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

[untodeath]

But, now you know!

[ Grell beams, almost proudly! ]

[death_glare]

Honestly, it isn't as though the uncertainty would have caused me to lose sleep at night. Your argument would be more appropriate if it had turned out to be something I greatly enjoyed.

[untodeath]

[ With a tilt of the head, Grell will simply quirk an upturned brow his way. ]

What about me? [ Stepping closer, she peeks over the rims of her glasses at him. ] Have you been losing sleep on my behalf?

[death_glare]

[ Considering the teasing mood Grell's been in today, William can't imagine she expects a serious answer out of him. But with how their relationship has been lately, and everything he's been thinking about, William has to say what's really been on his mind. ]

Not any longer.

[ He looks Grell straight in the eyes, the seriousness in his features even stronger than usual. ]

[untodeath]

[ Her smile slacks, eyes blinking wide in disbelief. ]

...Oh?

[ Another step - perhaps a bit more apprehensive, this time. Grell can feel her heart quickening, as possibilities race through her mind. ]

You've-- made your decision, then?

[death_glare]

What else could I possibly be referring to?

[ He holds his place, and his gaze on her as she steps closer. ]

[untodeath]

I'd like to hear it.

[ Grell's answer is delivered firmly. Even if it may seem perfectly obvious, she still finds herself searching his eyes to ease her doubt. It still seems too good to be true, after all. ]

[death_glare]

I am ready to take that chance again. This time, with you.

[ It's stated both calmly and confidently, the doubt and hesitance from their previous conversations on the topic entirely absent. ]

[untodeath]

Will...

[ Her breathy whisper escapes her lips, pulling into a bashful grin - and with an audible inhale, she'll drop everything she holds and launch herself at him! ]

Oh, Williaaam--!

[death_glare]

[ Entirely expecting his new partner to fling herself at him, William braces himself, arms even extending a bit to catch her. And once she's upon him, he gently places his arms loosely about her middle. Even despite the progression their relationship has taken these past months, this simple action speaks volumes on how he's come to accept where it's ended up. ]

Must you still be so dramatic?

[untodeath]

[ The redheaded reaper nuzzles into William's neck, muddling her squeal. If that doesn't answer his question, she will be pulling away, leaning back into his embrace so that she may cup his cheeks, instead. ]

Given the occasion, I wholly believe that I'm entitled to it!

[ Leaning in close, she delays only a moment - so that she may truly admire his features, in this moment - before she takes his lips on a kiss.]

[death_glare]

[ Anyone around them who knows enough about Grell would see William allowing the kiss and probably think the man had lost his mind. And perhaps he has, to some degree. That's nearly a given in their line of work, anyway. Grell's just ahead of the game.

William allows the kiss to linger as long as Grell pleases. He owes it to her, considering the amount of time he made her wait, when the answer was truly obvious the entire time. ]