riverviewlogs | monthly mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

monthly mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

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

river festival

In the days leading up to August 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The River Festival. This holiday is in celebration of the river and the life that it gives to the city, as well as the heat of summer and forming bonds with friends, family, and romantic partners. The celebrations are marked by a community-wide cleanup of the docks and beaches along the river - particularly important considering the recent flooding that's left the banks of the river littered with debris - as well as beachfront cookouts and parties (both private and city sponsored) and beach sports tournaments happening on either open stretches of beach or in special clothing-optional beaches, all capped off with fireworks displays each weekend in August.

a celebration of the river and togetherness

Following the hedonism of Carnivale, it's time for something a little more low-key and relaxing. The River Festival happens every year in August, and is geared toward community building through cleaning up the beaches and docks along the river and then using all that freshly cleaned beach to gather on. During the month of August, there are various lightly-themed government-sponsored beach cookouts and parties geared toward family, romantic dates, or casual all-ages get-togethers for meeting new friends; there are also a few more racy parties at clothing-optional beaches around the city. Many private residents also take this time to gather together friends and family, and have cookouts on the beach with all the typical trappings of the beach barbecue. There are also various casual sports tournaments sponsored by community centers, gyms, and sports teams in the city, featuring prizes ranging from notoriety to sports equipment to big bucks. Every weekend, there are beautiful fireworks displays and free concerts. This year, the River Festival has been chosen for the unveiling of a new water park in the City, with free or heavily discounted tickets during August!

i. cleaning up

The holiday starts off on a note that is just a bit more sombre than the rest of the season, with the cleanup efforts following the recent flooding blending into the usual tradition of cleaning up beaches and docks along the river. The cleanup is a group effort, with every citizen who is physically able pitching in to comb the beaches, where they pick up fallen tree limbs, garbage, and anything else that's accumulated during the winter and spring, and then raking the beaches to make them clean and ready to use. The cleanup of the docks is similar, with residents sweeping and hosing them down where necessary. This year, there are a lot of repairs to be made to beachfront structures that might've been damaged by flooding and the traffic along the riverbanks from the heroes that participated in the rescue of cult hostages, so if anyone has some carpentry or building skills, those would definitely come in handy.

This is meant to be a community building effort, so many businesses in the area, more well-to-do private citizens, and the government have pitched in funding to provide lunches, cold drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks to anyone who's helping out with the cleanup efforts. All in all, the cleanup has a very friendly, welcoming vibe.

ii. beach activities

The main traditions of the River Festival involve cookouts and beach parties. Each weekend in August, the government as well as various corporations and businesses in the city, will be providing funds for large beach gatherings. On these days, there will be booths set up offering wares and freebies from various businesses around the city that have helped fund the party, large swaths of cleared beach where residents can don a swimsuit and catch some rays or swim in the river, massive barbecue setups to provide partygoers with all the standard barbecue fare, beach sports tournaments, dancing and musical performances, and fireworks displays (see prompts below).

The holiday isn't just about these big parties, though - many residents arrange their own barbecues, cookouts, beach camping trips, beach bonfires, and other riverside gatherings and outings. Many riverfront businesses offer discounts on services such as canoe or kayak rentals to go out paddling on the river, jetski or motorboat rentals for tubing, wakeboarding, or waterskiing, or mounts to take romantic rides in the surf. Additionally, there is an adults-only section of the beach where any of these activities can be done in the nude in a clothing-optional setting, including the big city-sponsored parties.

If your character is good at playing a particular sport that could, conceivably, be played on a beach, chances are that during the month of August, a tournament will be set up for them to participate in. The tournaments are pretty standard, generally sponsored by community centers, sports clubs and teams, gyms, and other organizations and businesses in the city, with various levels of specialization, and levels of skill or competitiveness. The prizes also vary, with everything from plain old bragging rights to sports equipment or passes to gyms and community centers, to large lump sums of cash money. Definitely worth it, for characters with a love for sport. Oh, and a lot of these tournaments are happening on the adults-only clothing-optional beaches, for those grown-up sports fans who like a bit of an extra challenge.

iii. fireworks and music

Each weekend throughout the month of August, there will be evening performances all along the beach. Not as extensive as the musical performances during Carnivale, the performances are geared more toward dancing than true concerts, with areas roped off on both on the regular and adults-only clothing-optional beaches for dancing and mingling (acts will switch off between the two areas so both areas get both performances).

Player-characters who are musical artists, DJs, or otherwise perform are free to set up shop around this party and panhandle or put on free performances for publicity.

After the sun goes down, boats will head out into the water carrying a variety of fireworks, and there will be a beautiful display of exploding color in the sky for residents to watch and enjoy. The fireworks are highly advanced, incorporating old-fashioned gunpowder as well as modern technology that result in really beautiful displays that can take the breath away!

iv. waterpark

This year, there's an extra little bit of fun being thrown into the River Festival - the grand opening of a new waterpark! It's quite the park, set near the river with a scenic view, and featuring all sorts of amazing rides, from waterslides that are catered to all ages and levels of thrill seeking, tube rides that are almost like a rollercoaster on water, a pool where customers can faux-surf, funnel rides, side-by-side racing slides, a lazy river, and almost anything else you can imagine. Besides the rides, there are also a wide variety of swimming pools for kids and adults - wave pools, lap pools, splash pools - and an equally wide variety of hot tubs featuring various minerals (and some aromatherapy) for relaxing, invigoration, and other effects.

Some of the hot tubs are in a clothing-optional adult area, where there are some normal pools and some clearly-labelled pools contain elements that increase arousal or desire, or simply affection to encourage some closer bonding!

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 one of the mod-posted prompts for each Communal Floor. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during the River Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: credit unknown; image ii: Albert Ramon Puig; image iii: Claudio Pilia; image iv: Alan Philips

navigation

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Maia is fighting back the same urge at the same moment. A month's absence was not long enough to forget any of the details of Csevet's face, and yet Maia is surprised by him. Had Csevet always been so beautiful? Seeing him every day had made Maia grow accustomed to the arch of his brows, his lovely features, his fine and strikingly pale hair...

But he should not be letting himself get so caught up in distractions. Csevet is asking questions, gathering information - because of course he is - and Maia is quick to answer them. All thoughts of the cleanup have vanished as Maia explains: ]

We arrived here thirty two days ago, by our count. It was four days until mid-spring, when last we were at the Untheileneise Court. I - I missed you terribly.

[ There are more important things to discuss, probably. He should make sure Csevet arrived safely, that he is settling in, make sure what he was told about 'timelines' was correct. But he just blurts it out without meaning to. He had not realized just how much he missed Csevet, until Csevet was standing right there, just the same as ever. Like something had been missing. ]

[It's strange, how he can have barely exerted himself and yet feel so short of breath, his chest rising and falling in short, small breaths, his cheeks still a rosy pink, his eyes bright with happiness - for all that he tries to keep himself composed and calm, for all that he tries to retain some semblance of propriety, he can't help the joy in his eyes.

For a moment, the way Serenity says he missed him - with the informal phrasing and so genuine in a way that doesn't seem to imply that the Emperor missed Csevet's service or his knowledge, but him as a person - has him distracted from Maia's explanation of the timeline. When it sinks in, Csevet blinks, his expression going a bit more neutral, eyes widening a little, ears lifting in curious confusion.]

Thirty-two days? But Serenity, we saw you only an hour before our arrival here. [For a moment, he pauses, brows furrowing delicately in the middle, his breath caught.] Mid-spring? You're certain?

[For a moment, he's quiet, and then he speaks again, voice slightly plaintive.]

But Serenity, the last thing we remember from home was the night before the Winternight Ball, after the unfortunate passing of Osmerrem Danivaran. We had just finished helping you to bed and returned to our room...

[His voice trails off, and he looks at the Emperor's face for a moment, perplexed at the differences, at how either of them could have been missing so long without the entire Untheileneise Court falling apart.]

[ Maia feels a strange lurch in his stomach, the moment Csevet mentions the Winternight Ball. He remembers that night, of course, but it feels like years ago. Before Eshevis Tethimar had tried to murder him; before the entire conspiracy had been unraveled, the traitors tried and executed. He realizes his breath had caught, and forces himself to exhale slowly, to raise his ears, straighten his shoulders. ]

We assure you, Csevet, we are certain. Allow us to explain...

[ And he goes over it, glad for a momentary distraction, before he had to think about what it would mean, this distance that has artificially been created between Csevet and him, where there before had been none. He tells Csevet what he has learned, about the portal plucking people from different times, returning them perfectly in place once it became possible.

He also concludes - with some relief - that since he himself had never noted Csevet's absence, then the stories must be true. And, since he hardly can imagine Csevet leaving here without him (and here Maia pauses to smile at that understatement, face soft with fondness) that means the both of them will leave, and be returned to the Untheileneise Court. ]

So, you see, strange as it all may seem, no one will ever know we were gone. There has been no harm. Well, apart from me being forced to live without you for so long.

[Serenity may make attempts to hide what it is he's feeling, to keep his calm and composure, but the truth is that he is also quite easy to read at times, especially to someone like Csevet, who has seen him since he was an unguarded boy rather than an Emperor, composed and withdrawn but still kind. And so, Csevet sees it, when Serenity's face changes slightly, his eyes widening, his breath sucked in with a quick pull.

He's uncertain, however, if that surprise is because of the disparity between the time Csevet remembers and the time Serenity remembers, or something else entirely. For the first time since seeing Maia here, he feels a knot of unease forming in his belly, and it remains as Serenity speaks, explaining the differences in timeline, about how they will go back, that no one will know they were gone.

When Serenity says that the only harm, however, was being forced to live without Csevet for so long, his heart feels as if it's stopped, his eyes widen slightly, his cheeks flush.]

Serenity!

[It's soft, a little hushed and more than a little fond, and Csevet exhales, glancing up at his Emperor from below pale lashes.]

Surely you cannot have missed us that much.

Csevet. You are one of the most intelligent men we have ever met. Surely, you must not be so modest that you are blind to the fact that we couldn't make it through a single day without you, back home?

[ It is easier, to frame it that way - that he couldn't manage without Csevet's skills as a secretary. But, Maia thinks, it is more than that. Csevet is more than someone who arranges his schedule, and helps him answer his correspondence. He's an advisor. A confidant. A loyal constant in Maia's hectic, stressful life.

If only that were easier, to put into words... if only he had a head for eloquent speech. ]

We managed here, but only because we are not the emperor, here. Our duties are far fewer, and simpler. But... I missed thee, still.

[ The informality is deliberate - and it strikes him how different it is, than the way people in this place speak informally to one another. That is expected, common. There is no significance to it, no weight. For him and Csevet, it is different. There is a dimension to that statement, that goes beyond the words themselves.

Maia feels a tightness in his chest. He had not realized quite how lonely he was, until Csevet arrived, and suddenly he wasn't alone anymore. Brightening, he adds: ]

We have had time to learn about this place, and its people, and their ways. Perhaps... this time, we may be the one who can assist you, the way you assisted us after fetching us from Edonomee.

[When Maia says that, Csevet's ears go from pink to red, and he looks down again, his head ducked slightly, his braid falling over a shoulder to dangle against his chest. It isn't a put-on, the feeling is genuine, this shyness. Generally, Csevet has no problem with accepting compliments, he takes them in stride, feels pride but not excessively, and continues to do whatever it is that someone found worth complimenting. But in this case, when it is Maia who is doing the complimenting, and it is so genuine, so real, it's almost embarrassing, and yet pleasing beyond words.]

Gracious. We...we suppose we are aware that we function as something of an advisor, in areas which Your Serenity is still learning the intricacies of the Court. But...

[He trails off, lifting his chin and looking at Maia again, in the face. He can see the warmth in his eyes, and his chest tightens, his heart speeds, he feels like a witless, stupid child in the throes of infatuation, and it's entirely inappropriate, entirely wrong while being simultaneously undeniable and powerful.

Csevet is not used to feeling powerful emotions beyond, very occasionally, fear. Somehow, it is Maia who brings it out in him, every time, with his kindness, his curiosity, his compliments. When he speaks again, informality carefully offered in a way that implies so much more than the simple words themselves, Csevet thinks that his heart might burst, and he lowers his head again, licks his lips just slightly.]

Serenity...it may have been only a few days, but we missed you terribly as well.

[The words are more heavily stressed, perhaps, but he can't quite bring himself to drop formality, not just yet, not with the Ethuverazhid Zhas, the Emperor of all the Elflands. For all that he cares for Maia, it is impossible, just yet, to separate him from that title.]

It would be our honour, Serenity, to learn from you about this place. We are quite recently arrived and we find many of the customs baffling, to say the least.

Let us show you our new home.

[ Maia makes the decision impulsively, but neither of them are exactly aiding with the cleanup, and there are more than enough members of the community present. The efforts will not suffer, if Maia stops helping for a little while. And it is beginning to sink in, now. That Csevet is here, is going to be a part of the new life he's carved out for himself in this place.

There has been so much to enjoy, about being the only one from his own world here. The freedom of no one knowing his past, his lineage, his rank. He had been starting to think it was preferable that way. But now that Csevet is here, it's obvious. Being with Csevet is infinitely preferable to not being with Csevet. And being with Csevet here... the possibilities expand before Maia suddenly, vast and exciting and frightening and thrilling in ways he doesn't let himself quite think about.

As the two of them start towards the community housing, Maia starts by asking Csevet not to call him Serenity, here, but his name, instead. He explains the curious informal way people speak, here, and even tells Csevet a few amusing anecdotes from his attempts to fit in by mimicking everyone else's speech. ]

There are very few elves, as you have surely noticed, and we have not seen a single goblin. The customs are peculiar, too- oh, Csevet, you should have seen it, when we first arrived! People dancing through the streets in glitter and feathers and aught else. You will soon see that very few here come from worlds with any notion of modesty at all.

[In response to that request, Csevet simply nods, a delicate ducking of his head, his eyes still warm, his cheeks and the tips of his ears still pink. It still lingers in his mind, repeating itself over and over, those words - 'I missed thee, still - and he can't help but imagine what it would be like to hear the Emperor speak to him that way for more than a few words. Informal, vulnerable. Intimate.

He has to shake the thoughts away as they navigate through the crowds near the shores of the river, moving alongside Serenity briskly but gracefully, following him up toward the large buildings that the newest arrivals are housed in. When Maia asks him to call him by name, asks him to try to use the informal way that people speak, Csevet feels like it will be almost impossible to abandon propriety in such a way, to address his Emperor by his proper name rather than Edrehasivar VII, to speak to him as he would address a friend he laughs with in hallways and behind closed doors. And yet, Maia has asked for it, and so, awkwardly, Csevet decides he will try.

It's a relief when Maia goes back to using the formal first as he shares anecdotes about the slang he's learned, about the people he's seen.]

It is true that we have seen very few elves, and we have also not seen a goblin, though there are many people with appearances that are strange to behold, and we have spoken to a good number of humans. It is a very...diverse place.

[The way Csevet says it isn't with distaste, exactly, but rather as a neutral acknowledgement of it. He's not sure just yet, after all, how he feels about the diversity of culture and appearance - he's still adjusting to it, and it's only been a few days. As they enter the building, Csevet's ears lift a little at the comments about the celebration when Maia first arrived.]

Oh...that sounds like it would have been quite a sight... [Csevet isn't sure if it would've been a good one or a bad one.] ...were you quite shocked by it?

[ Csevet may be neutral about the diversity of the inhabitants here, but there is no mistaking the outright glee in Maia's voice as he sighs: ]

Yes, it is.

[ But then, Maia is not surprised that Csevet should be wary. He is a wary man, and one who has never lived amidst a sea of uniform faces, none of which looked at all like his own. For all Csevet's cleverness and quick understanding, there is no way he could ever truly understand that, and how much of a relief it was, to go from standing out to being just one facet in such a colorful mélange. ]

Dost even need to ask?

[ Maia's eyes are bright as they make their way back to the elevator. He remembers his own embarrassment and laughs, shaking his head, as he hits the button for his floor and then leans back. Maia moves differently than he had, when he was in the Alcethmeret, wrapped in formal robes and weighed down with jewels and so many layers of fabric. Besides the clothing, there is the privacy - just the two of them in this little box, being hauled up into the air. Without even Cala or Beshelar there. Without any chance of being spied on or gossiped about. After all, here no one would think twice about Maia folding his arms, leaning a shoulder back against the wall, for comfort. ]

After all, you know that we- [ Oh, no. He had been caught up in how happy he was to have Csevet here, and in joking about Carnivale, that he'd talked himself into a very uncomfortable corner. But there's no way out that he can see but through. Maia says the rest in a rush: ] -you saw the household at Edonomee, and know how we were confined there, how little we have seen of uh, of... things.

[ Very smooth. ]

[Csevet is not surprised by the fact that Maia is pleased by the diversity. After all, Csevet is as aware as Maia that he's lived his life without the feeling of being different - certainly, his life had been difficult at times, and he had been frightened, felt alone, but he had always looked much like everyone around him. It is a thing he must become accustomed to, and not something he understands, nor would presume to understand as thoroughly as the Emperor does.

Besides composed and slightly wary, Csevet is also, after all, adaptable. It is something he will become used to and, indeed, already is. If it is something that makes Maia happy, then it is something worth valuing. And it is quite obvious how happy it makes Maia, by how his eyes shine, by how much energy is in his step. In fact, Csevet realizes with a small pang of something like pain, that he has never seen Maia so happy, as he leans against the wall and rests himself a little.]

Truly, Serenity, the question was rhetorical.

[Csevet's voice is light, a little teasing, careful and tentative and still as respectful as teasing can be. When Maia continues, stumbling over his words a little, as he stutters out that last part, about Edonomee and how sheltered he had been there, confined with so few around him, Csevet's ears lift a little with interest, pink at the tips. It takes a great deal of effort to stifle the laugh that wants to bubble up in him, because surely the Emperor would take it the wrong way, perhaps see it as mirth at his expense when it is, in fact, simply an appreciation for how cute it would have looked to see Maia flustered, seeing people barely clothed.]

Of things? We admit, there was a dearth of things to be observed at Edonomee. We imagine it must have been jarring to observe so many things.

[His voice is light, and he can't quite resist another gentle tease.]

We are uncertain whether we should offer our guidance when it comes to things, Serenity, though we are quite confident in our understanding of them.

[ Csevet's voice is warm and fond and teasing, in a way that Maia has only heard it go very rarely. He had appreciated it, back at court. There were so few people willing to share their humor with him, who could make him feel known, and cared for, and embarrassed all at the same time.

How can a word as simple as 'things' be transmuted so? Maia feels his face go a little hotter each time Csevet says it, ears lowering. It is not anger, or hurt, but awkward self-consciousness.

And then Csevet keeps talking, saying he isn't sure if he should offer guidance. He had, after all, taught Maia so many things. About politics, and the court, and social expectations, and a thousand things in between. But nothing so personal. Maia does not know whether Csevet is really offering. He feels a little prickle of humiliation (knowing, as he does, that Csevet knows much more about the facts of life than him, has doubtless has countless passionate and sophisticated and wonderful lovers) and at the same time, a strange hope. Could Csevet help him, to feel less lost, and ignorant, and foolish? Might such a thing be possible, here?

But no, he is overthinking, and probably misinterpreting, and it's all just a joke anyway, and Maia is left utterly not knowing what to say. He just stands there, awkward and utterly incapable of making himself speak. Fortunately, the elevator reaches the right floor before the silence becomes unbearable and Maia says: ]

Here - we are.

[It had been a joke, of course, a gentle tease, something to try to alleviate the pain of a particularly difficult topic, to perhaps set Maia at ease and give him some of the closeness and informality he'd asked for earlier. At first, it seems to work, at least to some extent. It's obvious that Maia is feeling self-conscious and a bit shy, his ears and cheeks go slightly pink under his cloudy-grey skin, by the way he holds his shoulders.

But then, Csevet thinks, he may have gone too far, because Maia isn't speaking, looking obviously flustered, and perhaps a bit confused. Blinking slightly, Csevet gives Maia an assessing look, his pale eyes searching his Emperor's expression in the silence, and when Maia speaks, he's stumbling a little over his words, trying to change the topic.

Ah.

For a moment, Csevet is quiet, and then he ducks his head, following Maia out of the elevator and into the hallway of the building. It's a little strange to see that the layout is different from the floor Csevet lives on - there are rows of doors instead of an open kitchen and bunks tucked away in corners, like a barracks.]

This is different than the floor we live on, Serenity. Ours is like the courier barracks, open and shared among many.

[ Maia is grateful, not for the first time, for Csevet's decorum. He's too observant to have missed how flustered his harmless statement had left Maia - and yet he had let it go without comment, without any sideways glances. He'd always had a sixth sense, for knowing when to just let things be, without Maia ever needing to ask, or explain. Maia no longer doubts that Cala and Beshelar both care for him deeply, but even they had never understood him the way Csevet seems to, almost by instinct.

It gives Maia a chance to regain his composure, as the two of them leave the elevator and move down the hall towards his little apartment. When he speaks next, his voice is normal once more - a little too normal, perhaps, but growing more natural as he keeps talking: ]

We have heard that there are such floors, and in truth we are glad we were not assigned one. It- is nice, to have a little privacy.

[ He remembers (and is sure Csevet is remembering, too) their brief, awkward conversation about Maia's lack of privacy, and his worries about disrupting Csevet's. Had that been a strange thing, for him to worry about? Not because it was strange to care about the quality of his servants lives - obviously not that - but because it was... too personal? Maia feels peculiar, remembering that, remembering their strained moment in the elevator just now, but he cannot put his finger on why. It is a mystery, and one he turns his attention away from quickly.

Maia opens the door to his little apartment, holding it open and, feeling a little surge of pleasure, holding the door open and gesturing for Csevet to go in, first. It is a very un-emperorly thing to do. ]

This is our new home.

[That remembered moment doesn't escape Csevet's notice, and neither does the inappropriateness of the moment when Maia holds the door open for him to enter first. It feels wrong, incredibly so, to walk first into the room ahead of his Emperor. But, steeling his nerve, he does it, and the world doesn't come to an end, the Emperor doesn't look offended - in fact, he looks quite pleased at it.]

We imagined you may not enjoy such...communal living, Serenity. We are used to it, personally, from our days as a courier, though we admit to enjoying the private quarters we were given in the Alcethmeret.

[And there it is, an acknowledgement of that awkward moment they'd previously shared. The moment where Csevet had had to admit, albeit in an oblique way, that he occasionally had company at his home. The tips of his ears start to flush again as he looks around at the small apartment, curious at how the Emperor would keep his space when left to his own devices, how he would decorate, how he would live.]

It is nicer than we had imagined it would be, this apartment.

[A slight pause, and he turns, looks at Maia again - with assessment, curiosity. That realization that had come to him earlier has not yet left, and it seems that Maia's naivete has, perhaps, some depths that even Csevet had not quite realized, just yet. After a moment of considering, he clears his throat, and glances back at Maia.]

Serenity...

[A pause, and then a little breath, slightly hitched.]

Maia. We wonder if perhaps our words earlier struck a chord deeper than intended, and if that is the case, we would apologize. And...

[A pause, as Csevet holds his breath, eyes on Maia, careful, assessing, before continuing.]

If if it were something Serenity would find useful, we would offer our guidance in any aspect of life here that we may be more...experienced in. [Another pause, and Csevet licks his lips, his one outward hint of anxiety over what he's offering.] Perhaps in exchange for Serenity's advice on adapting to this new world?

[ Maia feels a brief and unexpected pang of jealousy, when Csevet says the communal room reminds him of his days as a courier. It surprises him, that feeling. Why should he be jealous? Was it because he recognized some nostalgia or fondness in Csevet's tone and face, for the time in his life before the two of them had met? Was it thinking about all the friends Csevet had had at the time - the community of couriers, teaching each other, looking out for each other, living together and knowing one another... all while Maia had been locked up in Edonomee, pent up and alone so often that he became numb to it?

He tries to ignore the feeling, but he cannot resist offering: ]

Would you like us to ask if you might be moved? The people here are remarkably willing to make accommodations, and there are several empty rooms on this floor alone.

[ Perhaps it is selfish of him, now that he has Csevet back, to want him closer. Perhaps he should have said nothing at all. Hastily, Maia adds: ]

Of course, if you do not wish it, we would understand that. Things here need not be as they were in the Alcethmeret.

[ As soon as Csevet delicately brings the conversation back to their words in the elevator, Maia's ears flatten defensively. He doesn't deny it; what would be the point? But he does cross his arms, waiting for Csevet to finish. There's an awkward silence for a few moments, before Maia walks to the chair by the desk and sits in it, looking down at his hands as he considers. ]

You need not- I would not have you make such offers out of obligation, or duty, or pity. It is true that- that our knowledge is limited in this as in so many things. And yet the good of the Ethuveraz does not hang in the balance, as it so often did when you taught us before. You should not- Csevet, I cannot ask guidance of you on this, no matter how badly I may need it. It would be- an unfair imposition.

[It's rather a whiplash of emotions, as Maia speaks - first the faint, warm, crawling warmth of pleasure spreading at the fact that Maia wants him closer by, and then the rush of cold fear and sting of fear of rejection when Maia says things here need not be as they were in the Alcethmeret.

For a moment, Csevet looks at his Emperor, his eyes searching his face, his expression as neutral as he can make it, which is quite neutral indeed, trying to find the truth behind the contrasting statements.]

We may be interested in a move, an you wish it, Seren-

[A pause, and he exhales.]

Maia. [Another pause, more brief, before he continues, voice careful.] Were things here not as they were in the Alcethmeret, how would you wish them to be?

[And that's as close as he finds he can get to asking the question he truly wishes to ask. The change in subject is welcome, as Csevet is finding himself mildly flustered despite his calm demeanor, and he smiles slightly, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. Maia's ear are flattened with some emotion, whether embarrassment or annoyance, and he withdraws to a chair, folds his hands in the way he does when he's trying not to fidget, and the smile falls from Csevet's face altogether.]

There is no sense of obligation, or duty, or pity. We have always enjoyed offering our guidance to you when it was called for, and it would be no different in this place, regardless of topic.

Edited 2018-08-19 02:00 (UTC)

[ Maia picks at a straying thread on the cuff of his sleeve; the shirt he is wearing has long sleeves, despite the weather, because he still feels self-conscious baring his scarred arm in public. In his head, he can hear how Setheris would snarl if he could see Maia fiddling so, that he ought to sit with his hands folded and still, like someone civilized, and not a witless hobgoblin. But Setheris is not here, so what the hell. ]

It is not a matter of whether we wish it. That is what we are trying to tell you. It is your wishes that matter in this.

[ He makes himself look up, then, meeting Csevet's eyes with his, wanting to make sure he is listening and taking Maia's words seriously. ]

We are not your emperor, here. There is no need for you to defer to us. I- I would not have it so. It is so different here. We have found... a measure of freedom. We wish for you to enjoy the same.

[ Maia sucks in a slightly shaky breath, but he keeps his shoulders square, his ears up. There's a slight tremor in his voice, but it is conviction, just as much as it is nervousness. He has to say this. He has to be sure that Csevet understands. It is not an offer he could ever make, at court. But this is not court. And Csevet deserves better than to be saddled with him, without even considering things could be different. ]

Even if- even if the way you choose to use that freedom is to never once see us again until the day we are called to return home. I... [ The pause stretches longer than Maia means it to, but finally he manages: ] ...cannot deny I would miss thee, but you must not let that stop you. We swear we would hold no grudges, should you decide thus. We will offer no recriminations and we will do our utmost to respect your wishes.

Edited 2018-08-19 02:01 (UTC)

[Csevet can't quite help the way his eyes slide down to Maia's fingers as they tug at an errant thread on his cuff, watching the expressions on his face change as he speaks, as his level of formality wavers from the formal first to something more personal and then finally to the most casual, the most intimate. Csevet's ears go pink at the tips again, and he ducks his head for a moment before bringing it back up as Maia looks him in the face, making sure he's listening.

For a while, after Maia finishes, Csevet is quiet, going over the things his Emperor has said to him. That gnawing pit of cold fear is still in his gut, as he thinks it through, trying to work out the hidden meanings, only to remember that Maia is not one to generally speak in hidden meanings. That Maia usually speaks his mind, even when what he has to say sounds naive or too soft, too kind - and this is certainly too kind, the way Maia says that in this situation it is Csevet's wishes that matter, that he need not defer to Maia. There is a certain level of command in it, though, and Csevet believes what the Emperor is saying.

Strange, to think of him as the Emperor when Maia is saying so resolutely that he is not the Emperor here. There are a dizzying array of possibilities that rise up in the back of Csevet's mind at that, and he shuts down every one of them, locks them away, refuses to entertain them to even the smallest degree, even when Maia says 'cannot deny I would miss thee' and something in his gut seems to flop over.

Exhaling a long, slow breath, Csevet considers his words for a moment, and then speaks, his voice soft but very firm, his eyes on Maia's face, holding his gaze if he can.]

Serenity. Maia. We have mentioned before that serving you is our job, and that we are very happy with it, but we fear that we have perhaps not firmly enough stressed the latter part of that. We are very happy with our job.

[A pause, and another exhalation, carefully measured, eyes still holding Maia's.]

While we do enjoy secretarial duties, for we feel quite confident in our ability to carry them out and find satisfaction in so doing, our happiness with our position is not because of the work itself. We are glad...

[A careful breath.]

I am glad, Maia, to be next to you every day, and were I not, I would miss you on each of those days.

[ It is strange still, hearing Csevet's familiar voice calling him by his name. A good kind of strange, despite Maia's feeling of nervous trepidation, waiting for Csevet's answer. He had not wished to disturb or rush Csevet, had sat in perfect stillness and silence while he thought. But he is tense as a bowstring, waiting to hear.

When Csevet does speak, it is not at all what Maia was expecting. ]

Ah.

[ Maia cannot think what else to say. 'Good' would seem arrogant, self-satisfied, and anything more than a syllable is beyond his reach at present. Words aren't actually necessary, though. The moment Csevet says he would miss him, Maia smiles, shy and surprised and bright. He blinks rapidly, feeling tears of relief and happiness welling up. Maia half-laughs once, shaking his head and raising a hand to wipe discreetly at the corners of his eyes. The happiness in his chest feels like an expanding balloon. He wants to tell Csevet about that conversation with Cala, at the beginning of his reign. About how he feared he would be forced to go without friendship, or personal affection, or love, for the remainder of his days. Maybe he will tell him, sometime. But not just yet.

Instead he smiles, getting to his feet and saying: ]

We forgot to show you the common areas.

[ And, with a bit of a bounce in his step, he leads Csevet out of his apartment, wanting to show off the balcony, the kitchen, all these little places that are a part of his life, now, and that will be a tiny part of Csevet's too. As they're walking, Maia says, with much less fear than before: ]

Perhaps, then... if you swear it is not an intrusion, we will take you up on your offer of guidance. We have had success in asking others for help to learn about this place - it's ways and technology - but, uh... but for more personal matters, we could not.

[Maia doesn't say anything, but in truth he doesn't need to, not when he looks at Csevet with that expression of shy delight on his face, his eyes bright with tears, laughing softly and wiping at his face. Csevet smiles back, his cheeks rosy and pink-tipped ears lifting with pleasure at the exchange. He thinks that perhaps no other words need to be said, and Maia proves him correct when he simply smiles and stands up, leads Csevet out of the small apartment and into the common areas of the apartment.

Following after Maia is easy, and Csevet looks around the kitchen curiously. He's seen the appliances in his own floor, but he's never yet tried to use them. He's never had to cook before, not outside outdoor meals over a campfire when the need arose, so he's mostly been eating at restaurants, and has come to appreciate the simplicity of ordering takeout in this place, though it doesn't always agree with his stomach.]

Have you come to understand the stoves and other kitchen appliances?

[Csevet's voice is curious, his ears lifting a bit as he presses a hand against the stove, the counter, and then he follows Maia out to the balcony while the Emperor revisits the earlier topic about the possibility of Csevet teaching him techniques for more personal things. Licking his lips, Csevet glances over at Maia, hands resting delicately on the railing of the balcony, and then exhaling softly.]

Of course, Serenity. It is no burden or intrusion to share anything I know that may help.

[For a moment, he's quiet, and then his fingers tighten slightly against the balcony's edge, he swallows against the sudden lump in his throat, the feeling of fear that builds when he finally asks his question.]

We imagine your questions have to do with the topic of courtship? Is there someone here who you wish to court?

Yes ... partly. We are still learning the finer points. We have begun taking cooking classes.

[ He'd been starting from the absolute basics, but he has made a little progress. A thought occurs to him, sudden and wonderful precisely because it is so contrary to how things would have been at court, and Maia says brightly: ]

Perhaps I can make us a meal, later.

[ Maia follows Csevet out onto the balcony, mirroring his posture unconsciously. The city still looks so strange, but he has come to appreciate its beauty, too. The faint breeze is lovely, in the bright sunlight, and Maia looks down at the people below, going about their days. It's calming, to be so high up. The perfect setting for this conversation, all things told.

When Csevet asks if there is someone he wants to court, it catches Maia off-guard, and all that calm flies out the window. Quickly, a little too quickly, he says: ]

No! That is, uh, no, there is no one in particular. You... are correct that we wished to discuss courtship, but- there is something you do not know, that we must tell you before we go any further.

[ Maia's face feels hot, and he looks resolutely down at those small people below, keenly aware of Csevet standing beside him. ]

We- we do not doubt your discretion, Csevet, and yet we must insist that you do not tell anyone, ever, what we are about to tell you. We... had been seeing a little more of Dach’osmin Ceredin, shortly before we came here. She had been giving us dancing lessons. In that time, we came to know one another a little better, and she came to- to trust me with confidences she had not previously been able to share.

[ He is speaking slowly, in stops and starts, having difficulty framing the words. He had not told Csevet this yet, even in his own time. He had planned to. After the wedding. But putting it off in this place would lead to misunderstandings, so he forces himself to go on. ]

She has told me that... though she bears me no ill feeling, and freely consents to our marriage, her nature is- that is to say... her inclinations are towards women. She knew, her whole life, that it was her duty to be married, to bear heirs. She knows that- we have just as little freedom in this matter as she does. So- so we both have agreed to be friends, and to- share one another's bed only insofar as we must, to provide the kingdom with heirs. We will not ask her for more, and she will not ask it of us. In sooth, we were happy to make the arrangement. And if she should fall for a woman in the court, we will find a way, with the utmost discretion, to accommodate her and to allow her as much freedom and happiness as possible.

[ That was one reason he'd known he would have to tell Csevet. It would take some doing, he is sure. But he knows that Csevet will be up to the task.

Maia sighs, feeling like he has been talking for an hour, at least. He turns to look at Csevet, expression nervous. What would he think? Would he be offended? Annoyed? Shocked? ]

We- we tell you this so you will understand that... should we- if we did find someone we wished to court, here, it would not be a betrayal to her.

Edited 2018-08-20 00:25 (UTC)

[The image of Maia cooking is both surprising and strangely appealing. Csevet can imagine it more easily than he'd thought he would, and the image is quite...well, adorable, frankly. For a few moments, Csevet happily imagines it, how the Emperor would look with his sleeves rolled up a little, perhaps making a meat pie or something similar, but his train of thought is interrupted when Maia offers to make them a meal later, and Csevet's eyes widen, his ears flatten, he pulls in a quick breath of surprise.

It's strange, how quickly that feeling of something being so wrong, so inappropriate can wash over him so quickly and drive all pleasantness from his mind, particularly jarring when he realizes how nice it sounds to eat a meal with Maia. It's something he's thought about, privately, how it would feel to simply sit down and share a meal with Maia, to speak as friends or something else, conversing while eating, about things that had nothing to do with the organization of the Emperor's schedule or the matters of the house. But it isn't something he'd ever thought would be appropriate, isn't a fantasy he would've shared with anyone else, and now Maia is offering it, at least for the most part, and to prepare the meal himself.]

Serenity! We wouldn't ask you to cook food for us! Whether we are here or in the Ethuveraz, you are not our servant.

[It doesn't really occur to him that Maia might want to cook, as an act of affection rather than an act of servitude. Cooking has simply always been a chore one must do for those above, in Csevet's mind.

But the matter is brushed from his thoughts when Maia stutters that he isn't interested in anyone particular here, and Csevet feels a shameful rush of relief at it. Quickly on the heels of relief comes something else, a sort of trepidation, when Maia says that they have to discuss something before they go any further. Nodding, Csevet keeps his eyes on Maia's face, even as Maia turns away from him.]

We would like to hear what is on your mind, Serenity.

[It's quiet, a soft encouragement, and then Maia is speaking, all of it coming out of him like water pouring from a punctured waterskin - in surges and drips, as he pauses and stumbles over his words. Csevet keeps his face carefully neutral, feeling a twist in his gut as Maia mentions spending more time with Dach'osmin Ceredin, that they had been learning dancing, sharing intimacies. Perhaps, then, the wish to learn about courtship is about her, the future Empress - Csevet can't blame Maia for his interest. Dach'osmin Ceredin is, after all, an admirable woman, strong-willed and interesting, and it had been Csevet himself who angled to have her chosen for Maia, precisely because he thought they would be a good match both in personality and politics.

Still, it's a bit of a sting, until Maia says that her inclinations are towards women. Csevet's brows raise slightly at that, and he makes a soft noise of consideration in his throat, eyes searching Maia's face. And as Maia finishes off his explanation, Csevet exhales softly and smiles.]

We are not surprised to learn this thing, and word of it will never cross our lips. Indeed, we offer our assistance in any way to arrange for both your comfort and that of the future Empress when we return to the Court.

[In truth, even if Maia did intend to 'betray' Dach'osmin Ceredin, Csevet would have kept it to himself, though he wouldn't have entirely considered it betrayal. After all, most Emperors and Empresses, and indeed most people at court with marriages arranged by others, tended to have the occasional lover aside from their spouse. Still, it is a relief to hear from Maia that he respects his future bride to that extent.]

In sooth, we are glad to hear it. If you were to take a lover here, we would not have breathed a word of it once returning home, nor judged you for it regardless, but it is good to know and reinforces our perception of you.

[And cements his affection for Maia, his respect. That much is unspoken, but he believes it obvious in the words he did not speak.]

[ Maia exhales, shoulders loosening a little with relief. No words of reproach, no righteous indignation on his behalf, no dire predictions of scandal and ruin. In fact, Csevet is... significantly less surprised than even Maia had expected. It is true that in general, Csevet is unflappable and calm, but he seems almost as if it is, if not expected, at least not unexpected. ]

Thank you, Csevet. I knew that I was not wrong to trust you.

[ But now that he had gotten over that hurdle, another presents itself. Maia goes silent, staring out at the horizon. He swallows, opening his mouth and the closing it again. His ears dip a little with fear, but he makes himself speak, a touch croaky. ]

It sounds to us as if you see nothing wrong with Csethiro's inclinations. We dare to think, after your kindness to Mer Celehar, and the way you have always spoken, that perhaps you do not share, uh. Share our cousin's... ill opinions on such things.

[ Maia thinks that Csevet had interacted with Setheris enough to fill in the rest. He had seen glimpses of Setheris's cruelty, his capacity for judgment and hatred and scorn. His hatred of anyone or anything not like him, and that he could not control. Maia swallows, heart hammering hard. He gives a tiny shrug and finishes, in a rather strangled voice: ]

As for ourself... as for me, I have never had much call or opportunity to- to discover what my own inclinations might be. You saw... how Edonomee was, and then the moment I came to court, you advised me to pick an empress. It was never... relevant, before. So- so I am. Uh. I am... unsure.

[ A hint of a plea comes into his voice, and he twists his hands together, studiously avoiding looking at Csevet. ]

You offered me guidance. Please, Csevet. Is that strange? To- to not know?

[When Maia thanks him and says that he knew he was not wrong to trust him, Csevet ducks his head and smiles his assent, his understanding. As always, it is a relief and a pleasure to be trusted by Maia, and he flushes at the compliment. Then Maia is hesitating as if he is about to ask a difficult question, and Csevet stills, eyes on him as he carefully, tentatively addresses the issue of whether Csevet disapproves of Csethiro's inclinations, that he hadn't been inclined to think he disapproved of Mer Celehar either.

Of course, from how Maia is speaking and his reaction to his future Empress' admission, Csevet doesn't believe that Maia thinks ill of those types of inclinations, but feels hesitant to admit too much about himself without confirmation of such.]

You are correct. We see nothing wrong with Dach'osmin Ceredin's inclinations, nor Mer Celehar's.

[For the moment, he leaves it at that, because Maia is continuing to speak, explaining that he's had no call or opportunity to discover what his own inclinations might be, after being raised in Edonomee and having the Court impose an Empress on him. Or rather, having Csevet advise him to pick an Empress - that makes him cringe slightly, internally, knowing that he'd had no choice and yet that he'd added to Maia's current confusion.]

We assure you, Serenity, it is quite common not to know one's own inclinations when one has not had the opportunity to explore them. If it is not too forward to of us to ask, have you had any inklings of interest?

[It's a tentative question, and spoken gently.]

[ Even with a gentle as Csevet's words are, Maia feels a rising panic in him. And yet, underneath that fear, there is a kind of nervous excitement, too. Csevet is the closest thing he has ever had to a friend - a best friend, in whom he could confide things he dared not tell anyone else.

It takes time. Despite his trust in Csevet, Maia has many long years training to be cautious. He has no practice, speaking honestly about himself. So, at first, he only gives a very small nod. Answering would be easier, if he were totally ignorant. But the truth is, some part of him has been wondering for longer than he can say. ]

There was... Min Vechin. I knew she was merely... flattering me, but I still let her, because I found her very beautiful.

[ But that was something Csevet already knew. Everyone had seen that well enough. Maia had not thought to hide his attraction to her, his awkward schoolboy crush. Maia's ears dip low, and his voice sinks to a mere whisper. ]

And- for a brief time... I no longer do but at one point I felt... I would not allow myself to put words to it, yet- yet I... uh. I- very much liked... spending time with Nurevis.

[ His face feels as hot as a stove, and he doesn't want to look at Csevet, but cannot stop himself from glancing up, expression half terror, half relief over his confession. He had not said it, even to Csethiro as they made their arrangement. He hadn't even let himself really think it, properly, until this moment. His stomach feels as if it has been twisted into knots. ]

Edited 2018-08-20 02:32 (UTC)

monthly mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)