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

Hibiki Shikyoin ♔ OTA

[priforprince]

[ I. - Everywhere ]



[ It doesn't matter where you are, or what you're doing. At some point, it's likely you'll feel eyes on you from behind. Watching you.

If you turn around, there's nobody there. If you're further back in Bishamon's temple, however, you may happen to see that some child god or shinki has forgotten their purple stuffed goat toy. Really cute goat, this. Has a ribbon around its neck and everything.

If you're further back in Bishamon's temple and exceptionally lucky, you may even see the toy toodling along under its own steam atop its little wheeled platform. How cute!

Please, though, go about your day as normal. Nobody's watching. ]

[ II. Nowhere ]



I should have done this from the beginning.

[ Hibiki has opted out of the training session, perhaps because she never does any actual training, perhaps because you lot give her a headache. Instead, she's relaxing in a Far Shore park, sipping her tea and watching something on her laptop from atop a folding tea table.

In addition to these usual accoutrements, she has a purple and gold canvas bag with her today. ] Rehearsal can wait.

[ Just in case, though, she retrieves a script from the bag and starts perusing it. It isn't her Knight of Persailles script, however. This one looks newer.

Six-Shot Sheriff. ]

[ III. Now Here ]



[ A clanging, clanking noise heralds Shikyoin Hibiki's arrival to the god training section, much later in the day. Some of her, ah, property is on the premises, and appears to have probably been destroyed run out of batteries....This was a very unpleasant thing to discover just before having left for the Near Shore, but certainly, no harm will have been caused by the delay.

So here she is. Every spurs-jangling, ruffled-bandana-sporting, guitar-slinging, fringed-chaps-wearing inch of her inimitable plaid-shirted person.

Don't look now. But that movie Hibiki had boasted about being cast in

might be a Western. ]

I

[drizzle]

[The feeling of being watch over wasn't one she felt too out of place. In a way, the ayakashi have a way of always watching their kind, either from a distance or close up, depending on the situation. Along with that, Nike has always felt the sky and surroundings had "eyes" of their own. It'll take some time until her attention will be on her surroundings, curious to figure out the identity of her "secret admirer".

But all she'll notice is the usual culprits in her surroundings, who were not looking at her, and yet the feeling continue to persist. No matter how much Nike tries to hide, she'll continue to feel the watchful gaze over her. With a defeated sigh, she'll decide to take a seat somewhere, hoping for Teddie or any of her friends to find her. With a loud sigh, she'll notice her only companion by her side being that of a stuff animal sorta thing.]

Well, at least I have reliable company around. [She'll examine it for a moment, wondering if there's a living spirit inside of it ready to be release. After the events of inanimate objects coming to life happened, she's been much kinder to those without a soul.] I can always count on the kindness of cute toys like you, right? [A light laugh.] Of course I can! [A happy nod at that before wondering.] ...do you belong here? Or to the goddess of this temple?

[Did someone lose it, maybe? She'll silently wonder if she should hand it over to the shinkis here or something.]

[priforprince]

[ The goat gives no indication of being possessed, sentient, or anything else that might make it a more scintillating companion. Instead, it just watches, as much as an inanimate object can be said to watch.

It's really purple, though. Wow. Whoever this belongs to must be a fan.

And there must be a breeze in here, because after firmly establishing it is an immobile object, its platform rolls closer. Just a smidge. ]

[drizzle]

...and, of course, I'll get no response, huh?

[Which was a shame, really, because she'd rather enjoy having a conversation with a cute toy. Who wouldn't? Nike will return her attention to her surroundings, lightly swinging her legs for a moment or two, until it'll turn to the toy once more. Whatever action it may have done, she would have missed it.]

Maybe I should take you to the nearest shinki... [Thinking out loud.] It'll be a good excuse to explore the temple without getting into trouble. [She'll rise from her seat, kneel in front of the toy, then wonder.] This is your last chance to move or I'll use you as my excuse to go on a adventure with! It could turn dangerous...

[All a lie, but she figure it could help pass the time by playing with a toy for a bit before returning to whoever it belongs to.]

[priforprince]

[ The stuffed goat doesn't respond. Save to roll forward, but again, it could be the wind. Or this ground might be on a grade.

Blocks away, Shikyoin Hibiki daubs up a tea spill from where someone walking through this park had jostled her shoulder. Her elbow, in turn, is bumping against her laptop. ]

[drizzle]

[After a bit of more staring, it won't be long until she looks to her sides, checking if there is no one searching for something, before deciding to take the toy goat on a leisure adventure around the area. Holding it in place over her stomach while keeping making absolute certain its face can still be seen by all those she passed by.

Nike will glance at each newcomer with interest until they disappear. She really wanted to find her new toy friend's owner soon or else she'll take him home.

It won't be long until she finds her way into the park. She'll enthusiastically introduce her new friend to the flowers and trees until in the distance she'll find someone familiar.]

It's the deity of princes!

[The nickname Nike has proudly decided on Hibiki after meeting her last time. Heading on over to her side, she'll offer her a smile.]

So you're here too! [A beat.] How are your tea cups?

[Hopefully not the new targets for borderline practice considering the issues inanimate objects were giving everyone.]

[priforprince]

Hm?

[ It hadn't occurred to Hibiki until just this moment that the path her goat was taking in Nike's arms had been leading right back to her. Did the girl know?! Or---

No, Hibiki can discern a fellow Actor when she sees one. This young lady simply has interesting luck. Why, how can one doubt she has excellent instincts when witnessing how she has chosen to think of Hibiki? That is a mark of good judgment!

She closes her laptop one-handedly. ] ....As you can see.

[ Her free hand gestures to her teacup. ] Please don't let concern cloud the sapphire skies of your mind any longer.

[drizzle]

Thank goodness! It's still perfectly in one piece!

[All said rather happily to find the teacup in perfect condition, no scratch or chip or anything to be found. She'll lift the toy goat to get a good look of said item.]

Look, look, your majesty, Caprinae, isn't the tea cup absolutely beautiful today? It's good enough for your majesty to drink from, right?

[Although, she can't help wonder, turning to the deity in question.]

...this is still your first set, right? No one is attempting to bully you today?

[priforprince]

[ .....all her focus is on the teacup. Hibiki sighs, relieved, and attempts to slide that laptop out of sight into her jacket. ]

Those occurrences were hardly common.

[ Breaking teacups! Who'd break teacups?

The goat has nothing to say about this. Or anything. ]

iii

[diehardreaper]

[ You might remember him from goat-cam, Hibiki. The god Hime had called "Baron". He's been half-sulking all day, less after he had gained a fair haired young shinki following him like a duckling.

The spurs though, catch his shinki's attention which in turn causes him to look. ]

Noel? What's gotten you sta--

[ And now he's staring. ]

What the blazes...?

[priforprince]

[ The young lady's partner in crime-fighting, yes. Accompanied, it seems, by a replacement for the lost shinki. (Which means there were no mix-ups during assignments, at least, none that haven't already been sorted out. Small blessings.)

Hibiki tips her hat but offers no other indication that she's aware of what she's wearing or not. Certainly she feels no shame about it. ] Good day. Better-organized this time, isn't it?

[diehardreaper]

Yeah... better'n last with the mixup and all...

[ Cue minor blinking. Noel has gone back to clutching his jacket at least. ]

Decided to dress up this time then? Wager I've seen you sitting around with tea during these sessions...

[ Not that she was around this time for him to notice. ]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki twitches her shoulders in a small but effortlessly elegant shrug. ] Divine duties called me away. It seems this world is incapable of properly entertaining itself.

[ A sigh. ] Well, as it lacks even a PriPara, I suppose that can't be helped.

[ SOMEONE IS BITTER ]

[diehardreaper]

So it's up to you then eh?

[ If the costuming's anything to go by... But a pause. ]

Which god were you again, by the by...?

[priforprince]

Apollo.

[ She swipes a hand across her hat, leaving the illusion of a gleaming wreath of golden laurels atop the band. ] God of performance, at your service.

I believe this is the first we've had the pleasure of speaking in person, Baron Samedi.

[ Prophecy god, remember. She builds goats knows everything. ]

[diehardreaper]

Apollo, right! I've heard of you.

[ No need to let her know Shun doesn't think the best of her. ]

Yeah, prolly the first time we've met face to face. Kuroyuki's spoken of you though so the name isn't unfamiliar, mind.

[priforprince]

Thank you for continuing to support her.

[ She's not even your shinki, Hibiki.

Her outfit jangles as she rests her hand back on her hip. ]

i

[revolutionfalcon]

[Not another one.

As soon as Shun notices the "toy", he gives the front end of it a wide berth. Ostensibly, he's taking a break from training for a few minutes, but it seems like smashing up the last one of these didn't offer much of a hint. So he can stand to go right back to some of that training. After all, he's been slacking on his hand-to-hand compared to swordplay today.

Coming up on the goat's side, he drives a nice, hard kick towards its undercarriage. Given how he destroyed the last one he met, he's not entirely sure how far this one's going to fly.]

[priforprince]

[ The goat flies pretty well, actually! It doesn't see him coming, and curves a rather attractive arc through the air. So far so good!

Less good is how it lands on the weapons table, scattering prop swords, guns, spears, and the like everywhere. Rubber bullets go bouncing along the ground. The goat itself lies innocently on its side amid the carnage, wheeled platform cracked from impact.

Unbeknownst to Shun, a teacup elsewhere slipped and fell precisely in time with this other wanton destruction. ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Well, that could have gone better. Still, Shun doesn't seem to care all that much. He can fix the table once he's properly wrecked the goat.

It does give him an idea, though, and he takes a moment to pick through the fallen weapons and find what appears to be a mace or something similar, probably just barely in the line of the goat's camera sight before he picks it up and disappears from view again. It's been a while since he used one - since he had his very first soulless shinki, in fact - and he turns it in his hand to get a feel for it before swinging it and slamming it into the bottom of the goat again.

At this rate, Shun's just going to be batting it all the way around the grounds until it breaks for good.]

[priforprince]

[ This time, as the goat takes flight, it scatters bits and pieces of machinery from the base. Since most of it is a stuffed toy, blunt force doesn't do much, but this thing won't be wheeling anywhere under its own power, that's for sure.

He's getting there! ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Blunt force not doing much just means he needs more blunt force, obviously. He doesn't even give it time to land on this go-around, instead swiping the mace to smash it sideways out of the air as it falls.

There's still something strangely cathartic about this entire activity for him.]

[priforprince]

[ Somebody get the daiya cast an outfielder, because this goat is going for a hoooome run! This time, the mace does succeed in ripping the fabric and popping some seams, so the goat leaks stuffing, wires showing, before landing somewhere in a rather conveniently-placed shrubbery (or the more traditional equivalent, depending on the aesthetic of this temple).

Well done, sir. ]

[revolutionfalcon]

[Following the path of the goat, Shun knocks it out of the shrubbery with the mace, making sure he lands the hit in the area of the ripped fabric in hopes he'll do more damage. Once it hits the ground again, he goes to stomp on the head and see how robust it is. He might as well get rid of the camera if it's not already dead.

And maybe he'll give it another good stomp to the middle for good measure while he's stomping. Who knows.]

[priforprince]

[ You got that goat, Kurosaki Shun! You got it but good. Look at it. Parts of it are practically two-dimensional now, and that camera doesn't stand a chance against someone so set on stomping as you are. What an inspiration you are to goat stompers everywhere. This goat will not be spying on anyone ever again.

And yes, the mechanical innards (when its broken pieces are exposed) still have a little crown painted on them. When one has perfected the aesthetics of a piece, one does not alter them for practical concerns like anonymity.

Elsewhere, a laptop is slid carefully back into storage. Perhaps Hibiki had better be...getting to that rehearsal after all... ]