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

shinki training

[freezetheheavens]

[He feels the instinctive ping and it has him looking for the shinki. He's not sure how these assignments quite work, but it's easy enough to spot him training.

Toushirou stays out of the way, arms crossed as he watches Alibaba train. There's some respect there as he watches him go through the movements. It's a bit refreshing, though he's still not sure how to think about him yet, so he's content to watch for now until the other is finished.]

[flamebearer]

[ He's managed a Borderline so far, the barrier springing up after several tries and holding solid. Trying to figure out how to make it cut is a different challenge, however, and giving him a little trouble.

He's pretty sure the training dummy is mocking him. ]

[freezetheheavens]

[He almost snorts at seeing Alibaba's growing frustration.]

...Having trouble there?

[flamebearer]

[ He jumps a little at the voice and then looks embarrassed, rubbing at the back of his neck as he shoots the unknown person a grin. ]

It's harder than it looks. Do you know how?

[freezetheheavens]

Unfortunately not. It's a technique reserved only for shinki, after all.

[...That ping is stronger, damn it. Toushirou furrows his eyebrows.]

....What's your name?

[flamebearer]

Ah! [ He straightens imperceptibly at this, giving the other a very intent once-over. ] Are you one of the gods, then? I'm sorry. I didn't realize.

I'm Alibaba. [ He gives the god a bright smile, offering his hand in greeting, ignoring the strange lurch he felt when he did that. It had happened a couple times so far but he wasn't sure why. ] Alibaba Saluja.

[freezetheheavens]

...Hitsugaya Toushirou, but you can just call me Hitsugaya.

[He does take his offered hand, though.]

Has any of the shinki that greeted you here tell you anything?

[flamebearer]

[ Alibaba just smiles and nods, shaking the god's hand in greeting. The name means absolutely nothing to him - yet, anyway. ]

Hitsugaya, then. And, uhhh. Some? They talked a lot, but there were some things that didn't make a lot of sense yet. And some of the questions I had they told me to save for when I met my god.

[freezetheheavens]

[Yet.

Toushirou holds back a sigh.]

...Please tell me that they told you the name of your god, at least. [Just so that he's sure this ping is really the same he felt when he first met Yosuke.]

[flamebearer]

Ahh, no? Just told me they'd find me at Training. [ Which has him pausing, studying Hitsugaya seriously. ] Are you....?

[freezetheheavens]

[Amaterasu's shinki; he expected more from you.]

...Your god. [That's a confirmation, at least. And not a lie since he did find Alibaba at Training.]

[flamebearer]

[ His eyes widen slightly at this admission and then he gives a little jerk before offering a polite bow. ]

Ahh, then... It's a pleasure to meet you.

[freezetheheavens]

You don't have to bow.

[...Please don't. He's used to it from his subordinates back home, but this is different.

He never did enjoy his status of a god so far.]

[flamebearer]

Ah..? [ A startled look at his god's face and he's quickly straightening again, looking a little embarrassed. ] Right. Sorry. They didn't.... really tell us what sort of manners were expected of a shinki.

Umm. What sort of god are you, Hitsugaya? [ He has to bite down the instinctual urge to tack on some sort of honorific or title there. Was he really supposed to be so informal with a god? ]

[freezetheheavens]

It differs between each shinki, but you're fine to be informal with me.

[Being shown formality is different here because he has a status he didn't work hard to get. It doesn't feel right.]

Kuraokami. It's known to be the Shinto deity of rain and snow. [Ironic once you see why.]

[flamebearer]

Snow? [ Alibaba perks up at that, looking intrigued. He doesn't know why, but there's a sense of excitement that comes with that understanding, like it's a special thing. ] I see! This is what you get Prayers for, then?

[freezetheheavens]

[The excitement briefly surprises Toushirou as evident by him blinking at Alibaba.]

For the most part, yes. But prayers can differ and a few odd ones do come in once in a while. [Like the last prayer he went on with Goten.]

[flamebearer]

Odd? [ To be fair, he's not sure what most prayers could be about anyway, but he wants to know more. Especially if he can help his god in this way. ] What makes a prayer odd?

[freezetheheavens]

We can get a few prayers requesting us to take care of animals, to help someone go to a dance, or etcetera. It depends on the person praying, but...

[Toushirou blinks and eyes Alibaba a bit.]

Once you're settled, it might be good to take you out on a prayer with me. You're also free to answer some prayers yourself or with another person if I'm not available to do them with you.

[Just so you know that you're not stuck with him most of the time doing prayers.]

[flamebearer]

With others? [ Alibaba blinks at this distinction, looking a little surprised by this. That's not what the pamphlet had hinted at. Although that part had been a little confusing for him, to be fair. ] You want me to... serve others too?

[freezetheheavens]

It's not 'serving', Alibaba. If there's a friend you want to go on a prayer with, you can - I won't stop you. There's nothing that says a god and shinki pair have to tackle everything together unless it involves in ayakashi.

[The concept of nora'ing still baffles him a bit, but he won't touch on that part yet.]

We're comrades. I won't dictate what you want to do or who you do it with.

[flamebearer]

Oh! [ That makes... a little more sense, at least. Sort of? ] There are ones that don't have ayakashi? Besides... aren't gods the ones that get the prayers?

But, ahh. Thanks. That makes me feel a little better. This whole... shinki thing feels pretty weird. Sorry if it takes me a bit to understand what I'm supposed to do.

[freezetheheavens]

The gods do, but shinki are still free to answer them on their god's behalf. [Like Goten did. And Munakata.

Those were fun.

He gives him a nod.]

It's fine. I don't mind helping you get adjusted, and I have-- [A pause.] A friend who's willing to help you adapt, too.

[flamebearer]

[ Alibaba nods, absorbing that information. More ways he can help then, that's good.

He tucks his hands behind his back, rocking back on his heels for a moment as he listens intently. ]

A friend?

[freezetheheavens]

He's another shinki as well. While not my shinki specifically, he's still someone who has offered to help you should you need it.

[He'll just...leave out the fact that he named Goten and Goten is his temporary nora'd shinki.]