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

r&r

[untodeath]

[ It seems that her shinki has been a busy boy today; while, admittedly, Grell hadn't looked for him TOO very hard, she did glance over the shinki training grounds once or twice before resigning to the designated leisure area.

As expected, he did come around, eventually! The goddess spots him through the steam wafting over her teacup, prompting her to sit up with an attentive little hum! ]

There you are.

[ As she initially calls out to him, the redhead will set aside her cup to stand, ensuring that she earns his attention. ]

Join me, won't you? It isn't polite to keep a lady waiting, Suzaku.

Re: r&r

[swordofzero]

[She does get his attention, he looks over at the voice as it cuts through the low him of the gathering.

He puts down his water and moves over quickly looking a bit sheepish. This was his god he guessed. No one else had known his name. He hadn't realised she had been waiting for him.

He stood to attention.] I apologise. They said just to wait, I wasn't sure where exactly.

[untodeath]

[ Grell's brows shift, her mouth pulling into a lopsided grin. ]

What's this, then?

[ Looking over his posture, she'll prop a hand upon her hip. ]

Teasing you won't be nearly as fun for me, if you make it this easy.

[ An amused breath sounds through her nostrils with a shake of her red tresses. Reseating herself at the table, she gestures to an available chair, opposite of her. ]

Relax.

[swordofzero]

[If anything Suzaku seems to get more formal, looking very awkward, he doesn't even know what to say to any of that so he opts for silence.

He does move to the chair that she has gestured to and sits down, he looks the opposite of relaxed. Sat up perfectly straight, eyes fixed ahead. Falling into training that he's forgotten he even had.

Waiting for orders]

[untodeath]

[ Blinking, she'll stare at him for a good, long moment. Just to see if he'll respond in any way. ]

... Right.

[ Suppose not! Grell clears her throat. ]

I am Grell Suttcliffe. Here, I've been assigned the role as the Hindu Goddess Kali. Are you familiar with her?

[ Picking up her tea, she'll take a sip while awaiting an answer. ]

[swordofzero]

[The scrutiny unnerves him but he sits silently until she speaks. Grell Suttcliffe. The goddess Kali.

He had not lost knowledge of things. He knew what things were, he had discovered that he knew how to fight. But the name Kali came up blank. He shook his head]

I have not heard of the goddess Kali, my lady. [The address is given with just the slightest hesitation. No one has told him how to address people but this feels most natural]

[untodeath]

[ While Grell still, and may always, find the sensitivity of this new generation to be a bit perplexing, she can't resist smiling at the title. Pressing a finger to her lips, she hums. ]

Kali had been known as the Divine Mother - a creator, but also, a destroyer. She is life and death, as it were - and a ruthless fighter.

[ Can you tell which of the two she prefers? ]

To put it simply, it is not my purpose to uphold peace and a sense of geniality. Being in my service, I do hope you'll be comfortable with representing that.

[swordofzero]

[The title seemed to be correct, that was good. Another thing known like building blocks of knowledge that helped steady him and build a picture of the world.

The divine mother, a creator and destroyer both life and death. A fighter. It was clear which ones his god preferred.

He wasn't sure what he thought about that, his gut feeling was that he preferred the creator and life part. That peace was a thing to be upheld.

Still whatever he thought of it did not matter, this was the god he had been given to serve and he would serve her to his best ability.] I understand, my lady.

[There is a pause and he speaks again, hopefully she does not mind questions] What is your purpose? And how do you fulfill it?

[He's still quite confused about the whole thing, about everything really. Despite the information people have been kind enough to give him so far]