February Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: October 15th
Where: Meeting Hall, 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 the Meeting Hall, 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 traditional reception room within the Meeting Hall for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter. 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 in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold 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 explanation 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.

A training game has been set up through a section of the Meeting Hall gardens, with little cut-outs of ayakashi hidden in the landscaping, tucked into bushes or taped under bridges. Prize ribbons are being offered for every ten "ayakashi" a shinki (or team) discovers.

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. Several magically animated straw-stuffed training dummies, many of which have been carefully mended and patched with neat black stitching, are set up on the lawn with a white-robed shinki hovering nearby to watch over them. They make good training partners, although anyone who comes too close risks being targeted for a sparring match whether they wanted one or not.

The pond behind the dojo has had dozens wooden poles sunk in it, spaced a few feet apart, with a bunch of brightly colored ribbons tied around the pole in the very center. Some of the white-robed shinki are practicing scaling the poles and leaping from one to the next, until they get close enough that they can snatch a ribbon from the center pole, and several have fallen in and are being teased by their fellows.

Rest and Refreshments

Instead of snacks being served at the training session, this week, white-robed shinki with little flags are conducting groups of newcomers and volunteers down to the Tokyo Daijingu shrine and into a street festival currently being held in Tokyo. Traditional dance troupes are performing on street corners, and vendors have every kind of fall street foods, from barbecue to takoyaki, chocolate-dipped bananas and red-bean pancakes. New arrivals will get a white-and-gold envelope with spending money for the fair, although gods and shinki who have had some time to settle in will have to handle their own lunch expenses.

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
• Go to a festival
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[priforprince]

Tai....?

[ Wait. This person's question was...

Hibiki sniffs. ] It's hardly fare to tempt a Celebrity. Others find it pleasing, however.

[unlucky7]

I'm sorry.

[Ginia isn't sure what she's apologizing for, but she also has the vaguest sense she's offended Hibiki. Best to play it safe and apologize to the god.]

Is there anything around here you recommend trying?

[priforprince]

I only eat at three-Prichelin star restaurants.

[ Maxie flicks his tail at that. Hibiki looks down: what? This horse has started developing an awful lot of Opinions ever since spending more time with Fuwari....

Off to the side, a small cluster of children is beginning to re-form. Hibiki sits up straighter atop her horse. ]

Well, I was perusing the wares. Sail in my wake if you wish for inspiration.

[unlucky7]

[Without anything else going on at the moment, there's no harm following another god for a bit, right? Seems to be the trend of the day anyway.

Don't worry, Maxie, Ginia will keep the children away this time.]

Thank you. I'll follow your lead.

[priforprince]

If you insist.

[ Hibiki starts Maxie moving. The kids keep a respectful distance away but ooh and aah appreciatively, as if surprised a Horse can Move.

For her part, Hibiki is aware she is being Followed as an Example, and sits atop her steed with all the dignity befitting a god riding a horse through a pedestrian area. That's a lot of dignity!

She doesn't seem impressed by anything they're passing, though. ]

[unlucky7]

[So regal, so dignified. Truly a person who fits the presence godliness requires.

And it doesn't take long for Ginia to realize that maybe, just maybe</>i, with that kind of attitude and persona, everything here is beneath her. Which is fine and all, but doesn't quite help Ginia right now. She hesitates, not wanting to disturb the god, carefully choosing her words.]

Pardon for interrupting, but is there anything in the greater area you find notable?

[priforprince]

Beyond the festival?

[ Hibiki considers this. ] Not much. There's a patisserie a few blocks away with exquisite gateau chocolat.....

[ Perhaps she should go there instead. It won't be much of a trip since she has Maxie with her, and nothing could possible go awry with riding a horse on city streets. ]

[unlucky7]

[A bakery with good chocolate cake. Good to know. It's something specific enough to try, and if someone as distinguished as Hibiki speaks highly of it, it must be good.]

If it isn't be too much of a bother, will you give me directions there?

[What could go wrong? Certainly can't be any worse than riding a horse in a busy festival. Maxie's not the kind to spook to city noise, right?]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki sniffs. And lowers a hand. ] Take hold.

[ Come to think of it, if she's going there anyway....

May as well do this Magnificently. ]

[unlucky7]

[Oh...kay...? Confused, Ginia takes Hibiki's hand and effortlessly swings herself up onto Maxie's back. But once she's up there, she's at a bit of a loss at what to do next. She mimic's Hibiki's posture and squeezes tight with her legs for support and ultimately rests her hands on the god's shoulders.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki smirks. And closes her eyes. Really, the contact was all she needed....

To teleport the two of them right in front of the shop, horse and all.

Maxie looks around, startled, realizes what's happened, and lowers his head. Hibiki is satisfied. ]

Divinity possesses endless supplies of elegant methods of transportation.

[ No, that was. That was pretty much the only one, right there. Unless "teleporting, plus horse" is different from "teleporting, minus horse".

And why shouldn't it be? ]

[unlucky7]

[Oh. Oh! Ginia also looks around, blinking at the sudden change in scenery before hurriedly sliding off Maxine's back.]

Is that your special ability?

[She quickly asks through her phone. Then again, hadn't Caster also teleported when they were sparring? Or was he just that fast?]

[priforprince]

One of many granted to gods.

[ Hibiki also dismounts, tying Maxie to the nearest lamppost (though he won't be going anywhere; he's well-trained.) ] Come along.

[ How did this turn into a tour....? Ah, well. She was bored. Winning a fan with the personal touch certainly beats having to mingle. ]

[unlucky7]

[Huh. Different abilities, memories, it must be nice being a god. But that's a selfish thought and Ginia keeps it to herself. Instead, she'll follow along after Hibiki. Sorry you became an impromptu tour guide, but you certainly will earn a fan after?]

[priforprince]

I'll show you the supreme choices on this menu.

[ In we go. This particular establishment is going all-in on wanting to seem as stereotypically "French" as possible. Hibiki, however, doesn't seem put off by such blatant attempts at creating a mood. If anything, she looks right at home.

Most of the staff doesn't notice them, but the teenage girl working the front counter sure does: when she sees it's Hibiki, she goes bright red and needs to take deep breaths, a giddy smile fluttering onto her face.

Hibiki has been here before. ]

[unlucky7]

[One can't be a princely idol without fans! Ginia notices the teenager's reaction, but doesn't consider much else about it as she turns to take in the decor. It's an interesting contrast to the previous scenery.

With her phone already out, Ginia snaps a few pictures.]

[priforprince]

Bonjour.

[ The girl squeaks something back that was probably also supposed to be Prench (not French, mind you; Hibiki speaks Prench.) Hibiki's only response to this is to smirk and lean perhaps a bit further over on the counter than is necessary. ]

You remember my order, don't you?

[ Nodding. Very pink nodding. ]

Thank you. Two portions today, s'il vous plaît.

[ "Two! Yes! Y-your total is..."

Hibiki pays and then hangs back, one hand in her pocket, to wait as the girl prepares the slices of cake. She says nothing about what just happened.

It's all second nature, really. ]

[unlucky7]

Does this happen every time?

[It may sound judgmental, but it's more curiosity. It's an interesting thing the way those of the Far navigate through the Near. While the employee certainly remembers Hibiki quite well, most everyone else is ignoring them in the way people generally pay little attention to things until it directly involves them.]

[priforprince]

If I have a follower at the store.

[ Quite calm about this. And answering for.....the entirety of the Near Shore, apparently.

Hibiki chooses not to think about all of those places where no one notices her. All of them are strange outliers. Every. Last. One.

"Oh," asks one of the people preparing a new display as the cashier hurries about to get the order ready, "do we have a customer?" ]

[unlucky7]

[It's good to be a god? Ginia wanders closer to the display case, admiring the pastries inside. The golden, flaky pastry shells, the swirls of whipped cream, the perfectly layered shells of chocolate, everything in the case looks delicious.

A couple of eclairs are taken out and set on a plate, the employee turning around to prepare a drink to go with the order. Ginia looks at the delicious looking pastries, just within arm's reach. No one would even notice if she snatched one off the plate.

But someone else ordered it and there's already food on the way. Ginia walks back to Hibiki's side.]

How much do I owe you for the cake?

[priforprince]

You wish to repay me?

[ Hibiki isn't troubled by such mercantile concerns. But she is also an opportunist. So she snorts and smirks. ]

Display your gratitude at my next concert. You'll gain an invaluable experience from it, as well.

[ Namely, you will realize that your afterlife truly was an empty and ethereal existence - before Shikyoin Hibiki entered it. ]

[unlucky7]

Concert? Sure, I can do that. When is it?

[I mean, sure, okay, there's not much going on in Ginia's life so going to a show to show gratitude is the least she can do. Should be fun, right?

Ginia. Ginia. You don't realize what you've agreed to.]

[priforprince]

I'll be announcing the date very soon.

[ She knew that repayment would be suitable! Why, it's almost like a second present. Such is the amazing generosity of the Prince. Shikyoin Hibiki truly deserves to be the deity in whose honor excellent performers are crowned with laurels. ]

Watch the PPS like a songbird awaiting the coming dawn.

[ The girl preparing their cakes notices this wink, thinks Hibiki had made eye contact with her, and has to pull her apron up over her face for a moment until she's composed. A-aaaah....aaah.... ]

[unlucky7]

['Are you okay? Do you need a break?' Asks one of the employees stocking the display case to Hibiki's fan, bewildered by her coworker's suddenly smitten state.]

I'll keep an eye out. Maybe my god will like to come too.

[Or maybe not. The thought occurs to Ginia and her expression falls a little with a sigh. Maybe she shouldn't make arrangements without discussing them with her god first.]

[priforprince]

They'd be more than welcome.

[ If they felt up to coming. Hibiki notes that change of expression but chooses not to inquire. Every household has their reasons. And anyone who sees her perform cannot help but admire it.

Hibiki's fan is very insistent that she does not need a break, please let her keep working. Just...has to get this ready....for the c-c-customer... ]

Who is your god?