godsoffortune: (Default)
The Far Shore Mods ([personal profile] godsoffortune) wrote in [community profile] thenearshore2016-02-15 07:00 pm
Entry tags:

001 | The Welcoming Feast

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!
dominatriarch: ([...] | If you could lead the way)

[personal profile] dominatriarch 2016-02-16 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Stab a dagger through her heart and twist it why dontcha? Yes, she knows this pain. She knows it all too well and her gaze does turn rather sad at that. So much that she subconsciously clutches at her own chest at the memory. It was cruel enough to see wandering spirits that died too young... even more when she remembers those from the Ha and Ma clans who had to be silenced. ]

It... does happen.

[ At this, she's just going to pull up a curb because this is gonna be a long discussion. One she's familiar with. There's a sigh as she tucks her hair behind one ear as if to buy herself time to figure out what else to say. ]

It isn't the case, usually. Before all this, we chose who to make into shinki... and often it was to save those souls from becoming consumed by ayakashi or being turned into ayakashi themselves. It's... the lesser evil, if I may say so.

[ There's a small smile at that. ]

My Karuha and my Kazuha are equally young. But they've come to see their life as shinki as another home rather than an employment.
Edited (whoops icon) 2016-02-16 04:43 (UTC)
munify: (lights go out and i can't be saved。)

[personal profile] munify 2016-02-16 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Ayakashi? I take it they are corrupt spirits? Shinki are pure, are they not?

( he turns to look at her then, looking over the divine being who has taken the time to speak with him. he appreciates it, he truly does, but it is hard to convey right this moment. hard to do anything other than worry. he wants to tell her that he is also worried for himself, but he squashes it down. it is not a burden he ought to saddle on her.

he knows what he intends to say next, knows that it is certainly strange, but he must speak of it. perhaps she knows. )


I find myself. . . with memories that are not mine. One of a stranger and another of a boy that I had loved like my own child. I must admit that I hope that they are wild delusions created by my own foolishness, but—

They feel real. Like my own. And I am scared because my heart urges me not to speak of these memories. But how am I supposed to care for a loved one that died because I did not protect him? I do not deserve to have him returned to my care as a spirit.
dominatriarch: ([...] | Before I walk away)

[personal profile] dominatriarch 2016-02-16 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes... but this leaves them open to corruption all the same. These ayakashi are what plague this land and it is our responsibility to protect the mortals from their influence.

[ Those memories though... that would make him a god. She listens, nodding on occasion though her attention seems to be on her hands placed on her lap. She knows this feeling. She knows it all too well. What if she had been there in time? What if she had been able to save this child? Was she truly the mightiest war god to allow these deaths? But her hand remains on his shoulder; a show of sympathy from one god to another. ]

Those memories belong to your shinki. I'm afraid they're anything but delusions but are, as you've discerned, memories.

[ And with that, she'll withdraw her hand and place it back on her lap. ]

The knowledge of your shinki's death is the god's greatest secret... and perhaps the burden we must carry as their gods. Knowledge of their death may drive them mad, to the point of being consumed by madness and ending up as ayakashi themselves. It would be wise to heed your heart.