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

[jyajyaaan]

Haaaaaaah? [The pitch of his voice makes a little loop as he looks Yuya up and down twice, as if wanting to see if he'll keep up his mind for that long.

When nothing changes Vector just shrugs his shoulders.]

As somebody who had them before I became what I am now, I can tell you that it isn't like that. You don't feel an inner light or something convenient like that. At some point you just realize that you just did something that isn't normal for anybody else as if it's the most normal thing in the world.

[ridethathippo]

...Pretty sure I don't have super-speed, if that's the case. [Although he can dream. Vector's explanation just raises more questions though:]

What kind of powers do you have?

[jyajyaaan]

Magic. [He doesn't miss a beat as he turns away and sighs with a dramatic air.]

I can make things fly and dis- and reappear, not to mention seeing spirits.

[Don't believe him a single word, Yuya.]

[ridethathippo]

[Well, at least Yuya doesn't look too impressed to make it noticeable that he's been tricked.]

I guess the 'seeing spirits' part doesn't apply anymore since you're working with dead people now, huh?

[jyajyaaan]

Why, of course it does~ It's even more important now since I'd be in a pinch if I couldn't see any shinkis!

[He waves a finger and smiles, previous bad mood all but forgotten.]

[ridethathippo]

[What smile when there's no mouth.]

Speaking of them...have you found yours yet, Vector? [TIME TO RUIN THAT MOOD AGAIN.]

[jyajyaaan]

[It's all in the eyes~ ]

One. But that was all gloom and doom to the point where I'm sure they stuck me with a dull sword. Hopefully the other will be better.

[Huff. It'll be hard to leave a worse impression than Yuto did, but Vector isn't putting it past this place.]

[ridethathippo]

Maybe you two just got off to a bad start. [Kind of like how they started, but it seems like the conversation has eased a bit. Or maybe it's because Vector seems less like he's trying to brush him off.]

I mean, I was pretty sad at first, but I'm feeling a lot better now. Maybe the shinki's also sad about forgetting. [And being dead.]

[jyajyaaan]

That's acceptable, but still not any more useful. It's not as if I cannot empathize, but I have no patience for people who let their misery decide their fate.

[That's Nasch's style. Not his.]

If you aren't planning on making the best of what you have now I'm the wrong god for you. You guys might be dead but you aren't dead, are you?

1/2

[ridethathippo]

[Dead but not done for. It's a lot like what he said to Yuto earlier-- they can keep moving forward. Even though they've lost so much, it's not the end.

Surprisingly, it's more convincing hearing something like that from a complete stranger like Vector. And let's be real, first impressions did not hint of him receiving something like a pep talk. How the tables have turned!]

Mn, you're right! It's kind of like a second chance, something we should be happy for.

[ridethathippo]

[--Wait a second.

All this 'you' and 'you guys'...It sounds like Vector's addressing him directly...]

Ah...Vector....Are you my god? [The optimism that was building up in his smile suddenly goes dead-pan as he shoots Vector a wary and confused look. Did he get the wrong impression?]

[jyajyaaan]

[Wait, what?!

Did he make a mistake?! All he said was meant to be kept in an as general tone as possible!]

I- Wha- What makes you think something like that?! I thought your god is Ma'at!

[ridethathippo]

Heh, now you're just acting suspicious. [But from his own logic jump, it does make sense that Yuto may have been a bit down before they met. That and if anyone were to have two shinki, he'd guess that it'd have to be him and Yuto.]

What are the names of your shinki?

[jyajyaaan]

Desperate and Gloom. [aka. None of your business. He glowers at him in case his comeback didn't convey the idea enough.

All the walls that were down earlier are back up with twice the go-away! force on them.]

[ridethathippo]

[Nope, nope! Not having any of that. Although Yuya does make a face at the fake names.]

Hey, what's 'Desperate' supposed to mean?! [Since he's guessing Yuto is Gloom.]

[jyajyaaan]

You tell me.

[What if he isn't your god, Yuya? What then?]

[ridethathippo]

[It would probably be like dodging a bullet.

Also there's a lot of silent pouting going on until finally:] You just don't like the fact that you messed up.

[jyajyaaan]

Hmph! Because I don't! [He only need to find out how to make this all like planned.

Yeah.]

[ridethathippo]

[Being a sore loser is a nice first impression. You are the new Sawatari in his life, Vector.]

...Everyone makes mistakes eventually, ya'know.

[jyajyaaan]

Seriously now. Do you want somebody like me to be your god?

[Shifting his weight onto one hip, he crosses his arms in front of his torso and gives Yuya a 'let's be reasonable' look.]

There's a lot of gods here, and most that aren't bottom line employ more than one shinki. If that's all that is needed to convince you that you should work for them than you are selling yourself way under your true worth.

[ridethathippo]

[....Now he's being complimented? Or maybe Vector's being a tsundere shy in a backwards way. The shinki's confusion is apparent before he ends up putting on a bright smile.]

Let's work together a little while before you say that kind of stuff, okay? So for now, I'll be in your care!

[jyajyaaan]

[Damn! Vector's eyes widen for a second because this is NOT what he has been trying to accomplish by switching his rejection tactics.]

...Seriously?

[ridethathippo]

[Everything's backfiring. Poor Vector.]

Seriously serious.

[jyajyaaan]

[It's a crime against nature, that is. He's the wicked one, his schemes should be perfect!

He gives Yuya a flat look.]

....Won't matter if I say no, will it? You really are like the other one...!

[ridethathippo]

[And Yuya is all smiles right back at him.]

Hah! Isn't it expected? We're twins, after all.