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

r&r

[festal]

( For all of her shyness, Sakura shines a little brighter when she's around children. Maybe it's because they're younger than her and so much more accepting than older people are. She's some how been roped into playing Kagome, Kagome with some of the children. Covering her eyes, she tries to guess the name of the shinki child behind her. This isn't her first time playing with these children and it isn't her first time at Bishamon's temple, either. It takes her a few guesses, each wrong guess drawing a new round of good natured giggles as the occasional child yells, "no!" in response to her guesses.

Ah, just when she feels like she might be here forever, she delightedly makes one last guess and the child behind her laughs brightly and congratulates her ("it's about time, Sakuya-bime!") Finally able to uncover her eyes, she removes her hands, blinking in the light and finding herself staring right at-- )

O-oh!

( She jumps, covering her mouth with her hands. She really can't help but stare at the man that suddenly appeared sometime between the start of their game and now. She could recognize him anywhere. His smile is just as familiar as she remembers and.... That's him. That's definitely him. It's Ryoma. Her greatest brother and her king and--... She wants to call out to him but she catches herself, immediately ducking her head away and dropping her hands in front of her, turning them awkwardly in front of her. To the unfamiliar eye, she probably just looks terribly shy and nervous right now.

A shinki girl notices, at least, and she snaps at Ryoma. "Buu! You scared Sakuya-bime!"

A boy laughs, "That's easy, though!"

And the girl knocks him over with a hissing shush. )

[lightninglobster]

[And in this moment, no eye is more unfamiliar to Sakura than Ryoma's. There's a moment of confusion as he looks from one little shinki to the next, brow furrowing as he tries to figure out what she was talking about. He spots the woman in the cluster of children, turned away with her head dipped low and a sense of worry pings in his belly. He frowns, though there's no anger in the expression--he's. Sorry? He can't help his face, okay.

He could help his face, but that'll have to be explored later. The default settings are strong on this one.]

I apologize, Sakura. I'll find somewhere else to sit.

[As simple as that, he rises with his water in hand, too honorable to a point and so very ready to make amends for the perceived slight.]

[festal]

(The shinki girl sticks out her tongue at Ryoma as he gets ready to leave but Sakura, instead, snaps to attention and is quick to step forward,)

W-wait--!

(Ryoma wouldn't apologize for causing her anxiety because Ryoma would never be the source. That is, he wouldn't be if everything was right in this world but it isn't, is it? He isn't trying to reassure her or comfort her or set her at ease and... this is all wrong. It's all wrong but it's not Ryoma's fault and the last thing she wants to do is push him away. He's her brother and whether he remembers her or not, they're family. If he's new here and without his memories then... it's her turn to be the reliable one.)

Wait... (It's quieter and she takes another step forward.) I-I'm sorry I just... I didn't expect to see anyone else a-and...

(She can save this situation. She can do it. The words come spilling from her mouth, nervously but naturally,)

You must think I-I'm silly, (No, he wouldn't. (Stop that, Sakura).) p-playing around like a child...

(Her cheeks turn a shade of bright pink. When she says it like that... she almost believes her own story, oops.)

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma starts to shake his head and take his leave with a faint sense of amusement--but he stops short when Sakura calls out and steps toward him, turning to face her once again.

... and for all he's not Ryoma, he's still Ryoma--ever genuine, blunt, and sincere in equal portions, ever striving to help everyone be better... and ever fond of his siblings, even when their separate duties and pains kept them at a distance. He's always been kind--even if that kindness isn't specific to Sakura like it would be if fate were kinder.]

Still, I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you--I suppose it can be startling to have a stranger sitting silently out of the corner of your eye...

[He smiles--trying to lighten the situation, trying to be less intimidating. He still doesn't think she's foolish, even if he's not Ryoma.]

It looks like a lot of fun. It's all right to be silly sometimes, isn't it? Not that I would really know, I think...

[festal]

(It's still Ryoma and she can find some peace in that. It puts her at ease somewhat-- not completely because there's still a feeling in her gut telling her to distance herself. It must be that heavenly instinct she's heard of and she knows she should leave. She knows what she should do but her siblings would never abandon her so how could she abandon them?)

It's not your fault. I've always been t-terribly shy so if anything, it's my fault.

(It's never his fault. Ryoma could never do anything wrong. He smiles at her and her face feels warm and her spirit rises. She feels a little a little more comfortable even if she still needs to tread carefully.)

It is. (It's a lot of fun but ah... Ryoma would know. If he remembered, he would know its alright to be a little silly.) Uhm... W-would you... (She's muttering. That isn't very ladylike at all and she takes a breath before calling out loudly and in one, quick breath--)

Would you like to play with us?!

[lightninglobster]

Hm. Fault's a strong word, don't you think? There's something to be learned in every new experience.

[He concedes to the apology with that--they could keep chasing each other in circles, trying to claim the lion's share of the blame for the initial awkwardness of their meeting, but that would go absolutely nowhere. Sakura was too well-versed at apologizing, and Ryoma was too stubborn once he'd dug his heels in. The day would be gone before either one of them even thought to call it even.

As a side note, Ryoma could do plenty of things wrong, just ask him--eventually. Right now he's meeting Sakura's smile with more of one of his own, brightened by her own small surge of heart. The, uh, invitation to play causes that confused hound look to trot back out for just a second, however--both from the quick burst of words and the novel concept of playing.

... it seems novel, anyway. Ryoma couldn't remember if he was much for games, but it seemed like something he could put a soft no in. His helmet was a very serious piece of equipment. Still, indulging the girl and making it up to the children for breaking up their play for so very long for adult politeness and its nonsense.]

I don't see why not, if you'd like another. What are the rules of the game?

[festal]

(It's impossible for her to not be pleased when he accepts her invitation. Even the shinki children around her seem excited at the prospect of a new player-- even more, a player who would surely never guess who they were (what mischievous little brats).)

Oh.... it's easy. Everyone will get in a circle with one person in the middle.

(In the very same position she was in before she saw Ryoma.)

You close your eyes a-and you have to guess who's behind you at the end of the rhyme. If you win, the two of you switch places.

(Easy! But then... if names are important with this game, she supposes introductions are in order, right?)

I'm Sakura. (Like the children have mentioned before.) I-I haven't been here for very long but my other name here is... Konohanasakuya-hime. Goddess of life and cherry blossoms.

(It's a fitting role for a girl named Sakura and even more so for one like her but she supposes Ryoma will just have to find out for himself.)

... And.... And you are?

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma's arms fold across his chest out of ingrained habit as he listens to Sakura's explanation with all the gravity and attention he'd pay to a war report, nodding along. A guessing game with a rhyme and a mystery element... it was a cute idea.

Ryoma was doomed, but let it be known that he was not one to shy away from a challenge... no matter how unfairly stacked the odds were against him. At least names were being given, now.]

Sakura... that's a pretty name. I like it.

[It seemed like a fitting name for the little goddess as well, but Ryoma couldn't quite put his finger on why. Just a hunch, perhaps. He cleared his throat, trying to relax his posture--they were playing after all. Maybe he shouldn't take it so seriously.]

I'm Ryoma--and what are your names, little troublemakers?

[Ryoma took a knee to be closer to the children, focusing on relaxing--on having a kinder, more inviting demeanor, one that didn't scare random young women and set children into a tizzy of defending her.]

[festal]

( It's strange, having Ryoma introduce herself to her and she's glad that this part of their meeting is over and done with. When he gives his name, she only smiles politely and turns her attention to the children because that's easier than everything else right now.

The children give Ryoma a glance before the bratty boy from earlier loudly announces his name as Fumiya. The girl with the attitude mumbles a name that sounds something like "Koko" and the other kids begin to follow their example.

Sakura, meanwhile, kneels down as well, listening to their round of introductions while trying to give Ryoma some hints. She asks a girl named Suzu to show Ryoma her new necklace which clinks as beads bounce around her neck. There's a boy named Koki she teases lightly for being unable to stay still. And another girl named Haru who is particularly prone to giggling... )

... Do you think you can remember everyone?

[lightninglobster]

[As he does with many things, Ryoma takes to trying to keep the children and their names in his mind with the same gravity and commitment that he'd put towards considering a battle plan, or rewriting a piece of domestic policy--and since he doesn't have to do those things anymore, what better way to express that bone-deep attention to duty and detail than by playing a children's game to win?

Ryoma's rarely backed away from a challenge. Not without giving it his all, first.

He's trying his best to keep the names and faces straight when he notices, catching onto Sakura's game fairly quickly. He has a fist resting against his mouth, as he often defaulted to doing when he was so deep in thought that he was too restless to just cross his arms and be imposing--and if Sakura looks at the right time, he's cutting a glance to her and giving her a wry little grin under his hand.

Thank you. He'll probably need to go do something at some point today, and Sakura is a lifesaver.

As usual.]

I will certainly try my hardest.

[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?