrito. A simple beef burrito, not overly stuffed with ingredients but mostly to be sure this is the right direction for flavor. While she cooks she'll just talk.*

So... you alone, or did you arrive to find you had friends already here?

Hm. [ Aeacinos will nod as he watches, tail flicking behind him as he waits to she what she cooks up. ]

I am alone here. I doubt people would ignore two nagas if someone else came from my world with me. Or another human with animal traits for that matter.

[ He still gets stares, even now people are staring, and he's been here for almost a year. ]

And you? Are you alone as well?

We've gotten all sorts, human is the usual. But sometimes they've got a little extra.

*Lola smiles, her hair turns pink for a few moments. But that's not really what this outfit looks good with, so it's back to blue after a moment.*

And others I've met haven't been anywhere near human. They usually go home faster.

*Her features sag a little at the question. Color fading a little, not as bright.*

There are lots of people from worlds like mine? Maybe a few are even from my world but not- you know, anyone I know. Just me. So I have to make all sorts of new friends here.

What else can I do?

Lola wasn't the only one that needed some consoling hugs. Often times, they were going both ways. Nights on his own sometimes resulted in nightmares, and Keith often found himself staying up late and playing video games or something to keep his mind off things. He was trying not to worry Shiro or anyone else, really, but the Lions had picked up on it, and he knew it wouldn't be long before Black said something to Shiro. It wasn't like Shiro wouldn't understand... if anything, he had been through a lot worse. Keith knew that his reluctance to talk about it with Shiro was related to that, though. He felt like he shouldn't be having such a hard time with something that was so much less than what the older Paladin had been through.

He showed up at the Cantina again that night, ready to offer help to close if she needed it.

Keith had been making a habit of it, showing up at closing. On the one hand Lola appreciated it, the attention, the concern. But it was still a- statement, of sorts. That this wasn't over with. Of course, it wasn't over, not for either of them. That was the point.

Still, in spite of that, Lola dropped what she was doing and ran over to give Keith a hug. "You don't have to help if you don't want to, you know."

"I know."

Keith easily caught Lola up into his arms, hugging her tight in return, then gave her a quick kiss.

"I don't mind, though. And it gets you out faster so we have more time to spend together." And he could be here in case something happened because he was a terrible worrywart, especially after something happened that made his worry worse. But he wasn't going to openly admit that. He had a feeling she knew anyway. If anything, Keith was glad Lola wasn't telling him to knock it off just yet. He needed some time to process what happened... and this was helping for now.

He released her again so she could finish up.

"Just point me in the right direction."

"Probably good I'm not paid by the hour." Lola you are the owner how are you not used to this yet.

Still, his reason on its face was good and she could get behind that. Getting out of here faster was good, and the kiss helped. Overall just... wanting normal was definitely a thing Lola wanted, whatever normal was here. "Start with the tables over there, I'll see how things are in the kitchen and be back out."

The Cantina wasn't terribly large, so there wasn't a lot to do in the dining area but wipe down tables and sweep. And she didn't handle the kitchen cleaning because she wasn't one of the regular cooks. Once she was back out she started sweeping. "So... what should we do when we're done here?"

That got a quick smile from Keith. At her instruction, he grabbed the cleaning supplies he needed for it and started on that side of the dining area. Wiping everything down was easy enough, after all. Just for good measure, he got the chairs, too.

Keith shrugged at Lola's question.

"I don't know. I've got an early patrol in the morning. I was thinking maybe just going back to either your place or mine and just kind of hanging out, if that's cool with you. We can stop and grab something to eat on the way back if you want."

So, basically... Netflix and chill?

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monthly mingle: CARNIVALE

Lola Pacini | Degrassi | OTA

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