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

[untodeath]

[ Shifting a hand to rest over William's cheek, she merely grins. They can touch more on that subject later; however, as it stands, she's decided to break the news as it comes up, because she hasn't yet had the opportunity to tell Ronald first. ]

I'm not certain what to call his form... It's a long-distance weapon - a sort of grappling hook, I suppose - which is why I've allowed him the afternoon to settle in on his own terms, rather that train here, today. [ She bounces a bit in excitement. ] But, fighting with him will grant me even more superior agility, which should be fun.

[death_glare]

[ The fact that Ronald hasn't made comment on it should have been evidence enough that Grell's kept quiet for now. But since she's moved on from the topic, he will, as well. They're here to train, after all. ]

An interesting form to take. I should like to meet him, some time in the near future.

[ To warn him of all of Grell's "quirks". As well as what not to do around her and how to get out of certain situations. ]

[untodeath]

You absolutely can! I'm certain he's about here, somewhere.

[ Leaning in to briefly boop her nose against his, she'll then allow William his freedom, at last! Turning to walk toward Elicena, she extends an arm to wave her near. ]

Suzaku's wearing a uniform, equipped with some bizarre firearm. Has mousy brown hair, dark green eyes. Difficult to miss, really.

[death_glare]

[ nose booping is still something William can't quite grasp the reasoning for. So he's glad when Grell pulls away so he doesn't need to comment on it. ]

I will look for him after we've finished.

[ William's shinki is called over with a short stating of his name. The boy looks less than enthused and William looks less than impressed by his lack of professionalism. ]

[untodeath]

[ It's affectionate and cute, but not as overly intimate as a kiss, which William is fussy about - especially in public, she imagines! Not a terrible amount of significance behind it, alas.

Once Grell's shinki had enough notice to put away her phone, she's called to transform. In hand, the redhead gives a practiced roll of her wrist. ]

Got a bit more practice in, since our last go. Hope you're ready, Will!

[death_glare]

I have never had an issue combating you.

[ Said so confidently. When called upon, his own shinki transforms into an ancient Egyptian weapon - about the length of his arm with an almost sickle like shape to one of its ends. It's quite the reminder of the standard issue scythes all reapers are originally given. ]

That far empty field, then?

[untodeath]

[ Giggling, Grell shakes her head. It's true, she hasn't attempted to best William since he knocked a bit of sense into her back in their academy days. ]

Interesting sword. We'll be well matched today. [ And with an assured nod of her head, she grins. ] Let's go, then!

[ Springing into the air, she uses the dojo's roof as leverage to quickly cover the distance there. ]

[death_glare]

[ William follows right at Grell's heels, finally landing across from her in the well maintained training field. He twirls the sword around in his hand before sharply swiping it down to his side, much as he does with his scythe when it's retracted. And it's only a moment later that he instantly teleports before Grell, giving her the briefest amount of time to react before he attacks. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's grin splits wide across her face, as she raises her weapon to parry. Using the force of William's blow, she bounds backward, landing on her heel. ]

Ruthless. You know that gets me bothered!

[ She exclaims, leaping with a downward swing of her sword. ]

[death_glare]

A weakness, if you ask me.

[ He catches the middle of her sword against his, using the curve of the blade to guide hers away from him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Were she not more careful, he easily could have knocked the vessel from her grasp - something that has Grell's brows raising with surprise! ]

Perhaps.

[ Following the forced downward swing of her arm, she spins to deliver another blow. ]

Against you.

[death_glare]

Should I consider myself lucky?

[ Unable to pull the same move again so quickly, he, instead, teleports behind her. The blunt bottom of his sword makes sudden contact with her back, forcing her several feet away from him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's teeth grit with a restrained cry - and falling for the ground, she catches herself on the non dominant hand, so that she may skid around to face him. Her pained grimace twinges into an unsettling grin. ]

Should you require such luck!

[ Dashing off to sprint at William, she poises herself for a horizontal slash across his middle - but, at the last moment, will teleport behind him to deliver a kick to his side, instead! A bit of payback for playing dirty. ]

[death_glare]

[ While most others would find the expression on Grell's face unsettling, if not terrifying, William is unphased by it. If anything pulls a reaction from him, it's the fact that he's just fallen for his own tactic. It's almost like the first time Grell attacked him, sending him crashing against the stone wall of a building.

He collects himself, glaring at Grell from behind his rectangular frames. ]

Perhaps I never should have fought back.

[untodeath]

You'd certainly dug your own grave, hadn't you?

[ Walking toward him, Grell rests a hand upon her hip, sword arm at rest. Quirking a brow, she nonchalantly regards that glare with a can't of her head. ]

Need a hand?

[death_glare]

[ William answers both questions by getting to his feet without assistance. He brushes off the front of his shirt with his free hand, gripping his blade tightly should Grell take advantage of his apparent distraction. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell certainly will take advantage, but not as he might expect.

Sensing his wariness, she teleports in close - settles her hand over his tensed wrist, as she leans her chest into his. With her lips close enough to catch his in a kiss, she hesitates, gaze rising to meet William's. ]

For the record, I'd rather be buried beside you, than live a life without you in it.

[death_glare]

How morbidly romantic.

[ And so completely Grell. Though unwise around any other opponent, William allows his wrist to relax. Right now is when both of their shinki are undoubtedly making gagging gestures and wishing their gods would return them to their normal state so they can get away from these two love birds. ]

[untodeath]

[ Smile twinging wider, the redhead tilts her head, ghosting her lips along his jaw, instead. ]

A love that is second to none, I assure you.

[death_glare]

I don't doubt any of it.

[ Though, Grell is getting a bit touchy for being out on the training field. A palm is pressed against her chest before it forces her back and away from him. ]

But, let's keep that to our spare time.

[untodeath]

[ Biting at her lip with a chuckle, Grell follows his lead in taking a step back. ]

Fine, then; to be continued . . .

[ Sword poised, she continues her pace backward, smirking with a tick of her brow. ]

I do believe it's your move, Will♥.

[death_glare]

Perhaps. If you fight fairly.

[ William just might be learning what flirting is all about!

Sword at the ready, he uses his other hand to make sure his glasses are perfectly in place. They've come off in too many fights, already! Perhaps he should invest in a chain like Grell's.

But he doesn't linger on the thought long, as he's quick to push up from the ground, giving himself a bit of momentum before lunging back towards his opponent. ]

[untodeath]

[ While Grell would argue that Will has always had a talent for the tease, knowing that he means precisely what he says adds an entirely new and exciting element to things! Her heart may even skip a beat!

She takes her stance, one foot placed behind the other; prepared to raise her sword and react, in kind. ]

Give me your all, okay~?

[death_glare]

[ William is just going to assume that comment applies to both training and their potential late night activities.

The next round starts with William taking a simple, and rather predictable swipe of his blade directly in front of Grell. Though a basic move like that isn't quite as effective with a curved blade, it's merely a distraction. A moment before he strikes, his image blurs and he's coming up beside Grell, instead, the rounded hem of the sword poised just shy of making contact with her neck. ]

[untodeath]

[ His first move does earn a quirked brow from the redhead, but she prepares to deflect his attack, regardless - the move leaving her just shy of running into the point of his blade.

Craning her head back with a lick of her lips, Grell chuckles. ]

You've been learning all sorts of things, haven't you?

[ Without further warning, she steps back to bend away from his sword, swinging her own to forcibly guide his arm away from her. If William isn't quick to regain composure, he will be faced with an onslaught of heavy blows. ]