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]

But isn't that kind of thing... just highly variable?

[Well, she's sure opened up some kind of something. Chikusa shifts, head tilting to the side.]

What people define as 'moral'... changes from time period to time period, or even country to country... Even different religions change up on what they find to be moral.

So the old guard can say.... a shinki should be a moral compass. But that term is so vague, and as a social construct created by people... It can be completely abused with ease.

[pure_radiantics]

[ She starts to think that she regrets asking, but them she muses aloud: ]

You're saying things like what Komaeda talked about - it's important, I know it is, but sometimes it just feels like... some things shouldn't have to be that complicated, I think. You help people when you're able, you don't kick people when they're down, that sort of stuff I genuinely think would make the world a better place if everyone did it. I don't think it has to change from time period to time period or country to country. Some of this should be universal.

If it's as complicated as you're saying, then it sounds like a lot of excuses people make up to not be as kind as they could be and that only lasts until you get, I don't know, stuck in a well or twisting your ankle, then all of a sudden you need help from a friend. If you're not kind enough to have friends, then what kind of moral compass did you really have to begin with?

[kokuyoyo]

[As right as Kairi might be on a lot of that, she really doesn't need to say much more past Komaeda's name. Just the sound of it has Chikusa's mouth twitch, and he raises a hand up to adjust his glasses.]

....Nevermind. I take back... everything I said.

[pure_radiantics]

... Oh!

[ Did she really just convince him of something? Or did he maybe just back down to appease the nice girl? That didn't seem quite like Chikusa though. ]

Well, uhm, I'm glad!

[ She can't help but smile and giggle a little, thinking that she could at least be proud of how articulate she'd become after that verbal sparring session with the young man she disagreed with so vehemently. ]

[kokuyoyo]

[Enjoy that victory, Kairi. Chikusa is usually a lot more stubborn... although sometimes just as equally disinclined to effort. It's a coin flip. For now, he sighs at her giggling before nudging the conversation along to different waters.]

Anyway.... So I have most things I use regularly. So... it's fine.

[pure_radiantics]

[ She just smiles thinly so as to stop the giggles. ]

I'm glad you have those things.

[ Better than stealing them because he uses them so regularly. ]

Maybe next time I go shopping I'll see if they have a nice, big camping-style backpack to show you instead of just one meant for school books and papers. Seems like if anyone could fill a million pockets with useful things, it would be you.

[kokuyoyo]

[I mean. He can still steal, Kairi. Still, he shifts a little at her point.]

....I have some of those, too. Just... in case something happens. Like before...

[He doesn't rush to explain.]

[pure_radiantics]

... Oh! I guess I'd just thought if you had one, you'd have it with you today.

[ So much for a future Christmas gift. ]

Did you get them at the department store that one time then?

[kokuyoyo]

...They're for emergencies.

[Like losing his god and thus the place he stays in.]

And yeah... I got a lot of things from there. [Enough to probably make Heaven regret it.] I thought I wouldn't have an opportunity like that anytime soon again... so I didn't want to waste it.

Wrap for me

[pure_radiantics]

[ She smiles, feeling very much like he's the superior planner here, but also like she's learned something today. ]

That's just like you, Chikusa. I'm glad to have met someone who thinks like you do.