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

[mithrarin]

[It really is, and she has to know that. Dust smiles, very slightly, and a little sad despite the humor.]

Right... Well, how about, would you like some help carrying some of that?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[She pauses a long moment just looking him over in sharp assessment. He's smiling a bit. Is that sympathy? While her pride rejects it, a calmer, colder part of her mind knowing that she can use sympathy to her advantage.

And there's still another part, a smaller part that's still rational that's really not sure what she's doing or what's making her act this way. Without any memories or knowledge about herself, Ayumu's lost in this situation.]

I can do it on -- No, wait. Sure. Take them.

[Her expression is one of utter bewilderment as she slowly hands over some of her spoils.]

[mithrarin]

[Sympathy? Maybe, but his smile is just for how ridiculous her claim is, and how she has to know that.]

[Dust accepts the offered goods, certain that no one here is going to complain. They're open for all, so if she wants to snatch them and eat them elsewhere, who cares? Something else must be driving her like this, and for whatever reason, he wants to help if he can.]

Where are you headed?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[At the moment, Ayumu's a little too confused to know much beyond the fact that she's dead and in a strange place surrounded by people she doesnt know and landmarks she doesn't recognize. But the questions are calming her down a little, appealing to her rational mind and coaxing her away from these irrational, compulsive escape attempts.]

I.. I don't know. Somewhere safer.

[She's feels way too vulnerable and exposed right now.]

[mithrarin]

Not that you have any reason to believe it, but you're safe with me.

[Not that she IS in any danger here, but Dust wouldn't let harm come to anyone if he could help it.]

This is a large temple. Let's get away from the training grounds and further away, okay?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu's eyes narrow just slightly with suspicion. She doesn't know this man at all and luring her away from the temple where at least there's others to hear her scream makes her a little uneasy. But he hasn't done anything to suggest he might be a threat. Quite the opposite, he seems to be trying to help.

After a moment, Ayumu gives a slow, almost reluctant nod. But at least, she's accepting the offer. Maybe getting away to somewhere quieter and more private would help her anchor herself.]

'Kay. But not too far?

[Someone's supposed to meet her here, she thinks, but Ayumu hasn't met them yet. Unless....]

...Are you the one I'm supposed to serve?

[mithrarin]

[Dust nearly drops some of her stuff at the question, and he has to stop walking to get his balance and grip back.]

No. [He can barely answer between shock and laughter.] I'm not a god. I'm just another shinki.

[kagenonadeshiko]

Oh.

[His laughter helps her focus though. Her behavior has been rather silly, hasn't it? She flushes a little in embarrassment but manages a small, genuine smile and she seems much more alert than she did a few minutes ago.]

This place is really confusing. It's hard to tell who's a god and who's a shinki just by looking.

[mithrarin]

[That change in her -- and he can read it in her body language even more than her face, what with being a swordsman and all -- is reassuring, and Dust meets her smile with his own. (Still no eye contact though, but that's nothing personal.)]

And awkward to ask. "Excuse me, but do you have all your memories or did they get knocked out of your head when you died?"

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Her smile widens a bit. She even gives a small chuckle.]

That, too. It's such a bizarre question to ask strangers.

[But it's a little comforting to know she's not alone in this odd... void of knowledge.]

Have you been here long?

[mithrarin]

I don't think it's been that long all told... Sure feels like a long time, though. [Especially since he has no memory of the passage of time to judge by before here.]

[Though he smiles again, sidelong at her.] Maybe I should say I've been here as long as I can remember?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[She chuckles again. That is pretty funny.]

I see. I wonder if it'll become like that for me, too.

[As it stands, Ayumu feels almost like a newborn. Maybe that'll change after she makes more memories in this world.]

[mithrarin]

Don't know. For now -- well, it probably won't make you feel any more full, but let's sit anyway, and you have some food.

[Dust motions to a little spot they'd come to, not far from the training ground at all, but sheltered enough that people who come and go won't be staring at them all the while.]

You're still looking for your god, huh?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu nods and takes a seat on the grass. This does seem like a nice spot. Not too far to be isolated but far enough to give a little privacy.]

I - I suppose I am.

[In her confused state, escape and survival had been at the forefront of her mind but now, she supposes waiting for her god is the right course of action. Ayumu should meet them first, at least.]

But I don't know anything about them. Just that I'm their servant.

[And she'd been too out of sorts to ask for a name or description.]

[mithrarin]

It's not really like that. I mean, sure, we transform to give them power, but there hasn't ever been a servant-master sort of relationship to the interactions. Almost all the gods are just people like us, except they didn't die and lose their memories.

[Dust drops down himself, sprawling out on the ground in a fashion a little more ungainly than one would expect of him.]

But the Far Shore just doesn't tell shinki what's going on. I'm trying to find a way we can fix that, but...

[kagenonadeshiko]

Aren't we supposed to be their protectors? That sounds like a life of service to me...

[She doesn't sound the least bit put off by the prospect of it. If anything, she gives off the air of being completely comfortable with the idea. There is a visible hint of sympathy toward the notion of the gods being just as new to this place.]

More information would be helpful. The pamphlets are nice but a little overwhelming, I suppose.

[mithrarin]

We're supposed to be... their guides. Their moral compasses, I guess. [Which goes to show, in Dust's mind, that the 'old' gods here either don't have shinki or have corrupted their shinki over time to forget that morality. So much happens they ought to get stung over, but don't.]

I'm here to answer what I can. Ask away.

[kagenonadeshiko]

Moral compasses...

[So the position's a little more complicated than just a bodyguard. She reflects on that for a bit before asking.]

How do we know we're a good moral compass for them?

[She gets the idea of what it's supposed to do but she's a wee bit lacking in the morals department.]

I'm not sure how to do that.

[Was morality covered in the pamphlet? Maybe she should check it.]

[mithrarin]

If you feel guilty, they get stung. That's really what it amounts to. So if your god tries to make you do something you would feel bad about, they pay for it.

That's the theory anyway. [He's not assuming she has no morals, of course.]

[kagenonadeshiko]

Oh, I see.

[It sounds a little too roundabout and indirect for her tastes but maybe she can pick it up. Making her god pay when he does something that makes her feel bad, that sounds simple enough. Ayumu's sure she can come up with ideas for that kind of guidance.]

Thanks. I think I get it now.

[mithrarin]

[Dust has no idea what she's thinking, and would be quite unhappy if he did. Instead, he leans back against a tree, nodding.]

Beyond that... this is where you start trying to make new memories. Hopefully good ones.

[kagenonadeshiko]

Making new memories to replace the old sounds like the best way to go about living here.

[The past is past and dead now, isn't it? Who and what she was no longer matters. Whatever life she'd lived before, Ayumu has a second chance at everything if she's brave enough to take it.

And judging from the scars on her body, Ayumu doubts the life she'd lived before was a happy one.]

[mithrarin]

[Dust has to agree on that latter point. Those don't look like the scars you get from wounds sustained in combat.]

[Not that he'd know for sure. He doesn't have any, and he's pretty sure he fought while he was alive. But who knows?]

The people here are generally pretty decent. All of them, not just the gods. It can be a little rough going at first, though, so don't get discouraged.

[kagenonadeshiko]

Thanks.

[She might be used to things being rough, she thinks. The concept of an easy, carefree life doesn't really sit well with her, but peace - a peaceful afterlife would be pleasant, indeed.]

I'll try my best to fit in here.

[Not giving into panicked, compulsive behaviors would probably be a good start.]

[mithrarin]

Do you -- well, I know it might be hard to say, but what do you think about fighting?

[He turns to glance backwards at the training grounds they'd left behind.]