riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: MEMORIA

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: MEMORIA

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Memoria Commemoration
when: May 1st - May 8th
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

memoria

In the days leading up to May 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Memoria. A more solemn celebration than Sampremi or the Flower Festival, Memoria is a week-long time of remembrance for those lost in the Great War and the epidemic that decimated Riverview Quarantine's population 10 years ago. Memoria traditions include lighting lanterns for the dead, telling stories about lost loved ones or lost homes, eating meals with loved ones, and a special gathering to send floating lanterns down the river in honor of those lost.

a solemn commemoration of those lost

While the main city-wide event associated with Memoria is the floating of lanterns down the river on the evening of May 8th, the holiday is generally seen as a time of reflection on and appreciation of things that have been lost - people, homes, cultures, and planets. It is also a celebration of the things that remain. Many locally-owned shops will host displays of culturally-significant food, and will hand out informational flyers sharing the unique customs of their own homeworlds. There is a heavy emphasis on sharing time with family, friends, and lovers, and anyone who is able to will cook meals or treats for loved ones, or at least purchase them something good to eat.

i. hanging lanterns

Throughout the entire week of Memoria, residents will be hanging lanterns around the city. Lanterns are generally placed in greater number in places of passage - streets, bridges, and all alongside the train lines are particularly well-decorated, as are any trees alongside paths, and most homes and businesses have a profusion of lanterns around their doors and windows. This tradition is twofold; some people believe that the lanterns are hung in these places in order to guide the spirits of the dead back to those who still love them, other people believe that the lanterns are to give light for living loved ones to find their doors in times of darkness...many people believe both.

No matter what your character might believe, you can be sure they will find themselves offered a lantern for free from various businesses or friendly citizens passing by, and invited to hang it before the sun sets, or they may be handed a bundle of lanterns and asked to help share them with others.

ii. sharing life

Throughout the city, characters will find groups of people gathering to share hot drinks and talk about their loved ones lost, their homes and planets, or their experiences during the Great War and the epidemic. Anyone who has lost someone, who has fought to survive, who is feeling cut off and homesick, is welcome to sit and share their story. If your character chooses to sit and to share their story, they will find that people will gather to listen, will generally be respectful of the telling, and may share their own similar experiences in return. This is an excellent time to air grief in an environment where most people understand and respect grief, and a good time to deepen the connections to others around you, to understand them better.

There is also a very large focus on cooking or purchasing meals or treats for loved ones during Memoria, with many people taking meals with everyone they care about during the week of the holiday. Some go the extra mile and will hand out baked goods (usually chocolate or cinnamon), packets of candy, or other little treats to acquaintances, especially if they would like to form a closer bond with them. This is a great time for characters to reach out to someone they would like to get to know better with a surprise treat!

iii. floating of the lanterns

On the evening of May 8th, just before sundown, many of the city's residents will head toward the banks of the river, where they will light lanterns in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, in honor of their dead loved ones. The types of lanterns vary wildly, based on personality (either of the person floating it or the person they are honoring), culture, and many other factors. Some lanterns are very simple, others are incredibly complex, but the one common feature they all have is that people write on the shades of them - they write about their feelings for their loved ones, their wishes for their relationships and friendships, a memory from childhood or home, or even just lines of poetry or lyrics from songs that express something they miss, or something that hurts them.

Once those emotions are written on the lanterns, the lanterns are set free, floating down the river in the darkening evening, in a cathartic gesture shared by most residents of the city. Waves of lantern floating will start around 7 pm and continue until the sun rises on the morning of May 9th.

iv. 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 Memoria, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: glowconcepts, image ii: by trenchmaker, image iv: cherryorange; image iii: found uncredited on Pinterest - please let the mod know if you find credit!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ What good is a Shield who doesn't stand by his King? Well, he hasn't had the talk with him yet, but given the intimate nature of this festival, this might be as good a time as any to broach the topic.

Which is why Gladio is here. It's one thing to stand by one's sister to mourn the loss of your family and friends who fell to the Niffs, it's quite another to stand in the presence of one's monarch and watch him when he's most vulnerable. Gladio feels his hands tighten in to fists at Noct's indecisiveness.

Just when is he gonna get this done and over with?! He's got shit to talk to him about! ]

...Hey. [ He's gone and spoken out loud without even thinking. Well, damage is done. Might as well see if Noct answers. ]

[All things considered, Noctis thinks he deserves a little more credit than that for actually picking up lanterns and coming over here. He's doing well, aside from flinging pens all over the place and thinking too much.

But, ah- Gladio. Does he really have to interrupt now...]

What? [he's clearly busy??]

[ Gladio should really ease up, and part of him is aware of this. But with the arrival of his friends and a clearly changed Ignis, Gladio has been chomping at the bit for a chance to talk candidly about this.

He won't just blurt it out, though. It's enough of an intrusion to interrupt Noct as he tries to put his feelings into words - a near constant problem for the introvert. ]

...You're doing one of those too? [ Obviously, and for a moment Gladio drops his head down and to the side as if telling himself that was the most lame captain obvious statement to date before scrubbing at the back of his neck and continuing. ]

You, uh... need a hand?

[That first question actually gets Noctis to look up and over his shoulder at Gladio, eyebrow raised. Ob...viously, he is sitting here looking at lanterns because he's "doing those," come on dude.

But it's the offer for help that actually surprises him - he's expecting Gladio to all but kick his lanterns into the water and yell at him to get over it, right now, so the exact opposite of that scenario is a bit out of left field. Hmm.]

I... guess so. Sure. [why are you acting the way you are, #suspicion] I only brought one pen.

[ Gladio gives a flat stare before he begins stooping down, investigating the area for any of those aforementioned pens Noctis has been flinging around in frustration. One of them has got to be around there somewhere, right? ]

It's fine, you just keep doin' what you're doin' -- pretty sure I saw you drop a dozen or so around here...

[ He... might be at this for a while. Which is good, because he might be angling, grasping for the right words to transition this less awkwardly toward the burning question on his mind. It also allows him to pointedly avoid eye-contact, where Noct's surprise is altogether too real and aimed at how unlike him it is to not light his ass up for moping. ]

...I just had to do one of these myself. [ Judging from his tone, it wasn't willingly. ]

[Great, they can both focus on looking at other things. Noctis goes back to looking at his lanterns, only occasionally glancing at Gladio like he's waiting for the other shoe to drop. Which he might be, a little.

A significant amount. But whatever. From Gladio's tone and the fact that he already ran into Iris before, Noctis can put together how his own lantern time went. Hmm.]

Oh. [What does he say to that? "Sorry I am once again taking so damn long"?? He's not going to say that.] Well, at least you got it done.

[ Well, at least you got it done. It's a pointed statement, as if Noctis is anticipating the judgmental jab even before he strikes, and it reminds Gladio of their ugly argument on the train. He didn't regret his words until much later, when Ignis spoke out and drew into light the growing rift that would have likely torn them all apart if he hadn't at that point been the voice of reason.

The conviction within kept him from owning full responsibility, but he deferred to the reason in Ignis' stance. But it was effective now as the experience of the setting of their lanterns was with his sister. Iris played her own part in this by making Noct's struggle his own, by forcing him to deal with what he was content with letting pass by with little drama. ]

Yeah. But I also had help.

[ Iris. Noct has no little sister to play the role as conduit or catalyst for his grief. ]

...What's the last thing you remember? About your dad, I mean.

[To say Noctis doesn't want to have this conversation with Gladio of all people is an understatement. Their argument is fresh in his mind - obviously, since he was just having it before coming to this place. He supposes this is happening, though, and if he's not being yanked around and shouted at, he can do it without storming off. Probably.

But damn okay just bust out the big guns immediately, okay. It's lucky Noctis isn't trying to write anything right now, or he'd scribble on this lantern for how abruptly he freezes for a couple seconds.]

Besides when he told us to leave like nothing was wrong? [Alright, but less bitter-] That thing kind of sticks around.

[ Noctis is a quiet guy, except when those emotions of his well up and spill over past the considerable barrier he erects. He's prone to brooding and that part of him grates on Gladio, who has only just started to recognize Ignis' words of wisdom to back the fuck off now and again.

He doesn't know if they'll ever see eye-to-eye (haha) with regards to Noctis and how to best raise the princeling to the position of future king. But after all he's been through, he's willing to at least consider other options. Old habits, as it turns out, are incredibly hard to overcome. ]

That's old history, get over it. [ Shit, he was harsh again. Gladio grimaces at himself and resumes his fruitless search for a pen. ] What about after that?

...With us, maybe?

[Ah. That fleeting, uncertain thought that Gladio was not going to be a prick is immediately dashed on the rocks, as expected. It's a credit either to a newfound ability of Noctis' to not start yelling back immediately or just his resignation to Gladio being like this that has him scowling and scoffing as he looks over his shoulder at him, but otherwise doesn't start a fight.

However much good it will do him not to react, since Gladio always seems to want the opposite out of him no matter the action.]

The train. After—after Altissia. You don't need to get on my ass again, I heard you.

[ That tone sets Gladio on edge, unable to keep himself from nearly interrupting. ] - That's not what I'm talking about!

[ After Altissia. After the fight. Okay, this is painting a clearer picture for him, and that settles down the Shield's impatience. ]

...Then you know about Iggy.

[ The elephant in the room - Ignis, the one standing among them in this Quarantine, isn't the one they both remember. Gladio's hand closes around one of the discarded pens and he brings it back, standing above and behind Noctis. ]

You're not planning on telling him, are you?

[Noctis only frowns again, at first, like he could argue but just doesn't feel like it now. He's made his point and Gladio has accepted it - maybe. Whatever.

But to the point: Ignis. Of course he knows about Ignis and of course already having lied to him when he saw him, even if by omission, has gnawed at him. But.]

He'd want to know, [he offers to Gladio, simply, like it's anything close to simple. His posture changes, moving to lean back on one of his hands and look up more openly. It's not easy but it's easier to talk about something besides himself. So.] I didn't say anything.

[Another pause, and he holds up his hand. Give him his dang pen.] If he finds out later, he'll be pissed.

[ The tension starts to relax in his shoulders at the response, a mix of resignation and relief. This festival is bad enough, the last thing he wants is to have an awkward talk with Ignis. ]

Yeah. [ Noct is right, he would be pissed. But that's a risk he's willing to take. He's just seen the old Ignis back with a smile that breaks his damn heart just when he thought he'd never see it again. ] Never really let all that whole alternate universe crap sink in until I saw him.

[ Gladio lowers his chin and leans his head to the side, studying Noct's expression carefully. Decides for both of them that this isn't something that Noctis should have to worry about. He slaps the pen flat against the palm of his hand and holds it there, hand tightening around Noctis'. Leans in for emphasis. ]

I'll be the one to break it to him. Leave it to me, understand?

[Must he slap the pen. Noctis blinks at him, brow furrowing, but a challenge to Gladio's insistence on telling Ignis isn't coming. Ignis will be angry when he finds out and then, probably, to Noctis, quietly disappointed—he probably won't even say it out loud, but it will be there. That's fine; Noctis is used to Ignis' quiet disappointment in his choices by now.

Totally fine. He'd burn this jungle to the ground if it meant Ignis could keep his sight, so the fact that he'll be able to receive his disapproving looks at all is more than enough.]

...Sure. [—but there's an odd timbre to his voice anyway, as if he isn't sure at all. What things is he meant to leave to Gladio and what should he shoulder on his own? Wasn't he just chewed out for leaving Ignis' sight to other people?

Well, whatever, again. He tugs his hand in Gladio's grip, ostensibly for him to actually give him the pen. Come on.

...] He'll be fine. He's way better at this stuff than the rest of us.

[ Things like this seem like a near constant contradiction, with Gladio instructing Noctis to leave it to him to keep him focused, then rebuking him for crossing some invisible boundary into irresponsibility. It's done out of love, but it's a tough sort. Probably confusing too.

There's a silent mercy in Gladio's stern demands to be the one to reveal Ignis' future - he's unwilling to let Noctis bear the responsibility this time, not after what it did to them on the train. ]

Okay. [ Gladio releases Noct's hand a good two seconds after he's done tugging on it, like he's asserting his dominance. Folds his arms and nods, relenting the point that it probably won't be all that bad. Ignis will likely suffer this news in silence, but he wants to make sure it's somewhere private where the questions can come if needed. ]

Yeah. He is. [ He wishes he could say he's done talking about this but there's one more wrinkle. Their resident photographer, because he's pretty damn sure the two have talked by now. ] What about Prompto? Does he know?

[Well thanks for the pen and no shortage of confusion. At least Ignis will... know. It's not a relief, it shouldn't be, but it's a relief that Gladio won't be hovering around getting angrier and angrier at trying to keep his mouth shut.

But, ah- the last snag. Noctis frowns and sighs, not as heavily as the looks he's sported so far.]

Probably? I didn't ask. [Of course he didn't ask, big surprise, but would he have anyway? Even if Ignis doesn't know yet it's still not his place to run his mouth about it, and if Noctis goes out of his way to shelter any of their feelings, he does it for Prompto. Which makes the task of telling him things Noctis' responsibility, if Gladio has claimed Ignis, but that probably goes unsaid.

He shrugs.] He was just taking pictures like nothing had happened, but you know him. He's always like that.

Happy go lucky. [ Gladio huffs a laugh, because it is just like Prompto. Must be nice to be that level of carefree but haven't they all been before shit got utterly too real in Altissia? ]

Might be a problem. Prompto just kinda says whatever's on his mind.

[ No brain to mouth filter on that one. ]

Want me to take care of this too?

[what's it like to be happy go lucky, can he try]

No—no, it's Prompto. I'll talk to him. [How hard will it be to give him the no spoilers talk? Not very. And Noctis won't start literally shoving him around for speaking up. Just saying.]

That it?

[ Gladio almost calls Noct out for that last bit, but decides to let it go. He did interrupt his own attempt at participating in this festival after all, but then again? Maybe a break from whatever writer's block is plaguing him is more welcome than he's willing to say.

So he lets it go. Switches gears. ]

...They rope you into a job yet?

[He hasn't eagerly snatched up this pen to pour his heart out onto paper, no. Who knows what he'll eventually manage.

So, with the smallest hint of a grin:] Petting zoo attendant. I think there's a uniform I'm supposed to pick up.

[Very regal.]

[ Gladio's arms drop to his sides, staring in disbelief yo. ]

Are you kiddin' me? You. [ He waits for it to sink in and his mind just can't wrap around it. He instantly thinks of a Chocobo stable and Noct just... snoozing in a hay stack and figures that's what he should really expect.

And then he bursts out laughing. ]

Did you lie during the interview?

[Hey, chocobos kind of like him. What's so hard about petting animals all day????]

What? At least I'm not a cook again.

[ This is too rich, Gladio can't keep the grin off his face. ]

I'm willing to bet you're gonna wish you were.

[ Especially after hours of mucking out the place of all kinds of waste, some of it might even be from the animals themselves. ]

They have me training people on survival and combat readiness. So it's pretty much the same... except...

[ Gladio folds his arms but ticks his index finger back and forth between them. ]

You gotta game plan, your Majesty?

[Maybe he likes animals!!!! And not working out, so, after a pause:]

Well, work's gonna keep me busy...

[ Gladio rests his hands on his hips and listens to the world's lamest excuse not to get back on track with one's destiny and -- he probably should object, bark at him to get his head back in the game, but he knows that's not really necessary and it's hypocritical to extremes even by his standards. ]

Uh huh. [ He's not exactly in a hurry to get back himself. ] Probably a good opportunity to, you know... get stronger. [ ...Wow this sounds flimsy af. ]

There's some impressive tech here that could prove useful. Allies too. Couldn't hurt to at least investigate that a little.

introductory mingle: MEMORIA

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