December Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: September 25th
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided to Bishamon's temple, where a reception area and a traditionally styled dojo and training ground have been made available for the day. 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 Western-styled reception hall within Bishamon's temple 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 instructed to guide their new shinki appropriately.

Shinki Training

Various shinki volunteers, both in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's shinki and in Bishamon's red-piped black uniforms, are stationed around the dojo, passing out helpful informational pamphlets. They will be happy to instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline as well as offering an explanantion 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 perspectives.

Someone has brought two overflowing boxes of back issues of From Ama, the Heavenly magazine, which includes profiles of successful shinki and gods, historical tidbits, and the occasional magazine quiz to help shinki determine how well they're currently working with their god or what their greatest strength might be.

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.

This month, a clever shinki magician has created a dozen straw-stuffed training dummies, some with sword-length sticks and some with polearm-length sticks, that have been enchanted to really fight back. Unfortunately, the spell isn't perfect yet! They're good training partners, but sometimes they might go a little haywire and try to smack passersby.

Rest and Refreshments

Along with bottled water, there are several large boxes of energy drinks and vitamin drinks in small amber glass bottles, and an array of protein bars and meal bars. One particular shinki in white, a bespectacled twentysomething man, is explaining the health benefits of everything on the table (even the water!) with great enthusiasm to any guest who looks even a little confused. It takes great tact to discourage him.

Party games have been set up on the lawn near the refreshments table: Twister, Kubb, lawn Jenga, and more.

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
• Play some games
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[battered]

[This is turning into way more of a science lesson than he would have imagined out of a fun game... He can't really say he's getting it, exactly, but it's not going to deter him from continuing to play.]

R-right! [As if he understands completely. Ah, well, at least the next piece he picks - a little closer to the top, thinking that maybe ones up higher had less chance of toppling the tower over - is slipped out of the stack with similarly little issue.] Like that!

[light_of_willpower]

[Unfortunately, Trunks is not as much help as he'd like.]

It was less formal training and more advice, really. And sadly, not that I'm aware of. Aside from Goten, but he also seems to know everyone.

[futhark]

Exactly, it catches- that's the point! [ And keeps being on fire. Why it doesn't get burned down to ashes is of course completely different point- wouldn't be a magic staff otherwise- and yeah he demonstrates and with quickly drawn rune he sets the staff aflame, wielding it as if nothing wrong was going wrong with it. ]

It's useful for close-range combat situations. [ And it's flashy. Sorry. That's another important reason. But yeah, wooden staff on it's own doesn't look like a very impressive weapon ]

[diehardreaper]

Don't think too much about it, mate. Knowing the basic's all well'n good... and it's prolly going to be worse to tell you not to think about it but you get me drift, eh?

[ He's not going to try to look too concerned about shinki remembering things. That just makes things look even more worrisome after all. Just stay casual. Stay chill. ]

Anyroad! Met your god yet? Should be your next priority, if you ask me.

[reformedsinner]

Ha ha, that's a relief all on its own. It means I have fewer lessons to catch up on!

Really, if nothing else, all of this has taught me that I have to keep better notes.

[Maybe he should come up with a code. His information might still be useless to others, but as long as he can decipher it himself....]

[papillonprincess]

The last thing I tried to make was stew... and that was with his help.

[ There's a chuckle there though. ]

I'm... actually quite helpless in the kitchen. All my god and I have been doing since he... left... was going on convenience store runs. They're actually pretty good once you know where to look.

[ The 7-11 in a certain prefecture of Tokyo has become her favorite, really and she'd be more than happy to show people the beauty of convenience store chow. ]

[kokuyoyo]

...Well. It's not as if they talk to us much.

[They certainly are annoying that way.]

[light_of_willpower]

For yourself, if nothing else.

[Code-aside, they're thinking along the same lines. Sigh.]

I'm not sure I could help with anything else, but if you want a hand resettling, or something.

[alchemists]

Right!

[ Elfnein didn't mean to make this more complex but it's a useful skill to know right? ]

[reformedsinner]

Indeed. I do appreciate it, Trunks... in fact, may I have your number? I'll call you if I do need a hand.

I'm sure it's much more difficult for a shinki to settle in here, but even remembering myself, I'm afraid I remember very little of the rules of this world.

[He pats his pockets and produces his phone, smiling ruefully.]

[purr_ince]

Don't plan on it. Doesn't seem very important. Stuff'll come around on it's own so I figure why fuss?

[He's giving a little shrug of his shoulders. It's strange he can tell but he's sure there's a reason he remembers that random as it is.]

Mhm! [He's gesturing.] About this tall, pigtails, blue eyes, freckles, about my age.

[light_of_willpower]

[Trunks'll pull out his own phone, and text it. Hakkai should have a beep of the message arriving.]

I'm sure you have my number already, but just in case. And like I said, I'm Mai's shinki, so if you go to Caireen's temple you can usually find me around there.

[purr_ince]

I don't think they really have much choice. [He considers for a moment.] I mean you wouldn't really want to let a bunch of people with powers run around wild, right? That'd be like putting a kid in a candy or toy store alone. It would be total chaos without rules or instruction. [He shrugged, rubbing at the back of his neck awkwardly.] At least that's how I see it.

Why should it? It's nice when people are happy. And they should be able to express it however they want. [He nods at this as if that nod will push his point home.] It might be a good call, yep. Wouldn't want to set a bad example, would we?

Absolutely! [Adrien is holding a hand up for a high five, grinning at her green eyes bright. He likes the idea that they're going to be a great team. That even if he's a Shinki she sees him as a partner and not just a tool or lesser extension of himself. It's good to be on equal footing - at least he thinks so.]

I'm glad you think so. [Some part of him might be worried that he's making a bad choice or that maybe his god is looking for him. But he doesn't dwell on second guessing. He can't. Or he'd never move forward and that's important. He can't just stand still here. Besides she's - there's something about her that makes him feel like this is right even if that tiny part feels a little fear.]

It's good. We're together. [It's good that they're both anxious. It shows that they're both taking it seriously.] I know. [Adrien frowns a bit seeing her expression change. There's something there. She seems upset? Hurt maybe? There's a urge to comfort her, to hug her and tell her that whatever was bothering her was going to be okay.]

You don't need to thank me. You're going to be my partner. If I can't give you my trust then we wouldn't have reached this point. [He moves resting a hand on her shoulder. His words are sincere with no trace of being just lip service. Adrien has never been anything less than honest - at least when could be that is.] Me, too.

[Adrien laughs again the sound turning into a softer laugh that becomes a giggle. Only to fade at her tears.]

It's hard to do that when you're crying.

[His voice is soft laced with concern. He doesn't know what to make of these sudden tears. Especially when she'd been so happy just moments before.]

Happy tears because I'm your Shinki? But you knew I would be. I don't really understand. Why would that make you cry? [He sounds genuinely confused. Maybe he's never been so happy he's cried before. Maybe he has - it doesn't matter though because he won't remember. Adrien snuggles closer seeking to give comfort. He's thinking hug but as he's a scarf all he does is shift closer.] As long as you're sure that it's not a bad thing and you're happy. I suppose I can learn to understand the concept.

I'll have to take your word for it. [If he had eyes he'd be rolling them right now.] Uh huh. What's with all that flattery? It's just because I'm a pretty color, isn't it? [Adrien blinks as she seems to be looking him - well not him but him over.] What are you looking for something? [He can't help but ask her curiously. But sure enough there at the end of the scarf is her name, stitched neat and small into the fabric of scarf-Adrien. Yes, he's that scarf - the one she'd so painstakingly made him for his birthday.]

[battered]

[To her credit, it's not a difficult concept, Raichi's just... not strong at thought-heavy work.]

Kaha, it's not too hard...! [Not yet, anyway.] It's kinda fun, trying to keep it from falling over!

[pure_radiantics]

Oh no, listen to me! I said Rend when I meant Line, I'm sorry! I can tell you a little bit what Rend feels like, but we can't practice it without your god around, so Line it is.

Anyway, three ways: as a wall, as a long-ranged attack, and as a kind of weapon you keep in your hand to attack with. If that doesn't make sense, I can try to explain more.

[Adrien seems nice and is picking up a lot, but maybe - like her - he's just a normal boy, so saying something like long-ranged attack and weapon may not make sense yet. Okay maybe if he's played a lot of video games in his old life, or watched a lot of TV... never mind, this is why she had to just ask and see.]

Re: Physical Training

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi pulls her hands up her shoulders and sighs.]

I do think they could come back... Riku did. Twice. But maybe they'll be gods and maybe they'll be shinki. If they're shinki, there's almost no chance they'd remember me - I mean, the conversations we had here, the ones I remember too. I... think in some ways that's probably easier for a shinki, you know? I don't remember any parents, if I had them at all, and so I can't really miss them.

But I definitely miss Roxas and Sora and the rest of their shinki I lived with. One of them is still here and another came back as a god, so he doesn't know me that well anymore.

[But she smiles faintly.]

I would like to show them my progress, though... somehow... wherever they are, I know we're connected. It would just be nice to not be so far from them for too long.

[doodlebuginette]

[For the most part, Marinette was just pleased that his answers seemed to be getting longer. It was probably a ridiculous thing to even worry about, but maybe it was a good sign.]

If you're sure.

[Really though, there hadn't much of a demonstration just yet. And she didn't want to send him on his way empty-handed. Figuratively, anyway.]

Don't worry. I wasn't going to keep it! You'll get it back as soon as I'm finished.

[As much as she might have liked to keep the yoyo, she wasn't the type to try and walk off with it after he'd been so kind. Rather than dwell on that, she's twirling the yoyo again and glancing over at the training dummies. Were they close enough to hit one of them from here?

With that question in mind, she took a couple of steps toward the dummy in question before lashing out at the one closest to where they were standing. Mostly she was curious about how long a string this one had.]

[doodlebuginette]

The first thing I learned to make was hot chocolate. My maman chose it because it's pretty simple. [She's smiling fondly at the memory, and then nodding.]

I don't think I've ever made stew. Was it good?

[Or if she had, it hadn't been memorable enough to stick with her. Huh.]

How about this? You show me where to find the best convenience stores, and in return, I'll help you learn to cook? [It seemed like a fair enough arrangement, at least in Marinette's opinion.] We can even start with something simple!

[declamando]

No, it's not. [Maria becomes somewhat more serious at that.] And even some of the ones that did have stopped nowadays. I haven't seen Bishamon in weeks, at least.

[Possibly months, though it becomes difficult to keep track of after a while.]

[purr_ince]

It's okay. Don't worry too much about specifics. It's all new to me anyway.

[He's listening and nodding. Blinking green eyes at her as he rubs at the back of his neck. Mulling it over and breaking the words down to their barest basics all he's coming to is -]

So it can be used like a shield, a blast, and er a sword? Is that right?

[reformedsinner]

I likely do, but it will be much easier to find this way! Thank you again. And Caireen's temple... I've done some walking around the area, but what does it look like?

I have no idea ICLy what district it's in >.<

[light_of_willpower]

It's a round dome-ish structure, with columns along the outside. Stone, and near the edge of a forest and the ocean. It's really peaceful, and very nice. Good view of the stars and sunset and sunrise.

[saiyanhybrid]

Yup!

[Gohan did it lightly just for the sake of not bringing the game down too early.]

[kokuyoyo]

....She's.... a God of Fortune, right...? Or something like that.

[He's heard that phrase mentioned a couple of times.]

[kokuyoyo]

Good. It'd be troublesome getting it back.

[Even if that kind of thing turned out to be theft, he feels like there are a couple people in the Far Shore who wouldn't bother to help him even then. Especially if he attacked someone who definitely gives off a better.... vibe than he does.]

[For the time being, he simply stays and watches her as the yoyo unfurls. It's definitely a lot longer than any normal yoyo should be, perfect for a long distance attack to one of the nearest dummies. Further, maybe, although that could possibly be stretching it.]