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

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[ It's no surprise that Kaneki doesn't look or feel comfortable with the festivities at all. There is too much and too many people, and he's too awkward and too shy to properly enjoy such a thing. He comes to these things because as awkward and antisocial as he is, he sort of hopes to see a familiar face among the new arrivals, and these places are also great for that.

He spots a not so new face, but familiar nonetheless, waving at him and Kaneki shyly waves back at the boy with a smile until Eichi is taking his hand ]

Ah- I don't- I don't know how to dance...!

Don't worry, Kaneki-kun. Ballroom dancing is my specialty, but as an idol, I'm capable of other dances as well. ♪ Just leave it to me and I'll lead the way.

[How do you lead a party dance like this? Well, maybe he has a different dance in mind. It's hard to tell when he's only holding one of Kaneki's hands, his other hand on his drink that he takes another sip from. He still takes a playful step back, tugging him along. Come on, come on!]

[ Kaneki barely has time to think about what is happening - Eichi is already tugging him along and he has a hard time saying no. Even if the other says he'll lead, it won't matter if Kaneki can'tn follow right?

Besides-

his eyes follow to look at Eichi's hand and finally he remembers: ] E-Eichi-kun, isn't dancing between a man and a woman, though? [ won't this be a bit weird? ]

Are you allowing your imagination to be halted by a simple thing like that, Kaneki-kun? Dancing is an expression, and it's not often that my body allows me to move around this much, so I want to celebrate with a friend. Does it make you uncomfortable?

[It clearly does, but that's not the answer he wants, and he wants to convince his friend that this is fine. Selfishly. So, he's not stopping, at least not right now.]

[ it doesn't, no. But Kaneki is happy that Eichi is feeling well and that he is having fun, so telling him no is hard, and trying to escape right now seems like it'll be harder.

So Kaneki ends up giving in because - ah well. why not? They are in an alien world, who cares who is dancing with who, and who cares if Kaneki will make an absolute ass out of himself? ~~kaneki cares~~ ]

You have to be careful so I won't step on your feet, though.

As I said, this is my specialty, so please leave it to me.

[It honestly is his specialty, so he'll make up for however clumsy Kaneki is. He sets his drink aside on the side of some wall or crate or anything in the area, and then takes his hold more properly on Kaneki before he starts.

He's graceful and fluid, and for any mistake made by Kaneki, he's quick to pick it up and keep them moving without fail.]

See?

[ he doesn't see a thing. Kaneki is 100% not sure of what he is doing and he is moving along somehow, staring down at his feet with a strange focus because he doesn't want to step on anyone.

When Eichi speaks, he looks up back at him ] Y-yes- [ yes, he says, but he really doesn't know at all. In fact, he is so worried about his feet and he quickly looks down again, so Eichi is basically facing Kaneki's black hair rather than his face ]

Kaneki-kun.

[That won't do at all. To spectators watching his lovely dance, if his partner won't look at him at all, that's not very charming, is it? So, one of his hands slips free just long enough to press up from underneath Kaneki's chin, forcing his gaze back up.]

You're robbing me of the sight of your eyes, you know? Eye contact is important in dancing.

[ Kaneki hears Eichi calling his name, but it doesn't register the other is calling for him until he has to look up, back at the other boy. The words that follow don't register either, at first - at first - but they are close, at least kaneki realizes. And finally he understands the words, and they are still so close and that's when-

well, kaneki's face turns bright red.

Up to his ears, Kaneki's cheeks flare up, because he is NOT used to be this close to other people, specially people who look like models. And Eichi certainly does, but Kaneki only though about that right now, which doesn't help the current situation. ]

W-wah- [ oh great, he can't speak. But between all the awkwardness and blushing, kaneki's foot moves and he steps right on Eichi's, a bit too hard due to how nervous the boy is right now ]

Edited 2017-07-16 20:00 (UTC)

[Ow.

It hurts...so much. Just when he was looking in Kaneki's eye, too, he had to be stepped on like this? His foot isn't made for this. His foot is delicate. There's a long, suspicious silence while Eichi tries to cope with this pain silently, and to his credit, he doesn't make them stumble. He smoothly takes a step the opposite way, and then tries to spin Kaneki away just a small bit.

The fastest conclusion to a dance ever, and now he can duck to touch at his own foot. It hurts...]

[ kaneki realizes he stepped on Eichi, at least. And when he does, he is quick to start blurring out apologies, because he really didn't mean that and he was trying SO hard to avoid it from happening.

kaneki steps away quickly when he can, and pretty much continue to apologize to the other ]

I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry, Eichi-kun!

[Ah, he's worrying him! Tipsy and determined, Eichi stands back up with a little wobble, trying to shake out his foot.]

There's no need to worry, Kaneki-kun! I'm just fine, see? I'm so strong I could kick a brick to pieces. ♪

[That's not true?!]

It was my fault, really - i'm so sorry-

[ kaneki reaches to gently touch eichi's shoulder, to make sure he is alright ] Does it still hurt? I'm really clumsy, I don't know how to dance at all-

You're overthinking it, Kaneki-kun.

[He chuckles, shifting to take that hand from his shoulder into another hold, instead.] To dance like this is just to enjoy yourself. We're not in front of nobility or anything like that, and we're among commoners, so you can forget about rules and let your body move freely.

[He pulls Kaneki close again, a little gentler this time to avoid toe stepping.]

[ it's not about nobility. it's about making an ass out of himself, which he already did clearly.

Kaneki is brought closer again and he just stares for a moment. Really? Eichi wants to go again? The ghoul can't help but to offer the other an awkward smile ]

I think you'll come out of this dance a bit bruised, Eichi-kun.

A few bruises here and there won't be too much of an issue. It sounds a little exciting, when you put it like that.

[What. Well, he doesn't stop to explain that, already moving in a slower dance to try and help Kaneki. Maybe if he gives him a little more time between movements, he can pick it up?] I'm not as fragile a I may seem. I've survived this long, haven't I?

[ wait what?...

but Eichi is moving again and Kaneki is back again to look down at his feet so he can follow the other]

It's not about surviving - no one wants to get stepped on all the time. [ shouldn't you just... give up, that's basically what kaneki is saying. He continues to look down as he talks, trying to see which step follows and where he should place his feet as they move ]

But there are some people who want just that, right?

[What is he even saying anymore? He doesn't stop to explain, leading Kaneki is less complex and slower motions. This one should be easier to keep up with, he hopes.] Look, you aren't stepping on me right now, since I continue to move my feet out of the way.

Er- I don't... know about what other people like? [ what??????

Kaneki finally gets what Eichi is saying and his cheeks are turnig red again ] I don't think that's your thing, right, Eichi-kun? [ right. Maybe. Kaneki's attention is back on Eichi at least, though his cheeks are red ]

Are you alright? You are... er... maybe drunk?

I have to be careful with my alcohol intake, you know, so I've only had a drink or two?

[He's a lightweight, that's plenty. But he's just chuckling about it as they dance, squeezing Kaneki's hand a little more.]

Would you like one as well, Kaneki-kun?

Oh, I'm not good at drinking and such- [ he isn't lying, Kaneki will vomit if he drinks alcohol. Though it's for a different reason, one that Eichi doesn't know ]

I think it's better I don't drink too, since I have to follow your steps.

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introductory mingle: carnivale

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