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

If he does, I'll wrap him up into a burrito and throw him out into the ocean.

( a knee presses down into the sand beside teddy's thigh, opposite leg swinging over his lap. )

We could make out a little first, before all that.

[His arms settle around Billy's waist when he settles on his lap and he leans in to brush a kiss to his lips.]

Oh, really? If Tommy interrupts this, I'll throw him into the ocean myself.

[Look, you just don't interrupt making out. Not when they're finally free to do so without the Kaplans potentially catching them.]

I'd like to see that.

( but not now, not with teddy so close, with his lips against the other's own. now, billy just wants to smear kiss after kiss against his lips, pausing to nip softly into his lower lip with a soft, pleased sound.

making out in public is still a little weird, but. whatever, they can do what they want. )

[He lets out a soft, pleased noise as he meets each of those kisses, his fingers sliding up over his back softly. It's definitely-- a little like they're very exposed at the moment. It's a strange feeling, but not a bad one.

Not when Billy is doing that.

After the soft nip to his lower lip, he chases Billy for a deeper kiss, coaxing his lips to part so his tongue can dip inside.]>

( no one's going to care about watching them kiss. and it feels nice, being out here on the beach like this, pressed so close to teddy, knees digging into sand.

billy huffs out a soft laugh, sucks on the tip of teddy's tongue when it presses between lips and combs through the hair at the nape of his neck, fingertips drawing patterns in soft hair. )

[When the kiss ends, Teddy tips his forehead against Billy's, meeting his eyes fondly.]

You know, I'm pretty sure I could never get tired of kissing you...

( nothing quite like getting cavities from your overly cute boyfriend. both hands move to cup cheeks, thumbs sliding against the skin just passed the corner of teddy's lips with a pleased hum. )

I don't think I'll ever get tired. . of your cute dimples.

Why do you think I keep them around?

[He teases, leaning in to brush his lips to Billy's lightly.]

They make it so much easier to talk you into things.

( another kiss, then another--it's hard to stop once he's gotten started, kissing teddy is amazing. but he does pause to speak in between, voice muffled against the corner of his lips. )

Should I be concerned? What are you talking me into today?

Well, I didn't mean right now. Just-- you know. It's always on my side, if I need it. Just like you've got your ways of convincing me into stuff.

[He lets out a quiet laugh as he tilts his head, brushing his lips over Billy's jaw affectionately.]

If you want-- I can probably think of a thing or two though...

I don't need ways.

( hands press flat against teddy's shoulders, holding onto him gently as he leans in, nuzzles in against a cheekbone. )

Please works well enough, doesn't it?

You're right, but you could at least pretend you don't have me wrapped around your little finger, right?

[He leans in against that nuzzling and slides his arms around Billy, holding him a bit closer.]

Mm, that's less fun.

( another kiss, and billy moves to put pressure against one of his palms. tries to push teddy back into the sand. )

I love you, you love me. . we don't need to pretend otherwise, do we?

[He lets Billy push him back, hands sliding down to rest against Billy's hips, just wanting to touch still.]

No, we don't... I wouldn't dream of hiding how I feel about you, B. I love you more than anything... You know that, right?

It's a little hard to miss.

( but he gives teddy a soft smile regardless, moves to rest a forearm in the sand above his head and presses several more kisses against his mouth. )

Want to come back to the sandcastles later? Take this somewhere more. . private?

Mm, I like the sound of that, Kaplan.

[He leans up, pressing his lips to Billy's jawline, trailing down to map over whatever skin he can reach.]

You've got me thoroughly distracted from sand anyway.

You got it. Let's go home, then.

( should he ask before teleporting them? probably. but it's fine, they've got more important things to worry about right now than asking for permission to get places. like the soft landing onto the mattress of their room and all the sand they'll have to get out of the blankets later.

billy moves his own hands south, grabs onto teddy's wrists and slowly starts dragging them up, towards the headboard. )

Think you can behave for me for a little while?

[If Teddy was that unsettled, he wouldn't be dating guys who can teleport at the drop of a hat. It just means he doesn't have to lose Billy's weight and heat pressing down against him-- or really, move at all before his back hits the soft mattress in their bedroom. He huffs out a laugh.

They'll worry about the sand later. Maybe if he flashes his dimples enough, Billy can make up a spell to send it away to some unknown location...

Right now? Billy is so much more interesting. He arches a brow curiously when Billy grabs at his wrists, letting him guide them up. If Billy wants to take charge-- well.]

For you? Anything, B.

( he tries to keep teddy's attention, anyway. it's good that it isn't that hard to do: teddy is just as enamored with billy as billy is with him. a soft kiss presses to teddy's lips before he gives a soft hum, puts pressure down against those wrists before releasing them entirely. )

Good, that's what I want to hear.

( hands slide back down, trailing over teddy's ribcage, over his stomach, stopping at hips as he slides his way down the body below his, moving down until billy's settled down between his legs. )

No touching, got it?

[Teddy's breath hitches just slightly as he obediently keeps his hands pressed to the bed-- although it doesn't stop him from arching slightly into Billy's touch, relishing in the contact. He just said Teddy couldn't touch, right? Not that he couldn't try to seek it out.

He looks down at Billy through half-lidded eyes, giving a bit of a smile.]

I won't move my hands an inch, promise... although I hope you appreciate it's not easy with you.

I do. ( teddy moving is cute, and billy's entirely into it. eyes follow the way his body arches up, the corners of his lips curving up into a smile. hands slide down further still, fingers tucking into the waistband of teddy's swim trunks to start pulling them down, over thighs. )

But you're also very distracting, T. I love how you touch me, but sometimes I just want to spoil you.

( right now is a good time, right? they've got this whole room all to themselves, no parents to burst in, as much time as they want to spend with each other. swim trunks pushed down as far as they'll go, and billy has to pause to murmur a soft spell, wishing them completely off. )

So it's my turn to be attentive.

[Teddy moves a little to at least try and help him tug down his swim trunks, although he's careful to not move his hands. His expression softens at those words, warmth spreading through him that has absolutely nothing to do arousal.

Though there is plenty of that too.

But he really does have a lovely, amazing boyfriend. When Billy uses magic to take his clothes off the rest of the way, he lets out a low, breathy laugh and relaxes back against the bed.]

God, you really are amazing, B. Still say I'm a lucky guy.

Pretty sure I'm the lucky one here. ( fingers wrap gingerly around the base of teddy's cock, giving him a few soft strokes while billy focuses on kissing up the "v" above his hips, nipping into skin hard enough to leave marks on. well. anyone who wasn't a skrull/kree hybrid who heals in four seconds. )

You're absolutely gorgeous, on the inside and out. You're a dream come true.

( which. is what fucked them over when loki was playing mind games. not that any of that matters much now. lips stop just above the base of an erection, eyes focused up onto blue. )

And nothing will ever, ever make me stop loving you.

Maybe we're both lucky. [His breath catches at the touch, at the sting of Billy's bite that just sends a jolt of want through him, cock hardening under all the attention he's being lavished with.

It's sort of unfair, how Billy always seems to know just how to get to him, but in this case? It's not something he's very inclined to complain about either.]

You're biased, just a little bit.

[His expression softens despite the warmth washing over him. He'd been-- an idiot, honestly-- maybe not for falling for those mind games. Loki is Loki and tricking people is a specialty. But for not realizing sooner that-- it just doesn't matter. Even if it had been true, Teddy is still right where he wants to be. No amount of lying could ever make that untrue.]

I know, B.

[Whatever insecurities, Teddy knows that much at least. He can't imagine a day where Billy would look at him and tell him he doesn't... and he really doesn't want to. He lets out a breath -- and god, Billy looks so good where he is at the moment.]

You know it's the same for me, right?

I do. I know. ( he knows that teddy loves him. that this is what's right, that despite all their stupid, petty fights--being with teddy and loki is what makes him happy. having all three of them together is amazing, and the fact that teddy and loki are getting there, too? is amazing. this is what he wanted.

and billy gives teddy a wide grin as he keeps between his legs, shifts his weight onto a forearm as the fingers wrapped around his dick give teddy a few more soft strokes, before he's leaning down to press a kiss right to the head. )

Wouldn't put in all this effort otherwise.

( which is. all the warning he gives teddy, before those lips part over the head of his cock and slowly, slowly starts sinking his mouth down onto his length, lips curled around teeth to make sure he doesn't. scrape them too hard against sensitive skin as billy takes teddy down his throat. )

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