riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: DRAGOSTA

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introductory mingle: DRAGOSTA

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

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hooh? Did I strike a nerve?

[ Gladio drawls, amused. He closes his hand and withdraws it in favor of hooking his thumb into his belt. He laughs at the full body pout coming from the other man, complete with a turn away and arms folded. Guess he didn't take too kindly to his description. So Gladio works out an apology, softens his tone. ]

Hey, it's not a bad thing.

People like me? We're supposed to stand out. It comes with the job.

[ Quite literally - His tattoo is the mark of the Shield. His father had one too. But Gladio has a different tale he tells for the inquisitive, because there are some things he just doesn't talk about freely. ]

[it was definitely a full-body pout. but it wouldn't last long. Osomatsu didn't hold grudges. usually. and being called normal wasn't too bad. especially when he was viewed as less-than-normal on a regular basis.

he dropped his arms and turned to look at the other man again] Oh, yeah? An' what kinda job is that? You a model, or something?

A model... [ He stares at him, then throws back his head and laughs. ] HAHAHAHAHA!

[ Okay, he's a peacock, knows he's built like a dream. But he's heard himself described as looking like a thug, but mainly from his highness himself. ]

Bodyguard. [ It's mostly true. ]

But here I just whip unfit asses into shape, provide combat and survival training too.

[to be fair, Osomatsu knows next to nothing about the model industry. he just figured that would be the main reason why someone would stand out on the job.

but, bodyguard! whoa! he looks impressed now, even though he was just put out a few moments ago] So, like, a personal trainer?

[SUDDENLY HE FEELS A LITTLE SELF-CONSCIOUS]

Yeah, kinda.

[ A personal trainer who will also instruct someone on the proper use and maintenance of weaponry, survival skills and the like. He didn't get these scars by accident, but he's glad to offer up his skills and experience to improve the defensive abilities of others. ]

Most of my clients are the local fuzz or PG, some are civilian.

[ Gladio leans his shoulders back against the barrier, thinking he's going to be here for a while. Meanwhile, the knowledge that he's supposed to break the spell by using those lips for other than flapping continues to basically tap an impatient foot at him in his mind. ]

You're new, right? You given any thought about what you're gonna do for the next five years? Or are you chomping at the bit to get back?

[Osomatsu leans against the wall too, on his own side. this is embarrassing, thinking about kissing a guy. the image won't leave his mind]

Huh? [he's jerked out of his own thoughts by the subject change] Get back... home? [a pause and he looks down] If I went back, I'd want things t'be the way they used to be. But... I don't think that's possible.

Why's that?

[ These mental images... Gladio knows are just trying to entice him, tempt him to get back to his life, performing the metaphorical equivalent of someone pushing two dolls together and whispering now kiss. He's standing his ground, folding his arms as if that'll ground him a little better. Here's to hoping that cup of coffee he just downed doesn't run right through him. ]

...Not trying to be nosy, but if we're not gonna get this show on the road...

Let's just say I'm fine with waiting this out. It can't last forever.

[it can't last forever, he says. it's still going to last a while. if they're going to talk through it, that's fine with Osomatsu. for now. but he might get impatient soon enough]

Well, things at home were good, up until recently. My brothers started moving out of the house... So, even if I went back, they'd probably still be gone, yanno? And I don't want that.

[ Gladio settles in, dropping down into a seated position with a scrape of heavy boots on pavement - one knee up, the other laying straight out onto the ground. ]

What, empty nester? Does that make you the youngest of your brothers?

[ He doesn't find it particularly odd that family would want to try to make their own lives, find their fortunes, themselves... whatever the cause, flying the coop isn't out of the ordinary, but neither is staying at home. Particularly when you're dealing with royalty and their entourage. As a part of their entourage. ]

[Osomatsu almost falls over when Gladio says that]

Wh-what? No! I'm the oldest! The oldest! I'm Osomatsu!

[ Gladio rests his back against the light barrier, draping an arm on his knee. He gestures conversationally. He's looking entirely too casual in the face of so much personal drama. But that's often the case, isn't it? Osomastu-kun? ]

...The oldest, huh?

So tell me something. What's the problem?

Sounds like you've been left to fend for yourself, like any other older brother type would want -- what's the deal?

[Osomatsu looks down at him, brows furrowing. he almost pops off at him. almost, but manages to keep himself composed. for now]

It's just... not how it's supposed to be. [his hand clenches into a fist] We've always been together, Always.

Tch. Your home's still around, right?

No great catastrophe turned it into a crater or anything?

[ There's a harder edge to his tone - irritation. Gladio's not great at wearing shirts, perhaps... but he's definitely the sort of guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve. It's probably because his home is pretty much overrun by the enemy. ]

[Osomatsu blinks at the question. that's... not really the point, though? his home was fine, probably, but it would be empty when he got back. and Osomatsu did not want that]

...Nnnno? It's fine. I think. I mean, unless something happened to it while I was gone, which, honestly, could have happened. Since shit like that always happens back in my world. Like, seriously, Iyami could be walkin' down the street, and then suddenly, BAM! He's swallowed up by Chibita's goldfish!

[what is he talking about]

[ Who is Iyami? Who is Chibita? What kind of goldish swallows a whole person alive in the street. Gladio's seen some shit in his life, but those words stringed together makes him stare flatly at Osomatsu. His eyes narrow, scrutinizing him.

He doesn't understand. ]

...Haah?

[ NANI THE FUCK MAN... ]

[it was a gag, that was all. Osomatsu probably wasn't going to get a laugh at it, either, it was too wacky. so he decided he'd change the subject.

he held out his hand to Gladio] I'm Osomatsu. [that would speed things along, right? if they were actually going to go through with this. but even if they were just going to wait the magic out, it was still okay to introduce each other, right?

aside from that, Osomatsu didn't want to think about his situation at home]

[ They were past this point, weren't they? But because it was such an effective way to derail him from his line of questioning, the gag and then this re-introduction, Gladio stares at his hand for a moment and, not knowing what else to do about it, slowly puts out his hand in return.

Only this time, he's actually looking up at someone from his position on the ground. Wraps his hand around Osomatsu's and pumps it automatically. Gladio, who is so used to sizing up anyone for being a threat to his future king, is completely baffled. ]

Gladiolus Amicitia. [ Look, a little bit more than just 'Gladio' From earlier! PROGRESS. Also, not really helping the whole case of mistaken identity as this repeat performance makes him reconsider his encounter with one of his twins. Gladio frowns at the floor. ]

...Six, I have the weirdest case of déjà vu.

[sure, introducing yourself a second time was fine. the first time he introduced himself, it wasn't proper, he was upset. he's past that now. besides, Osomatsu wants to make certain Gladio remembers this time, remembers him, and not Karamatsu, or Ichimatsu, or whichever other Matsu comes along.

and it's also a refresher on Gladio's name, since... it's so very foreign to Osomatsu. he tries to repeat it, but it sounds a mess. just stick with Gladio, or, the model policeman, or something like that, Osomatsu...]

Look, I know it seems like a lot. But there're only three of us in Riverview right now! That should be a lot easier to remember. When in doubt, just see if we're wearing our colors! I usually wear red. Osomatsu, and red!

[ Gladio had uttered Six in a reference to the Cosmology of his own world, but now it seems like that's literally the number of Osomatsu and his siblings combined. Unbelievable.

...Their mother must be made of stern stuff. ]

Got it. [ Gladio grunts as he lifts up from the floor and dusts himself off. He seems to have had enough of the waiting game and soon towers over Osomatsu. ]

Alright, Redmatsu. Pucker up.

Eh?

[so... maybe Osomatsu forgot why they were here for a moment. maybe he forgot that they had been standing here talking because they were waiting for the spell to wear off.

he blinks, and his smile fades. and suddenly he looks very intimidated. this huge muscle-y man was going to kiss him.

ah.....]

W-wait a minute! How are you so sure that your kiss is gonna break the spell?

Because this isn't my first rodeo with faerie-lights.

[ His hands settle on his own hips, waiting. His brows smooth in what he hopes looks like sympathy as he tries to appeal to what is clearly some conflict Osomatsu is going through. ]

I get your hesitation.

I mean it's not every day that a tall drink of water like myself comes into your life. Count yourself blessed.

[ Gladio's being sarcastic, definitely teasing... but he's also a peacock, he has absolutely no shame talking about his own remarkable good looks. ]

[Osomatsu flushes from embarrassment. really, this is all too much. he looks away from Gladio, as shame washes over him. he's got to think of something, a joke, a way to ease his mind]

Y-yeah... It's a good thing I'm thirsty... [wow, Osomatsu, that was lame. but he manages a grin anyway, even if he is a bit nervous. he turns back to face Gladio again, tucking his hands into his pockets] Let's give this a shot!

[ You're not kidding, Osomatsu. Gladio gets a little mischievous gleam in his eye as he draws closer and puts a hand on his shoulder. He slides higher up, rolls over the folds of that hood bunched up at the back. Callouses from handling a sword far larger than even his own impressive size can be felt in the bare space on Osomatsu's neck before those fingers cover the hair on the back of his head to hold him still. ]

Alright, ready?

[ He doesn't even wait for him to respond. He just pulls his head forward and collides Osomatsu's face in on his abs. He's not even going to kiss him properly! What a jerk! ]

[Osomatsu gulps at the feeling of that hand on his neck. this was it... a real... kiss... from another dude... it's happening, his first gay experience!]

introductory mingle: DRAGOSTA

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HAHAHA WHAT A SMOKESCREEN

magic

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HAHAH

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the icons are killing me

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