July Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: August 5
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

[trashcrash]

[H-hey, it was a totally valid question! The heck is the glare for? Man, this guy is super freaky.

Yosuke takes a step back out of reflex, then groans. He's totally going to ignore the bigger problems comment, because bigger problems are precisely what he's trying to not think about right now.]

Gods don't but shinki do? Isn't that kind of unfair? [Seriously, he missed out on becoming a god, and now he has to worry about pissing, even as a spirit?!] Then what's the point in being a shinki? There's gotta be some perks, right?

[Like being able to go through solid walls or something. He could think of a bunch of uses for a power like that.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[All Yosuke stepping back seems to do is make Shun double down on his glaring, so that's not terribly helpful. He does shrug slightly at Yosuke's remark, though, because while this definitely isn't one of the aspects he thinks that much about, he can't really disagree with the general sentiment.]

There's a lot of unfairness between the positions. That's probably the least of the problems. [And if Yosuke is looking for anything particularly optimistic there, he's out of luck, but Shun at least tries to expand on the practical perks.] Shinki are supposed to be a guide to right and wrong for their god, and we can't fight ayakashi without shinki, so any god with sense has good reason to treat you well since it's their responsibility to look out for you. And shinki can learn spells and borderlines, which gods can't do.

[trashcrash]

[Yosuke can tell that this stranger isn't exactly a paragon of positivity. So when the guy starts to list the bright sides of being a shinki, Yosuke definitelyknows to appreciate the sentiment. Maybe the other's not such a bad guy after all.

And, hey, some of the perks do sound kinda sweet!] So, basically, the gods need us.

[Well, that definitely doesn't bad at all. It even makes Yosuke grin a little despite himself.] Man, that's pretty cool, right? To be needed by a god. Maybe I really should look into all those spells and stuff too. Make myself the most awesome shinki around.

[Suddenly, he feels almost invigorated.] Hey, thanks, man. Seriously.

[revolutionfalcon]

It goes both ways. Shinki need a name from a god to be able to cast those spells or borderlines, and ayakashi tend to eat wandering souls from what I've heard. And gods need shinki to help them fight. Some people don't understand the two-way aspect of it.

[It's pretty clear from the derisiveness in Shun's tone at the last remark that he doesn't think much of those people. At least there seem to be a lot fewer of them around nowadays.

It is at least somewhat reassuring that this guy seems determined to be a strong partner to whoever has him, but though he nods somewhat approvingly at that, he lets out a slightly frustrated noise at the word of thanks.]

You asked a question. I answered it. Save your gratitude for things that are actually worth it.

[trashcrash]

[Yosuke nods, somehow proud that he knew some of this by now - but embarrassed that he made it seem like he didn't. Hey, he has been paying attention, alright!]

Right. It's a give-and-take thing. I just... I'd heard all about how we need gods to do any cool stuff, so hearing we aren't useless is pretty sweet. And makes trying to practice that borderline stuff worth it.

[At the other's reluctance to accept thanks, Yosuke just grins.]

Nah, dude. You can keep the gratitude. I've got a lot more from where that came from, I'm not gonna run out.

[He's been helped by people the whole day. The least he can do is offer thanks in return. Come on, don't be a grump man. Just accept it.]

[revolutionfalcon]

As long as you get a halfway decent god, you shouldn't have to worry about feeling useless. And borderlines are useful for defending yourself as well, if you needed motivation. They work a hell of a lot better against ayakashi than most things do.

[Honestly, shinki probably have better defenses against ayakashi than gods do, when it comes to powers. Shun's had his share of trouble finding ways to effectively disperse them without a shinki in the past.

That grin just gets a level glare in return, until Shun lets out a short, somewhat irritable breath.] Pointless.

[It's a remark more to himself than anything, but still perfectly audible, because he sure is going to continue being a grump about this.]

[trashcrash]

Gotta admit, defending myself is a pretty good motivation. [He pauses.] But... so is defending everyone else. Having cool powers isn't worth crap if you don't use it for something that matters, yeah? Like... the good of mankind?

[How's that? He sounded pretty cool there, huh? Just like a hero or something.

Continuing on that thought, when the other stops outright refusing his thanks, Yosuke considers it a victory on his part. And since he can, he lets the other know about it.] I'll take that as you accepting the gratitude. You're welcome, man.

[See, this guy wasn't that difficult to handle after all!]

[revolutionfalcon]

[There's a slight, dismissive noise from Shun at that.] That's a naive way of putting it, but I suppose you have the right idea. At least you shouldn't have any trouble making them with an attitude like that.

[Given what the training session with Fubuki and Yukine had been like yesterday, motivation and intent seem to be strong factors. If this guy has both, he should have a good shot at consistent borderlines.

At his remark, Shun just shoots him a rather unimpressed glare.] Just because I don't want to waste my breath arguing you in circles about it doesn't mean I suddenly want it.

[If this was one of the physical training areas, Shun would be tempted to beat the notion out of him, but for now that's not really necessary.]

[trashcrash]

[Aw, come on man. Don't be such a spoilsport! That line was cool and nobody can convince him otherwise.]

You can't know it's naive before you try, right? [He crosses his arms, only somewhat offended by the comment. By now, Yosuke's come to expect pessimism from this guy.

So when he gets complimented on his attitude (or so he perceives it), he grins a bit.] Yeah, just watch me. I'm gonna be the best damn shinki around.

[At the other's ongoing denial, Yosuke waves a hand. There really was no convincing this guy.] Fine, fine, sure, you don't have to want it.

[He offers a nod.] Name's Yosuke, by the way. Hanamura Yosuke. You gonna give me yours?

[Or does he have to fight over that too?]

[revolutionfalcon]

Throwing around blanket statements like "the good of mankind" is already naive. [No matter how good you are, you can't protect everyone. Shun's learnt that the hard way far too many times to abide words like that.

Yosuke's boast gets a faint snort that seems perhaps very faintly amused.] There's some stiff competition for that title. And I wouldn't say it in front of any older shinki. [Yukine might ink his face.

At the very least, Shun has no trouble offering his name, especially when Yosuke chose to extend his first.] Kurosaki Shun. Nekhbet when I have to be.

[Which probably makes it pretty clear which title he prefers. Just because he's been lumped with the name of a god doesn't mean Shun has to use it outside of work.]

[trashcrash]

Just watch me. [He says it so confidently that it almost comes across as a challenge - even if he's not sure how much he can actually do.

He chuckles though, upon hearing about older shinki.] Respect your elders, huh? I'd be careful if I could actually tell old shinki apart from new. [The trouble is that physical age doesn't seem to matter much here.

When he hears the guy's name, he simply nods--- until he realizes he's heard it before and nearly chokes on air.] W-wait a minute! You're Nekhbet?! [He was Munakata's god!? But-- but... he'd thought... he'd expected some totally god-like dude with god-like patience and-- those two's roles were totally the wrong way around!]

Dude, no way!

[revolutionfalcon]

If I do, hope you can live up to all that boasting. [Shun doesn't abide baseless mouthing off particularly well, as anyone who trains with or around him can attest to.]

Usually older shinki have a different attitude, but the one you'd be most likely to run foul of with that is Yukine. Short blond kid with orange eyes, works with the god Yato. [And about as ready to tolerate baseless boasting from other people as Shun is, if their training session with Fubuki yesterday was any sign.

There's an air of immediate wariness at Yosuke's recognition of his title, and Shun quickly runs through the likely reasons. He's awestruck or shocked, it seems, which means it's fairly likely whoever spoke to him offered a far better image of him than he's given off here. That already narrows the suspect pool substantially, but Shun would rather not name names until he knows for sure.]

You sound surprised. If someone's been putting optimistic images in your head, I'm not here to uphold them.