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

[untodeath]

physical training.

I'll be waiting for you outside the dojo, now! I know I'm late, my darling. Hope you didn't miss me too much. 💋

[ Once tapping the send button, Grell slips her phone into her back pocket, so that she may resume with getting herself ready. She takes the hair tie she's been holding between her teeth, so that she can pull up those long and luscious red locks into a high pony. Already, she's removed her coat in preparation.

Considering that she's accustomed to wearing multiple layers and fighting in heels, these are ultimately unnecessary steps to take - but this is a cute look for her, isn't it? Especially if she tops it off with a fresh layer of lip gloss!

Grell's shinki, Elicena, idly stands by. Seated by the goddess' coat on a nearby planter, she busies herself by browsing her phone; keeping to herself, and entirely unfazed by her goddess; antics. ]

[death_glare]

[ William doesn't bother responding to Grell's text. Instead he gives an exasperated sigh at her use of 'romantic' emoji and tucks his own phone away. He's been at the training fields for quite some time now, surveying the other gods and shinki and making mental note on their different techniques.

Similar to Grell, he's chosen a more laid back attire, one that's substantially more suitable for fighting in. His own shinki trails along behind him, looking a bit bored with having to watch all the others when they could be sitting down somewhere while they wait. And when William gives him direction to follow along to the dojo, he looks even less thrilled. It's only a minute or two before the located their sparring partners. ]

I've been waiting quite some time.

[untodeath]

[ Hearing William's voice, the redhead immediately perks, twirling 'round on her heel to face him! With a gleeful hop, she throws herself at him - ]

Wiiill~♪

[ - and, if she can manage it, slings herself about his shoulders, pressing a kiss to his cheek. ]

I'll make it up to you, hm? Meeting my new shinki took a touch longer than I'd anticipated.

[death_glare]

[ Being tackled by Grell is something William expects every time he enters her field of view. Normally he'd side-step and avoid the contact entirely. But now that they're an item, he allows it - to some degree. ]

Honestly. Do you still need to act this way. You cling to me enough in private, now. I don't see why it's a necessity to do it at every waking moment.

[ Though he knows it won't help any. Huffing, he regards the girl sat over by Grell's jacket. His own shinki has taken a seat next to her and is checking out what she's looking at on her phone. ]

I take it that's her?

[untodeath]

[ Once her excitement subsides a tad, she'll step back, allowing her hands to rest at the back of his neck. Quirking an upturned brow, she shakes her head. ]

What, I can't be excited to see you anymore? Don't be silly.

[ Then there's a glance back to her shinki. ]

No, that is Elicena. [ She leans in to whisper, which will draw a suspicious glance from said shinki. ] You know, the soulless one.

[death_glare]

You can be less obvious about it.

[ Reaching over her arm, He adjusts his glasses. ]

I don't think I was properly introduced to her, either. Then you've been given a proper one?

[ He doesn't notice anyone else around, so they must be elsewhere. He does look a bit put off by the fact that Grell's gotten another shinki, while Hannah has not been replaced yet. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell laughs, playfully swatting at his chest. ]

Says the one who delivers an unveiled comment like that. My goodness.

[ And while William might be put off by her turn of luck, Grell is pretty optimistic about it! ]

His name is Suzaku. A bit young, but he appears to have some sort of military background, curiously enough. Promising, at least!

[death_glare]

I assumed you had already gone and announced our new relationship status to the entirety of the Far Shore.

[ Of course he's irritated about it. How is he supposed to do his job properly without sufficient help? ]

What form and power has he been given?

[untodeath]

[ Shifting a hand to rest over William's cheek, she merely grins. They can touch more on that subject later; however, as it stands, she's decided to break the news as it comes up, because she hasn't yet had the opportunity to tell Ronald first. ]

I'm not certain what to call his form... It's a long-distance weapon - a sort of grappling hook, I suppose - which is why I've allowed him the afternoon to settle in on his own terms, rather that train here, today. [ She bounces a bit in excitement. ] But, fighting with him will grant me even more superior agility, which should be fun.

[death_glare]

[ The fact that Ronald hasn't made comment on it should have been evidence enough that Grell's kept quiet for now. But since she's moved on from the topic, he will, as well. They're here to train, after all. ]

An interesting form to take. I should like to meet him, some time in the near future.

[ To warn him of all of Grell's "quirks". As well as what not to do around her and how to get out of certain situations. ]

[untodeath]

You absolutely can! I'm certain he's about here, somewhere.

[ Leaning in to briefly boop her nose against his, she'll then allow William his freedom, at last! Turning to walk toward Elicena, she extends an arm to wave her near. ]

Suzaku's wearing a uniform, equipped with some bizarre firearm. Has mousy brown hair, dark green eyes. Difficult to miss, really.

[death_glare]

[ nose booping is still something William can't quite grasp the reasoning for. So he's glad when Grell pulls away so he doesn't need to comment on it. ]

I will look for him after we've finished.

[ William's shinki is called over with a short stating of his name. The boy looks less than enthused and William looks less than impressed by his lack of professionalism. ]

[untodeath]

[ It's affectionate and cute, but not as overly intimate as a kiss, which William is fussy about - especially in public, she imagines! Not a terrible amount of significance behind it, alas.

Once Grell's shinki had enough notice to put away her phone, she's called to transform. In hand, the redhead gives a practiced roll of her wrist. ]

Got a bit more practice in, since our last go. Hope you're ready, Will!

later that afternoon

[death_glare]

[ The sparring between him and Grell had been exceptionally helpful. William was still more used to using a more ranged weapon. Even while he'd been paired with Hannah, who took the form of a demon sword, he was less than eager to come into physical contact with her, thus limiting his training with a short, melee weapon.

But now, with their session concluded, the two took a seat at one of the tables by the refreshments. ]

[untodeath]

[ Opting to sit next to him, rather than opposite of, Grell sets her water onto the table and relaxes with a happy sigh. She takes up the edges of the towel draped about her next, delicately tapping around her hairline. ]

That was wonderfully satisfying. We ought to do this more often!

[death_glare]

[ As Grell pushes her bangs back to dab at her forehead, William finally takes notice of how she's pulled it up, for a change. Probably a regretful decision, but he comments on it nonchalantly. ]

Your hair looks nice today.

[untodeath]

[ At present, she hardly thinks that what she's doing must be attractive, so the compliment catches her quite off-guard! With a blink, Grell's hands still, a flush tinting her cheeks. ]

Really? I-- didn't realise you preferred it up!

[ Lowering the towel to hold at her collar, she leans it to rest a shoulder against his. Glancing down at his lips, she wonders if he really would make a fuss, if she were to kiss him in public. ]

Thank you♥

[death_glare]

I can see more of your face.

[ Including her flushed cheeks, which is all he needs to see to know what is going through her mind. ]

Just one.

[untodeath]

[ Shoulders rising, Grell bites back a squeal! Reaching out to grasp at the collie of William's shirt, she tilts her head and cranes forward to close the distance between them.

If it's to be just one kiss, she will make it a good one; her lips parting to embrace his. ]

[death_glare]

[ He'll allow their lips to meet, even giving Grell a teasing bit of tongue. But, it won't last nearly as long as Grell is, undoubtedly, hoping. In fact, right as she's beginning to fully enjoy it, the ponytail that he complemented a minute before is tugged sharply to get her to end the kiss. ]

[untodeath]

[ The redhead yelps - but not without sweetened undertones! In fact, she may be flushing moreso than before, as she reaches up to caress the side of her head. She attempts to make a show of pouting, but she simply can't resist the smile that twinges at the corners of her lips. ]

How cruel♥.

[death_glare]

You certainly have odd interests.

[ Stated as if he didn't already know that. ]

That was a helpful training session. Though hopefully I will be assigned a new shinki when the next group arrives.

[untodeath]

What would that say about your interests, then, mm?

[ Leaning a shoulder back against his, she shoots him a coy little smirk as she busies herself with removing the cap from her water bottle. ]

In any case, I think you're making good use of the shinki you have now.

[death_glare]

[ Her coy look gets a cold one in return. He can't exactly deny what she's implying, after all. ]

My god power here is helping substantially. It is still a bit awkward using such a short weapon.

[untodeath]

[ Merely pleased by getting such a rise out of him, as it were, Grell triumphantly takes a swig! As she swallows, she presses a finger to her lips, nodding along to his observations. ]

Yes, well, you've used your modified scythe for how long now? It's a matter of readjusting!

[ Holding her water to her chest, Grell briefly closes her eyes to take in precisely how content she is, in this moment. She feels dangerously close to having it all - which is why, at first, she doubts that the melodic trickle of children's laughter is even real! Sitting up, she looks past William, to the gardens; wistfully sighing. ]