September Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: August 25
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

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a hall near the dojo for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior, although the minor deity conducting the meeting is in too much of a rush to take questions afterwards. They are encouraged to discuss the information with each other and ask questions of more experienced gods, as well as to guide their new shinki appropriately.

Shinki Training

Various volunteers are stationed around the dojo, 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. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.

Targets have been hung up just outside the dojo for people practicing borderlines of both the defensive and cutting variety. They've clearly been made by kids: they're big, crayon-colored butcher paper cutouts of ayakashi, carefully detailed. Some of Bishamon's child shinki are working on more towards the side of the practice area, with crayons scattered all around. They could use some help from anyone with an artistic bent.

Physical Training

The dojo is stocked with a wide variety of practice weapons, traditional and modern, to offer some practice opportunity to 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.

Bishamon's shinki have gone all out this time and created an obstacle course for physical training as well. Climb walls, crawl through mud, jump across randomly spaced stumps, find your way through a maze and collect one of each of five different-colored ribbons being handed out by shinki attendants for completing each section within the allotted time.

Rest and Refreshments

Since the obstacle course is even messier than the usual training session, one of Bishamon's shinki will show anyone who asks the way to the showers to get cleaned up afterwards. There are hydrating drinks and light snacks available outside the dojo, along with fresh, lemon-scented towels.

In Bishamon's garden, a proper English tea has been laid, with a long table containing sweet and savory nibbles, and small wicker tables with two or three chairs set out all over the lawn. Gods and shinki can sit down for a talk here, get to know each other, and adjust to their new situation.

Bishamon's shinki do seem a little overworked, though, trying to serve tea all around. They'd welcome anyone, new or old, willing to put on one of the crisp white aprons and help serve some tea.

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

[trapperkeeper]

[Those are perfectly sensible priorities.]

Huh? Oh, you know...

[It takes him a minute to think of an example.]

Like... what the honk is going on? Or... where the honk am I?

[challengesfate]

...I have never used the word used in such a context.

[trapperkeeper]

Really?

[He thinks that over for a minute.]

Why don't you hang out with me then? I use it all the time.

[Because that is the solution for a problem she doesn't have, Lann.]

[challengesfate]

Um...okay. Though I do not think that explains..."honk".

[trapperkeeper]

I don't think anyone can explain honk.

[Yeah, he doesn't know what that means either. But Lann has already lost the thread of this conversation.]

So, uh, what's your name?

[challengesfate]

[At least they've moved on to something more easy to follow.]

Lucina. What about yours?

[trapperkeeper]

Lann. Are you a shinki too?

[challengesfate]

No, I've come here as a god...though it's still not something I'm used to.

[trapperkeeper]

That's pretty cool though. What're you god of?

[challengesfate]

Ah...childbirth, and mothers and their children. Though I don't know much about any of those things...

[trapperkeeper]

You know more than I do. Even if you don't have any kids yourself you probably remember being one. Gotta count for something.

[challengesfate]

I suppose so. But from experience, I can say that...it wasn't exactly idyllic.

[trapperkeeper]

Oh... That's rough.

[Now he feels bad for dredging up unpleasant memories.]

Um, sorry.

[challengesfate]

It's alright. It made me the person I needed to be - and the person I am today, which...apparently was good enough to be a god, even if I don't understand why.

[trapperkeeper]

Hey, I'm sure you're fine. Whoever is doling out godhood around here probably knows what they're doing.

[challengesfate]

I would certainly hope that's the case.

[Because if you're just making any person a God then that's asking for trouble.]

[trapperkeeper]

Of course it is. Just gotta stay positive.

[Meaning he doesn't know for sure, but he's willing to accept easy answers.]

So do you mind if I ask what a god does every day? I'm a little curious.

[challengesfate]

What we do every day? Hm...

[Hold on she's going to give this considerate thought.]

Well...we listen for prayers, but also, we take care of our temples...get to know our shinki and each other...I train a lot in my garden. Is there something specific about Gods you'd like to know?

[trapperkeeper]

[He waves one hand and shakes his head.]

Nah, nothing specific. But I just started this whole shinki afterlife thing so I'm still trying to figure it all out.

[challengesfate]

Well, it won't be hard to figure out with time. Have you met your God yet?