27 - The Gods' Meeting

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: The Meeting of the Gods is here at last.
When: October 30
Where: Heaven's Meeting Hall
Summary:







Pre-Meeting

Guards at the front door are carefully checking each god who enters off on their list of attendees, and taking the names of each of their shinki attendants.

Once the participants are past the doors, they are guided down the hallway to a huge meeting room by one of the guards, who will announce them by divine title, and each of their shinki by whatever name they gave. It's an open question as to who's actually listening, though, because the room is swiftly filling up with gods and shinki. As well as the newcomers, old gods are here, some in human form attended by their uniformed shinki, others in stranger shapes -- giant bears, round-bellied tanuki, turtles, dragons, and more. There's even one tricolored tabby cat in a small blue cap, seated majestically in the arms of a uniformed shinki and chatting with another god.

Buffet tables bearing every kind of food and drink imaginable are set up at one end of the room, and a dais with a podium is at the other, draped in bright gold and white bunting and emblazoned with a chrysanthemum emblem.

Early Announcements

Finally, the socialization comes to an end, and the meeting itself begins as Ookuninushi grabs the microphone and steps up to the podium. The year's most popular gods are named first: Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is in third place, Tenjin in second and Ebisu in first place. Each steps up to bow and accept their accolades in turn: Hotei is a big man with a wide smile, Tenjin a tall, ascetic man wearing old robes and concealing his smug expression behind a fan, and a tired-looking younger man in a business suit announces himself as representing Ebisu, who is watching over the Near Shore during the event.

Next, the most popular new god is announced: Ookuninushi has to stop and wrinkle his nose at the name for several seconds before he pronounces it-- Nekhbet, a new arrival in the Heavens.

He moves on to call for a moment of silence recognizing the difficulties of the last year. Many gods have faced reincarnation and returned wearing unfamiliar faces! The Heavens can't yet explain the cause of these changes, but Amaterasu herself urges them to welcome their friends' new incarnations as brothers and sisters in the Heavens.

His final announcement is that, after the successful resolution of the trouble associated with some recent deaths, Orihime has been restored to her place among the eight million gods.

Fortune Weaving

Announcements finished, the main activity of the evening begins. The white-robed shinki bring in huge baskets filled with wooden prayer plaques, setting them down all around the room, and the gods begin to form into circles around each basket. The older gods will gladly explain to any confused newcomers that they're weaving fortunate connections between mortal lives as they spread the plaques out and tie strings off together with great care. All the plaques have names written on them; some are filled out with prayers, some just with notes, and others adorned with pictures of flowers, animals or favorite characters.

Gods and shinki are given blank plaques to inscribe with their own names, too, in order to give them the chance to make fortunate connections as well. (Not necessarily romantic, the other gods will assure them! There are many different kinds of fated connection.)

Help out, take the opportunity to chat, and make some fortunate matches for yourself as well as these hard-working petitioners.

Midnight Disaster

Just shy of midnight, while the gods are still matching up plaques, finishing the last of the banquet, and getting into drunken arguments over who to connect to whom, a shinki in a dark suit torn at the shoulder comes dashing into the Meeting Hall.

"Calamity!" he cries-- and tells the assembled Heavens that a mysterious blight has fallen across a sleepy residential community in the Tokyo suburbs. The blight, a huge circle covering about two blocks, is sucking the life out of everything inside it: plants are wilting, and people and animals have fallen into deathly slumber. As if that weren't bad enough, it's also attracting big, dangerous ayakashi. Ebisu and his shinki are there now, but there aren't enough of them to fight the ayakashi and move the people trapped inside the blighted circle to a safer place before they die.

Volunteers will need to fight ayakashi and rescue the mortals trapped in the blight -- once they're outside its edge, they'll begin to wake up and recover on their own.

In Summary:

• Enjoy the banquet before the announcements
• Hear about the most popular gods
• Help make fortunate connections for the living
• Respond to a disaster
• Have fun~

Comments

Early Announcements

[toremainbehind]

That is one thing I wasn't expecting.

[Izumo speaks up from nearby, sipping his own wine and eying Totsuka with some amusement.]

[mithrarin]

A. Early Announcements

[With his hat pulled over his eyes, his head bowed, and his arms folded across his chest, he might be sleeping? Okay, he isn't, but no one could be blamed for thinking that. Dust absolutely doesn't care about 'most popular gods', and if that's why they're here this entire evening is a total waste. The announcements are garbage too -- they don't mean a thing. Just empty words.]

[But when Ookuninushi mentions Orihime's name, Dust's head snaps up. Not so far that anyone can see his eyes, of course -- Dust doesn't do that. But his entire being focuses, like a warrior staring at the enemy on the other side of his blade. And when the announcement comes, that Orihime will be restored, he slumps back in his chair as all the tension drains out of him. One hand goes up to curl into a victorious fist.]

[Dust claims triumph. The heavens have bowed. Justice has been served. There's hope.]

B. Fortune-weaving

Uh, no thanks. [Dust and a shinki are stuck in a reverse tug of war, the shinki trying to push the plaque on Dust to fill out, insisting that he has to fill it out to make a favorable match.]

[Shockingly, Dust doesn't really want a part of this. Please help him; the shinki is about an inch from grabbing his hand and trying to force him to write.]

OTA

[monkeyblue]

Pre-Meeting and Announcements

[Once Izumo's been announced and people are settling down for the announcements, Fushimi finds a corner of the room and pulls out his phone.

Yes, he is that asshole. Please call him out on this.]

Fortune Weaving

[The plaque with Fushimi's name on it is tucked safely to his side as he connects other names and plaques. He's not going to tie his name to anyone else's and really he doesn't want to be doing this, but it's a good way to record conversations with his phone in his pocket and otherwise eavesdrop for Izumo.

At least until one of the younger shinki runs by with a bowl of string and trips, dropping all of their string on Fushimi's head.]

Disaster

[Fushimi's there with his god and the other two, scouting out the area and finding places that have the most people in danger.

A cry pierces the air.]

...tch. Small child.

[heartshutter]

Good to hear I’m not the only one! Eheh...

[ Clearing his throat a bit, expression 1000% sheepishness: ]

To be super popular, I thought a god needed to be.... [ ahem ] ...different, from how he is.

But! King wins people over all the time, and he’s much the same, so... [ Shrug! ]

[brynwieldr]

I think it's largely just ceremonial. Still...

[Leo takes the red string and begins to braid it into a stronger string.]

It's quaint. Cute, almost.

[futhark]

Pre-Meeting

[ There are surely less flashy entrances than arriving a bit late at the party in a fancy blue suit and on a back of giant snow leopard. Snow leopard that soon turns into beautiful woman- why yes, that was Ginia's vessel form. Please don't mind them- or absolutely do. If this was just the means to get to the gathering fast they could teleport. But nope, gotta bring attention to the new addition to his household. Could have as well wave a flag "look how cool she is"

Now they rejoin his other shinki, whom he greets and apologies with a slightly sheepish smile. ]

Sorry to keep you waiting.

[ And now they can all go and mingle and socialize on the gathering. There is a lot of familiar faces to greet, and many unfamiliar to perhaps talk for the first time. ]


Early Announcements

Congratulations are in order I see. [ If there is applause on the mention of Nekhbet, Caster joins in. Would be rude any other way, besides Shun earned the praise. ] So they are starting to notice us all.

[ Those who work hard, that's it. But it's a good sign that the new gods are not being ignored and brushed over. Is it a sign of change, or has it always been like that, and people just didn't notice, that is a good question. ]


Fortune Weaving

[ Now this, this activity is just weird. But it makes a scary amount of sense that this is how fated connections are created. By the hands of gods who possibly know nothing of what they are doing. A divine accident, just set in stone. ]

--ver A---

I suppose seers are those who can peek through the veil and read this web. [ His voice is quiet, almost a whisper. Easy to miss or ignore. Caster walks around observing what connections other gods form, but he's hesitant of forming any. It's too big for him, really. Being on the one side of the fated for greatness is one thing, forcing it upon someone- that's even furthest of what his role could be. Yet in contrast, he does hold his own plaque with his name written on it, at least until-- ]

--ver B---

[ Caster's again moving around people weaving the fortunes, but now he's looking for something. Checking over people's shoulder to get a read what connection they are making, or rather to read who they are connecting. Kind of rude, really. If confronted about it, he will admit ]

Ah, don't mind me. I displaced the plaque with my own name. [ He either put it somewhere and forgot to take it again. Or maybe someone pocketed it from him? Hard to say ] Gotta find it.

[ Before someone weaves that in. ]


Midnight Disaster

[ Suddenly action party! Okay, it's not necessary a "yey", but he springs into action immediately The druid garb is back, how? Magic- but the suit is really too good to ruin in a fight. He'd really like to indulge with hunting, but the people in danger are a more immediate concern for everyone, especially if the ayakashi is not in sight yet. The area feels eerily as if someone was siphoning the life out of everything, which is both familiar and unnerving. ]

--ver A--

[ When he's not armed with his shinki he's helping the rescue effort with griping kept to absolute minimum. Mostly focused on getting people out from hard to reach places, relying on his magical senses to locate the fading lifeforce, but once he carries them out on a street and sees someone else from Heavens who has nothing to do he drops the unconscious person on the ground nearby and casually chats up ]

Hey, you look capable. [ Despite his appearance, he can carry several people at once and sometimes, that might be how much he drops. ] Want to take care of this?


--ver B--

[ When the big ayakashi arrives, he's fortunately armed with his shinki. A red jeweled pendant shines on his neck- yeah that's the shinki's vessel form. It's big, but he fought bigger. And since rescue efforts are still going on, he could provide a distraction to the beast. ]

Archer, give me something. [ He's leaving the weapon of choice and what is conjured in his hand is a- ]

A bow- really? [ Is this his shinki best strategic decision regarding fighting the opponents, or is he just being stupid and wants to keep his god out of "harm's way." Cannot deny that sniping ayakashi from far away is a good option, but archery isn't his favourite fighting style. ]

Ugh, [ disgusted noise ] fine, have it your way. [ Caster mutters dismisses his cape, to make for an easier shooting. ]

[toremainbehind]

[The older man regards his friend with some amusement.

You're still not upset about Shun punching you, are you?

He shrugs.]

People just might find him charismatic. There could be worst people who could've been voted as popular new god.

[heartshutter]

[ Define 'upset'.

Honestly? He's got bigger grievances against Shun at this point. But if Tatara's assumptions about the scenario, (because that's all he's got -- he refuses to explore deeper, for understandable reasons), are correct, he's getting paid back in spades already. And, once again, everything will have worked out.

Well. More or less. ]

Oh~? Such as?

[ Said cheerily, with a tilt of his head. Go on, Izumo! Don't leave him hanging! He's curious now! ]

B

[lostinshadows]

Seems like we got a lot of work cut out for us, yeah?

['sup, Nanako?

Lavi crouches beside her, looking at the basket.]

Early Announcements

[lostinshadows]

Seems like you got your work cut out for you if Shun's the popular new god here, Hibiki.

[He doesn't even look surprised.

Shun, despite his own issues, does seem to have a habit of tossing himself into everything. His followers might appreciate that.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Pre-Meeting (featuring: Shenanigans!)

NO!

[This loud, disruptive bellow comes from a floating book -- one facing a semi-circle of minions with identical vapid smiles. The Overlord's objections likely stem from the big red tie wrapped around his covers and trailing a couple of feet down, looking spectacularly ridiculous in every conceivable way.]

[The minions look from Zetta to each other, then promptly collapse into a huddle to discuss their potential responses to this. After a moment they break apart, nod to each other, then immediately swap out the red tie for a green and gold one.]

....NO!

[The minions look from Zetta to each other, then promptly collapse into a huddle to discuss their potential responses to this. Zetta just glares at the door, wishing he had some freaking legs and could just walk his happy ass in there. If he had an ass, too, damn it!]

Early Announcements (with objections!)

B-brothers and sisters in the Heavens?!

[Zetta practically quivers with rage in his chair, which is all the more ridiculous a sight given that he's a book. The humor in his situation may be the only thing that makes him a tolerable tablemate, for those poor fools who got stuck sitting with him.]

I'm a demon! A freaking Overlord! I'm an enemy of the Heavens! I hate everything they stand for! How dare they attempt to embrace me as a brother!?

Midnight Disaster (with combat!)

All right, my loyal minions!

[Again, like bookends to the night, Zetta glares at a semicircle of his minions. But this time, instead of clutching ties, they clutch an assortment of weapons -- swords, staffs, spears, a fishing pole for some reason.]

You know what we're here for. You know what your driving purpose is. Now, faced with blight like this -- what are you going to do?

[In unison, the minions heft their weapons skyward and let their combined battlecry ring out to the heavens!]

GRIND LEVELS!

The dozen minions stampede into the fray, surrounded a small sloth ayakashi, and begin kicking it brutally while it whimpers feebly.]

[lionhearrt]

i. Early Announcements

[ During the announcements, Suoh never looks up, in fact, his eyes remain closed throughout the entire set of announcements. Is he asleep? Maybe you want to poke him to find out. For the moment, he'll remain an immovable statue throughout all the talking. ]


ii. Fortune Connections

[ Suoh stares at the blank plaque. ]

.....

[ He picks it up, raising it to eye level. For a long moment, he does nothing, but then... One moment he's staring at it, the next a fire suddenly consumes it. Yes, he's attempting to burn it to ash. Feel free to react to this brute. ]


iii. Midnight Disaster

[ With no shinki to his name, Suoh naturally gravitates to the victims not because of a kind heart but because his god powers are a natural combatant against blight. ]

Send them in groups.

[ He tells whoever is helping. ]

I'll burn it out all at once.

[ If they've been there for a while, then his words make sense. Suoh's white cleansing fire can burn the blight while healing the victim. For those who haven't been there long, well... he's never been great with words. ]

B

[lostinshadows]

Is a congratulations in order?

[Lavi...Lavi feels like he should keep a relatively safe distance from Shun.

He saw Judar's post when he backtracked after awakening, after all. Still, he can't help himself to greet the other god.]

[sing_for_me]

Pre-Meeting

[The whole announcing thing was a little embarrassing, but that was over with pretty quickly. It seemed like not too long ago that Alex had to attend a gathering like this, although it did give a different feeling, It might have also been the style of attire she and Kaden decided to go with. The whole process of finding something to wear with him was quite enjoyable, and she liked seeing him having fun. It helped easer her own anxiousness. He seemed pleased with his outfit, if the pictures in her phone said anything about it. She was glad he was there to help her with hers, since she was unfamiliar with this type of clothing. Really, if he hadn't arrived, she probably would have skipped this event.

Another difference was the variety of guest this time around. That was definitely a bear drinking some sake over there...and a..raccoon? Didn't those normally go through garbage? Yet here it was, all dressed up and chatting with a turtle. Alex was so distracted by the different gods around her that she wasn't as focused on dodging the rest of the guests walking by.]

Ah--I'm sorry-- [Then she backs right into another.] Sorry..!

Fortune Weaving

[At first, the notion of being in control of people's relationships didn't sit well with Alex, but reading some of the prayers or the notes on the plaques, the idea didn't sound so bad. At least they were forming good relationships. If this was a way to avoid all the bad...Alex couldn't say no to that. Although the plaque given to her for her own name remained by her side.

She smiled as she read the plaque of a little girl who wished to be friends with a new classmate, and funny enough, that same classmate had written a similar prayer about her. It was nice, being able to smile more often. Coming out here might have been a good idea after all. There was something rather calming about weaving too, and learning a new skill kept her mind off of things.]

Oh...yikes. Um..what do we do if someone wants to get closer to this other person..but that person is more interested in another person?

[It seemed wrong to have to decide something like this for them..]

Midnight Disaster

The shinki's yelling catches Alex's attention, and she quickly drops whatever she's doing or holding to head out and help. She had a little more confidence with these things now, and was more than willing to help.

A. [Closed to Kaden]
[There was so much going on, what with having to worry about the life that was literally being sucked out of everything around them and the giant ayakashi roaming about. Alex was more grateful now to have Kaden with her.]

Kaden, do you think you could carry people out of the area? I can hold back the ayakashi until you come back.

[It might be a lot of work for him since he'd have to come travel back and forth, but he would be able to bring out more people than she could. Their safety and well-being was her top priority.]

B
[Alex waited for two more of the ayakashi to pass out onto the ground, overdosing them with calming pheromones before making a run for it with the two small children in her arms. It was a good thing they were already knocked out themselves, since it allowed her to use her god power more freely. Still, the ayakashi wouldn't stay down for long, so she she quickly made a run for it. She just had to get them out of the reach of the blight.

Hearing a creaking noise, Alex just barely managed to stop herself from running into a falling lamp post, which crashed loudly in front of her from the weight of another ayakashi. She double backed up the street, only to find another one stalking the other end. Another had just landed on top of one of the houses as well.

She could use her power, but the wind was blowing down south, which meant only one of the ayakashi would be affected. There was no way she could take on all of them at the same time unless she risked the others getting close enough to her.]

Fortune B

[lostinshadows]

You missing something?

[Lavi looks over at Caster curiously, holding up a plaque himself.

It may or may not have Caster's name on it since Lavi might be already weaving it.]

Pre-Meeting

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi lets out a surprised sound when he feels someone bump into him.

An arm instinctively wraps around her waist to steady her, eyes peering at Alex.]

Alex?

3

[futhark]

[ Caster had one of the first rows in witnessing what Mikoto's fire can do. Both in it's destructive and healing properties. He catches quickly and he puts unconscious girl he was carrying on the ground. ]

Yeah, you're perfect for the job.

[ Blight cleansing is a rare skill around here. ]

How many do you consider worthwhile?

[futhark]

Yeah, looking for the one with my name.

[ And now he's doing that kind of dance when he's trying to peek over Lavi's shoulder, or under his arm, whatever, to get a good luck what kind of name he's weaving right now. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ There's a pause when she feels the arm around her waist, her body stiffening for a moment until she hears his voice. Looking up and seeing a familiar face, she relaxes more, but is quite surprised to see who it is. ]

Lavi?

[ It had be a while since she last saw him. Realizing she was still leaning on him, she moves to face him properly, feeling rather embarrassed about that. ]

Sorry..you'd think I'd be used to all this by now. [ She chuckles bashfully. ]

[lostinshadows]

[The one with his name?

Lavi stops what he's doing, taking a look at the plaque.

Oh--]

Whoops.

[lostinshadows]

[He shakes his head, letting her go, but still close.

It's a little odd to see her so jumpy; then again, it's been a while since they've seen each other, too.]

No, it's fine. I don't think anyone can ever really get used to these parties, anyway.

[futhark]

[ Yeah surely that one reads "Cú Chulainn." Here it is, fate strikes again. ]

Ahh, get it out-!!

[ Now he's trying to reach to untie it- yeah that's rude, you've been busy here, and this guy just barges in ruining your work.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Unconsciously, she starts to look him over, since the last time she saw him he didn't seem too well. ]

How are you? It's been a while...

[ Admittedly she hadn't thought about him recently, but it was a relief to see him, to see that he was still here. [

[lostinshadows]

Oi, oi.

[DON'T BE RUDE.

Lavi leans away.]

What's so bad about this?

[lostinshadows]

I could be better. Just woke up from a sleep after who knows how long.

[He offers her his arm.

Might be a good chance to steer her away from the crowds?]