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

[kuroi_taiyo]

Actually, I kind of find it interesting how people react when they're put in a situation that gets them frustrated or pissed off.

[ He's rather unapologetic about the whole thing. Making it both a unique skill and interest of his, which is an unfortunate combination. ]

[declamando]

So yes, you only care about what you find interesting. Selfishness won't make you many allies in a new world.

[He'll be lucky if his partner tolerates it one way or another, she imagines, but that part isn't really something she's prone to pry into.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

So?

[ For some reason, he doesn't actually mind that. Which Judar's almost just as puzzled about, but won't back out of it. He already committed. ]

Should I pretend and act like I'm someone nicer or better to trick people into being allies? I mean, I could.

[declamando]

You could always make an effort to change. [Maria's tone is a little dry, as if he doesn't expect him to take her up on that suggestion, but at least she said it. Though as an idol, she's had some experience with faking something for long enough that it starts to become real.]

But for the moment, if all you're going to do is cause trouble for this shinki, just move away from the table.

[kuroi_taiyo]

I could?

[ He'll think about it. Just as he's considering and picking up one of the bottles of water. He is actually thirsty and hungry, but this stuff just felt like enough of a betrayal where he decided to lash out and cause the weird shinki more distress and trouble. ]

You say that, but after just showing up, I'm still figuring out more of who I am. This could be how I deal with stress. That or I'm that kind of a terrible person. Could go a bunch of ways.

[ So you just... Ah, twisting the top broke whatever kept the bottle closed. It wasn't like popping off a cork or cap. ]

Is there even anything fun to do, or does everyone just train and prepare all the time?

[declamando]

Maybe it is. And I'm sure you'll find out as it goes on. But for now, all I can tell you is what it looks like to an outsider. You can use it when you come to your own conclusions, if you want.

[Maria is the sort who prefers to see people change through the people around them rather than having to be told to. As annoying as this guy's behaviour is, perhaps it'll turn out to be something a little deeper. And maybe with more time here, he can discover ways to lessen that.]

The Heavens aren't really "fun" in themselves, but if you cross to the Near Shore - the mortal world - there's plenty of fun things to do whatever your tastes. These training meets are just run when newcomers arrive to settle them in more easily.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Yeah. Well, if it turns out that I'm just some asshole, I can deal with that.

[ The problem, which he's not bothering to see, is that everyone else will have to deal with that even more. It's more like part of him was refusing to accept the way things are and adapt with it. In this case, adapting into a more decent person.

Still, it is only the first day. A lot could still change. ]

So this realm's just a base and everyone hangs out elsewhere? Huh. Well, I guess I can get along with that, when I figure out this crossing over thing.

[declamando]

You can, yes, but others aren't going to tolerate it. [And others might not be brave enough to stand up against it, which might just lead to yet others deciding to not tolerate it on behalf of those people instead. It's an ugly little cycle, the way she's thinking of it.

Maria nods a little in agreement with his assessment.] Not quite, but close enough. This is where we all live, but answering prayers or doing just about anything that isn't part of our line of work happens on the Near Shore. I own a dance studio there, for example.

[Owning businesses is rare, admittedly, but Maria knows she isn't the only one from people advertising on the BBS.]