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

[foxrightsactivist]

[Whether she has shinki or not, that agreement for water is at least something. Besides, if she does have shinki, they're not here to help. And if she's a fellow shinki, her god clearly isn't here to help, either.

He can clarify whether she's a god or not later, though.]

Water. Right! Stay right here, and I'll be right back!

[And with that, Kaden runs off toward the area where he'd seen the robed shinki earlier, tail bobbing behind him as he disappears around a corner. It isn't long before he reappears, either, cradling a cup of water in his hands as if it's a precious, life-saving medicine.]

Here you go! I made sure not to spill it.

[festal]

( It's a relief when Kaden leaves. Alone, she can have a moment to collect herself-- to catch her breath and figure out what she should do. She'd let her "true" self show for a moment there and she needs to hide it away. She needs to present a calmer self.

When Kaden returns, she's still terribly awkward. Her head is down and she seems to just generally be trying to take up as little space as possible right now. She hears him coming and she jumps. The difference is small-- barely noticeable, really-- but as nervous as she is, right now, she's at least ready to deal with the situation. She's able to steel herself and reach out for the cup, looking up at him briefly, )

Th-thank you. ( And she'll hold it in her hands for a moment, ) Uhm... Please f-forgive me for earlier. ( Looking down, she shifts a bit, ) I'm... I'm not very good with.... strangers.

[foxrightsactivist]

[With all of her reactions so far, Kaden has just decided that this girl is simply nervous for no particular reason. It's likely nothing that he's done... And once she speaks, he's convinced of the fact.]

It's okay. Don't worry about it, really.

[She's not taking a sip yet, but at least she's calming down a little. Maybe? Hm.]

I'm Kaden! I'm a shinki, but I don't know who my god is supposed to be just yet. What's your name?