It's (gonna be) May. Make no mistake: winter may have come, but it’s nowhere to be found these days. The gentle, balmy breezes and afternoon rain showers of March and April have given way to a confident May spring — these days, it’s warmer than ever, with barely a cloud in the sky to shield adventurers from the bright rays of the sun. As the mercury rises in the thermometers around town, so does the activity levels around the grassy banks of Golden Park in the center of town.
The construction’s slow-going, but by the end of the second week, it’s clear this is no ordinary block party in the city of Cadelle. Anticipation is buzzing all around town, and anywhere you go, you might find yourself faced with inquiries from excited locals wanting to know your plans for the upcoming weekend. After nearly a year of low-key family-friendly festivals, it may seem practically impossible to imagine anything but happening in this saccharine city… but clearly, something big is coming.
Luckily for curious citizens, the answer comes bright and early on a warm Saturday morning as the sounds of drums and bass echo through the city. It’s time for Eden, and make no mistake: this is definitely not the kind of shindig recent arrivals to the city might be familiar with. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the city’s community centers, where special programs will be available throughout the day, or to a private sitter (though finding one last minute might be a challenge this time of year) because this celebration isn’t exactly what one would consider wholesome family fun.
No, Eden is something altogether very different — though, to be fair, it typically doesn’t happen here. It’s a festival that usually happens in one of Cadelle’s neighboring cities, a summer experience that typically means a weekend’s getaway to a city that’s a little less … shall we say, predictable? But the recent rain storms and other weather calamities have left many of the area’s better venues in ill repair, meaning a last minute change of venue was an unfortunate requirement. Good thing Mayor Drake’s entertainment budget can accommodate such things, right?
Should you come out to explore this brave new world, be sure to heed the warnings of the festival organizers’ brightly colored posters: pack lightly, and come prepared to Embrace Your Eden!
▸ During the day, music pumps from speakers lining sidewalks and the edges of the park’s grassy slopes. It’s unapologetically loud, the sort of volume that can hardly be ignored — better instead to embrace it and let it carry you away. Maybe you want to dance to the beat? There's more than enough space on the park slopes to move to the music. Or maybe you’d rather dive into the nearby Blue Springs, hoping that the sound might be a little muffled underwater? It’s the perfect weather for it either way, with blue skies and barely any clouds to mar the view. Be sure to claim your favorite spot, though!
▸ If you’re not quite content with lounging, there are plenty of pop-up shops, booths, and tents available to peruse, with everything from free food and drinks (yes, we said free) to unique clothes, art, and home decor for purchase. If there’s something you’ve been craving or trying to find that’s not quite as wholesome as Main Street in Cadelle might like to offer, you’re likely to find it here… and if you can’t, well, there’s always the tents in the back. You know the ones. They’re in a little darker… dare we say, shadowy place? Of course, you shouldn’t go there, but maybe you’re feeling particularly brave.
▸ Throughout the weekend, different themed parties are held in various venues around town. The Ballroom Hotel, for example, hosts a masquerade-themed cocktail party on the first night of the festival. It’s a popular spot for those that prefer a little more personal space, or for those who like to enjoy a quieter nightcap after a day of summer fun. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more lowkey, try the back patio at Paco’s, where free margaritas and an oversized salsa bar spice up the night for anyone who’s willing to show a little skin.
▸ The end of Eden is marked with Night Lights, an explosion of day glo paints and bodies pressed together in one seamless party. When the lights go down, it’s a chance to get brave and do things you might not dare to do by morning light — and we don’t just mean with a paintbrush. Come dance, mingle, make a new friend... or "friend". Nobody's judging.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. Eden only lasts but one short weekend, and once it’s gone, the city’s left to pick up the pieces in its wake. For those that opted to skip the festivities — or even for those that went all-out — the administration is more than willing to compensate anyone who might be willing to help clean up the mess. After all, it might take more than just a little magic to keep our city beautiful…
Feel free to sign up for clean-up duty. Or don’t. It’s your Eden..
Coachella, basically. Glastonbury. Your favorite grungy, questionable-safety festival has come screaming into town, and it's high time to make some summer fun. Feel free to play around with any of the concepts presented, or do something totally wild and new — it's up to you! If you'd like to invite the entire city to your own private rooftop party or plan something intimate for two, be our guest. Just clean up after yourself... or don't. Whatever. It's your party.
If you have any further questions specific to this event, we encourage you to ask away on our QUESTIONS COMMENT here in this post. If you have general questions, or prefer a more private venue, our GENERAL INBOX (and SCREENED INBOX) is always available for you. In addition, if you've got an idea for a future event, feel free to drop us a line at our EVENTS SUGGESTION POST.
Go get weird. We'll be here. |
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cuddlecity2018-05-21 12:16 am
Vasquez | ota
[To say that he's annoyed would be a severe understatement. He hadn't even wanted to be here, but as soon as he got to the public place with the loud music and the crowds, the strange lights had pulled him in. Unfortunately, as soon as he waded into the fray to try and get through to see what's happening, someone smears him with paint.
It's lucky he hasn't got his guns on, because otherwise, someone was going to also be smeared, but only in a very red color that doesn't glow very nicely at all. When someone else approaches and tries to start tugging off his shirt, Vasquez levels his very best glare.]
Watch where those painted hands go or you might regret it.
ii. nothing like a free meal
[The minute they'd told him that the food and the drinks were free, Vasquez had taken the opportunity to load his arms up, getting himself nicely prepared for a night paid for by whoever was putting all this together. In a way, he even believes he's earned it, with enough decent deeds and the hours he works.
The trouble he runs into has nothing to do with his eyes being too big for his stomach. Vasquez has literally never run into that issue, at least, not since his return from being an outlaw. No, his issue begins when he has a glass of wine in one hand, a beer in the other, and he's trying to balance a plate of food on top of it. Even this works, but then, he shows up at a stall that's doing empanadas and he makes a wounded noise as he looks at his delicate arrangement, then to the food.]
Maybe I am going to need some help.
iii. wildcard
[Suggest your own! Approach him! Prose or brackets good by me!]
i.
This guy is clearly not.
Maybe it's time for someone else to intervene before someone gets punched.
She makes her way closer, reaching for the wrist of the poor soul trying to get Vasquez painted, and flashes a small smile.]
I got this. You grab the next guy on the line.
[There's a huff of a "whatever" as the painter wanders off, and Laurel looks up at Vasquez with a small smile.]
It's a painting party. The black light reflects the paint and it just looks ... cool, I guess? I think they were assuming you were here to get messy.
no subject
I just wanted to get to the bar, then suddenly people are smearing me all over.
[He gestures to where he's already been handprinted on his neck and his bare forearms, and he's fairly sure there's a print on his stomach from where his shirt got lifted.]
no subject
[She holds out a hand to him, planning to guide him through the crowd without any incident, but also to introduce herself because she's a nice person with manners.]
I'm Laurel.
no subject
Vasquez.
[It's not his first name, but for now it's good enough. He gives a brisk nod of his head when she lifts her hand, reaching out to take it, because why not let the lady do the leading, if it gets him through this mess.]
Come on, before I shove paint down someone's throat and get in trouble for it.
no subject
And we have found the bar.
[She releases his hand when they get there, before gesturing to the stools in front of it.]
Hopefully you'll be a bit safer over here.
no subject
You're not going to leave me all alone here, are you? It could be very dangerous still. Who knows who might try and paint me?
no subject
[She smirks a bit before she goes to sit on the stool next to him, and going to wave down the bartender.]
Best stay here to make sure you're not thrown to the wolves.
no subject
[He's really putting on the show now, making his eyes as wide as they can go. He might not usually do this much work, but he did nearly get accosted by paint and she is a very beautiful woman, so it's best for him to make sure he's taking care of himself.]
I could handle one wolf, maybe.
[He adds, with a wink.]
no subject
I don't know, you seem like a pretty strong guy. I wouldn't underestimate yourself.
no subject
I think I'm very good at defending myself, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. After all, what kind of fun is that without some company?
no subject
[She nods for a moment, before shaking her head.]
Your catching on to all of our secrets. We're going to have to start upping our game.
[After all, most ladies can take care of themselves. But it's still nice when a guy's got their back every once in a while. So long as they don't take it too far.]
no subject
[After all, if he's in a fight, the last thing he wants to do is for someone to swoop in and take care of him, because he likes to fight and be responsible for that himself.]
Don't worry. I can let you keep plenty of secrets. I just like knowing this one.
no subject
[She smirks a bit over the rim of her glass.]
But I feel like I should say that the painting isn't that bad when you're a willing participant.
no subject
[He'd much rather sit here and drink. If there's going to be nudity and touching, why bother with the pretense? Better to just get to the point, as far as he's concerned.]
no subject
[She's asking the question because it's a question she's been asking herself as of late, given the situation she's in. She's challenging herself to do things she'd never have the time to try at home, just at least so she can say that she tried it.]
no subject
I came here so I could drink, not for anything new. As much as drinking alone is preferred, I ran out of liquor.
[Then he'd been groped, which...he understands, but with paint? That's just not any kind of fair.]
Is that why you're here? Trying something new?