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

[bottombitch]

[ Somehow, it's even worse when someone so casually points out the (extremely obvious) fluster. Aoba flinches and grips the his elbow harder before forcing his grip to let go. His eyes flick to Dave's, shoulders hunching. ]

...I'm not freaking out.

[ Except he totally was. So much so that he completely neglected to shake his hand. He was rude to one of his only friends or friendly acquaintances in this place. It prompts Aoba to release his arm and extends it - shooting his arm straight in front of him in the world's latest greeting. ]

It's just... I wish they'd consider that some of us aren't super into the idea of 'canoodling' with random people.

S-so, what do we do?

[chumpelstiltskin]

Right, you totes aren't. I'm obviously just projecting.

[He doesn't sound sarcastic, oddly enough. However, it's ambiguous enough that Aoba can probably assume that he's not being sincere.]

I guess it plays into their grand scheme here. Seems like they want us to keep the population going- in which case they're probably barking up the wrong, gay tree here.. Unless. [He spreads his hands, as if he's ushering for Aoba to stop interrupting him. Even if he isn't.]

Affection fuels their weapons of mass destruction. We cracked the case.

[Wait, he asked a question there. Dave shrugs.]

We kiss or we stand here and talk for an hour..ish. Maybe more.

1.2

[bottombitch]

[ Now it's Aoba's turn to awkwardly have his hand out there, ignored, but it helps that he's already turning red from neck to hairline. Breeding program? Hey, that's a little... weird?! ]

...

[ Aoba lowers his arm and holds it closer to his own body, it's the part about weapon of mass destruction that causes him to stare quietly at Dave. Instantly he thinks, Platinum Jail and his voice seems to lose it's strength as a result. No way, he hasn't seen anything that resembles Toue's work, but that theory worries him.

Didn't Garrus warn him that there's no reason to trust this place, too? ]

That's kinda scary... even if you're joking.

2.2

[bottombitch]

[ But funny enough, it's the last part of Dave's explanation that freaks him out even more. He bristles. ]

A... a whole hour?? Or more?!

[ Oh no, this is bad. ]

[chumpelstiltskin]

I'm not joking. [He is.]

I don't make the rules. [As if Aoba is accusing him.] I don't have conclusive evidence, I've just heard some things around town. Places. I go there. [He's casual.]

I don't have places to go now, though. The chances of me pissing myself are high, however.

[bottombitch]

Places? It's not like I'm in a rush either but...

[ He just had a big coffee not too long ago, and he's not sure if it's just his nerves or some kind of subliminal messaging (Dave admitting he's got to use the restroom himself is hardly subliminal, but hey... it does the trick) -- but suddenly he realizes he needs to go soon! ]

Nnngh! This is really bad!

[ Aoba fidgets in place. Being nervous is only heightening that urgent sensation, and it's really not that urgent! But waiting an hour or more? That's not going to work. ]

My place isn't far, so... maybe... so long as it's not on the lips, we can get this out of the way and you can use the bathroom there?

[ Somehow it feels rude to smooch and run, but also? Kind of awkward to invite someone over JUST to use the restroom? ]

[chumpelstiltskin]

Oh, well. I mean. I'm not busting or anything. I dunno if I could do an hour, but..

Actually, you know? The more I talk about it, the more I think I really need to. And the more I think about it, the more I think about fountains and waterfalls and rain...

Okay. [He beckons for Aoba.] Lean in, I'm gonna kiss your cheek.

[bottombitch]

Ah! Don't talk about those kinds of things?!

[ Aoba fidgets again at the mention of fountains and waterfalls, because that's REALLY NOT HELPING. He twinges, a shiver running through him. Thanks a lot, Dave. ]

A--uwah...! [ Of course he knew this was coming, but he's still agitated by the fact this is happening at all. It still feels a little unreal, and he's making a big deal out of something so tame. ]

...Okay. J-just a little one. Quickly, before I lose my nerve.

[ He tries to tell himself it's not a big deal, but the more he tries to convince himself, the more nervous he gets. He leans in stiffly, squeezing his eyes shut with his lips forming a tight line as he grits his teeth. ]

[chumpelstiltskin]

Don't tell me what to talk about. [Dave sasses back quickly, then considers.] Actually, yeah. Let's just not talk about that stuff. Deal.

[He huffs out a soft laugh when Aoba talks about his nerve. He shouldn't laugh, it's true. Dave is dangerously close to wimping out, but the fact that pissing his pants is slightly more embarrassing than kissing a guy he hardly knows is the only thing motivating him right now.]

Try not to look too disgusted. [Dave says in response to the way Aoba stiffens and grits his teeth. He leans in as well, giving Aoba's cheek a quick peck. Like you would an aunt you only see for the holidays.]

Does that satisfy you, oh mighty Gods of Uncomfortable Situations?

[It seems to be enough, since the shield seems to flicker and drop down.]

1.2

[bottombitch]

...H-hey --

[ He bristles a little at the accusation of looking disgusted, considers flatly denying it and then... shuts his mouth after a sharp, quiet inhale. That would've probably given the wrong impression if he doesn't just play along. Dave is mercifully brief, doesn't make it any weirder than it needs to be. There's a soft, warm press that he hardly registers before he pulls back. It's the kind of kiss he'd give Granny. ]

2.2

[bottombitch]

...

[ That wasn't too bad. It wasn't terribly awkward and afterwards he only feels a little embarrassment over having been so tense leading up to the harmless event itself. There's a giddy sort of relief that he feels when the barrier drops. He sighs. ]

Haaah~ I'm so relieved!

[chumpelstiltskin]

[Having never had an elderly relative present in his life, Dave isn't sure this is the kind of kiss anyone deserves. Even some of his closer, platonic relationships have earned more affectionate gestures.

But he hardly knows Aoba. They've talked maybe twice, and he's well aware that he's a tough nut to crack. He thinks it's part of his charm, but he's full of crap.]

You didn't just take yourself to Tinkletown, right? [Dave crinkles his brow at Aoba with feigned disgust.]

[bottombitch]

[ Aoba comes from a far, far more repressed society than Dave does. Hugging is rare, hand-holding can make pulses race, and kissing? Well, kissing is reserved for lovers and relatives of opposite ends of the age spectrum with a huge gap between them and they're ALWAYS innocent. A kiss on the cheek is still worth blushing about, but Aoba's at least grateful that Dave doesn't try to make it any weirder than it already is, which is points in his favor.

Until he opens his mouth, causing Aoba's happy expression to slip off his face.

Wow, look at those eyes bug out. The question seems to touch on some kind of anxious PTSD of the 'public humiliation nightmare' sort, so he instantly freezes up, then recoils at the horrible thought. His reaction is entirely excessive. ]

N-no!? That's gross!!

[ Aoba pushes past him in a huff, but doesn't just leave him in his dust. He's good as his word, judging from the way he grips Dave's sleeve and starts leading him to his place. ]

C'mon, it's this way.