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

ii.

[sweetdeath]

[Ooh. Tsuzuki's no good at crayfish catching himself, so he's drawn in just as surely as the kids that the guy with the tail's trying to teach. He stops a step back, craning his neck in fascination to try for a better look.]

Aren't they pretty fast?

[foxrightsactivist]

Oh yeah, they're super fast. That's why you have to be quick!

[And, as an example, he places his hand on a rock... and then quickly moves it, his other hand sweeping in to close around something that couldn't have been seen in the transfer of rock from one place to another.

Pulling his hand from the water, he cups it gently with his other, slowly uncurling his fingers to reveal a small crayfish, wriggling to try to escape. The surrounding children erupt in gasps of delight.]

See? Not hard at all.

[sweetdeath]

Oh, wow. You're good at that.

["Not hard," sure. Tsuzuki saw how fast that hand swept through the water the very moment the rock moved. And how did the guy know there was going to be a crayfish there anyway!?]

How do you know which rock they're hiding under?

[foxrightsactivist]

You don't! That's the thing. If you want to be quick enough to catch one, you have to assume there's one under every rock.

[Not wanting to let the little guy suffocate, though, Kaden lets the crayfish loose in the water after the children get a good look at it.]

There's not always going to be one, of course, but it's the best way to catch them!

[sweetdeath]

I guess I'll have to be careful then!

[He laughs, stepping forward to crouch next to Kaden and watch the crayfish swim hastily away into the water. So, pick any rock, and...

He reaches down into the water, yelping at the shock of cold against his fingertips, flips a rock, and grabs.

The crayfish grabs too, and much more accurately. Tsuzuki yelps louder as tiny claws close firmly on his thumb.]

Ow! Ow, ow, help, get this thing off me--!

[foxrightsactivist]

[Oh. That's. Well, it happens, but it's still unfortunate.]

Oh!

[Without even needing to be asked, Kaden sits upright, reaching for the tiny creature and very, very gently prying the claw off of Tsuzuki's thumb.]

Are you okay? I know these things can't hurt enough to bleed, but their pinches sure do smart.

[sweetdeath]

Ow...

[Tsuzuki's tone is mournful. The tiny claw finally releases his skin and he pulls his hand back, rubbing it defensively.]

I'll be fine, but wow, they really do have quite a pinch. I guess I need some practice.