godsoffortune: (baths)
The Far Shore Mods ([personal profile] godsoffortune) wrote in [community profile] thenearshore2016-04-15 06:57 pm

003 | Save The Boats

Who: Everyone!
What: It's a few days after Hinamatsuri - time for a party!
When: Late evening (March 5, 2016) into early morning (March 6, 2016)
Where: The banks of the Kamo River
Summary: The Heavens have thrown together an outdoor party to celebrate Spring and ALSO to ask the Far Shore residents to keep the boats from Hinamatsuri from coming to shore.



Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan on March 3 every year. It is a festival to celebrate all of the young girls of Japan, not as important as their own birthdays, but certainly a big day for all families with a little girl among their household. It's perfectly normal for all of the cuties to dress up and get all sorts of delightful treats out of the day.

One of the normal festivities is a ceremony during which ornamental dolls are placed on tiers on boats and floated down the river. It is thought that all of the bad luck for the coming year floats down the river with the dolls, taking that bad luck away from their young girls to keep them safe for another year.

But the boats don't always make it all the way down the river like they're supposed to, and the Heavens sometimes like to make sure that the year will be full of less bad luck for the people of Japan. So they have decided to have the almighty gods do some legwork and disguised it as a fun Springtime party! They expect gods and shinki alike to push the boats away from the shoreline wherever they see them venturing near.

New gods and shinki will have been ushered immediately to the party as well, given all of the normal information, and then left to mingle among their new cohorts. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce the newbies to both their co-workers and the kinds of jobs they'll be expected to perform.



Buffet

A luxurious buffet is set up for everyone to enjoy. There are all kinds of foods to enjoy, though they all seem to be of a local variety. The Heavens have apparently used the funding from their own temples to purchase local food and support local businesses at the same time. In particular among the food and copious amounts of booze, you will find some Hinamatsuri staples - hina-arare, hishi mochi, chirashizushi, and a salt-based clam soup called ushijiru. Among the booze you'll find shirozake, a sake made from fermented rice, also a regular fare of Hinamatsuri.

The Boats

As if they are literally overflowing with bad luck, the boats seem to be making a desperate attempt to land themselves upon the shoreline. They are reluctant to make their way back into the water and will gladly run people down if they're allowed to and are happy to ram into someone over and over again to try and get their way. When they are finally pushed back to the center of the river, they will begrudgingly continue on their way. Of course, some of them will simply sink because of the weight of all that bad luck, but who can really blame them.

Children

As expected of a day dedicated to celebrating children, there are dozens of children running around and playing games during the festivities. It's hard to distinguish, but some of them appear to be human children while others are shinki. They are happy to let anyone in on their games and will gladly bother adults to come play with them or to let them try some of the liquor. (Mods will be available to play out any child interactions you may want, just flag us down.)

Counselling

Off to the side, there is a tiny table set up with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". On the other side of the table is a sweetly smiling shinki who is willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. She is also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead.



In Summary:
  • Keep the boats off the shore
  • Enjoy the food and booze and spring atmosphere
  • Have some fun with cute little kids
  • Seek counselling if you need it!
  • Flag the mods in the top thread if you'd like an NPC
  • Have fun~
holyorder: (03)

[personal profile] holyorder 2016-04-18 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't pick up on her curiosity very well, too focused on her response. It pings his own disappointment about his apparent death and his frustrations over the lack of information regarding it. He understands how she feels. ]

That may be true, but speaking to someone may give you a means to put words to your feelings. It could help you organize your thoughts enough to determine what steps you want to take next.

They could also give you advice, if you're at a loss. [ He would hope they would, at least. ]
tofus: (pic#7149842)

[personal profile] tofus 2016-04-20 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods numbly. His words help, even if it's just to encourage her to talk about it all. Rise just had to find some courage to really think about how to approach the table and the subject. If she doesn't, she might explode on the poor shinki sitting there.

Looking back up at him, she can't help but be curious.]


What do you think about all this?
holyorder: (03)

[personal profile] holyorder 2016-04-22 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ He hesitates to answer her, his brows furrowing as he considers his response. ]

If I am to be honest to you... I cannot give you a definite answer. I feel disappointed in both myself and my death, and I don't understand why. The lack of answers — and the lack of memories — only complicates the feeling.

[ He brings a hand to his chin in thought. ] Was I slain in battle? But what would I have been fighting for? If I passed from natural causes, how is it that I seem physically healthy?

It is admittedly difficult for me to think about.
tofus: (pic#7149991)

[personal profile] tofus 2016-04-24 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[She listens carefully and quietly, silently agreeing with him. The only real reaction is the slight awed look she gets at the idea of him being killed in action. Is he some sort of samurai, or a knight? That's pretty cool.]

That's why I'm not sure I should go over there. I know they're not going to have... answers or anything like that. [She shrugs, wrapping her arms around herself.] It'll help, but... it won't. Not forever.

...Why do you think you might have been fighting?
holyorder: (03)

[personal profile] holyorder 2016-04-27 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ He thinks about his answer quietly, trying to find the words to explain himself. ]

I'm not completely certain why I might have, [ he begins slowly, ] but it is a thought that continues to come to mind when I think of the possible reasons for my death. [ He pulls his hand away from his chin to curl it into a fist, as if he's holding onto a weapon. ] And when I question it, the possibility doesn't seem completely wrong. I... feel like I wish to protect others.

[ He drops his hand. ] However, I cannot think of the reasons why I would feel that way.

[ After another pause, he shifts gears to her again. Going straight into 'speech' mode. ] Such thoughts can drive one mad if dwelled upon for too long, Miss. I would hate to see you fall into such a trap. I suggest you speak with them — to hear what they have to say — and if their help does not comfort you, then you can always return to one of us.

You are not alone in your confusion. We are all here under similar circumstances. I have hope that we can help each other in some way, even if it is to offer support or comfort.
tofus: (pic#7149686)

sorry for the delay!

[personal profile] tofus 2016-05-17 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Again, Rise listens quietly, observing him and his actions. Compelled to protect... she only wishes she had something like that to lead her on. They're not memories, but it would be something that could give her a sense of identity, more than just a name and a divine brand. She can't help but feel a little jealous of him.

And to be honest, he sounds like a knight to her.

When he starts that speech again, it snaps Rise out of her thoughts, blinking at Ky until she gives a small smile. Despite their situation and both of their internal struggles, even just listening to him helped out a lot.]
Well... I don't think I'd go mad thinking that way, but, I see what you mean. I should at least try, so I'll give it a shot.

[But before she does...] If they don't help, can... I come back to talk to you?
holyorder: (04)

no worries!

[personal profile] holyorder 2016-05-18 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ky slightly bows his head, a hand against his chest, in a gesture of sincerity. ] Yes, of course. I would be glad to speak with you further.

[ They were all in this together, after all. He straightens up to introduce himself properly. ] My name is Ky Kiske, should you need to find me.
tofus: (♪ I'm the one and six figures)

[personal profile] tofus 2016-05-31 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gosh, what proper behaviourisms. Rise straightens out her posture herself in a hurry and also bows her head slightly, with perhaps a slight blush on her cheeks. It feels a bit awkward, but only right to return the gesture.]

My name is Rise. Thanks a lot for talking to me, Ky-san. It did help out, a lot.
holyorder: (15)

[personal profile] holyorder 2016-06-03 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ He gives her a kind smile, reassuring and gentle. Ky is always glad to help someone. ]

You're welcome, Miss Rise. It was my pleasure.