riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: MEMORIA

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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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[ His face was still damp from his send off for Nicaise, and realizing it now, he carefully wiped his own face with his free hand, before leaning in. Moving closer to Damen, his free hand joining it's twin against Damen's cheek, cupping his face softly in his hands. ]

Yes, that was your brother. But so too was he a man you turned to for comfort. Remember him for what good you saw in him, that existed, too. Somewhere along the line, he became lost to his own jealousy- honour him for who he was, and not who he became. [ Laurent spoke softly, his words tender as he held the other's gaze, his own expression soft. ]

[Damen notices the way he wipes his face, and brings a hand up to cover Laurent's pressed against his cheek. He thumbs over his fingers gently. It's an intimate moment between them, sharing this grief, and Damen feels... raw, and open.]

That's just the thing, isn't it? I don't know if the Kastor I saw ever existed. [His scars ache at just the thought of his brother, who had given them to him.] The Kastor I thought I knew... He would have left me for dead. [He can't help the way his brown eyes grow dark and damp with unshed tears, the grief of the last month all bubbling up at once.] He killed our father.

Damen, listen to me. [ Laurent is soft and honest in all of the ways he usually didn't allow himself to be, holding his lover's face in his hands- yet feeling as though it were his heart he cradled, instead. More delicate and fragile than Laurent felt even Damen was willing to admit. 'If I gave you my heart, I feel you would treat it tenderly.' Damen's own words, echoed through Laurent's mind now. Now, more than ever, he knew the other needed this tenderness. ]

The seeds of jealousy are slow to grow, watered by contempt and ignorance to the good one has. He played with you, held your hand, taught you to swing a sword- surely, there were times that his jealousy of you likely got the better of him. But those seeds were fostered by my uncle. Just because he became someone you did not know, or recognize- it does not invalidate what you shared. That was real, Damen.

You loved him, and for that alone- it is all right, to grieve him, too. [ Briefly, his thumbs brushed away the tears that had begun to fall from the other's eyes, before sliding lower, caressing the lines of Damen's jaw, down his neck, his shoulders- until his hands were gripping Damen's softly, cupped over where he held the lantern. ] It is your choice, to float a lantern for him, or not. No matter your decision, I am here, my love.

Edited 2017-05-24 11:32 (UTC)

[He takes a shuddering breath as he focuses on Laurent, on the tenderness in his warm blue eyes. Just months ago, he never thought either of them would be capable of this, but here they are, together. Laurent is supporting him once more, letting him get it out when it grows to be too much, just like he had done that night, holding him in Damen's rooms - "I'm just here." He focuses on Laurent, and he listens, takes it in.

He doesn't know if the Kastor he saw was real. He never will. What does he have to lose by believing in the brother who comforted him, who taught him to hold a sword? He murmurs, voice a little rough,] You're right. I know. [He clutches the lantern a little tighter, Laurent's hands warm over his, and he releases a breath, blinking back the rest of his tears.] I did love him. I hope... that at some point, he loved me too.

[He looks down at the red paper, edged in gold, and thinks about how he did not even get to see his brother's body interred with their father's, before coming here. This will have to do.] I'm sorry, brother, that it had to be like this, but I have to let you go. I have to start anew. [With Laurent's hands still pressed to his, he lowers the lantern into the water, watches the slow-moving river carry it downstream. Damen only watches it for a moment before he's looking at Laurent again, taking his hands, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.]

Thank you.

We can agree on that. I am always right. [ He smiled gently, his teasing soft, and low. His hands squeezed Damen's softly, before shifting aside, to let the other step forward to the river. His hands slid along the other's arm, to his shoulder, and then to his back. Never breaking contact with Damen as he settled the lantern softly upon the surface of the water, and allowed it to begin to float down stream.

Laurent watched it for longer than Damen did, followed it with his gaze even as the other's lips pressed to his knuckles. Only then did his eyes draw away, his soft expression upon Damen's own face, hand shifting to cup the other's face once more. ]

Come up here. [ He asked softly, guiding the other up onto his feet, tucking closer into the square of Damen's body, pressing a soft, and tender kiss to Damen's lips. ] We start anew, but in this, we start together. [ He whispered, his fingers linking with Damen's, squeezing gently as his other hand slid up the other's chest, coming to rest tenderly over the other's beating heart. ]

[Laurent's support is a great comfort. As he watches, briefly, the lantern drift upon the water with its delicate candle burning, he lets out a breath of catharsis. It isn't quite acceptance, that will come with more time, but it's the first step in the right direction, whether he knows it or not. He breathes out, and rises to his feet, bending his head to return the soft, sweet kiss.]

Yes, we'll build our new life together. [He says, returning the squeeze of his hand with tenderness, drawing him closer into his space. They share breath for a few moments, and Damen takes strength from his presence. They've both lost quite a bit, but they have a lot to be thankful for as well.

Still, loss is at the forefront of his mind as his eyes drift to Laurent's lantern, blue and gold, bearing the starburst. Unbidden, he has to push down another pang of guilt, and he thumbs over Laurent's knuckles in a soft, physical apology.]

[ The silence between them is not uncomfortable. It's almost reverent; allows them both to have just a moment. Laurent lets Damen think, and watch as the lantern drifts steadily away. ]

I love you, Damianos. [ He murmured softly, drawing the other's hand to his lips, pressing a soft, gentle kiss there. ] I have said it before, and so too shall I say it again. My brother would have liked you, in another life.

[ This said, Laurent shuddered out a soft breath, bending down to collect his own lantern. Remaining squat as he held it in his hands, drew his thumb over the starburst he had carefully, painstakingly painted with his own hand. ]

I loved him dearly, and I do not think there shall ever be a day when I don't miss him, but... having this, having you- [ He looked up at Damen, his eyes soft. ] I would not trade that, either.

[ Not knowing what else to say, Laurent shuddered out a soft breath, and set the candle inside alight, before gently placing the small boat upon the water, and pushing it away from shore, into the current of the river. Standing once more, and finding comfort in Damen's arms once again. Watching as it drifted away from them. ]

And I love you, Laurent. [He murmurs, soft and reverent, touch lingering as Laurent retrieves the painted lantern he had brought with him to the shore. He watches him thumb over the starburst there, and when he looks up, he meets his eyes with a soft smile full of too much to put into words. He still feels guilt, for the way his actions had consequences on Laurent's life all those years ago, but this... this feels like a chance to make it up to Auguste, and to Laurent.] I wish things could have been different, but... I would not trade you either. I would never want to lose what we have now.

[Auguste will always be between them, in a way, but it doesn't have to hurt so much now that they're safe, now that they have each other. He rests his hand gently at the small of Laurent's back as he lights the candle, his gaze drifting to the lantern again, exhaling softly. His gaze follows the lantern as Laurent sets it adrift, and he says quietly, aloud but for the ears of the dead,]

I will always take care of him, Auguste. I promise you.

[ Laurent heard the other's words, regardless of whether or not he was truly meant to. His heart clenched with them, his breath catching, and the now all too familiar sensation of his eyes dampening at the corners returning. Letting out a low, shuddering breath, he turned his head into the comfort offered by Damen's shoulder, burying his nose in the familiar scent of his lover. ]

You make it sound as though I am some sort of invalid, unable to care for myself. [ He teased, doing his best to keep his voice under control, to keep emotion from making his tone overly fragile. ]

[He brings his hand up to card gentle fingers through the tail ends of Laurent's soft hair, smiling down at his lover. Their lanterns drift down the river, and with them, a weight off of Damen's shoulders. This must be what the natives mean by finding catharsis and comfort in this festival. His arm curls around Laurent, just holding him while they stand together at the bank of the river, listening to the soft sounds of other mourners and the lap of water against the shore.]

You know that isn't what I meant. [He chides gently, voice still soft.] Just that you will never have to feel alone again. I did not know your brother, but... I think he would want that for you.

[ Laurent could only smile, pressing a soft kiss against the other's shoulder, letting his breathing return to normal. ]

I know, love. [ And Damen was right in that. It was something that he knew Auguste would have wished. For Laurent to be happy, to be loved. To be supported, and to never feel alone. ]

He would be glad of that. I am glad for it. [ He lifted his head slowly to gaze at the other once more, before looking out after the lanterns. Watching them join the others upon the water. For a time, he was quiet. Enjoying the other's company, the soft, flickering lights upon the water as the sun slipped lower, bathing everything in a gentle orange glow. ]

I floated a lantern for Nicaise. [ He admitted softly, his eyelids drooping, expression soft, and aching. ]

He deserved better.

[Damen slips his other arm around Laurent as well, holding him from behind when he turns to face the lanterns drifting lazily, peacefully down the river again. It's a little warm for it, maybe, but Damen doesn't mind it. It's a quiet relief when he says that he is glad for this, for them, and he can't help himself from bending his head to press a kiss to golden hair.

He can't find very many words, but he knows that his silences will be interpreted correctly as thought, reflection. Hearing that one of those dots of light downstream is for Nicaise doesn't surprise Damen in the slightest.]

He deserved much more than all of that. [Damen agrees quietly, his hold on Laurent tightening just a fraction, for just a moment.] It wasn't your fault, what he did.

[ Closing his eyes again, Laurent shuddered out a breath. Despite the warmth in the air, Laurent was grateful for the press of the other's presence, the comfort it provided. It really was a reminder that he was not alone. With his thoughts, or his feelings. All he needed to do was allow the other in, allow him to know. And day by day, with Damen, that had become easier and easier to allow himself to do. ]

He was far too smart for his own good. [ And in the end, that cleverness had killed him. Laurent's heart ached with the thought of it. ] I wish I had convinced him to come with us. I wish... [ But at the time, Laurent had assumed he was riding to his death. Had been working hard to thwart that end, of course- but he hadn't had any guarantee that he would be successful. Damen had only been another wildcard, an unsure gamble. How could he have brought Nicaise along, knowing that? Besides, the smaller boy had never seen a day's hard labour in his life, let alone all of the riding they had done. He would have been miserable.

And yet still, that would have been better to him. He had never thought he would miss the other's sharp tongue, his loud complaints. Yet god, he did now. ] I didn't kill him, and yet still- I feel as though his blood is on my hands. I painted the target upon him, simply by caring for him.

[Damen leans gently against him, chest to Laurent's back, resting his chin atop soft golden hair. He can't fix this hurt, can't change what happened to poor Nicaise, but he can be here. He takes a breath to steel himself, and tries hard not to remember the sight of a decaying head in a canvas sack. That helpless cold rush of anger he still feels every time his mind drifts back to the Regent helps no one. It's easier, thinking of how that monster's head will be spiked at the gates.]

You had no guarantee he would survive the trip to the border. You couldn't have known what your uncle would do. [How could he have known? He thought, when they left Arles, that he might be riding to his own death. The Regents actions were meant to disturb Laurent and throw him off, to get him to make a mistake.]

You were possibly the only person in that boy's life who didn't want anything from him. His blood is not on your hands. It is on the hands of the monster who ordered his death.

[ Sighing heavily, Laurent knew that the other's words were true; that he was right in his assessment. That nothing had been a guarantee, and that at the time, he had believed the safest place for Nicaise was for him to remain where he was. Still, it didn't make the boy's death any easier to swallow. ]

He was so young. [ Laurent's voice was so soft, hollow with loss. He had had years to mourn Auguste's death, but Nicaise's was still so fresh. ]

I wonder if he even saw it coming. [ Laurent knew that allowing his mind to travel down such paths was extremely dangerous, the sort of thing that would keep him up for many nights to come- and yet, he couldn't help it. What he had said was true, Nicaise was a smart child. Smarter than his age, to be sure. If he had known, or sensed that such a thing was coming... god, what would he have done, in desperation? ]

[Nicaise was so young, too young to be near the viper's pit of Laurent's uncle's court, but so is Laurent even still, not even twenty one. Damen holds him a little tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. It's still so hard to understand how a man could use children as his pawns, his playthings. He doesn't want to understand, doesn't want to think about any of it.

The Regent is dead. It helps, to picture his head tumbling from his shoulders in the middle of the court.] You'll have nightmares if you follow that train of thought. [He murmurs softly, rubbing Laurent's upper arm as comfort.] You avenged him, in the end. I think he would be pleased about that, at the very least.

I already have nightmares. [ He reminded softly. Even though these were not matters that they normally spoke of, when the daylight still lingered. When such things ought to have been far away from both of them. When the haunting memories of their pasts were able to take hold. ]

But you are right. It doesn't serve either of us to linger on what I cannot change. Not anymore. [ He reached up with his opposite hand, squeezing the other's. Letting the feeling of the other's skin against his own ground him in the here, and now. ]

The Regent is gone, and cannot hurt anyone else. At times, it is hard to remember that. But in the end it is the most important.

I know. [He whispers his reply for Laurent's ears only, just as quiet, just as private. They both have their demons, but Laurent's haunt his sleep more, leaving him to wake in the night. Damen usually wakes with him, stirred by his movements (funny, because otherwise he can sleep like a log), and holds him if he wishes to be held, or talks to him if he doesn't. When Damen wakes in a cold sweat, Laurent does the same for him.

He returns the gentle squeeze of his hand, interlocking their fingers together.] He was a shadow cast on your life for so many years, and he had been dead for only an hour when we came here. It will be easier, with time, to remember that you put a stop to that. What happened to Nicaise will never happen to another.

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introductory mingle: MEMORIA

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