introductory mingle: carnivale

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Carnivale Celebration
when: July 1st - July 9th
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

carnivale

In the days leading up to July 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Carnivale. This holiday is in celebration of music, and the onset of summer and warmer weather. The celebrations are marked by street parties, an extensive program of live musical performances, with a large parade (and paid holiday!) capping it off on July 8th.

celebrating music, and summer

After a couple of months of low-key or even solemn celebrations, it's time for Riverview Quarantine to throw a good, old-fashioned party. Carnivale is a city-wide festival that pretty much everyone gets into, and many residents take the entire week off so they can enjoy all the festivities. With events ranging from impromptu street parties, free live musical performances, food stands, themed club nights, adult lounges with kink shows, and topped off with a massive party parade, the holiday has a lot to offer for anyone who likes to sing, dance, and show some skin!

i. street parties and food

One of the staples of the Carnivale festival is the spontaneous street parties and food trucks and carts. It's not unusual during the holiday to turn a corner and run into a group of people dressed in bright colors and sequins having an impromptu party with a few drinks, and then be invited to join right in! Carnivale is a celebration of music as well as summer, so most shops and stalls will be blasting danceable music into the streets to facilitate these little street parties - it's considered a sign of good luck for the owner of a business if an impromptu Carnivale celebration starts up in front of their door.

Considering the proliferation of street parties and people out and about to celebrate the warmer weather, local business owners also take to the streets. Food carts, stands, and trucks pop up on almost every street corner offering a wide variety of food from savory treats to sweet desserts. Many of the carts are offering one free item to anyone dressed up for Carnivale - anything shimmery, shiny, or brightly colored will do!

ii. live musical performances

One of the major roads in the city center has been completely roped off for the entire week, and all along this street, various temporary stages have been set up, each with a nice hefty sound system. Volunteers hand out printed flyers, and digital boards are set up here and there with schedules of various performances that are all free to attend, ranging from well-known popular music artists to new up-and-comers or independent artists who are looking to make a name for themselves. This event is very widely advertised around the city, and is accepting entries until the very last minute.

At couple of the acts might be familiar faces to some of the residents.

Eichi Tenshouin has signed up himself and his friend Tsumugi Aoba into the music festival as a first-time appearing idol unit called "Higanbana." Dressed in all white with splashes of color (blue, largely, with only their headsets being a red spider lily), they carry a very commanding and angelic image together. They'll have a routine that emphasizes their great harmony with each other, taking turns doing solo lines and joining together to show off each of their talents. Singing and dancing, they interact heavily with the audience and will encourage a lot of involvement with speaking between songs and gestures, winks, and so on. Basically, they intend to make this Riverview's very first prominent "idol performance".

For his performance, Otabek Altin will start with rock remixes of a few popular pop songs. He wants to make sure that it starts off with recognizable pieces for some people, and he certainly thinks it is something that could get people excited even if they don't know it. Then, it shifts into a few original songs. They are upbeat, rock songs that he put together with the intention to make people dance and move, since he is a DJ. He'll end his set with a slower piece he put together that is also an original. Through the entire performance, he's focused and quiet, though he may occasionally try and excite the crowd with a few words.

Any other player-characters who are musically inclined are more than welcome to assume their character was fit in for a performance, and can post up a top-level with a rundown of their performance to get bonus Activity Points for posting a mingle!

iii. carnivale parade

The other main attraction of Carnivale week comes on July 8th, which is a paid holiday for everyone in the city. The Carnivale Parade will be starting out by City Hall and winding through downtown in a lazy pattern so everyone in the city has a chance to see it. There will be all sorts of floats, dancers, marching bands, with all sorts of clubs, businesses, and other organizations represented. The theme is theatrical, big and showy, bright and colorful, sparkly and shiny, with loud music and lots of glitz and glamour. Observers can expect great music, excellent dancing and marching shows, neat vehicles provided by classic car clubs, the fire, police, and Perimeter Guard. They can also expect a lot of party favors, whether it's a sparkly plastic beaded necklace, a fan to take the edge off the heat, candy, popsicles, a temporary tattoo, or any number of other little treats or toys to be tossed into the crowd - some of them fit for kids and teens, others of a more 'adult' nature handed out a bit more discreetly to anyone who looks the part.

And make sure you wear your waterproof mascara - Carnivale floats have a tendency of spraying or spritzing water, both in an unspoken competition to see who can make the biggest water-refraction rainbow in the air, and to keep observers cool in the new summer heat.

iv. adult: lounges and kink exhibition

Thanks to the Carnivale tradition of showing as much skin as possible, some event organizers' minds have turned to topics of a more adult nature. In the evenings, residents may see clubs doing "lounge nights"; these adults-only events have bouncers IDing everyone at the door to ensure they're 18+. The themes may vary, from very specific niche themes like 'golden age superheroes' to broad themes like 'rainbows,' and each event is clearly marked as what it is - all-nude or clothing-optional, and can host events ranging from amateur to professional exotic dancing, food served off of nude bodies, anonymous masked hookups, or just provide a comfortable space where casual sex is encouraged with whoever happens to be around. Various legal substances can be found at these lounges, but nothing that would cause violation of consent, and every substance would be clearly labeled and have warnings to ensure that no one partakes unless they choose to. Please be sure to warn in the subject line for sexual content or drug use (since some mild party drugs are legal in Riverview).

For the weekend from July 7th-9th, there will be a kink exhibition in one of the large exhibition centers downtown, limited to characters 18+. The exhibition is a sexy adult informational convention featuring various kinks and fetishes. Whether you're into leather, latex, lace, or anything else, you'll be able to find the clothes, toys, guides, books, erotica, fiction, and a wide variety of other interesting stuff to explore. While the atmosphere is sex-positive and there are private and public (for the voyeurs and exhibitionists in the room) venues for having sex, it's definitely focused on exploration and information about different stuff to try.

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 Carnivale, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Roger Patterson Jr.; image ii: Syd Mead; image iii: screencap from the movie Paprika; image iv: siamon89

navigation

Comments

[spellslots]

[He knows a deflection when he sees one, but decides to let it go, laughing at the question.]

Can't blame a guy for being curious, can you? It's not like we had this kinda shit back home, I'm learning all sorts of new and exciting information.

[spellslots]

You go down that route and you basically justify any elf or dwarf offing other races for their own gain.

[It's a different kind of situation, but Taako thinks the point stands.

He's not going to address the caring thing bc don't call him out like that, Eichi.]

[ex_this_ismydesign36]

I have a friend who likes to wear custom tailored suits. [ Will remarked, trying to look sympathetic but pretty much failing. ]

Why did you even come down here then? [ It was a genuine question, rather than anything snarky or sarcastic. ] This entire scene of chaos is pretty hard to overlook, no matter what building you're in.

iv

[winscenario]

[ Jim can't help lean in a little closer when the guy (big guy) next to him speaks up, and he's all too glad to offer any insight when he spots that head tilt and the confused look on his face. Well, Jim's guessing it's confused. He's never seen this particular alien species before so it's not like he knows their facial expressions all that well. ]

Depends on how flexible you are— or adventurous. Maybe a little of both. [ He offers, looking up from the guide with a raised eyebrow and a quirk of a smile. ]

iv

[winscenario]

[ Jim's been walking around the place on his own for a little while now. While he is thinking of bringing Bones along eventually, he knows it'll take a bit of convincing, what with how private and shy the doctor tends to be. It doesn't hurt to get his hands on some information, though, or at the very least pamphlets he can show him so he can see the sort of place it is.

He's just reaching out for one of those BDSM leaflets when another hand does the same, and he withdraws. ]

Sorry— go ahead. [ He gestures to the pamphlets, smiling as he looks up to the man's face. The trace of familiarity is almost instant, even if he looks older, but Jim speaks before he thinks twice of it. ] —Loki?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks before scrutinizing the man. He's not in the habit of forgetting faces, but there is something to be said about madness and memories. But the second answer comes quickly enough. ]

Yes and no. I see you've met my other self.

[dothelokimotion]

I wouldn't dream of it.

[ His grin is sultry. ]

Would you like some recommendations then?

[winscenario]

[ It clicks in Jim's mind easily enough, and after a moment's pause, his posture shifts. He smiles, though, even as he ducks his head somewhat apologetically. ]

Yeah, I have. He's a friend of mine. Sorry for the mixup. [ He offers a hand easily for a shake. ] Jim Kirk. Jim works just fine.

[spellslots]

[Hey.

Don't do that he's too gay for this.]

Hit me, I don't even care if you're fucking with me I still wanna hear it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Jim. Recognition flashes in his eyes, clear as day and Loki's stance changes. It's not threatening but there's something . . . overt about it. Like Jim's been placed under a microscope. He takes it gracefully. ]

In a place like this, such little mix-ups are bound to occur. All is forgiven.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He points out this one with mischief in his eyes. ]

I like the mustache though.

[spellslots]

[Please excuse Taako while he loses his shit, though at least he has the sense to try to smother his laughter with his hand.]

This is a fucking nightmare.

[dothelokimotion]

Nonsense. I, for one, embrace the charming advancements mankind has made.

[ With a straight face, Loki raises this lubricant up. ]

Embrace it.

[spellslots]

Oh, shit, I'm having that.

[It was literally made for him? He's going to swipe it out of Loki's hands.]

Humanity has redeemed itself, I guess we can keep 'em around.

i

[scholiast]

(This festival might be Taako's ideal celebration, but Lucretia privately finds the whole thing too loud and overwhelming. She'll probably disappear back home come nighttime, but she's perfectly happy to stroll the streets during the day and check out the various stalls and musical performances. Because she's half-into the spirit of the occasion, she has dressed accordingly.

She recognises Taako's stall from a long while off, and comes up to help herself to the little plate of free cookies in front of his various displays, crunching it happily.)

Mmmm. My compliments to the chef.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki doesn't seem to annoyed about it. ]

I'm sure they are eternally grateful.

[finethanks]

[ He laughs, because this is thrilling and he's sitting on his own table and Gladio is undoing his shirt now. He's drunk, and all of this feels almost like a distant dream. There's no worry of consequence, there's only the presence of Gladio between his legs and hands at his shirt.

His legs hook loosely around Gladio from his spot, and another laugh is breathed out as he leans forward, slowing Gladio's progress with hungry kisses wherever he can reach, and hands trailing around and up his back. He's so large, standing over him like this, and Eichi wants all of that pressed against him.

He moves his arms back, suddenly, when his shirt is undone and only in the way. Slipping it off, he's pulled back enough that Gladio can see how flushed his face really is. His pants feel too tight, and he's worried it's showing, embarrassed to be the first to show it if he is noticed. But he ignores that confidently and drops his shirt to the side, where it falls onto another chair. ]

Do you think so? [ He has to keep up this game, even if he knows he'll fall apart at sensations like that. He wants it, he wants more, he can't stop wanting it all. ]

[spellslots]

What, you don't get enough free cookies at home?

[This thievery will not stand!!

Except he looks pretty chill about it, and he moves on quickly.]

Someone's looking cute.

[spellslots]

They better be.

[You know what he misses most about his IPRE robes? All the pockets.

He just drops the lube into the umbra staff. He's the worst.]

You know what, though, I'm starting to think you're all talk. These are pretty tame suggestions so far.

iii :-)

[scholiast]

(Lucretia's actually en route to getting outta there: sitting and watching the parade had been fun to an extent, but it's all become a bit much as the heat of the day presses on. Too loud, too many people. The infectious nature of the crowd is good, though, and it's nice to see everybody looking so happy and carefree. Speaking of which–

She ducks through the crowd towards Cain, taking a grateful seat beside him without asking, sure that he won't mind.)

Hey– no, no, I'm good, thank you. (She laughs, breathless from the heat: there's glitter in her hair, and she's laden with plastic beaded bracelets that clash garishly with her silver, glittering skirt.)

This is crazy, right?

[fratropathic]

[While Regene may be ready to take some kind of disagreement in stride, he's not at all expecting to be corrected in great detail. It rankles him for a moment, but he's able to remind himself that he doesn't know the person correcting him, and this is more likely being shared for his own enlightenment rather than to rub his face in being incorrect.

Besides, this is also one of the first performers. Of course he knows more about the art than Regene would.]

Communicating directly through the music... [Regene watches much more closely for a few silent minutes, then turns to Eichi when he's first able to spot it - no sooner has the dancing started to settle into restless stillness when the DJ sends a pulse of pure energy through the crowd with a new song, and they respond in kind.] It's ingenious, in its own way.

[dothelokimotion]

That is hardly my fault. I'm working with the repertoire that is lying around.

[spellslots]

I've seen some pretty hardcore shit here in the last hour or so.

[it's been wild.]

[dothelokimotion]

Have you now? You can't say that without backing it up.

Floor 6

[hititwithacrowbar]

[ Jason had only returned a few moments before the other newcomer made his way in. Like Kanji, he was six foot, though he was wider than the blond. He had already tossed off his suit jacket and had been making his way into the kitchen, in tactical boots, and suit pants and a half open lilac suit shirt with a black shirt under it, with a red design half hidden by the buttons.

He blinked at the other, but mostly the desk. What the hell?

It likely didn't help that this guy was holding of all things, a copy of Count of Monte Cristo he managed to get his hands on. ]

I doubt that. [ He spoke in a gruff tone, closing the book in his hands. ] Though if your bringing a desk, I guess your looking to be schooled.

[ Jay, no. ]