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

[seductless]

I...

[She trails off without really having begun. How much should she be willing to admit to someone who clearly has no idea what she is? There's something pleasant about the lack of suspicion, about not having to fight for hard-won respect.

And yet. It seems foolish not to give him the information he needs, not when they're trapped like this.]

You can hear it, can't you? The whispering in your mind.

[jedies]

[ Obi-Wan frowns lightly, though it's not directed at Grace. The Force twinges in response. ]

Yes? Though it has no hold over me. I assume it is some power of yours?

[seductless]

[She can't help but laugh, though the sound is more tired than amused. It's something she could do, certainly. Perhaps even has done in the increasingly distant past. But not something Grace is willing to conceive of any more.]

Not my doing, no. I hear it too.

[jedies]

How odd. It sounds nothing like the Force. But it does not seem malevolent.

[ Certainly it slips in the knowledge Obi-Wan needs to leave, but since it's not only him, that leaves out the Force. He glances at her in quiet assessment. ]

[seductless]

[At the mention, Grace's eyes light up slightly.]

Oh, the Force. You and I have spoken before, I believe. Over the communication devices.

[It seems somewhat unlikely that there would be two people there with the exact same philosophy. Though in that case, she might be even more fascinated.

It does take a moment to force her attention back to the matter at hand.]

I don't know what your Force sounds like, but I suspect it to be part of the spell. For what reason, I couldn't say.

[jedies]

[ Obi-Wan runs a hand through his beard. ]

The Force is linked to everything around us. Magic, energy, life. While there is a link, I do not believe it is the work of the Force. Most likely, it is a witch who lost control of her power briefly.

[seductless]

It is possible. But this seems very...direct to be an accident.

[The whisper is still there. Urging her towards him. It makes her take an almost involuntary step back, only to brush up against the wall before she can get far.]

Are you feeling all right?

[jedies]

[ Obi-Wan chuckles. ]

I am. Though I believe that light is informing me that if I wish to leave, I must partake in some mild physical affection.

[seductless]

Ah.

[Her wings twitch again, pressed tight against her back as they are.]

I would recommend against it. I would not want to hurt you.

[jedies]

[ He blinks. ]

I'm afraid I do not follow.

[seductless]

[Grace's smile is decidedly wry.]

A succubus' kiss is fatal. And I've been enjoying our discussion far too much to risk it

[jedies]

I'm not familiar with the term.

[ Fatal kisses? That's certainly new. Obi-Wan, at least, does not look perturbed. ]

Even ones to the cheek or hands?

[seductless]

[There's a moment of stillness, while Grace looks utterly startled. It's clear the idea of anything else has never occurred to her, especially not with the compulsion still floating through her mind.]

I. That would be fine. I think.

[It might be the first time in a long time she's been genuinely flustered.]

[jedies]

[ His eyes crinkle with a smile. ]

Then I think we can manage.

[seductless]

[She just continues staring at him, looking more than a little taken aback. This is nothing she's used to. There's no suspicion, no sidelong wondering if this is some trick. Clearly it's because he has no idea what Grace is, but for him even to respond to the warning with that amused look...

Grace shifts, attempting to pull herself back together at least a little.]

I...suppose if we're going to be so close, we should at least make introductions. I am called Fall-From-Grace.

[jedies]

[ Well, Obi-Wan's type is women who can curb-stomp him. While he's not belittling her fears, he's not going to judge them or stop finding a way around a precarious situation. He is the Negotiator. ]

I'm called Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[seductless]

A pleasure. [And as off-center as she might still be, her smile is genuine.]

Thought I would perhaps wish it was under less fraught circumstances.

[jedies]

I've been in worse.

[ Because Star Wars is fun and hates Obi-Wan. ]

But I'm sure we can make the best of this.

[seductless]

[Worse than trapped in a tiny area with a fiend? He must live a fascinating life.

But it does make her laugh a little.]

Honestly, I'd be perfectly happy just to continue our conversation.

[jedies]

Excellent. I would enjoy that as well. Perhaps you can explain a bit more about the, ah, kissing? Or whatever topic you fancy.

[seductless]

[As pleased as she is by the agreement, she pauses a moment at the question.]

I'm not sure how else to explain it. It is intrinsic to all of my kind.

[jedies]

Then let us move past it.

[ If it is uncomfortable or tied into her being, Obi-Wan sees no reason to dwell. Even if he is a bit of a scientist at heart. He was willing to test out brain slugs once. Anakin hadn't looked too pleased about it. ]

To make up for my rudeness, perhaps you'd like to ask something of me?

[seductless]

[She tips her head a little at his easy acceptance, but Grace certainly isn't going to argue. It's not something she understands, regardless. It is just what a succubus does.]

I would always be pleased to hear more about your Force, if you're offering. Anything you'd like to share.

[Talking philosophy is much more interesting anyway.]

[jedies]

Hmm.

[ Obi-Wan folds his arms, though he does not look very intimidating or closed off. ]

According to our teachings, the Force is divided into two parts. The Living Force and the Cosmic Force. The Living Force is usually what surrounds us. Life, nature, the very motion that makes us go forward. It is an electric song that we all hear. The Cosmic Force is the scale. It powers destiny, the minute changes in our paths. The way we change each other.

Both feed into the other. An eternal cycle.

[seductless]

So you believe that all things are connected. Life, time the universe. That's a rather lovely idea.

[She smiles, faint and pleased. This is something new, and Grace is always pleased by new things.]