001 | The Welcoming Feast

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: A little bit of explanation, thank goodness.
When: Early morning. (February 15, 2016)
Where: The Heavens. Specifically in the Meeting Hall.
Warnings: Exposition is coming your way, sit back and enjoy the show!



The Heavens have summoned you. And there is no way to turn down a summons from the Heavens. Of course, some of you know where you are and what you are probably doing here, but most of you might be completely confused as to what is going on. All gods have been ushered into the meeting hall, where every person suddenly becomes anonymous and obscured, while every shinki has been gathered up outside in the hallway, both sets to listen to the same message sent by Amaterasu herself. And while you cannot see her properly or really figure out what her voice sounds like, you definitely know that it's her speaking:

'Welcome, one and all, to Takamagahara. There are many new gods and shinki here today, and I hope you all find your stay pleasant. I wish that I could explain to you exactly why you find yourselves here now, but I am unsure of the details myself. Please make use of the shinki dedicated to our services in order to make yourself more acquainted with your new position. You can find them by looking for my golden insignia.

As compensation for the trouble you are all being put through, I have had a wonderful feast prepared. I only hope that it is to your liking. Feel free to eat and drink as much as you would like, though please do not leave before the clock chimes midnight, for that is when your homes will be prepared.

I ask that all pre-existing gods please help those new to our ways. Let them know what is and is not acceptable and what duties will be expected of them. I am counting on your all to support the Heavens in this confusing time as we attempt to sort things out.

Thank you all for your time. And I am truly sorry that you have found yourselves in this situation.

With that, the figure that is Amaterasu bows deeply and disappears from their sights. The gods are released from their chamber and the shinki are allowed to roam. All exits are manned by a white-clad shinki, bearing a golden, embroidered Chrysanthemum on their chests. So, technically, there is no way out. You can't even seem to teleport out by any means.

All that's really left to do is enjoy the food and hope that you'll actually be able to leave after the clock chimes midnight. Though the clock doesn't seem to work on a minute-by-minute basis either...



Banquet Hall

There is food from literally every culture and walk of life here. Everything is prepared gorgeously and deliciously, no expenses spared. There are shinki bearing the Chrysanthemum carrying out new platters of everything as it's eaten up and nothing seems to go hot or cold as time passes - it always at the perfect temperature for eating and it never tastes anything but delicious. Maybe there's a little magic making it taste so good...

On top of the delectable dinner, there are plenty of desserts and every kind of alcohol available and constantly being refilled. The liquor is being offered to gods and shinki alike, no matter how old they are/look. Let's hope that you can hold your alcohol.

Counselling

In the main hallway, there is an innocuous door with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". Inside the door is a small room with a few sweetly smiling shinki inside who are willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. They are also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and also any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead.

Did Someone Say Games?

A large room connected to the back of the banquet hall has a wide variety of games set up for everyone to enjoy. There are old-fashioned board games (like chess and Othello) as well as newer ones (like Candy Land and Sorry!). On top of that, there is every kind of console available with every video game ever made - and plenty of handheld devices for everyone to be able to play. The devices don't seem to work outside of this room, though, so you'll have to stay there if you want to keep playing. Gaming is, after all, a great way to get to know new people!

After Midnight

Finally, the clock starts to chime. It seems like it's been days and yet only minutes at the same time. Time seems to work so strangely here in Takamagahara and it's hard to keep up with what's going on. But now that the shinki guarding the doors have left their posts, you are more than welcome to leave. In fact, the Heavens seem to want you to leave because all of the food has disappeared, none of the games work anymore (including the board games, which keep flipping over when you try to play...), and the friendly shinki are smiling as they usher you out the doors.

You are welcome to start wandering around Takamagahara, but it's an ambiguous sort of place and might just take you straight home anyway. Feel free to go home and start bonding with your partner. Or sneak home with someone else because your partner is a meanie-pants. It's up to you!



In Summary:

• Amaterasu says you're stuck here and she doesn't know why. Sorry!
• There's lots of food to eat, though! Eat your fill.
• Oh, and there's booze too. Try not to get TOO drunk.
• Guidance/Grief counselling is available, if you need it.
• Use gaming to get close to others!
• Try to start bonding with your god/shinki. Or just form new friendships. Whatever you feel best doing!
• Have fun!

Comments

OTA

[sleepingknight]

[Banquet Hall]

Ohhh!

[That is a ton of food holy crap. She can't remember being alive, but she's pretty sure she's never seen so much before.

Her first thought is that this might be a liiiiiittle too indulgent. Is it really okay to partake in such a lavish feast?

It lasts for all of about five seconds. Regardless, the food is here, and she's invited (apparently), so as long as she doesn't go overboard, it should be fine. Besides, wasting food is worse than gluttony! Probably! Yeah!!

Once she's reached that particular peace of mind, she hunts down some food, starting with a nice bowl of oshiruko.]

-!

[This taste... this texture...!]

It's so good!

[It comes out as a squeal of delight. There's just something about it, something she can't quite put her finger on. Even without memories, there's some quality to this soup that she feels she hasn't tasted in a very, very long time.

The thought is slightly troubling, but only for a moment before she shoves it out of her mind. No time like the present, and that's what she's going to focus on!]

[Did Someone Say Games?]

Whoaaaa!

[If the food had her excited, the games have her ecstatic. She wastes no time dashing about (and fast, at that) to check out all there is to offer. Eventually, she unearths an electronic circlet of some sort.]

An AmuSphere! I wonder what games it has installed?

[She turns it over in her hands with wonder before suddenly drooping, her movements slowing to a halt. If she puts this on, she'll have to lay down to play whatever's on it - it would be like her body would be asleep while her mind adventured.

Something about that... It didn't make her unhappy, exactly, but she didn't quite want to. Not yet. The smile returns to her face, albeit a bit more subdued this time. She sets it aside and gives it a few pats.]

Mm, maybe later!

[She doesn't mean to speak to anyone in particular, but it wouldn't be too hard to overhear her. She isn't especially quiet.]

[After Midnight]

[And here's the moment of truth... The start to a whole new lifestyle. No, not lifestyle - existence? Hrm. She'll have to think that one over later.

Unlike the rest of the night, she's a bit more meek at this moment, seemingly reluctant to leave the halls even though it's quite clear that they're being kicked out. What kind of life - nope, existence, we went over this - awaits her out there?

Someone might need to give this uncertain shinki a nice shove out the door.]

Banquet

[dominatriarch]

[ Ah, these newcomers. They're certainly a lively bunch. Outside of Yato (where WAS that guy?) and Kofuku, most gatherings like this were quiet to say the least.

And then there's this girl. ]

Enjoying yourself, I see? You should take your time. There's more than enough food and it's still early.

[ She just doesn't want you choking. Doing the heimlich in this dress is a pain. ]

Banquet

[sleepingknight]

[She's still chewing through the mochi when Bishamon asks, though she's at least polite enough to finish swallowing before she replies.

She is not, however, polite enough to switch to anything resembling formal language. She may regret this in a moment once she realizes who she's speaking to.]

Mm, I know! [She raises one of her free hands as she says this, because apparently she is just brimming with that much energy.] But it's so delicious, I just can't hold back!

[dominatriarch]

[ And have a laugh at that. The energy of youth, indeed. If she ever had a daughter, she could only hope she'd be as lively as this one. ]

Nor should you. This banquet is to welcome everyone, after all. It would be rude to decline anything offered.

[ But give her a second, she needs to drink and this girl apparently needs to swallow. ]

I'd take it you arrived along with everyone else?

[sleepingknight]

Uh-huh, that's right!

[She does sort of stick out, with her chosen outfit.]

Were you already here?

Banquetttt

[gonnarockyou]

[Gon isn't far from her, stuffing his face as well and enjoying every moment of it! He glances over to her once she speaks up and nods his head quickly since his mouth is full. But it only takes a second for him to fix that problem and swallow the mouthful.]

Everything taste great! There's so much too! Stuff I've never seen before...

[He is amazed by the sheer amount of everything to. Someone worked hard to put on a display for them. But even with all the food before him, he is curious to the what's in her bowl. Gon even leans over to see.]

What is that?

[sleepingknight]

It's oshiruko! Mochi in red bean soup!

[...Although, wait a sec. She feels like there might be more to it.]

...Or maybe it was zenzai? [Mmm, no, that doesn't quite sound right.] No, I'm pretty sure it's oshiruko. [Yeah. Let's go with that.]

Anyway, it's really sweet! You wanna try some?

[gonnarockyou]

It doesn't look like it would be sweet...

[The words come mumbled as if he's just thinking aloud before looking back to her. He holds up his hands, waving them a bit.]

I have a lot to finish already! Maybe later, but thanks.

[Gon looks back to his own plate which is stacked pretty full.]

It's really nice of them to make so much food for everyone. [Free too!]

[sleepingknight]

Yeah, isn't it?

[Griiiiiiiiin. She's not even much of a food person, but something about this stuff just really makes her grateful she can eat it.]

Ohh? What have you had so far? And what's your favorite?

[For future reference! She doesn't want to overdo it, but she still wants to try a little of as much as she can!]

After Midnight

[faetedneutrality]

[Bo was already outside, and she was taking in the sight they were greeted with there. This place was definitely odd, she would give it that. But for as out of sorts she currently felt, for being away from her loved ones like this, perhaps she could actually do something good here.

She glanced back at the door she came out of and noticed the other girl seemingly reluctant to leave. Bo walked back over to her, a little smile on her face.]

It's kind of intimidating, isn't it?

[Being conversational, maybe she could help her feel more comfortable with everything?]

[sleepingknight]

Um... Yeah, sorta--

[Wait. God. She ought to be more formal, huh?]

I mean... Yes.

[The party had been all fun and good, but going out there, the servant of a god she doesn't even know? It's just... weird. And the fact that this is supposed to be her existence from now on?

It's a huge leap, and one she doesn't feel prepared to make in the slightest.]

[faetedneutrality]

[Bo gave her an easy smile. God or not, she didn't exactly like being formal.]

It's okay, I'm kind of intimidated by this place as well. Do you want to walk together? Maybe it'll be less intimidating that way if we aren't alone?

[Just a thought she hoped would be helpful.]

[sleepingknight]

Oh... Sure.

[She feels like she's going to fumble this any second now. With a clearly displeased look, she hesitantly steps outside.]

...I liked the party. But I don't know if I can do... this.

[Whatever all of this is supposed to entail. She's still pretty fuzzy on it all, to be honest.]

Gaming

[spacedog]

[A tennis ball rolls into her feet. Please please please please throw it? You don't look as busy as everyone else.

There is a dog sitting there, wagging his tail, eyeing the ball and then staring at her anxiously. If you wait too long, he might nudge the ball or whine at you.]

[sleepingknight]

[Is that a dog.

She crouches down to his level, giving him a pat on the head with one hand as she scoops up the tennis ball with the other.]

Hey boy, you wanna play?

[It's a doggy!! Why does it feel like it's been forever since she last saw one?

Whe she stands again, it's with both legs planted far apart, arm drawn back and ready to throw. She keeps the bright green ball in easy view so the dog will have an easier time tracking it.]

Are you ready? I'm gonna throw it, okay?

[Her own voice is excited as she waves the ball around a little.]

[spacedog]

[He accepts the pat happily, tail wagging furiously. And oh! She's talking to him! She's totally going to throw it, isn't she. She is she is she is!

He keeps his eyes glued to the ball, front paws bouncing a bit off the floor because this is terribly exciting and the most fun way to make friends EVER.]

Midnight

[ridethathippo]

[Of all things to do, how did he manage to misplace his twin? Well...for some reason he gets the feeling he could find Yuto rather easily if he started looking, but someone else catches his attention momentarily. A girl at the doorway-- look at those ears! Is she an elf or a fairy? That's pretty cool.

Oh, but she seems to be hesitating.]

Here, I'll walk with you. [Yuya offers a hand to her once he strolls over to the girl's side. He'd been feeling blue earlier when the banquet first started, so he should probably return the favor by cheering up others.]

[sleepingknight]

Huh?

[She gives a small start, looking up at Yuya uncertainly.]

Oh. Uh, thanks.

[Though she reaches for his hand slowly at first, once she's got a grip on him, it's actually pretty firm. She is not feeling great about walking blindly into what's to be the rest of her new... afterlife.]

...It's sorta hard to believe, isn't it?

[ridethathippo]

[Yuya's kind of glad her hand isn't a limp fish on him-- that would just make him feel silly for offering in the first place. But he'll start walking towards the main exit, humming in agreement at her question before putting on a thoughtful look.]

Mn, it's really weird. I don't even remember how I died, now that I think about it.

Banquet

[darkduelist]

[Standing nearby, Yuto looks at the girl as she's enjoying all the food. His gaze falls on the tables and a small sigh escapes his lips.]

Do we even need to eat?

[They're dead, so what's the point.]

[sleepingknight]

Hm?

[She's currently got mochi in her mouth, so he'll have to wait until she chews and swallows before she can respond properly.]

Mmm... I guess not. [Her face scrunches up a bit at the thought.]

...But it's free, and it tastes amazing. Why not try it while we still can?

[darkduelist]

[Yuto waits for her response. Then he frowns slightly, crossing his arms, eyes closing a moment later. The food may be for free and it may taste great, but still..]

I don't feel like eating.

[Then there's a long moment of silence. And when he looks at the girl again, sadness can be seen in his eyes.]

...You sure are taking this well.

Food

[returnedfromtheline]

[He can't help but flinch a little at that squeal of delight... and it was over the oshiruko? Is it really that good?

With a neutral expression Yukine comes over with his own plate piled high with the more Western-style dishes.]

You better enjoy it while you can. You might not always get to eat so well.

[sleepingknight]

Haaaaah?

[It comes out a bit broad, thanks to a lump of mochi being in her mouth when she tries to reply. It's enough to remind her of the fact however, and she hurriedly chews through the rest and swallows before she ends up spitting it on someone.]

I... I guess it would be weird if we got to eat like this every night, huh?

[Oh man, what a depressing thought. She's pretty sure she doesn't know how to cook - just what kind of food is she going to scrounge up out there?]

[returnedfromtheline]

Well, people don't usually have a banquet every day, do they. [He's agreeing with her- it's just the way it is.]

But your god should take care of you. Including feeding you, even if we don't need to eat, strictly speaking.

[Something tells him these new shinki and gods will be better of than he was in that regard right off the bat.
Trying to wipe away that thought by quickly putting a square of cheese in his mouth and swallowing 14 year old boys don't chew he continues on to the point.]

I'm Yukine, a shinki. [He shifts his plate to his right hand for a moment so that he can point to his left collarbone where his 'yuki' mark is partially visible.]

And you?