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

[korekara]

[ Honoka's first thought upon arriving is -- So this is probably a prank, right? After all, Honoka's just... Honoka. There's nothing really exceptional about her. Certainly nothing that would make her a good goddess. Wouldn't Nozomi be a better pick for that? She's all about spiritual power and what have you. Or maybe Umi! She's all poised and refined and that sort of thing. Either of them would make a much better goddess than Honoka.

Not that she's not going to give this her all, of course. It just seems like there's been a big mixup somewhere.

Which is why, should you look even vaguely like you know what you're doing, you might find yourself getting waved over by a very confused looking Honoka. ]

Uh, hey, so... this god stuff! This isn't just some crazy mixup, is it? 'cause uh... I'm not really sure if I'm god material.

[ Honoka will also be around at god training where she'll be doing her best to get the hang of her new powers. It takes her a little while but at some point, you might hear a victorious whoop and see Honoka crouching down over a little bunch of flowers that most certainly were not growing out of the ground a few minutes prior.

And she's also aggressively mingling around the refreshments -- if you're looking even slightly lonely or even if you're just not actively conversing with someone, Honoka will probably sidle over with a big grin on her face at some point or another. ]

Hey, you're new too, right? Is this all crazy or what?

arrival

[scratchitti]

[Neku was... confused. Not scared, not yet. He had no context TO be scared- just a little lost and a bit pissed off that no one was telling him anything.

Just to wait for his god, and they would explain everything. He read and reread the pamphlet they were given. That he was dead and a servant now. There was a slight thread of concern about that... but honestly, how could he feel any grief for a life he doesn't remember?

Still, it's enough that when he sees the girl looking so clueless, and his gut tells him ' this is the one' he can't help huffing- his scowl is hidden by his shirt collar, but his disdain is clear in his eyes. She was supposed to give him a purpose? She has no idea what SHE'S doing either!]

Clearly.

[korekara]

[ It's like a ping -- not so much an actual noise but a feeling like an exclamation point in her brain. A little tug, a flip of her stomach, a feeling in her gut that says this is him!.

And of course... she gets stuck with a prickly little sassmaster. Geez, it's like Maki all over again. Honoka makes a bit of a face but then blows up, her bangs fluttering up and off her forehead. ]

Well, I guess everyone's gotta start somewhere. If this isn't a mixup, I'm gonna just roll with it and do what I can!

[ FAITO DAYO ]

... or, uh. We're gonna do what we can, huh? I guess we're supposed to be working together. I'm Honoka Kousaka!

[scratchitti]

Working together. Partners then, huh?

[The word means nothing to him now, except deep in his heart. And while his tone still isn't warm, it's less jagged.

Still, he doesn't give his name]

[korekara]

Yep! Partners. Team mates! Or I guess we're not exactly a team if we're just two, huh...

[ Oh well! So much for that. ]

So anyway! What about you? What's your name?

Refreshments

[photoshooter]

[Prompto laughs a little breathlessly at the question.]

Uh, yeah. Pretty crazy! I don't know how we're supposed to remember everything they're trying to tell us...

[korekara]

I guess that's what the pamphlets are for, huh?

[ She holds hers up and flaps it back and forth. ]

Seriously, though! I'm still kinda stuck on why they'd pick me of all people for god stuff. You'd think they'd at least want someone who's graduated high school already!

[photoshooter]

Ohh, you're a goddess? What're you the goddess of? Oh, crap, I shouldn't ask that without introducing myself first.

[He laughs awkwardly but his grin's honest enough.]

The name's Prompto! If you see another goddess around with blue hair, she's the one I belong to. Her name's Lucina. Nice to meet you!

[korekara]

Oh, uh-- well, I'm supposed to be Ame-no-Uzume-No-Mikoto! [ and isn't that a mouthful ] So I'm supposed to be the goddess of dawn and just, uh... having a good time! That kinda thing.

But anyway, just call me Honoka! The rest of it's waaaayyy too long. Nice to meetcha, Prompto-kun.

[ She's taking this all remarkably in stride. Visibly, at least. ]

Have you guys been doing any training yet?

refreshments

[declamando]

[Maria's only been at the table a moment or two before she's approached by this new girl, and though it's abrupt, she offers a polite smile.]

I'm afraid not - I've been here a few months now. But it is very strange to get used to, whether you're a god or a shinki.

[Two different aspects, but they're just as hard as each other in their own ways. Maria still isn't comfortable with the idea that she'd be considered a god, and she's been here since May.]

You'll find ways to make it your own before long, don't worry.

[korekara]

Oh! So you've probably got a ton more experience than me.

[ Honoka knows the difference a few months can make, when you put the work in. She's got some work of her own to do so she can catch up! ]

Any tips for a dumb newbie, then? Like, where should I start? What sorta things should I not do?

[declamando]

[That makes Maria laugh softly.] Less than you'd think, probably, but a little bit more, yes.

[And she does have plenty of considerations for newcomers, one of which is on the tip of her tongue immediately seeing what this girl's priorities are.]

Well, for one thing, I don't think it helps to worry so much about what to do and what not to do, since that's up to us now. After you settle in, you can start making the role your own - or even pick up other things. I act as a god, but I also co-run a talent agency, because I used to be a music professional. It's my way of spreading goodwill alongside my godly role, so maybe you can find something like that too.

[korekara]

[ Honoka absorbed only The Most Important Part of all that-- ]

A talent agency...

[ Her eyes practically start shoujo sparkling. ]

You mean like-- idols and stuff like that? And dancers and performers?

[ Uh oh. Someone's getting ideas. ]

Refreshments

[1wing]

[ Tsubasa doesn't really know how to answer that question, lacking the memories to form a proper frame of reference. Still, she tries. ]

If gods and ghosts are immortal, then I suppose most of us here will be new for a long time. Certainly, I wouldn't count anyone who hasn't had a century under their belt to be an old hand...

[ So yes, yes she's new. She didn't arrive literally just now, but new enough. ]

I would say it is crazy, but all life is hectic, isn't it? I wouldn't really know what normality seems like.

[ No memories and all. But even if she did, Tsubasa wouldn't know anyway. She's had an odd life. ]

[korekara]

I mean. I wouldn't say gods and fighting monsters is usually normal? Not unless you're watching anime and even then that's just in the stuff kids watch.

[ Not that Honoka watches any of it, of course. Certainly not magical girl shows or anything like that. Of course not. ]

We'll have time to get used to it but I'm not exactly sure I like the sound of "hundreds of years"...

[1wing]

It might be abnormal, but that abnormality is comforting to me. Perhaps some of us fought monsters in our previous lives?

[ What does that say about Tsubasa, she wonders to herself? Nothing good, probably. Sliding so naturally into her role as a fighter. ]

Consider how long most religions have lasted. If you are a god, you have to expect to survive that long, no?

[ Isn't that how gods work? ]

[korekara]

[ She makes a face that just screams "yikes" ]

Well, I guess... but uh, I've kind of got stuff going on back home! Like my family and all my friends. I can't just disappear forever to do god stuff. They're gonna be worried sick, trying to find me and work out where I am! And I'm gonna miss the heck out of them!

Refreshments

[yousaytron]

[Keith never exactly expects to be hit up for small talk during these training days - he's here to work hard, grab food, and avoid weird social situations with total strangers! Still, that plan doesn't always go off flawlessly, especially when Heaven decides to bring in such cheery new residents.]

... Not everyone here is new, you know. [As if she, a clear newbie, should have already figured that out by now or something, jeez.]

[korekara]

Huh? For real?

[ She pauses, having been about to take a huge bite of something soft and bread-looking (she may or may not just be eating bread rolls without any toppings) but she has the decency to at least hold off on eating while she's talking to him. For now, anyway. ]

I'd kinda figured this was a big get-together for all the newbies so we could all get to know each other but looks like I got my wires crossed. But I guess that makes all you oldbies a little less big and scary!

[ It's kind of hard to believe she'd even think to be intimidated with the way she's been shoving herself into social interaction with everyone this whole time, though. ]

Anyway! I'm Honoka. Or uh, Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto. But that's kind of long so you can just stick with Honoka!

[yousaytron]

[Honestly, she seems like the type that would be able to carve out some comfort among the current residents pretty easily. There are plenty of friendly-types around, after all.]

It's a good opportunity for those of us who have been here for a while to train a little bit and show some of the newcomers the ropes.

[Though, he probably doesn't give off the aura of a very helpful individual. And hoo boy that is quite the mouthful for a god name, isn't it? There is... probably no way he's going to be able to remember that right away, even if he were invested enough to want to.] Honoka. [Way easier to remember.] I'm Keith. [And, uh, since he brought up the part about older residents here being helpful, may as well try and play the part?]

Have you been... [...] Settling in well?

[Nailed it.]

[korekara]

Iiiiii guess?

[ That's probably a "no". ]

Honestly, I'm still having a hard time getting my head around all this. I mean, it's not like we don't have gods and stuff back home but just getting picked out of a crowd to be one? That's the kinda thing that only happens in manga and stuff.

[ And not even the kind she reads! ]

I figure I'll get used to it eventually -- not like I've got much of a choice, huh? And there's a ton of you guys here already so I guess if I'm getting a little lost on everything all I've gotta do is ask for some help! So it'll all work itself out somehow. Probably.

refreshments

[thirdbeauty]

Eh?

[Honoka has caught the taller girl off guard. She's definitely dressed more appropriately for training than most of the new arrivals - flared yoga pants and a modest, supportive crop top. It probably gives the impression this isn't how she normally dresses, but that she'd come prepared for the training.]

Oh! I... guess. Well, not new new, but I've only been here a few months.

[She turns to properly face the smaller girl, folding her hands in front of her as she returns a friendly smile, with just a bit of a blush still coloring her cheeks.]

Did you just arrive today?

[korekara]

[ So tall...! She might even be taller than Eli?! Honoka didn't think that was possible. ]

Yep! I just got here with my uh... partner now, I guess? I know he's called a "shiki" but that kinda makes him sound like a thing not a person... but uh, anyway! We just got here and we're just sorta working out what to do with ourselves.

I'm Honoka Kousaka! But just "Honoka-chan"'s fine with me.

[thirdbeauty]

[She's so much taller than Eli. Just wait until Honoka sees her in heels!]

Ah... yeah, some gods are a little weird about the shinki thing. But most of the ones I've met don't see us that way. Even the old ones...

[Amaterasu has never been anything but nice, for instance. But now that Honoka's introduced herself, Natsuru quickly switches off of that topic to do the same. Her cheeks tint a little pink at being told pretty much immediately to call her 'Honoka-chan'...]

Th-Then "Natsuru-chan" is fine, too! Um, that's me. Natsuru Senou. I'm Maria-sama's shinki.

[korekara]

Ooooh, then that means you can turn into something cool, huh? Like what?

[ Tact: not located. ]