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

[carrotkeeper]

[She lights up when Tsumugi comes over to her! She's met him before, but now there's an added excitement of meeting a celebrity. Keep it together, Iris.]

It better not be the last. Did you see how happy the audience was? You guys sure know how to please a crowd.

[The audience? Or her? Both. At Eichi's comment, she adds:]

You bet! I'll get front row tickets next time and I'll make sure Gladdy comes along too!

[exfine]

Yes, I recently recruited her to the all-new handicrafts club. She's an earnest student. ♪

[ Right, they'll have to meet up again to check up on their progress for their little project. He can't wait! ]

Ahaha, I guess we still got it. Don't we, Eichi-kun?

[ He grins ever so happily at his partner, the adrenaline still buzzing in his veins after that live. It's been so long since he performed like that... He has to keep it up if they are to perform again.

But at Iris's mention of a "Gladdy": ] Who is that, Iris-chan? A friend?

[finethanks]

It went over better than I could have expected. Even this crowd that doesn't know the first thing about idols is buzzing with excitement, and it's spreading to me.

[He hops off the stage now with a careful little step forward, still clearly tired even if he's full of energy mentally.] Is that true, though, Iris-chan? How nice, to join a club like that. Tsumugi is a kind person, so he's good company to keep.

[Unless you're like, someone they have to take down. It's fine.] Gladio is her brother, and my neighbor, in fact. He's very tall and muscular and has a handsome face. ♪ [There's no more -kun there, interestingly enough... But does he have to talk about him like this in front of his sister?]

[carrotkeeper]

He's a great teacher too. I'm learning a lot from him. Oh, and I've got to send you a picture of the dress. I added more red to it.

[And she turns to Tsumugi, ready to show him a picture on her phone. She's been taking day by day shots to show the progression for her own benefit when-

Well that's a description of her brother alright. She looks surprised and then laughs.]

Yeah, he's my brother alright. His name is Gladiolus and you'll be seeing how tall and muscular he is for yourself soon.

[She can play along with this, but it's still her brother. God Eichi.]

Better not tell him any of that though or his head'll get too big to fit through the door.

[exfine]

[ Takes a peek at the photo on her phone and Tsumugi beams -- she's getting there! ]

That looks beautiful, Iris-chan! The red is a nice touch. I'll show you mine later.

[ A thumbs up! But he blinks confusedly at Eichi's flowery description of Iris's brother because whoa there, man. ]

He seems... interesting. [ NOT TO MENTION VERY LARGE? Sounds very scary tbh,a he tries not to look TOO scared. ] I'll take your word on that. Since he's Iris-chan's brother, he must not be that bad.

[finethanks]

[Eichi simply chuckles at both of their reactions. Tsumugi probably does have to worry, with how large and friendly Gladio is. He might pat him on the back too hard.]

You two really are a perfect match for something like that. I wonder if I could ask the both of you to make me an outfit for my night performances, some time...?

[Pls.]

[carrotkeeper]

He's a great guy, don't you worry. And besides, I'll be there to keep him in line.

[Not that she needs to. He makes friends as easier than she does, it's just his initial appearance that throws most off. At the request, she turns back to her new handicraft friend and pumps her fists. She has no idea how to make an outfit from scratch. She's struggling with a doll's dress, but she'll accept this mission regardless!!]

What do you say, Tsumugi? I'll try to learn quick so we can make a great piece!

[exfine]

[ Tsumugi chuckles. She's real eager to do work, isn't she? Kind of like Anzu, actually. ]

You should learn on your own pace, but this should be a nice project for the both of us. We can even work together, because I simply can't do this on my own.

[ He turns to Eichi with a nod. ]

I accept. Do you have any ideas or motifs for your next night performance, Eichi-kun?

[finethanks]

Since there's some time between now and my next performance thanks to this festival, I haven't decided on a new idea just yet. I've recently come across some old outfits from home, so I'll be sure to give the both of you plenty of time.

[He has to think about it!] After all, the themes for these clubs has to be something wildly different from my usual style. It will be a challenge for you, as well, Tsumugi.

[Just to keep that in mind.]

[carrotkeeper]

[She's so excited!! This is great.]

You let us know and we'll start right away. It'll be no match for the handicraft club and their leader, Tsumugi.

[exfine]

Iris-chan really is ready to roll, isn't see? I'll do my best for the both of you, then... ☆

[ he's sparkling, he's that happy as well. both new and old friends having a good time in his presence! this is good. ]

But where is her brother anyway, if he's not here?

[finethanks]

He must be enjoying the rest of this festival, right?

[Eichi is quick to speak up in response to that question. He knows for a fact that Gladio is sort of mourning his friends who went home without him, to a place that doesn't sound too ideal, and he doesn't want to bring that up.]

If I see him, I'll be sure to introduce you to him, Tsumugi. You will as well, won't you, Iris-chan?

[carrotkeeper]

Yeah, he is! We're meeting up later and I've got a ton of pictures of your show. I'll introduce you in the pics so he's prepared when he meets you in person.

[For now, she's letting him blow off some steam. It's been a bad week.]

I'm sure you two will hit it off.

[exfine]

M-Me? Oh no, I wouldn't want to impose. He seems rather... large?

[ LOOK WITH ALL THE DESCRIPTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GIVING HIM, tsumugi's already imagining a... human-sized bear. which is nice and all, but he's still kind-of intimidated. ]

But I'm still excited nevertheless. Thank you, Iris-chan.

[finethanks]

That sounds perfect.

[He's just ignoring Tsumugi's words on this, honestly.] So you really did enjoy it, Iris-chan? Fufu, why don't we take a picture together, the three of us? [He leans close to Iris like he's automatically ready, holding up a peace sign.]

[carrotkeeper]

Large is one way to describe it.

[Now this meeting is something she can't wait for. Tsumugi's in for a surprise, but Gladio's a gentle giant. There's more important things to worry about now-selfies.]

Oh, hurry up and get in the pic, Tsumugi!

[Once he leans in, she wastes no time in pulling out her phone and holding it far out. The camera goes up a bit and then down as she adjusts the view, hoping to get some of the stage in the shot as well. Mimicking Eichi's peace sign with her free hand, she waits for Tsumugi to pop over.]

[exfine]

[ And of course Tsumugi slides in right next to her, with a huge grin on his face and with an uncharacteristic peace sign pressed to his cheek. He's rather excited, the adrenaline starting to slow down in him but he's still super energetic about the whole thing.

This... is nice. The best closure he's ever had with Eichi.

Okay, he's ready! Say cheese! ]

[finethanks]

Cheese~. ♪

[Eichi will actually say it, because this is a cute little photo op. As soon as it's done, he's pulling back to stand straight on his own and watching calmly as Iris looks at the photo afterwards. Seeing himself and Tsumugi like that, it almost is like old times.]

Now we have a memory of this time together.

[carrotkeeper]

That's right and it's gonna be the start a new tradition too.

[The photo is saved and quickly made into her new phone background.]

After every show from here on out, we've gotta take a picture.

[exfine]

[ let's go here guys ]