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]

[ Yeah, Hibiki knows well when she's reached the dramatic climax of a scene. She withdraws her hand and takes the tray with a knowing smirk, then turns away to find a seat. (It will, of course, be the best seat in the place). This leaves the employee free to wander off towards the back in a daze. She'll....she'll take that break...now...

Hibiki is smiling as she sits down in the corner, as far from the counter as possible. The Best Seat is apparently the one that discourages mingling. ] Enjoy.

[ Here is your serving. ]

[unlucky7]

[Makes sense to Ginia; sometimes you want to eat in peace. But as Ginia takes a seat, she finds herself marking out the space. The doors, the windows, she takes everything in with a glance and adjusts the angle of her chair slightly before she eats.

And oh, what a first bite it is. The cake is perfectly moist and rich in flavor without being too sweet or cloying. It's delicious and divine and tears spring into Ginia's eyes as she takes a second bite.]

[priforprince]

[ An encouraging reaction. Hibiki sits back in her own seat, intending to eat her slice with the elegant languor it deserves. ]

Top-class, isn't it? Far more than any festival fare.

[ It's hard to tell whether this is showing off or just Hibiki stating the facts of the puniverse, as they appear to her. Why, she hasn't even taken a bite of her own, yet - anticipation is the finest condiment. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia will believe it. She wipes at her eyes as she takes a third bite, forcing herself to slow down and chew a bit more, but she can't help it. She's never had anything like that before. As she takes her fourth bite, she types out a message.]

Thank you. I'll have to come here again.

[priforprince]

I know many such gourmet spots.

[ This one is a particular favorite, however. As evidenced by the fact that in the time it's taken Ginia to get that message out to Hibiki, Hibiki has brought her fork - all the way to her lips.

She smiles to herself and slips the bite into her mouth. Exquisite.

Hibiki doesn't tear up, but she does look peacefully satisfied. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia wants to ask for the other locations, but that seems like an imposition. Besides from the money provided by the other shinki, Ginia doesn't have anything else besides the clothes on her back and a few personal belongings. So after this... hopefully her god is a generous one that can provide.

For now, she'll enjoy the cake. It doesn't take long for her to finish the piece of cake, scraping up every last crumb.]

[priforprince]

[ Ginia might be waiting a bit on Hibiki, then. Rushing is a behavior no celebrity would ever indulge in. When the world's timetable always adjusts for you, and your victory is guaranteed, what reason is there to do something as unseemly as hurry?

She does look very high-class as she enjoys her treat. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia doesn't mind. She sits back and observes everyone around them, though she never quite relaxes either. Whenever a door opens, she watches who comes in or exits. A few times she looks at the window to check on Maxie, but also to watch the people passing by. Cautious is a good word, jumpy too.]

[priforprince]

You can relax, you know.

[ This is a calm reassurance. You are here with Her, under Her Auspices. Therefore, everything is okay.

Look how placidly Maxie is waiting outside. He gets it. ]

[unlucky7]

[A near impossible task, but because Hibiki points it out, Ginia tries to sit still. It's probably the opposite effect as Ginia now sits too stiffly as she waits for Hibiki to finish.]

[priforprince]

[ ....That. Is not helping the atmosphere Hibiki's going for, here. You are no stranger to many things, it is obvious, but a relaxed, refined celebrity life is one of them.

She takes a slightly larger bite than usual and has to clear her throat afterwards. She won't let it bother her. She's fine. She's fine.

Why isn't Ginia relaxing. ]

[unlucky7]

[You can take the memories from an ex-operative, but it won't make her any more socially adjusted. At Hibiki's throat clearing, Ginia glances at her.]

Do you want something to drink?

[priforprince]

...It wouldn't go amiss.

[ Hibiki daubs her lips with a handkerchief and raises a hand. Service, please. (Whether this is the sort of shop that provides table-side service or not is immaterial. She's sitting here, so it is now. ]

[unlucky7]

[Hibiki's Number One Fan, having returned from her break, is about to retake her place at the counter when she sees Hibiki's hand raised. Practically running over the other staff member about to come and take their order, she comes over with a menu.]

"Y-yes? What can I get you?"

[Ginia waits for Hibiki to order before saying anything. Really, all she wants is a glass at water for herself.]

[priforprince]

Black tea. Your finest blend, no cream or sugar.

[ "I-is that one or...." ]

Two.

[ She either just ordered for Ginia again or else she's really thirsty. ]

[unlucky7]

[Unsure whether Hibiki ordered for the both of them or just herself, and not wanting to assume the drink was for her, Ginia quickly types up a message and holds it up.]

A glass of water as well? Thank you very much.

[The server blinks at the message, but writes down the order.

"I-I'll be right back with your drinks!"

Blushing and giggling, she hurries off.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki nods, satisfied, and turns back to Ginia. ]

I'll send you the directions here once you've found your god. They'll have to escort you to the Near Shore, but serve them well and they should oblige.

[ She doesn't ask things like "send me your god's name". When you find your god, she will Know. The hills have eyes.

Tiny eyes. Attached to patrolling purple stuffed goat plushies.

Everyone needs a hobby. ]

[unlucky7]

Should I message you once I find my god?

[Because even if Hibiki isn't going to say anything about, Ginia will because otherwise that's really confusing? Is it a god thing? Do they know? Is there some godly network the gods use to chat about their shinki?

The answer to these questions will have to wait as the server returns with a glass of water for Ginia, a teapot, and two cups. She begins pouring the tea, sneaking glances and blushing furiously at Hibiki.]

[priforprince]

No, I'll learn of it myself.

[ No shame here. No explanation, either. Ginia will just have to remain confused. For all she knows, it is a god thing, indeed! That will not make her future conversations with people awkward at all.

Hibiki notices those snuck glances and tries to freeze one of them in place by making her own askance eye contact and smirking. She's being petty. But this pleases her. ]

[unlucky7]

[THAT IS NOT REASSURING. That is the farthest thing from reassuring.

The girl makes eye contact with Hibiki and is frozen in place, tea still pouring into the cup, close to overflowing in fact. Ginia quickly reaches out and tips the teapot back up before the cup can overflow, sucking in a sharp breath as hot tea splashes onto the back of her hand. It hurts, but not that much and she calmly wipes her hand off, skin a bit red.]

[priforprince]

[ Ah. What an unfortunate exchange has just occurred. Yet Ginia seems to have the matter in hand, no pun intended, and thus Hibiki is not overly concerned.

The incident does snap the girl back to her senses, however. "Ah! I-I'm sorry! Can I get you a bandage? O-or....did you want anything more to put in the tea...." ]

Your smile is the only flavoring I need.

[ The girl barely keeps herself from upending the rest of the pot on the floor. ]

[unlucky7]

[Hibiki please. Ginia lightly waves a hand at the girl--it's not her fault, Hibiki's more than anything--as she pours some of the water onto a napkin and dabs it against her hand.

"Ifyouneedanythingelsejustask!!" she says in a rush, skittering off to Watch Intently from behind the counter.]

[priforprince]

[ Cute. Though, that move with the water....could something so gauche as actual pain have occurred in Shikyoin Hibiki's presence? Impossible! Best to eliminate that hypothetical and move on. ]

Are you injured?

[ Physical danger is one of the few things that brings out a decent human being. Halfway. ]

[unlucky7]

[Her skin will probably be a bit red for a bit longer, but the cold water takes off the sting and her nanomachines will handle the rest. Ginia quickly shakes her head and sets her hand down.]

How's the tea?

[priforprince]

No match for the gateau, but will do for emergencies.

[ Considering that she is sipping at selfsame tea now, "had cake but no tea" apparently qualifies as an Emergency. ]