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

[dominatriarch]

Yes, yes I have. That, I believe, would be daifuku. It's traditional in Japan.

[ There's a chuckle there. This one's certainly excitable. Much like the enthusiasm of a puppy, if she should say so. But it's good to see someone appreciating the spread. Heaven's spared no expense, it seems. ]

I take it you aren't from here?

[spacedog]

[He shakes his head.] No, I just arrived here. [Like, less than an hour ago, when that speech happened.] But so far I think I like it.

[dominatriarch]

That's... good.

[ Well, at least there isn't anyone breaking down or suffering from some form of anguish. The last thing we want is another crisis on our hands after all. ]

I think if you liked the daifuku so much, you should try the oshiruko. That's the first thing I had when I came here.

[ And motioning slightly to the small bowls filled with red bean soup. ]

[spacedog]

Oh yeah? [He hurries to try some, and wow it is also really good.

After a blissful moment, he turns to her with a slight tilt to his head and a bit of a frown.] The food is really good because this is Heaven, right? It's always like this?

[dominatriarch]

Not with this level of opulence, but they do enjoy their parties.

[ She can't help but encourage his enthusiasm. These newcomers did have to feel welcome after all. ]

I can only guess they've decided to show their best because of everyone who's suddenly arrived.

[spacedog]

I guess that makes sense. [As much as anything ever makes sense, really.] That's very nice of... of them. Who is 'them,' though?

[dominatriarch]

I should probably be more specific, I apologize. I'd referred to Amaterasu and the other higher ranking gods. Though we operate on a rather equal basis, they often organize our get-togethers.

[ And a pause. ]

Would... you be one of us or one of the new shinki?

[spacedog]

[He nods along with her explanation.]

I'm a shinki. My name is Coal.

[dominatriarch]

Coal. Alright.

[ There's a nod back with a very small smile, almost apologetic that she'd probably mixed it up. ]

I am Bishamon. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

[spacedog]

Oh, I have questions already. [He says happily.] Are there parties like this every day? And we all have homes, right? That the gods are preparing for us? Does everyone live in the same neighborhood? Do you think I'll have a big backyard?

[Because all of these things would be awesome.]

[dominatriarch]

[ If anything, Coal's eagerness is amusing. ]

No... not every day. Only on occasions where we're needed to gather. I'm afraid I can't comment on the size of your backyard, however. That'll be up to the god who you serve.

[spacedog]

[He looks a bit put-out about the news about the backyard. He doesn't know who his god is yet, so it's impossible to know if he has a decent sized yard or not. He'll hope until he learns otherwise, though.]

Does everyone gather often? [He's hoping there'll be more incredible food, of course.]

[dominatriarch]

Once a month. More, if need be.

[ But the gods meeting more is actually kind of a bad thing. Really shouldn't make it sound like a good thing. ]

I'm certain your god has made provisions to take care of you, at least.

[spacedog]

[He frowns a bit, giving her a look of puzzlement.] So the rest of the time when we're not meeting here, we're...[He trails off and points to the doors.] ...out there?

[He's trying to guess what it's like beyond those doors, but besides a vague idea of a house and a yard it's just a hazy impression of blackness. Not that hazy blackness would be a bad thing, either, just... seems very complicated to think about it, really. Which is okay because he'll find out soon enough anyway.]

[dominatriarch]

There's more out there, to be honest.

[ And a pause as she looks out a nearby window with the smallest frown on her brow. Yeah there's probably work to tend to once this banquet is over. ]

I'd suggest not trying to overwhelm yourself one day in. It'll be a lot to take in but you seem eager enough.

[spacedog]

I'm pretty excited to be here, I guess. [Not that he has any idea what he would otherwise be doing?]

[dominatriarch]

That's good. Enthusiasm will help in the future. It'll be a good attitude to have.

[ You're making her want to ruffle your hair Coal, gosh. ]

By the way, which would be your god?

[spacedog]

I serve Omoikane. [He says this with pride. It's nice, somehow, to have someone already chosen to take care of and also who will take care of him.]

[dominatriarch]

Then I'm certain you'll be taken care of.

[ There's a thoughtful nod at that. She doesn't know the god personally, to be honest, but she's heard the name. At least this poor newcomer won't be saddled with a nameless god. This one, at least, has a chance of surviving. At least that's one less Shinki to worry about. ]

But I really shouldn't keep you. This is a time for all of you to be mingling. But it was a pleasure to meet you, Coal.

[spacedog]

Right. Thank you, Bishamon. [He nods his head at her but keeps grinning, so the gesture is somehow deferential and yet familiar at the same time.] See you around!