riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: carnivale

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: carnivale

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Indeed, [ he agrees in open amusement, ] Americans in general are quite prudish, I have found. For all their talk of freedom and embracing of differences, they simply clam up when faced it with it in their own lives.

[ Jean-Claude has to say that Anita and Richard in particular grow rather tiresome about it. He still does not see why they could not all enhance one another's power and fall into bed together happily, the three of them. Unfortunately, it is all too evident that he is the only one who can see things that simply.

It is not unpleasant to find someone of like mind about it, who is also sophisticated enough at first glance to be tolerable company. He had been interested in what had drawn such an avid circle of listeners, but now it is obvious: someone confident and capable in his craft. ]

[Jean-Claude will run into another who sounds like they hail from the UK, but his accent is more polished, more upper crust than that of a lowly punk vampire. Turning to the voice that spoke that has that hint of French to it, he answered with a smile that was a little too wicked for some of those sitting in the front row, a woman fanning herself and leaning happily against her friend.]

Odd how the more civilized humans got, the more prudish they became. As if sex was part of being primitive. I hardly see gorillas and pandas engaging in whip play or orgies.

[ It is not often that Jean-Claude meets someone who can match (or exceed?) the wickedness in his smile when he allows it to show through. And even less often that it has a noticeable effect on those around them. He feels a pull himself, not unlike the effect of the ardeur that he can exhibit himself, and wonders at it.

This is clearly not a vampire; he feels no breath of power from him in that way, but... something else. Something he cannot place and does not recognize. How curious. He must know if it is a threat, or a potential ally, that exudes it.

But delicately. Unlike Anita, he has no trouble doing things the diplomatic way. He offers a chuckle in low agreement. ] Indeed. Yet your use of past tense is curious. You could not possibly have been there to observe this, could you?

[ As if he cannot imagine such an occurrence. ]

I could have, and I was. 'Let there be Light'. Took a few centuries for there to be robes to cover ourselves, but it was good to be back in the days with no shame.

[He remembered those first centuries, the awe and wonder of being created, of having others like himself. Brothers and sisters and the glowing presence of love of his Mum and Dad. And then Dad had gotten bored and made the World and the Humans that dwelt on it. And given them something He'd refused His first children. Rude, was what it was.]

They never cease to amaze, you realize. Humans. From mud and fire to steel and wifi. You have to love their creativity.

'Let there be Light'-- from the beginning of time? [ He can't help sounding faintly incredulous, and yet Jean-Claude has already realized how different things are here, so he is willing to believe with more persuasion. He has met Oliver, after all, he knows such a thing is possible even at home, with the Mother of All Darkness.

Yet he cannot imagine Marmee Noir casually speaking to someone at Carnivale. ]

Surely, you realize you cannot simply say such and tantalize me without explaining further. [ It would be so rude. Also, Jean-Claude is a bloodhound around the scent of power. ]

Ah, perhaps an introduction is in order, mm? Lucifer Morningstar. I suppose the familiarity of that name will depends on whether or not your... wherever you come from has the same background as my world does. Seems there's all types here. You know, I've actually met two Lokis here? Yet neither exist in my reality. This place is incredibly interesting.

[Now, Jean-Claude, will that name ring a bell or not?]

Lucifer Morningstar. [ He repeats it in a voice wiped of emotion, which is how surprise shows itself on Jean-Claude. He was raised a good Catholic as only old nobility could have been, with excessive Biblical education. Jean-Claude doesn't really count himself Christian of any variety these days, but those old questions of whether or not vampires have souls haunt him sometimes, and religious matters perforce rise to his mind. Hard not to, when religious symbols light on fire against his skin.

His face is clean and still as the dead can be, too. ] It is similar enough, it seems. Yet I must be in a different existence to have met you. You are very convivial, for the Devil.

Mm.

[Well, at least he wasn't laughing at him, or outright calling him a liar. He did hate that, what with being the exact opposite and all. He smiles all the same, giving this new man he's met a cordial nod of his head, paired with a smile that all but promises sweet, wicked thoughts to be whispered if one but leaned in a little closer.]

I've gotten a rather bad rap, as it were. Word of mouth via humans is a terrible way to build a reputation. Ever heard of that whispering operator game? Same thing, only over a longer period of time.

Is that so?

[ Suddenly amused, in that way that is perfectly convincing but those that know him well recognize as mask-like. He is now firmly reserving judgment, unsure if this is someone possible to trust, or a viper in waiting. It is so hard to tell, sometimes.

And Jean-Claude is very used to a society which takes every advantage of every breath of weakness, especially when you are foolish enough to believe the surface. He is right to be cautious. But, he will not fall into the trap of paranoia, either. ]

And what reputation have you acquired here? Has it followed you?

[ Because that's really what he cares about: if this is a Lucifer not of his world, what Jean-Claude thinks he knows may not be relevant at all. He's gotten that message clearly. So who is he here? ]

Here? Oh, nothing so far, I don't think. Well, other than being dashingly sexy and the literal Devil. It's taken a few by surprise and I've chummed around with some of those other named deities. There's a lovely young lady here from a place where only female angels have wings and male angels live in penance for eternity. I about gave her a heart attack when she saw me flying up to meet her. Lovely girl, though.

[He sounded quite sincere as he spoke. Lucifer meant what he said, always. He didn't always tell the entirety of it, but nothing that left his lips was anything but the truth. Sometimes a little to the side of it or more innocent out of context, but Jean-Claude would figure out the gist of it himself. Eventually.]

Here, I've been a bit too busy wooing my Detective.

How... odd. Is there some especial sin in being male I was not aware of, aside from the usual?

[ Never mind. He's getting the idea that there are a lot of very strange things here, and fortunately, Jean-Claude has lived through a lot of strangeness, so he is able to absorb it without breaking, although he does blink once in that very deliberate way of someone who does not ordinarily blink much and is processing.

Wait, there is something of particular interest, there. ]

Your detective must be quite remarkable to have caught your attention. [ Always a safe comment, offering to listen to someone speak on the object of their affections. It makes for surprisingly good pillow talk as well, he's found, when he wants to speak on anything other than what they had just done. ]

You'd have to ask her. We didn't go too far into it. Other world, I'm afraid. Ass guards or something similar.

[If Jean-Claude wanted the Devil to talk, that was a rather brilliant topic to get him to wax poetic on. If he was paying attention, he might even notice the slight glaze to his eyes and the somewhat smitten look that crossed his face before he sighed.]

Oh, she's certainly that. Of course, I was furious when I found out Dad had stuck His fingers in the pie, sending Amenadiel down and all, but she had no idea. Neither did her mum. She's... amazing. Stunning, really. Determined, dogged, brilliant, gorgeous. She's one of a kind. I wasn't expecting to see her here, but I'm not going to argue my good fortune.

[ Ass guards? Cannot be that, must be something else. He will keep it in mind if he runs into her, whoever she is.

Ah, good, this topic shift has done what he'd hoped to accomplish, and has served to humanize him as well as point out his weak spot should one come to be needed. Jean-Claude listens indulgently with all the attentiveness of one who trades in love and sex, for the ardeur, really, is the former. ]

You sound quite enchanted. How is the wooing progressing? Is she similarly enchanted with you?

[ Jean-Claude has decided just to treat this as other world nonsense and not think on the implications for his own for now, as a survival mechanism. ]

[The smile Lucifer wears now is both wicked and pleased.]

I'd say we're hitting it off nicely. There's a relationship between us that's more than just work partners, and... well. Really. If there was one soul in any universe that could make me be monogamous, she seems to have it. Sex is quite different when there's more than just passion there, isn't it?

[He speaks to Jean-Claude as if the man is aware of the differences himself. Most men, most humans seem to have been in some form of love at some point in their lives. He's merely assuming that Jean-Claude is one of those. Of course, he still thinks him just a man, but oh, he'll be thrilled to find out otherwise.]

[ Work partners? A detective work partners with the devil? A question for later. He is finding out more on this vein if he does not interrupt it. ]

Certainly, yes. I seem to have met such a soul capable of making me monogamous as well. [ Jean-Claude lets out an expansive sigh, and even that sound is touchable, a breath of cool air containing regret and wistfulness. ] I would call it a terrible fate, but it may be more wonderful than any amount of sex with others, however passionate, could be.

[ Also, Anita is too strong to need to be rescued, a tremendous relief and allure to Jean-Claude, and will serve his own ends considerably, apart from being someone he loves for her own sake. All goals aligned. He would wait forever, for that.

He's definitely hamming it up here, though. At some point Anita is going to have to bend on the no-sleeping-with-others rule, Jean-Claude is just waiting her out so he is not the bad guy. ]

You know...

[He sounded as if he were musing it over, speaking as he followed along his own train of thought.]

I've always been open to more bodies joining. The more the merrier, after all. But I'm not entirely sure I'd want anyone other than her. Well, maybe if she wanted it, but she's a bit prudish. Which is a shame. She's got marvelous... assets.

[He edited himself at the last minute. The Devil often spoke his mind freely without curbing it or adding any sort of filter. The object of his affections was annoyed by that and he was trying to learn a few new tricks.]

The same with mine as well. [ He actually sounds a little disgruntled, the first completely honest emotion from him this whole conversation. ] And I do not feel I am unreasonable about it. She is so...

American.

I suppose it is we who are the fools for falling for it, but it is done.

[There's a slight laugh there, and Lucifer gestures over to a booth off in the corner.]

Shall we? I'm of the mind for a drink and while this is certainly a topic I'd love to continue, I believe the Detective would like to hurt my manlies if she heard me talking about her to a group of people.

[Because yes, he was still somewhat in the area where he'd been discussing dirty, filthy acts before and the pair of them had a lovely little audience. Some wishing they'd get naked, some wishing they'd get naked together, others edging a little closer to both of them. The Devil and a vampire that exuded and fed off lust. Quite a pair.]

[ Jean-Claude is of course aware he has an audience, but he simply has not cared. He lives so much of his life with one. Too sad for them, that they will get no show.

He nods in elegant agreement. ] Certainly, although I must disappoint you regarding the drink. You will be drinking alone. [ He strides forward to claim a table nonetheless, out of the way of the main press of bodies, ignoring the crowd with the pure self-assurance of nobility, or some prince. ]

Oh? Not a fan of alcohol, are we? Well, they've all manner of things for you to have here, if you'd prefer.

[Lucifer hadn't yet caught on that there was anything truly odd about the man, other than his fashion sense and the aristocratic air that he was used to when dealing with, yes, the French. Really, it was a cultural thing. Get enough Frenchmen in a room and they all thought they owned something.

But he followed after Jean-Claude happily enough, sliding into his seat and waving at one of the passing servers to order a glass of scotch, gesturing for Jean-Claude to get whatever he pleased.]

An empty glass, if you would, [ he merely requests, as smoothly as if he makes the same request every day. ]

Non, I am fond of alcohol, particularly wine, but I may not drink. At all. I find it most curious you cannot tell by presence alone what I am.

[ Indeed, Jean-Claude levels a curious look at him to see what this comment provokes. Perhaps he merely hadn't been paying attention. He finds it hard to believe the devil cannot know whatever he wishes, about anyone. ]

Why would I? I'm not my Dad. He's the all powerful omnipresent ass, not me.

[Lucifer leaned back in his seat, drawing out a cigarette to light and draw from before setting in a handy ashtray.]

But I take it to mean you think you're 'something'. You're no demon, I can tell you that much. Outside of that? I couldn't imagine what else. There's not much in the way of non-humans in my world, so you could be any manner of something from someone else's, and why would I be able to tell what you are if you're not from the same reality, mm?

There has been much speculation on the nature of our souls, whether they exist or not, and some think of us as demons after all, although I know in truth we are not.

[ Oh well. Apparently he's not getting that answer today. He hadn't truly thought he would, but it would've been nice. Jean-Claude decides not to point out that in traditional Catholic education, the Devil certainly is omnipotent. ]

I am a vampire, [ he says simply, without fanfare. There is no point in grandstanding to Satan. Jean-Claude knows when he is beat. ] I wore these clothes when they were in fashion.

Oh, trust me, you're not. I knew the original demon, Lilith, and while you're certainly pretty enough to be a demon, you're far too well behaved in public. I haven't seen one sneer at all the humans milling about. Demons don't do too well out of Hell.

[Let him tell you a story about the traditional Catholic education, Jean-Claude. In one word: bullshit.

But the revelation has Lucifer looking him over, then tipping his head and peeking at his mouth.]

Are you really? What kind? The Rice or the Meyer-type? I don't see any sparkling, but then again, you're not in the sun...

[Congratulations, Jean-Claude. You caught the Devil's eye.]

Pretty enough to be a demon, that is not the first time I have heard that, [ he answers with a soft, sultry laugh. ] Although not from so reputable a source.

I am not familiar with those names. [ No need for quite that kind of vampire fiction when they're real. ] If I were to go into the sun, I would burst into flame. [ Jean-Claude sounds rather pleasantly undramatic about that one. ] I am of the line of Belle Morte, which is, as you've noticed, [ he gestures a hand down toward himself, a sweep across his body, ] focused on physical beauty. In some centuries, I have been known as an incubus.

introductory mingle: carnivale

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