August Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: August 15
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



In anticipation of the latest round of new arrivals, Heaven has partnered with the new gods and shinki to organize a very helpful informational reception.

Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided kindly towards Bishamon's temple. In that vast complex they are brought to a traditional-style dojo. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.




God Training

Unfortunately, Bishamon is away on business today, but her shinki as well as Amaterasu's ever-present shinki and any volunteering gods will offer 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 receive as orientation 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 as well as offering a lecture on the basics of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods. It is encouraged that shinki group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.

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.) This is vital for gods who, for example, find themselves with a sword shinki but are at risk of cutting off their own toes.
It's 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

[demonsheath]

[ That sure sounds like a good reason to keep an eye out for anyone that shows up. For better or worse, though none of it was really her business. Not until someone else decided it was.

It's easy enough to return with a softer, maybe even kinder, smile than she had before. ]

Then have you been encouraging a lot of people so far?

[lostinshadows]

Of course.

[Lavi shifts a bit, his demeanor generally friendly despite the wariness he still feels.]

They seem to feel more encouraged when they have a personal cheerleader rooting for them.

[demonsheath]

[ Maybe someday he would understand why his instincts leaned so strongly for that response. Especially when he was so vulnerable. Not that he had to worry about that right now. ]

I could imagine that. Especially for us new shinki.

[lostinshadows]

[Someday. Probably whenever he learns what she really is.

He chuckles.]

Hey, I was in your place once so I can understand the feeling.

[demonsheath]

[ Try not to hold it against her too much. Unless you get the explanation from Will, in which case no one could blame you for doing so, due to the biased information. ]

I imagine most shinki were. How did the meeting with your god go, back when you were first brought here?

[lostinshadows]

[Talking to the wrong guy about that, Hannah. He holds nothing against demons in general and biased information wouldn't be enough to sway him.

Lavi smiles slightly.]

It was...definitely a bit of a rough start. There were some issues on both parts, but we got along really well to trust each other despite how our meeting went.

[demonsheath]

[ What if part of the definition of 'demon' meant one that devoured souls? Of course, Lavi was the type to learn and confirm things himself, so there might not be too much trouble in finding out what she was. Yet there was something akin to comfort when he mentioned the rough start. ]

... What sort of issues were there in the beginning?

[lostinshadows]

[Hardly anything that would faze him.

He tilts his head.]

Just some trust issues, a bit on her part since she was holding a secret that could have been detrimental to our relationship.

[demonsheath]

[ Then it would probably take more than him learning what she is to figure out why he had been so wary. Maybe by that time, Hannah will figure out what was wrong with the way the boy smelled. (And why she saw him as a boy at all.) ]

I see... How long did it take before you were able to overcome that?

[lostinshadows]

...A couple of days.

[Lavi watches her.]

Having issues with your own god?

[demonsheath]

The only issue is me, I'm afraid.

[ Well, she wasn't afraid at all. There were many things she could say to elaborate on it, but was she okay with betraying her master's confidence, though he had none in her? ]

Perhaps I'll be fortunate enough to only require some time as well.

[lostinshadows]

What's wrong?

[Please don't let it be a situation where an ablution is required.]

Well, we have all the time here in the world, so might as well try to make it work.

[demonsheath]

[ This would be a world record if an ablution was required. Luckily demons generally do not feel guilt. Though she'll make a point of not saying what's wrong and stick to what a potential solution to this may be. ]

He'll have to learn to tolerate having me for a shinki is all. Whatever is wrong is completely out of my hands.

[lostinshadows]

Hopefully you two will be able to get along well in time.

[demonsheath]

Hopefully, though that will be up to him. Even if that does not happen, it won't change my being there unless he decides to.

[ Which obviously hasn't happened yet. A master's orders and will is absolute, or is this the case of someone being stubborn enough to suffer until their god's will is broken? ]

[lostinshadows]

You never know. Some situations may force him to warm up to you.

[A flicker of a smile.]

[demonsheath]

[ Maybe if her god hadn't given her a name that was like a branded reminder to them both. For what, she couldn't tell. ]

Perhaps. Though even if he remains the same, I'll continue to be by his side and at his command.

[ Does that count as loyalty, masochism, or something else? ]

[lostinshadows]

...I'm not sure if that's called loyalty or just wanting to serve a god.

[demonsheath]

If it was merely about wanting to serve a god, the brochure makes it sound like there are options.

[ It's not exactly loyalty though, either. It's just following through on a master's wish, orders and commands as they're presented. Actually, in a way, it could sound like a twisted form of love. ]

[lostinshadows]

Sounds a bit twisted.

[demonsheath]

Does it, now?

[ What Hannah doesn't realize is that she smiled, not those small controlled smiles, when he said that. Though it's certainly fading back to the more polite expression from before. ]

[lostinshadows]

Just a tad.

[That smile doesn't really help matters either.

What are you?]

[demonsheath]

Please, if you would; explain how you see it as twisted.

[ She's many things, but not all of it she understands herself. ]

So that I could better understand.

[lostinshadows]

When we're paired up with a god, we initially don't have a choice. However, at the same time, it's possible to switch gods by having your first god release you when you manage to find another god that might be even more compatible with you.

[He tilts his head.]

So, right now, it sounds a bit twisted if you're willing to stay with this current god simply out of some basic duty or a strange kind of loyalty.

[demonsheath]

Ah, I see what you mean, when you put it like that.

[ That does make her sound rather twisted. ]

However, there's also a god that's willing to hold onto a shinki they do not like or wish to keep, even though releasing them is an option. It may turn out that we're rather suited for one another.

[ And Hannah wouldn't mind seeing William's face when he has that realization. Would his expression change? ]