introductory mingle: FEAST OF THE DYING

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Feast of the Dying
when: Feast of the Dying from October 1st-8th; various other prompts over the whole month of October.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

feast of the dying

In the days leading up to October 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: the Feast of the Dying. There is an old, widely-known, and widely-believed superstition or proverb in Riverview Quarantine: 'The greater your fear of death, the easier it is for death to find you.' This is a cornerstone belief of a lot of the residents of the Quarantine, most of whom have survived intensely difficult and violent pasts on their own worlds and who are still willing and eager to throw themselves into exploring and settling new worlds, starting their lives fresh. To honor this spirit, the Feast of the Dying is a celebration of the transition between life and death, an opportunity to face death both figuratively and literally, and come out on top.

celebrating the transition from life to death

During the month of October, a particular natural phenomenon on the moon weakens the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead, allowing for the crossover of those dead into the world of the living, with ghosts from the pasts of both the residents and the Quarantine itself to take corporeal form. The festivities during this time feature tests of courage in highly haunted places, escape rooms both virtual and physical with varying levels of danger, and the week-long Feast of the Dying itself, between October 1st and 8th this year.

i. ghosts from the past

During the 10th month of every year on the moon, due to a complex series of chemical, electromagnetic, and magical forces that no one has ever exactly distinguished or completely understands, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead are weakened almost to the point of nonexistence. During this time, residents of the moon are able to see and interact with the dead - ghosts, manifesting in ways that run the gamut from being a strange sense of being watched or being visible or audible all the way to more corporeal spirits that can affect the world around them. The barriers are weaker in some parts of the city than they are in others, with some areas experiencing little to no ghost activity, while others are so populated with these ghosts that residents can barely go a few feet without running into one. The ghosts are generally the unsettled dead, people who died violently, or who were lost, seeking a place to call home, and their behavior is as varied as it was while they were alive. Some ghosts are angry and vengeful, some are simply lonely and lost.

While some people tend to interact with the ghosts only a little and as necessary, others avoid them as completely as possible, and yet others actively seek out souls who are suffering and try to ease that so they can stop coming back year after year. There are other people who have found that ghosts from their home worlds have come through with them, following them through the portal when they arrived, even if they did not die on the moon...

Whether facing death or making peace with those who have died, this is a time to reflect.

A Few OOC Guidelines:
● Characters may see or interact with ghosts from the Quarantine's past. These people will be as varied as the NPCs, from a multitude of different worlds, and characters are welcome to either engage or avoid, as players wish.
● Most Quarantine-based ghosts will have died in either the Great War with the neighboring reality or in the Pandemic that wiped out the population of the Abandoned City years ago.
● Characters may also see or interact with ghosts from their own or other characters' canons, providing the character in question is dead in canon and is not currently being played in the game.
● Canon-based ghosts should not be simply transplanted into the game as they were in canon - they are ghosts, and therefore 'not quite right,' and should not be used as an excuse to NPC a canonmate for a month. These ghosts are there to be used as plot devices to open up new avenues of CR, to create angst, to help a character make peace with their past, or other similar reasons.
● Ghosts should not be complete corporeal physical presences indistinguishable from living people, but barring this, how strongly the ghosts manifest and how much they can interact with the world around them is up to player discretion. Ghosts shouldn't be present the whole month straight, but can disappear and reappear at random times.

● Mod questions and plotting regarding this prompt can be found here.

ii. the feast of the dying

The month's holiday is named after a long-standing tradition in the Quarantine - the Feast of the Dying - that starts at sundown on the first day of the month and continues until sunrise on the ninth day. The Feast of the Dying is a costumed masquerade-style party that is continuously available for the entire week. Set up by volunteers specializing in both magic and science, the Feast of the Dying is hosted in a large conference center that has been decorated and magically altered to provide a very formal, intensely creepy atmosphere. The decor can run the gamut from fancy and classy decorations featuring iconic skeletons or ghosts to incredibly realistic catacombs or any other frightening settings that you can think of. Rooms often become more and more foggy the more people enter them to mingle, and in many rooms the air pressure will be slightly played with to make the atmosphere seem more oppressive and spooky. Costumes and masks are required, and anything from a Halloween-style costume to a formal outfit with mask is acceptable.

Players can feel free to go wild with ideas for decor at the Feast, including linking to inspiration images in their posts - it is, essentially, like having a Masquerade ball inside a disturbingly realistic haunted house.

The venue the Feast is held in includes several large rooms intended for dancing with different themes and decorations that can change off and on throughout the week, two large dining rooms where feasts will be held at mealtimes and snacks or drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) will be promptly served to anyone who sits at one of the tables, and a plethora of rooms meant for mingling and relaxing. Additionally, there are a large number of smaller lockable rooms set up for sleeping or private encounters.

iii. escape rooms

One of the fun and more commercialized aspects of the season are the many Escape Rooms that pop up throughout the Quarantine. Residents are encouraged to test their survival skills by grouping up with friends or strangers to escape difficult and scary situations together by solving a series of puzzles.

Escape Rooms can be either physical, set up inside buildings with realistic decorations, or they can be Virtual Reality, where the players don VR masks and cooperate in a virtual world. While the former can be more challenging and realistic, the latter provides for higher stakes. Physical Escape Rooms are generally set up to avoid any kind of physical harm to participants, but the Virtual Reality Escape Rooms can simulate pain and injury quite handily, and therefore can put participants in more dangerous situations.

While players can make up an Escape Room that uses whatever theme they like, some prompts are below:

● Zombie Attack
● Torture Machines or Traps
● Cannibal Warlock
● Wrongly Convicted: Escape from Prison
● Escape from Sewer Monsters
● Mad Scientist Experiments

iv. tests of courage

As mentioned before, there are certain parts of the city where the ghost activity is much stronger than elsewhere. These are places where terrible things have happened - hospitals that treated the ill during the Pandemic, insane asylums or prisons where inmates were mistreated, homes where terrible murders happened, places exposed to dark magic, and other similar places. Every year during October, these places are shut down or vacated (unless they were already sitting empty) and entrance is allowed to people wishing to partake in a traditional Test of Courage - to enter these deeply haunted and dangerous places, and stay there as long as possible, sometimes even overnight.

In these particularly vulnerable and terrifying places, ghost activity is intense and almost constant. Characters will encounter strange sounds, smells, and visions; will encounter ghosts that are capable of throwing items or people; and most of all, they will experience powerful and realistic hallucinations due to the sheer lack of boundary between the worlds of the living and dead in these areas. Whether the hallucinations are manifestations of their own worst fears, the ghosts retelling their own tortured stories, or any other kind of terrifying vision, they feel very real. While characters will not be injured by the hallucinations, the sensations of pain, pleasure, hunger, thirst, or other sensations will be almost impossible to tell from the real thing until the hallucination subsides at daylight.

While the haunted locations are highly unlikely to kill characters, whether or not they experience serious injury due to physical actions they do while under the influence of a hallucination (eg. falling down a flight of stairs) or attacks from ghosts (eg. an angry ghost throws books at a character) is up to player discretion.

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 the Feast of the Dying, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view; images may contain disturbing themes


Credit: image i: Olivier Le Gall; image ii: John Watkiss; image iii: unknown (wallpapersfan); image iv: signed (pinterest); images v and vi: unknown (pinterest)

navigation

Comments

[causational]

[Eddie smiles a little as Cisco says that he likes being called 'babe' and exhales a soft breath against the back of Cisco's neck that's halfway between a laugh and a sigh of relief.]

Oh good, because I really like calling you that.

[Another soft, gentle kiss against Cisco's shoulder, and some of the tension goes out of Eddie's body when he hears Cisco's answer to his question - that he's feeling safer, that he's going to have nightmares, but he's okay. It isn't a denial of any kind of stress or discomfort, it isn't a fake smile and attempt at deflection; it's genuine improvement, and if Cisco can acknowledge that he's still struggling a bit, but the struggle is easier, that has the ring of truth that makes Eddie relax a bit.]

I hope you don't, but if you do, I'll be right there with you to help you feel as safe as you can, again. Okay?

[It almost catches him a bit off-guard when Cisco asks how he's feeling, considering Eddie hadn't even seen the ghost, considering he's not really all that used to being asked about how he is, especially not when the person who's asking is obviously still distressed by the same situation. Licking his lips, Eddie blinks a bit, then exhales softly.]

I'm okay. I think. I haven't really processed it yet.

[franciscoramon]

Okay.

[ While Eddie is rinsing out his hair, Cisco pulls down a cloth and the facewash and starts to wash his face, scrubbing at it a little harder than usual, but that feeling of numbness is fading more and more, and he feels warm. ]

Probably coulda found a gentler way to drop the news on you. I was kinda in shock or whatever.

[ Cisco hears that pause before Eddie spoke, and he's not entirely sure what's behind that hesitation. But he figures it can't hurt to say: ]

When you do process it, you know you can talk to me, too, right? Like... you're not gonna make me backslide or whatever if you have questions or you wanna vent.

[ A little more quietly, only just audible over the spray of the shower, he adds simply: ]

I wanna protect you, too.

[causational]

[Cisco's hair is thick and smooth between his fingers as Eddie massages water through it, rinsing out the suds, fingernails scraping his scalp again, as his thumbs dig gently into Cisco's temples, at the base of his skull, rubbing at all the places he knows can relieve tension and soothe away a headache.]

Hey, hey, none of that, okay? You're not allowed to beat yourself up over anything right now. Just focus on feeling better, let me take care of myself.

[Shifting forward, he wraps his arms around Cisco's shoulders from behind, squeezing him back against his chest, turning his head to press a kiss against his cheekbone.]

Thank you.

[His voice is soft and quiet, after Cisco speaks, says that he can talk to him, that he wants to protect him, and there's a definite undertone of something like awed disbelief. Like he can't quite believe that someone would offer him such a wonderful, rare thing. An ear to listen, protection, concern and care.]

I don't...I can't even explain how much that means to me, Cisco Ramon.

[Closing his eyes, nuzzles in against Cisco's jaw, the side of his neck, eyes half-closed.]

Do you want me to wash your back?

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco really has no idea how Eddie got so good at this whole scalp massage thing, but he really really appreciates it. He goes almost into a trance - not the detached, untethered feeling from earlier when he was so upset, but a kind of happy lull where for a few moments he doesn't say anything, or focus on anything but the feeling of Eddie's hands in his hair. When he speaks again it's a hint dopey, like it's taking effort to gather and structure his thoughts ]

I'll accept the not beating myself up for now part, but I'm not gonna let you take care of yourself. I mean... not just you... I'm gonna take care of you too.

[ He can hear from Eddie's voice that he's struck some kind of nerve - but not, from the sound of it, in a bad way. Cisco wonders if nobody's ever told Eddie they want to keep him safe, before. He could see how it would be possible. If people bought wholesale into the flawless and genial front he puts up, if they didn't go out of their way to look past it... ]

I can do yours after.

[ He hands Eddie the sponge and suggests: ]

After this can we cuddle up and watch a movie or something?

[causational]

[After Cisco says that he's not going to make Eddie take care of himself, that h's going to take care of him too, Eddie can't breathe, for a moment. For a moment, he's still, his eyes sinking shut, his heart beating hard, his throat tight enough that he can't get air past the lump in it. His fingers tremble a little in Cisco's hair as he keeps massaging it, and he knows that Cisco can probably hear in his breathing, in his voice, that he's done something to really affect Eddie.

But that's okay. It actually makes Eddie feel safer that Cisco knows that. He feels safe with Cisco understanding his vulnerabilities, not like Cisco is going to use them against him or start to find him unattractive because of them. It's a strange feeling, particularly the understanding that Cisco isn't going to stop being attracted to him for a few moments of unmanliness.]

Okay. And yeah, that...that sounds like a great idea.

[His voice is still shaky so he covers by squeezing body wash onto the sponge and starting with Cisco's back, gently gathering his hair aside and then starting to rub across the broad expanse of Cisco's shoulders.]

[franciscoramon]

[ He doesn't pick up on it for the first few seconds, because of the sound of the shower, the rush of water and the noise of it hitting various surfaces. But then, he hears a little hitch of breath from behind him, and there's no mistaking it. Eddie's not just quiet - he's gone quiet, and that's when Cisco notices his hands seem to be a little shaky. He doesn't know for a moment or two if he has hurt Eddie in some way, managed to say something wrong.

Cisco waits, for Eddie to say something, to explain, but nothing seems forthcoming. When his voice is full of emotion that Cisco can't quite identify, he feels a sinking in his chest. He really must have offended Eddie, arguing like that... but there's nothing to do about it now.

Except, he thinks, suddenly and decisively, there is. He turns, though it means Eddie can no longer scrub his back. Cisco looks up at his boyfriend's face, concern in his dark eyes as he reaches up to touch Eddie's check, searching his expression for a clue. ]

You okay, babe?

[causational]

[It's a little surprising when Cisco turns around and looks at him like that. Eddie blinks a bit, his mouth curving into a weak smile, and he starts inhaling, preparing to reassure and comfort Cisco more if that's what he needs. It's easy, with how warm and grateful he's feeling toward Cisco right now, to think of a million things he could tell him to make him feel better, cared for and cherished.

But Cisco's hand comes up so his fingers can brush Eddie's cheek, his eyes dark and wide and worried, his mouth pursed and brows furrowed in that way Eddie knows too well, and he asks if Eddie is okay.

For a moment, he's silent, his own eyes widening a bit as he looks down at Cisco, then he exhales in a huff, brings a hand up to cup the back of Cisco's neck and leans their foreheads together, eyes sinking shut.]

I'm okay. When he shows up and I see him myself, I'll probably need some help and a pep talk, but right now I'm fine. I'm just...I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm not used to this.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco's jaw goes tight at that when not if, and he says ]

If he comes within fifty feet of you I'm going full on Ghostbusters. I will invent a real life proton pack so help me.

[ His face softens again and he sighs, hating the thought of Eobard bothering Eddie just as much as he hates the thought of running into him again, himself. Then Eddie answers and Cisco, misunderstanding what Eddie means, smiles very softly and says, with the clear intention to reassure Eddie he's not alone in that feeling: ]

I know we did a lot of weird shit with Team Flash, but it ain't like I'm really used to ghosts, either. The idea of it kind of overwhelms me, too.

[causational]

[Somehow, for a moment, Eddie feels almost completely undone by Cisco's protective vehemence, the way he says so firmly that he's going to take out Eobard if he comes anywhere near Eddie. It sounds like a joke, the way Cisco says it, but it's obviously not, not when his jaw is tight and his eyes are resolute and it couldn't be clearer that he really, really means it.

Then he's smiling in that soft, gentle way, and reassuring Eddie, and Eddie's brows raise a little, and Eddie keeps their foreheads together, his fingers rubbing gently at the dip at the base of the back of Cisco's skull.]

Not that. I mean, after everything in Central City, and everything I've seen here, ghosts don't seem that out of the ordinary.

[Taking a little breath, he gently squeezes the back of Cisco's neck with his hand, closes his eyes.]

I mean you. Being so worried about how I'm feeling, when you're upset yourself. I mean you taking the time out to wonder how I'm doing. I mean you wanting to protect me. It just...it really means a lot.

[His other hand comes up, cupping Cisco's cheek and brushing his thumb against Cisco's cheekbone. His eyes are a little wet, a little red around the edges.]

You are so good. How did I get so lucky?

[franciscoramon]

[ There's an interval of confusion, after Eddie says he wasn't talking about ghosts but before he explains, when Cisco only feels blank confusion. The actual context for Eddie's comment would never have occurred to him. As far as Cisco's concerned, he hasn't done anything particularly out of the ordinary. Eddie had been the one to come find him, to rush him home, to hold him, to shield him literally from the world, to help him start putting the pieces of himself back together. All Cisco had done was... say a few words.

But there's no mistaking how moved Eddie is. Once it sinks in for Cisco, that it took so little to overwhelm Eddie, he feels as if his heart is breaking. Not so much for the situation right now, but for what it says about Eddie's past. The people he's been with before, apparently, hadn't gone out of their way to make sure Eddie wasn't the one always doing the protecting. To insist that he is allowed to be vulnerable and in need of help sometimes, too.

Cisco can see Eddie's crying a little, and he leans up to leave a series of tiny, half-concerned half-affectionate kisses across Eddie's cheeks and forehead, making little noises of worry in his throat as he does. ]

You mean a lot. To me.

[ And then, with one last kiss to Eddie's lower lip, Cisco turns, tucking his hair out of the way so Eddie can go back to washing his back. Cisco no longer feels, as he sometimes does, like he wishes he could stay in the shower, hidden away from the world. He wants to finish up here, so he and Eddie can dry off and curl up next to each other, can keep each other as safe and sane and happy as possible. ]

[causational]

[For a few moments, Eddie isn't sure why there's so much confusion on Cisco's face, in the slightly crinkled space between Cisco's furrowed brows. Even once Eddie explains what he's thinking and feeling, that confusion turns to something else, not pity but perhaps empathy, and Eddie suddenly feels a little out of his depth. Isn't sure why Cisco has that look on his face.

It doesn't feel bad, though, the way Cisco looks at him, the way he leans up to kiss against his face, gentle and sweet, concerned and caring, all over his cheeks and forehead, making these little fussing noises that are so cute and confusing and overwhelming. Eddie looks down at him, with his own expression confused, now.]

I'm okay. You don't have to worry, I just...I wanted you to know how much it means to me, you know? That you're so good to me.

[Then Cisco turns, and Eddie continues with his back, washing the skin and rubbing his hands and fingers into the muscle at the back of Cisco's shoulders massaging and rubbing and trying to soothe the tension and fear out of him, to warm up the feeling of cold dread that settles into the bones with fear and disgust.]

Thank you.