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]

[ Smile twinging wider, the redhead tilts her head, ghosting her lips along his jaw, instead. ]

A love that is second to none, I assure you.

[death_glare]

I don't doubt any of it.

[ Though, Grell is getting a bit touchy for being out on the training field. A palm is pressed against her chest before it forces her back and away from him. ]

But, let's keep that to our spare time.

[untodeath]

[ Biting at her lip with a chuckle, Grell follows his lead in taking a step back. ]

Fine, then; to be continued . . .

[ Sword poised, she continues her pace backward, smirking with a tick of her brow. ]

I do believe it's your move, Will♥.

[death_glare]

Perhaps. If you fight fairly.

[ William just might be learning what flirting is all about!

Sword at the ready, he uses his other hand to make sure his glasses are perfectly in place. They've come off in too many fights, already! Perhaps he should invest in a chain like Grell's.

But he doesn't linger on the thought long, as he's quick to push up from the ground, giving himself a bit of momentum before lunging back towards his opponent. ]

[untodeath]

[ While Grell would argue that Will has always had a talent for the tease, knowing that he means precisely what he says adds an entirely new and exciting element to things! Her heart may even skip a beat!

She takes her stance, one foot placed behind the other; prepared to raise her sword and react, in kind. ]

Give me your all, okay~?

[death_glare]

[ William is just going to assume that comment applies to both training and their potential late night activities.

The next round starts with William taking a simple, and rather predictable swipe of his blade directly in front of Grell. Though a basic move like that isn't quite as effective with a curved blade, it's merely a distraction. A moment before he strikes, his image blurs and he's coming up beside Grell, instead, the rounded hem of the sword poised just shy of making contact with her neck. ]

[untodeath]

[ His first move does earn a quirked brow from the redhead, but she prepares to deflect his attack, regardless - the move leaving her just shy of running into the point of his blade.

Craning her head back with a lick of her lips, Grell chuckles. ]

You've been learning all sorts of things, haven't you?

[ Without further warning, she steps back to bend away from his sword, swinging her own to forcibly guide his arm away from her. If William isn't quick to regain composure, he will be faced with an onslaught of heavy blows. ]

[death_glare]

There would hardly be a reason for any of this if I weren't.

[ He recovers just quickly enough to block each swing. Unfortunately the force of the final one requires both his arms to block, and he's fast to grip onto the back of his weapon's sharpened edge to do so.

He keeps eye contact with Grell as her sword presses dangerously close to him, just as he'd done to her moments before. Eventually he's able to push her back, and takes the opportunity to steady himself again. ]

[untodeath]

[ Holding his gaze, Grell can't keep herself from dashing her tongue between those smiling lips of hers. The man's confidence is easily the most attractive part about him, and her lust is undeniable.

Even better, he finds the upper hand; she's forced to catch her weight with a retreating step, her arm poised behind her and prepared for the next strike. ]

For your next trick, try this.

[ With a blinding spark, an aura engulfs the redheaded reaper - and as she sprints toward him, her image wakes and wavers. She springs up to attack from above; however, she aims rather predictably, offering him a proper opportunity to react. ]

[death_glare]

[ While his god power may not enable him to mimic all abilities he witnesses, such as healing or the conjuring of elements, it is exceptionally good at letting him easily learn and copy physical motions. Thus, when Grell moves to strike, William's own image is but an illusion before her. Being able to teleport is one thing, but moving so quickly that you create an after image of yourself is nearly just as useful. No wonder he's been studying the other gods around the training fields so diligently.

He'll allow Grell's attack to appear that it's gotten the winning shot before he makes his real presence known. Quite characteristically done with his scythe suddenly extending past her face and interrupting the image he'd created. ]

[untodeath]

[ Stopping cold, to prevent her face from colliding with his scythe, her eyes widen - but with absolute elation! Grell is grinning madly, hands balling into fists as they pump excitedly! ]

That's positively brilliant, William! Why, I'll bet that you could best anyone--!

[death_glare]

[ His scythe slowly retracts and he lands beside Grell, one weapon in each hand. ]

My god power is most undoubtedly useful. Though it does require me to have witnessed another using the technique before I can mimic it.

[untodeath]

If we weren't having so much fun, I ask you to take me-- right here, you know?

[ Paying positively no mind to the threat he holds in either hand, she springs at William, with every intention to throw her arms around his neck! ]

[death_glare]

[ Before Grell gets too close, William crossing the two weapons in front of him, creating an effective barrier. ]

Honestly, I am surprised you would bother asking.

[untodeath]

[ Thankfully, she doesn't land on the pointy bits - but her chest does collide with them very uncomfortably.

Air briefly knocked out of her, she lands back on her bottom! ]

You think so well of me! I'm flattered. [ She wheezes, hand knotted into the fabric over her chest. ]

[death_glare]

I'm merely speaking from a century of experience with you.

[ The gentlemanly thing to do would be to help Grell up, especially considering they're a couple now. But William stays true to himself an leaves her there on the ground while he adjusts his glasses with his scythe. ]

Should I assume that's another one of your 'interests'? Exhibitionism?

[untodeath]

[ Grell wouldn't expect any more - or less - of him! As could be expected, she's perfectly content with picking herself up, dusting off her bottom as she goes. ]

Well, under the right circumstances--... [ With a chuckle, she glances up to Will with a wink! ]

[death_glare]

[ William silently looks at Grell while she stands before he turns his attention to his new weapon. He calls out his shinki's name, effectively reverting the teen back to his body before dismissing him from the training pit. The kid looks positively pleased to get away from the topic at hand. Once out of earshot, William expresses his mild curiosity. ]

And what would that be, exactly?

[untodeath]

[ Grell watches the other's shinki leave with a quirk of her brow, before responding in kind. Elicena bows before she excuses herself, and yet, makes no effort to veil the haste in her step.

Lacing her fingers behind her back, the redhead takes her time in closing the distance between them. ]

Perhaps a location that isn't so obvious. Somewhere that is intimate enough to provide the proper mood, but dangerously risky, all the same.

[death_glare]

So, not on display for voyeurs, then.

[ From the way he speaks, it's as though he's taking mental notes. ]

[untodeath]

Unless they should be looking for it, I suppose.

[ And Grell curiously watches him, as he does. It would seem that she's had an interesting influence on him, as of late - and that alone is arousing! ]

[death_glare]

Which there are plenty who do.

[ Interesting the things you discover by watching individuals' cinematic records. ]

[untodeath]

All the more interesting for involved parties, then, mm?

[ A wicked little smile pairs with a heavy-lidded bat of her eyes, as she reaches out to run her hands along the collar of his shirt. ]

[death_glare]

[ He gives a short hum of agreement but quickly turns on his heel before Grell has the chance to have her hands wander further. It's enough of a response for her to assume he's keeping the idea in his mind for future reference.

And with that, he's walking back towards the common area of the training pit. Neither of them have their weapons in hand now, after all. ]

[untodeath]

[ The sudden departure isn't unlike Will, but it still leaves the redhead blinking as he goes. Really, she had to wonder what he could be planning.

Wait-- but, more importantly than that, he's leaving her behind! ]

Don't just leave me here!

[ She frets, bristling, before she bounds after, to latch onto his arm. ]