24 - Autumn Reception

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Autumn Reception
When: September 30, 6 PM
Where: The Gods' Meeting Hall
Summary: The Heavens are throwing a formal party! Old and new gods alike are invited, so put on your nicest outfits and some good dancing shoes, and come see what this shindig is all about.







Front Door

The door of the Meeting Hall is wide open, warm golden light spilling out from the well-lit corridor inside. Shinki in white robes with golden chrysanthemums -- a fancier, heavier version of the usual robes -- stand to either side of the door, ready to check invitations. Each invitation is taken, the name carefully noted on a scroll held by one of the door attendants, and the invitation returned.

Since the invitations were delivered to gods, shinki are being allowed in as part of a god's entourage, but unaccompanied shinki will be questioned, and any god who forgot to bring their invitation will be turned away to go find it. Better make sure you have a last-minute date to the ball!

Reception

Once past the vigilant door guards, attendees will be escorted to a truly massive room, the floor polished hardwood and the roof far overhead supported by wooden columns so big that it would take four people holding hands to reach around one. White-robed shinki, in the same more-formal garments as the gate guards, are circulating throughout the room holding trays stacked with exquisitely crafted hors d'oeuvres, bottles of soda, or glasses of sake and sparkling wines.

The room is about half full, and soft music is playing from an unseen source. It's clear that several of the old gods have arrived, too, although they're largely keeping to themselves among small groups of their shinki, whose formal dress seems to be some variety of uniform -- color, cut and style vary wildly between different gods, but within a group, they all match.

Banquet

Two hours after the doors open, it's finally time to eat! Food is served in an adjoining room, where long tables are set to accommodate all the guests. Platters of sashimi, sushi, vegetables and deep-fried tidbits are brought around, as well as individual plates of the main courses; most of the food is Japanese, but not all, and the white-robed shinki serving take special requests.

As the banquet begins to wind to a close, the peal of a bell rings through the room, and Amaterasu steps out onto a raised dais towards the front of the room. She's accompanied by four of the white-robed shinki, all of whom are wearing swords, and although she looks like a girl of no more than twelve, her expression is grave and worried.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight, and for your efforts to support peace in the Heavens and in the mortal world. We are grateful for your hard work.

"Over the past several months, we have faced many challenges. Ayakashi have intruded into these lands more than once, and I myself came under attack when my temple was set on fire. We are making every effort to discover the responsible parties, and once we do, they will face Heaven's justice. For now, I have an important request for all of you.

"Please be watchful and alert. Be careful what you bring with you to the Heavens and watch for strangers in your temples and shrines. But even in a time like this, remember that we must remain in harmony with each other. Conflict in Heaven brings conflict on earth. If you think you have seen anything suspicious, bring that information to the nearest guards. I hope we can all work together, our new colleagues as well as the old..." She hesitates, drawing herself up, and then says quickly, "Thank you. Please enjoy yourself tonight," before turning to leave the room, guards close behind her.

Dancing

After Amaterasu's speech, the dinner dishes are cleared, and the guests are welcome to return to the previous room. The music is louder, enough to cover quiet conversation or to be danced to; it's a selection of Western ballroom dance tunes and classical Japanese music, and the center of the room is clear for would-be dancers.

The circulating servers are offering little sweets on their trays now, along with the same drink selection.

In Summary:

• Don't forget your invitation
• Enjoy the party
• Dinner and a speech
• Try some dancing
• Have fun~

Comments

[welcome_home]

[ The question catches Nanako off-guard, because she hadn't realized Amaterasu had snuck back out to join the party, but when she spots the other goddess, her entire face lights up in excitement as she abruptly throws her arms around her in a happy hug. ]

Ammy! I'm so happy to see you! [ Which is when the question sinks in and Nanako glances back to the dance floor, blinking at the people out there. ] Uhh. I don't think so? But I bet we could figure it out of you wanted to try?

[ammyterasu]

Nanako! It's so good to see you.

[She doesn't get a lot of hugs THIS IS STRANGE but also really nice? She hugs back tightly before letting go and stepping back, hands clasped together and a mischievous look on her face.]

I bet we could.

[There are all those other dancers to watch, after all! The first part is holding hands, so she reaches out to take Nanako's hand.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako beams at her, releasing her after the hug, just happy to see her friend again. And then giggles when Amaterasu takes her hand, swinging them between them cheerfully. Giving Amaterasu a tug, she starts moving out to the edge of the dance floor. ]

Come on, let's try it! It doesn't look that hard. You just have to step to the music, right? I think that's how it goes...

[ammyterasu]

Mmhm!

[Step to the side and then backwards, and then to the other side and then forwards, maybe? It's close enough to what the people who look like they really know what they're doing are, well, doing.

She puts her other hand on Nanako's shoulder, because she's the older and taller of the two goddesses, and starts trying to step in the same pattern.]

Like this, I think?

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako fumbles with where to put her hands for a moment, but since Amaterasu put hers on her shoulder, she risks a glance at the others and settles hers against the other goddess's waist, because that looks right. She thinks?

Carefully following the steps that Amaterasu picks out, she nods, tongue caught between her teeth as she moves with her. ]

I think so! Although there's supposed to be a twirl in there somewhere too, right? People are definitely twirling.

[ammyterasu]

I can't tell when.

[But Nanako's right, people are definitely twirling. She waits for another few steps, until the music does something that sounds twirly, and tries turning them both around in a circle.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako's more than happy to twirl with her, especially since the music does sound especially twirly. They narrowly avoid bumping into another couple, but Nanako's too busy giggling to notice. ]

Right there seems right. This is fun! I've never gotten to dance like this before. Have you?

[ammyterasu]

Only a little bit. It is fun, isn't it?

[And she's glad Nanako's having fun. The other goddess might be younger than she is, but it's nice being able to do fun things with another kid, instead of having to talk about serious things, or being treated like she's the child....]

[welcome_home]

Yeah, it is! [ She beams at the goddess, happy to get to spend time with her again. ] I'm glad you snuck back out. I wasn't sure if you'd get to enjoy your party at all. Is everything okay, Ammy? Is there anything I can do to help you?

[ammyterasu]

You don't have to worry about it, Nanako. I'll be okay!

[She smiles, a little worriedly.]

I promise.

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako keeps dancing with her, but she picks up on the worry in that smile, her own expression turning a little more serious. ]

It's okay if you're scared sometimes. I don't know why these people are mad, but... If you need help, you can ask your friends, Ammy. Friends always worry about each other if someone important to them is upset. You don't have to do it all by yourself.

[ammyterasu]

Maybe you're right.

I don't want anyone else to get hurt, that's all.

[Herself, her shinki, her friends -- the new gods, either, even though they've been hurt already more than once. She bites her lip, and confesses:]

I don't think I know everything I should be doing yet.

[welcome_home]

I don't want anyone to get hurt either. [ Nanako squeezes Amaterasu's hand gently as they keep dancing, her expression understanding. ] I think a lot of other people want that, too. It's okay if you're still learning what to do, Ammy. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Even gods, I bet. But I know you've been trying hard. That's why I want to help. I bet the rest of your friends do, too.

[ammyterasu]

Then I'll keep doing my best... and I'll ask for help, too.

[When she needs help. Sometimes, she just needs to understand which decisions she needs to make, and she's not sure anyone can help her with that.]