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

[festal]

( Of course, she watches him to make sure he's catching on. She can only tease Koki for moving around so much for so long before they catch on. She'd expected to see his serious face-- the one she was used to seeing whenever her brother was thinking whether it be shogi with Takumi or in a war meeting. What she doesn't expect the smile and it catches her off guard completely. She gives a small jump and immediately looks away, cheeks turning a shade brighter. It's not everyday she gets to help Ryoma. It's bittersweet. )

W-well... then I think it's Fumiya's turn--

( He complains. It's a new game! New person, new game! And the new person has to be "it" in the middle. )

Oh, but that really isn't fair... he's only just met everyone. He... he won't know any of our names. ( Ah... luckily for her, she doesn't have time to be sad for it before the boy laughs, "Then he better learn fast!" And the kids begin to form a circle around Ryoma. ) Ah, I'm sorry.

( She gives Ryoma an embarrassed glance-- the first look she's given him since his smile shook her. )

... But I-I believe in you.

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma's not a complete pillar of ice--certain circumstances made it hard to be happy for the sake of being happy, but... he's always had the capacity to smile, even though he had very few reasons. He stifles a laugh as Sakura jolts, immediately dropping back into his concentration face, very stern and serious... though there's a certain looseness in his brow that wouldn't be there if Ryoma weren't actually deeply amused.

Sakura is cute. She's trying so very hard, and Ryoma can appreciate that, even if she's shy and easily startled.

Fumiya, however, is a tyrant. Ryoma gives a long-suffering sigh that is more effected suffering than actual distress, shifting off of his knee to sit seiza instead as the circle closes around him.]

I'll do my best not to disappoint you. Thank you for all your support, Sakura.

[There's one last fleeting, blink-and-you'll-miss-it half-smirk-half-grin just for Sakura before Ryoma raises a hand to cover his closed eyes, head tilted slightly to listen to the song... and the sounds of the children shuffling around him.]

[festal]

( She only just barely misses it. Somewhere between a blink and being dragged by her spoiled friends, she misses some part of his secret smile, leaving her wondering if she'd seen what she'd thought she'd seen.

The children begin to sing their song ad it's easy enough to follow along where some of the children are based on some sounds-- glass beads clinking, excessive shuffling as someone tries to rush the circle, a singing voice on the verge of giggling-- Sakura's own voice is quiet amongst the louder and more excited ones accompanying her. There's definitely a more melodic voice among them, soft and sweet and a little shy. It's the same voice that goes silent behind Ryoma as the song ends, the children all call out,

"Who is behind you?" )

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma listens attentively--he can place some of the children in his mind very easily, picking out Koki and Suzu, finding Fumiya's familiar voice, figuring out his position in relation to Sakura's softer, older tone... but the child behind him is a bit of a mystery.

It's okay to be wrong sometimes, in some things. It's a lesson that Ryoma learned a little too late, but let's not think about that.]

I'm going to guess... Koko?