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

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?

[cloak]

[Roxas stills upon hearing the sound of his name. Or maybe it's the voice calling it? He doesn't know, but he turns on his heel automatically to face the owner of that voice. For a few seconds he peers up at him, debating why this person knows his name, recognizes him.

There are only a few explanations for that, and the most likely... This'd be the god he was assigned to, right? Although if that's the case, gods sure don't look much different from shinki]

Yeah, that's my name. [It's one thing he does know about himself, if the only thing. He remains where he is, but something about this guy's expression makes it difficult, somehow. Uneasy] Are you okay?

[subtract]

[He's not okay. Nothing about this is okay, but he can't say that because Roxas wouldn't understand. He's a shinki now, he doesn't remember anything they've been through. The might as well be strangers...

There's an awkward pause as Add tries to collect himself, and he doesn't quite manage to regain his composure, but it's enough. His hands are curled into tight fists at his sides, nails digging into his gloves. He tries to stand taller. Look more confident.]

Don't ask stupid questions. I'm fine. [in the back of his mind he's chanting don't cry do not fucking cry] My name is Add. You're my new shinki, that makes me your god. You'll be working with me from now on.

[his eyes are a little watery but he's not crying. someone please be proud of him.]

[cloak]

[The guy says he's fine, but the way something in his gut seems to twist tells him otherwise. Add looks upset, and he isn't sure of the cause. Maybe he expected a bigger or more impressive-looking shinki, or something like that... He really doesn't know, new to all of this as he is.

But seeing this person look this way is something he decidedly doesn't like. Not that he knows what to do with that at all]

Okay. [Acknowledgement. It's a place to start] What should I do for now?

[What with the lack of immediate threats]

[subtract]

[Subdued as it is, he can feel the barest hint of something through their connection... did he make Roxas upset? Is he being too pushy? He's forced to scowl to hide his expression, but maybe it's a little too intimidating... what if he gives a bad first impression and Roxas doesn't like him?

His shoulders sink a little. He's frustrated and angry and upset and overwhelmed, but he can't let that show and he can't let Roxas think he's a bad god. He has to stay in control. He has to make sure Roxas knows he's wanted.]

... You can do whatever you'd like. Just because we're partners doesn't mean I control your life. [partners; not master and servant.] There's training available here, such as drawing borderlines and information about this world. You can start there if you want to know how to be useful. I can answer any questions you have as well.

[Roxas always liked it when he could be useful. Add knows what he's capable of and how invaluable he is, but it'll take some time for him to remember that on his own...]

[cloak]

[Indeed, the prospect of making himself useful makes Roxas perk up. He may be small, but he stands just a little bit straighter, with that suggestion. If there are things he can do to better fulfill his new role, that's certainly relevant to his interests. And why wouldn't it be?

Although he finds himself confused on one point, much related to that]

I can do that. [And he will, with varying degrees of success] But why are you calling me a partner? Isn't my job helping you out?

[And so the word doesn't seem quite right, somehow. He doesn't even know how much he's capable of contributing just yet]

[subtract]

[Roxas' mood seems to improve as he predicted, and Add manages to relax a little more as well. He's still straining to distract himself from his own emotions, but it no longer feels like he's at risk of bursting into tears at any moment. Small progress.

He sighs lightly at the question. Typical Roxas.]

A god is nothing without his shinki. I'm not going to pretend I'm better than you just because I wield your vessel. We're equals, don't forget that.

[cloak]

[Roxas turns that thought about before he ultimately shrugs]

If you say so.

[Add's the boss here, so he supposes he'll have to accept this equals thing, even if it doesn't really make very much sense to him. It's not like he minds, anyway. But it seems important enough to Add that he won't argue the point]

Do you know what I'm supposed to be?

[Speaking of vessels, because he definitely doesn't know]

[subtract]

Hmm. We won't know until you have a name.

[A vessel name. He's been kind of lazy with his naming choices, but if it's for Roxas... he pauses, putting a hand to his chin as he thinks hard about it. For someone so important to him, he should pick a name that's fitting...

Eventually he mutters a soft ah, turning to Roxas again. Without any further explanation, he begins the short spell to name his shinki. As he finishes, he declares Roxas' new shinki name...]

Come, Kiki!

[cloak]

[It's a weird name. And that's the only thought Roxas has time for before he loses the feeling of his body, becomes something else entirely. To Add, it might just look like Roxas vanished and left his signature coat behind, because that's what remains in his place.

The silence that follows is pointed, as Roxas tries to acclimate to this new development. He's pretty sure he hasn't had an experience like this before, altering his form this way.

Well, probably not anyway]

[subtract]

[He bends down after the lightshow ends, carefully picking up the cloak... and there's nothing underneath it, so, yes, this is apparently Roxas' vessel form. He holds him up, cocking his head a little.]

Well that's different. [he's never had a shinki he could wear before...] I suppose you're not much of an offensive vessel. I can't imagine how I could use a coat to kill an ayakashi.

How do you feel? [He remembers finding his own vessel form uncomfortable at first, so he handles Roxas carefully as he asks.]

[cloak]

[Roxas wonders, though he can't manage to ask, whether that means he'll be of no real help after all. If this form is meant to be used to combat a threat, what good would he be?

He's silent for some moments longer than he means to be, unable to think of a way a coat could be used effectively in a fight]

...Your hands are warm.

[He doesn't know if he imagines or really senses that, but it's something he can ground himself with, in his current unnatural (and not very useful) state]

[subtract]

[The answer gets a small smile out of him. It's a uselessly vague comment, but Roxas doesn't sound distressed at all... so, he'll take it as a good thing.]

Alright. I'll try you on, then. Tell me if it starts being uncomfortable for you. [He gives Roxas plenty of time to answer, letting the coat hang over an arm as he takes off his armoured jacket. Better to adjust to this now than wait until they're in the heat of battle.

When he does get the cloak on... it fits a lot better than he'd expect. Strangely roomy. He pulls up the hood for the full experience.]

... Hmm. I don't feel any different. Aside from not being able to see as well... a passive effect, perhaps? Most likely supportive in nature, but further testing may be needed...

[cloak]

[Being worn is certainly a novel experience. Roxas doesn't have anything to compare it with, and so he wouldn't know how to describe it if he were asked. But he thinks he doesn't mind it, and it seems that Add has a better idea of what his practical utility might be than he does, which comes as something of a relief.

Granted, he doesn't know what passive ability he could have, but it's better than thinking he has no practical use at all]

How do you test something like that?

[He inquires, because it's certainly relevant to his interests to find that out. And the sooner they know, the better in case they're dealing with threats, right?]

[subtract]

Mm, that depends on what it is... usually these things come intuitively, so it may be better to simply bring you along for a variety of situations until your ability triggers. Once we know what it is, we can try to trigger it intentionally to see what other uses it might have.

Don't worry about it too much, Roxas. [and now he can go back to being a coat with his own body inside it. Add picks his jacket back up with Dynamo.] Even if your ability is situational, a shinki has more uses than a simple tool. You're far more valuable than you could imagine.

[... more so than Add can even speak of. He falters, emotions surging up his throat, but he forces himself to swallow everything back down. There's so much he wants to say right now, to tell him, to apologize for... but it's impossible. If he says even a little too much, it could kill him. He has to keep acting like they're strangers.

It takes a little longer this time for Add to collect himself. He clears his throat, slipping his jacket back on and decidedly pretending that weird pause never happened. He doesn't look at Roxas when he speaks.]

There's something else I need to do. [a lie. He already found Ain, so his business here is done. He just needs a moment alone to make sure he's not going to do anything embarrassing in public.] I'll come back to pick you up in a little while, so you can do whatever you want until then.

[cloak]

[He speaks so emphatically about his value that Roxas can only wonder whether it's a kindness or every god views shinki in such a way. After all, it's unclear what all he can do, so how can his value already be determined? For what little he knows of himself he might not even be capable of much.

But these are thoughts he can concern himself with on his own time. Gods are probably pretty busy, or there wouldn't be so many of them, so he nods in understanding when Add says he has other matters to attend to]

Okay. I'll go train then.

[Better that he works on doing what he should now than wait until later, surely]