005 | Sakura In The Night

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Cherry blossom viewing
When: Nighttime March 26, 2016
Where: A park with sakura trees
Summary: Heaven is throwing a small party to view the sakura and let everyone relax.



After the absolute disaster that happened with handing out chocolates, the Heavens are tripping over themselves to make up for their inability to properly handle the situation. They are eager to make amends and assure everyone that they are hardworking individuals who want nothing more than to make everyone's stay here enjoyable or at least pleasant. To that end, they have invited all of the gods and shinki to a lovely flower viewing, since the sakura are in season.

And by 'invited', they mean 'mandatory', of course. You will accept their apology, whether you like it or not.

It's not all bad, though. The Heavens have provided various kimonos that can be worn, if you haven't brought your own, but you're not required to wear a kimono. They would, however, really like it if you did wear them. It's very traditionally Japanese, after all.

The party is taking place at night so that you can all hide your merrymaking from the Near Shore residents and also because the night sky is beautiful against the cherry blossoms. So try to at least enjoy yourselves while you're here.



Banquet

Every kind of food imaginable is available for your eating pleasure. On top of that, there are dozens of different kinds of desserts ready to be devoured as well. For the older crowd, booze has been provided and is being served by white-clad shinki bearing the golden chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. They are, however, refusing to serve alcohol to anyone who looks too young to drink, sorry guys.

Cherry Blossoms

The blossoms are absolutely gorgeous this year, and they are at the peak of their blooming right now. Nearly every single bud has bloomed and the pink petals are floating by everywhere you go. There is an ethereal light emanating from each of the trees, lighting up the area with a soft, pink light, yet it doesn't seem to be drowning out the brightness of the stars at all. It really is the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing anyone could ever hope for.

"Secret" Corner

Somehow, the Heavens have managed to make one small corner of the grotto into a completely secluded area. There is no marking or signs to indicate what this corner should be used for, but anyone entering it will suddenly realize that this is a place for lovers to meet privately. Only those that you enter the corner with will be able to notice your presence, and you will be unable to notice anyone else's presence as well. Enjoy yourselves, young ones!

Counselling

Off to the side, there is a tiny table set up with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". On the other side of the table is a sweetly smiling shinki who is willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. She is also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead. Counselling will also gladly be offered to anyone who is still pissed off or upset in any way about what happened after White Day.



In Summary:

• Enjoy the cherry blossoms
• Eat lots of good food
• Promise it's not poisoned
• Spend time with people you like
• Meet the newbies
• Have fun~

Comments

banquet

[arealhardnose]

[For all that Elsa is displeased with the Heavens, she won't be spreading that negativity around. No one who's here at this party is at fault (well, possibly excepting Amaterasu's attendants, but Elsa isn't going to talk to them if she can avoid it). In fact, most if not all of them will need help adjusting to their new life.

This entire setting feels like one of the many school dances Elsa has chaperoned, so she goes around meeting and greeting. Doing something that's normal for her helps take her mind off the trip to Yomi-no-Kuni, which is scheduled for tomorrow. She fully intends to come back with the rest of the traveling party, but even so, there's a sense that this is a farewell of sorts. Even if they all return, things won't be the same. Heaven might come after them. They may learn something that makes them even angrier.

Change will surely come of their trip in some way.

So for now it's easier to pretend she's still a principal at a school event.]

Oh? [Naminé happened to speak up as Elsa was walking by her, so Elsa now turns to her with a smile.] Well, from what I understand, events like this are fairly common here.

[chainbroke]

[ Honestly, Naminé's never talked with so many people. And so many people who have approached her, too. Even more surprising? They're adults, much older than she is (in every way), who seem almost... nice. She's kind of at a loss, most of the time tonight; socializing is surprisingly draining in its own way.

Naminé's aware of her surroundings very much tonight, though, and she gives Elsa a smile in return. ]

Really? It seems so nice... and so much work.

[arealhardnose]

[Yes. Nice. Or possibly sinister, given last week's disaster. But to talk about it would be to prematurely bias this newcomer against their superiors, so Elsa merely nods and glances at the spread.]

They do seem to want us to feel at home here, given that it seems likely we'll be here for a long, long time.

[She hasn't yet completely given up hope she'll find a way to send home anyone who wants to go, but she keeps that to herself. It wouldn't be fair to crush this girl's expectations, or to draw her into something so dangerous.]

I'm Elsa, the god Menrva. You're new here, right?

[chainbroke]

Mm. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, but I'm glad it's like this.

[ She waves a hand, gesturing to pretty much everything. And sure, it's a little overwhelming, especially for someone who's used to so little. The castle and manor hadn't been this extravagant, and she'd not been allowed to really leave the manor unless she stole away herself--and even that had come with severe consequences. Naminé's managing decently well, though.

The food helps. ]

Mm-hm. I'm Naminé, the god Selene.

[arealhardnose]

Well, I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying it so far. This is the most beautiful night I've seen since coming here. What a wonderful way to welcome you all.

[And that's the truth. Elsa really is amazed by it all. She's used to lavish parties and fancy dress (she isn't wearing a kimono, but rather an elegant dress in the Etruscan style), but this is a level beyond. It's what she imagines a happy afterlife should be.]

It's nice to meet you, Namimé. If I may ask, what did you do before you came here?

[chainbroke]

[ She nods, because she is enjoying it. The food's good, the people are pretty nice, and--

Oh. Naminé stiffens. It's just barely perceptible, but she has to think quick. Naminé's not really in the mood to spill every part of her existence to someone she's just met, and she's sure Elsa would agree. ]

I... traveled. [ It's not exactly wrong, and it's a fairly safe answer besides. ]

[arealhardnose]

How lovely. I was a high school principal.

[Elsa smiles, going on as if she hadn't noticed Naminé's discomfort at all. Setting people at ease (mostly teenagers) has been part of Elsa's job for years now, so she's well versed in it.]

I've found so far that my experience is very valuable for handling things here. But I do miss school so much that my shinki Hakkai and I started one here, in my temple. You're welcome to come, if you like. There's a library, and that's open to everyone too.

[chainbroke]

[ That actually does get her attention. Naminé's curiosity is genuinely piqued, and she stands a little straighter. Well... this is a chance for her to do things that normal teenagers do. Even if she isn't normal. ]

A library and a school... what sort of things do you teach there?

[arealhardnose]

Anything anyone wants to teach, really. We have teachers for swordfighting, exercising, shinki magic, and dancing. A few others, too. I'll show you where I put the schedule on the BBS if you're interested.

[Her smile widens a little, as if in wordless encouragement.] And if there's anything you can teach, you certainly can. Or if you want to learn anything specific, we can see if there's anyone here who can teach it.

[chainbroke]

[ Wow. That's more than she could have ever thought she'd learn. ]

I'd like that, if it's no trouble.

[ ...! ]

Teach.... I'm not sure I would be a very good teacher.

[arealhardnose]

No trouble at all. I'm sure you'd be fine if you wanted to teach, but don't feel obligated to.

[With next to no licensed teachers here, Elsa isn't exactly about to turn away anyone offering to share what they know, after all.]

Was there something you were thinking you might teach? [If she was even considering it... maybe she needed some lessons in teaching. Elsa could provide those.]

[chainbroke]

[ Naminé has to think about that for a while. There are much better teachers out there, Naminé knows. Does she really have any business teaching...? ]

The only thing I'm really good at... or sort of good at, is art.

[arealhardnose]

[Elsa's eyes light up at that.] Really? That's wonderful! Even if you don't want to teach, you can still come in and do your art in the library if you want to. I'm sure you'll find some good references there.

[chainbroke]

[ If Naminé looked at all unsure before, it's remedied by that. ]

I'd like to try, if you're offering. Where is the library?

[arealhardnose]

It's in my temple. I can send the directions to your phone.

[Because phones do that now. Elsa is still a little amazed that phones can now do what she used to need an entire computer for.]

I hope you stop by. You'll be our first artist.

[chainbroke]

To my-- Oh, this!

[ She pulls out the phone, looking at it curiously. She hasn't had a chance to play with it just yet. ]

There aren't many artists here--?

[arealhardnose]

[When Naminé pulls out her phone, Elsa nods. They are very neat little devices!]

Not that I know of, no. But maybe you'll inspire the rest of us to try.

[chainbroke]

[ By her expression, it's obvious Naminé doesn't quite believe her. ]

I'll... do my best.

[ She's never been the influential type, aside from her powers. ]

[arealhardnose]

[Naminé may not believe it, but Elsa has a feeling she'll do just fine.]

Seeing you enjoy yourself will be enough. Now, I'm going to walk around here for a little while. If you have any questions, or if you just want to talk, feel free to wave me over.

[She means that, too, and it shows in her smile.]

[chainbroke]

[ Helpful adults. Isn't that a thing. Naminé's initial answer is a smile and a nod. ]

Okay. Thank you, Elsa. Um--have fun, tonight.

[arealhardnose]

[That is her profession, you know. To teach students, to empower them to find their way through life with all their innate skills.]

You too. [And with a smile and a wave, Elsa is off again, taking in the night and putting off thinking of tomorrow.]