May Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: July 15
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods (although there's none this time) and shinki



The product of many meetings and recommendations, at last it has taken shape. On this day, in anticipation of the new arrivals who appear in a recognized pattern, Heaven has partnered with the new gods and shinki to organize a very helpful informational reception.

The shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided kindly towards Bishamon's temple. And in that vast complex they are brought to a traditional-style dojo.
Here the newly arrived gods are gathered, so finding their partner is more simple. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the aspects of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki, or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.




God Training

Bishamon herself, as well as Amaterasu's ever-present shinki and any volunteering gods, will be the foremost source of information regarding being a god and what is expected of them, such as prayers. It is encouraged that gods group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.
Newly arrived gods are still expected to communicate to their shinki the information* they themselves get oriented with when they arrive.

Shinki Training

Various volunteers are stationed around the building, 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 and some of the basics of what is expected of a shinki. It is encouraged that shinki group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.
Bishamon's lead shinki Kazuma offers a lecture to new arrivals that will thoroughly cover some essential points about teamwork with both shinki and other gods.

Physical Training

The dojo is stocked with a wide variety of practice weapons, traditional and modern. There are volunteers here as well, willing to assist in basic training. (Or even more advanced sparring, depending on the volunteer.) Essential for gods who, for example, find themselves with a sword shinki but are at risk of cutting off their own toes.
Also useful for veteran new gods wishing to train with their current partner shinki.

Rest and Refreshments

There is a garden off the dojo that is free to be used for rest and conversation.
Should anyone wander outside the designated area, some shinki of Bishamon's will attach themselves to them and not leave them be until they return to the dojo.

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 just taking a quick break to cool down. Even hand towels are provided by Bishamon's helpful shinki. The Heavens wants everyone to stay in good condition!

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

hak | ota

[thethunderbeast]

shinki training

[Well, he'll let himself be lead to these training grounds without much of a fuss, and he'll do it quietly with arms crossed and his giant weapon slung around his back. All of this information about shinki and gods and what's expected of them both as partners is a bit too much for him to listen to right now, and he might be a tad irked at finding himself in such a situation. So once the lectures are over, he takes to the sidelines for now to watch the others practice this new shinki power that's been bestowed on them. Gee, thanks.

He really has no need for the magic, and out of instinct, the hand at his side nudges at the spear on his back. He'd much rather fight something head on if he needs to, because at least he knows what he's doing, but he bows his head as he recalls the rest of the information that's been provided to them. Vessel forms and powers, working with your assigned god... and he speaks out in a low, contemplative voice to whoever might be standing nearby.]

Borderlines, huh? You'd think them being gods, they could do those things themselves.

physical training

[Once he's been able to take in as much of the information as he's able to, he steps up to the training grounds where a group of people happen to be sparring. Now this is his cup of tea. He pushes past the crowd and unfastens the spear from his back only to slam the end of it onto the ground once he's in the ring, interrupting whatever might have been going on before his arrival, and he's wearing the cockiest of grins.]

Any volunteers?

[He's bored. Entertain him or something.]

rest and refreshments

[After all that, a spot to rest with a drink and maybe even for a nap sounds real appealing. There's talk of a garden off the dojo grounds that's perked his ears with interest, and once he's had enough of the training and listening to all the squabble around him, he journeys to the gardens alone. Upon arrival, hes greeted with an assortment of drinks and snacks, and he thanks the other shinki for the hand towel that he slings around the back of his neck.

Water in hand (boring, I know) and his hsu quandao in the other, he perches himself in a shady spot on the grass beneath a tree. He unfolds the brochure that he had tucked away beneath his robes earlier, but never bothers to read it - instead, it serves as something more tangible of him being here, and dead than what flowery speeches can accomplish. It rests on his lap, and his fingers toy with and crinkle the paper lazily.

After some people watching, he places the water next to him with a shrug and his arms come up to rest behind his head as he slinks further down onto the grass so that he's laying there, and he throws the hand towel over his dripping face to block out the sun. It doesn't take long before he begins to doze off in the warmth while the sound of chatter fades into the background until it's nothing more than noise.

Guess he'll just wait for his god to show up or whatever.

You know what they say - never tickle a sleeping dark dragon...]

wildcard

[Have something else in mind? Hit me!]

are you prepared?

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona had become accustomed to waking to troubling dreams in the middle of the night, especially since coming to live in her childhood home once more. It's been something she's been trying to deal with in her own way - with varying degrees of success - but this morning had taken the nightmares to an entirely new degree, witnessing the deaths of two of her closest companions.

She wakes, shaken and shaking, face buried in her hands to stave off the flow of tears. Only to realize...

She can feel them.

Not just Shizuo any longer, but two other presences as well, connected to her as Shizuo is, as her shinki. And infinitely more familiar.

Jae-Ha. Hak.

She stays frozen there for too long, the visions of their deaths replaying in her memory, not giving her enough cluesas to when and why and while she tries to stay quiet enough that Shizuo won't overhear her, she's probably not successful as she breaks down at the unwanted knowledge.

So it is that it takes her a while to make her way to the Training yard, where she'd been notified the new shinki and gods would be assembled to be found by their partners. There are shadows under her eyes, which are still a little red and puffy despite her best attempts to disguise the signs of her earlier tears. But otherwise she looks carefully composed, even if the appearance of it might be rather fragile at best.

When she doesn't immediately spot either of the people she's looking for, she closes her eyes and focuses on the subconscious pull she can now feel, letting it draw her to where she needs to be.

And she finds him not long after. Hak. Sprawled in the gardens with a towel over his face and apparently napping, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

She wants to cry all over again.

Instead, she approaches with a light step and crouches beside him, not reaching out to touch him yet, but calling his name to see if he will wake. ]

Hak?

nooooope, are you?

[thethunderbeast]

[He had heard the shuffling from beside him when someone had approached and had made the conscious choice to remain still, wondering and waiting to see what they’ll do. At the call of his name, he blinks an eye open from beneath the towel, glaring through it as if the girl on the other side could see his face. Well, at least she’s already got his name. Saves him the effort of introducing himself.

There’s a beat before he finally responds, voice flat, tired, and not in the least bit amused.]

You my god? Took you long enough.

[darkestbefore]

[ She gives an awkward laugh, fingertips rubbing at her jaw in sheepish apology before she reaches out to tug the towel away from his face.

She knows it's him, of course she does. She'd know him anywhere, even without the link she can feel settling into place between them. It does nothing to lessen the pang she feels at seeing his familiar face again - both a comfort and a heartbreaking grief shuddering through her.

He doesn't know her. She knows that, logically. And yet... ]

Sorry I'm late. I didn't mean to keep you waiting. I wasn't expecting... I'm here now?

[thethunderbeast]

Hm?

[Wasn’t expecting what? He doesn’t move from his comfortable spot when she removes the towel from his face, but he does size her up with narrowed eyes when he can finally look at her. He first notices the vibrant red hair and the dark circles beneath her eyes, like she’d been crying. He looks away from her then, and up at the speckles of sunlight poking through the branches.]

You’re tiny for a god. [How tactful. Might as well get right to it.] Do you have a name?

physical training!

[leapinglizard]

[Hak's voice alone carries promise, and Jae-Ha looks towards him with a smirk, pausing midway through testing the weight and feel of a bo staff he'd helped himself to. Hak's confidence is something he appreciates, and he finds himself smiling broadly in reply.]

Looks like it might be an interesting challenge.

[He's game.]

[thethunderbeast]

You seem confident.

[Not that he minds. He taps the rod of his spear against his shoulder a couple of times before his grin widens and something shimmers in his eyes. After watching several matches, he's been aching for a good bit of combat himself against someone who knows what they're doing.

Let's see if this guy lives up to that impression.

He lowers his weapon and points it at the man across from him, bringing it only inches from his face in a playful, competitive manner.]

[leapinglizard]

I know my strengths.

[He doesn't flinch even when then blade comes dangerously close, his smile hitching wider instead. He passes his staff from one hand to the other behind his back, giving it an experimental spin in the process.]

On your mark?

[thethunderbeast]

You better know how to use them.

[The unflinching of the other man pulls his own grin wider, and Hak signals with a nod before bringing his spear around in the first swing, quick and easy and natural. The feeling of the blade shattering the quiet and kicking up the dust at his feet is both exhilarating and oddly familiar, and he only hopes that the other man is fast enough to block it...]

physical training

[spes_phthisica]

I could try, if you don't mind.

[Souji steps forward, smiling politely. The only weapon he has to use is a bokuto, supplied for training to those who don't have weapons at hand - or who maybe shouldn't be trusted with anything bladed while sparring - but it doesn't seem to bother him at all. And skinny and kind of girly-looking thing that he is, his stance is easy and confident.]

I haven't sparred against anyone using a spear before. [Well, he has, but he doesn't remember that.] I think it could be interesting.

[thethunderbeast]

[Not what Hak was expecting, but he holds his stance and confident expression, eyeing the boy in front of him.]

I'm not going to go easy on you.

[He at least had the guts to step forward, so he can respect that.]

[spes_phthisica]

[The reply draws a laugh from Souji, bright and loud and sounding rather younger than he is - but that is really par for the course with him. Maybe it's the boyish timbre to his voice, or just those wide and currently delighted eyes.]

Oh, I'm glad. That would be a bit insulting. [Cocky little thing.] And I wasn't planning on going easy on you either. I've got better manners than that.

[thethunderbeast]

[He gives his spear a spin over his head and brings it down so that he’s holding it in front of him, pointing it at the boy.]

I’ll give you a head start.

[Even if he can’t remember anything about his life or how he came to get this particular weapon, his muscle memory remains the same as ever. The spear has a familiar weight to it, and he carries it as though he hasn’t lost his memories of it at all.]

Shinki Training

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi chuckles a bit as she approaches for her turn at being his training partner. ]

Gods can do all kinds of things, it's true... but Borderlines aren't one of them.

[ She gives him a little wave and points to his weapon. ]

Actually if that's your preferred weapon, you should be able to learn it pretty easily. They always say to make your fingers move like a halberd.

[ She demonstrates - as if it were this easy - by swinging her hand down between the two of them. The bright light appears between them and actually stays there, solid and without any visible effort on her part. ]

We protect our god from the ayakashi - this is one way of doing it.

:D!!

[thethunderbeast]

[He doesn’t say anything when she approaches, or when she demonstrates the borderline ability, but simply watches her with an intense sort of interest. The bright light, although he’s already seen others using it, still surprises him, and he lifts a hand to shield his eyes to allow them time to adjust, and when they do, he strolls up to it and lifts a finger to touch it. He hesitates, and looks over his shoulder at the girl.]

What’ll happen if I do?

:3

[pure_radiantics]

You shouldn't feel a thing.

[She's pretty calm about it too.]

All the times I've touched a Borderline wall someone else made, it's just kinda solid like hard glass. You can't get through it unless the caster wants you to get through it. That's how I've been training.

let's get physical~

[bartenderizing]

[ He'd gotten to the training grounds earlier because, after making sure Yona was alright, ultimately it seemed like she needed the privacy to process the things she had to go through. If that's really what it meant to gain a new shinki, Shizuo hoped that the redhead didn't gain anymore. Even if that went against her wish to have more people around. The other reason he went ahead was in hopes of being able to figure out who it was.

Things don't really work out like that. It's not like the connection between a shinki and their god also connected the shinki to one another. (Shizuo was also the worst person to judge on that divine link.)

Really, part of him was already getting irritated with not making any progress, so the slam into the ground was enough to get the tall blond onto his feet and stepping out to the 'field.' A cooler filled with ice packs and glass bottles of milk were settled in the place that he had been. Two of those bottles are already empty. ]

Oi. Don't go interrupting everyone else's hard work.

[ There were plenty of weapons offers to people that didn't have any of their own. Shizuo chose to continue without anything more than his hands and modern fashion sense. ]

Do you really need that much attention?

[thethunderbeast]

Depends.

[He hoists the spear back up onto his shoulders and rests his hands on top of it, his grin hitching wider on one side.]

Are you volunteering?

[bartenderizing]

[ So... That was a yes? Shizuo was only ever in one 'spar' and it didn't go the best, but it'd be a pain if this guy kept interrupting everyone else's attempt at getting better. ]

I guess if that's what it takes. Though I should warn you; I'm not good at staying with the flow of this kinda stuff.

[ It was an actual heads up- apparently that messed with the three-way spar somewhat. ]

shinki training

[eternalshield]

Gods... bit of a spectator sport!

[This is a new one. A shadow passes as he looks over Hak, but it's so quickly replaced by the familiar gratitude for the chance to have more time with him after death that Zeno almost doesn't notice.]

Shinki that want to learn them are much cuter, though.

[thethunderbeast]

Cuter?

[He glances down as if he's inspecting himself.]

Are you saying I'm not cute? [ :( ] I'm wounded.

[eternalshield]

Nothing personal! But Zeno has the world's most cute shinki. It can't be helped. You can aspire to be third-cutest. Maybe even fourth?

rest and refreshments

[handsome_genius]

[ Yoon doesn't know such a saying. He's just amazed anyone can sleep with this cacophony going on. He wanders over, not too close, and then dares to get closer - to kick the man's shoe now that it's getting late. ]

Oi. Last call for training, they said.

[ Because he can't leave well enough alone and just go home now, obviously. He has to be a busy-body and make sure other people - especially new people - got the memo too. ]

If you're tired, go sleep at your own temple.

[thethunderbeast]

[That sure is someone kicking his foot right now, but Hak doesn't budge. The only movement that comes from him is a careless and dismissive hand waving through the air before it flops back to his stomach. From beneath the towel, his voice is muffled and sleepy.]

I've already trained enough today. Let me know if they teach you anything new.

[... Besides, he has no idea where his temple even is. He's still waiting for her to return so that he can go sleep there instead. The ground is only comfortable for so long, after all.]

[handsome_genius]

How would you even know if they taught me anything new? What, you know all of the shinki spells there are to learn? I've never even seen you before.

[He crosses his arms over his chest, very unconvinced. He doesn't even know all of the spells there are, let alone is he capable of casting all of them. This magic stuff is hard.]

Or did you only mean the physical stuff.