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

Physical training

[bussounoshima]

[Sharak stands to the side of the firing range, watching the woman curiously. She clearly knows what she's doing. Enough so that Sharak wonders why she's bothering to practice on a day like this, with a weapon that's not her own, except- yes, a shinki would want to check that sort of thing, wouldn't they?]

You should try one of the shotguns. They're a bit less precise, but they do some damage.

[Conversationally, like recommending a dish at a restaurant. Look, it's fine, the guns are there to practice with.]

Re: Physical training

[demonsheath]

[ Yes. A shinki would want to test that sort of thing, and even more, they might not have such a weapon on hand to know what they're skilled at in the first place.

The woman turns her head just enough to get a glance at the woman that had made the suggestion. Interesting,
though she couldn't tell why that was her internal response. however, if advice was
being freely given, she may as well poke further for a more thorough perspective. ]

Do you often switch between pistols and shotguns?

[bussounoshima]

Not often, but occasionally.

[Most of her men carry shotguns and rifles. She finds reasons to pick them up or snatch one out of Hassan's hands on occasion.]

It's worth trying it out. The others as well.

[demonsheath]

You're most likely right about that, yes.

[ Both putting the safety on and removing the clip, Hannah returns the handgun to where it was before going to collect one of the shotguns. Though she couldn't help but stop at the light machine guns. Scanning back over the selection, without knowing what it was she was looking for, Hannah grabbed one of those to sling the strap over her shoulder before going over to collect one of the shotguns and practice ammo for both.

Yet when returning to the practice range, the demon's testing the weight in her hands before loading it. It wasn't unfamiliar, but didn't feel quite right. The same had went for the machine gun, honestly, but she couldn't figure out why. ]

I noticed that they don't have quite as many options to choose from as they do for the melee weapons

[bussounoshima]

[Sharak watches Hanna collect a machine gun with interest. A good choice, and she didn't even need the tip to pick it up.]

A lot of the old gods are more traditionally minded. Bishamon seems like a practical woman, but there's probably still a bias.

[Sharak casts her gaze over the selection as well.]

You would think that when fighting ayakashi, ranged weapons of any type would be preferable but... [She shrugs.] I suppose we aren't expected to use these weapons against ayakashi.

[demonsheath]

[ It's clear that she has some passing familiarity with the weapons, given it only takes a small glance over the model before the woman's loading up the shotgun. If anything, she's got enough of a basic understanding of firearms to work from there onto these others. She's not moving or holding the weapons in a way that would imply rigid training, either. As shown when she raises the barrel of the gun and isn't affected too much by the kickback of the shot.

It hits the target, sure, but she's unsatisfied by the result enough to take the other shot out and set it aside. ]

If they're so traditionally biased, then perhaps it's time to develop a more balanced defense.

[ For she can see the advantages of having melee weapons as well. Loading the machine gun, giving it a look over before doing so casually like she had the shotgun, Hannah keeps the conversation going. ]

I imagine you have experience with using these against ayakashi. Has it proven effective as a safely distant offense?

[bussounoshima]

[None of the guns fit, huh? Maybe she's used to some kind of specially crafted fire arm. Or perhaps she isn't human, a possibility Sharak is willing to entertain, and is used to summoning a weapon.]

As a temporary measure, occasionally. [Sharak keeps an eye on the machine gun.] Ayakashi can only be properly damaged or killed by a shinki's vessel form. These are more likely to annoy them.

[Sure, with enough terrifying violence you can tear an ayakashi apart enough to make an escape or trap it somewhere but... Temporary measures.]

[demonsheath]

[ The truth isn't too far off from the possibility that Sharak was entertaining. Just grosser- While there was an innate knowledge that she could store things away inside her, the demon had no clue of what was already sheathed away. ]

Then they're suitable for drawing attention, or to use against targets that are not ayakashi.

[ A conclusion she was noting before firing the machine gun at the target. Her hold and body in general can handle the recoil and kickback, but it's just a short burst before her dissatisfaction shows through. Glancing back at what was put out for open display, despite knowing that what she was looking for wasn't there, her tone spoke more about those feelings as her expression went back to that calm and 'professional' mood. ]

I don't suppose you know if there's anything heavier stored elsewhere.

[ Apparently a light machine gun doesn't do it for her. ]

[bussounoshima]

[Sharak lifts a cigarette to her lips to hide her smile.]

Something heavier, huh... I wouldn't know about that.

[She's just a modest priest, what would she know about heavy artillery... There's a click from her lighter and she brings a flame to the tip of her cigarette.]

You might have to look a little harder for something like that.

[demonsheath]

So it seems.

[ A modest priest making suggestions on which firearms she should try, admitting to switching between pistols and shotguns. Does that really count as 'modest'? That wolf tail isn't exactly the most modest thing either. ]

It sounds like another thing that I'll have to learn about in this new world. I imagine that I'm patient enough for that.

[ Then again, being dressed as a maid, it's not unsurprising if she really was. ]

[bussounoshima]

[Forget modesty, why is the Buddhist priest wearing fur to begin with?]

You'll find that there's a lot to discover, so you shouldn't find your patience being tested on that front. I'm sure you'll find plenty of distractions.

[The modern world is full of so many exciting guns and explosives, Hannah, it's great.]

[demonsheath]

[ Fur was a reasonable method of displaying positions in some kind of hierarchy, skills, or as a method of keeping warm by using the furs of creatures that had a proper coat and were in healthy population. It'd be unusual if that's how it was while Sharak was in typical Buddhist monk garb, as her knowledge could refer to. ]

As many new things as it's all stayed the same, I'm sure. Any particular distraction you've found yourself fond of?

[bussounoshima]

Ah... I'm not really one for indulging in distractions...

[She says, taking a drag from her cigarette. Sharak, please be a little less shameless. Well, at least Hannah didn't catch her drinking liquor, eating meat, participating in needless violence or other, non-Buddhist indulgences.]

But there's more of those on the Near Shore than the Far. As you'd expect, it's the living who understand it best.

[demonsheath]

Aside from smoking, I take it?

[ Ah, but that does present a new hitch in finding these things out. Which is when her shoulders lower and her head bows down just slightly. ]

Then I suppose I've reached a roadblock rather early. Perhaps someday in the future I'll be permitted to go there and understand better.

[bussounoshima]

That's as much for everyone else's safety as it is for my pleasure.

[No one wants to deal with Sharak going through nicotine withdrawal. No one. Sharak pauses for a moment, watching Hannah closely.]

... There's nothing stopping you. Any shrine will lead you to the Near Shore. Your god should have one on their temple grounds.

[demonsheath]

I see.

[ No judgement about it, either way. That's your decision and life, Sharak. You started your addiction, and the decisions you make just show that you're an adult.

If there had been any amusement, it went back away when she returned to the subject of her god. It's a few careful seconds of placing her words before actually saying them. ]

If I were to go to the Near Shore without permission, or a sign that my god trusted me enough to do so, he'd be... More than disappointed. As we have only just met, I do not know how that would manifest.

[bussounoshima]

[Hey, if smoking is what kills her, she's doing better than anyone expected.

But this is approaching a more serious topic. Actually, it's a nearing something a little sensitive to discuss with someone she's just met, Sharak thinks.]

... If you've only just met, what makes you so sure he'd be disappointed? It's quite normal for shinki to visit the Near Shore unattended.

[demonsheath]

[ While it's a subject that Hannah can't give a flippant response towards, she doesn't regard it as so heavy or sensitive. These were facts, just as the weather in Heaven is typically very pleasant, and that people show up in waves as both gods and shinki.

It's why she's careful with her words, but doesn't seem to hold any scorn or weight in them. This simply was how things were for her. ]

More than. My god's opinion of my existence has been clear since before he's named me with the kanji for deception. He'll likely look for reasons to justify himself more.

[ Which is why, at this time, she had no plans of looking for guns on the near shore. ]