Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu

[godsoffortune]

Who: Amaterasu and characters who have shared information with her, her advisers or her shinki
When: March 8, Evening
Where: The Meeting Hall
What: Amaterasu is bringing together newcomers of proven loyalty in order to share her own information and plans.



New gods and shinki who have offered their help to Amaterasu or her advisers, or who have given her information about any of the cult activities, will find a white-robed shinki knocking at their temple door or dropping by their table at the post-training meal on March 8th.

The invitations have the following text:

Lady Amaterasu invites you and your trusted allies to join her for an important announcement. The shinki who delivered this message will conduct you to the meeting.

The shinki carrying these invitations will wait until the invited person and their guests are ready, or will leave if the invitation is declined.

Guests are directed to an inner room in the Meeting Hall, where, on entry, they will discover that they seem to be floating in an endless dark void. Amaterasu stands at the center of the void, brilliantly illuminated; she's not wearing her usual mirror crown, and there is a short woman in old-fashioned white robes with the sleeves tied back standing beside her.

Amaterasu and the shinki accompanying her begin to speak once everyone has arrived. They have ink paintings of Votelli (although the features aren't very well rendered, as though it was painted from a description rather than by someone who'd seen her) and of Sotero (this painting is much more accurate and detailed.) These paintings are displayed on small stands behind Amaterasu.

"These two rogue gods have declared their enmity against myself and the Heavens through attacking and even imprisoning you, as well as attacking many of my shinki. They have even used humans as their agents to act in the mortal world." She holds out a hand to indicate the sketchier painting. "This one's name is Votelli. She is declared anathema. Should you see her, capture her, and bring her to me." The other, better-drawn painting is next. "This one's name is Sotero. He is declared anathema, and should you see him, capture him and bring him to me.

"We prefer them alive, but if they resist too fiercely to survive capture, we will still reward their captors highly."

The woman behind her takes the paintings down and folds the stands, disappearing into the dark with her armful of props, as Amaterasu continues speaking.

"We have located areas of the Near Shore that these gods have used as their sanctuaries in their invasions of the Heavens. The forest that Votelli used, many of you have visited. However, it seems that she can either hide there too well to be found unless she wills it, or she has gone elsewhere. We continue to search for her. My shinki have searched the volcano that Sotero used, as well, but with no greater success.

"It is possible that these gods have protected themselves somehow from the eyes of my shinki. I ask for your assistance searching for them both."

The woman reappears, without the easels and carrying two handfuls of charms instead; they are small, embroidered pouches that look like the charms found in the department store and around shrines at New Year's. Sabimei steps forward; he looks like he hasn't had enough sleep in weeks, and the harsh spotlight brings out the dark bags under his eyes.

"These things are using a magic I can't figure out," he says: his tone is almost petulant, but he moderates it at a reproving glare from the other shinki. "I suspect it's related to those two gods. I can tell you that they drain good fortune from anything nearby -- these are inert, don't worry, but I wouldn't keep one in my pocket if I were any of you. Burn them, or give them to me, because it's not as if I don't have enough to do--"

At another glare, he clears his throat. "In any case, placing these in our shrines at the New Year's represents a direct attack on our fortunes and our followers'. It seems that these gods consider us all enemies alike. Ask me later if you want to hear more about what I've been doing with these things." He bows, and steps back into the darkness. Amaterasu's formal demeanor softens for long enough to pat her other shinki's arm; the woman smiles down at her before tucking away the charms.

"Several humans have been implicated in assisting the enemy gods," she announces. "We do not act directly against mortals, but my shinki are watching their residences, in case our enemies should appear there. It is possible that there are more, and so, I ask that you help my shinki in that task, for if those two gods are no longer in the places that they once linked to the Heavens, then they must be concealed somewhere. My shinki will show you to these humans' residences if you are willing to assist.

"When we find them, we intend to ride to destroy them, and I invite you to join the hosts of Heaven when we do so, as well."

She folds her hands together, her long sleeves falling down to hide her fingers, and inclines her head in a small, regal bow.

As the presentation ends, the darkness begins to fade, and everyone invited will find themselves standing in an ordinary room with Amaterasu, and with guards at the door and along the walls. The female shinki who had been behind her has disappeared, and she is wearing her crown again, with Sabimei standing just behind her.

It looks like she's ready to take questions now.

Comments

Amaterasu

[ammyterasu]

[Characters are welcome to put up top-levels or thread with each other on this post! To speak with Amaterasu directly, please reply to this comment.

She is standing in the center of the meeting room, hands folded, looking very determined.]

[abgrund]

Do you have information on why they are rebelling?

[ Ain doesn't really bother to perfect his human illusion for an audience with the Heavens. He still maintains a humanoid form, but his body is covered in what seems to be skintight black cloth from the neck down, ending in a floor-length dress. Though, is that actually fabric? Hard to tell. ]

[chibisu]

[Ebisu waits very patiently for everyone to go up and ask their own questions, all of which are very much important than what he has to say, surely. It also gives his shinki plenty of time to finish losing their shit, which is a lot of shit to lose, quite frankly. The only exception to this is Unmi, who is forced to be out in his regular body and has to keep a cool poker face while standing behind his god.]

[Eventually, however, it looks like others aren't going to come up to her further, Ebisu finally steps forward with Unmi staying close behind her.]

[In one corner: a small child dressed in fineries, including a brilliant shining crown, looking extremely serious.]

[In the other corner: another small child, dressed in a jean kimono and a blue scarf with a knot pattern wrapped around his neck. A kitchen knife is tucked in plain view, and he's holding a fishing rod.]

[This probably says a lot about both of them. Certainly it'd be a funny sight.]

Amaterasu...?

[He says her name very carefully, testing, and without any sort of honorific.]

[sageprincess]

[So. This is a lot. Zelda is less than thrilled to find out that Ebisu was right about the nature of Heaven's Army and is even less thrilled than that to see that the Heavens know about Votelli after all the effort the new generation of gods and shinki has gone through to shield her. Things are going to get really bad, really soon, and she can only hope it won't result in an all-out civil war.

When not in the Queen of Heaven's presence, it's easier to lump her in with the rest of the heavenly administration, to turn her and all the rest of them into a faceless, alien entity so ancient and ubiquitous that reasoning with it is a fool's errand - something that is likely intentional, given the way they have recorded the decisions of Heaven in the past. She's sure there's plenty among their number that can still think that way about her even when face to face with her.

Zelda can't. She looks at the girl, so determined and assured of her own righteousness, and she sees herself seven years ago.

She dearly, dearly hopes this doesn't come to war.]

... Lady Amaterasu. I have a question of a more personal nature for you and your shinki, if it may be permitted.

[It takes some time to swallow her bleeding heart down enough for it, but this is likely the only opportunity she will have to make this inquiry. She has to make it count.]

It involves the events that transpired in the Heavens before the awakening of our generation. I have searched your library, but have not been able to find the answers I have sought. If my suspicions are correct, it may offer some insight into the nature of Heaven's enemies.

[She doesn't name Votelli, nor Sotero. Heaven's true enemy is "Sensei," and those who wish to use the gods for their own ends. But if she's going to get answers that can be remotely trusted, she needs to play along.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako doesn't approach right away - she lets the others go talk to the goddess first - especially because she has a lot on her mind after listening to Amaterasu's words. When she does finally approach, it's with a serious expression and a small frown on her face as she steps towards the other goddess. ]

Ammy?

[revolutionfalcon]

So you're taking a scorched earth attitude on the gods, who attacked once each, and only observing the humans who've been a thorn in our side repeatedly for months now and caused multiple incidents, and were probably responsible for those gods coming after us in the first place.

[Shun doesn't hesitate to step forward and voice his opinion as soon as he has the opportunity - while he doesn't come close enough to be perceived as a threat out of recognition of the situation, he also makes no attempt to be polite or courteous about his disagreement. As usual. He doesn't have the attachment some of the others here have to Votelli, and definitely not Sotero, but he's gathered enough about the both of them to know this is more than likely to make things worse, not better.]

Surely I can't be the first person to tell you that tactically speaking, that's a stupid plan that solves nothing.

[boneofsword]

I would like to hear the reasons behind your announcement and the facts that are, apparently, unknown to those who decided to research those cases on their own.

[Archer is speaking in calm, level voice. He's not showing what he really thinks about the whole thing, or about being used to fight the battles that are not his own. To him it all looks like orchestrated play, with Amaterasu being nothing but a pretty figurehead. It's clear she knows nothing about the situation itself other than she's been told by her guardians.]

I also want to inquire how much the newborn or reincarnated gods do know, since it never been stated clearly. Are they aware of what they are, or do they need to learn from someone else.

[towards_okeanos]

Lady Amaterasu.

[Iskandar approaches the Queen of Heaven and offers her a small bow before he speaks. A courtesy, yes, not to be mistaken for a gesture of subordination.]

Before I ask my question let me express my gratitude for the hospitality you extended to me in all that time I am here. For that, I give you my thanks.

[And there's always a but...]

Yet hearing all of your announcements have left me wondering. What kind of army do those two foreign gods have that you would need an army in response? How numerous are their forces? Are they cooperating or are they a separate threat each on their own? [If they are even a threat at all of which Iskandar is not exactly convinced.]

Forgive me, but I can't shake the impression that you are expecting us to undertake a serious obligation on very little information.

[She might be Queen of Heaven but she's certainly no sovereign of his.]

Sabimei

[godsoffortune]

[Sabimei is standing a pace behind Amaterasu, and would be looming protectively if he had the breadth of shoulder or height for a solid protective loom. He's doing his best with what he has.

Any questions? He might answer if asked nicely.]

[kokuyoyo]

[People who are never guaranteed to ask nicely: the shit teen wearing a rather out of date beanie with reindeers and Christmas trees on it. Thanks, RNG, feeling festive. This whole meeting has been... an interesting one, and one that he's curious he was invited to. Was it because of his constant presence, or of his status? As someone who's never had status to begin with, Chikusa can't say.]

[...But there will be time for that later. For now, he just immediately shuffles over in Sabimei's direction.]

I want to hear more about those things.

[...What perfect deadpan. Your favorite student coming through again, Sabimei. That's what he is, right...]

Re: Sabimei

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku approaches cautiously though his body language seems confident enough. He stands almost to attention not far away studying Sabemei for a moment before he speaks.] May I ask a couple of questions, sir?

[trademark_skull]

[Having dealt with some charms, it was not difficult to recognize them right away.]

...How safe is it to touch those things? [A bit wary to get too close. Between the tension in the air as well as what those pouches could potentially do.]

Ebisu

[chibisu]

locked to Ginia

[chibisu]

To be invited into something that is clearly so serious is... Ebisu is well aware of what it means in regards to him. On no one else's behalf can he speak but his. Death was supposed to be the thing which cleansed his name, yet he has more than once wondered if his name is truly so cleared. Can other gods still hold grudges upon a separate incarnation? Surely other shinki have not exactly come to his temple, he can say that much. Or is it because his temple is still full of nora, and would welcome more if only more would come...?

So this is a chance to more properly clear his name. It's not one that he can ignore, either. If his name is cleared, then perhaps more shinki will come to his temple, and the ones currently beneath him will be able to be less stressed...

This means going back to his temple, of course, and arranging things since he'll be later on properly returning. All of his shinki have to be told of this news, he has to gather his exemplar to be along with him... There's so much to do, even for just a short meeting.

Things can't be so simple, however. Even with Kunimi, the others worry as word spreads like wildfire... which is how Ginia ends up getting a text from Kimi: 8th floor, meeting room 3, invite from Heaven

It's a meeting from Heaven... but there's no telling what that could mean, or what they could be asked to do. So, after some quick discussion- there's a shinki of Amaterasu's down in the foyer after all- Ebisu agrees to take some of his shinki that are most easily carried, along with one outside.

That means Ginia is a perfect candidate, as an unassuming scarf whose power they've just learned. While the others are being called- Aomi as a kimono (of sorts), Kunimi as an outright possession, Kimi and Kiwami able to be easily carried- Takami takes only a moment to pull Ginia aside.

"Please watch over him," is all he says, already pale from this news alone even if nothing terrible is guaranteed.

It's now, as they all stand within the Meeting Hall listening to Amaterasu go on, that Ebisu and some of his shinki reflect that not bringing Takami along was a really really good idea.

Each of Ebisu's transformed shinki had taken in a sharp breath at their god walking in and seeing those paintings on display. With every word spoken, well... The reaction becomes a lot more than that.

Kunimi can't take his eyes off anything, with his vessel form most vital for Ebisu's defense, but it's sure a hollow eyed stare with his hands folded together and at his mouth. Aomi is leaning against him, arm against his taller coworker's shoulder and at his own forehead. Every now and then, he breathes out a quiet and repetitive, "Okay. Okay." in response to something Amaterasu says.

Kiwami, in contrast, seems to just have his eyes shut, and is digging and releasing his fingernails into the palms of his hands. A lot better, in some aspects, than Kimi, who is immediately 'pacing' in this bizarre space, and laughing with just a tinge of hysteria. "Well, here we go!" says the guy who let himself be named by one of those gods declared anathema by Heaven.

Ebisu and Unmi say nothing. All they do, and can do, is stay silent and attentive to this presentation.

OTA

[chibisu]

There's a lot to digest here. A lot to figure out. Ebisu was one of the last to approach Amaterasu with questions, and so he's one of the last to hurry out. Quickly, he takes stock of who hasn't run off immediately, and tries to remember everyone's reactions to the presentation.

"I understand everyone had likely just eaten at the training event," he announces loudly, Unmi still behind him, "but if there is anyone who would like to recover from this momentous news, they are more than welcome to come for tea at my temple! I am certain you will all need your energy for when the Heavens call upon you. It is the least I can do in response to your service."

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki is one of the last invitees to arrive at the meeting, though out of deference to Amaterasu she makes it there before the goddess begins speaking. (How she managed such timing is a mystery of genius.) During the meeting itself, she hangs back, more interested in watching everyone else react to Amaterasu's message than reacting herself.

Under her breath, however, she might be heard to mutter after Sabimei's announcement, but before Amaterasu begins speaking again: ]

Too useless.

[ Poor Little Shining Princess. Some mysterious mere human is completely running circles around her household.

Revolution shall save Amaterasu, as well. ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer notices Hibiki being Hibiki again. Why does she thinks she has to be late is one of the mysteries only Hibiki knows the answer to, and not his problem.]

Which one of them?

Nanako | OTA

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako had received an invitation from one of Ammy's shinki to come here tonight, so she'd arrived with her new shinki at her side and a worried look on her face. Relieved, at least, to find that Hakkai and Shun were also here, as well as several other gods she recognized, the little goddess is sure to stick close to them for the duration of the night. It's not unusual to see her sticking close to Ken and Chikusa as well, if Sora is distracted elsewhere. Or maybe all of them are hovering around one another, it's hard to tell, but Nanako's probably somewhat oblivious to it either way.

Amaterasu's words only have Nanako's frown deepening as she studies the pictures presented and listens to the accusations against the rogue gods. She hasn't met them - either one of them - but the volcano had been scary and she'd had a lot of friends get caught by that bad forest. If these were the gods responsible... why would they do such bad things? Why were they mad at Ammy?

But destroy...? Is that really what Ammy meant? They were other gods, not ayakashi! That didn't sound right at all.

After Amaterasu's speech wraps up, Nanako stays where she is for a while, thinking over everything she's heard with a troubled frown on her lips, trying to figure out what she thinks about all this...

She wishes her big bro or her dad were here now more than ever. They'd know what to do about something like this... ]

[swordofzero]

Are you alright, miss Nanako? [Nanako was so young. Even if she were a god she doesn't seem like she is used to things like this. She looks confused and upset.

It can't be easy to hear such things. It was troubling to hear at all, even for those who were adults. But then again he remembered how determined she had been in the forest, saving her shinki. She was tougher than she looked.]

[kokuyoyo]

[There might be some definite hovering going on, but it's fine. As long as Chikusa can protect her, Ken, and Hakkai with one borderline, then he doesn't have to worry about anything else. Why is he worrying about protecting them during an apparently peaceful meeting? Don't worry about it. That's just how he is.]

[Once things are over, Chikusa spares a moment to glance down at Nanako instead of going over to immediately interrogate Sabimei. It's going to happen, but it doesn't have to happen right now.]

...Are you going to stay?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora isn't sure about the meeting itself, there is a lot to learn here and a lot that Sora doesn't fully understand yet. But he is here to support Nanako as best he can and to at least keep her company through all the talk that happens.

After his meeting with Chikusa Sora is a little unsure what his standing should be here in the Far Shore. What his goddess thinks of the heavens or what her friends do. He woke up in this place thinking that he was serving a greater purpose to help human souls and to stop ayakashi and yet the things that Chikusa said to him make him wonder...]

Nanako? Are you sure you're okay?

Fuujin & Kaede | OTA

[fuuthewind]

[ Characters are welcome to put up top-levels or thread with each other on this post! To speak with Fuujin or Kaede directly, please reply to this comment and mention in the subject line which one you would like to talk to.

He is standing with arms folded to Amaterasu's opposite side from Sabimei, a little further back than Sabimei is standing, closer to a wall. This is because he has a small entourage of his own shinki with him, including his exemplar Kaede. Most of the time, Fuujin has his usual scowl as he looks out at the new gods, less so at the newer shinki, while Kaede is just trying to keep the peace whenever anyone starts to approach Fuujin. You know, damage control. On the other hand, she can easily get busy dealing with someone else and your character could slip in to approach Fuujin himself without Kaede's intervention or introduction - at your own risk.

However, when Amaterasu announces they will be riding to an attack in the near future, his mood brightens considerably. Someone put some wind in his sails. That expression returns if he overhears anyone talking about the same possibility of an attack. ]

[chibisu]

[Well. What Fuujin's view of the whole thing is pretty easy to figure out, just by the way he becomes so much more cheerful at some particular news. Ebisu doesn't think he would really need to speak with him...]

[...but it would only be polite, he thinks, and, more importantly, this will give Jitsumi a good look at him in the most secure position she can be. No one will have to know her name, her appearance, or even that she's with Ebisu's temple... which would give away her nora status. She can get an upfront look of him.]

[So, while others go to badger Amaterasu or her shinki, Ebisu makes his way over to where the wind god is. Trailing behind him is Unmi and his own long jean kimono. It's... It's sure a look he's wearing, with his kitchen knife tucked in plain view and wearing a knit scarf around his neck. It's fine. This is a good look. Don't worry about it.]

Greetings, Fuujin. You and your shinki are looking well.

[Faintly, he wonders, with that kind of excitement at riding out against Heaven's enemies, if Fuujin was one of those that came to strike down his own previous incarnation.]

[...Hm.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun isn't even waiting for Amaterasu to be done talking to look completely and utterly unimpressed with everything about this. He wouldn't have even bothered asking Chinatsu and Lavi to accompany him if he'd known it was going to be this ridiculous.

He's definitely got arguments to raise with Amaterasu, which is probably going to be a delightful time for everyone to spectate, but for now, he lets out a derisive hiss of annoyance.]

This is going to make things worse. But I guess expecting this lot to learn anything is asking too much at this point.

[He's not declaring it to the room at large, but he's also not making any effort to hide it, so it's a perfectly audible remark to everyone around him.]

[priforprince]

Honestly.

[ This IS an emergency, and all activity in the Heavens should cease until it's accounted for:

Shikyoin Hibiki and Kurosaki Shun AGREE ON SOMETHING! ]

They've got the blame backwards, and can't even determine the workings of the charms...

Better staff is required for the Little Shining Princess.

[ .....Shikyoin Hibiki and Kurosaki Shun SORT OF agree on something! ]

Suzaku | ota

[swordofzero]

Some deep ingrained training meant that Suzaku was ready and following the meeting despite being woken by the knock on the temple door that had invited him to this meeting and learning that he had slept about three days. Stranger still the floating in a void. But he took it in his stride.

He takes in the information silently. It isn't much that they didn't know already. Except that they knew where the mortals involved were and were planning to ride against the rogue gods.

Gods that seemed not more than children. But they were. Suzaku had fought Sotero and if Volteli had that much power...

Underestimating or pitying them would only cause harm to the heavens. They might seem young but they had already both proven themselves dangerous. Even if they were only following orders- Voltelli from her sensei at least.

A solider was still a killer, even if they weren't the ones making the decisions. It would be better if this was solved with no one, including the two gods, getting hurt. But Sotero and Voltelli seemed determined to work against the heavens and the rulers heavens did not seem like the sort to allow any opposition.

His face is stoic as he looks around the room once they are out of the void. Taking note of who is there, who else has been invited.

finally gets in here

[chibisu]

One of those who is here is someone that is perhaps a faintly familiar face, if only from constant visits to the training events such as the one earlier today and from occasional rare messages on the BBS such as offers to stay at his temple during the volcanic eruption. Ebisu makes quiet a sight in his jean kimono and the knit scarf that rests atop it, carting along a fishing pole and a knife tucked in plain view. The child god also seems to be looking around at the others who have been gathered here, patiently waiting for others to finish speaking with Amaterasu.

Eventually, he approaches Suzaku, and nods politely to him. "Hello. I don't believe we've properly met. However, I must assume that Amaterasu had good reason for inviting you to this gathering. My name is Ebisu, God of Fortune to commerce and fishing."

OTA

[trademark_skull]

[Votelli...]

[Emizel had been good about not saying a word about the mysterious god he met in the forest that day, he would have thought the others with him had done the same.]

[Somehow or another, the word got out. He felt something sink to the pit of his stomach.]

[By the end of the meeting however, the little demon was less certain about how much he really knew. He had also not forgotten his trip way down south to the cursed lakes, the carved circles, and two suspects. A man and a woman. Similar to the two gods before him. Emizel knew nothing about the guy in the painting, and Votelli did not seem like someone who would just leave her forest. But yet...]

No, it couldn't be them. [He shook his head. Keeping that thought out.]