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

[reformedsinner]

[Ah. Someone else he knows, and has cooked for, apparently. Hakkai smiles, and wonders how long he can carry on this conversation without having to admit he's lost his memory.

He can probably avoid names for a while, at least.]

Ah... I'm not much of a fan of sweets, but I suppose it could be worse.

[He accepts the offered bar, examines it dubiously, and begins working to peel off the foil.]

So, have you been working on your own training, or helping the newcomers?

[light_of_willpower]

[Something is off, but Trunks can't quite place it. Maybe it's just stress, as Hakkai did seem to involve himself in a lot of things.]

Ah, I should've offered you a different one. Although really they're all kind of too sweet, if you ask me.

[His head tilts, studying the God for a moment, as there was something about the way that question was phrased. Maybe it'll come to Trunks in a bit, maybe it's just his imagination.]

For the most part today, I was keeping an eye out. Whoever made the straw dummies attack back, did too good a job in some cases. Not everyone is used to that kind of relentless attacker. Not everyone is actually used to having an active training partner at all, for that matter.

What about you? Handing out more pamphlets for your school? Which has been really useful by the way, and I have recommended you to a few people.

[reformedsinner]

I appreciate the advertising. No, I've just been looking around today. It's been an interesting week.

[What with dying, coming back to life without his memory, being kicked out of his temple, finding out his best friend lost a hand and hates him, and losing his exemplar...

... "interesting," in the sense of the old curse, yes. He considers the young man again, gaze going slightly unfocused. He's not a youkai, but there's something distinctly nonhuman about his energy, that prickles at the edge of Hakkai's perceptions. Odds are, he supposes, that he's asked about it already.]

Having a training partner that fights back does push them to improve faster, I suppose, but it's nice of you to keep an eye out for the inexperienced ones.

[light_of_willpower]

[Interesting...hmm. Something is still pinging at Trunks, but he's still not sure what.]

There's improving and learning, and then there's being out of one's league.

[Quiet for a moment, and his manner is still friendly, but Trunks is definitely concerned. It's something in the other's phrasing--at least on that last sentence.]

You alright? That interesting week been a bad thing?

[reformedsinner]

Sometimes, it's also important to learn how to recognize when you're out of your league.

[You know, through some educational bruising! Ha ha.

He tilts his head thoughtfully.]

It hasn't been entirely bad. ... I have been having some memory issues recently. [Gaze flicking back to Trunks, he continues.] Regarding the last few months. I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask for your name again.

[light_of_willpower]

[Trunks isn't going to disagree--that's part of why he's been trying to relearn his skills and practice before he has to 'need' them. Since he doesn't remember what he does or doesn't know.]

The last few months...woah.

[That brings a startled blink, and he hmms to himself.]

Well, for starters I arrived with my Goddess-both of us new, about 2 months ago. I'm Trunks, shinki to Caireen, Goddess of Children. She goes by Mai. You've been helpful in offering advice, and tips, as I've been trying to relearn skills I am sure I had in life, but don't remember. For one, you helped me figure out I can use chi. From what training I've been doing, and sparring with him, I seem to be similar to Goten in a lot of ways.

We've had a fairly good relationship though, Hakkai, and I've enjoyed working with you. Also value your advice and open-ness, as you warned me not everyone here has our best interests all the time. You've been trying to help educate newer shinki, since we're especially at a disadvantage.

[That should be the general overview...]

[reformedsinner]

[Goten. It's a name he knows, although he hasn't had a chance to meet the boy yet. One of his other students, a particularly young one. Interesting.

Hakkai nods along with Trunks' explanation, marking the information; it does all make sense. And he has to admit that he appreciates meeting someone else who's willing to feed him a full explanation when he admits his confusion.]

I'm glad to hear I've been of some help to you. May I ask -- what sort of things can you do with your chi?

[light_of_willpower]

It started because it was interfering with my offensive borderline. I kept wanting to blast, instead of cut--because that was one of the skills I was used to. Since then, I've been learning to sense it in others and refining those blasts.

[A pause, and a hint of grin.]

You'd theorized at one point I could somewhat use it to shield myself. And you were right, but I'm glad we didn't find out by testing around your windows. I found out on accident, and there would've been a lot of broken glass.

[reformedsinner]

My goodness. It sounds as though you might need to work on wasted energy if your shield blows out windows.

[He raises an eyebrow at Trunks, smiling a little in return.]

More refinement never hurts, even if you have plenty of energy to spare.

[light_of_willpower]

It was kind of in a moment of...not panic, so much as reflex?

[There's a sheepish shrug, Trunks kind of still embarrassed.]

I've been trying to relearn how to control it, since then. But it's been interesting.

[His head tilts, studying the other for a moment.]

Any idea why you can't remember things? or any major trouble trying to remember the last few months? I can't say I know you well, but we're not strangers certainly.

[Trunks liked to think they were friends, really.]

[reformedsinner]

I'm afraid I couldn't say -- if there was a specific cause, I can't remember it... but I've heard things like this have happened before. My shinki suspect I may have been killed.

[He offers a little shrug, affixing an expression of clueless innocence to his face.

It helps that he is, in fact, still clueless.]

[light_of_willpower]

[There is a blink, and another, and then his eyes narrow.]

Huh. Is that what happens when people 'die' up here? I...don't think I've actually met your shinki really.

[Give him a moment to think, because while he's not actually suspicious of them, he's not going to rule that out entirely. It's one of the least likely scenarios though, so his mind turns towards other aspects of the matter.]

The way you're phrasing it though, suggests it was likely a deliberate act and not an accident, with regards to this killing.

[reformedsinner]

So I've been told. It seems that, most often, when people "die" here they die, but if it's true that I died, memory loss may be another symptom.

[He shakes his head.]

It sounds as though I wasn't ill, and from what I've heard none of my shinki know what happened. I doubt an accident would be quite that subtle. Still -- without my memory or their knowledge, it's a mystery.

[Someone would have heard or seen something, if he'd simply been hit by a car or fallen off a cliff. Wouldn't they?]

[light_of_willpower]

{Trunks is nodding, arms crossed as he's thinking still.]

When I first arrived, you did caution me that not everyone here would have 'my best interests' in mind, especially as a new shinki. While I'd hope, that even if someone's role as a God or shinki is for something bad or evil, they themselves wouldn't be bad...

[There's a shrug of his shoulders.]

No way to tell though, and then there've been some other things. Nothing I've investigated though directly, just seen. Like more guards along borders.

[reformedsinner]

I did hear about those extra guards! I certainly hope I didn't wind up dying in so worrying a manner as to inspire them myself.

[He laughs, apparently cheerful. He doesn't think he would have, but, well, it's hard to say.

He's certainly had some issues with how the Heavens seem to be running things so far.]

It's nice to think that everyone who winds up here has good intentions towards others, but I doubt that even Heaven is quite so innocent.

[light_of_willpower]

That was, the impression I had. Your thoughts about the lack of innocent intentions all the time, rather than your death I mean.

[Sighing though, Trunks looks resigned.]

Still, no way to know for sure, until you remember something or we get more information. I didn't know you long, but anything else I can help you with? People I might know that you should know, but don't seem to remember?

[reformedsinner]

Ah... I'm afraid I'm a little lost, still. I can't point out specific people, but-- Was I training anyone else alongside you?

[Spreading his hands helplessly, he offers Trunks a smile. It's a good way to start; he hadn't remembered this man, and apparently he hadn't kept class records on his non-academic lessons.]

[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.

[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....]

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[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.

Western!

[reformedsinner]

It sounds like a lovely place to live.

[Idyllic, even. Hakkai's temple hadn't looked bad itself, for the brief period of time he'd seen it before Ayumu demanded he get out, but he'd seen the height of the wall. He doubts there's much of a view of any horizon.

He wonders, for the first time, just how much of that design he should be taking personally.]

But thank you, I'll keep an eye out.

[He smiles, and adds:] I hope you have an excellent afternoon.