thenearshore | 001 | The Welcoming Feast

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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!

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[ It's early when Hisoka wakes, briefly confused and alarmed before he's able to recall just what went on during the past night. He'd dozed off-- and that drunk had just left him there!

His righteous indignation is cut short when the comforter slides off his shoulders, and he realizes where it may have come from. Hisoka fumbles with it, folding it up and deciding not to think about that any more than he has to. He bypasses the unconscious deity on the floor when he puts his blanket away, not awake enough to deal with that nonsense.

Somehow, Tsuzuki's discarded jacket gets put away while Hisoka investigates his new surroundings.

This was his home now, wasn't it? It's strange to think that, like home isn't a concept he's entirely used to.

He's quiet as a mouse as he rummages around, any noises he makes are easily masked by a certain someone's snoring. It isn't so bad as he had first feared, managing to take stock of the house, wash his face, and find they weren't left without the means to make coffee, at least.

It's enough to fortify him to deal with the problem at hand. He ends up crouched near the sleeping man, briefly studying him, and reaches out to grab the edge of the comforter.

He yanks. ]

Hey, stop sleeping on the floor like some kind of vagrant. [ There no accident in how his voice is mercilessly louder than it needs to be. ]

[The soft sounds of Hisoka moving around the house hadn't even come close to interrupting Tsuzuki's sleep. He's tangled up in the comforter, snoring alternating with the occasional mumble, deep in a confused dream where he's trying to find something, but no one will talk to him: there's someone pursuing him, and he can feel their hands squeezing his head, but as long as he doesn't look they can't do anything worse.

The loud voice and tug on his blanket startle a yell out of him, and he grabs for the blanket in a panic, light hitting him like a punch in the face as his eyes pop open.]

Wha -- M'awake -- ow.

[He props himself up, blinking. His shirt is hopelessly creased, a few buttons popped open from tossing and turning, and his hair is half sticking up and half sticking directly into his eyes.

Oh, Hisoka's here.

Why is Hisoka here?

There was a party, and... this isn't his place.... With a pained mutter, he grabs for the comforter that Hisoka's pulled away.]

... five more minutes.

[ Huh. That had a decent effect,didn't it? It's clearly not enough quite yet, but now Hisoka knows he's on the right track. In a way, he's testing his boundaries right at the start. He won't know how far he can go with this guy if he doesn't push. ]

I didn't get a choice about being here.[ He huffs as he catches that stray bit of confusion. ] So you don't get to laze around all morning!

[ Even if it is early.

He rocks back, trying to keep Tsuzuki from getting the blanket back. He won't give this up without a fight. ]

What time is't?

[Why's Hisoka saying he doesn't have a choice? Memory begins to slot into place as Tsuzuki makes another, halfhearted grab for the retreating blanket. Oh yeah, they're not in the same realm at all. He's supposed to grant prayers. Hisoka doesn't remember...

It's funny, Hisoka's almost the same even when he doesn't remember.

He tries to comb his hair out of his eyes with one hand, wincing against the bright morning light. It's got to be only eight or nine in the morning. After a party, that's just mean.

He offers his partner a shaky smile, and, with an effort, sits up. There's a bracing smell wafting from the other room.]

'S that coffee?

[His stomach lurches at the thought, but he's gotta start somewhere if Hisoka's not giving him the blanket back. He's gotta figure out how to make this work. He's supposed to be a real god, right?

And maybe after a couple cups of coffee and some aspirin he'll even feel up to breakfast.]

[ For some reason, that tentative smile makes his chest tighten and hesitate a little long to speak. He felt primed for some response when he antagonized him deliberately, but this is so... harmless.

Or maybe the proximity to a heavy drinker first thing in the morning is making him nauseous. He takes a deliberate breath and stands, fussing with the comforter to put it away. That seems like a perfectly good final nail in the coffin for Tsuzuki's chance to sleep in. ]

Yeah. [ He wrinkles his nose in distaste, aggravated with himself for his sudden loss for words. ]

Okay... [Tsuzuki's not sure coffee is really going to help, but maybe it'll wake him up a little? With plenty of sugar. And cream. And he still smells like stale liquor, which is probably why Hisoka's making a face at him. He'd just passed out without a bath last night.

That is kind of gross.

He wobbles to his feet, stretches, and heads towards the smell of coffee, absently rebuttoning his shirt as he wanders.]

You had some already, right?

Edited 2016-02-24 22:03 (UTC)

[ Tsuzuki is definitely pretty gross right now.

From the corner of his eye, he watches the man ungracefully make his way out of the room, apparently taking stock of the closet. ]

Some. It could be worse.

[ One didn't have to have their memories to retain a government employee's hard-earned ability to drink caffeinated beverages, after all. He follows along to keep an eye on Tsuzuki, taking on the challenge of warily observing him while still wanting to seem somewhat disinterested. ]

Mmh. [He sounds dubious: all coffee tastes pretty bad until you add enough cream and sugar, in his opinion, and it all tastes pretty similar afterwards. Hisoka's the real coffee drinker.

Tsuzuki just really needs the caffeine. He sniffs the air appreciatively as he wanders into the kitchen: it's small, but neat, and there is a refrigerator. His head's hurting a little too much to think about searching there, so he checks around the coffeemaker instead, looking for sugar and creamer packets.

Hisoka's following him, with a look on his face that Tsuzuki can't quite interpret.]

So, how'd you sleep? You looked tired, so I didn't wanna wake you up.

[Sugar packets turn out to be in the cupboard next to a couple of mugs: he stacks them up on the counter next to his chosen mug with great care. Creamer eludes him.]

[ It's such a prosaic conversation topic.

It wasn't going to be easy to figure this guy out. Maybe that shouldn't be too shocking, but he doesn't think that this deceptive complexity is because he's a god. ]

Mm. [ Which is not an answer, but more an indication of thoughtful consideration. Despite the fact that he'd crashed out while sitting in the hall, he managed to sleep hard enough to recover. The nauseous headache from last night had faded until it was little more than memory, and sleep eased the strain on his body. ]

Not bad. Better than you. [ There, that little jab can soothe his smarting pride about getting caught at falling asleep like an over-tired child.

It's probably too early to get too serious given Tsuzuki's hangover, but now he's thinking about the incident that led up to it. ]

That 'party-' [ There is a distinct note of distaste to the way he says that word. ] It'd have been better if they let us get to work right away. I wonder why they trapped us there for so long.

[ Surely, it'd have been less exhausting. ]

[Tsuzuki, at a loss, pulls open the refrigerator door. Oh, huh. There's the creamer. It's the real kind.

He really wonders if they're gonna get a salary.]

'M gonna have to get a job...

[He doctors his coffee with a heavy swig of cream and leans back against the counter, sipping it carefully as his stomach lurches with complaint. The party had just seemed kind of nice to him. Welcoming the new employees, and stuff.

It was awfully nice for that, though, so maybe Hisoka's right to be suspicious of it. He frowns at his cup.]

... maybe they wanted to make us play along. Or figure us out.

Amaterasu said she didn't know why we were here, either, right?

[He remembers something like that, before he'd started drinking, after which the memories get blurrier.]

[ Hey, it's not like he's accusing Amaterasu of playing them. Even for him, that's probably a bit much. Yet, it doesn't seem wrong to think there's more to it.

Hisoka frowns and goes to pour himself a cup of coffee. He needs it. ]

From what I could tell, no one there knew, either.

[ But actively trying to get a read on the situation hadn't gone well, so he could have been wrong. It had been a reasonable experiment, but he'd hit his limit fast and learned that lesson painfully.

He could be wrong to feel suspicious, but shouldn't anyone when dropped into his situation? Should he have felt less paranoid about being abandoned among strangers to serve a god through no choice of his own?

Those are questions he certainly wouldn't ask the god in question. ]

But maybe it's just that you gods can afford to take it easy. I don't know.

[Tsuzuki snorts into his coffee.]

That's the first time the higher-ups ever let me take it easy.

[Not completely true: they do hold those yearly workplace vacations, but Tatsumi skimps so much on the budget for those that there's not a whole lot of taking it easy most years.

The dart-throwing technique for picking their destination doesn't help.

It really is a good question, though, even if Hisoka's getting sarcastic about it.]

It's too early for sarcasm... [It's a plaintive mumble, and he raises his voice as he continues.] Do you think we're replacing other gods? And shinki?

[He's heard of Tajimamori, even if it's not a big name. There has to have been someone in that position.]

[ Ah. That seems plausible, doesn't it? Cradling his coffee cup in his hands, he tucks himself back against a wall. ]

Could it work like that? If the function of the role is more important than the individual, they might tap new souls to fill the gaps...

[ He's grasping for some sense of understanding. While it seems like his factual knowledge is mostly intact, there are broad swathes of nothing at all. It feels like there is too much context missing for him to feel confident in his words, but that doesn't keep him from feeling compelled to keep trying to find answers. ]

Then the real question would be "what could happen to that many gods and their subordinates at one time," right?

Yeah. [The coffee is still making Tsuzuki's nausea worse, even with all the cream he put in it. He sets it down on the counter, and looks out at the window. There are sunflowers nodding in the morning light on the other side.

Was this someone else's house? Are those someone else's flowers, someone who's gone and whose very existence is being patched over by dragging the two of them in against their will?

His tone is low and serious when he finally speaks again.]

And, "is it going to happen again?"

If it does, I won't accept it.

[ The words are firm and decisive, enough so that he almost startles himself. If it happened once, it could happen again. Despairing over that isn't something that he's capable of. ]

You're my master, so you can't just let things be as they are either. [ That probably isn't how that was supposed to work, but he hopes to take a chance. Maybe he can push Tsuzuki into this through sheer force of will. He could have wished for a powerful war god or something like that to be his master, but he could only work with what he had. ] We have to learn our roles and work to become strong because I...

[ Because why? Realizing he isn't sure is an uncomfortable experience. ]

I'm sure there's a reason that I'm here. I want to a chance to figure that out.

[Master? Tsuzuki stares at him, wide-eyed. It's true. They're still partners, but they can't be equal partners anymore: whatever brought them to this place stole Hisoka's memories at the same time as they gave Tsuzuki a title and a house of his own.

It's not fair. It's not equal, and he's not just the senior employee anymore.

He swallows, trying to force down the feeling that he's just stumbled and he still hasn't hit the ground. It's so easy to forget that part. It's so easy to just fall back into talking about the case with Hisoka as if it is just a case, and they're both themselves....]

I won't let you get hurt.

[He means it as passionately as he's ever meant anything in his life. This place is okay, for him. It's even better. But it's taken everything away from Hisoka, and if there is some kind of hidden danger, Tsuzuki can't let it touch him.]

[ It's clear from the look on his face that Hisoka never expected such a statement, but he's not sure if he's more taken aback by the vehemence or insulted. Did he look too much like a child, unable to care for himself? He'd been somewhat out of it last night, but it wasn't fair to think that meant he was helpless. ]

That's not what I meant-!

[ Even if he wants to get Tsuzuki motivated and this might just do it, he can't abide being considered useless. His fingers tighten around his coffee cup, the liquid inside sloshing briefly. ]

I'll carry my own weight.

I know, but--

[The thought of Hisoka being hurt, here, because of something he'd done wrong.... He couldn't bear it. Tsuzuki's gaze seeks his, for just a moment, until he realizes what the look on his own face must be like.

Forcing an awkward laugh, he turns away, reaching for his coffee cup so hastily he manages to fumble and tip it over on the counter.]

Oh, crap! Where's the towel?

[There's a roll of paper towels on a dispenser next to the sink, and he grabs a handful, blotting desperately. It gives him a few more seconds to think, and to be sure his tone is cheerful when he speaks again.]

Hey, Tsukuyomi told me last night that I can summon you with your shinki name. We should try that later.

[ Was he really just going to change the subject like that?

Fine. Hisoka didn't need anyone to trust him here, not in the least. He'd prove himself somehow by his own merits. After setting his cup down on the counter with far more force than necessary, he starts to leave the room. ]

We should. I'm going to get ready.

[ It'll give Tsuzuki a brief respite, at least, but not for long. They had a job to do. ]

Hisoka--

[He doesn't know what he was going to say to that, anyway. Before the silence stretches too long, he looks away at the window again, and nods.]

I'll be right there.

[As Hisoka disappears through the doorway, he slumps back against the counter, pressing a hand over his face. It'll be okay. He'll just --

He lets his hand fall, straightens up, and busies himself clearing the two coffee cups off the counter into the sink. He'll just have to be good at this, that's all. Hisoka is counting on him.]

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001 | The Welcoming Feast

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