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

[yousaytron]

Shinki Training
[You say training? I'm on my way!!

Keith is more than happy to indulge in this sort of practice. Even with the push for teamwork, it's really useful to have an excuse to go about strengthening the skills he can use on his own, and he can always just partner up instead of joining in some huge group, or something like that.]

Hey. [A very blunt approach to anyone in the shinki training area who looks like they might have a spot of free time on their hands, but all right.] Let's practice borderlines.

[Apparently? You get no choice in this? Let's go buddy.]

Physical Training
[The idea is for gods to learn how to wield their new shinki, but Keith can't help but be drawn to the area with all the weapons in the interest of his own self defense. The bladed weapons, somehow they feel really... natural in his hands, and after infiltrating the area (pretty much just acting like he's supposed to be there), he can be found practicing with one of the offered swords.

His footwork and stance seem a little... rough, but otherwise he holds no awkwardness when it comes to moving around with the thing.]

It'd be easier up against something.

[Just shadow-boxing can only help him learn so much, after all. Help him out? Get in his way?]

[pure_radiantics]

[Blunt or not, Kairi turns around at his call and smiles at him.]

Sure thing, Keith!

[She holds up her hand in the preparatory stance.]

It's been awhile. You've been practicing them?

[That might be a bit of challenge in her voice.]

[yousaytron]

[Hey, at least she's familiar enough with him that a little bluntness isn't going to ruffle any feathers.]

Of course I have - a lot, recently.

[And he holds his hand up as well, moving into a slightly more solid stance as he takes note of that tone in her voice. Ready?]

[pure_radiantics]

Great!

[But that's when her smile fades into being more serious.]

Bring it on, then.

[She pushes her feet out shoulder-width apart and readies her own hand to retaliate with a Borderline in the attack style if he uses the wall, or a wall to defend against his attack style. She's trying to be prepared either way.]

[yousaytron]

[Knowing Keith, it should be pretty simple to guess how he'd start out practice, and he wastes no time in dishing out an attack borderline.]

Line!

[It's quick, well aimed, and flashes brightly. Hope you're prepared to block it, because he definitely isn't pulling punches with this practice.]

[pure_radiantics]

[Yeah that makes sense to her. Loads of sense. Most people learn the Wall form first and thus prefer it, being better at it on sheer duration of time.

Not Keith.]

LINE!

[She draws her hand down immediately, towards the ground to slash at her feet in as quick a motion as she can. It's possible that his attack will still breach her defenses, though, so she keeps her eyes focused forward to dodge out of the way of the attack if necessary - but mostly to focus her attention on the spot of the wall where she thinks it will impact.]

[yousaytron]

[Keith's borderline, while quick and flashy, fizzles and dissipates shortly after colliding with Kairi's barrier. He doesn't waste any time in sending out a second one,]

Line!!

[Sending it her way, as if to assault her borderline to crack down on it.]

[pure_radiantics]

[She puts both hands up to keep her focus on the barrier wall. Kairi only allows a small smile, but it's enough of a distraction. Keith's quick second Line cracks against her own Line and the both of them shatter together.

Kairi stumbles backward a bit in surprise.]

Woah!

[yousaytron]

[And with that, Keith pauses for a moment, poised to throw out another borderline should he need to, but holding back to keep from tiring himself out needlessly. Besides, he wants to make sure that last attack didn't actually reach her after cracking the barrier.

She looks fine, but just to be certain,]

You alright?

[pure_radiantics]

Hm? Oh, yeah! I'm tougher than I look!

[She flexes one arm. It's not like she can deadlift 100lbs, but it's sturdy muscle there.]

I was just a little startled, that's all. I'm glad you were able to break my line, though! That means I can still get stronger.

[yousaytron]

[Okay, that's good, that means the two of them can keep going. No point in taking this too seriously and getting one of them sidelined for real, or anything like that.]

Good. [Then, right back into the training,] Now let's see you do the same.

[It's not really in the spirit of the work they've been doing up until this point to use the short pause to his advantage, but Keith casts a defensive wall in front of himself, as if to goad her into cracking it down. Let's see what you can do, Kairi.]

[pure_radiantics]

Oh boy... you sure you want to see the best I can do, Keith?

[Now she's the one goading. Regardless, she starts by waving up to the sky.]

Hey Nimbus~?

[The cloud swoops down to Kairi's ankle-height and she jumps on it like a surfboard, then rises up a few feet above where Keith's line is drawn. From there, she says: ]

Borderline!

[And the hand-held form of the attack style which she calls Dagger form appears in her hand. She jumps from the short height in an attempt to drag it down Keith's wall - using the gravity to pull her down more than she could on her own strength alone.]

[yousaytron]

['That's hardly fair!!' he wants to say, but stops himself. What better way for training to actually be practical than to call in unexpected elements? It's a matter of adapting, and honing reflexes, and his are sharp enough to quickly bring his own focus toward his barrier, attempting to strengthen the point of impact to withstand her attack.

It lasts, briefly, fending off the initial assault for a moment or two before the whole thing gives in. Keith's barrier collapses and shatters, while the shinki himself jumps back to avoid any followup attack Kairi may have planned.]

Not bad-! ['Impressive!']

shinki training

[goingbananas]

Hm? Sure. [ It’s what he’s here for, and it’s not as draining on his stamina as the physical exercises are. ]

I’m still pretty shaky with this kind of stuff, anyway.

[yousaytron]

[Ah, good! Having a partner he hasn't met prior should make things interesting.]

Don't practice much? [He's already getting into a proper stance, holding his hand up as if he's ready to cast it at a moment's notice.]

[goingbananas]

Yeah. [ It’s kind of embarrassing to admit, now that he thinks about it. ] I’m too new to have run into anything that needs keeping out like that.

[ Hell, the only time he could recall ever needing to draw a borderline was during the zombie apocalypse thing. And he’d had no idea that he could even pull that off to begin with. ]

[yousaytron]

[It's really something they should be teaching the new shinki immediately, he thinks, but it can't really be helped if the guy is still pretty new, can it?]

It's good to get a head start on learning these things.

[At least, that way, you can be prepared when something does come up. It does make him wonder, though,] You know how to cast one, right?

[goingbananas]

[ You’d think the gods could teach them to their shinki, but no one ever expects Mei to be reliable with anything other than baseball, anyway. ]

Hmm, a little like…this? [ He makes the requisite hand gesture and manages to create a borderline in the air next to him. It’s just as quick to dissipate, however. He shrugs. ]

I don’t think I can pull off stuff like cutting up ayakashi with it or anything like that.

[yousaytron]

[Hey, at least he can do something. That's a better starting point than nothing.]

Well, that's why getting in some practice is a good idea. [A day like this sure makes that point easy, at least. It makes him think, though, maybe he should take it easy on this guy? Hmm.] You'll get better eventually if you keep up practice.

[goingbananas]

Yeah. I hope so. [ None of his usual laid-back approach here—borderlines are serious business if he means to protect himself and his friends from another murderous zombie horde. ]

So, got any ideas on where to start? I’m thinking on making this a little more fun, if you’re up for it.

[yousaytron]

[Fun, huh? Well, practicing together will surely keep things from getting boring on its own, but besides that,]

We could make it a battle, casting wall borderlines versus attack ones, or try and see who can maintain one longer. [He needs a little work on the longevity of his own, anyway.] Unless you had something else in mind?

[goingbananas]

[ He fishes out a baseball from somewhere in the hyperspace of his pockets. ]

We could juggle. [ Bouncing it back and forth like a live action game of Pong…look, he’s not immune to stupid ideas, all right? ]

[yousaytron]

Juggle.

[That's a super goofy idea

but, hell, it could be interesting.]

You know, why not. Let's give it a shot.

[goingbananas]

[ When you live with goofballs… ]

Well then… [ He gives that ball a light toss toward Keith— ] After you!

[yousaytron]

[Sometimes you must become the goofball in order to survive.

Keith takes a step back, putting enough distance between himself and the ball in order to judge it's path easily enough before...] Line! [casting a quick defensive borderline right under it. The wall flares to life quickly, causing the ball to ricochet up and back toward Sanada before simmering down.]