riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: PRIJATA

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: PRIJATA

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

prijata

In the days leading up to June 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Prijata. Riverview Quarantine has a strong culture of love, and they celebrate all types - Prijata is a special celebration of platonic love and building community through friendship. Prijata traditions include gift exchanges between friends, sharing meals cooked together by friend groups, and a variety of events and services aimed at making friends.

a celebration of platonic love

Prijata is a relatively relaxed holiday, focused mainly on friendship and platonic love - dedicated to appreciating the friends already in one's life, and opening oneself up to making new friends. Besides the private giving of gifts between friends, there is also a city-wide government-sponsored gift fountain that is open throughout the entire week. Included in the wide variety of events catered to finding new friends, are 'speed friending' and a large open exhibition where all the specialized clubs in Riverview can recruit for new members - and residents new or old can create a club and recruit.

i. gift fountain

While Prijata gift exchanges between friends are generally a quiet affair, done at friend-group dinners or parties, the element of gift giving does extend outward - community-wide, in fact. Throughout the course of the week, anyone living in Riverview Quarantine can drop by the huge fountain in the City Center, in front of the City Hall. They will find that the fountain is chock full of floating gift boxes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and different shapes - though none larger than a shoe box. There are signs put up around the fountain stating that the boxes are magic and will only seek and open for their rightful owners. Characters will find that, upon touching the water, a box will float over to them, and when they pick it up, the top will unfurl like flower petals, displaying the gift inside. Sometimes, the box won't appear on the first try, since there's only so much space in the fountain at any given time, but if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Every person in the city (including new arrivals) will receive one gift by the end of the week.

Gift fountain boxes will contain one small item from each character's home dimension (or, for CRAUs, from their previous game), similar to the "items from home" bonus reward, but without needing to spend points. The item should be small enough to fit in a shoebox, sentimental, and cannot be something intended for another person's character. ETA: If you can't think of an item like this that would work for your character, something of similar size and quality to what's described above that would make the character very happy can be substituted.

This prompt can also be used for gift exchanges and for characters to receive the Government-given gifts that were suggested in the Prijata Pregaming posts on the OOC community and the TDM.

ii. speed-friending

This is pretty much what it says on the tin! Much like speed-dating setups, many bars, coffee shops, and other places that people might gather are holding speed-friending! It's your standard setup - characters enter and fill out a quick questionnaire about themselves, and flit from table to table looking for someone with great friend chemistry. Not all of them are general and open to anyone who walks in, though, with many being specialized to people who are invested in certain hobbies, occupations, or with specific sets of interests. With specialized speed-friending setups ranging from horror movie buffs to members of the Perimeter Guard to fashionistas to sports or martial arts to video games, no matter what your character is into, they're likely to be able to sign up for a special event where they can go looking for a friend who's into the same things they are!

For this prompt, you can put up a list of hobbies or interests your character has, and compatible characters can hit them up for a speed-friending thread, like the IC equivalent of the CR meme!

iii. club exhibition

Speed-friending is all well and good, but not everyone is outgoing or open enough to know if they have friend chemistry in only a few minutes. For anyone looking to find groups of like-minded individuals they can spend more than a few minutes with before committing to something as daunting as a friendship, there is a week-long club exhibition happening in the Town Square in the City Center. Table after table and booth after booth are occupied by existing clubs in the city, with an incredibly broad scope of focus interests and hobbies - enough that any character should be able to find a club with their niche interest represented.

And if it isn't? Characters are welcome to start their own clubs - much like a business, a character-run club can have space set aside in the city for meetings and event mingles that are eligible for Activity Point Bonuses for the organizer.

iv. unveiling the new friendr

Prijata this year is marked by something special - the unveiling of a code rebuild of the ubiquitous Friendr app! Anyone with the app installed already will receive a prompt to update the app, and if anyone hasn't yet downloaded it, they'll receive a quick, easily-dismissed pop-up ad on their device when they next access the network, asking if they want to. No one is obligated, and the ad is a one-time instance, intended to make sure any character who hasn't heard of the app gets a chance.

The Friendr app is a swipe-left-or-right style friend matching and/or dating app that is very common in Riverview, both for PCs and NPCs, and it has received an upgrade with a new appearance, a new interests line for more accurate matching, and a wide variety of themes so that the colors can be customized!

Please see the updated appearance below, with the 'default' color scheme. Players are free to change the colors or appearance of the code but please do not remove the credit line showing where the base code came from, out of respect for the code creator.

Friendr

» Age: your character's age
» Seeking: friendship/romantic/anything
» Preferences: sexual preference or n/a
» Interests: three interests
» Bio: 30 words or less

base code by photosynthesis

Character Name

« ✘

✔ »

<center><table style="width:300px;"><tr style="border-bottom:1px dashed #528887;"><td></td> <td style="padding:20px; padding-bottom:0; width:300px; font:38px Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; text-transform:uppercase; color:#c4c4c4; text-align:center; letter-spacing:2px; background-color:#2a2a2a; border-top-right-radius:50px; border-top-left-radius:50px;">Friendr</td> <td></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size:70px; vertical-align:middle; text-align:right; padding:0; color:#528887;">«</td> <td style="background-color:#2a2a2a; padding:20px; padding-top:10px; padding-bottom:0; width:308px;"><img src="IMAGE URL - 300px WIDE OR LESS" style="border-radius:20px;"> </td> <td style="font-size:70px; vertical-align:middle; padding:0; color:#528887;">»</td></tr>
<tr><td></td> <td style="background-color:#2a2a2a; font:12px arial; text-align:left; padding:10px;">» Age: your character's age
» Seeking: friendship/romantic/anything
» Preferences: sexual preference or n/a
» Interests: three interests
» Bio: 30 words or less
</td></tr>
<tr><td></td> <td style="text-align:right; font-size:10px; background-color:#2a2a2a;">base code by <a href="http://photosynthesis.dreamwidth.org/" style="color:#528887;">photosynthesis</td></tr>
<raw-code><tr style="border-bottom:1px dashed #528887;"><td></td> <td style="background-color:#2a2a2a;font:20px Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; color:#c4c4c4; text-align:center;">Character Name</td> <td><td></tr><tr><td></td> <td style="border-bottom-right-radius:50px; border-bottom-left-radius:50px; background-color:#2a2a2a; text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%; font:30px Verdana;"><tr><td style="text-align:left;"> « 
 ✘</td>
<td style="text-align:right;">✔ 
 »</td></tr>
</table></td> <td></td></table></raw-code></center>

base code found here.

For this prompt, you can either post your character's new, fancy Friendr app profile in the comments, or provide a link to their updated code in an entry on their journal. Whatever floats your boat!

v. 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 Prijata, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Odysseas Stamoglou; image ii: 5ofnovember; image iii: Sina Pakzad Kasra; image iv: mit19237

navigation

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Same here.

Shall we?

Know what? I think we shall.

The bar?

Good place to start. You need time to pretty yourself up?

Depends. Do you?

Never. I left a good looking corpse.

I've been told I'm a natural beauty.

Be there in twenty.

Don't expect me to swoon, Romeo. See you then.

[ The nameless bar is exactly where John said it would be, and it's nothing more, or less, than described. Both aged, and ageless, Spike could have been walking into the thirties, seventies, nineties, or distant future. The furniture probably hasn't, and won't be, changed in as long. Everything is worn in, scuffed and creased, the bar tender included. The lights are low, made lower by the smoke in the air, and the music is loud, men play pool and darts, or sit around tables in conversation or silence.

If Spike's looking for a stiff drink in a dark place, he's found it.

John sits at the bar, impossible to miss in his dark, three-piece suit, yet as completely at home in his surroundings as those regulars in torn denim and leathers. There's a glass of whiskey in his hand, and a bottle at his elbow. It's the good stuff.

He's expecting company, after all.]

[Spike strolls in a few moments after John. He's out of the city, after all, and it takes him a little longer to get places. So when he enters, it's almost painfully familiar the way his eyes have to adjust to the smoke and dark, the way a good dive bar keeps the lights down low and the music just so, just loud enough to hear it, but not so loud you have to raise your voice to talk over it. Like a suggestion of music, really.

He stands there near the door, looking around the place and not initially seeing the person whose picture he'd half scanned earlier.]

Right. Which one of you meat sacks is waiting for someone?

[ He recognizes Spike's voice, and recently, seen a picture. His profile had almost given John a chuckle. He remembers being young, once. The vampire may be older, immortal as he is, but age doesn't always amount to maturity, and youth is often a state of mind.

John doesn't turn in his chair, simply looking back over his shoulder. He's not particularly bothered that Spike's late. It's given him time to settle in, and soften the edges on the room, and in his mind. John isn't a shy man, but it's been a while since he's gone out of his way to socialize. Liquor helps. ]

This one.

[Hey, he hadn't been that young when he'd been turned. Almost thirty. That was... well. That was almost ancient in his day. He'd never been young. Stupid, probably. Foolish, definitely. Likely still was a little. But young? He wouldn't have thought so.

He looks over at the quiet answer, at the back mostly turned to him before he saunters over, coat swishing with that odd sound leather had when it brushed over itself.]

Right.

[With that said, he plunked himself down on a seat beside John, reaching for the bottle to give it a once-over.]

Better than I was expecting. You must really like me.

[Cue the shit-eating grin.]

[ John waves over the bartender, who procures a glass tumbler for his drinking partner. Spike may notice John wears a wedding ring. ]

I'd rather have a good drink in bad company, than a bad drink in bad company. Figured I was cutting my losses. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Thanks, Boris.

[ John makes a point to learn peoples names. Committing someone to memory is a small act, but it goes a ways in making people feel important, and respected. That's why they're drinking this bottle, instead of the cheap stuff Boris slaps a private-reserve label on and sells for the same price. ]

Spike, is it? Pleased to meet you.

[Spike does notice, but he doesn't pay it any mind. Married or not, unless the missus shows up, there's no need to mention her or think of her at the moment.

The little idiom has him smiling, nodding as he starts to pour himself a glass, gesturing for John to set his over so he could refill it.]

It is. And you're the Wicker Man. Or is it Wicked Man? Wicky something.

[Spike and names were like something to be earned. Everyone got a nickname unless it was important or he cared.]

You smoke?

Wick. John Wick. John is fine.

[ John slides his glass over. If he's bothered by Spike's attitude, he doesn't show it. If anything, there's a hint of amusement in the glint of his dark eyes.

A lifetime in the criminal underworld does funny things to a man's sense of humour. ]

Cigars, occasionally. Cigarettes... Not for some time. You offering?

[One had to find the funny side of life when you dealt in death.

Pulling his opened pack, he set it on the bar, pulling one out and lighting it before setting the lighter on the pack and placing it on the bar between them.]

Seems I got something useful as my little welcome to Weirdsville gift. If you're willing to share a drink, I can suffer a few cancer sticks. No time like the present to start up again, eh?

What doesn't kill you.

[ John knows it's not the truth. What doesn't kill him is just going to catch up with him later. When the night is cold, or the weather is damp, he aches all over. It's a toss up what keeps him up at night, his shoulder, dislocated at least twice, or the bullet still lodged in his iliac crest.

He shouldn't be smoking, what with his decreasing lung capacity, and ever-precarious health, but he picks up the pack and shakes out a cigarette nonetheless, catching it between his lips. He hasn't smoked since Marcus quit, after his first heart attack and subsequent descent into vitamins, juices, and cardiovascular health. John had quit in sympathy, and to spare himself the lectures on second-hand smoke and cardiovascular fitness.

But Marcus was gone, Spike was offering, and even John Wick has moments of weakness.

He lights up with practiced ease, taking a long drag and settling back in his chair. He exhales in a stream of smoke that lingers over the bar, and raises his glass in cheer. ]

Welcome to Weirdsville. Here's hoping you enjoy your stay.

Edited 2017-06-04 07:01 (UTC)

It's what does kill you that's the fun part. Was for me, anyway.

[Was that an offer? It might have been the start of one. Spike certainly wouldn't mind not being the only vampire he was familiar with here. Oh, he'd seen and heard of others, but they weren't right. Not like him.

Besides, flippant or not, Spike could see the way he carried himself. The aches that proved he'd lived through something worse. The mocking darkness in the back of his eyes. It was always a little odd to see death in the eyes of a human. Well, one that wasn't a Slayer. It made them almost kin, in his mind.

When John raises his glass, Spike does the same, grinning crookedly as he gave the man a solid nod.]

Might as well. No sense in moping. Not going to get me anywhere, is it?

[He tossed back the contents of the glass in one long swallow, setting it down and wiping a little trickle away from the corner of his mouth.]

So, they give you a ridiculous job when you got here too?

What's that like?

[ It's John's turn to pour Spike a glass, and he does so. His eyes flick up as he's pouring, to Spike's face, sharp with interest. He has plenty of experience dying, but the death part, that's never come easy to John. There's something in him, an animal instinct, that would see his leg gnawed off before he laid down to die. ]

You know, if you're going to drink the good stuff, you should try tasting it. Bourbon is meant to be sipped.

[ He demonstrates, sipping, and then smoking. His body is already buzzing. There's something to be said for the combination of nicotine and liquor. There's nothing quite like it. ]

I'm a teacher. Advanced close quarters combat and firearms. I wasn't certain at first, I'd never taught before, but it's been good. Think I might like it.

You?

Edited 2017-06-04 07:28 (UTC)

What, dying? S'not so bad. Not when you've got someone turning you that isn't trying to rip your throat clean out, that is. Dru was... gentle.

[Which had been rare. Druscilla had been insane. She rarely saw through to the real world to see what pain did. But she'd been gentle with him. Mostly. He'd still had to crawl out of his grave all by himself.

He watched John pour the drink, saw him take that soft sip that Spike could scent from where he sat. To prove he wasn't a complete heathen, he lifted his newly filled glass, sipping from it and letting it run over his tongue before he swallowed.]

Not used to the good stuff. Almost forget what it tasted like. Usually just drink it quickly so it does what it's supposed to.

[He hears that, nodding a little as that makes a bit of sense, what with the man's interests and all.]

Get this... they got me signed up to model, if you can believe it. Good thing I can be photographed.

I know dying. It's what comes after that's a mystery.

[ John has felt the touch of death, and he doesn't fear it. If anything, he's welcomed it. Longed for death's kiss, and the promise of comfort, of release, in it's embrace. If dying were easier, if it were in him to give up, and to let go, they wouldn't be having this conversation.

He remembers the last time he came close. The cold, and the numb, as his blood seeped between his fingers, hot against his hand. How tired he felt, physically, mentally, emotionally, and how badly he wanted it to be over. All of it. For the pain to end, for his hurt, and loneliness, to end.

It hadn't. It never does. Somehow, he always claws his way back up into the world of the living, just to suffer another day.

He takes another sip. ]

Enjoy it. It'll do what it does on its own.

[ A pause, his eyes flitting over Spike from head to toe. ]

I could see it. You've got an edge to you. I'll bet they like that.

Edited 2017-06-04 08:11 (UTC)

Can't fill you in on that. For starters, I'm pretty sure you and I don't walk in the same reality. Might mean there's different endings there. Secondly, I don't remember anything. There was some pain, some pleasure, dizziness, then... It was like going to sleep. Woke up in the ground and had to get myself out. Don't know anything in between, but there's loads of different places you could wind up.

[It's habit to just drink to numb those bits of anger, sharp and persistent. To shove down that pain that he's half of what he used to be. Can't be a man, can't be a vampire. Alcohol helps. But John's right. This is something he can take a moment over. Besides, who knows if he'll ever feel like being this generous again. One didn't look a gift horse in the mouth until it was drained dry.

That has him snorting a laugh, though, smoke puffing out his nostrils as he shakes his head.]

Oh, I'm pretty enough to look at. Keep myself in shape. Prey, predator, and all that. Just never had someone look at me and go 'right, it's off to the magazines for you, pretty boy'.

Thanks for being honest. Guess I'll find out when I find out.

[ John's fairly certain he's going to hell, wherever, and whatever, that is. He can't say he doesn't deserve it. He's done a lot of bad things to a lot of bad people, and some good ones, too.

His only regret, out of everything, is that he won't see her. Where Helen has gone, John can never go. That much he knows for certain. She was an angel. He was a devil, or the closest a man could be.

John rubs the underside of his ring with his thumb, the simple platinum band is smooth and warm to the touch. She had picked it. He's never taken it off, and he never will. ]

Well, now you have. One of my students is a model. He does athletic wear, I think. He says it's harder than it looks. I imagine there's more to it than standing tall and looking pretty.

[He notices that. That touche to the ring. The look that comes over his face, if only for a moment. Of certainty. Of... what. Regret? Spike knows that feeling well enough. He knows missing someone until it feels like there's a hole in yourself so big, it's sucking all the air out of you. He sympathizes.

Not that he'll say so.]

Surprised they didn't toss you in the same bit. Posh model you'd made, what with the cut of this suit. Italian?

[Spike's hand comes out to finger the edge of John's jacket lapel. A light touch, gone in a second, but enough to feel good wool.]

Another model in your class, eh? I can see it now; Model Mafia.

I'm too old to be a model. Besides, it's all in the suit.

[ Spike's hand moves. John's instincts kick in. His heart beats faster, and his adrenaline spikes, his muscles tensing, ready to defend, to fight, to kill, if necessary-

Spike's fingertips brush against the fabric of his suit jacket, silk wool dyed the blackest of blacks, and then they're gone.

John's heart-rate approaches normal. He relaxes, releasing a quiet breath he hadn't noticed he was holding.

Then, for another breath, he is achingly lonely. It's the first time he's been touched outside of his work, be it the teaching kind, or the killing kind, in some time.

More often than not, hands are only raised towards him in violence. ]

Italian. You've got a good eye.

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