013 | Down To Business

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Training
When: Morning June 16
Where: Bishamon's temple
Summary: Training sessions for everyone to learn more about their abilities and jobs!



Many people have been wanting to know more about their abilities and what they are required to do here in the Far Shore. So, in conjunction with Bishamonten, the Heavens have seen fit to offer an open training session for everyone to participate in. Here you will be able to learn anything and everything about what you should be able to do and what is expected of you in your new positions.

Bishamon's temple is sweeping and gorgeous, having previously been home to hundreds of shinki. She has graciously offered to hold this training session and will be available to help anyone who needs it.



Equipment

Various kinds of mannequins and dummies have been provided for practice, as well as targets that are either stationary or move, depending on your will. Punching bags, jumping blocks, and a large pool area have also been provided for your use, so that you can find a tool for pretty much anything that you might need to practice. Plenty of practice weapons of various weights, sizes, and shapes are also available upon request from any of the many white-clad shinki that are also attending today.

God Training

Bishamon herself will be the foremost source of information regarding being a god and what is expected of you. It is also encouraged that gods group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies. Random groupings can be provided by the mods or you may come up with your own groupings together.

Shinki Training

Various shinki are available to help with shinki training, including Kazuma and all of Bishamon's shinki. Additionally, the white-clad shinki will be more than happy to train you on using the borderline and some of the basics of what is expected of a shinki. It is also encouraged that shinki group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies. Random groupings can be provided by the mods or you may come up with your own groupings together.

Refreshments

There is a refreshments table provided. It is covered with light snacks and various kinds of hydrating drinks. There is a little sitting area set up for people to relax in after they have finished their training or if they're even just taking a quick break to cool down. The Heavens want you to stay in good condition!

In Summary:

• Use the state of the art equipment
• Learn about your job
• Form groups to practice
• Don't get dehydrated
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[nibelungvalesti]

Yes. That is life.

[Simple and absolute. Utterly true in Asgard, where the Aesir and the Vanir are ever at odds, and one day soon Ragnarok will pit each against the other to see who triumphs. True on the personal level as well, for the Valkyrie and her Einherjar, who must fight evil and monstrous beings in all their forms as duty. And true here.]

If you intend to simply offer the creatures we must face here your neck, then do so and free up your mantle for someone more deserving.

[priforprince]

[ Oh. You must have Hibiki confused with a war god or something. She does possess an aura of might and magnificence, so Hibiki understands now. There's no issue. ]

I believe it fits me comfortably, thank you.

[ Perhaps you missed the exhibit about herself she'd hosted earlier. But if that's your mindset, you're unlikely to have gotten much out of it...

What a pity. In any case, she's never met an occasion she couldn't rise to, so: ] There's no need for concern.

[nibelungvalesti]

So you intend to abrogate your responsibilities.

[The message had been clear enough. They had duties and responsibilities. Battle against the creatures known as ayakashi is one of them. A failure to fight is a failure to serve, is abandonment of humanity.]

[That cannot stand. She may not have her blade drawn, but there is edge enough in her voice to cut and sharpness enough in her cold glare to pierce.]

[priforprince]

I said nothing of the sort.

[ Edge right back at you. Hibiki doesn't get where all this hostility is coming from - she's quite aware gods have responsibilities, and she intends to fulfill them. Her way.

Surely the divine are granted that much leeway, and even if not, she'll seize it for herself regardless.

She puts her teacup down on its saucer, off to the side. ] Or are you the arbiter of everyone's behavior? That must get tiring.

[nibelungvalesti]

You still exist. [She considers that enough of an answer as to whether or not she truly intends to monitor the actions of her peers. How little patience she has for those who would willingly allow the world to plunge into darkness! And to her mind, refusing to battle the ayakashi permits just that.] A fate more fortunate than the ones whom you will not defend.

[priforprince]

Care to try me?

[ Honestly, Hibiki is confused and BSing at this point. Yes, she knows about ayakashi, but she hasn't had a chance to fully Experience them yet. No one's told her about the zombies, either.

But it sure does sound like you're saying there's something she can't do. And that won't stand. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

"Trying" would require effort. [Ice can burn too, can't it?]

[Lenneth regards her coldly for one second more, then turns her head slightly. Tiny as the motion is, it sets the braid that hangs down to her ankles swinging, magnifying its effect dramatically.]

You have only expressed an intention. We shall see how you behave when faced with an actual challenge.

[priforprince]

I'll face it gladly. [ Now, do you mean this instant or just some hazy future when you think she, a god of performance, is going to be fighting? Because she totally can fight. Just doesn't see why she would.

Hibiki leans forward in her chair just in case she needs to get up. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

'Willingness' is meaningless. You defeat the challenge or you do not. The results alone matter. Your choice here says that you welcome failure. It is as simple as that.

[All the willingness in the world to battle those who oppose you is so much trash if you fail. If you make no difference, you made no difference.]

[priforprince]

Would you care to sample that defeat, then?

[ Granted, she'd have to go get a weapon. But this is getting ridiculous. Either test her, and see she knows what she's about, or get out of her sight, if you aren't going to trust her. Hibiki has nothing riding on your opinion of her, and she knows she's good.

You're the one who doesn't matter. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth regards her in icy silence for a very long moment, the goddess motionless as a statue.]

If this is truly the path you wish to walk, I shall oblige you.

[priforprince]

Name your weapon.

[ Hibiki will drain her tea while this decision is made. No point in letting it grow cold while she's busy putting you in your place. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

I battle with swords and bows. [That is, in fact, two weapons, but Lenneth seems -- not so much unwilling to compromise as not even aware that a compromise might be needed. Why should she constrain herself to one weapon when switching them can provide a concrete tactical advantage in battle?]

[priforprince]

Archery, then. [ Showing restraint. Hibiki has no idea what she's up against the most confidence in her swordsmanship.

She sets her teacup aside and stands, looking over at the equipment. ] Horseback, or standing?

[ She seems to figure one can always procure horses whenever one wishes them. That is how her life has gone, thus far. ]

[nibelungvalesti]

I have no need of a horse.

[The sword at her side disappears in a flicker of light, and in its place a bow coalesces in her free hand with that same mystic shine. No quiver appears to accompany it, because she has no need of physical arrows either.]

[priforprince]

[ ...and that's when Hibiki gets the first inkling that perhaps she and this god are operating on two different planes.

She blinks the sensation away, however, and nods. ] Excuse me a moment.

[ Note to self, while turning to head for equipment tables: find out why her sword didn't accompany her here. And perhaps replace it.

The neighbors can get rowdy.... ]

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth stands motionless as a statue, only her eyes following Hibiki as she waits. She at least expects nothing dishonorable from the woman -- no sudden turning on her with a nocked arrow, for example. Hibiki gets that much credit in her mind.]

[priforprince]

[ That's not Hibiki's style, no. Where is the triumph in a rigged competition? Fair and square, with no punches pulled. And, of course, an overwhelming victory.

For her.

Ah, here's a bow. Hibiki lifts it, considers, determines it's up to snuff, selects arrows. There has to be a range around here with bulls' eyes if there's -

Thought so. A course with moving targets. Hibiki smirks and heads back over, one hand on her hip, the other carrying her bow. ] This way.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth traces Hibiki's gaze, then looks back to the other woman, her expression unreadable.]

...You believe a true measure of skill in battle lies in striking harmless targets?

[Lenneth does not need to put more than a shade of a skeptical tone in her voice to sound utterly dismissive of the thought.]

[priforprince]

Would you prefer I shot you?

[ Because that's the only other option that's immediately presenting itself to Hibiki, and while she won't disoblige, it doesn't seem prudent.

If they need a workaround, though, she's good at roundabout thinking that makes no sense to anybody else those. ]