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

[swordofzero]

Shinki Training

[Suzaku had followed the instructions and arrived at the dojo. He seemed outwardly calm and he politely thanked the white robed Shinki who handed him the informational pamphlet.

Welcome to Heaven. So he was dead. He didn't seem to feel upset about that, he couldn't remember anything but that seemed alright as well and indeed he took note of the warning in the brochure about being careful about memories, it seemed he had none for a reason.

There was a lot of information to take in at once and Suzaku took his time reading it, reading it over again to make sure that he had understood it properly. He was to serve a god, they were to answer prayers that might involve killing Ayakashi.

He was soon drawn into practicing borderlines, it seemed like it was an important skill and one that took a lot of practice. He did as instructed and concentrated on lines to keep out what was not wanted.]

Physical Training

[Apparently he counted at looking not too busy because he had not long stopped the borderline practicing when he was recruited to help clean up. He didn't mind, a big annual meeting of gods sounded important. So he was scrubbing floors diligently.

He definitely wasn't the only one and he smiled politely at those he was working beside. If they seemed like they were up for talking he would offer a greeting.] Hello

Rest and Refreshment

[Finally he had finished scrubbing floors. He stood watching everyone as he drank his water. He was dressed in a very tight fitting suit, there was an earpiece in his ear still mostly because the suit had nothing in the way of pockets. So he held the information pamphlet and a gun in one hand.

He was waiting, just as the pamphlet had told him. He thought he had taken in all the information though parts of it seemed strange. Everything seemed strange but it was reassuring to see everyone here being relaxed. The young Shinki playing and catching crayfish.

He is quiet but seems interested, watching people and he even takes a sweet when it is offered.]

Shinki Training

[unlucky7]

[It's only been a few days since Ginia was here herself, adjusting to her newfound life as a shinki, reading through the pamphlet, practicing her borderlines, waiting for her god. So as she passes through the training area and spots Suzaku practicing his borderlines, she stops to watch. For only having a few days worth of memories, it's a bit nostalgic.

And on her first day, when she was practicing borderlines, someone had come by to help out. So as Suzaku sets up a borderline, Ginia slashes her hand in the same motion, sending a borderline attack aimed directly at his barrier and watching to see what he does.]

[swordofzero]

[It had taken him a little while but he had gotten the hang of drawing the line.

He is surprised when a second line hits his barrier and shatters it. He glances up at the girl. So that's what they meant by cutting. His barriers needed to be strong enough to withstand attack and the same line could cut through other defenses.

He nods with a small smile and slashes his hand out again] Line!

[Watching the girl carefully, ready for her next attack on his defenses. Practice was the only way to improve after all.]

[unlucky7]

[As he looks up at her, Ginia offers a wave in acknowledgement, smiling lightly as he sets up a new barrier. Good reaction. She would have stopped if he was upset, but this is promising. She waits until his barrier is up before her hand slices through the air again. She's silent when she casts the spell, but her other hand moves slightly.

Another line slashes its way toward him, but before it even hits, Ginia sends a second attack directly behind the first.]

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.

physical training

[usedperishsong]

Really puttin' yer back into it, huh?

[ Says the girl who has her hoodie sleeves and her sweatpants rolled up, so pots and kettles, really. Kanade nods down the length of the hallway. ] Bet I can beat ya down the hall.

Re: physical training

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku smiles at the girl who was scrubbing next to him. If there was a thing worth doing then you had to give it you all, even if that thing was scrubbing floors.

It seems he also enjoys a challenge because he nodded and grinned] I'll take that bet. [He nods and speeds up, putting more effort into the scrubbing]

[usedperishsong]

Last one finished's a rotten egg! Hyaaah!!!

[ Kanade gets down basically on all fours, both hands on her scrubbing rag. She lifts her rear in the air, the better to position her legs.

And then she shoots off down the hall. At least she's still putting a lot of pressure on the rag... ]

rest and refreshment

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun isn't the most fond of the feeling of being watched, and while it's more expected when he's out actually doing something in the dojo, he's not that surprised to get the impression when he's standing a comfortable distance from the refreshment table, making his way through a bottle of water and eying off the fruit as if he's considering something.

His attention turns from the table to scan the area, and it doesn't take him long to notice the uniformed man holding a pamphlet and a gun. It's not the most reassuring combination, and there's some wariness to Shun's approach even as he gives the guy a rather critical look-over.]

I'd put that away before you start keeping too close an eye on people. [He nods towards the gun.]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku looked down at the gun in his hand and then at the man who had approached him, he nods politely though he does look like he is considering the words.] I had it when I arrived, I don't have anywhere to put it.

[He looked at the gun again before moving his hands, taking the gun apart and removing the bullets. That made it a little better, right?]

[revolutionfalcon]

[It seems impractical to Shun for an outfit like that not to have pockets, but he, at least, seems a little less on high alert once Suzaku removes the bullets. He's still wary, but that's just how he reacts to everyone new.]

I'd ask your god for clothes you can hide it in, then. It's useful to have a weapon with you, but openly carrying it is going to cause more problems than it helps you with. [Especially on the Near Shore, if he ever has to deal with things over there. He's making his assumption of this person being a shinki due to the remark on "having it when he arrived" - he can't imagine a god wouldn't remember the context of why he had it and why he doesn't have anywhere to put it.]

R&R

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai pauses, steaming teapot in one hand, as he spots the young man standing almost military-rigid with a gun in hand. He could be a guard, or something like it. He doesn't look unhappy exactly--

-- but he also doesn't look very relaxed. Hakkai nods to the weapon.]

I'm not sure you'll need that here. If something goes wrong, a gun isn't likely to be enough to help.

[Oh. Was that not reassuring? He's chuckling, anyway...]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku blinked. It was not really reassuring. That meant that things going wrong were disastrous. Suzaku made note of that.] I took the bullets out [As it had already made someone uncomfortable]

I had it when I arrived and I don't have any where to put it. [He's wearing a skin tight suit, with no pockets. He's trying to hold it in a non threatening manner.]

[reformedsinner]

You came here with a gun and no holster? Well, that won't do.

-- they might have one over with the practice weapons.

[He glances over towards the dojo. He hadn't seen one, but there are sometimes firearms among the melee weapons. It only makes sense, as shinki do turn into guns, sometimes, too.]

I'm Cho Hakkai, incidentally. Are you a god or a shinki?

Physical Training

[iron59]

[It had taken a little bit of time for the white robes to descend upon him, but once it happened, this little god found himself tasked with sweeping a section of the meeting hall. Shoulders hunched, he was doing the work with diligence, if not enthusiasm. It didn't take much effort for their eyes to meet, and he was all too eager to pause and respond.]

Hey. They got you, too?

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku smiled at the boy though he didn't pause in his own scrubbing. The boy was young but seemed a hard worker even if it was clear he would probably prefer to be somewhere else.]

Yes, they said there was to be an important meeting of gods. It looks like they got a lot of people to help out.

[Helping out, being press ganged into scrubbing floors. It all seems to be one and the same in Suzaku's mind]

[iron59]

Yeah. That's what they said to me, too. It's kind of like Jack when the Director's coming down.

[He leans on the broom a little.]

How'd they catch you? I was trying to climb the wall to see what's on the roof.

R&R

[purr_ince]

[Adrien was taking a break and now he's peering at Suzaku. Green eyes are making a sweep of him before he nods.]

You're new aren't you? And you haven't met your god partner, am I right?

[He'd been exactly like this and it's kind of scary really so he's just moving to sit next to him.]

Whoever you've been assigned to will come find you. It just might take them a bit. Try not to worry too much,

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku nods back and smiles at him.] Yes, that's right.

[He's met quite a few people, even a couple of gods but not the one he was assigned to yet. They weren't what he would have thought gods to be. Not that he knew what a god would be like, but they were difficult to tell from shinki and that surprised him even if he wasn't sure why.]

Are you a shinki too? [He makes sure to ask this time] Did it take your god a while to find you? [Everyone has been reassuring him that he would be found. It made him wonder if there were cases when Shinki weren't, when they were just left here.]

Shinki Training

[pure_radiantics]

Hi there! I'm available for practicing Borderlines too, if you want to pair up!

[She's sort of a teacher due to her tenure of several months, but also through having been tutored by Kazuma up until he got busy with other things.]

I haven't seen you around before, but my name's Kairi and I'm with the goddess Neith! How about you?

[She's almost positive she saw him come in with the newer shinki, so she's being just a little extra perky.]

[swordofzero]

Hello [Suzaku turned to the girl who had spoken to him. After his spar with Ginia he felt he understood borderlines a lot better now but more practice was definitely needed if he were to be of use here.]

My name is Suzaku Kururugi. I've just arrived, it is nice to meet you Kairi. I would be happy to pair up to practice.

r&r

[death_glare]

[ It's a bit later in the day when Suzaku will hear his name being stated in a stern tone behind him. Grell had been correct in saying that the boy would be easy to find. The gun in his hand made him stand out quite well. But the weapon was not of his concern. Apparently this was Grell's new shinki, and though William was rather put off by the fact that she had received one while he was still without, he made it a point to seek out the kid and speak with him.

Having Grell Sutcliffe as your god was nothing to take lightly. Hell, merely having her in your presence was a danger in itself. William wanted to make sure Suzaku know exactly who his god was and how to properly deal with her. ]

Suzaku?

sorry for the late reply, I was away!

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku had a lot to think about, a lot of information to take in and he was glad that Lady Grell had given him some time to do so.

His name made him turn round, he had met some people so far but this man was not one he knew. Lady Grell had known his name but she was his god and apparently that was how it worked. He had no idea who this was but he stood formally and nodded politely.]

Yes? Do you need me?