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]

To gain the power and position of a god is no small compensation. [But even as she speaks, the Valkyrie's mind jumps ahead, chaining thoughts and conclusions together. Little sign of this shows on her face, save that she turns her attention back to the relic.] Can others use your relic, or is it bound to you?

[declamando]

I suppose. [There's a gentle smile there, because Maria doesn't quite want to admit she doesn't consider herself fit for the role. But the other question distracts her soon enough, because it's a difficult one to explain without it sounding confusing again.] It's...complicated, but I'd call it bound to me. It's very rare for someone to synchronise with a relic enough to use it, and even I don't synchronise well enough with mine to use it without damaging myself, but the only other person I've known to be able to use it was my little sister, Serena.

[And the use of "was" combined with the sudden heaviness to Maria's words at the end there may contain a conclusion of their own.]

[nibelungvalesti]

I see.

[Yes. That answers a great deal. The Valkyrie ponders offering some reassurance that her sister no doubt earned a place in the heavens... but perhaps now is not the time.]

So the answer is yes, but with such rarity it might as well be no. What determines the ability to synchronize?

[declamando]

Something physical, I think. The relics respond to and are maintained by our singing, but myself and a friend of mine were both able to wield the relic Gungnir when our registers and styles of singing are very different, so it isn't just that. There's a drug called LiNKER that's used on people like me to increase our synchronisation to the point we won't hurt ourselves using our relics, but it wears off quickly and I honestly have no idea what the science behind it is.

[Given they hadn't even been able to create more of it since the experts in heretical technology had all gone evil on them, Maria doesn't even have an inkling of the complexity and work involved. She does look somewhat apologetic for her lack of information, but she can't really answer more than that.]

[nibelungvalesti]

Your singing?

[This just took a very curious turn, and dark besides. The Valkyrie folds her arms, head lowering slightly as she considers this tail. Physical ties, a response to sound, drugs, death...]

Your circumstances must have been dark indeed to rely on that relic. Has becoming a god improved matters for you at all?

[declamando]

Yes. It's a bit unusual, but that's what the relics react to best. [That, at least, is said in a very certain tone, because Maria's seen what happens when people try to force relics to react to other methods. It doesn't tend to go down well.

Lenneth's next remark is one Maria has to consider for a few moments before answering, and even then, she still sounds a little uncertain when she answers.]

...It's hard to say. I can still help people when they need it here, but not as effectively as I could in my world. And there's still all kinds of things here I don't really understand that get in the way of that.

[nibelungvalesti]

I was referring specifically to the relic. Would it not seem that divine strength could more capably wield such a device than mortal? [This is not a slur against mortals, merely a recognition that the two beings are quite difficult. Of course, to the Valkyrie's mind, gods are in many ways a world apart -- those that were not once Einjerhar are not human entirely. Though there is little difference between the two on the surface, Lenneth is herself Aesir, not human.]

[declamando]

Ah, my apologies. [That's actually something else Maria has to think about a little, because she's only used her relic here once, and that was a while back. She at least seems more certain in her knowledge when she answers this time, though.]

It's a bit hard to tell, but I don't think it's made too much difference. Airgetlam was always easier on me than Gungir, so the damage was mostly internal anyway, but other than maybe making me a little more resilient, I haven't felt much change. I'm not sure the change to god does much to anyone physically here.

[nibelungvalesti]

Which is patently ridiculous. [Don't mind her irritation.] And yet surely you must have gained something from the process?

[declamando]

That healing ability I mentioned earlier, even if I don't know the details of it. Other than that, I'm really not sure. I haven't done as much fighting as you might expect since I got here.

[She definitely gave the zombies that turned up at that one festival a run for their money, but that had mostly involved either her Symphogear or wielding Natsuru's shinki form against them.]

[nibelungvalesti]

This relative peace astounds me.

Do you wish to learn? [With the implication that she had better lurking in the hard edges of her voice.]

[declamando]

I have to admit, it's surprising to me as well. I can't help but think it won't stay this way for long. [Her tone is thoughtful at that, but with the way Lenneth's voice is edged with that follow-up, Maria's attention turns to her. It's subtle, in the way her eyes faintly narrow and her tone clips, but the fact that this is no unfamiliar territory to her is hard to miss nonetheless.]

I've never stood down from anything that can help me help others.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Good. That is as it should be. Too many others had no interest in their duties.]

I will teach you, then.

[declamando]

[The offer seems to come as somewhat of a surprise to Maria, and she blinks a little before her expression settles into one more of interest. Though she has experience in combat already, learning from a literal god of the battlefield definitely couldn't hurt.]

I'd be honoured to learn from someone with so much experience.

[nibelungvalesti]

It is my duty. [Simple as all that. While technically Maria SHOULD be honored, Lenneth had not Chosen her, so the actual worthiness is in question...]

[But, the Valkyrie admits, she SOUNDS as if she ought to be Chosen. She has no qualms.]

[declamando]

[Maria simply nods in acceptance of that sentiment, since it's one she's familiar with herself. She still considers it an honour, but she's not going to argue the point with the valkyrie if, to her, it's simply duty.

Turning the sword in her hand once more, she flicks it back into a reverse grip.]

Where would you suggest we start, then?

[nibelungvalesti]

The ideal way is to learn by doing... but in absence of any ayakashi to fight, I would prefer to see your abilities as they stand now.

[Without the relic, which Lenneth assumes is implied.]</small

[declamando]

[Without the relic is certainly how Maria is taking it, not least because the relic is too much of a risk to warrant just for practice purposes. So without hesitation, she takes a few steps back to give herself a good distance from the valkyrie, her stance shifting into something more balanced and battle-ready.

She's still holding the sword with that backwards grip, more like what one might usually hold a dagger with.]

Then I'm ready whenever you are.

[nibelungvalesti]

[The style is unusual, but the balance and weighting of that sword will serve for that grip if she favors it. Lenneth draws her own sword with a ringing sound and the faint waver of light behind her back -- but she has no Einherjar to summon, and so that energy subsides.]

[Two shields coalesce out of the ether, one floating before her and one behind.]

Try to strike through my guard.

[declamando]

[There's a short nod from Maria to indicate she understands before she darts forward, obviously used to combat at a moment's notice. Interestingly, she doesn't actually hit the shield first with the sword. Instead, she drives the fist holding the sword into the shield, seemingly testing its resistance and resilience, before twisting her hand sharply and driving the blade into the side of the shield.

Normally, she's used to doing this with energy shields, but she sees no reason not to at least try it on a more literal one.]

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth lifts one arm at an angle, her typical guard posture, as Maria strikes her foremost shield. Said shield has practically no give to it at all, nor does it so much as dent.]

[Mild surprise shows on the Valkyrie's face at this technique.]

Were you attempting to destroy the shield?

[declamando]

[At the very least, Maria isn't going to continue using a technique that clearly isn't working, so she draws back a bit to consider going at it a little differently.]

Sort of. I'm more used to going against energy shields, which can have exploitable weak points to that kind of move.

[And since there's absolutely no give happening there, Maria figures it's time to try getting around it. Coming from below this time, Maria drives her sword up at an angle towards an area that's less protected by the shield as it's positioned right now.]

[nibelungvalesti]

I see.

[Lenneth dodges backwards almost like she's gliding, though she forgoes the counterattack opportunity that presents itself.]

Better. My shields do not break unless I do. Even those without an ether coating -- if you can break them, you are better off breaking your opponent instead.

[declamando]

I'll keep that in mind. [Though Maria prefers not to think about her opponents in terms of breaking them, it's still a sound point.

Since Lenneth seems to be a rather fast opponent, Maria figures it's time to gauge exactly how fast. With a short run-up, she leaps upwards into a forward flip, this time simply driving a heel towards the valkyrie's head from above.]

[nibelungvalesti]

[The Valkyrie is a swift opponent to be sure, but in many ways she relies more on the fantastic durability of an Aesir, or her materialized body, to win through fights. The blow knocks her backwards and down to a knee, but she is on her feet almost immediately once more.]

An excellent blow!