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

[ Genji please?! Shigeru is totally not someone you should spray with water, but at least he has a bag of various carnivale gifts in his hands when it happens. He will just yelp briefly before putting it up in front of his face to block most of the water.

He looks startled for a moment before realizing what it is. Still he looks kinda peeved but he'll take out his phone to type something. Thankfully none of the water actually hit him, well, maybe a little did but at least he's not drenched. ]

Are you doing that to everyone you see?

[ Oh, whoops! He thought you were someone else or he wouldn't have done that. Genji puts his hands up in apology. ] Ah, forgive me! I didn't mean to bother you.

[ He laughs a little sheepishly and puts his arms down, resting them on his hips. ] Not to everyone, no. Are you all right?

[ Shigeru might look stern but his expression shifts into a smile afterwards. It's okay, Genji, he knows this is supposed to be a party and all. He forgives you!! ]

Yes I'm fine! Are you enjoying yourself? They really went all out for this parade, didn't they?

[ Shigeru being cross with him would be a terrible thing indeed, so he's glad. ] Good! And I am, this has been most enjoyable. I haven't been to something like this in a long while.

[ He tilts his head a bit. Genji still has the drawing Shigeru did of him tucked away in his things. ] What about you?

[ Well he's glad the other is enjoying himself. ]

I'm doing okay. It's...a bit more than I thought. But if I take breaks I should be okay!

[ Now that's understandable. Years ago, when his cybernetic parts will still new, he had to do much of the same. ] I am glad to hear it.

[ Genji slips his little water gun into the bag he has. ] Do you require a break now? We could find a quiet place to chat.

[ Shigeru might look a bit embarrassed as he nods his head. ]

I was...going to go take a break actually when I ran into you, so if you don't mind? I would appreciate that.

I do not mind at all. I was thinking of taking a rest myself. [ Genji gestures towards a nearby road that leads out of the main parade route, to a quieter part of the city. ] Follow me, then?

[ Shigeru smiles and nods, following Genji all the while as they walk. He's silent, unsurprisingly, but he does tap Genji on the arm as he points back at the parade. ]

Did you go to many things like this back home?

[ Genji finds a nice little bench in a quiet spot and gestures to it, waiting to see if Shigeru wanted to sit down.

He shakes his head. ] Not that often, no. But I did a lot when I was younger.

[ Genji tended to stick out in a crowd nowadays. ]

You don't like crowds and crazy parties either then?

[ Well Shigeru can get on board with that. ]

I never got the chance to go to these things when I was younger, either. I guess I...got a bit too eager.

[ That gets a small little laugh out of him. ] I went to them too much when I was younger. And now, well. [ He gestures to his body. ] In my world, cyborgs make most people uncomfortable.

[ But this isn't about him talking about his circumstances, it's about chatting with a friend. ] That is understandable. It's easy to bite off more than you can chew, as they say.

[ Shigeru frowns at that, he knows that feeling all too well. ] People like me, Phrobiests, make people uncomfortable too. I'm sorry you have to go through that. You're very nice and kind though, so people shouldn't treat you like that, even with your appearance!

[ Shigeru will huff and shake his head though at his own words. But it turns into a tired sigh. ]

I just wanted to...try and get better with my phobia. But this probably was a bad way to do it.

[ Well shucks. He's glad that his visor hides the temporary sheepish look on his face. ] You are very kind as well, Shigeru. I cannot imagine anyone treating you poorly either.

[ Genji shifts on the bench and looks at him, leaning an elbow against the arm of it. ] Your phobia? Do you have a hard time in large crowds?

[ Shigeru's own face might be slightly red after he re-reads what he wrote. Why does he do this to himself...

But at the question he nods, his expression dour and still slightly embarrassed, because back home he was treated so poorly for having a phobia like this. Bullies just didn't understand it and probably never would. ]

It's called mysophobia, or I guess germaphobe is another term for it. I...really don't like a lot of things and even doing this is hard. But I can't just stay locked up in my house forever either. I...missed out on a lot of things when I was little because it was so bad. So I'm trying to make up for it here and back home.

[ But it's hard, draining, and some days it takes all of his strength just to get out the front door. ]

[ Genji notices and it's— kind of adorable, really. But! That's not the important thing right then.

He reads what he writes with an 'Ah' and nods. That does make sense and he feels like he understands his companion a little better. ] I see. For what is it worth, I think it is very brave of you to try to overcome it. I think exposure little by little does tend to help...?

[ Ah, now he feels a little bad for spraying him with water earlier. ] And I'm sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable.

[ Totally not important at all, nope. Shigeru does smile at that however. ]

Thank you, for saying so. I know it's...probably not the best idea to do it in this way. But I just...really want to get better. I want to be able to do things normal people can.

[ He wants to have fun and go out with people and enjoy his time here, not be sequestered to his house because of his phobia. ]

You haven't! [ He shakes his head emphatically while showing Genji that. It's okay Genji, nothing will top Dodger's escapades at this point. ]

[ Definitely not, gosh! Genji's own smile is hidden but he gives another little nod. ] I think it is admirable of you. I wouldn't claim to know what you're going through, but I do understand trying to— [ He gestures vaguely with one hand, around his head and then around his chest.] —help yourself. For the better.

[ It was part of why his pride eventually wore down and he listened to Zenyatta. He didn't have to do everything alone anymore.

And he sighs a bit in relief. ] I am glad. I never would want to upset you. But if you ever need a moment to calm yourself, you are more than welcome to find me. [ He laughs under his breath, a static little sound. ] You found me meditating when we first met, after all.

[ Shigeru watches and nods as he listens. Though he does want to ask about Genji's current state...he's not sure if it's his place to do so. ]

Meditation...that helps calm you down, right? I think something like that would be good for me, and probably other people here too. You should try making a get together for it, I bet a lot of people would come.

Oh? [ Now that he brings it up... he honestly hadn't really thought of it. He supposes in some way he still thinks of himself as a 'student' and not a teacher like his Master.

But he supposes there's no reason he couldn't. ] That is a good idea. I will think about it.

[ Genji huffs a little laugh. ] I am not sure if I would be as good of a teacher as my Master, but I won't know until I try. Right?

Only if you're comfortable with that sort of thing!

[ Shigeru, obviously, is not a good public speaker at all. So he definitely won't force anyone to do things like that. ]

I think you'll do fine! You're a good listener and patient. So I'm sure your Master would pick you as a candidate to teach it.

[ And here he'll give Genji a sheepish smile, sorta blushing as well. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

introductory mingle: carnivale

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