thenearshore | 001 | The Welcoming Feast

Entry tags:

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Josh isn't the only one out taking a walk. Beats out and about too but less to enjoy the scenery and more to figure out if there's things to do and vaguely where things are.

That is until he spots Josh. At first he's inclined to ignore him, but something niggles at him and he pauses to watch him for a moment. Well hell, why not, can't hurt to talk to more people. So he jogs over with a friendly grin.]

Sup dude? Enjoyin' shit?

[Joshua had anticipated walking around out here by himself a bit, or at least with Neku in tow. Finding out where his residence is supposed to be is important, even if he has this faint idea telling him exactly where it is. Perhaps not having Neku around right away is for the best after all, since it will allow him to keep up appearances.

But then a voice is calling out to him, and his eyes are widening, because he recognizes it. Only because he recalls hearing it calling out to Neku, but it's recognizable enough. It can't be. He only has one shinki. He turns, glancing over his shoulder, and if he had his memories he knows Beat would recognize him...]

... I suppose.

[The answer makes Beat snort a little, looking the other over with a touch of amusement. Was he a God or one of the Shinki?]

What yo, ain't enjoyin' the fact yer either dead an' servin' some God, or a God wid a new pet basically.

[Yeah sorry, Beat's a little sour over it and he's not entirely sure why. Something rubs him the wrong way about it. He scratches the back of his neck a little with a sigh.]

Sorry, ain't likin' the idea any still.

[... this is. Hm. For a moment, Joshua isn't sure how to proceed here. A quick check-through clears up any idea of Beat actually knowing him and just being overly familiar instead of punching him in the face, which is what he expected. So Beat is a shinki then. But not his shinki. Even though Beat belongs to his Shibuya--]

If you had bothered to find anything out, shinki are hardly pets. But, if that's how you want to see yourself...

[Shrug! It's easy to fall into a relaxed demeanor, just as he would at home. Considering Beat shouldn't know him anyway...]

Be careful with what you say, you know. I'm sure your god won't appreciate it.

Aw dude, I heard what they told us. The ones that were offerin' info an' it's okay yer dead there there. We're still bein' used.

[He snorts a little to the thought of his God, and sighs. The guy was right, he should think of it like a partnership.]

You ain't gonna go tell is you? [A little smile and he holds out his hand, then hesitates. The guy doesn't seem like he'd be the type to shake hands.] Names Beat.

Used, perhaps, but it's mutually beneficial.

[He shrugs, flicking at a curl with the tip of his index finger. He shouldn't be giving advice like this, considering Beat isn't his shinki. Then again, he should be.]

At the moment, I'm not feeling overly inclined. But that could change, depending. [... and it's a good idea not to extend that hand, because he's already slightly grimacing at the thought. But only for a split second.] Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto.

[Ha, figured he wouldn't be the hand shaking type. He saw that flicker on his face. Which he promptly forgets as the name is tossed at him, causing him to blink and try to figure out what the fuck that was.]

Tsuki-whatnow? Miko? Tsuki no Miko?? Christ yo, mind if I jus' call you Tsuki 'cause there ain't no way in Hell I'm 'memberin' alla it.

[They can't all be winners.]

[Ah. That's right. This one stumbles over complicated words.]

... Tsukuyomi is fine. Or do you need someone to spell it out for you?

[He'd rather not give another name if he can help it. Neku was an exception.]

[Beats silent for a moment as if he's deciding something, then shrugs and grins.]

Nah, Ima call you Tsuki, yo. Prettier, fits you better.

[That's exactly how it sounds.]

[... prettier. Ah.]

Does it.

[He didn't know Beat was a flirt. That just makes everything ten times more uncomfortable, then!]

[The oddest thing about lacking memories is the urges. Unexplainable wants that seem to come out of nowhere.

Like the strong urge to bother the hell out of this God. So he looks the other up and down thoughtfully.]

Hm, I guess it ain't as pretty as you is, but I aint got any other names in mind.

[... this. Is not. No. Stop. Don't do that.]

Does your god know you're out here goofing off?

[GO. AWAY. STOP THIS.]

[The more the other tries to send him away, the stronger the urge gets and he even takes a step closer.]

Prolly yo, but I doubt he'll get upset at me fer chattin' up someone as cute as you is.

[No. That's it. Final straw. Do not pass go, do not collect ¥23,000.

Actually, do not move at all, because you're getting frozen in place.]

Stop.

[... Oh, well, this is new. He thinks. As far as he can remember anyways. The stop makes him want to put up his hands in a placating gesture, but he can't.]

Sorry, I'll quit it, promise. Di'nt mean to make you uncomf-

[A pause and a confused look.]

Well no, I kinda did. Dunno why though, so uh, sorry fer that.

[Well, it worked. Good to know he still has tricks up his sleeve.]

Mm.

[He's not sure he wants to accept that apology. So, that noise is all he'll leave it at for now.]

Let's not do it again, then, shall we?

[Good, don't accept the apology, because:]

Hey dude, yer still pretty, so no gu-gar-uh promises!

[Alcohol makes for a great brain to mouth barrier remover.]

[... yes, so it does! Funny how that works.

He's not letting go until Beat stops, though.]

I'm aware, but I think such praise is better saved for your own god.

Pfffffffffffft.

[Excuse the amount of spit there, sorry about that.]

Dude's good lookin', no doubt, but he's no moon!

[Oh my god. Stop.]

The moon is not interested.

[But mooooooon.

That'll finally make Beat stop though, grinning from ear to ear still - sorry he's drunk - but he'll press his mouth together. He'd make the zipping gesture but ... well...]

[... well, drunk hopefully means harmless, because Joshua is finally letting him go. But he's keeping his distance. Not taking any chances!]

It's late. Shouldn't you be with your god?

[He stumbles a little bit when he's released, then brushes himself off of imaginary dirt.]

Nah, I got the go ahead to wander freely!

[He opens his mouth to flirt again, but shuts it with a solemn look on his face. Right, he promsed. Kinda.]

What 'bout you? Shouldn't you be findin' yer shrine or whatever thingy it is you Gods get?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

001 | The Welcoming Feast

after midnight

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