March Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: October 25th
Where: Outside the 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 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 what looks like an old, large warehouse behind the Meeting Hall for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior. Several chairs have been moved in, but they're squeezed together between packed shelves and boxes of old ritual clothing, scrolls and rusty or chipped household goods. 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.

Back copies of the "From Ama" magazine, including puff pieces about new or rising gods or successful shinki, advice columns for resolving problems between gods and shinki, temple photographs and other articles of interest to gods and shinki, have been brought out in boxes and piled up next to a table holding a few remaining copies of the shinki questionnaire for any new shinki who want to keep one around until they can answer the included questions.


What is your name?

What is your god's name?

How do you see your duties as a shinki?

What is your favorite part of life with your god?

What is your least favorite part of life with your god?

What advice would you like to give your god?

Do you wish to be assigned to a different god? []Y []N

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 white-robed shinki are still busy cleaning and preparing the Meeting Hall for the big annual meeting of the gods. They'll recruit anyone who looks as though they're not too busy in order to help scrub floors, weed, sweep paths and walkways, and shoo away any unwelcome little spirits that are hiding away in dark corners of the hall. Heavy lifting is good exercise... right?

Rest and Refreshments

There are casks of fresh, cold water near the dojo to make sure no one gets dehydrated, but for those who've finished working, hot tea and enough seasonal treats are available to make it look as though the Heavens bought out an entire sweet shop. They're being distributed by a few shinki in indigo-blue and plain brown robes with the sleeves tied back, who aren't above teasing the newcomers a bit.

Young shinki are playing in the nicely manicured garden, trying to catch crayfish at the lake edge, dashing around playing tag and hide-and-seek. Just be careful you don't get caught in the middle of a game of "Kagome"! If you do, you'll really be stuck until you guess someone's name.

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
• Enjoy a traditional tea
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[skybluelaguz]

[ Success! After her giggles he takes the dummy head and places it nears its body, before he turns back towards her. ]

I'm both glad and honored you think so, little one.

It's nice to meet you too, Nanako. And yes I did just get here. Did you?

[abgrund]

[ The fact that Archer doesn't turn away from him is something of interest - though Ain's own surprise doesn't show on his face either.

A few ticks of silence pass between them before he floats forward, mulling over how best to retrieve the cloak from the other man's hands. The white-robed shinki had told him best to keep his chest covered, an instruction that he sees no reason to disobey.

Instead of sepaking, he tentatively holds out one hand - without the cloak, it's evident that his arm isn't there at all, with empty space where his elbows should be.

> Give it back? ]

[abgrund]

[ ... there is a horse.

Ain just stares, for a moment - though it's not too obvious, given how he only has one eye and his usual expression is painted into a measure of blankness. ]

That's mine...?

sorry i was trying to edit and apparently my phone freaked out

[lightninglobster]

[Here's hoping Takumi had more to him that what he thought was on tap.

Ryoma moved with a balance of practiced ease and disciplined control, moving on autopilot as he contemplated this whole situation--the strange new world, the pamphlet and all of its odd information, the sense of waiting for something to occur. There was an itch under Ryoma's skin to do something instead of sitting around, but... patience was called for, so patience would be practiced.

Even if there was someone nearby staring at him oddly. Ryoma blinked when he caught the other man eyeing him, nodding politely in acknowledgement before he returned more of his focus to his training dummy. Was there something on his face?]

1

[subtract]

[When he finally finds Roxas, it feels like his heart stops.

It's him. It's definitely him. The cloak is a dead giveaway, but the memory—no one else could possibly have that memory, that death. He can still remember his own deletion so clearly, the sensation of everything falling apart and fading into nothingness. His last thoughts of his friends, of Roxas...

Is this how Roxas felt when he discovered Add was his shinki...? He's trembling slightly, unable to move. There's so much he wants to do, to say, but he can't.

Their eyes finally meet when Roxas crumples the paper. Add is standing several feet away, eyes still wide like a deer in headlights. He opens his mouth soundlessly a few times before piecing together a single two-syllable word.]

Roxas?

cleaning

[subtract]

[Ain is the easier one to find, though Add wishes that wasn't the case. The aura of the void is unmistakable. He still doesn't want to believe that this is Ain—even if he's not the real Ain, how could there be any version of the priest that's so... corrupt? And he barely looks anything like the Ain Add knows. Empty eyes, and... whatever the rest of that is supposed to be. All of it is just so wrong.

But he can't simply ignore this. He takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself before walking up to the alien figure.]

You're Ain, is that correct?

[abgrund]

[ Ain pauses in his sweeping, still holding the broom between two fingers in a manner reminiscent of tweezers. He looks up, his singular gaze alighting on Add, tracing his frame from foot to head. His hair echoes the movement of his head, rippling much like a single sheet of fabric.

(Yeah, he's still taller - though only by virtue of the fact that he floats.)

When he speaks, his voice is much lower than Add remembers. ]

I am. [ Pause. ] Who are you?

R&R

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Well, keep on staring, kid. He's just going to reach over you and get some of the orange type sweets, as they seem to be the fruit in season and great to add on the table. It's a good theme to go with. ]

If all you do is watch, chibi, it's gonna disappear before you get any.

[boneofsword]

[Archer supposes he must've seen worse, of his own reaction is something to judge by, but the sight is slightly unnerving. He hands the coat to Ain.]

Are you a shinki?

[First thing first. There's no telling which is which, and the answer determines what kind of questions can Archer ask safely.]

Physical training

[safecage]

You serious? You seem like the type to beat people up without a second thought.

1

[safecage]

I'm stuck trying to make a name for myself again after I just managed to be cool and useful.

ii

[alchemists]

Why are you trying to catch something?

sweets

[alchemists]

I'd love to try one.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku turns around when his shoulder is grabbed, his hands come up almost like he is expecting an attack but he relaxes a little when he realises it is someone who wishes to ask him a question.

He thinks for a moment] There was someone wearing a black hooded cloak here before [He looks around but can't spot them now.] I'm not sure where they have gone though.

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[His journey isn't a long one, and in what is probably a familiar sight, he catches the Sentinel about to shove food in her face (she'd always had a ferocious appetite). In fact, his saying that causes her to pause and look up with a pair of chopsticks halfway to her mouth.

Wait, was that really who...]

...Ranulf???

[Holy crap someone from home?! She hurriedly sets the food down, and hops up, giving him a bear hug that is probably very surprising to him - both because this as Nephenee who isn't exactly known for her outgoingness, and because she is extremely strong.]

Land sakes, when did ya get here?!

[swordofzero]

[Something in Suzkau has recognised this for what it is, sparring, instead of an actual attack.

He concentrates on his line, on not letting the attack get through it. It holds this time and I feels the tiniest bit of success before her second attack shatters it.]

[skybluelaguz]

OOF!

[ Okay, sure, he's been hugged by people before. Mordecai did once...Skirmir on his more willful days, but this was probably the strongest a beorc has ever gotten him. He vaguely wondered if Ike did the same would he snap his spine. ]

Oh...just now...

[ He tries to give he a smile but it does come off as being a bit strained since...well... ]

Just a...small reminder Nephenee that laguz need to breathe...just like you.

[mylanceisbiggerthanyours]

[At least Ike looks like he could do that, while Nephenee kind of doesn't, so not much in the way of warning.

Thankfully, she hears that, and hurriedly lets go, blushing a bit under her helmet.]

S-sorry, Sir Ranulf! [Oh, now she remembers formalities...] I-it's been awhile since Ah been home, an' no one from there's ever made their way here.

A-are ya a god, too?

[He obviously remembers her...so that seems to be the case.]

[skybluelaguz]

[ He breathes much more happily than he's probably ever done before, but finally gives her a smile and a small nod ]

Pay it no mind, being in such a strange place, I don't blame you.

[ Not to say he would've done the same, but seeing a familiar face does make this place just a bit more bearable. ]

Yeah, turns out I'm someone called Hermes now, and you've got another name?

[foxrightsactivist]

[Honestly, Ryoma's hair is big enough that Kaden is entertaining the idea of seeing what else might be stuck in there. How many brushes has it eaten? How many bristles have cried out in defeat?

This may be a personal challenge.]

I did! They actually rescued me from one of those training dummies. I got too close and it decided it wanted to fight. But since they helped me, I thought it would only be fair to help them out, too.

[Kaden shrugs, bracing his thumbs in his obi.]

A little sweeping isn't so bad. Kind of dusty, though. I could probably use a bath.

physical training

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku was watching the fighting, tempted to go and try it for himself. He turned at the voice and smiled slightly, nodding politely in return.

He stepped forward, practicing combat sounded fun. He had enjoyed sparring with borderlines in Shinki training.] I'll try not to let you down either.

[lightninglobster]

[Many a brush and many a comb had attempted the challenge that lay atop Ryoma's head, only to come away defeated... if it'd managed to come away at all. Some bristles had never even gotten the chance to rend their clothes and weep defeat, left broken and silent in the wake of their own hubris...

Perhaps it was better at times not to chase challenges.]

I have a feeling we'll all need a bath by the time the day is through.

[Ryoma had collected more than his share of dirt and plant matter--though he raised an eyebrow at the thought of running from the training dummies. One just had to give them a good few wallops and they'd be on their way, simple enough... though perhaps this stranger and his strange ears and strange tail had more of a lover's heart than a fighter's.

Ryoma was staring a little bit.]

It's a lot to take in, isn't it?

[unlucky7]

[This time Ginia doesn't give him a break as his barrier shatters, following up with another attack. Set up a barrier, move out of the way, attack back, it's all up to him and she's eager to see what he does, how he reacts.

It's sparring, not an attack, but it doesn't mean she'll go easy either.]

[foxrightsactivist]

[Hey, those training dummies are no joke. No joke. He could have been left with bruises! Kaden had never been so scared in his entire life! ... afterlife. He can't remember his life. And that robed shinki had definitely said this was Heaven.

But this other person is staring. He's getting the feeling he's going to be getting a lot of that here.]

Yeah, a little. I still don't know why we're dead or why we can't remember anything, but that robed shinki told me not to worry about it.

[Pause.]

Are you a god or a shinki?

[cloak]

[Roxas weighs that thought, his line of sight sinking to the place where the boundary once was, his hood dipping along with it]

If I wanted to keep something away...

[He extends a hand, tries to bend his focus to such a task.

But instead of a boundary, a plume of black smoke and glitter heralds the appearance of what might best be described as a menacing, giant skeleton key in his grip. He jumps, holding the object as far from himself as possible, shoulders tense]

That's—

[Not right either, is it?]