thenearshore | December Training

Entry tags:

December Training

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

the basics of proper god behavior

Shinki Training

informational pamphlets

borderline

From Ama,

Physical Training

Rest and Refreshments

Twister

Kubb

lawn Jenga

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~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Marinette nodded.]

I remember that. From before.

[The redhead's wording caught her attention, though and she was reminded of a different redhead with the tendency to question literally everything.]

So it's okay for a shinki to get their memories back naturally, but not okay for them to be reminded of things they don't remember. [It wasn't a question, but it did confuse her a bit.]

Has a god ever come back as a shinki? [That didn't seem likely, but she still felt the need to ask.] Sorry for all the weird questions. I think I'm still trying to process everything.

[Kairi waves her hand.]

You're fine - I've been here longer, so I get that asking questions is the only way to find out some of these things. I certainly had to. But yes that's apparently how it works for shinki - it certainly was for me and all of my friends I've spoken to about it. I lived with two gods from my world who had the same kind of weapon I do and didn't realize it until I remembered I had that weapon. After that it's been fine as a topic of conversation.

As for a god coming back as a shinki... hmmm...

[She hasn't met Izuku yet, so she doesn't know about him. Nor has she met Gojyo or interacted with his friends enough to tell her that kind of thing.]

I don't think so, but maybe you can ask Hajime or Hakkai for gods to talk to. I'd ask Yukine but I haven't seen him around in awhile, or Lady Bishamon and Kazuma. Davesprite and Urashima would be other good people to ask; they're both shinki.

[Since Kairi didn't appear to have a problem with the questions, she would have to keep her in mind for later in case she thought of more. That didn't mean she'd single the redhead out, but if she saw her around, she would definitely speak up.]

I'm going to remember you said that. And got it.

[She's tilting her head now.]

Shinki are the only ones that lose their memories, aren't they? That seems kind of... unfair. [She couldn't remember hearing anything about gods losing theirs, but she supposed it made sense. Maybe?]

What kind of weapon was it?

[Mainly she's curious, and possibly a little envious that Kairi had found two other people who shared a weapon in common. But the distinct yoyo deficiency wasn't really Kairi's fault.]

Hmm. Maybe I'll have to ask them if I run into them.

[In fact, she's making a mental list in an attempt to remember all of those names for later. If she'd had something to write with, she probably would have made a physical list.]

I think I'm more curious about how a shinki could even come back as a god.

[Given enough time, Marinette will probably think of enough questions to fill a book.]

And what happens to a shinki if their god disappears or something? Do they disappear too?

Well... sometimes gods do lose their memories. [She wraps her hands around her shoulders.]

For example, there was a shinki I lived with. We both didn't remember where we came from, but we made new memories together. Then, one day, he came back as a god... so you'd think that he'd remember everything about where he came from and all of us here - at the temples where he lived.

[She shakes her head.] But he didn't remember me. And no, shinki don't disappear if their gods do. Same in reverse - gods don't disappear if their shinki do. As for the weapon...

[She puts her hand out in front of her, away from Marinette.] It's called a keyblade. [And hers appears right away.]

[That thought was a little frightening. It seemed bad enough that shinki would lose their memories when they came here.]

Oh.

[She's not really sure what to say to that. What could she say?]

I'm sorry he didn't remember you after all that. I can't even imagine what that would be like. [Marinette is tilting her head curiously.] So they're just... on their own if their gods disappear? [And now she's frowning. That thought doesn't sit well with her, and she's not afraid to show it.] Wouldn't being separated like that be hard?

[Fortunately, the subject shifts easily enough to weapons, and she's watching with wide eyes as Kairi holds out her hand and produces her own aforementioned weapon.] Whoa! I kinda want to see the lock that goes to.

[Kairi nods.]

It was very hard, at least for me. He wasn't just my god - he was a dear friend. And we all lived together across two temples, but both my god and his boyfriend disappeared at the same time. He was a god too, and someone that knew me from my own world.

[That's when she clutches the keyblade a little tighter, before putting it back out in front of her for Marinette to see again.]

But... it's almost like a piece of them stayed behind with me. This weapon is the same kind they used. So now I'm doing my best to learn how I'm supposed to use it - aside from "like a Hero."

[She grins.]

That's what my new goddess Hajime says. She's big into everyday kindness being heroic - like when we answer prayers, that makes us heroes.

I can see how that would be hard. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Have you met anyone else from your own world?

[She was hoping that was safe to ask about. It was hard to decide sometimes.

But she's pretty curious about the keyblade, even if it wasn't her weapon of choice.]

That's a lovely way to think about it. And yea, "like a hero" doesn't seem very descriptive. Are you making progress, at least?

[Mari is just smiling, because she can't help feeling curious.]

I agree with Hajime. You don't need big, flashy acts to be a hero. Sometimes it's the little things that mean more.

[Kairi shakes her head.]

Not since they left. At least... well, that's the problem with not having all of my memories, of course. Sora and Riku and Roxas had to pretend they didn't know anything about me for so long... I would believe there's someone else here too, waiting for me to reach out to them so they'll know it's safe because they can't make the first move.

[She twirls the keyblade lightly at her side.]

It's hard because I want to measure my progress against what I saw Roxas and Sora do, but they were gods too, so who knows if that made things different.

[She stops twirling it, letting it disappear for now.]

How about you? It's safe for gods to say if they have friends here, after all.

[Unless she's from Kairi's world... but what are the chances?]

[She remembered the way they'd stressed how important it was for shinki to remain in the dark about who they were before, but that didn't make Kairi's words any easier to stomach. It all just felt... wrong, somehow. But on the other hand, she supposed a little while of not remembering was probably better than turning into a monster.]

I can't even imagine.

[But she wouldn't have to, if she ended up with a shinki. She'd have to do the same thing to them.]

I like the keyblade. Almost as much as my yoyo.

[Her tone was a little wistful, but she wasn't terribly worried about accidentally revealing too much because she knew that Kairi was not from her world.]

Do you think... Could they come back some day? I don't really know how this place works, but it brought us all here once. So maybe they'll come back and you can show them the progress you've made.

[Marinette is shrugging lightly at that. In the short time that she'd been here, she hadn't recognized anyone. The last thing she remembered before coming here was Chat, though. Did that mean he was going to show up too?]

... I haven't come across anyone I recognize just yet. I can't decide if I want to or not.

[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.

[It was comforting to hear that others had come back after they'd left this place. The gamble of whether or not returning people would turn out to be gods or shinki didn't seem quite as comforting, though.]

I think that is easier. I remember my life before, and I miss it. But it's alright, because I know that I'll see my family and friends again one day.

That has to be confusing for everyone involved. You remembering things that happened here before while they don't. [It wasn't something that she wanted to go through, that was for sure.]

Is it because he's a god now? [Her tone was light, curious, and she was smiling.]

Don't give up on that. As long as you have faith, the ones you love are never truly gone. [Did that sound as dorky as she was assuming?]

I'm actually not sure if it's because he's a god now or what... it was sometime when he stopped being a shinki and became a god, though, even if that's not exactly why. I figured there was no point in asking him about it either. Basically he forgot our time together when he was a shinki, somehow.

[And since it was Hakkai, whom she wasn't too close with originally, it didn't hurt that much to think about when recalling it to others. On the other hand, she also didn't think there was much more information she'd ever find out about why it happened.]

I'm trying not to give up, I promise!

[Trying... just not completely as full of hope as she once was, after them being gone for so long.]

[Marinette had no idea how these things worked, but it all sounded very complicated. She couldn't even imagine going through something like that. Kairi had to be very strong to be able to handle it so well. Or maybe she was just very good at hiding how she really felt. Either way, Marinette thought it was admirable.]

I'm sorry he doesn't remember. [And she does realize that saying sorry probably won't help with what Kairi is feeling, but she feels the need to say it anyway. Maybe it's silly, but that's the way it is.]

I'm glad to hear it.

[Kairi realized as she was explaining that the same thing could be said of Nari as well as Hakkai. So far, it only didn't apply to Izumo.]

Yeah... Thanks, Mari.

[The sympathy helps for someone like Kairi.]

So... did you actually want to do any Physical Training today? Or maybe worn out? [She laughs a little. She knows they've been talking like this awhile, but at the same time maybe Marinette's a little tired and thus resting.]

You're welcome!

[Though she really didn't feel like she'd done much, but if Kairi was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt...]

Oh. [And it hadn't even occurred to her until Kairi'd said it that they had yet to actually do any training. Oops.] Is it silly that I haven't even taken a peek at the practice weapons? It might be a good idea to practice with a couple different ones though, just in case.

It'll be good for me, too! There's not many ways that Shinki and Gods can train together, but sparring with practice weapons is a good way to level the playing field I think!

[For her part, when they walk over there, Kairi reaches for a longsword and holds it at her side while Marinette glances through the options.]

[Oh, this was going to be interesting. Ladybug's yoyo is really the only weapon she had any experience with, so whichever she chose was going to be a new experience.]

Practice weapons only?

[Not that she had any real idea how she was supposed to use her particular gift either way.]

I've never really used any of these, so you may have to help me out a little?

[And with that she's eyeing the gathered weapons for a moment before eventually deciding on a shortsword. Worst case scenario, she'd have to choose a different one if this one didn't feel right.]

Yeah, practice weapons - you know... no gods summoning shinki vessels to fight with, and for people like me...

[She holds out her hand to summon her keyblade.]

So special weapons like this either.

[She taps her chin in thought at Marinette's request.]

I think anything one-handed like that is actually a good place to start. A lot of shinki are going to need to be on hand for you to use your Rend spell, so even if they're not that big, getting used to having something in your hand is a good idea! I was going to suggest that or a shield.

That's good. I can't use my regular weapon, so it looks like I'll have to find a stand-in.

[Mari is smiling, but she's not sure how she feels about that just yet. Not having Tikki around just feels ... awkward.]

Got it. [And no Tikki, either. Not that she's technically a weapon.]

That's good to know. Thanks, Kairi!

[She's nodding a bit as the other girl's words sink in. And she can certainly see the logic behind getting used to having something around just in case.]

Do you think a shield would be better for me?

[Kairi gets a little confused at what Marinette just said. She knows Mari's a goddess, but this is her first day here, so she didn't think that someone as kind as Mari would be referring to a shinki as a 'weapon' already so......]

What's your regular weapon, Marinette?

[Short but important question, to Kairi.]

[Mari just smiles at that question.]

I have a yoyo that I use regularly, and it's honestly the only thing I have any sort of experience with. So... anything I try to pick up and use here will probably just feel... awkward?

[A shrug.]

But I can't seem to find it here. So...

You use a yoyo to attack with...? Huh, interesting. Well...

[Kairi starts looking around them.]

Maybe there's a kind of... ball on a chain.... maybe with spikes? I think I saw something like that before... Oh!

[And then Kairi finds a kind of kusari-fundo, an old ninja weapon.]

What about this? It's still something you can swing, right?

Yep! [Granted, it's not just a regular yoyo, but that's beside the point and she probably can't point all that out to somebody she's only just met.]

Huh...

[Now that was something she hadn't even thought of! Perhaps it's a good thing she's run into Kairi today.]

Whoa.

[Her eyes go a bit wide when the other girl produces the kusari-fundo and she considers for a moment or two before nodding.]

Yea! I never would've thought of something like that on my own. Thanks, Kairi!

No problem, Marinette!

[She smiles back, pleased.]

I've never used this before, either! I was looking for uhm... oh this one!

[It's a flail. She grabs it by the handle at least.]

But I think that other one is closer to a yo-yo. I've never used either one, actually, but I've seen all kinds of strange weapons around here before, so I thought I'd just check them all out.

[She knew very well that a yoyo wasn't a typical weapon. But by this point she'd just kind of accepted it as a fact that all Ladybugs used a yoyo. Just like all Chat Noirs probably used a staff. In a way, it made sense, especially since they also had powers to go along with them.]

I kind of got the sense that the swords and things were more popular. But I'm glad you're more observant than I was!

[She's smiling when she says this, though, so there's no hard feelings. She'd just have to work on being more observant in the future.]

I think you're right. And... I think I'll stick to the other one for now. It feels like it'd be closer to a yoyo than that one. [Mari is kind of eyeing the flail, but she'll keep it in mind for later. Maybe.]

Do they just have all these lying around in storage or something?

December Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Re: Physical Training

Wrap for me