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

[leggierissimo]

[It's not difficult to tell that this god is supposed to be someone of high standing. He has yet to familiarize himself with names, and he's not sure he wants to. But he isn't about to ignore being asked a question.]

I've never been one for parties, sorry to say. But it's impressive, from an outside viewpoint.

[dominatriarch]

They spare no expense when the situation calls for it.

[ She can appreciate that. Not everyone's fond of elbow rubbing, after all. ]

I suppose it's their way of making a good impression apart from making sure everyone's needs are met.

[leggierissimo]

I would expect no less from the Heavens.

[He lifts a hand, tucking some hair behind his ear as he glances aside for a second. It's much too busy in this place... he'd really just like to leave, but that's not an option at the moment, it seems.]

Everyone's needs would be met more if they were back where they belong. Don't you agree?

[dominatriarch]

I would, yes.

[ This whole matter is pretty concerning to begin with. All these gods, all these shinki suddenly being brought here without any further explanation? Someone has to come forward with a proper explanation soon or else. ]

Though I can only hazard a guess that this is more compensation than a good impression if that was the case. But now you have me curious... what do you make of it?

[leggierissimo]

Appeasement, really. Something to busy us while they search for a solution to the problem.

[He swirls his champagne idly, not drinking it, simply watching the liquid in the flute. His own experiences thus far have been more than a bit personally disturbing, considering.]

The shinki aren't going to ask questions. They don't remember. [And here, he glances up.] The rest of us, on the other hand... It's only a matter of time before we get restless. I should hope a proper resolution doesn't take too long to find.

[dominatriarch]

Some do... at least those who have been here before the newcomers and I'm certain they will over time.

[ One can only hope they don't start asking about their pasts because that's a whole new animal altogether and definitely something she'd rather not deal with en masse. ]

Based on what's been said, it's probably safe to assume they're planning long term. After all, if you were brought here and were only expected to stay a few days, why bother having us tell you all how things run?

[leggierissimo]

Ah? And how common is that, exactly?

[From the feelings he's gotten, it isn't a good idea for Neku to learn of anything that may have happened to him before this place. Questions lead to things that he doesn't want to contemplate.]

That's a shame. I'm really rather busy. I hope we're being appropriately compensated for such an inconvenience, outside of a lavish party.

[dominatriarch]

This entire occurrence? Not common in the least.

[ Sugar coating it isn't going to do very much. These newcomers will eventually have to learn and it's better for them to be prepared rather than expect to be sent home immediately. ]

As for the reason why or what heaven has in store... I can't say. We've never been informed. And clearly, you haven't been either.

[leggierissimo]

Hmm. That's nice to hear, at least. Unfortunate that we're the exception.

[Joshua doesn't want sugar coating, thankfully. He just wants to go home. And while he, at least, is prepared with experience, others may not be. If he has to fill in as a god until he can be sent back, he can humor the Heavens for a little bit. But, there are other things he would rather be doing. Sooner is much better than later.]

Nice of them to let their own stay just as clueless as the newbies, too. Though, I suppose I can't expect much more from bureaucracy at work.

[dominatriarch]

I can only imagine we'll receive a notice in the mail explaining things in a week.

[ Maybe that's just wishful thinking of her part. But there's a shake of her head nontheless. This is madness. ]

Either way, do you have a shinki of your own? That should make things easier.

[leggierissimo]

Likely with a few papers to sign alongside it, hm?

[It wouldn't surprise him at all. Having to go through all kinds of red tape just to get cleared out of here feels like something a higher plane would do. Then again, these are gods, not angels. ... he thinks.]

I do. One, to be exact. We've met already.

[dominatriarch]

Yes, most likely. You catch on fast.

[ There's a chuckle at that... and a nod back at that note about his shinki. ]

Good. I hope the two of you can manage to work well together. That's what you'll need the most, at least.