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

Banquet
[If there's one thing that's good for getting timid kids out of their shells, it's a spread of food so diverse that there's bound to be something delicious in there. Alluka's not sure what to make of this situation on the whole, and for a little while seems troubled about being in a new place, fretting slightly as if trying to find some specific person to latch on to. But... who? It's mysterious! And the food just smells so good, that those concerns slowly break and give way to the temptation of a good meal.

After piling up a plate, the thought crosses Alluka's mind, 'is this really safe?' Ah, but... everyone else is eating it just fine! Surely it wouldn't be a bad idea to indulge, too!]

Games!!!!
[Fed and a little more at ease, Alluka decides to check out what sorts of things are being offered to pass the time. Upon entering the room, her eyes positively light up at all the different things to do!

Most of it, however, is really, REALLY unfamiliar. There's a good chance that, after discovering some board game, or specific kind of card game, or pretty much any of the video games, Alluka will turn to the closest person who looks at least a little mildly interested in trying out some of the offered games to ask,]

How do you play this? I haven't seen it before.

[Oh god it's one of the horrendous games from about a century or two ago made up of way too many plastic parts and choking hazards. Shepard might have been interested in the games but preferably something a little more age appropriate. Her brow lifts in consternation. But then she catches sight of Alluka's face, all wide eyed with wonder and who was she to disappoint a happy kid? She sighs in defeat.]

Lets see. I think you gotta put the butterflies in that elephant, then try to catch them with those nets.

[She could leave it at that. She could, but she doesn't.] You wanna give it a try?

Edited 2016-02-16 03:08 (UTC)

[So kind, offering to play with this small kid...! Alluka smiles a little at the explanation, which only grows larger at the offer afterward.]

Really? I'd like to! [It might be fun...!] I've never played anything like this before.

Then you're in for some fun. Bring it here.

[Shepard drops to the ground cross-legged and takes the box from Alluka. Carefully, so as not to lose anything, she shakes the contents out between them.]

Alright. Looks like we got red, blue, yellow and green nets. Which one do you like?

[The question is considered, perhaps a little more carefully than would be expected for something honestly so simple as a preferred color, as if this kid is honestly not sure what the right answer here is. Well then.

At least it's only a small handful of seconds before an answer is given,] Blue is nice, I think...! [And with that, the blue net is picked out of the pile, and then Alluka's attention is shifted back to Shepard, to see which one she'll pick.]

Good choice. I think I'll go with... [With a hand at her chin, Shepard looks to be deep in thoughtful speculation when really the choice is obvious. Before too long she snatches it up.]

Red.

[She gives the net an experimental twirl before turning her attention to the plastic monstrosity. A rather unceremonious bit of poking around reveals that the last person to play was nice enough to set up the game for them. That made things easy.]

Everything seems to be in order. You ready kid? [She points at Alluka with her net.] No excuses after we start. All's fair in love and Elefun.

Edited 2016-02-24 10:55 (UTC)

[A good choice for sure, they both picked well.

And with the game being pretty much set up from the start means that the two of them don't have to wait at all to play, really! This is really exciting, and Alluka bounces slightly in anticipation.]

Just catch butterflies in the net, right? [Sounds easy enough.] I'm ready! [Let's go!!]

You got it! [Shepard moves her hand to the switch, with her net at the ready.]

Three...

Two...

One...

Go! [One her cue, the switch flips and the pathetic little air compressor starts to whirl. Instantly, the elephant trunk shoots up into the air and from it spouts a panoply of multicolored plastic butterflies. They catch the air and twirl and flutter in their fight against gravity. Wow. That's definitely a lot more than she expected.]

[For a brief moment, Alluka can only be awed by the sight of the flimsy little butterflies dancing around in the air. The moment, at least, is a fleeting one, and the rules of the game are quickly remembered. Gotta catch those butterflies - as many as possible!

Net grasped firmly with both hands, Alluka starts working to scoop up as many of the butterflies as possible, any that are within reach - being a little on the smaller side probably puts this kid at a disadvantage over someone a little taller. But! Shepard said no excuses, so the only thing left to do is try as hard as possible...!]

[ Kanji's first impulse is to glance over his shoulder, see if the kid was talking to literally anyone else. But, no. Apparently a little girl is honestly asking him how to play Candyland. ]

Uh- It's a board game. You spin the thing and try ta move your character to the other side of the board.

[Even in life, Alluka had very little reason to find others intimidating strictly on an appearance basis. There's no reason for that to change now.]

Have you played it before? I don't think I have. [Board games as a concept feel familiar, at least a little, but this one in specific? Not so much.]

[ Kanji looks at the game for a long moment before shrugging. ]

Hell if I know. Can't remember if I did, anyway.

[ He hesitates, but- fuck it. ]

You want ta play it?

[Yukine looks at the girl, surprised but thankful to be approached. It saves him having to think up some way to start a conversation. (Of which he's been doing lots of and it's really not getting any easier.)

Turning his attention to the handheld gaming console in her hands he smiles confidently.]

Sure, I know how to play this! Here, let me have it a sec...

And as he reaches for it, he notices her palms. Or more, he notices the kanji on her left palm.]

Ohh! You're a shinki! [About time that someone's had their name somewhere he could see it...]

[All of these lousy inconsiderate new shinki with their vessel names hidden from everyone else, who do they think they are.

Alluka relinquishes the console easily enough, and seems surprised for half a second when this guy comes to the conclusion of her shinki status. Following his line of sight down to her palm, and... oh, yeah!]

Oh, yes! [And here, Alluka holds up her left palm to more easily display the '軽' kanji that's been placed there.] I am.

[Thank you, that makes it a whole lot easier to read.
Between his lessons with Kazuma and his homework with Hiyori, it's starting to pay off. He can read this.]

Your vessel name is... Kei?

[Does that mean her name is Karu? Well, might as well introduce himself.]

I'm Yuki. Vessel name Setsu. Call me Yukine. [He lifts one finger to tap lightly at his collarbone. She can see for herself that he's a shinki too.]

[Yukine's ability to read it far surpasses anything Alluka would have assumed. As far as she could tell, it was just some symbol that indicated shinki status, nothing more, nothing less.]

'Kei'... [The name is repeated as she withdraws her hand and looks at the mark again. He got that from seeing it, that must mean...] That's what this says, then?

[But, introductions are given! And Alluka's focus is pulled along with it. That... sure is three different names he just gave, but she thinks she gets it...! Probably. The instructions on the last one to be called that make it much easier.] Yukine... it's nice to meet you! [Alluka leans up a little, trying to get a better look at his mark - oh! It's different, isn't it? Neat! They most certainly must mean different things, then.]

My name is Alluka. [Probably not what he was expecting. Ah.]

[She couldn't read it for herself? Huh.
Going by the look on her face, maybe he really shouldn't bother giving all his names right now. Yato was usually the one who introduced him like that anyway.

If she wants a better look, he doesn't mind pulling down the collar of his shirt a little and leaning down.

And no, that most certainly is not even in the ballpark of what he's expecting.]

Your name isn't connected with your mark? [Not that he expects her to know or answer, but hey-] That's weird.

[Yeah, it's all just as mysterious and cryptic to this kid as it is to Yukine, if not more, so the question is met with a small, uncertain looking shrug.] I guess not...? [What does that even mean, really??]

Are they supposed to be?

I thought they were. [But enough worrying the little girl! Time to get positive.]

But, don't worry about it. This whole night has been full of 'weird'. This name thing is just one more for the list.

As long as you can perform your duty as a shinki, I can't imagine there's anything wrong with your names as they are.

[So, names are nothing to worry about! That's a small relief.]

Okay, good! I think I can do that. [A beat, then,] What sorts of things do I need to do? [Alluka is basically clueless here. Awesome.]

[Nothing to worry about until you have to figure out your vessel form...?]

[It's okay- everyone doesn't know what they're doing /sigh]

To start with, do your best to get along with your god, change to your vessel form when he calls you, and revert back when he calls your true name.

[He's beating you to the next question-]

Your vessel name is 'Keiki'. [Yukine points at her palm.] When your god calls you that, you'll change into something hopefully useful for your god to perform his duties with. For example, I change into swords. When your god calls you by your true name - well, probably just 'Alluka' - you'll change back.

[His expression is a little tight around the eyes as he explains all this, but it's getting a bit smoother the more people he has to explain it to?]

Understand?

[Isn't it hard being the most knowledgeable one? It's hard and no one understands.

But at least your student is listening very closely. Upon pointing to the mark on her hand, Alluka glances down to it briefly, but besides that, all of her focus is on Yukine and what he has to say.]

I think I do. [It all sounds pretty abstract, but it doesn't seem like she's just trying to placate him by agreeing to whatever he just explained, or anything like that. It's strange, but at the same time... there's a feeling of believeability to it, like, considering what might be 'normal', this feels reasonable, somehow.

Not that Alluka really remembers what 'normal' is. But, anyway.] Swords are probably really useful...! Can a shinki change into anything?

Yep, pretty much! Besides weapons there are ones that turn into clothes, or things like earrings and fans, or even animals.

It's not really up to you though. You just are what you are. Don't worry though- no matter what you turn into, your god is responsible for finding the best way to use you.

[If he hears of any god neglecting their shinki and not calling them-- Well, he'll try to not get angry over that until it happens. If it happens.]

[If shinki can turn into animals, Alluka can't help but wonder if animals can be shinki too... maybe it's something to investigate. That would be kind of neat...!]

That's really amazing, isn't it...? [That they can be so many different things!] I wonder what determines what a shinki turns into. [So mysterious.]

I don't know what I am yet, but... I hope it's something really useful! [The feeling of being useful, somehow, feels like a really natural thing to want for Alluka.]

[Come to think of it, that's not a bad question. Mayu-san's not the same form she was when she was with Yato...
A deliberation for another time, maybe, if there's even an answer.]

I'm sure you'll be fine.

[He smiles at her genuinely.]

Just being eager to help is already a great first step.

001 | The Welcoming Feast

OTA!

Games

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It's all fun and games

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