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]

[ Hibiki hunches low over the horse and gives the signal. Maxie, used to this, leaps a mighty leap.

They soar majestically over the bicycle. Over quite a bit of pavement, too. Fortunately this stretch wasn't too crowded, but Maxie gets enough air beneath him to probably manage to jump some shorter people, if necessary.

Landing is a jostle, but not enough to upset Hibiki's seat. And then it's full speed ahead. ]

[unlucky7]

[Never having ridden on a horse, much less been on one jumping, Ginia pitches forward slightly on the landing, but remains seated. Her grip loosens around on Hibiki as they continue on, giving an airy chuffing laugh as she looks behind her.

Okay, that was pretty cool. Good job Maxie, Hibiki.]

[priforprince]

[ Nothing but the Best Steed for the Best Prince. It's a logical turn of events.

Was there a little laugh from up here, too? Perhaps you imagined it. And the horse thunders on.

They sure are going to arrive back at this festival in Style. ]

[unlucky7]

[If you're going to make an appearance, you might as well do so with style.

Ginia watches the scenery and people pass by in a blur. They take no notice of the purple horse and his two riders, but that's okay.

This has been a weird, weird day, but this is pretty cool.]

[priforprince]

[ The festival approacheth. Hibiki begins reigning in Maxie, too, so as not to skid the horse back into the busiest areas. ]

Your god should find you soon. [ Ugh. It's gotten noisier here. She'll drop this shinki off and go find somewhere more elegant. ] Waiting by the shrine might be best.

[ Everyone needs her opinion. On everything. ]

[unlucky7]

[When they come to a stop, Ginia slides off Maxie's back, giving the horse another fond pat. Good horse. She nods and smiles up at Hibiki.]

Thank you for your advice and thank you for your time. I hope you have a good day.

[priforprince]

Don't forget my invitation.

[ This was fun. Hibiki is rather considering them almost even, here - Ginia got to experience life as a Celebrity and Hibiki spent her time more pleasantly than she would have at the festival. She winks. ]

Au revoir.

[ Maxie huffs a breath, which is probably also the same sentiment. ]