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

[boneofsword]

Good, you managed to not snag your ear or face. [Or boobs. Those really get in the way. It's a praise coming from Archer, though.]

That's what you need patence for - to not get discouraged.

[unlucky7]

[Patience she has, but fear can be the greater motivator too. Her back is rigid and her expression stoic, only the quick darting of her eyes betraying her emotions. She lowers the bow, expecting...

...She's not sure what she's expecting. But his reaction isn't it either. Still, she remains tense as she grabs her phone.]

Is this the only place to practice or are there other locations?

[boneofsword]

[Archer notes her reaction but says nothing, aside the subtle narrowing of his eyes.]

Usually most temples have their own training area. I've built archery range in Caster's temple, you're welcome if you want to train. [he gestures around.] This place is open only during new arrivals, and that's where most come to find either a sparring partner or to practice on their own. They provide a good variety of weapons to try, and you can always find someone profficient in other styles if you want to learn.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia glances around the site. A pity it's only open on a limited basis, it's a nice place. But it also doesn't sound like there's a shortage of locations to train at. She nods briefly at the offer to train at Caster's temple. Perhaps if her own temple of residence doesn't have one.

She reaches for another arrow, still warily watching Archer. She exhales deeply, inhaling deeply and holding her breath as she aims and fires. Again, her arrow falls short of the target, again she braces.]

[boneofsword]

You need to practice your grip. It will take some time so don't overdo it. Dozen or so arrows per day is enough in the beginning. [Archer doesn't approach and keeps in her sight, just standing still.]

Once you've built your endurance we can move further. Then the next step will be to get you a decent bow on the Near Shore. I suppose you'd rather have your own weapons, even something you can conceal and carry with you all the time.

[unlucky7]

[When he doesn't move, doesn't raise his voice, Ginia relaxes slightly, though she still keeps him in the side of her vision. A dozen arrows a day. She can do that, other strength training too.

When he says 'we can move further,' her head snaps over to look at him, raw surprise written on her face before she pulls back to look down the range. Why would he offer to help her after she's already failed him twice? That doesn't make sense. Unsure what else to do, she nods stiffly.]

[boneofsword]

[Her reaction intensifies his suspicions, but Archer just shrugs and adds with a lopsided smirk.]

I'm willing to teach as long as you're willing to learn, so it's only fair.

[unlucky7]

['Why?' is the immediate word that pops into her mind. But she's also not going to turn down lessons from a more-than capable teacher. Especially when he hasn't...

Hasn't...

There's nothing to fill in the gaps of expectation aside from the hanging sense of dread. She relaxes a little more as she takes up her phone again.]

I'm willing to learn, but I don't know what to offer in exchange.

[boneofsword]

[Archer rubs his neck. It's awkward to explain that he's fine with getting nothing in exchange.]

I'm not expecting anything in return. If you find the skill useful then it's enough.

[unlucky7]

Then I owe you a favor.

[There's a risk in offering open favors, but some kind of exchange is the only way it'll ever settle right with Ginia. Something for something, it's how it has to be.]

[boneofsword]

[Archer considers it for a moment, and nods. He's not going to abuse her offer.]

Very well, I'll let you know if I need help.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods. One favor in the future in exchange for archery lessons, with the exact nature of the favor open for negotiation when the time comes.]

I think I'm going to keep practicing. You don't have to stay if you don't want to, I've already taken up enough of your time.

[boneofsword]

Good luck then, and until the next time. [Archer can see that, while she's a bit less skittish around him, she's still wary. There's enough to get used to on the first day. He offers a polite nod and walks away, accidentaly or not keeping to her line of sight.]