riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

Entry tags:

introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and River Festival
when: The month of August; the bulk of celebration will be in week 1, but there is a party and fireworks display on August 14th.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

river festival

In the days leading up to August 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: The River Festival. This holiday is in celebration of the river and the life that it gives to the city, as well as the heat of summer and forming bonds with friends, family, and romantic partners. The celebrations are marked by a community-wide cleanup of the docks and beaches along the river - particularly important considering the recent acid rain - as well as beachfront cookouts and parties (both private and city sponsored) and beach sports tournaments happening on either open stretches of beach or in special clothing-optional beaches, all capped off with fireworks displays on the evenings of August 7th and 14th.

a celebration of the river and togetherness

Following the hedonism of Carnivale, it's time for something a little more low-key and relaxing. The River Festival happens every year in August, and is geared toward community building through cleaning up the beaches and docks along the river and then using all that freshly cleaned beach to gather on. During the first week of August, there are various lightly-themed government-sponsored beach cookouts and parties geared toward family, romantic dates, or casual all-ages get-togethers for meeting new friends; there are also a few more racy parties at clothing-optional beaches around the city. Many private residents also take this time to gather together friends and family, and have cookouts on the beach with all the typical trappings of the beach barbecue. There are also various casual sports tournaments sponsored by community centers, gyms, and sports teams in the city, featuring prizes ranging from notoriety to sports equipment to big bucks. Finally, there are two fireworks displays, one on August 7th and one on August 14th, with free food, and various live performers beforehand.

i. cleaning up

The holiday starts off on a note that is just a bit more sombre than the rest of the season, with the cleanup efforts following late July's strange fog and acid rain blending into the usual tradition of cleaning up beaches and docks along the river. The cleanup is a group effort, with every citizen who is physically able pitching in to comb the beaches, where they pick up fallen tree limbs, garbage, and anything else that's accumulated during the winter and spring, and then raking the beaches to make them clean and ready to use. The cleanup of the docks is similar, with residents sweeping and hosing them down where necessary. This year, there are a lot of repairs to be made to beachfront structures that might've been damaged by the acid rain, so if anyone has some carpentry or building skills, those would definitely come in handy.

This is meant to be a community building effort, so many businesses in the area, more well-to-do private citizens, and the government have pitched in funding to provide lunches, cold drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks to anyone who's helping out with the cleanup efforts. All in all, the cleanup has a very friendly, welcoming vibe.

ii. cookouts and parties

The main traditions of the River Festival involve cookouts and beach parties. On August 7th and August 14th, the government as well as various corporations and businesses in the city, will be providing funds for large beach gatherings. On these days, there will be booths set up offering wares and freebies from various businesses around the city that have helped fund the party, large swaths of cleared beach where residents can don a swimsuit and catch some rays or swim in the river, massive barbecue setups to provide partygoers with all the standard barbecue fare, beach sports tournaments, dancing and musical performances, and fireworks displays (see prompts below).

The holiday isn't just about these big parties, though - many residents arrange their own barbecues, cookouts, beach camping trips, beach bonfires, and other riverside gatherings and outings. Many riverfront businesses offer discounts on services such as canoe or kayak rentals to go out paddling on the river, jetski or motorboat rentals for tubing, wakeboarding, or waterskiing, or mounts to take romantic rides in the surf. Additionally, there is an adults-only section of the beach where any of these activities can be done in the nude in a clothing-optional setting, including the big city-sponsored parties.

iii. sportsball tournaments

Is your character good at playing a particular sport that could, conceivably, be played on a beach? Chances are that during the month of August, a tournament will be set up for them to participate in. The tournaments are pretty standard, generally sponsored by community centers, sports clubs and teams, gyms, and other organizations and businesses in the city, with various levels of specialization, and levels of skill or competitiveness. The prizes also vary, with everything from plain old bragging rights to sports equipment or passes to gyms and community centers, to large lump sums of cash money. Definitely worth it, for characters with a love for sport.

Oh, and a lot of these tournaments are happening on the adults-only clothing-optional beaches, for those grown-up sports fans who like a bit of an extra challenge.

iv. performances and fireworks

On August 7th and August 14th at the end of the large city-sponsored beach parties, there will be evening performances all along the beach. Not as extensive as the musical performances during Carnivale, there are two large-name performers per night, with various lesser-known groups performing at random off and on throughout the day and night. Areas of the beach are cleared for residents to watch and dance to the music, both on the regular and adults-only clothing-optional beaches (acts will switch off between the two areas so both areas get both performances).

Player-characters who are musical artists, DJs, or otherwise perform are free to set up shop around this party and panhandle or put on free performances for publicity.

After the sun goes down, boats will head out into the water carrying a variety of fireworks, and there will be a beautiful display of exploding color in the sky for residents to watch and enjoy. The fireworks are highly advanced, incorporating old-fashioned gunpowder as well as modern technology that result in really beautiful displays that can take the breath away!

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 the River Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: credit unknown; image ii: Albert Ramon Puig; image iii: Claudio Pilia; image iv: Alan Philips

navigation

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I. Beach Clean-Up

[With all of the recent events such as acid rain and blackouts lately, Sycamore understands why the government puts out a beach cleanup before the festivities. He would try to let Garchomp help him out with the cleanup, but since he might use his telekinesis from time to time as a practice, he decides to keep her inside her Poke Ball at this hour as he fears she might be targeted of those telekinetic accidents like last time.

Whether if you encounter during the cleanup or his break, he is not afraid to have a little conversation as an icebreaker.]

II. Barbeque Cookout (With Pokemon!) [Mingle Prompt]

[Speaking of these incidents, Professor Sycamore knows that there are some residents who are still affected by this. So he hopes a barbeque cookout would put them at ease for the River Festival. So once the beachgoers visit the right side of the beach, they can see some tables and benches around the area with several barbeque grills at the front of them.

What's interesting about the cookout is that not only he invites anyone to help him out (since his cooking skill might leave a small chance of burning the barbeque), but the fact that he lets his Garchomp help out on serving some drinks and snacks to any visitors. And if you're looking for the Pokemon Professor, you can find him at the grills or any tables wearing a beach outfit that he bought for the festival.

So if you want, you can interact either with Sycamore or his Garchomp. Maybe even try meeting them while they are together!]

III. Floor 1

[Prompt for any roommates at floor one! Putting this right here since I'm planning to let him move to his new lab if it's accepted.]

WILDCARD

[If you something else, just go for it right here or hit me up on

RunnerRPAwaker if you want to plot for the festivities or if you want me to tag on your mingle log!]

[Ed had anticipated that showing up by the water's edge would result in him getting a certain tag-along for the rest of this celebration. Sure enough, the Milotic had surfaced and followed him around through the activities - as much as it could. The Pokemon didn't seem interested in anything or anyone else, watching Ed carefully everywhere he went like an overprotective guard dog.

He gladly took one of the drinks from Sycamore's Garchomp before heading over to the man himself, looking over the barbecue curiously.]

You seem to be going to a lot of trouble.

[Ed is right about it as he can see some of the barbeque Sycamore is grilling is little burned. He even sheepishly smiles upon seeing this.]

Well, I usually stayed in my lab more than the kitchen.

[However, Sycamore's eyes widen when he sees the Pokemon behind Edward.]

My goodness... Is that the Milotic you've mentioned before?

You want some help?

[Ed had learned to cook for himself over the years, monster wasn't exactly a tasty meal so cooking and seasonings got you by when food was limited in Purg. At least in Attollo he had the option of take out.

At the question his eyebrows raise, surprised someone familiar with Pokemon would find it alarming, but what did he know? Maybe most of them were smaller, like that Eevee he'd seen. He grins before replying, pointing as if Sycamore needed the indication.]

That's it. Stubborn as hell, but it mostly stays out of the way.

Why, yes. That would be nice.

[He sighs in relief to this as he feels grilling alone can be catastrophic.

As for the Milotic, he then slowly approaches the Water-type cautiously while observing the Pokemon in front of him.]

And did it followed you out of its will, correct?

[The first thing Ed's going to do is remove anything burnt from the grill, it would be easy to get rid of some of the charred bits, but better to start fresh and see if he can't salvage the next batch first.

Ed watches as he approaches the Milotic, but doesn't move from his position, knowing that the thing could defend itself if the need rose. The creature itself leans forward, taking the invitation to inspect the the human as well.]

It just showed up one day when we were at the beach, it usually stays in the water... but it comes out sometimes, like to check up on me.

[He found it really strange, stranger yet that it managed to slip through the portal with him.]

[Upon he heard Ed's story on how he found this Pokemon, Sycamore cautiously takes a closer look at the Pokemon. As he did so, his Garchomp decides to help out the barbeque as she helps Ed on taking out any meat that was burnt thanks to her trainer.]

I see. I'm just surprised that a rare Pokemon like Milotic could take such an interest in you.

[Not to mention that he notices that it is somehow protective to the alchemist.]

[Ed casts her a grateful look, even if he was still entirely unused to these things, he'd learned how to adjust to species he found unusual real quick living in Purg.]

The guy I mentioned, Cyrus, he said they have a habit of coming out to interfere in conflicts. It showed up when I was fighting with a friend, just never seemed to leave after that.

[His response is somber, Lockon had been trying to help, and he knew he was being the stubborn one in that situation - but he didn't want to get into too many details with a complete stranger.]

He's right. Milotic has the power to calm anger from other people and will intervene any fights by releasing a wave of energy to the participants.

[But as he said this, he takes another good look at Milotic before turning his attention back to Ed.]

But the fact that it never leaves by your side afterward is very puzzling indeed. Did you do something that somehow caused to attract you for a reason?

Not really.

[At least not that he knew of.]

I figured it just expects to have to intervene a lot.

[That's mostly a joke, Ed shrugs.]

Someone that could talk to animals at the time just said it likes me, I'm not really sure what that means. As if it came out of the water to protect me from the guy I was fighting with. Honestly, I don't really get it...

In the world we were in before, I- hurt my brother. Everyone wanted me to just get over it and I couldn't. A friend was trying to reason with me when it showed up, honestly I think we were both so freaked out it didn't even bother to release any energy waves or whatever.

[He waves a hand as if to indicate he probably wouldn't know if it had.]

It doesn't come out much, but has randomly showed up ever since.

[Hearing that story is enough for Sycamore to understand more about Ed's life in his first world is. He's even to the point where he sympathizes at what he has been through despite not hearing full details about his stay.

And upon he learned of his relationship with Milotic, Sycamore decides to try stroking the Pokemon's head while he continues his conversation with the alchemist.]

I see. And did Cyrus gave you a Poke Ball for the Milotic or you decide to forgo its capture?

[The Pokemon leans forward, happy for the human contact even if the creature's attention seems more on Ed than the human in front of it.]

Capture-? He didn't say anything about any of that, just what I told you.

[Which wasn't much.]

I don't know anything about Poke Balls or whatever, and I've never thought about capturing it. It just... does its own thing, really. Is that normal, where you're from, capturing them?

[Makes sense if there are no existing wild Pokemon back in that world.]

Yes. It's usually a way for Pokemon trainers to gain a new Pokemon.

[He then shows the red and white ball from his pocket to show it to Ed.]

As for the Poke Ball, it serves not only as a storage to your Pokemon but a great capturing tool. However, they must be weakened or willing to come with the trainer to work.

But it's up to the trainers if they want to capture it or not.

Most people just kept them as pets... I don't think anyone had those.

[The concept was incredibly foreign to him, and he looks at the ball curiously when it's presented.]

They fit in that thing?

[He doesn't ask how it works, he's not sure he wants to know.]

So, what, it would live in there instead of on the beach? That hardly seems fair.

It might hard to believe, but the Poke Ball can store them by turning them into energy. Although, you have the option of letting them stay out of their Poke Ball for as long as you like.

But like I said, it's up to you whether if you want to capture Milotic or not. You can forgo using the Poke Ball and let it live here as a wild Pokemon. Though there is a risk that it might get captured by someone else.

[That was kind of amazing, but Ed doesn't comment - instead listening carefully and weighing his options. Considering the Milotic hung around because it wanted to, he wouldn't mind if it chose to go with someone else instead, but the idea of someone else catching it that might not want to be caught by was a thought he was now considering.]

Okay, say I decided that I want to capture it... Where would I even get one of those balls around here? I don't think anyone had them where I was before.

Actually, these are mass-produced when I started resuming my Pokemon research in this world. So you could probably find them in any gadget stores or pet stores if you can.

[He then takes out his Poke Ball and offers it to Ed.]

But if you like, I can give you one in case you changed your mind.

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[Sycamore's grilling? Certainly got someone's attention.

And it just so happened that someone was a small Lillipup who came to plunk into an attentive sit by the man, ears perked, tail wagging as he was hopefully eyeing everything that went on or off the grill.

Look Professor how cute! Clearly you should give him all of the treats ever, right? He obviously deserves every last one.]

[It doesn't take long for the Pokemon Professor to notice a little cute pup Pokemon. He even kneels down just to take a closer look at him.]

Why, hello there. What's the matter? Are you all out here alone?

[He even attempts to pet the cute pup's little head unaware of what he is doing at the grill.]

[Wong is entirely happy to bump his head under Sycamore's hand to accept the pats, tail wagging a bit as he does. And if he looks, the professor would see the little red collar the pup was wearing, complete with nametag, courtesy of one obnoxious Stark.]

He's hoping you've got treats for him. [Stephen spoke up from a few feet away with a wry smile as he watched Wong be his very cutest in the hopes of getting some morsel or tidbit.] So he's playing the best 'I'm cute love me' face he's got.

[Upon he sees the nametag, he can guess that this Lillipup already belonged to someone. And just in time as well when he sees a strange man approaching him and explains what his Normal-type Pokemon is doing.]

I can understand that. I might give him some if he's behaved.

[Yet once he turns around, his cheerful demeanor turned into horror when he sees his barbeque is burning.]

MON DIUE!!!

[Ivar's got both of his horse Pokemon out. They're staying close to him after the incident with Dodger, and indeed, his Blitzle Hrimfaxi seems to be pushily trying to herd him around. It's during one such incident when she's headbutting his wheelchair that he reaches out a comforting hand to her.]

I've told you already, I'm fine. No one will hurt me here.

[She seems unconvinced, walking around behind him, and attempting to push his wheelchair from the back. He just sighs, resigned to her overprotective behavior. Ivar's got to find a way to distract her. When he sees the Professor and his Pokemon, he goes over to them.]

And what kind of Pokemon is this? [He asks, letting Skinfaxi move shyly from where he's trying his best to hide behind his owner. The Ponyta stretches out his long neck cautiously towards the Garchomp.]

[Oh, look at that, Ivar and his Ponyta! At least he sees a familiar face again for the barbeque cookout. Especially that he's very interested at his Mach Pokemon.]

Oh, this is my Garchomp. She's also known as the Mach Pokemon and is a Dragon and Ground-type Pokemon.

She looks...intimidating.

[Dragon was definitely what he would have guessed her Pokemon type as. Skinfaxi doesn't move until he hears an encouraging word from Ivar.]

Go on. I'm sure she's friendly.

[Then the Ponyta dances forward a few steps. He's larger now, losing some of the lanky qualities he had as a little colt. His chest and neck are broader. He's also grown more into his long legs. Hrimfaxi comes around from where she's been trying to herd Ivar, giving up for the moment now that he isn't moving. The Blitzle doesn't seem that interested in trying to make friends, instead observing from a spot right next to Ivar's wheelchair.]

[And he is right. As soon he said this, Garchomp then slowly approaches the horse-like Pokemon and growls hello to them while waving at them.]

You're right about that. Garchomp may look fearsome, but she has a gentle heart and is very friendly to anyone like her.

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introductory mingle: RIVER FESTIVAL

Augustine Sycamore | OTA

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