riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: FLOWER FESTIVAL

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introductory mingle: FLOWER FESTIVAL

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Flower Festival Celebration
when: April 2nd - April 15th
where: In several different locations in the downtown area of the Inhabited City.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

flower festival

In the days leading up to April 2nd, residents new and old may notice advertising around the city, everywhere from digital screens to paper flyers pasted on blank walls, all advertising an upcoming holiday: The Flower Festival. Celebrating springtime, beauty, joy, and togetherness, the festival heavily features floral themes and dancing. The advertising mentions that on April 10th, a paid holiday, there will be a Blossom Picnic, as well as lists of various public dances at clubs or other open venues, and adult raves.

a celebration of spring

The Flower Festival's main event is the Blossom Picnic on April 10th, but it also features traditions of sharing food and drink, and dancing that span over the course of the whole two weeks. There are a large variety of events going on throughout the city, from dancing lessons in any wide variety of traditional dances, to old-fashioned sock hops, to adult raves complete with mild party drugs. Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own event at any point during the festival, and if your character creates an event and hosts it in a top-level, you can submit that thread for extra bonus points.

i. blossom picnic

The main event that kicks off the second week of the Flower Festival is the Blossom Picnic on April 10th. A relaxed and low-key event, it draws several thousand people every year to the spacious Riverview Central Park, where there is a generous lawn lined with various blossoming trees, and families, found families, lovers, and groups of friends are encouraged to lay out a picnic blanket and share food. There will be live bands playing (but not loudly enough to distract from conversation and peacefully watching the petals flutter in the wind), a variety of demonstrations of traditional cultural dances from many different realities and planets, and a ton of ice cream vendors. This is an excellent festival not only for celebrating togetherness with the people who are already important, but for mingling and making new friends.

Characters may either pack their own lunches or they can purchase pre-packed Blossom Festival lunches. Stores and street markets are carrying a wide variety of specialty food that is only available at this time of year - predominantly pastries, an assortment of types of candies, and ice cream treats all in various floral flavors, as well as a sort of ambrosia salad based around a sweet rose-flavored cream and a native fruit that is bright green and tastes like a combination of peach and citrus.

ii. dancing lessons

Starting on April 2nd, there will be dancing lessons offered almost everywhere you look! From partner dances to group dances to line dances; sexy and sensual or innocent and childlike - almost any type of dance you can imagine is represented, from any reality or planet that has people in Riverview Quarantine.

Additionally, the Riverview Central Community Center has multiple rooms blocked off so anyone who knows a dance from home can teach it to others in their community - sharing is caring, after all. Characters are welcome to block off one of these rooms and offer lessons in any dance they happen to know from home (and these sorts of thread starters would be eligible for the mingle AC Point bonus)!

iii. flower festival dancing

This is pretty simply what it says on the tin - in almost every club, community center, or other public space, there will be dancing at almost all hours of the day or night, formal and informal. Musicians bring out their instruments and play in the street for demonstrations of cultural dances and music at the same time as clubs are offering VIP cover charges for exclusive dances, and you can find anything in between.

There are also many low-cover-charge raves that allow under-18s so younger characters can stay up all night and dance like crazy. The legal drinking age in Riverview Quarantine is 14, and so anyone over 14 can enter and indulge in a few drinks, dancing, and playing tag with a non-intoxicating version of the colored powder featured at the adult raves. There is copious amounts of security on site to ensure that everyone is safe, as well as nurses and off-duty police officers to offer advice or care for anyone who overindulges out of lack of experience.

Grab a partner, a group of friends, or just cruise and mingle the various dancing events.

Characters may also notice that most of the street markets and clothing shops are offering clothing that features floral patterns, flowers as accessories, and that show a lot of skin - for men, women, and anyone in between!

iv. adult raves

Advertised on flyers and digital screens around the city, made to pop as if they were under blacklight, is a series of adult raves that are happening in various large empty warehouse spaces around the city, including one that is listed as the danger rave and hosted in an abandoned factory outside the inhabited city walls. With bouncers at the door to ensure that anyone entering is 18+, the raves are comfortably adult in nature. Clothing is optional, showing skin is encouraged, and there are a lot of neatly tucked away spaces for attendees to get some time alone with one or more than one person, as well as spaces intended for orgies. The atmosphere is sex-positive and non-judgemental, open to any orientation or preference, with various forms of protection available for free, however, to ensure that everyone plays safe there are sober security teams out en masse at all premises to oversee the events.

(CW: DRUG USE) In each location, there is one specific room where attendees can enter, and dance or play tag with brightly colored powder that contains small amounts of a legal party drug commonly available in Riverview, which is absorbed through the skin. Not much more intoxicating than having a few beers, the effects of the drug are a pleasant low-key buzzing euphoria, positive sensitivity to touch, a heightening of desires for intimacy, and a mild lowering of inhibitions. Once a character has been hit with the powder, the color lingers on the skin so other attendees can know who has partaken, but once the powder makes contact with a surface it deactivates, meaning that partakers can safely dance with non-partakers without sharing the intoxicating effects.

Please be sure to warn in subject lines for any threads involving drug use. And remember, there is always security to intervene and make sure everyone is safe.

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to set up headers for a communal floor, or threads open to roommates for the purpose of getting to know each other. Or if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set at the Flower Festival, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: third image by Steve Goad; other images found on uncredited on Pinterest or Google images - please let the mod know if you find credit!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ But... clearly this isn't the time for deep self-reflection, not when he's too busy warily eyeing the new stamp on the back of his hand courtesy of the bouncer as something headache-inducing blares through powerful speakers. ]

.......... this was a mistake.

[ Eichi glances at his own hand as well before looking to Sasuke with a smile. ]

It's a little overwhelming, isn't it? I can feel the bass rattling my whole body. My heart might explode like this, so it's already fluttering with excitement. Let's move further in to see if there's a spot you might hear me better. [ This time, he reaches out to tug Sasukes sleeve so they don't get separated in the crowd. Come on!! ]

[ Did he just--

Sasuke stares down at his empty left sleeve that's now being used as a tether to guide him along, privately affronted but nonetheless carefully skirting an assortment of people in various states of undress -- fantastic -- now that he's already come this far. ]

I can hear you no matter where it is. [ Though Sasuke does raise his own voice for Eichi's benefit, not operating under the assumption that his senses are as sharp. ]

Enough weird commentary.

Really? You have impressive hearing. I forgot you were so skilled in that way.

[He didn't forget, he just didn't know it extended to weirdly being able to hear him over rave music. But, good to know. He continues tugging him by the sleeve, completely avoiding any indecent people to instead find a corner or a sideline that just so happens to be beside one of those powder rooms.]

Would you like to start with some questions first? [Finally, he releases that sleeve.] Otherwise, you might only get more irritated waiting for what you'd really like to hear.

[ Avoiding the... "entertainment" itself in order to quickly establish themselves as the most ill-fittingly dressed wallflowers in here causes Sasuke to question what they're doing here in the first place, not that he wasn't already. It doesn't take long before he's feeling the usual stares on him, cursed since birth with a face that draws unwanted attention and Eichi certainly isn't helping.

He's already feeling claustrophobic. ]

I'm not irritated. [ Sort of. ] ... how many other ninja have you met?

[Two good looking guys along the sidelines of a rave... This really isn't ideal. But Eichi wanted to see what sort of things happened in here, even if his body is too frail to participate himself, and he's glad to have company for it. So, that's it, really.]

Suigetsu was one other, though it seems he's come to dislike me already, even without his memories. [He's going to be fair and not even count his weird classmate Shinobu, too.] I didn't meet him, but there was one more of you on the ship that happened to kidnap a friend of mine. I was never able to find out what happened after that.

Ah, I did meet one man who sort of seemed a little like a "ninja" once I got here. He was something of a robot, too, though. With all that considered, I don't know many at all because not many have come here at all.

[ Suigetsu.

His is a well-known name in some areas of their world but not so much that it seems likely Eichi would be able to successfully and convincingly lie about having met him. It adds some credibility to his claims and Sasuke quickly decides that that's more of a cause for concern, not less.

He'd rather have someone trying to trick him and kill him -- yet again -- than have to swallow the idea that he's spent a forgotten amount of time in another dimension before this one. ]

A robot... In that case it's unlikely that he's someone that I know. As for the kidnapper, that sounds more likely. [ Almost wryly, but he keeps his tone neutral. Which is hard to do considering that someone is leaning far too close to him to loop a glowing necklace over his head, why. ]

What's the nature of your conflict with Suigetsu?

[ Meanwhile, Eichi is calmly allowing an energetic passerby to adorn his arm in way too many glowing bracelets, ignoring them largely to keep smiling at Sasuke. ]

I can't be positive since it wasn't said outright, but I believe it was something like jealousy. He seemed bothered that you had invited me to your room. [ Haha... Eichi gets his arm back and fiddled with the bracelet, moving closer to Sasuke when there are too many people crowding even here, along the edges. ]

If he'd like to be rivals with me, then that's even more interesting, so I don't mind at all. Friendly rivals~.

[ Jealousy? If that's the case then it's a lower concern, a trait he's witnessed in his teammate before when he receives less attention than he wants, though Sasuke had believed it to be dampened by time spent apart. Seems like he was wrong.

But he doesn't file it away as the danger that it is or read into what it means outside of Suigetsu's predilection for his undivided focus, his general hatred for fledgling bonds being formed without his notice. It makes sense. Suigetsu loves tearing things apart. ]

Ridiculous. [ It's said without malice, just his calm assessment of the very idea. ] Don't go out of your way to taunt him; I don't want the job of watching you both at all times.

Instead tell me what you've learned about those responsible for bringing us here.

Do you take me for some sort of instigator? It isn't as if I'm going out of my way to irritate him. It seems that me simply being myself has him tempted to take action. Fufu, I have to watch my back at all times now. ♪

[It's exciting, sure, but it's a little terrifying too. But anyway, they are really getting crowded into this corner now, and so Eichi moves his arms around Sasuke's arm, tugging him lightly to try and walk with him. Out of the way of these nosy eavesdroppers...]

Not much outside of the orientation, but I do know that they seem far more friendly than the ones who were responsible for the last place I was stuck.

It's because--

[ His words cut off abruptly when he's again touched without his consent, hearing the echoes of laughter around them without taking the time to consider exactly how this looks. Instead he stiffens, chin raised and jaw locked, body language wholly unreceptive even if he doesn't yet fight him. ]

Stop. It's because you're annoying.

Is that really all that you know?

[Annoying, ouch. That word seems to do the trick, since Eichi releases his arm again, now using this small area close to the door to hide from the crowds. He's still bumped into occasionally, but he manages to keep his footing despite that.]

Hmm, I've only been here for a few days, after all. But I'd like to consider myself familiar with this type of experience, since it's my second time. If you're curious, wait just a few weeks, and by then we should know what type of place this is. [Ominous.]

[ Sasuke's already leapt to the conclusion that whatever has brought him here has done so with nefarious intentions and that assuming otherwise would be foolhardy, so this does nothing but add more doubts. So he doesn't know anything yet, and more or less tricked him here. ]

For what reason would you be selected twice? What about you is unique? [ Eichi's discomfort, however agitated Sasuke might be, is noticed, and he actually takes a small step to the side to shield him from the throngs of people. A small gesture of goodwill in spite of his direct line of questioning. ]

[Sasuke's small gesture there is one he's used to by the people that surround him, but certainly not one that goes missed. He appreciates it enough to chill a little with his own overbearing ways, taking a moment in the slight shelter to consider that. His smile and eyes dim a little.]

What is unique about me? That's something I wonder a lot. [He glances to the side, messing with his bracelets as he looks out into the crowds.] You could say it's my talent, that I'm a scion for a well-known family, or that I have this illness... But none of those really matter. There's nothing exceptionally unique or interesting about me.

That's an answer in and of itself, isn't it?

No, it isn't.

[ Three stark words spoken even over the drumbeat of new too-loud music that he's never heard anything like in his entire life. One more subtle reminder of how out of place he is in this world. ]

I won't be satisfied with just that; we're better off pooling our resources with others to find out more threads of commonality between us. [ Beyond feeling like they didn't belong in their worlds, at least. He'd pried that much out of the welcoming team but it'd only made him more uneasy. ]

I wouldn't be against that. I wonder, would something like a survey help narrow this sort of thing down? There are so many varying worlds, times, and people here, but I can't disagree that there might be something connecting us all.

[Even if he's not unique or interesting himself. He would hum, but the music is too loud and he's actually already getting a headache. This is what he gets for being curious. Still, he looks at the crowds.] That's also why I think it's important that we all get to know one another. This isn't some manga or game, and not everyone will get along so easily, but for those who can and will, it makes this a little easier, doesn't it?

"Manga or game"? [ There's an extra note of distaste given to the words, but then again that might have something to do with the fact that he's just had some kind of dust smeared on his cloak by someone in passing while also receiving yet another necklace. ]

... it may be a game to someone; that's what I want to learn. A survey might not be a bad place to start with the rest of us, however. Now...

Are you done seeing the sights of this place yet? [ gOD ]

Mm, you may be right about that. There are always those who take enjoyment in things like this, aren't there?

[He says, like he doesn't enjoy pushing people until they grow himself. Nevermind that, though. He eyes the powder on Sasuke and is reminded, turning slightly towards the door to their side.]

Fufu, if I've come this far, then I'd like to make it just one more step. Will you wait for me just so I can do this? I have a curiosity that I can't hold back.

Aa. I hate people like that. [ Without reservation, even if his voice is lowered. It's almost more like he's saying it to himself rather than to Eichi, briefly swept up in a few unpleasant old memories.

But. ]

... that sounds ominous. [ STRAIGHT UP ]

[Eichi still just hums in agreement, buried under the loud sounds of this music as he watches another person come out of the door covered in powder. It sounds ominous. Yes, it does...]

Ominous? Maybe so. But this is something I should discover for myself, I think. I'll be right back, so wait for me. [He is soooo tired of holding back. He knows it's nothing close to being better on those planets he was on, or in any serious situations, but he still has to push himself little by little or he won't learn a thing. He'll go mad.

So, he opens that door to go inside!!]

[ Sasuke isn't given much of a choice when Eichi suddenly disappears, offered a split second look into the pit of depravity that is the next room over. Right. He'll sequester himself here, then, almost immediately approached by a woman with a sinking tube top asking for a dance. She leaves quickly enough when he advises that she fix her clothing.

It doesn't stop the next three from trying with him anyway.

It's a full five minutes and a change in song before he's decided that this is not worth whatever he might be getting out of it, finally crossing to that door to open it with the full intent of snapping at Eichi-- ]

[ And instead he clocks him hard in the shoulder with the door's edge, looking downward at his collapsed body. Ah. That explains the delay.

His first order of business is then to eye the other party-goers with distaste for not taking appropriate action, next sinking to his knees to check Eichi's pulse. Alive. That's justification enough to grab him by the collar and quite literally haul him onto his shoulder, straightening up without a word or explanation to anyone that attempts to stop him in order to tote him outside.

Sasuke makes it as far as one of the benches on the street before he's dropping Eichi unceremoniously, only then giving his cheek a hard little smack. ]

Oi.

[As it turns out, Eichi was not expecting to be immediately hit with a face full of that golden powder during his quest of curiosity. The intention had been to enter, to peek at others and what the purpose of the powder was to begin with, maybe to ask someone about surrounding coffee shops that they could head to. But no, he's covered in powder, and his senses are immediately overloaded.

Now, dropping onto the bench startles him awake a bit, but it's the smack that really gets him to jolt. He lifts a hand to his cheek in shock, eyeing Sasuke like he's not sure what's happening at all.

His head is spinning, and he sort of feels like he might still be asleep.]

Ah?

[ So he's coming around but isn't there just yet. Sasuke stares down at him for a moment... before smacking the other unguarded cheek instead. ]

Wake up.

[Another smack, another jolt, and Eichi pulls his other hand up so that both cheeks are protected. Why!!]

S-sorry, but could you please stop that? [Give him a second here. He blinks rapidly a few more times, and then has to lower his hands and turn to the side so he can cough a bit, some leftover powder coming out in the process. He swallowed some, woops.

He's awake, but those smacks had been a little more than he bargained for. All of his skin feels like it's buzzing with sensitivity, and if he were to be smacked again, he might make an embarrassing sound. He doesn't feel bad, not at all. In fact, he feels pretty great, but it's that lack of control in his body that has him so startled. His face is really flushed, and he avoids eye contact for now, mind racing on this.]

This powder is unusually strong, it seems. I had intended to speak with you for a little while longer, but I'm beginning to think I should head home. [rip]

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