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

A

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona is not sure if she should be worried or laughing, after having just watched the new god walk face-first into a wall. Instead, she settles on something of a compromise, a sympathetic smile as she offers him a hand to help him back to his feet. ]

Of course. I don't even know what you're talking about. What was there to see?

Although since I certainly saw nothing, you'll have to forgive me for asking if you're alright anyway.

[futhark]

[ Bless this girl. She's got the right attitude. Caster offers her cocky grin, checking just in case if everything is right with his nose. ]

Absolutely.

[ No blood, no bruise, no proof ]

Been a longer while since I felt so alive. [ Literally ]

[darkestbefore]

[ She blinks at that, not sure what that means. ]

Oh? What a strange thing to say. How do you normally feel, if that's not too forward of me to ask?

[futhark]

[ He walked right into this with that wording, but then it's not going to be much of a secret anyway. ]

That's kind of complicated. Let's just say that I've been dead for... quite a long time.

[ And ignore the aspect of magically induced servitude un-life that happened occasionally ]

[darkestbefore]

[ Her mouth drops open in surprise as she stares at him. ]

That's.... Oh, dear. I'm so sorry.

[futhark]

[ That's a cute reaction, and it prompts him to get into her personal space bubble to give a hair ruffle ]

No worries. It's not a big deal.

[ Looks like only half of Heaven's population is supposed to be dead. ]

Are you new here too, or..?

[darkestbefore]

[ At least getting her hair ruffled by an amused male is a pretty common experience for her. She just laughs and ducks away with a bemused smile. ]

Ahh, not exactly. I've been here a few weeks now. My name is Yona. I'm here as the goddess Áine. Although to be honest, I still feel very new. That takes a while to wear off, or so I've been told.

[futhark]

Áine! [ He exclaims, a bit surprised to hear a familiar name so soon. ]

Most wondrous daughter of Manannán mac Lir, lady of summer. [ He makes a shallow bow ] I am honoured to meet you.

[ What a fitting incarnation. ]

[darkestbefore]

[ Her mouth drops open in surprise when he bows in front of her. ]

You know who she is? You're the first person that's recognized that name!

[futhark]

Ha! My grandfather was a druid, I'd need to be deaf or stupid to not learn something. [ As far as things that can trace back to his identity, this is a relatively useless piece of information. So he doesn't even think twice about giving it away freely. ]

I'm looking forward to working alongside you, Yona. [ Because pantheon solidarity- he really didn't expect to land in such good company ] Cú Chulainn, at your service. [ He waves his hand and with small amusement adds ] ...but since no one is using those names here, just Caster is fine.

[darkestbefore]

Truly? [ She looks fascinated and intrigued by this. ] Then perhaps you can help me learn more about these gods? I'm afraid I'd never heard of such deities in my country, so I've been trying to learn all I can. There are books, but...

[ Sometimes the lore they hold can be very scattered and inconsistent, she's found. ]

Caster, then. It is a pleasure to meet you. I've stumbled across the name of Cú Chulainn a few times - is that how you pronounce that? I would never have guessed. What sort of god is he? You? [ This dual identity thing will never stop being confusing. ]

[futhark]

Sure, I can tell you everything I know. Then we can hold a proper feast of Midsummer Night in your honor. [ Because priorities, you need to have the right ones. ]

As for the other question, well.... [ Talking stories about himself in third person might be where he draws the line. Awkward. ] How about you consider that a challenge, hmm? You'll tell me what you find, and I will say how correct it is

[darkestbefore]

Midsummer Night? Is that the day associated with her?

[ She still has so much to learn. ]

Although that does sound very appropriate.

[ She laughs at his challenge, tipping her head to the side to consider that for a moment before smiling brightly. ] Challenge accepted. Although you may have to give me some time to do research of my own. I'm afraid it's harder than it sounds.

[futhark]

All of summer is hers-yours-, but on that day a special feast and prayers happened. One of those big days to always look forward to. [ It's been ages ago too, and probably no longer practiced... but they're gods here, right? They make the rules ]

That's the spirit. [ "Challenge accepted" sounds like a music to his ears, no matter the context. ] But, hmm, since I'm not competing, only bestowing the challenge to you I should come up with some reward...

[ He scratches his chin thoughtfully considering his options. ]

[darkestbefore]

Midsummer Night.... [ She commits that to memory, one more line to a growing list of things she's in the process of learning about. ] I will look into that as well, thank you. Sometimes finding genuine information on her or what was celebrated has been difficult, but more keeps surfacing as I search. All of it sounds very interesting.

[ She chuckles as he thinks that over, giving him an amused look. ] You don't believe the information itself reward enough?

[futhark]

Well, if I just gave you homework I should be able to reward you for a good result right?

[ He's winking here. I swear if I had all those bullshit-wink Lancer icons I'd use one here, alas that's just another downside of not being a Lancer ]

Hmm... what would you say about a promise?

[ An honest answer, a small favor, geis, who knows it's not specified here. Which is why it's a total gamble. ]

[darkestbefore]

A promise?

[ That gets a blink of surprise from her as she glances up at him. ]

What sort of promise?

[futhark]

I don't know. It's up for you to come with one. Wouldn't be a good reward other way.

[ And whatever she will come up with, it will be absolute, he's taking his promises seriously ]

[darkestbefore]

[ As she does hers. She thinks that over for a moment before giving him a smile. ]

Then let me think on it. Such things shouldn't be made lightly, after all. Either way, I will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about these gods.

[futhark]

Take all the time you need. [ Ah, someone who understands the real worth of good promise. ]

If you want to learn about other gods, I can tell you all I know. [ He clarifies with a dumb wink. The homework wasn't that extensive, and he did offer to share his knowledge ]

The challenge is about the story of mine. [ Circumventing the awkwardness of talking about himself as if he was someone else. That's his whole angle. So he didn't had to struggle with answering that question ]

[darkestbefore]

Then perhaps you will come visit my temple one day soon and we can talk about Áine and the gods she worked with. Although there are so many tales I find that make it hard to know what was lore or not. Were the Fae truly a people of this world? None of the books I read seemed to know, but they're always talked about in relation to her. Honestly, I haven't been sure what to believe in what I've found.

[futhark]

Fae..? [ At first he doesn't get what's connection of Áine to the fairies, and then it clicks. ] Ah, the twilight of the gods.

[ The process was probably happening when he still was alive, but it went on long after his death. Thanks to the Grail summoning he's vaguely aware of what happened since it was relevant to him. The timbre of his voice change into more solemn tone. ] Tuatha Dé Danann lost their divinity and retreated back to the Otherworld.

When you want I can come over and tell the stories. For some, like this one, I will probably need to do some digging myself. I was no longer there when this happened.

[darkestbefore]

[ Tuatha Dé Danann was a title she'd also stumbled across a time or two, but not as often as some of the others she'd found in lore. Again, there was so much muddled in what was myth or story or actual tales that she had a hard time telling what was what.

Which is why she smiles at him gratefully and nods. ] I would appreciate that, I really would. So much of the stories of her and her people seem lost, or jumbled in myth and lore. If you can help me better understand even a little of what I've uncovered about her, I would greatly appreciate it.

In exchange, if there's anything I can help you with, in adjusting to your new role here - or anything, really - I hope you will let me know?

[futhark]

That sounds like an absolutely fair deal. [ He wasn't aware how much exactly was lost, how much forgotten, but it's been an incredibly long time. People tend to remember better when you write things down ]

I'll probably need a helping hand from a more experienced god, especially since I'm... out of my time, so to speak. I greatly appreciate your offer, Yona.

[ And he gets to pat that redhead once again. Sorry, you're just tiny enough to keep doing this ]

[darkestbefore]

[ It's okay, she's really getting used to it. Siiiiigh. ]

Oh, trust me, few understand feeling out of time here better than I. [ She gives a small, wry laugh. ] My poor shinki has had his hands full. Although I was fortunate to be given a partner who understands this world and the things in it. So I am happy to pass along what I have learned as well. Or, at least, if I cannot answer myself, I can help you find someone who can. [ Shizuo and Izumo had always been patient about answering all her questions. ]