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

[artificialrose]

I suppose that's what happens when you smash a bunch of mythologies together...

[...A clusterfuck. But he's too polite to go saying that in front of someone he's just met.]

[There's more important things to do first, and Garry puts his hands on his hips with a thoughtful frown of his own. While being named isn't exactly a foreign concept now thanks to the pamphlet, he's still not really sure how he feels about it... After all, although he doesn't know how, he very clearly remembers his name, doesn't he? So to just be given another name...]

[...Well, he guesses if he wants to be helpful, it's just something he'll have to go along with.]

Did you have something in mind? I still haven't really figured anything out myself...

[fortunesmiles]

I'm not sure yet. I feel as though if I'm going to name you - even if it's a name only I use as your god - I ought to know more about what I'm namimg. It'd be nice if you could tell me about yourself, but that's going to be pretty tough when you have no memories...

If it makes you feel any better on that point, though, I can relate. Someone erased some of my memories when I was still alive. But I at least remembered some things, so it must be even more disorienting for you.

[He muses over this briefly.] Well, you may not be able to tell me about anything in your past, but maybe you could tell me about the things you do know about your current self. What you like and dislike, for instance, or what you've done since you woke up here.

[artificialrose]

Amazing how common partial amnesia can be...

[...Unless you're a shinki, in which case it's just same ol' same ol'. Same for the Dangan Ronpa universe. Still, it's good to get his bearings and collect everything he knows to start with, so Garry goes through everything that's happened in the short time frame he's been conscious.]

Well, I like fashion and art, I think, or at least that seems right. I don't know how to fight, either- [A slight grimace.] I might be rather bad at it, in fact...

For the most part, I've simply been trying to make my way around here and understand it all, so that's meant mostly just talking to people before I started to practice here. It's been.... [His mouth screws up slightly in distaste.] With mixed results, but I'd rather not just start a fight if I can help it.... That wouldn't help anything at all.

[fortunesmiles]

I'm not sure if it counts as amnesia when it's done deliberately...but it is kind of a coincidence, isn't it?

[At the remark about fighting, Komaeda gives Garry a questioning look.] You know that about yourself already? Does that mean you've tried fighting with someone?

[artificialrose]

Oh no- not exactly. However, there is a rather large collection of weapons for people to use, ah, that way...? [He points roughly to the direction of the physical training area.] So I thought one of the things I should try to do if I'm going to protect, well, anyone is see if I could fight. Someone said that there was no need to think, just rely on muscle memory...

...But if my muscles knew anything, then they have worse amnesia than I do.

[fortunesmiles]

Ah, I see! That makes sense. [Komaeda laughs lightly.] Well, if it makes you feel any better, I didn't really trust myself with those weapons, either. Knowing me, I'd probably have killed someone by accident!

[It sounds facetious and it really isn't.]

I'm afraid you've been assigned to a remarkably worthless god...

[artificialrose]

[Well, a lot of people use that kind of exaggerated humor, don't they? Garry doesn't think much of it, especially when the following words come and he straightens up.]

Oh, I doubt that's true at all! I'm sure you'll be fine, once you get the hang of this. That's probably why this kind of thing is in place: to help new people get used to being thrust into such a strange situation.

And, although I'm not sure how helpful I'll be, I'll do my best to assist you too.

[fortunesmiles]

[Komaeda seems genuinely surprised for a moment at being contradicted, but then he smiles.] You're very kind to say such things, aren't you?

Hmm...if you'll permit me to ask, do you feel there's any area in which you're particularly talented? Or have you not really discovered what you're good at yet since arriving here?

[In a way, it's reminiscent of Hinata.]

[artificialrose]

Ah.... I think anyone would say that kind of thing.

[Clearly Garry was never privy to Dangan Ronpa 2.]

[Still, that's a minor thing compared to the interesting question Komaeda asks, and Garry almost says 'no', but.... He lapses into contemplative thought for a few seconds.]

....I can't really be sure, so I wouldn't want to be so presumptuous to say I'm talented for them, but... I seem to have a disposition to art, I think, or fashion. Knowledge of it, if nothing else. I've found myself bringing it up a couple of times, you see.

[fortunesmiles]

Really? I think it's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, actually! Perhaps your talent is just Ultimate Kindness?

[At the mention of fashion, something about Komaeda's smile shifts, ever so slightly. As though he had a bad taste in his mouth, just for a moment.] Well, there was someone called the Ultimate Fashionista back where I came from...I even knew her, apparently, back before I lost my memories. I suppose other worlds might have their own ultimate level talents, but...well, I guess this might be the one time I'd prefer for someone to just have a casual interest in something, rather than an ultimate talent.

Maybe I have to forfeit my title as the Ultimate Ultimate Fanatic, in that case...

[artificialrose]

As flattering as that would be...

[But there's something that's a little off about that statement, and, as Komaeda keeps speaking, Garry realizes what it is. That's not to say it's off, exactly, but... He raises his hand, slightly.]

If we could rewind somewhat... What do you mean by "Ultimate"? Maybe I've just forgotten, but... I don't quite understand what you mean, and it seems a little more than just someone who's really good at something.

[fortunesmiles]

Ah, perhaps the place you're from doesn't really have a concept of ultimate talents...but I'd be happy to explain it to you! It's kind of a passion of mine!

[Komaeda's eyes are sparkling, and he's certainly animated about this subject. He's not exaggerating about his enthusiasm, anyway.]

In my world, there's a high school called Hope's Peak Academy. It accepts only students who excel so amazingly in their areas of expertise that they can be considered the ultimate talent in the world in that area! Everything from Ultimate Mechanic or Ultimate Baseball Player, to less obviously quantifiable talents like Ultimate Princess or Ultimate Yakuza! Of course, Hope's Peak is extremely rigorous in their screening process, so there's no doubt that anyone they consider worthy of the title of Ultimate is truly world class in their area. The goal of Hope's Peak Academy is to nurture and study those talents; those in the Main Course represent the very essence of hope in the future of humanity, after all. So they recruit students of the highest caliber and give them education and opportunities to befit the hope for humanity; anyone who graduates from the Main Course at Hope's Peak is almost guaranteed success in life! Or so it's said, anyway; I'm not sure how much of that is the school itself - although its name can certainly open any number of doors for a graduate - and how much is the fact that any student of the Main Course was already amazingly talented when they were selected to attend.

Of course, I should specify that those things only apply to the Main Course students. Hope's Peak eventually had to take in normal students in a Reserve Course to maintain its funding. And I guess they were always an afterthought...

[Some of Komaeda's brightness seems to fade a bit.] And I guess it's misleading to talk about it in the present tense, too. It was destroyed during the Tragedy...

[But he shakes this off, smiling.] Anyway, even if your world didn't have people it called ultimates...well, any world where people can be more or less talented at things must have someone who's the best at those talents. You may well have an ultimate talent of your own, whether or not you remember it.

[artificialrose]

[Kind of a passion.... As Garry listens to the fantastic school Komaeda details to him, he can't help but think that the verve in his voice and the shine in his eyes warrant getting rid of that "kind of". So far, he hasn't listened to anyone who's been so excited about a subject like Komaeda is.]

I see what you mean by Ultimate Ultimate Fanboy.... [He's clearly memorized everything by heart, Garry thinks. Still he has to hold his hands up at that last bit.] But goodness, I imagine if I were an Ultimate, there'd be a lot of standards to be held up to.... I think I'd pass if I could. Although what happens happens, doesn't it?

[Still, he doubts it. That's not important right now, however. Instead, he leans closer a little, concerned.]

...For something to be called the Tragedy... Are you alright?

[The way Komaeda talked, referencing things in the present tense and then having to correct them... It had to happen relatively recently, right?]

[fortunesmiles]

Well, if you were being held to any standards, it'd be to the Academy's...and it doesn't exist anymore, so it's not like you need to worry about that. But I suppose I may not have explained properly in any case, because the title of Ultimate - it's not something you have to live up to, exactly. It's something you are; the title is just given in recognition, not given as a conditional reward. For instance, my own talent...if you can even call it a talent...is Ultimate Luck. But I had my luck long before I even knew about Hope's Peak Academy, and I'd have it whether or not they ever gave me a title. I couldn't not have Ultimate Luck if I wanted to. And most of the people I've met who are Ultimates are simply the best at what they do because it comes so easily or naturally for them that they can't help being the Ultimate in their field, and wouldn't want to if they could!

So, if you really were Ultimate Kindness...all it would require would be for you to be kinder than anyone else, and for it to come so naturally for you that you could hardly stop being kind. And you've already been incredibly kind to me! So it doesn't seem so far-fetched.

[He laughs lightly at Komaeda's concern.] There you go, being kind again! But don't worry. The Tragedy was awhile ago, and it was part of my memories that got erased. I only learned about what I'd forgotten recently, just before I died and ended up here.

[artificialrose]

You're really flattering me.... But I suppose there's only one way to find out, isn't there?

[He'll just have to keep on- well. "Living" isn't exactly the right word, is it? All he can do is move forward and experience things.]

[That's life anyway, he supposes. That's reassuring in its own way.]

Still, I'm glad. You seem very nice yourself. This is really going on first impressions, but I think we're a little bit similar. That will make working together easier, won't it?

[fortunesmiles]

It's true, time will tell! But personally, you're the kindest person I've met. And I guess even if that's not an ultimate talent, it's still nicer than someone who isn't kind...

Ah, but you're giving me too much credit - and yourself not enough! You should never compare yourself to trash like me. I don't think most people consider me nice...you'll probably end up regretting you ever met me. [A pause.] Or you might get killed. Although since you're already dead, maybe that's less of a risk than it used to be...

[artificialrose]

You keep saying that... [And with everything else he's heard the other say- was he bullied or something while attending school? Frankly, he's starting to get concerned, and for more than just the idea that he might die.]

[...Again.]

Why do most people not like you? I haven't seen anything that would make you hateworthy so far.

[fortunesmiles]

Usually they seem to think I'm creepy. Or dangerous. Often it's both. Creepiness is pretty subjective, but I can't really argue about being dangerous. If nothing else, my luck makes being around me risky to say the least...

You see, when most people think of luck, they just think of good luck. But bad luck is still luck. And as someone with ultimate luck...well, I have both the best and the worst luck one can imagine. So it's pretty common for something amazing to happen to me, and then for people around me to die when my bad luck kicks in...or for something horrible to happen so that something wonderfully lucky can follow it up.

[artificialrose]

[Oh.]

Oh.

[Wait, that's not a proper response- although it still takes a moment for his brain to come up with anything much at all. With that kind of thing, no wonder it's called Ultimate Luck...]

So- do you think it'll be the same now that you're a god...?

[fortunesmiles]

I'm not sure. I'm supposedly the reincarnation of Averruncus, a god of either inflicting or averting disaster...which almost sounds like what my talent has always been, only with more of a focus on merely avoiding bad luck than causing good luck. Still, you'd think that would mean I can control that sort of thing, including my own bad luck, wouldn't you?

But I'm really not sure. I have a sort of...instinct, I suppose you could call it, for how to use my godly abilities. But I haven't really tested them yet - especially since it would be a lot easier to tell if I caused a disaster rather than merely prevented one. It might be dangerous in itself just to test run it.

And, besides...I've lived with my luck for so long, I can hardly imagine it changing. I'm not even sure it's possible...if I could neutralize my bad luck somehow, would I lose my good luck as well? Could I simply be normal?

[Komaeda has been lost in thought, almost talking to himself, for most of this diatribe. But Garry might notice something almost wistful in his eyes at the last remark.]

[artificialrose]

[Well, that sounds like the kind of thing too complicated for Garry, but he gives it his best attempt at thinking it through anyway. If it's dangerous, that probably doesn't mean it's impossible to test out, but they'll want to be extra careful, right? Which means choosing the testing place carefully...]

[Yet his attempts at problem solving are shoved to the side as he pauses, noticing that yearning air around the other man.]

[Either intense good luck or intense bad luck... Enough to be called 'Ultimate'. So never a moment to catch one's breath...]

[Quietly, he reaches over to lightly brush his hands along Komaeda's sleeve- simply to get his attention, nothing else- and smiles at him.]

If anything unusual like that is possible, then it's probably in a place where people can turn into objects and gods exist, right? Even if it's a goal that will take a while to figure out.

[fortunesmiles]

[Komaeda looks up at Garry in surprise, but after a moment he smiles at him.]

You really are kinder than someone like me deserves...but at least I think I know enough to name you now. May I?

[artificialrose]

Hm? Oh, of course. [Should he... step back? He'll step back, he supposes. This seems like a rather important thing, and one he has no idea what will happen.] Then, whenever you're ready.

[fortunesmiles]

[Komaeda nods to Garry, smiling and extending a hand, pointing his index and middle fingers directly at him. And then the smile vanishes, replaced by a look of utter seriousness and concentration, the tips of his fingers glowing blue. When he speaks next, it's not in a normal tone; it's more of an incantation, the words a cadence.]

My name is Nagito Komaeda. Grasping thy true name, I bind thee here. With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. [Even as he speaks, he's drawing his fingers through the air, forming the correct kanji with each movement. Consciously, he's only half aware of what he's doing; the part of him that is a god is operating on an instinct that goes beyond thought.] The name answers, the vessel to sound. I call thee as my divine instrument. The name, Garry. The vessel, Da. Come, Daki!

[And, with Garry's name shimmering in the air, Komaeda holds out his hand. Somehow, he knows that Garry's vessel will become something for him to hold, and he's waiting for the weight of it in his hand.]

I can't remember how old Ib is as a game which means spoilers are unnecessary

[artificialrose]

[As befitting of their new stations and their importance, everything is... solemn. Heavy. Garry stays silent as the words are spoken, feeling his very skin tingle- from anticipation or whatever form of magic this is? It's hard to tell, to articulate.]

[When the name finally finishes, shimmering in the air, something about its ethereal nature seems to pass onto Garry, his body suddenly turning into a blur of light and energy that twists through the air to Komaeda's hand- ]

[A childish giggle rings through the air.]

["Yay! A pretty, pretty flower."]

[It's a girl, a child, long canary blond hair tumbling over her shoulders across a deep green dress. Mary's grin is almost pure in this moment, innocent, but nothing can stop the way Garry's insides are twisting, boiling, from inside of him. His hands are still partially outstretched, a brilliant red rose in one hand and the fingers of the other still curling emptily as Mary pulls his blue rose closer to her. In a heartbeat, however, that innocent laughter warps, and his feelings are proven right once again as her eyes turn dark and her grin malicious. Before he can do anything, she dashes off into the warped scribble of a world that makes up the toybox and disappears.]

[For a second, he can only glare into the darkness where she's disappeared, anxiety and fear and anger bubbling in his stomach... Before he takes a deep breath and banishes the expression from his face. Turning around, he strides over to another young girl- long brown hair framing a face whose large red eyes shine with her own fear and uncertainty. Garry keeps a gentle smile on his face as he kneels down before her, the small blossoming red rose held out to her. "Be careful with it..."]

["I'm sorry." Her voice quivers, soft and choked, and Garry makes himself huff out a few quiet laughs.]

["Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong, Ib, right?" It's the truth, too. Neither of them could have helped being shoved into this place. She's only a child in a skirt, no pockets- maybe it's more amazing that she was able to keep a hold of her rose for so long. "So don't look so down. And my rose, well..." Taking another breath, he grins widely. "We'll just catch Mary and get it back!" Pushing himself up to his feet, he offers his hand to her. "Let's do our best! We're almost there!"]

[It's true. He tells himself that with all the conviction he can muster. They can catch her. They can get back his rose. They can escape. Say a thing enough times and it becomes true. Yet even as his mind thinks, he feels his heart curl up tight.]

[There's no more time for them to talk. Around them, in the surrealist landscape of the toybox, the various pitch black mannequins and the warped leering toy dolls suddenly jerk to life as the lighting grows strange, and Garry yelps as Ib presses into his side. "What's with these guys-!?" Tugging her along, he glances down to the girl whose hand is wrapped tight around his. "Ib, be careful!"]

[It's a blur, making their way through the room- running and stumbling out of the way of scurrying dolls, ducking from beneath the grasping arms of the mannequins. Garry barely knows how they end up through it all, up a set of crayon scribbled stairs that he has to tell his mind and body exist. Together, the two of them make their way up them, a corridor with white lines awaiting them at the top- ]

[Loves me...]

[It's like having a thorn pushed through his chest and straight into his heart.]

[Garry takes in a sharp breath, straight between his teeth, and they don't have to reach the top of the stairs for him to know what they'll find: a pair of brilliant blue rose petals, abandoned on the floor. Clenching his jaw, trying not to let Ib worry, he guides them past it. In the distance, that drawling childish voice. Loves me not... Another sting that robs his breath away, and he tries, he tries to take another step forward, but then his knees give out and he bends over with his hands braced against them. His chest trembles, matching his hands, and a burst of fear pierces through him. This is it, isn't it?]

[They're not going to be able to catch Mary.]

[Movement, before him- the rustle of clothing- Garry looks up as Ib reaches for one of his arms with a look of concern spread across her face. His own fear ends up forgotten, drowned by the dread and uncertainty of what he's faced with. Not only his own death, but- ]

["Ib... Um..." What does he say? How do you tell a child about this kind of thing? She's held up so bravely in the face of all the horrors they've felt, but this- "Sorry, but... could you go ahead? I'm, uh..." Somehow, he manages a breathless laugh, a smile. "I don't really know what to say... I don't want to lie to you..." The smile fades from his face, and he can't meet her eyes. "But I... don't want to tell the truth, either." Reaching up, he carefully sets his hand on her much smaller one and forces himself to look at her again with a smile. "If you need help... I'll come running."]

[Even if he can't truly run... Somehow, some way, he wants to believe he can help her. He wants to help her escape this nightmare, if nothing else.]

[It takes some encouraging to have her go ahead, her heels muffled against the ground- and it's a good thing. His legs soon go out completely beneath him. The void black of the floor doesn't seem real to him, but has any of this? Disappearing into a painting, being chased by women crawling out from frames, the strange logic this world possesses- it's been like a fever dream. If he closes his eyes, sprawled against the floor, will he wake up back in his college dorm safe and sound...? Somehow, he manages to push himself up onto quivering arms. It feels as though there's a hand wrapped around his heart, his lungs, and just crawling his way to a wall to prop himself up against it feels as if it's taken a monumental effort. Breathing hard and heavy, he lets his head thunk back against the wall.]

[Loves me not.]

[That little monster.... Garry's eyes fall shut. Was there anything he could have done to avoid this? Maybe if he'd been faster, maybe if he'd learned more sooner, if he had kept from being separated from Ib... Loves me. But it's too late.]

[Slowly, unsteadily, he reaches into his pockets. If he's going to die, can't it at least be with one last smoke? Yet there's nothing but the soft cloth of a handkerchief and metal that his knuckles bump into again and again. Blinking and dazed, Garry pulls out his lighter and stares blankly at it for a moment. Down the hall, Mary's voice carries on, a sting accompanying each phrase, and darkness starts to encroach upon his vision. Unable to stop himself, Garry lets out one last quiet defeated laugh...]

[A final sting straight into his heart, and his head falls forward limply.]

Oh my! This is.... definitely a strange experience...

[Garry isn't sure how to explain the sensation of being a- a lighter? Huh! Not exactly the choice he would have pictured for himself, but he guesses he can't complain. He was warned about shinki that weren't weapons. Still, with his whole view changed, and somehow being able to feel how Komaeda's fingers wrap around the metal of the lighter- himself- ]

[It's not as disorienting as he though it would be, on the bright side. Maybe it's just because he's a shinki and so his mind is already adjusted? Hm.]