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

[abgrund]

[ It would be hard to eat mochi if they're in a rush, that's for sure. So maybe it was only for those who can afford it. ]

Do you want to.... make it?

[ Is that why he's asking? ]

[cloak]

No, not really.

[He doesn't think he'd have any idea how to do something like that]

There's a lot we don't know though. Is it strange to wonder about it?

[Ain, set the standard of normalcy here]

[abgrund]

[ What is normalcy to a void horror and a boy of code? ]

No....

[ It seems a very human thing to do, though acknowledging this means he is implicitly separating himself from them. ]

You can ask those who made it....?

[cloak]

[Very human, for a boy who isn't and never was.

...And doesn't know what he is, except a shinki for some god, apparently]

I guess I could, if I can find the right people.

[He's guessing the ones who handed these things out didn't make them, just as Ain hadn't]

[abgrund]

[ He tilts his head in thought, his hair echoing the movement in a fluid waterfall of grey and green. ]

Ask a human...? Humans make these.

[ And they would have less inhibition in talking to them, unlike Heaven. Heaven felt very.... faraway, to him. ]

[cloak]

I'll try that, whenever I see one.

[Hopefully they actually see and notice him. He wonders if they will, but there's probably not much use speculating that kind of thing.

Still, it's something to pursue later]

Have you tried any of the other stuff?

[abgrund]

[ Maybe if Roxas makes enough noise, he might be noticed. Or they could just stand at the window and watch... ]

?

[ Ain hums a little in answer, blinking. ]

Not yet...

[cloak]

Well then...

[With that established, Roxas picks himself up, dusting off his coat before offering Ain a gloved hand]

Let's go see what else there is.

[Whether the guy needs a hand up or not, that hand waits all the same]

[abgrund]

[ There's a pause as Ain blinks, tentatively reaching out to take Roxas' hand. His skin is cold, but not uncomfortably so. ]

Okay.

[ Lead him, he'll follow. It's not like he has a firm sense of what they should look for, anyway... ]

[cloak]

[If Roxas takes note of it, it doesn't show. Maybe it's his gloves, or maybe it's something else altogether.

But he leads the way, tugging Ain along if he allows it, until they find a table with assorted refreshments. Shapes and colors come in wide variety, and the air about them is sweet, which suggests more dessert items]

Anything look interesting to you?

[He glances up at Ain, face still cast in unchanging shadow]

[abgrund]

[ Ain follows Roxas with the vague air of a sleepy cat, glancing here and there at the things on offer. His aura scatters some of the younger shinki, ensuring that they have ample space at the table for themselves.

So many shapes and colours... ]

Do you know what they are?

[ His single gaze lingers on one of the green ones. Given his appearance, it's not hard to guess at why ]

[cloak]

[Roxas glances down one stretch of the table, and then the other. He doesn't pay any mind to the way other shinki back away, perhaps because it has been a typical reaction for him to get too, by merit of his appearance]

I don't know the names, but I think they're sweets.

[They smell like it, at least]

[abgrund]

[ He nods to Roxas as acknowledgement of his words before looking for the attendant of the table. Finding none, he supposes these are free for the taking.

A moment's recollection tells him that sweets are meant to be on skewers, but he doesn't see any. Instead of looking for one, he merely projects something similar from his hand, pinning a green piece of mochi to the miniature spear. ]

... how is it green?

[ Curious. Do sweets come in all colours? ]

[cloak]

[Roxas hums thoughtfully, folding his arms across his chest as he peers at the sweets]

Maybe it's made with something green?

[Although mochi seems to come in various colors, so would that mean they're made with something of a different color? And what would they use? Confections are mysterious things]

[abgrund]

[ That sounds logical. Maybe leaves, or some tea (though he doesn't know about the existence of tea just yet). ]

Looks like it...

[ Ain takes a bite, noting how its sweetness is muted compared to the pink ones. ]

... tastes different, too.

[cloak]

[After Ain gives this assessment, Roxas can't help but wonder...]

Do you like it better than the pink ones?

[He might be a little invested in this sidequest, sue him]

[abgrund]

[ He has to deliberate over this a little. ]

Possibly...?

[ It's less sweet. The muted quality is something he thinks fits him, for a reason he can't explain. ]

[cloak]

Better than a no, I guess.

[It seems to him that Ain might like green things.

And if that's the case...

He picks up a small paper plate and circles around the table, collecting green snacks]

[abgrund]

[ Ain stands in place for a while, eyeing his mochi; but he notices as soon as Roxas leaves his side and notes what he's picking up.

He trails after the younger boy a few moments later. ]

Do you... want anything?

[cloak]

I can get something after.

[He's on a mission, and he only halts when he's collected one of every green confection. With that accomplished, he turns and presents Ain with the plate of green goodies]

Here. Maybe you'll like one of these better.

[He isn't sure why, but this is important]

[abgrund]

[ The plate is taken with one (human) hand and inspected, his other hand still exhibiting the projected spear from before, jutting out from his palm. ]

... why are you doing this?

[cloak]

I want to find something you like.

[It's a simple thought, and easily explained.

At least, he thinks so]

[abgrund]

[ .... okay, but it's not that simple to him. ]

Why....?

[ They're coworkers, that he can understand. But this seems like a step up from that ]

[cloak]

[A moment of silence as he ponders this deep mystery of the universe. But in the end...]

I just...want to.

[It's what it all comes down to]

Do I need another reason?

[abgrund]

No......

[ Maybe, some things just can't be explained. He was curious, that was all ]