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

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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. )

[Being with Billy and Loki makes him happy too, regardless of what's happened in the past. Maybe he's not-- quite to this point with Loki, and maybe they'll never be as serious with each other they are with Billy-- but none of that matters. As long as they all care about each other, as long as they're all working towards the same goal to just be happy together--

That's all he can ask for.

And he's happy. He feels like he belongs again, like he isn't alone.

Especially when Billy grins at him in a way that makes his heart skip a beat. He stays still as Billy's fingers wrap around his cock, breath catching at the friction-- god.]

B--

[The name leaves him roughly as Billy starts to sink down on him, take him down so deep. Just the visual of Billy's lips wrapped tight around him,, his cock disappearing between those lips is enough to send a jolt of pleasure through him.]

( it takes time for billy to sink down, careful not to push himself too hard because no one wants to choke on a dick. not really. his throat constricts around teddy, and billy takes a moment to breathe before sinking down lower. it's good, but what's better is the way teddy says his name, how his normally soft tone goes that much darker.

if that's what he gets for sucking him off, billy's more than happy to do this more often. as it is, he pulls his mouth back a bit, strokes his fingers up teddy's cock as his mouth moves up, then sinks down once more. moans loud around him as his tongue presses flat against the underside, drags along veins.

they've got time to mess around, and billy certainly doesn't mind staying down here a while longer. )

God-- Billy.

[His voice comes out rough as Billy keeps sinking down further, more than Teddy actually expected him to attempt. It's a struggle to remember that he promised to stay still, to not touch when he wants nothing more than to reach for him, to trace his fingertips wherever he can reach. His muscles tremble with the effort and he tips his head forward to watch.]

You're amazing, you know.

( the compliment earns teddy a low moan before billy's shifting weight onto his forearm and raising himself back up, eyes watching teddy while his fist follows his mouth up, strokes against him softly as he moves. lips press around the ridge of the head, tongue sweeping under--and then he's pulling off entirely, giving a mischievous grin. )

What do you want, T?

Unfair, B.

[He manages, voice suddenly rougher and breathier. Billy is really unfairly good with his mouth and he almost presses up, seeking more of that slick warmth, the press of his tongue--

Asking him to think when he's so distracted already...]

I thought I was all yours? You're calling the shots... You want to keep teasing me with that gorgeous mouth of yours? Get up here and ride me? Or do you want to get inside me? You know I can't say no to you, B...

[Or he could, but why on earth would he want to? Especially when Billy has been a wonderful boyfriend...

He gives a playful grin, maybe to just hide a bit of nervousness. But it's Billy, and the worst that can happen? Is he won't be into it and they'll move on to something else.]

You know, you can take advantage of my shapeshifting whenever you want too. I won't be offended if you want to blow Aragorn or Thor, you know.

[... Although he might reserve the right to tease him later.]

( it is billy, and the absolute worst that could happen here is an easy shrug and a "nah, maybe later". but the fact that teddy's offering, the words that are coming out of his mouth--it earns him a nice, soft smile. maybe this isn't the place for soft smiles, but that's what he's getting anyway. and billy's shifting his weight up, pressing knees into the mattress on either side of teddy's hips to kiss him softly moments before he slouches down to start biting marks into the curve of his neck. )

God, Teddy. Have I told you lately that you're amazing? Like, absolutely perfect. And you smell really nice, too. ( with his nose digging in below teddy's jawline, nuzzling in close. ) Definitely not Thor. Not after Loki.

( psa: not a great idea to fantasize about banging your boyfriend's brother. has he had some wet dreams involving thor? undeniably. but still. )

What if I wanted to blow Jon Snow?

[It's always time for Billy to smile that way at him, as far as he's concerned -- it means he's doing something right, something to make Billy happy. He lets out a low noise, tilting his head to offer more room for Billy to explore.]

Mm... well, I do try. I like keeping my equally amazing boyfriend happy. [He lets out a breathless laugh.] Okay, no Thor.

[And god-- okay. His boyfriend is a total nerd... maybe that's one of the many reasons he loves him so much.]

Then you can have Jon Snow. Any way you want, as a matter of fact. But I reserve the right to call you a nerd still.

( bites and kisses line the side of teddy's neck, teeth digging in hard enough to leave bruises even if they won't last that long. it's the thought that counts, right? he's thinking he'd definitely like to mark teddy if he could. each bite is lavished with his tongue before he moves on to the next, humming soft as billy slowly starts moving his way south--a collar, a nice pec. )

I don't know if you've noticed, but you're also a nerd. It's one of the many reasons I like you so much. That, and your nice smell. ( among every other thing he can think of. those cute dimples, the soft way teddy smiles when he's happy. how he knows when billy needs someone to touch and hold him close, how he knows without words when he needs space. teddy's dumb nerdy jokes. how attentive he is, god. ) You know. . I've got my magic, too. Could probably illusion myself into someone. .

( for now, he lets loose some it. lets magic-fizzed fingers trail across teddy's stomach, grope along a thigh. ) There are a lot of different ways we can mess around.

[He can't quite stop the hungrier moan that leaves him at those harder bites, shamelessly pressing up. He doesn't have to be embarrassed with Billy after all.]

Huh, that's funny... those are the same reasons I like you. And maybe a little bit because you're entirely unashamed to be a giant nerd. [And so many other reasons, honestly. He shifts a little, watching that magic form along Billy's fingers and fade out, another noise tangling in his throat.]

God, B-- like what other ways?

I learned a long, long time ago that being ashamed of being myself wouldn't get me anywhere. ( long before teddy, actually. teddy was something absolutely amazing that came along--partially because billy wasn't ashamed of who he is. maybe he's not happy with himself, sometimes. maybe he wishes he could be better, be something else. but teddy's always loved him just as he is, and that's enough. ) Even just the nerdy parts.

( lips stop their trail down over a nipple, parting to let his tongue drag over the bit of sensitive skin, eyes still focused up on teddy's own as he lets himself go a bit--eyes glowing a soft blue as those magic-fizzed fingers turn a bit. staticy. )

We'll just have to experiment a bit, I guess.

I know... You know that's one of the things that made me fall in love with you, right? [Because Teddy had never been like that before Billy -- sometimes, he still wasn't, not as much as he wants to be at least.] I love all your parts, actually...

[He lets out another noise, tilting his head back for a moment because it's hard to focus when Billy is looking up at him like that. He doesn't think it's a secret he finds it attractive when Billy uses his magic... and the way his eyes glow like that--

He lets out a breathless laugh.]

We've got time to do just that...

[And he's got time to do that shifting he promised Billy -- his hair growing darker and longer, his body changing until there's one Jon Snow under him.]

Is this what you had in mind, Kaplan?

( it'd be weirder to see jon snow under him if billy didn't already have plenty of experience with teddy's ability to flawlessly take on others' shapes. it does give him a moment's pause, fingers sifting over the shape of abs that are definitely different than they had been moment's prior. but it's still teddy, that's what matters. )

I've realized this makes it a bit harder, I might feel a little bad for bullying Jon Snow, after everything. . ( there's a small flicker of something in his eyes before that static energy becomes more--shocky. just a bit, like something tickling along the surface of teddy's skin, just enough to raise hairs. ) So it's good it's Teddy that I'm bullying.

[It is a talent -- right down to nailing the voice. Maybe an irresponsible use of his power, but eh-- it's Billy. And it's their bedroom.

And Billy is so distracting anyway. He arches slightly under Billy's finger, the electricity just enough to leave his skin tingling.]

You're enjoying it too, admit it, Kaplan.

( playing around with powers in the privacy of their own room, their own bed isn't--really a problem. it's just fun, they both know what they're getting into. but billy's well-aware of how teddy had been treated before joining the young avengers. the damage that had done.

it's been years and years, now. but he wants to be careful not to repeat that. )

I am. ( mouth hovering over teddy's ribcage before he's leaning down and pressing a hard kiss into the center of his chest, letting electricity bounce off of his lips. ) Because I love you, and I love being able to touch you--regardless of what shape you're in.

[Billy wouldn't do that to him -- certainly not intentionally. It's one of the reasons it's easy to change himself, to see how Billy reacts to his abilities --

And honestly, there is some fun to be had in playing with it.

Especially if it encourages Billy to play a little. His skin tingles with electricity and his breath catches as it travels along his nerves. Arching up, he bites at his lower lip.]

I love you too, B... [He answers, breathless.] Is the stay-still rule over? Because you're making it hard to not want to touch a little, you know...

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monthly mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

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