June Intro/Training Log

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: July 26
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods 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.




Divine Bureaucracy

Wasn't it the newly revamped Shinki Agency's job to assign shinki this time... They thought it was the original team of Amaterasu's shinki's job this one last time before Shinki Agency took over the responsibility. Needless to say, when the shinki wake up at the Meeting Hall, there's a lot of shouting. Eventually, one of the Shinki Agency representatives herds the new shinki together and instructs them to please all go to Bishamonten's temple for the time being and they will send a runner with the god-shinki assignments as soon as they can.

New gods and old gods alike will not be notified that there is a mix-up unless they come to Bishamon's temple for Training, until the Shinki Agency can figure out what happened.

Important addendum: For this round, gods still have a vision of how their shinki died, however they can't make out any details, particularly about who they saw die.
Once a shinki of the Agency gives the god the name of their shinki, the god is then able to find them by name. Once they give their shinki a vessel name the god will have the full vision of how their shinki died.

This addition comes in response to some questions and need for clarification. Apologies and thank you for your input.

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:

• New characters are welcome to ask old characters if this mix-up is common (spoilers: it's not)
• New Shinki: Get all the information you can handle from the pamphlets provided (links above and see FAQ)
• New Gods: take what information you can from Amaterasu's shinki (see FAQ) while waiting to find out if you've been assigned a shinki
• Veteran 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

[theunluckygirl]

[Jennifer's body goes very, very still, which should be the clue he needs to understand that, despite anything else she might say, the answer is yes.

Her fingers close around the clean napkins numbly and her eyes shift about anxiously again.]

I... I don't think he'd kill me... [That didn't answer the immediate question-- But then, in a way, maybe it sort of does.] Perhaps just scare me, a little.

[bartenderizing]

[ Even someone like him can tell what that body language means. Honestly, it made him wonder what this asshole did when she was his shinki. ]

Right...

[ He wasn't pleased with the answer- but that wasn't at the girl, so much as her situation. Pulling out his phone, he moves it over to the Add Contacts page before holding it out to the blonde. ]

Here. Put your info down and I'll send a text so you have mine. If you're scared or in danger, go ahead and call or send a text to where you are. Even if it seems stupid or small, just do it. I might not look it, but I'm pretty strong.

[ And with features that automatically seem to give an intimidating aura about him. Shizuo didn't really think he was strong, but it seemed like the thing he should say. He was durable, but saying that didn't make a person less scared. ]

[theunluckygirl]

[She takes the phone, more out of shock than anything else, and looks between it and Shizuo a couple of times. This man didn't even know her, but he was going out of his way this much for her?

She stares down at his phone, numbly typing in her information as she remembers it.] I... Think you look plenty strong. [And despite herself, despite the voice in her head telling her she shouldn't be bothering him so much like this, her shoulders relax and she smiles shyly as she turns the phone back over.]

I feel better, truly, knowing you want to look after me, though I hope I never have to call on you to save me. [no offense, but, you know.]

[bartenderizing]

I know I can look scary.

[ Meaning, with how willowy and light he was, Shizuo had no doubts that he didn't look like someone with a lot of strength. He just intimidated the people he'd rather not most of the time. Scary and strong weren't really the same thing.

When Jennifer hands the phone back, Shizuo sends a text with his name on it. ]

Hopefully you won't have to, yeah. Like I said, don't wait until you need saving. It's fine if something or someone's scaring you, or if you just need someone to be on the phone with so people know where you are.

[ He didn't want to say what could happen, especially not in detail. The girl was afraid of someone hurting her, so it seemed right to give her something safe as well. ]

[theunluckygirl]

[She fumbles with the phone a little to save the name, peering at it quietly.] Shi...zuo? [Okay cool, she's got this.]

I don't want to be a burden, but...I will keep your kindness in mind. And-- [She hesitates here, looking conflicted. She doesn't want to betray her old god, but she supposes this sin't really a betrayal. Especially not when it's true.]

Here, the goddess I'm supposed to be is... Is Sigyn, the wife of Loki. If you meet Loki... please be careful around him...

[bartenderizing]

[ He nods a little so that Jennifer had confirmation that she had it right. Really though, she's telling him to be careful. Someone really needs to give you the Schuldig talk, Shizuo. ]

Seriously? I dunno how things were for you, but I can tell it was bad enough. That they assigned you like that...

[ It really pissed him off and made Shizuo want to kick the ass of whomever chose these things. Yet he doesn't say that, because he was just trying to make her feel safe and like he was reliable for that. ]

Don't worry about me, okay? He can't really hurt me.

[ Not true, but okay. He doesn't know that, or think of other ways to be hurt. ]

[theunluckygirl]

[At this Jennifer just straightens up, hands folding in front of her in demure resignation. She just smiles.]

It's alright. Please, don't worry about me. I've endured before, I... will endure again. I can't do anything else.

[She won't tell him that Schuldig could probably wipe the floor with him six ways to sunday, because hopefully he'll never have to find out]

[bartenderizing]

[ Geeze. How is he supposed to not worry when you say all you can do is endure this shit? It kinda ticks him off, but in a sadder way than he was expecting. ]

Can't? Oi, you've got a phone and a voice. If you think you can't do anything on your own, get someone to help you. Even if you have no faith in me, you've got shinki now and people you probably were friends with before.

[ Shizuo knows his voice, and probably his face, is pretty scary right now. Especially with how fragile and scared the girl already was. ]

You're not their shinki. There's nothing about them that you're stuck with dealing.

[theunluckygirl]

[Jennifer looks startled and then a little embarrassed, shrinking back some.]

I--I simply meant... I meant that I can't run away from it, but I can't really fight either... I'm not that strong. So enduring is all I'm really good at.

[She pauses and then amends, softer] And... relying on others, I suppose. I just don't-- [Want to be a bother? She looks down, as if ashamed.] ...I'm sorry. I'll try to remember that...

[but there's an air like she's just saying that because it's what he wants to hear. Sorry Shizuo.]

[bartenderizing]

[ Through that, he's staring at the girl with a tough and serious looking expression. Never mind that his neutral look wasn't so different from that, but he was really trying to listen. Shizuo knew his faults- he was dumb, couldn't help all that much and didn't have much to protect people with. Not compared to his own lookalike that had actual powers and a strategic kind of mind. ]

... Do you want to be able to fight? I mean, for yourself, not in general.

[ Not everyone was a fighter, or looked for one. Shizuo didn't really think he was strong or capable of anything either, but he could pretend if it was for the girl's sake. ]

[theunluckygirl]

I don't want to hurt anyone. [Is her automatic response, though she looks troubled.]

But I... do want to be able to protect myself and others. I suppose in a place like this, being able to fight goes hand-in-hand with that. [Unfortunately. Most people here seemed fond of an 'attack first, ask questions later' lifestyle. Or maybe it was just the people she knew.]

[bartenderizing]

Yeah, for the kinds of things that are around...

[ Yet that sets things enough where Shizuo is checking his phone. The person he had in mind was a god, amusingly enough one that Jennifer already knew, but he couldn't remember the god's name. ]

There's someone I know that might be able to help, or point you in the right direction. She's rough, but probably a good choice... Ah, yeah. Sharak's listed as Aditi on the list of gods.

[theunluckygirl]

[Jennifer watches him curiously a moment, but perks up at the mention of a familiar name]

Sharak! Yes, I know her. I-I'm not sure if we're friends, exactly, but she was a great help to me when I was a shinki. [She's always a little hesitant to refer to someone as a friend, not wanting to misunderstand anything.] She taught me how to meditate.

[She tilts her head curiously] You're friends with her too?

[bartenderizing]

Ah-

[ Well, it sure is convenient that she knew who Sharak was. That meant he didn't have to go too far with warning her about how extreme training could get. She'd know just by knowing Sharak. ]

I, uh, don't know if I can call her a friend either. With someone like me, that'd probably just be an insult to her. She's teaching me to control my strength better, though.

[theunluckygirl]

[Jennifer tilts her head, curious, and then looks faintly amused.]

Mr. Shizuo, I'd be careful saying things like that. She'd be rather upset with you if she heard you putting yourself down like that-- She'd probably hit you. [OR SHOOT YOU.] Sharak, I think... I don't think she's the kind of person to waste time on 'undeserving people.'

It'd be more of an insult to her to claim otherwise. [That much she's grown aware of now.]

[bartenderizing]

... Ah, she probably already knows that hitting me wouldn't do anything.

[ There was no satisfaction or lesson to be taught when your 'student' couldn't feel the pain of a hit, after all. The appearance of her gun would piss him off again, but Shizuo couldn't say that'd have much effect either.

Yet the message comes through clearly enough. Which is why he's rubbing the back of his head. ]

You made your point, though I'm still pretty sure she wouldn't see me as much of a friend.

[theunluckygirl]

I don't think that would stop her... [Maybe.

Jennifer shakes her head] Have you asked? [Look, Jennifer is good at giving advice, but not following it so just take this.]

[bartenderizing]

Maybe...

[ Goten said that, while it was fun sparring, there wasn't any fun in just hitting Shizuo. Just because he didn't react to the hits, and because of that, didn't try as much to avoid them. So Shizuo had trouble imagining someone hitting him out of frustration for the same reasons. ]

It doesn't seem like the kind of thing to ask people. Plus, it'd feel shitty to ask and have someone laugh, or say no.