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

[oneblackcat]

[Well if that isn't a disturbing prospect, Omi doesn't know what is. Not only does he have no memories of life, he was even here before and has no memory of that either. How much of his existence is he missing?!

Don't think about it, an inner voice urges. But his stomach churns and he feels a dull, cold ache through his body.]

I... I don't. I'm sorry.

[justclaws]

You do not have to apologize! This place--

[This place is terrible. It is those in charge who should be doing the apologizing.

[Kija does not say it. He must show some restraint, he must pick his words carefully; he must consider exactly what he knows of Omi from before. He cannot, he realizes, assume that Omi even knows himself right now, never mind a man from another world whom he should, by rights, never have met.]

This place makes something of a habit of things such as this. I would advise you to pay it no mind, if that suggestion were not so ridiculous.

[oneblackcat]

[It's exactly the wrong thing to say, and it's exactly the right thing to say. Paying no mind was what the world required, what instincts told him he had to do and what everyone else warned him to do or else. To advise otherwise was to advocate for a shinki's self-destruction.

It was also, just as this brilliantly white visage of a person acknowledged, something of an impossible task to put one to. And there's an unspoken level of comfort and relief and gratification that someone understands just how ridiculous it is to expect someone to simply accept such things as they were.

Omi bows his head for a moment, then looks away, almost in shame.]

What should I do? I don't... I don't know how to pay no mind to having no idea who I am, or where I came from or what purpose my life served. Those things matter, don't they?!

[Don't they...?]

[justclaws]

[Oh, this is awful--!

[It is exactly what he was afraid of. What happened when pay no mind simply wasn't a good enough explanation, because in truth it had never been good enough? It is unfair, it is wantonly cruel, it is painful enough to simply have to witness, never mind to actually endure... and it is absolutely absurd to think that simply articulating that feeling, putting it into words, is somehow the dangerous thing about it. That naming the injustice for what it is should be the problem, not the injustice itself.]

Of course they do!

[He speaks too loudly. His words are too unguarded. Kija doesn't care. This is just too cruel.]

They take too much. I have always said it!

[oneblackcat]

[They. Who are they? Who does he need to confront over these missing pieces of himself? Does it mean that there's conceivably an avenue for getting them returned, if he yells at the right people?

Omi doesn't know the answers. But this young man seems to, and moreover, seems sympathetic to the situation. What choice does Omi have but to rely on him?]

Who does? Where do I need to go? Please...

[justclaws]

The old Gods. The Gods of this world. It is their rules we must live by.

[If only he knew more than that.

[Kija sighs. If Omi were one of his brothers, now would be an excellent time for a hug. It is difficult, when a near-stranger is distressed, to know how best to comfort them - still less when their distress is so eminently reasonable.]

I don't know how best to speak to them. Chance, and currying their favor are the only ways I have found so far, and the only one who seems at all approachable chooses the form of a child. I am sorry.

[oneblackcat]

[As he says it, Omi feels himself internally recoiling. He doesn't need to go anywhere, in fact it was the opposite. What he needs to do is stop thinking about it, stop seeking answers, stop asking for help obtaining a thing he was forbidden to have. Even if that thing is no less than his very identity.

But that's the reality, isn't it? He has no identity here, nor does any other shinki. They're here to be tools, not people. The thought sends a curdling chill down his body.

He shakes his head.]

I shouldn't be looking anyway. I'm sorry for my behavior. I-- I know that you know who I am, and that at one point, I was here before and knew you. But because I don't remember...

[Name please?]

[justclaws]

Hakuryuu Kija - though Kija is fine. You called me that before.

[Is last time around off-limits? He cannot be sure...

[But there is no harm, surely, in giving his name, in telling Omi something that means nothing at all. Perhaps it is fortunate that they had not been more intimate back when Omi's past was his own, to share or hide as he saw fit: fortunate, that he knew so little of what Omi's life had been before.]

And you must not apologize. You mustn't, Omi. You are not to blame for any of this. It is the Gods of this world who should be sorry, and this place which is at fault. Never yourself.

[oneblackcat]

[Well now he's really confused. Should he be resisting these thoughts or shouldn't he? But he can't deny it's a heartening thing to hear and it endears him to Kija to get such validation, a sentiment written all over his face as he looks back at him.

And now that he's less caught up in revelations of prior time here and anguish over his missing identity, some of the details of this new old friend penetrate superficial observation to conscious notice. How brilliantly and uniformly white he is, with silvery hair and pristine garments and vibrant blue-green eyes. And a right hand that is almost certainly not human. It's even whiter than the rest of him, with long talon-like nails and Omi doesn't dare look directly at it for fear of causing discomfort or being rude but he thinks it's even covered with scales instead of skin.

What on Earth happened? Did he lose his original arm and undergo an unconventional surgery for a replacement? Genetic mutation? The name Hakuryuu, was it a title he'd earned? A label he'd been assigned? Whatever the case, Omi couldn't imagine that the story of that arm was a happy one. And the last thing he wants to do is bring up a painful memory, especially when Kija has been nothing but polite and empathetic.

So instead he says:]

Kija... Thank you. I know it must be strange to hear from your side, but it's nice to meet you. And I'm glad to know that we were friends before.