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

[purr_ince]

Nothing wrong with that. Er.. I mean the being small bit not the getting knocked over - that's never very fun.

[He's taking his hand back and giving a little gesture.]

Well, welcome. I've been here a little while. I'm Adrien and really you don't need to apologize. Accidents happen.

[The blond considers a moment.]

If you need anybody to show you around or you have questions, I can try to help.

[iron59]

It can be. I learned how to trip 'em ages ago.

[He was in a hurry to leave before, but talking to a teenager is better than listening to some dreary lecture any day.]

Well, I mean...it's all kind of...a lot, isn't it? To take in, I mean. Gods and spirits and magic.

Still. Magic, right? That's kind of cool.

[purr_ince]

I guess I could see where a bit of revenge would be appealing.

[Adrien nods a bit giving a little laugh.]

I can agree with that. My first week or so was really confusing.

It's okay to be a bit skeptical but it's real. I've seen things that can't be explained any other way.

[iron59]

Revenge?

[He seems a little confused by that, but the moment passes quickly.]

How long have you been here, Adrien?

[purr_ince]

You're the one that said you trip them.

[Now it's his turn to look confused.] Or does that mean something else?

[The blond takes up his phone flicking through it.] A month give or take a day or two.

[iron59]

If you stop fighting just because you get knocked over, you're dead. So if you always get knocked over, you learn how to fight on your back. The first time I knocked our instructor down, I thought he was going to break my arm, but it was so worth it.

Are you a god, too, then?

[Despite the subject matter, he doesn't seem upset or even confused anymore. It was just a simple misunderstanding, easily cleared up.]

[purr_ince]

Well, it depends on why you get knocked down. If it's really an accident you don't have to fight. Or if someone is just because a jerk you shouldn't engage but if it's a really fight? Like a dangerous fight, so be it.

No, I'm not. I'm a Shinki. I had a goddess I serve though. I was waiting for her out here.

[He gestures.] You'll likely find your own Shinki today. The Heavens will assign you one.

[iron59]

[The look of confusion passes over his face again.]

If it's a fight, you fight to win. If it's not, then who cares? You can't fight angry or you're in trouble already, y'know?

[Not that falling down was always okay outside of a fight, but that didn't automatically mean you had to hit someone for it. Usually, you just hoped no one was about to hit you.

Right?]

Oh. Okay. I might have seen her, but...um.

[He rubs the back of his neck.]

I kinda left as soon a I could, so maybe not?

[purr_ince]

Depends. Sometimes it's a training fight. In the end there's no real winner or it's kind of a tie because you both learned a way to improve your fighting. It depends on if your mind is clouded by your emotions and you can't think clearly or not.

[It's a matter of a matter of using those emotions and acting thinking through them. At least that's how Adrien sees it. That and knowing when you should react versus letting something just go.]

That's fine. She knows how to find me if she needs me. Don't worry about it.

[Adrien laughs.] Not a fan of lectures? [He shakes his head at that.] It's not like they tell you who it is at the end of the lecture.

They tell Shinki that their god will just know and come find them. I assume you'll just see someone or talk with them and know.

[iron59]

[He studies the other boy for a couple of breaths, trying to decide how serious he's being. This doesn't sound anything like the training he'd received, but he's come to understand that doesn't always mean anything.

Really, though, it doesn't matter that much. He grins at Adrien, shrugging his shoulders.]

I don't like sitting still for so long when I don't have to. It's hard.

[purr_ince]

[Adrien laughs softly. When he was younger he was the same way - at least he assumes. Children seem very active, easily excited; staying still doesn't seem to be a skill they have.]

Nothing wrong with that. I can't think of many people that like it to be honest.

[He gestures a hand then nods.]

Might do you some good to wander around, mingle. It would definitely help you find your shinki and adjust to being in a new place.

[iron59]

[For a split second, a hunted look settles across his face, replaced a moment later by simple discomfort. He looks back over his shoulder, and then down at their feet, not meeting Adrien's eyes. His voice is so quiet it's almost inaudible.]

There's a lot of people.

[He kicks at the ground.]

[purr_ince]

[Oh. Oh no. Has he upset this kid? Likely. Darn it. Then he hears why and it clicks. He's scared. He's scared and he's not used to being around so many strangers - or something like it.]

Oh. Do.. Do you want me to walk with you? It'll be okay.

[Adrien is extending his hand to Felix.]

I won't let you get lost in the shuffle or anything. I'll look out for you. Promise.

[iron59]

[He shifts to one side, looking at the hand. He glances over his shoulder and back, darting a look up at Adrien's face.]

Won't you be missed? I was just going to find somewhere a little quieter for a while.

[He shifts his weight back, crossing his arms and hunkering down into himself a little.]

No one knows how to go back, anyway, so there's not much to ask about. I heard that part.

[purr_ince]

[Adrien gives a little shake of his head.]

I have my phone. Marinette will text me if she needs me. I can help you find somewhere a bit less traffic heavy.

[He hadn't moved that hand still waiting patiently as can be.]

No. No they don't at least not yet. I'm sure there are some people trying to work it out. Not everyone seems to be happy with this arrangement. But for now it might be wise to make the best of a less than ideal situation.

[iron59]

I mean...that's true. If you think it's okay.

[He isn't going to say anything about the point of finding somewhere with less traffic; namely, to get away from people, because slipping away from one teen has to be easier than slipping away from a dozen adults. Right?]

Um. They were saying something about training after the meeting. I thought maybe I could look there before everyone came out. It has to be better than just listening, but I'm not sure where it is. I was just gunna look.

[purr_ince]

I'm certain that it'll be fine. People are always meeting up and exploring. Marinette would't mind me being helpful.

[She knows it's just his nature. Adrien listens to Felix before nodding.]

Yes, your Skinki will have a form that you might need to learn how to use as a weapon or whatever it might be so they set that up. I'll take you.

[Slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans he's starting out and toward the training grounds.]

[iron59]

[Adrien is a thoughtful, considerate guy, and it's really kind of him to offer Felix a little help. However...after the older boy turns away, the kid pulls a little face and even rolls his eyes at his back before hurrying to catch up.

He's really bad at taking a hint.]

So...people do change into things here? I thought that was just stories. Magic's cool, but...but it's fake, right? The bird's in your sleeve and stuff?

[It's not like you can just say some magic words and get superpowers or something. No, that kind of thing takes years of...well, it wasn't magic. On the other hand...]

Do you think someone would teach me how to use weapons? I'm not too small, am I? Are there swords?

[purr_ince]

[Adrien hasn't ever been good about peopling. Social cues are not in this cat's bag of tricks sadly. so he's just blissfully unaware of whatever Felix is trying to silently say.]

Yep. Some times objects other animals. It's pretty neat. Fake?

[He's blinking before turning bright green eyes on Felix.] Fake? I'm pretty sure magic is a real thing here. It might be fake other places though. All of the Shinki learn magic to fight ayakashi so it's definitely real.

[He's nodding.] Someone could. I could if you want. There are swords, knives, rods, guns. Some part of me wants to say you are but at the same time - you need to be able to defend yourself so...

[iron59]

[He watches Adrien with big eyes. At the mention of the different kinds of weapons, he can't help but glance towards their destination. Knives And guns? Good to know he'll have something he can use right off the bat, in an emergency.]

I guess I just haven't seen anything. I mean, there's a guy in Dad's office who does card tricks, but that's not what everyone here is talking about, you know?

[He holds out his arms and looks down, then back up to Adrien.]

I'm getting taller! I bet I could use a sword, if it's not a Big sword!

[He actually has no idea; knives are still useful where he's from, but swords? No one knows swordsmanship back home. There's no point. Some draws a sword, then you just shoot him. Still, it sounds like it would be fun, and something his sister never had a chance to do, too.]

[purr_ince]

Well I could show you magic. Real magic not fancy slight of hand.

[He's tugging his over shirt open a bit and glancing inside.] Plagg, come on out buddy. [Then the black cat like creature is coming out of his shirt and blinking bright green eyes at Felix. His head tilts and his ears flick.Oh no it's started. His cat adopting human kittens.]

'Did you make another new friend, Kid?'
Yeah. He's never seen magic. He doesn't think there is any I don't think.

[The kwami looks mildly offended at this then he's peering up at his chosen before settling on the blond's shoulder.] 'I suppose since this world already has magic there's not harm in showing him.'

[Adrien grins.He knew Plagg would go for that. Now he's leading the way to the training grounds and once the reached it he's grinning.] I'm sure we can find something. Ready?

[iron59]

[When Plagg appears, he covers his surprise fairly well, hands dropping to his sides as he steps back. He grabs at air twice, and then rolls his shoulders and offers a tiny smile.]

Wow. What...um, what is that?

[He puts a hand to his waist as he follows, staring at Plagg more than anything else. after a moment, he lets his hand fall away from his waist, too. He's not comfortable not having a single weapon on him, but it's his fault for dropping the knife after he met his aunt and had to dive out of the stupid tree.]

Do you know how to use all of the stuff in here?

[purr_ince]

'That?'

Plagg...Don't be rude. This is my little buddy Plagg.
'I'm a Kwami which is a magical being created with a singular kind of power. In my case, Destruction.' [Said kwami is just floating along before flopping himself down on Adrien's head.]

Not all of it. I can use swords well to an extent. I can definitely use the staffs and rods.