thenearshore | 013 | Down To Business

Entry tags:

013 | Down To Business

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~

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(The answer breaks her free of her thoughts and she takes in the rather exotic woman - there is certainly no one attired like her on Westeros. Yuri seems more suitable for the East? Essos? Though Sansa has never visited that far off continent. Smoothing her hands down her skirt, she lifts her chin, frowning faintly.)

I thought the gods would be better than humans. (Strong. Untouchable. How else do they retain control? Respect?)

I suppose I was talking to myself all those years I spent in prayer.

Well... [Yuri takes a breath and straightens, realizing this discussion is going to take more brain power than she might actually have when running on three days of catnaps and coffee.] I'm sure the ones that came before us were, in a way. They at least knew the role they were born into; we were all-- or most of us, at least--were humans before this. So it's natural we brought a bigger touch of humanity into the roles now. We can't really change suddenly just because a higher power pulled us from our homes, gave us powers and new names and domains to look after and declared us new gods against our will.

[There's a touch of bitterness that appears as her words continue, but she seems to realize it and blinks, pushing her hair behind her ear to distract herself from it.]

And maybe you were. But did it bring you comfort or strength or hope or something when you prayed anyhow?

That seems...misguided to me. (Or maybe it's absolutely right. The Seven hadn't answered her. If they are humans too, it's a wonder they can fulfill even a handful of prayers in the span of a day. Surely her voice must have been drowned out.) How can we do what is right - what is expected - if we have no experience? Our minds are sullied with humanity. I imagined the gods to be detached from human failings.

(Even if she had hoped - prayed so hard - for empathy.)

No.

Trial and error. [Yuri shrugs, her expression, though muted, seems to be a clear apologetic 'sorry that's as good as we got' sort.] No one starts perfect, unfortunately, but I think most of us were given roles that have something in common with us, which makes it a little easier. Of course, we're all also pretty new-- most of the new gods have only been around for a couple of months now, I think.

[And...ah. Alright. Not the answer she was expecting and therefore not one she has a response prepared for. Yuri just sort of nods in acceptance of that--she won't push it. She'll just continue trying to explain the god roles or...something.]

Your main job is to fight ayakashi with a shinki partner; I think that's all whoever is really in charge wants from us. As long as you can learn how to wield your shinki, you'll do alright. [She tilts her head curiously again]

What god are you? If I can ask.

I shall do all I can for my followers. (If that is how it must be, so be it. She is a god, but this is the hand she has been dealt.) Will we ever be returned to our previous lives? I do not expect my family to understand that I have been taken into the service of a goddess.

(Poor Jon. Her stomach churns just thinking of him looking for her.)

How do I find my shinki? (Is it through instinct? Dali is a loud presence, urging her to release her tightly bound courtesies and give into the wild Stark spirit that lies beneath. She wants her to be a wolf.)

Dali. She is of the Georgian mythos.

I... don't know the answer to that. [She winces slightly, feeling bad.] From what I understand, they've been working on figuring out how to send us home, but... [Yuri trails off with an apologetic shrug. If they'd found a way, these new gods likely wouldn't be hanging around, she suspects.]

I think they may find their way to your temple, your new home, later. Amaterasu-- she's the head god, I suppose you can say-- Her shinki [Yuri gestures to one of the white-robed women wandering around] can answer pretty much everything. They might have a list somewhere or something, they'll help you find them.

[Yuri hesitates a moment and glances around again to make sure there are no obvious shinki within earshot and lowers her voice. Her fingers fiddle with her sleeves in faux-casualness, picking at invisible threads.] Let me give you some advice: Be careful with your shinki. Most of the shinki are people taken from their homes like us, but...different. They've died, supposedly, [But that's another conspiracy theory] and lost all of their memories. When you name a shinki and become partnered with them you get a... a vision, of their last moments. You can never talk to them about it. The old gods here call it 'God's Greatest Secret.' You can't bring up any mention of the lives they might've had before they came here, even if you knew the person from your old life, because if they start to remember they turn into monsters--into ayakashi.

[Yuri glances up from her sleeves, eyeing Sansa seriously, waiting to make sure she understands this.]

(She is silent, her gaze shifting briefly to the white-robed woman. Sansa is not afraid to approach anyone - or so she tells herself - yet even in her most defensive state, she must admit that it is easier speaking to someone who is, more or less, her equal. ~~She does not have a comforting record with royalty and that is perhaps the category for Amaterasu and her shinki.~~)

Thank you. (Her expression softens into a slight smile. Yuri shouldn't feel bad for helping her! The Seven and the Old Gods know she needs guidance.

Face paling, her smile disappears and she bites her lip.) Are all the ayakashi shinki who have remembered their pasts? The failings of the gods created them and the gods are meant to destroy them?

(That is nauseatingly ironic.)

No. [Yuri's quick to assure her, shaking her head.] Not all-- not even most. It's pretty rare for a shinki to turn into an ayakashi. [Okay so it's happened like twice or so in the past couple months but she's reasonably sure that's not common.]

The ayakashi are more like... malicious spirits and bad energy given form. I... suppose shinki and ayalashi aren't too different from each other, if a shinki can become one, but as far as I know it isn't reversible. [Yet, maybe. But it does raise some interesting questions...

Yuri pauses for a moment, before deciding to get back to a nicer sort of topic. No conspiracy theories on the first day, Yuri!!] You said you were Dali, right? I haven't heard of Georgian mythology before... [It's interesting and she eyes Sansa curiously] Do you know much about her? [She assumes 'no' based on Sansa's... everything. Yuri's willing to bet she's from a world with a completely different system of religion, or maybe some medieval past.]

Would we recognize the ayakashi that were once shinki? (Does it matter? Their fate seems sealed.) Can they slay gods if they are left to rampage?

(Sansa is ready for all the conspiracy theories. It's best to get them out of the way; that way, she cannot be surprised unawares later.)

Yes. I only know that she is a goddess of the hunt with a fondness for animals. (Something they share, truly, though they might argue when it comes to creatures like bears.) I need to visit her temple. My temple.

(How odd to say such.)

It would not surprise me if she had hunting hounds there.

I don't think so. [To the recognition bit. As for the other thing:] There's a reason we have to use shinki in their weapon forms to fight the ayakashi. Just brushing against one gives us this thing called a 'blight' and if left untreated it can kill us.

[Goddess of the hunt? There's a couple of those, she thinks, so Sansa's probably in good hands if she needs some help.] I think there are a couple hunting goddesses like that around, so I'm sure they'd be able to help you if you get a little lost.

[She realizes now, belatedly, she's never introduced herself either. She bows politely.] My real name is Yuri, by the way. Pleased to meet you. Here, I'm Ixtab. She's a Mayan goddess, of-- Um. [Here Yuri pauses, looking a tad-- embarrassed? Reluctant? She's pestered Sansa enough about her god-identity, it's only fair Yuri reveal as much. There's a soft sigh and she continues:] She's--I'm-- the goddess of suicides.

(How can the shinki be helped if the gods cannot even touch them? Sansa knows, in her situation, that it is foolish to pity anyone other than herself, but she cannot help feeling bad for them.)

I hope a cure can be found. But it is already too late for many, I assume.

(If any shinki comes under her protection/guidance, she will keep their past hidden from them utterly.)

Thank you. There is some comfort in not being alone. (A small smile curves her lips and she gives a curtsy.) Well met, Yuri. You are welcome to call me Sansa. (Not Lady Stark since Winterfell is in another world entirely.)

Is she...? (She cannot help looking a little distant.) Do you support that choice?

[Yuri draws herself up some, straightening her posture despite her exhaustion. This is a topic she likes to think herself well-versed in by now-- which is both a good thing and a bad thing, probably. No one should be this comfortable or knowledgeable about death, especially not this kind, but she supposes it comes with being a god now.]

It's their choice to make. I won't condemn them for it. The prayers I get-- Sometimes, people just want to know someone is listening, that someone will come to them. They don't want to actually die, they want someone to care. So, I'll come. I'll let them talk, but I won't convince them one way or another, that's not my place. I'll save them if they change their minds.

But... Some are certain. They've made their choice and won't back down, and I help them too. I take their pain for them and the 'sin,' so their soul can move on unburdened. [She smooths out the sleeves of her robes, sighing softly, and she watches Sansa quietly for her reaction to all of this. Yuri had been on that ledge too many times to judge anyone for being there too.]

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013 | Down To Business

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