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]

[ 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. ]

[death_glare]

Over a century.

[ The question didn't really need answering, as Grell was well aware how long it'd been. But it doesn't quite matter anyway, as William's cut off from adding anything further by Grell suddenly being distracted. He follows her gaze to see what it is she's suddenly so fascinated by. ]

What are you looking at?

[untodeath]

The children.

[ If she could will her eyes to sparkle - if she could manifest gently cascading roses and glistening bubbles - oh, she would certainly being doing so now! But, as it stands, she simply curls a hand beneath her chin and sighs dreamily. ]

Aren't they a sight, Will? So darling, so innocent.

[death_glare]

[ Ah, yes. Grell's desire to have a child. Isn't that what prompted the whole killing spree she'd gone on that got him into a lot of trouble with the higher-ups, as well? ]

Whatever you're considering doing, stop.

[ No kidnapping the children, Grell. ]

[untodeath]

[ The confusion that statement brings is enough to ground Grell - temporarily. Perplexed, she blinks hard, before directing her attention back to William. Brows furrowed, she has to tilt her head! ]

What, I can't admire? Perhaps, even daydream, just a bit!

[death_glare]

So long as that is all you're planning on doing.

[ His warning given, he looks back to where all the young shinki are playing. Absently, he wonders just how many children he's been assigned to reap have ended up in this world as shinki. ]

[untodeath]

What else would it be?

[ With pursed lips, a hand finds its way to her hip. ]

[death_glare]

Honestly, I wouldn't put it past you to snatch one up for yourself.

[untodeath]

[ A very indignant gasp leaves her mouth agape! ]

I would never do that to someone's child! [ Lips puckering into a pouty frown, she fusses with her fringe some. ] Besides-- I want one of my own.

[death_glare]

I am well aware. You've stated so quite often.

[ He sees no way having this topic come up can end well. ]

[untodeath]

[ So he keeps tabs on her ramblings, does he? It certainly earns a surprised blink from the redhead - but only momentarily, as her lips return to pursing. ]

You think it madness, don't you.

[death_glare]

[ See Grell, William pays attention to you more than you realize. ]

To want a child? No. It's something most people consider and desire at some point in their lives.

[untodeath]

[ While that may only be the half of it, even a bit of validation is nice. Especially from William. With a thoughtful hum, she relaxes back into him. ]

Perhaps... Someday...

[ Sending him a sidelong glance, she bats her eyes once or twice, cozying into him moreso! ]

Is it something you'd ever consider? Giving yourself a second chance at it.

[death_glare]

[ It takes him a bit to answer, obviously thinking back on his mortal life and all the things he wishes he did or didn't do. He'd much rather have a second chance with his actual daughter, or his entire mortal life, but that isn't what Grell's asking. ]

The fact that it's only a chance that I'll do things right is what would make me hesitate.

[untodeath]

You mean to say, it would be for that reason alone, hm?

[ A disheartening thought, and one that Grell can't bring herself to hide her disappointment in. Eyes drifting back to the children, there's a certain sadness in her eyes, and yet, a corner of her mouth pulls into a smile. ]

[death_glare]

I never had much of a desire for a family.

[ Pausing, he watches as Grell's gaze returns to the field where the young shinki are playing. ]

Or I suppose I should say, I didn't realize it was something I would want until the opportunity presented itself.

[untodeath]

[ Such earns a breathy chuckle from Grell. ]

In contrast, I've never had family, and so desperately craved for it - but could never hope for such a thing. Funny how that is, isn't it?

[death_glare]

At least you're a step closer, in this life.

[untodeath]

[ Simple as that, her smile fades.

What William has said sounds dangerously close to understanding. It's something that she never expected of him, let alone to hear him express it. She's grateful beyond words, which is precisely why she'll slip her hand over his, instead. ]

Yes, well. Won't mean much, if you've different ideas about the future.