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

[untodeath]

[ Seeing that Shun has made such a connection is sufficient enough to bring her mind back to the present, having her pause mid-swing to raise her brows. ]

Oh, that's quite perceptive of you! [ Heaving a sigh to steady herself, Grell fans at her face a bit, before resting her hands over her chest. Still a bit riled up, after all! ] Yes, you're correct about that. It wasn't something that I could discuss so freely before, given Will's previous predicament.

[ There's a breathy chuckle, then! ]

Nor does he have patience for-- much at all, really! But I rather enjoy that about him.

[revolutionfalcon]

[There's a resigned hum of acceptance on her mention of the "predicament".] That's true of anyone who has the bad luck to get someone from their world pulled here as a shinki.

[Like him, not that he mentions it ever.

It's not entirely unfamiliar to him for people to like others for those kinds of reasons, not that he entirely gets it himself. Still, at least he looks more like he personally just doesn't see it rather than outright being confused by it.]

I'm not surprised. I don't really understand it, but I know there are a few people here who just seem to like those kinds of traits. [Case in point, Shun's own partner regarding Shun's various less than positive personality traits.]

[untodeath]

I wouldn't call it bad luck. [ Although, she considers the sentiment, a finger raised to tap at her lips for a moment. ] It was a fun little game, while it lasted!

[ Hands lowering to rest on the wall on either side of her, she grins somewhat knowingly. Given that this young man had a similar disposition, she might assume that he's speaking from experience. ]

Ah, well! You may still be a bit young, yet. You're about the age where it will begin to make sense to you, however! [ Wink! ]

[revolutionfalcon]

Not bad luck for you, I suppose, but it would've been bad luck for him being in that situation. [In general, a shinki's situation is pretty bad, and definitely seems like it would be a step down from being a reaper. But he may also be obliquely referring to his position under Grell, especially given it sounds like Will wouldn't approve of her attitude towards him.

Surprisingly enough, Shun actually knows exactly what she's getting at there, and he presses down any overtly embarrassed reaction in favour of a mild sigh.]

I know what you mean by that. I just don't understand what makes them like it. [It would be very difficult to not understand the concept of masochism with the kinds of people he's met here and even seen back home.]

[untodeath]

[ Lips parting, she almost inquires are to why Shun would think so - but, somehow, she manages to guess. And it leaves her smirking, one brow quirked high.

In any case, he's managed to pull her right back into her prior train of thought. There's nothing Grell can do to resist the snerk she gives. ]

It's about release, darling.

[ The redhead states so very matter-of-fact, curling a hand beneath her chin. ]

Having that one person who can ignore your standing, disregard propriety, and strip you of all that you present to society-- [ Ah, she's already making herself blush! ] Without that weight, you are vulnerable, and only then is it that you might truly feel. To discover what you truly are.

[ Briefly, her tongue hooks over one of her pointed teeth, as she chuckles. ]

Of course, adrenaline and the height of pain into pleasure are treats not to be dismissed.

[revolutionfalcon]

[Given what Grell's been like in all their encounters so far and the subject they're discussing, Shun can't say he wasn't at least somewhat expecting this conversation to take a turn like that. At the very least, her matter of fact airs don't go to waste, because he's following along well enough even if he looks faintly like he might have one or two regrets in having continued this line of conversation.

Or maybe it's just thought and focus that he finds he doesn't need as much as he would have thought to understand this. It seems obvious, when she puts it like that. Like a line of thought he hadn't quite managed to pick up on previously as opposed to dancing around the edges.

Her finishing line serves to knock him promptly out of that little bit of introspection, though, and he hums in reluctant understanding.] I suppose that lines up with what I've seen. That last part especially. And the rest of it makes about as much sense as anything else I've learnt since coming here. It's not something I normally think about, but I should've figured that if you want something put in a way that's easy to understand, you go to someone fixated on it.

[Not that he didn't have someone else at hand for that option, but he would've been several orders of magnitude more embarrassed to ask Ren something like that even if he had thought of it.]

[untodeath]

[ How cooly Shun processes this information leaves Grell exclaiming with amusement! Feet kicking, she smacks the wall beside her. ]

You--! [ Taking a moment to BREATHE, it's then that she's struck with another realization, completely negating any hopes of explaining herself. ] Wait, you came to me with the intention to ask?!

[revolutionfalcon]

[Thankfully, Shun's pretty used to people here finding his overly serious attitude amusing by this point, so he mostly just folds his arms and sighs slightly at her reaction. He does have to raise a brow at the assumption she makes after that, though.]

No, but the subject came up, so I figured I might as well. You're not the only person I've met with an interest in it, and understanding something by hearing it from someone experienced is better than just having to try and figure it out yourself.

[...So he's still being way too serious about this, but. At least he didn't start the conversation for that reason.]

[untodeath]

I see, I see~.

[ My, Grell's cheeks have gone all rosy, with how tickled she is over this entire situation. It's also a bit cute - young boys learning about simple pleasures!

Planting her cheek into an open palm, she hums. ]

You've found yourself fancying a masochist, haven't you?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's just as straight-faced as ever until Grell asks that question, at which point a split-second expression of mingled confusion and surprise comes over his face - the look of someone caught in something, but not quite sure how it happened. In the next moment, he wipes it away, turning slightly and tightening the fold of his arms.]

That's none of your business. [Which is basically a yes, but Shun's not the most willing to get into details about his private life.]

[untodeath]

[ Y e a h , she is well aware that she totally nailed it.

Taking a breath, she almost looks endeared, the way her head tilts into that hand with a big ol' lopsided smile. ]

Oooooh, so that is it! How cute. [ Grell pauses to let out a happy sigh. ] Goodness, this is beginning to make me nostalgic of my younger days, you know?

[revolutionfalcon]

[The last thing Shun really wants anyone looking about that information is endeared, but he supposes it could be worse. Probably. And it's not like he has to go into detail, so he bears Grell's fond nostalgia with a slight sigh - of annoyance, in contrast to hers.]

I'm surprised it's just your younger days you were doing that sort of thing in. [One, she seems too eager for it to just be that, and two, maybe it'll help get the subject off his own private relationships.]

[untodeath]

What? Oh, no, I'm certain I couldn't give it up if I wanted to.

[ Waving her hand about, she snickers a bit. ]

I'm speaking of what it's like to discover it all.

[revolutionfalcon]

[That sounds more like it, and Shun gives a faint snort as if he's not surprised she's still doing it. He's still rather determined to keep his distance from the subject of his own personal life, though, so he'll go with whatever seems least likely to hit anything too close.]

Seems like most of the people here are too invested in it already. I still remember the idiots on that post a while ago about how everyone here is "conventionally attractive".

[He says that phrase as if it's a foreign concept.]

[untodeath]

Is that right? [ With a cant of her head, she hums. ] While physical attraction is just as important, what we're speaking of is psychological. I would say our interests tend to fall under the unconventional.

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's just going to pretend she didn't say "our" interests, because he's still not too interested in expanding on the subject of his own.] It's still not the big deal everyone here makes of it. But some people will take any excuse they can to meddle.

[That's a lot of Shun's experience with it: people turning up on the network to either ask for people's opinions on their romantic affairs, or how to meddle in someone else's.]

[untodeath]

Like me~♥?

[ Breath hitching with a snicker, she only smiles all the wider. ]

It's only natural. Very few beings can resist the throes of romance - or are, at the very least, intrigued by it.

[revolutionfalcon]

Like you. [Shun doesn't sound particularly impressed, but he can't say she's wrong on that point.]

Messing around with it defeats the point. If they're that interested in it, they should just stand back and watch, or find someone of their own.

[untodeath]

You say as much, yet, what would you have learned today? [ There's a bat of her false lashes, to that! ] It's an easily relatable subject, in any case. Conscious beings desire to connect! It's, in a word, unavoidable

[revolutionfalcon]

That's hardly direct interference. [Especially since he's already in the relationship, despite Grell seeming to have guessed it as more of a crush.] I suppose the part about connecting is true, but you'd think people would have better reasons for it.