introductory mingle: DRAGOSTA

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Dragosta celebration
when: The month of September.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

dragosta

In the days leading up to September 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Dragosta. This holiday is in celebration of romantic love, and seen as a time of the year for Quarantine residents to try to find someone special to cuddle up with in preparation for the cold winter months. Romantic love is highly valued in Riverview Quarantine, as it can foster an incredible sense of wellness and belonging, and is often the cornerstone of found families as well as biological ones. While there are no official city-sponsored parties, there are various holiday traditions and a paid day off on September 8th so anyone who wants to indulge in them with their loved one can do so.

a celebration of romantic love

Rather than anything structured and organized by the city, Dragosta is a celebration usually left up to the citizens of the city to organize for themselves - there are a few traditions that many businesses (obviously) capitalize on, mainly the tradition of special date nights with small gifts exchanged for people who've already matched up or want to. There are also various singles dances intended to help people without partners find someone to share the special holiday with, and a tradition among the various magic users in the city of preparing soul mate potions and spells intended to help people find the person they're meant to be with.

i. soulmates

Almost as soon as it hits midnight on August 31st, booths and street corner vendors are popping up all around the city offering various magical potions and spells in little rows of bottles. The number of types are overwhelming, with a different concoction available for every type of magic that exists across thousands of different worlds. But the purpose of every single bottle and its contents is exactly the same: to help you find love. Specifically, these are the traditional magics that promise to give anyone who uses them the ability to find or identify their soulmate.

These little bits of magic can have various effects on the person using them (reminiscent of the soulmate trope in fiction), depending on the type of magic and the person who prepared them, and the options are almost endless. There are a few comfortable standbys, though, that pop up pretty much every year:

● Rainbow Potion: Tiny bottles of a soft rainbow-colored potion that affects the vision. Once drunk, the potion will remove the partaker's ability to see in color until the first time they meet their soulmate after ingestion, then all the colors will come flooding back.
● Time Spell: Purchasing a time spell will get you a little vial of liquid with a tiny hourglass inside. Pouring out the liquid and turning the tiny hourglass will result in the appearance of a timer counting down on the partaker's skin somewhere - like a moving tattoo, it will count down the days, hours, minutes, and even seconds until the person will meet their soulmate for the first time after the spell is initiated.
● Red Thread: Some residents might've heard of the legend of the red thread of fate, a red thread that is tied between the ankles or little fingers of two people destined to fall in love. Tiny jars with a delicate red thread attached to a note (the contents of which are unreadable) are sold to invoke this legend. Once opened, the user should tie the red thread around their smallest finger on the left side and a red thread only that person and their soulmate can see will appear, tying them together. It may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
● Ink Potion: Small vials of a mysterious black liquid are one of the more common offerings - this liquid, once carefully spread on a portion of the partaker's skin, will result in a tattoo-like marking in a particular shape, that matches the marking that magically appeared on their soulmate!

While these are the most common types, there are almost infinite numbers of other types of potions, spells, and magics intended to help people find their soulmates, of varying type and quality.

A Few OOC Guidelines:
● Soulmate potions/spells can be used multiple times with different partners, and the effect can last as long (or as briefly) as you want it to.
● Since there is a wide variation of different types of potions/spells, they can vary in effectiveness. Feel free to use this prompt for either serious shipping or silly pairings for comedic effect.
● There is no compulsion involved in this prompt. The potions/spells will only show the character who their supposed soulmate is, not compel them to fall in love with the other character.
● Because there is no compulsion or alteration of behavior involved, and all effects are temporary and mildly annoying at most, characters ARE allowed to use them on other characters without asking. If your character wouldn't take one of the potions/spells, one of their friends can definitely spike their drink with a potion or use a spell on their behalf. Also, only one party has to use the potion/spell in order for it to work, both parties do not have to partake, though it is up to player discretion how heavily affected the person who did not partake is.
● A long list of trope ideas and variations can be found here. I've only included specific potions/spells for the most common ones I've seen, but please go as wild as you'd like with the types of potions and effects they have, so long as everyone involved is on the same page.
● Mod questions and plotting regarding this prompt can be found here.

ii. singles dances

All around the city, various businesses are hosting and sponsoring singles dances. These dances are an ancient tradition of Dragosta, originating from the reality of a very early group of displaced arrivals. Observed since the founding of Riverview Quarantine, the events have grown and changed with the times, still serving the interests of the modern citizen. The dances will be advertised throughout the city and range in quality, size, and tone, but they will always have the same objective and methodology: to match people up based on chemistry on the dance floor.

All singles or polyamorous pairings/groups looking to add additional members will sign in at the dance of their choice, and attach nametags or stickers to their clothing - pink, blue, or purple to indicate their preferences in partner (female, male, or any), and a "P" or "D" for "poly" or "duo" to indicate their preference for a polyamorous match-up or only one partner. Once they've indicated these preferences, they head out onto the dance floor, where they can either seek out someone they're interested in or wait for someone to come to them. As the dance goes on, and one person approaches another (or a group or pair), the person (or people) approached can either accept or reject the advances, and after finding someone with chemistry, the happy couple (or triad, etc.) can leave the floor together.

Every person who attends and participates will receive vouchers for free dinners and discounts or gift cards for various places in the city to have a nice dinner and get a present for a new paramour, or two or three...!

iii. date nights

This one is pretty simple: restaurants, clubs, hotels, movie theatres, and anything else in the city that might even vaguely be construed as a date location will be offering romantic date night packages, discounts, and other promotions to the lovebirds of the city. There are a few highly-anticipated special events that crop up every year, though.

One of the most popular are the movies in the park, hosted on almost every night of the month, these are romantic comedies and other good date movies from dozens of realities featuring romantic stories in a multitude of different configurations. Lovers are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and settle on the grass for a nice relaxed show, or tickets can be bought for special experiences such as the mini-deck, with romantic table settings, wine, and catering with a waiter, or the cuddlebug, where a comfortable couch is set up with popcorn and blankets for the lucky lovebirds to curl up on together. The variations are endless!

Another popular option is a retro-futuristic drive-in experience, where any type of vehicle can be driven up to a temporary drive-in diner for a meal, and then pull up to a temporary outdoor theatre. Once parked, the lovebirds can "park" - that is, cuddle and neck in the car to their hearts' content, probably instead of actually watching the movie.

For this prompt, any type of date night discount is cool to assume, or make a mingle top-level with a special event of your own imagining and earn bonus activity points!

iv. kiss and tell

Something a little different is happening during Dragosta this year - one of the magic researchers at Gramarye, who was recently married and only just returned from her honeymoon, got hit with a confusion spell by accident. A little muddled and love-drunk, she acted on her intense desire to make everyone in the city feel just as happy as her, and shared the love by whipping up a potent spell to do so. As a result, residents will see bright little glowing 'fairy lights' floating around the city throughout the entire month of September. What do the fairy lights do, though?

Two or more characters walking under one of these glowing, floating lights will get stuck for one hour, trapped inside an invisible enclosure with an approximate three foot radius. The only options are to either wait out the hour, or to kiss! Characters will know they're meant to kiss, because part of the magic spell is the sudden and intense knowledge that they should kiss in order to break free. There is no compulsion to kiss, just the knowledge that that's how to get free. What the characters won't immediately know is that any kind of kiss will work - a hand, forehead, cheek, or butterfly kiss will work just as well as a kiss on the mouth, but that will require some experimentation to find out.

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 the mod-posted prompt to create a Communal Housing floor mingle. Or, if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during Dragosta, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: Anya Goo; image ii & iv: unknown; image iii: Raphael Grimm

navigation

Comments

[withstyle]

"You do know how to flatter a girl." Izzy grins, never one to shy away from compliments, especially not when given with such ease and from a particularly handsome face. The shadowhunter really had thought it might take a bit before she'd get the chance to run into Riverview's new Community Ambassador--though make no mistake she definitely wanted to from the moment she started speaking with him over the network. This isn't a disappointment, though, especially not considering the fact that this gives her a chance to get to know him.

They may not have spoken long, but they spoke long enough that Izzy's certainly interested in knowing more.

Her red lips are in a smile that she, honestly, couldn't get rid of if she really wanted to at the moment. Between her general good mood of the moment and the compliments being thrown her way, well, it's enough to make a less confident woman blush. And in Izzy's case enough to give her a grin that won't wait a moment and that will take a bit to wipe off of her face. "Flattery, in this case, definitely gets the obviously handsome and smart gentleman bonus points." Izzy teases while playfully giving a graceful curtsy back. Even in her stilettos Izzy is sure of every move that she makes physically. "It's good to meet you in person. Unfortunately online just doesn't compare to the real thing."

Reaching up to tuck some of her curls behind her ear, Izzy looks around, definitely enjoying the atmosphere. "So, are you here in an official capacity to network and get to know more people or personal?" The question comes out with ease. Maybe it's a bit personal, in some ways, considering she doesn't exactly know her current companion well, but she can't quite help the curiosity. Plus, Izzy can see where events like this (though intended for obvious romance) would be good for other purposes for some. Even if she's here to check it out and just...seeing what happens.

[dracolucmalfoy]

"If the truth is considered flattery, well then, I am guilty of providing it." Draco delivered the line smoothly. Not needing to wrack his brain for it. It just flowed forth with a startlingly ease he rather enjoyed.

"I agree. This... online, network thing is very... convenient in some ways, but lacks a personal touch. It has a bit of similarities to some of the forms of communication in my universe, for my world However it still was rather... impersonal. Speaking in person is much prefered." It was entirely true. But then, he knew the theory behind most of the spells he used. He understood nothing of this technology.

At Isabelle's question Draco gave a light chuckle and a slight shrug of his shoulders. "I will just say... I am open to both. Though my msin goal is simply to meet and get to know people."

[withstyle]

By the angel, Draco is certainly smooth, Izzy has to give him that with absolute certainty. Even if he's speaking the truth. "It's all in the phrasing." She teases, though, Izzy's never been bad at taking a compliment. The confidence is something that, for the most part, has always come easy to her. And when it doesn't, well, she'll fake it until she makes it. Luckily, here it's natural. It's particularly easy when clicking with someone and finding conversation without much struggle.

"That's the dichotomy of technology, though. Convenience versus the detachment." Izzy nods, though she cocks her head to the side, curiosity written on her face. "Which communication methods do you find it similar to?" The shadowhunter is never afraid to ask a question. The worst thing that could happen is that she doesn't get an answer, but she's not going to just pretend that she's not curious in general. Izzy has already gathered that some people's home planets are much different from here, or even her own home, so it seems like a legitimate question. FaceTime, skype, and texting come to mind automatically, but maybe Draco has experience with something different, who knows?

"That's the spirit, don't limit your possibilities." Izzy's tone is playful, but he means what's coming out. If he had come here just for his new position it would have put a cap on what he was open to. "Never hurts to put yourself out there." The nod comes naturally, curls bouncing with the bob of her chin before Izzy's looks around at the dancing bodies. "Have you taken a spin on the dance floor yet?" There's a bit of amused twinkle to Izzy's eye as she turns her gaze back to Draco, awaiting the answer to her question.

Forward, yes, but it does get her results generally. And they are at a dance. So, if he hasn't danced yet, well, Izzy may have to work on remedying that.

[dracolucmalfoy]

Muggle this woman very well may be, but her smile only enhanced her beauty. Draco was not blind in any fashion. It was tempting, and he had decided on starting anew and casting aside the bitterness and purism of his parents.

"Well, the video communication is rather similar to a Fire Call. Via Floo Powder, so long as one's fireplace is connected to the Floo Network, you can call and speak to another through the flames. The only difference being it is then rather easy, should the call require, to then step through the Floo Network and out through the other side." Draco saod with a slight dismissive wave of his hand. "Not my favorite way to travel, too much soot." His world was very different from hers, and a bit backwards. But then he did not yet know their years were a little... off.

"Oh, I try to never limit my possibilities. Life gets far too boring when you do," he said with a chuckle. Her next question, while indeed forward, was hardly one that displeased him. Her interest in whether or not he had danced yet was very pleasing.

"Once or twice." He said casually. "And yourself? Has someone already claimed a dance from you, or might I end up being lucky enough to ask for the pleasure first?"

[withstyle]

By the Angel, Izzy is not disappointed in asking her question, or her curiosity. Fire Call and Floo Powder? The voracious part of her brain that is always seeking out more information can't help but wonder about these new terms and the different sort of magic that is different from what she's seeing Magnus and other warlocks perform back home. Honestly, using a fireplace for a portal would be so much easier than the alternative--at least in theory. Though, as Draco points out..soot would be an issue. Izzy can't quite help the wrinkle to her nose at the description, imagining how many shoes that particular method of travel--and even communication--might ruin. Interesting as it may be, maybe it isn't quite that much better than the portals that Magnus whips up. "You had me thinking that might be really convenient until you got to the soot."

Izzy laughs playfully. "Do I want to ask how many pairs of shoes you've seen ruined from the soot?" The question spills out before she can hold it back, but...she is a shoe girl, so it's a legitimate question. She does channel a bit more seriousness to follow up with, though...she is a multifaceted person, after all. "It sounds really interesting, though...like the Floo Network is a series of interconnected portals activated by powder instead of a warlock, or something." Izzy muses to herself. She's discovered that you don't exactly have to hide who you are, or what you know here. So, though she isn't quick to run around telling everyone that she's a nephilim, a shadowhunter, she isn't exactly hiding information or thoughts when the subjects come up. Like with Taako, or now.

"And that's a fine way to look at life. Nobody'd want to get too bored." The young woman teases. She may not get Draco's first dance, but he could easily be her's. And it's always more fun to get to pick out your dance partner. "You know, I think I found you just in time for you to snag that coveted first dance before my card fills up." The smile on her face is genuine. Dancing is something that she truly does enjoy. And though she got her chance to do plenty at the ball, having some of those dances sucked up by her brothers hadn't exactly made it quite as fun.

"Lucky you, huh?"

[dracolucmalfoy]

Isabelle's response surprised a chuckle from Draco. She was so very intriguing. It was also not as taxing to speak to her of his world and magic as it tended to be with others. But then, her curiosity seemed honest and her personality was fetching. "There are spells one can use, but they can be avoided by appariting, thus.." he motioned with his hand, indicating that the lack of soot made apparition the preferable option. "So long as you can stomach apparition."

"Some, but not many. One becomes... practiced at managing the hazards of soot." Draco grinned but then fell easily into the more serious observation. "Actually, that is a very apt way of viewing it. It is a magical powder that activates in a location spelled to react to it. It cannot be used in any old hearth, but one connected to the network of portals. We call it the Floo Network. The use it simple, though one must be careful. Each place connected must have a name, title or address attached to it, and when you step into it you must state your location clearly. Otherwise, there is simply no telling where you might end up."

Draco then grinned, enjoyment showing clearly. No mask in place, just Draco. Enjoying his time in this moment. Feeling the most at ease he had since... before the War. Draco then took a step back and made a bow before holding out his hand to her. "If I may, I would love nothing more than to claim your first dance, and perhaps a few more after."

[withstyle]

"I have a feeling my brother-in-law would find all of this just as fascinating as I do." Izzy shares, the corners of her mouth turning upward. Ever since she was young, Izzy has not only harbored curiosity for science, but all things magical as well. As a shadowhunter she won't ever wield any magic, but that doesn't stop her mind from churning with the curiosity. She'll always be curious. Grinning as she peers down at his footwear and them back up to Draco's handsome face, Izzy can't quite contain herself. "It sounds like quite the ride if some people can't stomach it." She's not exactly an adrenaline junkie, but she also can't help her interest either, beyond just how it works, but also the practice--seeing it.

She's seen, and walked through, plenty of portals created by warlocks in her own world, which is the extent of the magical based travel, for the most part.

"Well, I have to say I'm impressed. I'm going to guess it takes some kind of talent and care to manage the soot." Izzy winks, playfully, without losing a step. Nodding along with Draco's words, Izzy pays close attention--filtering what she's being told through her brain. "So the name of each destination not only triggers the magic in the powder, but also the portal itself and you can get it wrong...that sounds like it could go badly under just the right circumstances. I hope you don't know that one from experience, though?" The upward note at the end makes her curiosity apparent, but she wouldn't blame Draco if he brushed the question off either.

Izzy has asked a lot of questions already, after all.

Taking the offered hand, and giving a slight curtsy of her own in return, Izzy is definitely glad that she came. She's having fun; it feels like it's been a little while since she's actually managed to have much fun. And not only that, but she's glad that she took a chance on speaking with the newcomer when he posted initially too. This is now home, after all. She just has to stop waiting on things to take some sort of turn like in Wayward Pines. "I thought you'd never ask." Izzy's eyes twinkle with mirth as her nose wrinkles lightly with her smile. "I'd love to take a few turns around the dance floor with you. Shall we?"

Well, she's definitely getting around to finding other dance partners that aren't her brothers finally, and by the angel, it feels pretty good.

[dracolucmalfoy]

That she answered his little bit of put-upon dramatics so gracefully and without hesitation spoke well of Isabelle in his estimation. It kept his expression honest with her. No reappearance of the mask as he held her hand in his. The mirth she found in this situation only seemed to add to her demeanor. Really, it was spectacular he found it so easy to interact with someone with such ease. From the moment they had begun to speak Draco had no need to force his responses.

"Then let us continue our conversation while dancing." Draco lead Isabelle toward the dance floor, thankful the song slowed in tempo, allowing him to draw her in and actually be able to hold a conversation with her. He left it up to her if they would take the traditional stance, or the more modern closeness.

"By all means, introduce me to your brother in law in the future. Talking of magic is something I enjoy. Magical Theory is a bit of a hobby of mine. I only request you be present as well, so I might get yet another chance to talk with you." Surprisingly true, that was. "And perhaps if, after I test how apparition is affected here, I could give you a taste of it with a Side-Along Apparition? Oh yes, and I will not answer on my shoes for fear my level of High Maintenance will be seen." He added the last with a teasing grin.

"But yes, I have heard many stories of mishaps. I am lucky to have avoided them. Clear pronunciation was a requirement within my home from a young age." but then the Malfoy's saw Perfection as second only to Family. "So now that I have spoken of myself and my world, perhaps you would tell me a bit of your own world and yourself?"

[withstyle]

"Sounds perfect to me." Izzy moves with confidence in her heels, and with the music the sound they make is lost in the cacophony of voices in discussion, music, other steps, and the general theme song of a get together like this. Once they've found their spot on the dance floor, Izzy doesn't hesitate in stepping in for the traditional stance to dance--their bodies close enough so that continuing the conversation won't be quite as difficult, but so that she can see how good a dancer her wizard friend is, after all, how someone moves can tell you a bit more about them. Though, if she had to bet right now she'd guess that he could give Alec and Jace a run for their money in the department considering what she's gathering about him.

She's still very interested in their conversation, though, so as she waits--body at the ready to let him lead (after all it takes a strength, poise, and grace to follow someone else in these things), while continuing their conversation. "I think I could arrange that. I'm not quite as well-versed as Magnus, or you, but I've always been curious and I deal with magical effects on people every so often. So, I might have something to add to he conversation." Izzy offers, her eyes on Draco's face and the smile on her mouth coming easily. Of course, she has had to call Magnus in to the Institute on an occasion or so to help with the magical side of things. She learned from that experience, though. Switching gears, the shadowhunter can't quite help brightening a bit. Her sense of adventure just as healthy as it's always been. "I think that sounds like an experience I need to have, I'm holding you to that offer, you know." Izzy nods, a bit of a laugh bubbling up before she shakes her head slightly, curls bobbing with the movement. "I'm plenty high maintenance, so I've got no room to judge anyone on that front." By the angel, isn't that the truth!

"I think that worked out in your favor, then." Izzy offers, comparing it to perfection in drawing the runes that pepper her own body. "Actually, I was just thinking about how the precise pronunciation is a bit like how precise I had to be when drawing the runes--the tattoos--on my body otherwise they wouldn't have worked and done what they were supposed to when we needed to activate them." Izzy shares, knowing that Draco hasn't asked. Some do, some don't. He's been pretty polite in avoiding, after all, and she's not particularly shy about sharing when she is in the mood to. "Hodge, and my parents, were always pretty insistent that we practice to identify them on sight, and that we could draw them perfectly before we were given our steles." Izzy's aware that she's throwing out words Draco might not understand, but she's not in the mood where she's against sharing a bit more either.

"I helped my little brother Max memorize them with flashcards, actually." Izzy tacks on, obviously okay with sharing a bit about herself, and her own home world. Hopefully this doesn't go quite the same as it did when she shared with Taako. The start point of it is different already, though, so that's already off to a good start.

[dracolucmalfoy]

Draco was trained in the classic dances and could easily guide a knowledgeable partner around a ballroom floor with enough confidence, even if he would never be on par with, say, a professional. Not that he'd ever wish to be. Still, his skill was noticeable as he took her hand properly and place his other at her waist to guide her through the steps.

"I will admit, I am not usually one who enjoys talking with people who lack a similar knowledge level, and yet... With you, Isabelle, I find myself willing to explain concepts I know you have no knowledge of." With a little grin he raised up a brow. "You must bring out the patient scholar in me. That being said, please do." The better for more excuses to see her again.

Draco then had to chuckle as she threatened to hold him to the offer and proceeded to espouse no judgment. "You are a jewel, my dear. A complete rarity. None of your likeness exist within my world, which is truly sad."

Upon mentioning her tattoos Draco did get a curious look about him. "I had wondered about them. Tattoos are, well, not widespread in my world and typically did not bode well." Wasn't that the truth. Under his long sleeve was the scar that remained from the only one he had ever born. The mark of the Dark Lord. "What significance do they hold?"

[withstyle]

Izzy isn't surprised at Draco's skill, in fact, the smile pulling at the corners of her mouth might be a little telling that she's somewhat impressed. And...she does love guessing right about people. She always has been the Lightwood sibling that has been able to read people the best. Her own skill on the dance floor, from practice and her natural inclination toward movement comes out automatically, trusting him and following his lead.

"Well, lucky me. And lucky you because I manage to keep up pretty well." Izzy smirks a bit. She might not be a wizard, warlock, or a witch, but she has seen enough. And her curiosity has always come from a place of science, taking in the details and processing the information in order to apply and add however she can. So, as far as people go for him to be okay sharing with she thinks she's a pretty strong choice. "I always try to bring out the best in people, anyway." Izzy winks, again. Some people make it easy for her, and others don't...Draco just so happens to fall into the first category.

"You know exactly what to say to a girl to make her feel special. Can't say I've been told that before. I do like the sound of it, though. You're quite the charmer." And Izzy doesn't mind listening to it at all. She's having fun with Draco, getting to know him and that's part of the reason she doesn't mind sharing in return. She isn't exactly surprised about the connotation with tattoos in his world, though, if only because she's discerned enough about mundanes and the like to know that not everybody (or every culture) is a fan.

"Angelic runes help a nephilim, or shadowhunter, give us different enhanced abilities when they're activated." Izzy explains, carefully. "So, there are some that are for speed, strength, endurance, etc that we use when we have to come face to face with dangerous demons, werewolves, vampires, or other Downworlders. WE can carry the angelic marks because of what we are, whereas if a mundane--a normal human-- or certain downworlders tried it could cause severe burns or drive the recipient insane. Which probably isn't great dance conversation, but is true." Izzy manages to hold back an actual shrug, instead giving a very light facial alternative.

He did ask?