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

[peoples_keeper]

Banquet

The former informant was unusually quiet as he pondered his current predicament. On one hand this wasn't Valhalla and he wasn't chosen to be a warrior by a Valkyrie, on the other hand, he himself was now chosen to be a 'God' himself. Over there, unfinished business, over here... 'God'. He fisted his fingers tightly inside his jacket pockets practically cutting his palms with his nails to keep himself from laughing manically. His lips still betrayed him by quirking up into a smirk before he quickly contained it.

Annoyance and elation, the two feelings mixed inside him like oil and water but he took a deep breath and fixed his face. A bit of sadness with a dash of concern and finally a sprinkle acceptance ought to do it. Now to gather some more information and do some people... God and Shinki watching? For now he avoided the food and drink to make sure it wasn’t poisoned, many others seemed okay with testing it all for him.

Izaya was surprised to find so many who appeared to be completely okay with this situation. Some of that could be attributed to the amnesia of the so called Shinki. Others could be hiding their grief behind a smile stuffing their faces with food or immersing themselves in the conveniently placed games. He did take note of the outliers who seemed quite put out or at the very least appeared uneasy. He casually moved to bump into someone gently.

"Oh, pardon me," he said meekly, "it's quite lively in here and I wasn't watching where I was going."

[spacedog]

It's okay.

[Really, it is.] Have you tried these things yet? [He doesn't know what most of the food even is called but that doesn't matter. At all.]

[peoples_keeper]

Izaya studied the food the other was holding for a moment. "Ah, I haven't tried much of anything just yet, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole situation, you know? How is it?" He was still deciding if he was going to give out his 'God' name or his actual name at this time.

[spacedog]

It's really good! [Probably best at this point that Izaya doesn't know that Coal also thought that Purina Healthy Dog was really good, too. He shrugs at the other guy.]

I guess I don't have much to wrap my head around. I'm a shinki so I don't have memories. Are you a god?

[And yes, he is totally at peace with not having any memories.]

[peoples_keeper]

"Is does look like you are enjoying it. I might just have to try some later." Coal, Purina isn't really all that healthy, you should be eating a raw meat diet not that Izaya really cares... about dogs.

"That makes sense. I, myself am a God apparently, "Omoikane". So as a Shinki, how would you describe your mental state right now? How does it feel to not know where you came from?"

[okitactless]

Yamato is one of those who appears to be fine with this turn of events. More than fine, actually--he seems happy about it. He's not jumping for joy or running around with a dopey grin, by any means, but the ease with which he slips into his new role is far more telling than even he realizes. It comes, one might think, a little too naturally.

He, too, is "people" watching, but it's more out of a desire to understand these new companions than anything else. He doesn't seem to notice when Izaya veers towards him, though his hands fly up to steady him with a speed that speaks of honed reflexes.

(Das rude, Izaya.)

"It's alright, I'm sorry. I was in the way." He steps back and offers a little half-bow in apology, fluffy bangs flopping into his eyes. "I think there are other rooms, if you'd like some space."

[peoples_keeper]

The informant stifles a chuckle at the way the the other apologizes back to him and continues his nice guy act. "I'm alright here, I prefer to be around other people, it's actually a little comforting don't you think?"

[okitactless]

"I'm not really sure," Yamato replies honestly. "I don't remember how it feels to be alone."

The memory loss will bother him more, once he adjusts to his new life and figures out exactly what's expected of him. But for now, it's no more significant than anything else. He tilts his head, considering, then nods.

"But I think I would agree with you."

[peoples_keeper]

"Ah, you must be a Shinki," Izaya takes note of Yamato's quiet demeanor and briefly wonders if all personality traits from his former life are in tact even without his memory and if that is the case for all Shinki. At least they don't seem to be empty vessels completely devoid of human emotion. That would make this God thing super boring.

"At least others are in the same boat as us and we have people to lean on or I suppose you can look at it in a different light, misery loves company." Oops his old habits are starting to come out already. The newly reincarnated God catches himself and keeping a neutral expression on his face.

[soundsurfing]

"S'okay yo."

Beats one of the ones that doesn't look like he's having a good time. Oh sure there's a ton of shit to do and eat, and he's helping himself to the food, but he also looks disconcerted. He's not sure about everyone else but being dead doesn't exactly sit well with him.

"This aint some giant ass prank, is it? Peeps wid cameras aint gonna jump out an' go haha, fuck you?"

He doesn't like it. Doesn't like that all he can recall even after struggling is his name and that he's dead, and a Shinki. And that he itches somewhere deep inside.

[peoples_keeper]

Upon turning and making eye contact, Izaya stares at Beat with a blank expression for a little longer than moment. This guy... the informant tilts his head a little. It's the same face for sure. What was that, is he a former demon? Cosplay enthusiast from a live action meet up gone wrong? Where was Yumasaki and Karisawa when you needed them. No it is most certainly the first and Izaya frowns decidedly. Instead of the words 'What are you, some kind of Demon?' coming from his mouth like he wants, instead it's:

"I'm sorry, what?" So this is a Shinki. Izaya's non-human Shinki.

[soundsurfing]

There's nothing for Beat. No sudden realization, no spark of something. Just the guy staring at him blankly for a bit and wow, that's actually sort of disturbing. Especially with the head tilt. It raises his proverbial hackles a bit and he frowns a little to the staring.

The question catches him off guard, he was honestly - for some reason - expecting a fight, and he blinks a little, hands unclenching from where they had been curling into fists.

"Jus' wonderin' if itsa joke or somethin'... you aight dude? You kinda spaced out there."

[peoples_keeper]

"Yes and no, how do I explain it... I believe I am your God which makes you my Shinki if we are to believe that this is not indeed some elaborate practical joke. If there was someone who could pull that off, I'd like to meet them. Hmmm... It wouldn't be the first time I've worked with something out of the ordinary but I suppose I can make do." The last part is spoken more to himself than Beat. "Anyhow, I'm Izaya Orihara, or Omoikane, you can just call me Izaya, nice to meet you, please take care of me!" He flashes Beat a wide smile.

[prodigism]

[ Arima was at least paying enough attention to dodge the other a little bit. Though rather than annoyed he simply looks back at the other with a stoic glance. ]

There's no need for apologies. It's fine. [ He can understand being out of sorts given the situation. ]

I take it you're a new arrival as well?

[peoples_keeper]

Well now nice of him. This sober looking individual seems pretty solid and a little more self aware than some of the others he has 'bumped' into. "Yes, I am," he replies with a small smile, "I'm still coming to terms with it, how about you?"

[prodigism]

[ It's an adjustment for sure, but Arima seems to be taking it relatively well, all things considered. ]

I see no reason to panic, that will only lend itself to people not thinking clearly even more so. For now it's best to keep calm and look at the facts as they are presented to us.

[ For him this wasn't much different from what he did back at home. His usual demeanor hasn't changed much and it wouldn't. Despite what was happening, Arima was never one to lose his composure easily. ]

[peoples_keeper]

"You're a very by-the-book kind of guy aren't you." That kind is easy to deal with. If one is to go by personality traits, he presents himself with calm and authority so he could be a God, on the other hand he seems obedient which could make for a good Shinki. Of course that is neither here nor there as he hasn't found a pattern quite yet and the fact that Shinki are devoid of their memories it makes it harder to tell.

"I've only seen a couple people? ...who seemed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Others are taking to the situation rather swimmingly."

[returnedfromtheline]

"Hah. It's okay." Yukine wasn't put out, seeing as the guy seemed to genuinely apologize. And it was a bit crowded over in this part of the room near the food.

"No kidding it's lively... The gods probably don't know how to keep up with so many new personalities at once."

[peoples_keeper]

"Well, I'm sure things will settle down eventually and we can all get to the bottom of this." Izaya gives Yukine a smile, "are you new here or have you been around a while?"

[returnedfromtheline]

Well, at least he can smile back easily at someone who is doing a good job of getting the conversation going for him. Not to mention someone who agrees right off that there is something to 'get to the bottom of' regarding this strange happening.

"I've been here a while. Yukine, a shinki." He introduces himself simply and uses his left hand to point out the red 'yuki' mark on his left collarbone.

[peoples_keeper]

The more Izaya can get others to talk about themselves the better. "I see..." Izaya leans forward a bit inspects the kanji engraved on Yukine's collarbone, "so that's how it generally works with the naming of a Shinki. A God chooses a name and basically tattoos it on them. That's a little twisted." Izaya stands back up straight locking his eyes on Yukine's to watch for reactions. "Omoikane, God." He introduces himself.

Re: OTA

[sweetdeath]

That's okay!

[Tsuzuki grabs a napkin off the nearby buffet table, dabbing at the purple spots where a splash of wine is soaking into his shirt front.] Don't worry about it. Uh -- they don't have any club soda around here, do they? I dunno if we're getting extra clothes!

[He laughs, a little nervously, and sets the wine glass down.]

Re: OTA

[peoples_keeper]

"Oh dear, sure am sorry about that," not really, "if they are setting places up for us I'm sure there will be a change of clothes." Of course Izaya hasn't offered to replace said shirt. "You can get that out by soaking the spots in cold water, then you cover it in salt, then pour boiling water on it, soak it in vinegar then wash like normal." Did you get all that Tsuzuki? "Unless, of course, it's dry clean only?"

Re: OTA

[sweetdeath]

"...Sounds complicated!" Tsuzuki laughed, eyeing the beverage table. There had to be club soda. Half of these cocktails called for it. It usually worked okay on wine stains, and if it didn't, there was always bleach to make up the distance.... "I'll just bleach it out."

He winked at the stranger. "Dry-cleaning is way too expensive!" And dry-clean only shirts were too expensive, too, for a god living paycheck to paycheck. He held his free hand out, shrugging off the search for soda for a moment. "Anyway, nice to run into you, huh? I'm Asato Tsuzuki."

[peoples_keeper]

The informant caught Tsuzuki's wandering sight lines. "Haha, literally right?" He reached out and took his hand giving a firm shake. "Omoikane," he replies. He is reserving the use of his 'human name' for his Regalia for the time being, at least until he gets a better feel for this place. He waves down a Shinki bearing the chrysanthemum symbol, "a club soda for my friend please? So Mr. Asato, the question of the night, God or Shinki?"