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

[kokuyoyo]

I'm not a kid.

[He's eternally a shitty teenager, thank you very much.]

[Still, that charge is all he needs to react. As Doku charges him, Chikusa waits until the last moment to duck forwards and a little to the side, one long leg striking out to trip the older man up. Why use so much energy when this is the simpler option?]

[Of course if Doku does fall, he's prepared to go after him with his knife, no hesitation about it...]

[royaltyloyalty]

[ Dokugakuji does trip, but his mind starts working even as Chikusa draws his knife. In that span, Dokugakuji's gut reaction is thinking about getting away from his opponent - and so he thinks about it enough to trigger his godlike Teleportation.......

All the way back to where he started. ]

Ah-?

[ He has exactly one memory from before he died and now he vaguely recalls he has had that power all along, he just didn't use it in combat post-death all that much yet. ]

[kokuyoyo]

....Right, that really annoying power.

[While he's sparred against gods before, like Shun, they haven't used their teleportation much in combat before.... even though Chikusa thinks it's only common sense. Use whatever tools available, right?]

[Still, he won't let Doku have much of a reprieve. If that's how they're playing, well- that's a Line being shot straight at him, and Chikusa following right after it.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[In this state, Doku hasn't actually fought against Lines before. As far as he knows, it's an energy-wave style attack not unlike Hakkai's or other youki spells. His instinct says that if he holds up his sword to defend against that Line, then surely he can brace for the impact, not realizing what a terrible idea that is.

He does get hit, and then pushed back when his Soulless shinki doesn't try to defend either of them, wounded and shocked by what just happened.]

Got that right.

[Best he can figure, he should teleport behind Chikusa now and try to pull a swing with both hands, pommel first, against Chikusa's shoulder. Even saying he wouldn't hold back because Chikusa's a kid, it's still a spar, so he's not about to aim the weapon at Chikusa's head.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Ha. So he can even the playing field with that. It's a good thing to keep in mind, even if Chikusa has to admit that he hadn't really been interested in his lines so much as his knife skills. He's about to shoot out another when Doku suddenly vanishes out of view, and Chikusa immediately reacts.]

[After all, if he had such an ability... He'd definitely go behind for a sneak attack. So he propels himself forward, ducking down lower, and feels a sense of satisfaction when he hears a weapon go whistling over his head.]

[In return, he's going to try and send another line behind him, although he has to admit even his aim isn't that great... and aiming behind himself without turning properly is a motherfucker.]

[royaltyloyalty]

SHIT!

[Doku rolls to one side after his miss, barely ending up with his chest facing the borderline as Chikusa's aim goes wide behind him. The kid's reflexes are solid even if his aim isn't yet, that much Dokugakuji knows for sure now. It takes Doku another moment to regain his footing too before he can step forward for another charge.

Call it deja vu, but he's going to try for a bear-hug, the type that immobilizes without outright killing his opponent. Surely with both hands trapped, that would mean Chikusa can't attack him anymore, right?]

[kokuyoyo]

[Not a hit, but not a bad reaction, either. At least he threw the man off-guard for even a moment... In a real battle, sometimes that's the best one can ask for and exactly what's needed. Chikua takes the time he's managed to grab for himself to put in a little bit of distance as he twists the knife in his hand. How to best use it... Borderlines are great, but he wants to practice with a knife more- ]

[No more time to think. Doku is charging him again, arms outstretched, and Chikusa jerks back.... but not without retaliating.]

[Hey, Doku, do yokai need dicks?]

[Because Chikusa is going to kick below the belt.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[That's not the kind of attack that Doku expects, so it's only instinct that gets him backing away enough to not get the brunt of that attack, just about half of it. His endurance isn't of any help here. He's down on one knee with a grunt, then glaring up at Chikusa.]

What the hell?!

[He thought they were sparring! And he's too damn noble to undermine an opponent like that. Coming from the back, perhaps, but a crutch hit to the balls was a whole other thing.]

[kokuyoyo]

[At least that seems to be a signal to Chikusa to maybe pause, for a second there. Regaining his sense of balance, he blinks dully down at the guy.]

....Does that not usually happen during sparring...

[He's still.... learning the intricacies of combat that isn't immediately life or death. Or just. for the purpose of learning at all.]

[royaltyloyalty]

No!

[ He growls back angrily. ]

Most people fight with weapons, not teeth!

[ People who are not Lady Lirin or Goku. ]

Or you just know it's going to be a bar brawl at the start and don't bring any weapons at all!

[kokuyoyo]

...My partner primarily uses his teeth.

[Lots of teeth. Even teeth that aren't human.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[ He can't tell if Chikusa means fighting partner or the more subtle kind with that bland expression on his face, but regardless- ]

Just cuz your partner does something doesn't make it okay, or making it common to do exactly the same thing. I figured partner meant complement, not identical twin.

[kokuyoyo]

He is. [...] My complement.

But sometimes... things have to be done in a fight... don't they?