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

[darkduelist]

A different world? For some odd reason Yuto wasn't too surprised to hear that. Maybe it was (again) because of other's appearance.

At the other part though, Yuto answered without any hesitation.

"I don't remember anything from my past, but I want to remember. Even if those memories would be painful."

It was better to have painful memories than no memories at all. He wanted to know what kind of person he had been. He wanted to know if he had family, friends. He wanted to remember faces from his past life. And even if there was nothing but sadness when he was still alive, he wanted to remember it too. So he could say to himself that it was all in the past and no longer mattered. Though of course, he did realize that last part could not be easy.

[jyajyaaan]

"Even if they would destroy who you are right now?"

What a stupid idea. Vector had watched others get caught up in pasts they had forgotten until they had been that tangled that they could no longer move, neither forward nor backward. In the end the only solution was to deny and kill a part of yourself, which wasn't easy at all.

"Our experiences shape us, but not always for the best. What if the person you came to consider your friend was actually you little sister's murderer? Or what if you paid a big price just to be able to forget?"

[darkduelist]

"But you can't say that for sure." Yuto again replied without any hesitation.

He didn't have anything from his past. He couldn't see much of a future for himself either. He was dead. Sure, now his role was that of a shinki, but beyond that he did not know anything. He didn't even know who was this "Ma'at" god he was supposed to serve and none of the people he had spoken to knew either.

Everything was unfamiliar in this place and Yuto was nothing more, but a spirit with no memory. The only thing he knew about himself was the name. Was it really so wrong to want to remember more than that?

"What if I forgot about something important? About something that I would never want to forget?" Yuto continued, as he kept looking at the other, gaze cold. He was frowning deeply. Everything about him said that he would not change his mind.

[jyajyaaan]

"I can." He sounded sad for a second. Remorseful.

Meeting Yuto's gaze unflinchingly he shook his head after a couple of seconds. "But I see arguing won't change your mind. So I'll spare us the pain."

What a boring find. Time to get the pleasantries done and move on to someone more interesting. "I'm the god Ma'at, and have some experience with the wiped memories sticks. Come find me if you need the opinion of somebody who has dealt with it before."

[darkduelist]

Yuto's gaze softened slightly when he heard the sadness in the other's response. Then he nodded. He heard what the other had to say, but he was still not planning to give up on his past.

But the last part of what Vector said made Yuto's eyes widened.

"You're Ma'at?" he repeated, clearly surprised.

So this was the god he was supposed to serve?

[jyajyaaan]

"Yeah. Among other things. But the name's Vector nowadays." He shrugged his shoulders as he moved to leave. "I know I don't look like it, but looks can be deceiving." Not to mention that gods changed just like people did.

The last bit was added with a silent laugh in his voice as he brushed off whatever sadness might have been touched upon before. That topic was clearly over.

"Good luck finding the rest of your team, kid. Let's hope you get along."

[darkduelist]

Yuto shook his head. He didn't have to look anymore.

"Wait!... I'm Yuto." he hesitated a moment. "I'm supposed to... team up with the god Ma'at."

"Team up" sounded better than "serve".

[jyajyaaan]

"Yuto? Yuu-to, hmmm~" Raising a finger against his cheek, he pretended that he had to think to actually put a sense to that seemingly important information.

"So you're one of mine... ?"

Looking the young man up and down, Vector dropped his hand and spread his arms in an obvious gesture. "Well, it can't be helped, I guess. Talking to Amaterasu should be enough to get you assigned to an other god."

[darkduelist]

Yuto stood straight, narrowing his eyes when the other was looking him up and down. That was why he didn't like the idea of serving anyone, but he was told already that getting along with your god was important--

...Yuto blinked, almost as if not sure if he heard Vector right. Soon, he was frowning again.

"...What is that supposed to mean?"

[jyajyaaan]

"Hm? What I said, of course." He made sure to keep his voice amiable as he waved a hand.

"A god and a shinki are team where each member is supposed to guide and support the other. If there's something that makes you think there will be a good chance that things won't work out between you and your god you can switch your partner."

[darkduelist]

Yuto crossed his arms and sighed.

"It's true that we do not agree with each other." He begun as he looked the other in the eye. "But that's not a reason why I would try to change my partner either. Nobody said I have to agree with everything you say either."

In fact right now Yuto felt like he was getting thrown away because he didn't make a good first impression... and that feeling made him slightly annoyed. Still, his expression remained calm and collected.

Vector didn't make the best first impression on him either, but... Yuto was willing to try to get along.

[jyajyaaan]

The muscles around Vector's eyes flexed for a moment but his expression remained a perfect pokerface as he met Yuto's eyes in their game of wills.

Yuto's impression wasn't wrong. Now that he had met the first of 'his' shinki Vector's opinion of him -- and their whole situation -- had dropped like a rock. Hidden qualities or not, he could already see that this brat was hung up on something dangerous and since a shinki's and its users fates were connected... No, thank you.

If he wanted a weakness he would go and get himself a god complex, that'd be at least entertaining for a while.

"...No denying that. If that is your final decision I'll call you when your services are needed."

[darkduelist]

Yuto glared as he unfolded his arms and stood straighter.

"Is that all you've got to say to me?"

I'll call you when your services are needed? Seriously? But Yuto should had expected this.

...Yeah, they will definitely get along.

[jyajyaaan]

"Have I forgotten anything that hasn't already been said before?"

Vector was willing to give as much as he got, but not into demands. Warmth was traded for warmth, displays of loyalty against fake displays of trust, interest for caring in return. But he took badly to orders and demands.

Leveling the shinki in front of him with an indifferent look, he added. "If there is something you want to say you should say it."

[darkduelist]

Unfortunately, it took quite a bit of kindness and patience to soften that almost permanent frown on Yuto's face or to make him act warmer. Most of the time he would give people cold looks, but not because he disliked them. It was more like he wanted to create a wall around himself.

He sighed and shook his head. If this god had nothing else to say, then so be it. Yuto was not going to demand anything else.

"There is only want thing I want to say." He closed his eyes. "You don't have to like me, but I'm still going to do what is expected of me."

Even if it would be difficult.

[jyajyaaan]

"...Likewise."

Giving him a court nod he turned and walked away. This was going to be fun in the worst possible way, wasn't it? There was no way he'd follow the 'guidance' of a person like that. Hopefully the other one would turn out to be better.

.....


Maybe he should find this sweets-god again and get drunk with him.