September Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: August 25
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



In anticipation of the latest round of new arrivals, Heaven has partnered with the new gods and shinki to organize a very helpful informational reception.

Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided kindly towards Bishamon's temple. In that vast complex they are brought to a traditional-style dojo. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.




God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a hall near the dojo for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior, although the minor deity conducting the meeting is in too much of a rush to take questions afterwards. They are encouraged to discuss the information with each other and ask questions of more experienced gods, as well as to guide their new shinki appropriately.

Shinki Training

Various volunteers are stationed around the dojo, passing out helpful informational pamphlets. There are many shinki, including Bishamon's and Amaterasu's, who will be more than happy to train in using the borderline as well as offering a lecture on the basics of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.

Targets have been hung up just outside the dojo for people practicing borderlines of both the defensive and cutting variety. They've clearly been made by kids: they're big, crayon-colored butcher paper cutouts of ayakashi, carefully detailed. Some of Bishamon's child shinki are working on more towards the side of the practice area, with crayons scattered all around. They could use some help from anyone with an artistic bent.

Physical Training

The dojo is stocked with a wide variety of practice weapons, traditional and modern, to offer some practice opportunity to gods who, for example, find themselves with a sword shinki but are at risk of cutting off their own toes. It's also useful for veteran new gods wishing to train with their current partner shinki.

Bishamon's shinki have gone all out this time and created an obstacle course for physical training as well. Climb walls, crawl through mud, jump across randomly spaced stumps, find your way through a maze and collect one of each of five different-colored ribbons being handed out by shinki attendants for completing each section within the allotted time.

Rest and Refreshments

Since the obstacle course is even messier than the usual training session, one of Bishamon's shinki will show anyone who asks the way to the showers to get cleaned up afterwards. There are hydrating drinks and light snacks available outside the dojo, along with fresh, lemon-scented towels.

In Bishamon's garden, a proper English tea has been laid, with a long table containing sweet and savory nibbles, and small wicker tables with two or three chairs set out all over the lawn. Gods and shinki can sit down for a talk here, get to know each other, and adjust to their new situation.

Bishamon's shinki do seem a little overworked, though, trying to serve tea all around. They'd welcome anyone, new or old, willing to put on one of the crisp white aprons and help serve some tea.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Get in some training
• Don't get dehydrated
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

TEA

[stonebird]

(He seems to radiate and though Sansa is wary of any male who is golden/blondeis particularly handsome, she too has developed an affinity for tea. It does wonders for the nerves and there are so many interesting herbs to use for various flavors and effects. She has a garden outside of her temple that is solely for tea herbs, in fact.)

Which tea do you favor?

[katanas_and_tea]

[Takuma lets out a soft hum in thought.]

That's a really hard choice. From what I've tasted here so far, I'm more partial to the floral flavors. They lend a bit of delicacy to the palette that goes great with sweets!

What about yourself? Do you have any recommendations?

[stonebird]

(His answer gives her some comfort. He didn't snap at her or treat her like an idiot. For that alone, he will get a small smile.)

The floral flavors are delicious, but I have a weakness for orange and cinnamon. Peppermint is also good - particularly if you pair it with lavender.

(She blushes.) Of course vanilla is very good with sweets, too.

[katanas_and_tea]

[Takuma is ever the noble gentleman. Though he doesn't recall where his refineries have originated from, they come naturally and even genuinely to him.]

Peppermint sounds very refreshing! Though paired with the lavender, that makes it more of a soothing blend, right?

[He smiles, stands, and pulls out a chair for her to sit and join him.]

[stonebird]

(Maybe he can teach the Lannisters. Sansa has been a lady since she was three, so she can understand such things being natural.)

If you have a cold or congestion of the chest, it can help you breathe easier. (She gives him a delicate curtsy and accepts the seat.) Thank you, ser.

I have an herb garden that has been quite informative to me.

[katanas_and_tea]

[Takuma had enough weird incestuous royalty to deal with in his life, thank you He gently pushes her chair in and takes his seat again.]

So you're able to make all sorts of different blends of tea... That's exciting!

Do you use them in cooking as well? Ah~ It makes me feel hungry just to think of a really good soup made with fresh herbs.

[He reaches over to a pot that he had pilfered from the table full of damask rose tea and pours her a cup.]

[stonebird]

(They do tend to pile up, don't they. The thoughtfulness is openly appreciated with a broader smile. She has met some special gems during her tenure as a god. Perhaps she has just met one more?)

Before, I would have thought the art frivolous. The noble Houses of Westeros employ Maesters for knowledge of that sort. But I have no Maester and I must fare for myself. If I feel ill, I must administer medicament that I recall from my less than reliable memory.

(And so, yes. She has been testing a lot of teas and taking notes.)

I do! Have you had stew with fresh herbs?

(The tea is rather pretty and it has a lovely scent. Sansa inhales the steam before taking a sip.)

[katanas_and_tea]

[The mentions of things he has no idea about makes him tilt his head questioningly.]

Ah...maybe I have before? I must have! But I can't recall...

I don't remember anything before this place.

[Takuma lets out a soft sigh and shakes his head.]

It's so strange...I can remember information, but I don't know where or how I learned it. All of these flavors are familiar, but I can't remember actually having any of them.

[He looks over at his companion.]

It's fine. I suppose it isn't too important now that I'm here.

Oh! I do remember my name, though. It's Takuma Ichijou! It's very nice to make your acquaintance.

[stonebird]

(So he is a shinki. She reaches out to lay a sympathetic hand on his arm.)

You cannot help that. (Nor should he!) There must have been a time you enjoyed them. It doesn't matter where or when. I pray you can discover more that is soothing to you.

(He is considerably ahead of some! Sansa blinks in surprise.)

The pleasure is mine, Takuma Ichijou. My name is Sansa Stark or Dali if you prefer.

[katanas_and_tea]

[Takuma smiles more at the comfort. What a kind lady.]

Are you a goddess then? It's hard to tell who is who.

[He thinks for a moment.]

Dali-chan sounds cute!

[stonebird]

It is very difficult, but I am a goddess. (The memories are truly the only factor that sets them apart in the beginning.) I thought it so strange at first. It has grown on me.

(She looks a little curious.) Do you add "-chan" on the end of all names?

[katanas_and_tea]

Does that mean you haven't always been a goddess?

[He shakes his head at the question.]

"-chan" is usually reserved for women. [Not entirely true because it's reserved for girls, but his use of honorifics is far too familiar the first time around because that's just how he is.]

"-kun" is used for men.

[He doesn't even mention "-san" because he doesn't really even use it.]

[stonebird]

That's correct. I was only a lady on Westeros, my home.

(Sansa tilts her head, finding the use of the endings fascinating. There is nothing like it in her world - though it is rife with titles.)

Would that make you Takuma Ichijou-kun?

[katanas_and_tea]

[Takuma nods with an affirmative hum. Though the higher honorific of "-sama" was used for him since he was an aristocrat higher than other aristocrats. But it wasn't like he remembered that. Besides, titles don't quite matter here.]

Takuma-kun is just fine. Or just Takuma! Or Takkun~ Whatever you would like to call me.