thenearshore | Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu

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Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu

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.

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"The only matters discussed when it comes to these duties is to follow what they had done before me and to help the people." Not much else he does know nor will anyone say; when someone questions it, there's always a scorn from those in this realm. He remembers when he spoke to Amaterasu during the Gods' Meeting and when he was concerned about his homeland and his disappearance; her answer did not help him in the slightest because no matter what anyone says, he is a son of Ishgard.

"Might I inquire about how gods are born? I want to be sure before suddenly speaking about my own thoughts, in order to understand better."

"Oh, of course." It's not something that's exactly a secret among gods, although Ebisu supposes he can only say that for certain with his generation. The circumstances regarding this newer one are much more peculiar. At any rate, this is apparently just enough time for the tea to have finished steeping, and Aomi begins to pour it for the two of them. Promptly, a soft and sweet smell begins to waft up into the air.

It's a nicer thing than the meeting they've just left, at any rate.

"Gods are born from the beliefs of humans. Even children can create a god just by playing a game, although that time is generally fairly past." There are a lot more variety in games that children can play, after all. "To continue existing, they require the constant belief and worship from humans. The more humans which believe in and worship a god, and the strong that they become. It's why my sister and I can bear the weight of so many shinki names, because we are believed in so strongly and by so many."

The thought he has is unsettling but it is a grave one on Heaven's part. Something they are willing to turn the other cheek on and expose themselves? If no one catches this, innocents will die. And if that is extreme, it's Aymeric's job as Lord Commander to think it and to make a plan to ensure it doesn't. Even with the fury of a mental storm in his mind, he keeps himself composed.

"And if that is true...then I fear the higher powers have exposed themselves to a terrible fate." There's no sugarcoating it and Aymeric continues. "As you confirmed, while a god can be powerful, they are nothing without the people who worship them. Let us think if the Heavens succeed in vanquishing these two: what makes them believe that these cultists would not pray to give birth to another god? People are not so easily swayed when a plan fails, if anything, they work harder for it."

He takes a sip of the tea once it is ready and it's very good. A small comfort but he will take it.

"Nor are they willing to forget. These people...they will not stop if they believe what they are fighting for is right. If Heaven goes down this path...they will not find salvation but rather a war that will not end well for anyone involved. I know this because my homeland was also subjected to it for a thousand years and we have just ended it. If there is a way to stop this at the root, killing those two will not be the answer."

"That's assuming that the two renegade gods simply won't reincarnate..." As someone who was once a renegade god himself, apparently, well, Ebisu feels it's only proper for him to bring it up. "From the information we have been provided with so far, then it doesn't seem as if the two of them have any shinki to properly guide them."

...Well. Not counting Kimi, but that's a complicated case, and not something that has been settled yet. It's also not something he's really interested in telling other people about

"If they're left on their own, with only the prayers of their followers to guide them... Then they may follow the same path as before. This sort of thing is exactly why the exemplar of a temple is so important." Carefully, he takes a slow sip of his tea. "Of course, I am not a god of war, so perhaps I am simply finding excuses to avoid such matters."

...Which, in its own way, is an excuse of its own.

"I like to believe more matters than not can be settled peacefully... but Heaven is always right and just."

"That is also my wish. If there is a way that meaningless bloodshed can be prevented, then I would work towards it. As Lord Commander," There is no 'former' in there, that is his title and will be it until either he dies or passes it on. "my focus was and still remains the protection of my people. I would be a naive fool to say that all battles can be avoided because reality seems to make themselves known. So I try my best to ensure that it does not happen."

A part of him mentally winces, wanting to say how there is no way anyone can always be just and right every single day. But if Aymeric does, then it would not look good on him. Setting his teacup down, he laces his fingers and looks straight at Ebisu.

"Pray excuse this question but...why is it that Heaven is always just and right?" The tone holds nothing accusatory but genuine curiosity. Maybe of the newer generation, no one has asked why of it.

"Oh." Absolutely no one of the new generation has asked the old about such a phrasing, and that likely shows in how Ebisu pauses, blinking. No prior experience means he doesn't have a more practiced spiel on hand. Fortunately, he is glad to say he has an excuse. "I'm afraid that, as I am still relatively a new incarnation, I cannot give you as indepth an answer as I would like. Please give me a moment to confer with my exemplar, as I'm certain he would have a better idea." With that, he looks away and begins to sip his tea again, eyes going a little vacant as if in deep thought.

As a god himself, Aymeric should understand what's going on well enough.

After a moment of thoughtful tea sipping and silence, Ebisu blinks a few times. "Pardon me," he says politely. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting. Then, from what I understand... Heaven's laws are always just simply because they are Heaven's laws. For Heaven, justice means 'peace', over anything else." Carefully, he sets his cup down. "At least, from what my exemplar can explain to me." Perhaps Iwami would know more, or the others. However, this is what he can provide at the moment. "So because Heaven's laws bring peace, they are just, in summary."

No matter the method in which that peace is brought. No matter if it is utterly silencing other voices. Peace before all else.

Good thing Aymeric does not see himself as a god; he is simply a man doing a duty before him. It's when he succumbs to the notion that he will no longer be himself but a being meant to be put to the sword.

Yeah, Eorzea has a big thing about 'gods coming down in physical form'. As in, get the Warrior of Light to kill them before the world gets fucked up. The 'you are a primal now' still gets to him after a year. One cannot simply get over it.

"And yet what is the cost that peace? Is it to truly to help their fellows on both shores or is it a way to simply keep others quiet and to turn the other cheek?"

Edited (Grammar. I has it.) 2018-12-24 20:02 (UTC)

"Well... Disasters which occur in one shore are often reflected in its opposite." His thumb rubs against the smooth surface of his cup slowly. "God which go to war with one another can cause a lot of trouble for the Near Shore, for example... I think that showed itself in the year prior, when three of your generation were lost in very close proximity to one another. The way ayakashi reacted, with particularly large and powerful ones coming out of hiding, shows the link we have whether we ask for it or not."

Their connection to the Near Shore, how their followers flock to them, who is made a God of Fortune... none of that is their choice. They simply have to deal with it.

"At any rate, I suppose Heaven would say... there isn't any cost that is high enough if it keeps the peace." What Heaven says. Not what Ebisu himself says.

"And what about yourself, Master Ebisu? What is your thought on it all?"

He takes another sip, calmly as he ponders what to say next. Or rather, should he say it? It is like reopening a wound as he can remember the words spoken clear in his mind:

("Why must you do this, Father!? Nidhogg is fallen! There is no need for further deception! Now is the time to renounce the lies which led us down to this path--to start anew!"

"And tear down the very pillars of our society--our history, our values--everything that we have built over a thousand years? A fool to the last.")

Damn, it's just a repeat of the same mistakes isn't it? It is only that idealism that leads him to believe that there is hope for Heaven but this is not the way to do it.

"Do you believe the cost is just?"

Behind him, his shinki very very carefully watch the conversation. It's a struggle for all of them to appear so calm, but they all manage well enough in their own ways: experience, personality, focus. One way or the other, they manage. Their god's response is what's most important.

Ebisu is well aware of this himself, of course, and he takes another sip of his tea before giving an answer. "For myself, the lives of humans are what is most important. That people died during the God Meeting, when my temple was responsible for looking over the Near Shore, is something that I still find to be impermissible. Thus, my priorities lie within keeping those of the Near Shore safe from harm and protecting my own temple. I will do what is necessary to follow through with those goals."

Hopefully that's enough of an answer without him having to say anything upfront on either spectrum. None of it is a lie, either, exactly...

It's not what Ebisu says that makes Aymeric think; it's what he doesn't. After all the somewhat praise of the Heavens, when asked for his own opinion, the subject changes. Now anyone else would find such a tactic horrible but Aymeric sees beyond the words. Mayhap to keep appearances? To protect?

Either way, he has a feeling that the god of fortune does not fully agree with 'Heaven is just' as Aymeric takes another sip of his tea. Or maybe he's pulling this thought out of his ass. Either way, there's more to it than meets the eye.

"For it is the people who will shape their own fates. They are much more resourceful than one believes, only if they believe it themselves and are given that chance to grow and learn. That is what I believe."

"I believe in that kind of thing myself, Borel-sama." Talking about mortals seems to perk Ebisu up properly. "People can only be helped by other people. As gods, it is our duty to nurture their existence, and keep them safe... But we cannot truly solve their problems. Frankly speaking, I think it's much more interesting to allow mortal lives to grow and change in the way that only they can!"

If they could keep talking about mortal lives and how precious they are, he'd find that much more appealing than having to talk about Heaven's latest campaign, at least for the time being.

"To let the people chose for themselves for they are capable of living how they see fit." It also makes Aymeric seem at ease all the same. "I too am in agreement: while we can attempt to give direction, it is them who must choose and follow it."

To be honest, if he could, he would gush about the people of Heligoland. He loves being around them.

"People are capable of great things...if only given the chance."

"Exactly!" Truly a pair of kindred spirits have found one another, and the change in atmosphere seems to ease up the shinki directly behind him at least to some degree. Tea forgotten for a moment, Ebisu leans forward, truly invested.

"Although I would say that simply living is a great thing, and that their daily lives commonly demonstrate so much! For example, riding bikes, or being able to skip rope! Dancing, cooking, skiing... There are so many different things people are capable of doing on a regular basis!"

"Matters that some may take for granted. I can certainly understand when I had found myself learning how to drive and to some, it feels like business as usual."

He got looks when he started driving a scooter and was so giddy about it. Thankfully it was in Heligoland so they brushed it off as him just enjoying the simple things.

"Sometimes the best moments are the simplest. There needs not a celebration for them but recognition goes a long way."

"Exactly." Easing back, Ebisu beams brightly. "That is a talent of its own, Borel-sama, so you should be proud of it. I would like to learn how to drive one day. However, as of the moment, my body isn't suited for most vehicles, so I have to patiently wait."

Behind him, Kimi gives just the faintest shake of his head. As much as they're all trying to get their master to be a little more self sufficient and capable of watching out for himself so that things like him tripping onto his face don't happen as much... Putting him in a large metal contraption is perhaps a little much.

It's for everyone's own good. And safety. The future of self driving cars can't come quickly enough.

"A bicycle would be a good start. There is still very good uses for one."

But for Aymeric, it needs to be a long one because stupid elezen height. Tol necked cloudsniffer. And besides, it's good that there is an age limit for such matters in this realm; as much as he loves people, sometimes they can do stupid things as well. It reminds him of some show he saw online of grown adults doing harmful stunts...what was that show name again?

"I still don't understand how humans can ride bicycles. It's such a struggle, I can only imagine that one would have to be a magician to successfully control it..."

Still, it seems like things have calmed down for a moment, and Kimi leans forward with his fingers lightly balancing him so that he can whisper something into Ebisu's ear. The young god listens patiently before nodding, and Kimi gets up, one hand on his god's shoulder and thumb brushing against the scarf still wrapped around his neck. He nods politely at Aymeric, saying "Excuse me" before leaving the room.

Ebisu doesn't pay much mind to it, just goes back to his tea.

"It is a matter of balance and strength...and many times falling down. But that is alright; it is how we learn."

Seriously, he had to have kids teach him how during one of his many times in Heligoland. And boy did he fall down a lot. Now if this were a conversation that didn't have the pretense of Heaven is being The Worst, he would not have noticed much of Kimi but he can only assume other business.

"Strength..." Ebisu rolls the idea around in his head a little bit, trying to consider it against himself. "I suppose I'm rather lacking in that on the physical level." He is only a small child, and a small child heavily involved more in number crunching than ab crunches. Ignoring Kimi as he leaves the room, Ebisu blinks up at Aymeric.

"You must be quite different, Borel-sama."

"If you wish to try, I do not lending a hand to assist."

Weither it is simply learning how to ride a bike or anything else unspoken is best left for interpretation. But Aymeric honestly would help Ebisu and his comrades because they've proven themselves to be not only different from the crowd but to want to genuinely help others.

"Different? How so?"

"You can ride a bike." Yeah, they're still stuck on that subject of conversation. There's apparently no escaping it now. "In fact, you said it was somewhat difficult, yet you persisted." He frowns down into his cup as if it can give him the answers he seeks to some great mystery.

A mystery named "bikes".

"Whenever I try to do something of such a physical nature, it can seem so frustrating that I am inclined to give up." And often does. Admittedly, this is made easier with Kunimi around... It's still a bad habit his shinki are trying to dispel from him, however.

"It was for me; I am more accustomed to livelier ways of transportation so it was a disadvantage on my end. However, I can be quite determined in a goal." See 'stubborn'. Also imagine this guy trying to ride and never with training wheels.

"I see...if someone were with you as you try, to keep you going, would it help?" Almost be like a hype man, to motive without going overboard.

Frankly, Ebisu is fairly certain that most gods are stubborn simply by nature. The old guard is one thing, of course, but he's seen more than his fair share of stubborn new gods as well. Shun is a very good example of this, in his opinion.

At Aymeric's offer, Ebisu frowns a little bit, and his gaze wanders for a moment. "I... suppose?" He doesn't sound entirely sure about it. "Most of my shinki are too busy for such matters..."

"What if they were not a shinki but a god?" That might help with the decision making process. Mainly if there is a god sitting across from him who is suggesting it and probably would not mind helping out himself.

Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu

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