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

[bussounoshima]

[Sharak nods in agreement.] I can't verify anyone else I've named, just you and Genjo.

[Neither Kainé nor Celty had anyone around Sharak could ask, as far as she could tell. Not everyone is as obvious as the Saiyuki cast.]

Either memories are being altered beyond what we already know shinki forget, or we're being taken and returned before enough time passes for anyone to notice. [... Well, those are the two most simple answers.] That or we're dealing with branching timelines, but you remembering your time as a shinki contradicts that.

[reformedsinner]

Yes. There's something... odd about my memories of my time here before, though. I didn't remember them until I returned here, for one thing, and I couldn't say exactly when on my personal timeline I was here before.

Even if our memories are accurate now, there's no doubt they're being altered to an extent.

[Beyond shinki's forgetting. But the fact that that wears off in patches, too, makes it clear that the memories lost are caused by something more than the natural state of being for shinki.]

[bussounoshima]

I would have hoped that you'd say something about being kidnapped across worlds, in the time it took you guys to reach my turf. If you guys were keeping secrets like that, I'd be a little annoyed.

[Because she's such an open book with her allies. No mysteries with Sharak Sanzo.]

If the new shinki aren't really shinki, we can assume whoever is bringing us here just has free reign over our memories whatever role we're given.

[reformedsinner]

Why, we certainly wouldn't have kept a secret like that. Genjo spent quite a while telling you about our trip, didn't he?

[So if she failed to be informed about anything it's Sanzo's fault. Hakkai smiles cheerfully.]

That does seem like a good working theory, doesn't it? I'd say the priority is still discovering who's responsible for our appearance.

[bussounoshima]

He's not even here and you're still helping him take responsibility... What a reliable team Genjo has.

[He's so fortunate. Sharak is jealous.]

That hasn't changed. I don't suppose you've suddenly remembered any significance to crop circles we missed before?

[reformedsinner]

There's no need to flatter us. I'm sure he'd take responsibility himself if he were here to do it.

[Instead of being back with Jeep and the others, or plunged into oblivion, or whatever else might happen to souls that have been, but are no longer, unwilling residents of the Heavens.

He taps a finger against his chin.]

Not as such. I have a few ideas for following that up, though. Suijin hasn't told you anything further since I disappeared?

[bussounoshima]

[Maybe they do just toss them back where they belong while they don't need them. It seems to have been what they did with Hakkai, for the few days that was. It's nice to hope.]

I haven't heard from her. You didn't miss much, beyond some fires and fuss. [It was more or less impossible to miss Hibari's rampage entirely.] What are you thinking?

[reformedsinner]

If that mark is related to our appearance because it's the remnants of a spell that pulled us in, could there be more than one? We're appearing in waves at regular intervals. I plan to check for worldwide news reports of any similar phenomena, and if I find them, to look at the timing.

[He doesn't expect to find them all. Not every place is as small, and regularly trafficked, as the Isle of Man; there are plenty of wilderness areas where a strange dead circle that size would never be noticed at all.

Perhaps he should be considering satellite photographs instead.]

If it starts looking like they match up to our appearances, we'd have a schedule and a signal to look for a place where the person casting this spell will actually be.

[bussounoshima]

I might have to have a word with "Aidos" about the one they found.

[It's probably just the same as their one, but it's worth asking. And perhaps Suijin let something else slip while talking to them that she held back from Hakkai and Sharak.]

A schedule could be too much to hope for though. Unless you catch one immediately after it appears, and can be sure that's what you did, the appearances are a little too close together to predict that. The circle we found could be months or days old, for all we know. The best way to judge the timing would be to compare the different circles and the intensity of the energy remaining around them, if it does change significantly.

[reformedsinner]

It could be, but I'm wondering if local observers and local news might have more information. Unless most of them are too far from towns or settlements...

[He shakes his head.]

It's just a thought. If it doesn't work out, looking into that organization that left the flyers may be next.... but that may take longer than focusing on the spell.

[Tracking down members of a secret organization, when he doesn't know anything about the organization itself, is a daunting task. Tracking down big circles of dead vegetation that even a normal, living human must be able to sense are 'wrong' -- well, he's hoping that other people may have done the legwork. And possibly put them on Instagram.]

Besides, if the circles are found in areas where that group is active, even if I can't discover a schedule, finding more circles gives us more places to look for them.

[bussounoshima]

[Sharak huffs in frustration.] We already have a better lead on the circles than on the organisation. Whatever they're for, we need to find the rest of them as well.

[If nothing else, they're dangerous to bystanders. Even if they don't lead them directly to the culprits, finding other circles and comparing them could give them more information which they desperately need.]

We can't ignore that "organisation", if that's what they are, of course, but if they keep to their current pattern... We can keep an eye out for them when newcomers are due to arrive. Today seems pretty quiet, but they'll be due again within the next few rounds.

[reformedsinner]

If we can find even one of them, I have quite a few questions.

[Pointed questions. He's not exactly contemplating torturing a captive for information, yet, but only because it tends to produce bad information. Hostile interrogation has just as solid a track record; he can play the evil youkai to Sharak's straightforward priest if it works.]

But yes -- I agree. The fact that they're associated with those circles makes it more urgent, I think, to find out what they've been up to.

When we can find them.

[Which is what his long shot idea with the circles is about, ultimately. If they're not the actual culprits, they must be working closely with them.]

[bussounoshima]

You aren't the only one.

[Bad cop, worse cop. It's better than torture, at least, and Sharak has found that sometimes it's beneficial to have some extra muscle hovering intimidatingly over a suspect, however unnecessary they are. Then again, sometimes a soft word without anyone else nearby works better.]

Tell me if you find another one, I want to compare the magic to the one we found. [Then, dryly:] At least now you won't have to worry about a change in shape.

[No more magic scarves for Iron Crutch Li.]

[reformedsinner]

No, no more flying away on the breezes for me.

[His tone is cheerful, although it's newly bizarre to think back on that, and on how comfortable he'd grown with changing forms. He shakes his head, after a moment, and adds:]

Regardless, I'll let you know what I find. I'd appreciate the second opinion if I do spot another.