thenearshore | "Hard-core" Training. [Open-to-all.]

Who: (Future) Trunks and whoever is interested! Open to all.
When: October 22nd.
Where: Open Grounds (and Sky) near Caireen's Temple.
What: An open area and invitation for some harder-training than is usually done during the intro-events.

Bishamon was always kind enough every month to open part of her temple and its grounds for new shinki and gods, and Trunks was grateful for that. But he was also pretty sure he, and a few others he could think of, would appreciate a training session or two that wasn't geared towards most of the new arrivals. (Not that there was anything wrong with new arrivals, or those who weren't as skilled as others. They all had to learn.) Fortunately, he also had an understanding Goddess, who had decent space around her temple-grounds, and who knew he'd take care of clean-up and everything else.

Especially since some of the platforms and structure's they'd used from the game of hide-and-seek were still placed around. Celestia'd been kind enough to help Trunks with forming clouds into various loops and shapes to provide some obstacles there too. Clearly marking the space closest to Caireen's temple as off-limits, just in case as well.

It still left them lots of open ground on the edge of the forest, the beach-area, and the sky. Perfect, as far as he was concerned. Word-of-mouth, mostly making sure to stop by and visit friends he knew would be interested (like Snow and Goten) the date he was planning this, and then just setting things up.

He didn't have animated straw-dummies, but then--most of the people he was expecting were far beyond straw-dummy level.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Y-you mean actually be like her?

[ Alex was worried enough about messing things up. Being active would be the opposite of avoiding all that. ]

I don't know how to do any of that...

[There's always that one thing you're good at that brings people shot-termed joy.]

[ The hoarse voice in her head has her gripping her bottle tightly, causing some of the water to spill out as she wills it away. ]

I can't do anything for them..

[Was it that crazy an idea? He's blinking at her, with his head tilting. Then studying her more closely, seriously.]

...why do you think that, Alex?

[Deliberately keeping his tone gentle, as he doesn't want to make her too uncomfortable. But so far she's shown no reason he can think of why she can't.]

We're just..very different from each other.

[ She wouldn't even know where to start with that list. ]

So?

[That didn't necessarily mean it was a bad thing. There is no judgement in his tone either. Just honest curiosity.]

I'm just a shinki really, so--I can't necessarily know what it's like to suddenly be put in the role of a God. I do know it's my job to be a good partner, at the very least in rending ayakashi. To me though, being a good partner also means offering support to my Goddess, in what she feels is her role and purpose. For Mai, that's being Goddess of Children. Does she fulfill that, in the same way as whomever Caireen was incarnated as before?

[A shrug of his shoulders, and an encouraging smile.]

You're different than the Oshun before, but that doesn't mean you can't help, if you want to. Like I said, start small. You're a Goddess, so you can make Holy Water. Help distribute that to protect people and give them hope, since a lot of the poorer and uncared for could be easy targets for ayakashi. Making their lives a little easier that way would be a small way to honor Oshun's role, even if you're different than the Oshun incarnation before you.

I'm not-- [ She let's out a sigh. She didn't like being called a goddess. There was no way she qualified as one. All she was was a stand in. Did that mean she wouldn't try? Of course not, and she did try, but Alex wasn't going to delude herself into thinking she could do very much.

But Trunks seemed to think she could. There was a pure optimism in his eyes that she didn't have the heart to question. Even if Barry's voice in her head laughed mockingly at him. ]

Mai is lucky to have such a supportive shinki.

[Unfortunately, he's also easy to read in his emotions. It's clear he's bothered by her continual disbelief in herself. A quiet sigh, and there's still optimism in his expression even if it's more serious now.]

I hope you gain a supportive shinki too. I do my best to support her, because she also supports me.

[He truly means that as well. For her, and about Mai.]

But I also don't want to upset you, and I can tell this isn't something I'm going to change your mind on right now. But think about it, alright? And we can switch the topic to something else too, if you want.

[ Alex made no comment about receiving a new shinki. After her perceived failings with Temeraire, she wasn't sure she should be assigned a new one.

She was relieved that he was open to switching topics, although she could see he wasn't too pleased with how the other one went. "Right now..." So he still wanted to try and change her mind then? ]

I will..And..I would appreciate a different topic. How about you? How have things been for you since you got here?

[Changing her mind would really be her call; he just recognized he wasn't likely to be able to influence her one way or another right then. He DID want her to think about what he said, as there had to be a reason she'd become a Goddess, even if she didn't realize it. She seemed to care about doing a good job, and not sure how...]

Honestly? You've kind of heard about it already. I'm blessed with a good friend and partner whom is also my Goddess, as we work well together. I'm making efforts to try and relearn skills I know, but have no memory of knowing because I have no memory of my life. There's not really much to it.

[Another shrug, and a faint 'whacha gonna do?' type of smile.]

I will say meeting Temeraire, and Celestia, has been interesting though. Broadening my viewpoint to non-humans, and how they might look at things.

[ She begins to relax with the topic change, glad to hear he was having a good experience here at least. ]

Ah..yeah. Interacting with Tem felt so different..it was kind of refreshing though. I like how he looked at things. Er..well, maybe not how he looked at cows or sheep.

[ It never failed to make her panic a little when he'd just snatch some kind of farm animal and bring them over. ]

[That brings a soft laugh, shoulders and chest shaking slightly as Trunks is amused.]

No, I can imagine that's a bit unsettling. I can't say he doesn't have good taste though--I think I've looked at a cow or sheep that way myself when hungry.

I'm not sure I could be hungry enough to look at a living animal like that.

[ She chuckles as well. ]

I had to just let him though. It's..not exactly easy finding meals for a dragon. Thankfully I could just call him into his vessel form to eat too.

I can, but I seem to also be one of those around here with a large appetite.

[A broader grin, with a hint of impishness in it.]

Not to a Dragon's level, but definitely more than most. I imagine his vessel form was also easier for you to deal with, on the near shore.

There seems to be quite a few of you here with large appetites...

[ She could think of some in her head right now. ]

It was. Though I have to say, it really is amazing how no one noticed him as a dragon either..

[ It was quite the sight, having a dragon waiting outside a convenience store. ]

[That sheepish expression returned slightly, but didn't ruin his good nature.]

I've been lead to believe some of it is related to being a shinki--but despite that, I still seem to be one of a number that are...big eaters.

Actually, mortals not noticing him is also related to his being a shinki. Most of them down on the Near Shore don't seem to really notice us unless they're super-perceptive. Usually it's little kids more than anything, and sometimes animals.

I knew about ..mortals...not being able to notice us, but not about children...that..makes sense.

[ It tended to be the little ones that looked up at him in awe. It was adorable though. ]

You seem to balance your eating just fine though.

[ Considering how fit he was. Many would probably envy him for that. ]

[He has no memory of it, but it's also due to his metabolism as much as his own life-style.]

I...try to. I've been learning sort of how to do some basic cooking. Mai and I both have, after the one ball. Mostly because we really liked some of the food, and it's a way for us to do stuff besides watching for ayakashi and answering prayers.

"Hard-core" Training. [Open-to-all.]

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