April Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: November 6th
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 rear of 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 a much nicer room than the warehouse where the last set of new gods got their informational speech. It's a smaller meeting room, with tatami floors and a small dais at the front of the room where the speaker stands. 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.

Butterfly spirits are swarming the flower garden to one side of the dojo, fluttering across bright pink late-blooming cosmos. Shinki who want to practice more precise borderline aim can try using them to gently herd the butterflies one way or another, or, if their borderlines aren't quite that good yet, they can try to catch one with a net. Just be careful! It would be a shame to hurt them.

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.

The animated training dummies are missing this week, although the mundane ones are still intact on their stakes; the white-robed shinki who has previously been seen looking after them is wandering among the mundane training dummies, muttering, making notes to himself and swearing under his breath. Anyone who stares at him for too long, god or shinki, newcomer or established, is going to find him marching over and assigning them a task. Measure the air temperature in each square foot of the dojo, determine the exact height of each dummy and the location where it's most likely to be hit by opponents of different heights, hook an accelerometer to someone's sleeve while they smack a dummy around -- there seem to be hundreds of little, fiddly measurements he needs, and he's not taking no for an answer.

Rest and Refreshments

There are casks of fresh, cold water near the dojo to make sure no one gets dehydrated, and a fresh autumn-themed lunch will be served a little after noon. Rice with mushrooms, salt-grilled fish, roasted sweet potatoes and fresh fruit are on the menu; the shinki will try to accommodate any special dietary requests, and both the new arrivals and more experienced volunteers are welcome to partake.

One of the white-robed shinki has a whole pack of half-grown puppies that she seems to be trying to train. A few have mastered sitting, a few have figured out how to fetch, and all of them are young and excited enough that they're dashing off in all directions at the least provocation. Watch out! Dog incoming! Maybe she needs some help with that?

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
• Play with the dogs
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[letteropener]

Then please, do.

[Celestia's concern is deep and genuine, sincere and gentle, as Celestia herself is. Harden her eyes or scorn her care as Ginia might, Celestia will not let it slacken.]

[unlucky7]

[Celestia's care may prickle at Ginia, but only because it's something she's been hearing constantly. Ginia exhales, refocusing and pushing her anger away from Celestia. She glances to the side, noticing the shinki in charge of the training dummies lurking around, intently studying everyone in the training room.]

Unless you want to get roped into taking measurements, want to get some food?

[It's not that Ginia is against helping the beleaguered shinki, but he's also a little intense.]

[letteropener]

I have worked up an appetite. [And honestly, this training is just a bit frustrating to her. Far less so than it was before Ginia came and graciously offered her help, but she isn't above finding an excuse to quit it for the moment.] Shall we visit the usual snacks, or find someplace else?

[unlucky7]

I haven't had a chance to see what they're serving this time. Maybe they'll have sweets again like last time. But if nothing stands out, we can always go elsewhere?

[At the very least, it's a reliable place for cold water. She may not have worked out as much today, she'll never turn it down.]

[letteropener]

Well then, shall we? [Celestia gestures with a hoof to the door, allowing Ginia to lead the way. It was a little more courteous, in her mind, than going first and totally blocking the view with her body.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia goes ahead, making a direct line to where food is always set up. It's a little disappointing the sweets aren't out in full force, but the assortment of food isn't bad. Ginia helps herself to some water, a large apple, and a handful of mikan.]

[letteropener]

Oh, there's a lot here I can eat today.

[That's always a positive! Celestia helps herself to a bowl of rice and an assortment of fruit, all of which hop into the air around her as she pours herself a glass of water.] Aren't we heading into cider season though?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia lightly taps a floating fruit, smiling as it bobs very slightly. Sure would be useful to have something similar. But managing items in her hands is a skill honed over a lifetime.]

I'm not sure, though I guess it would make sense with all the apples around.

[letteropener]

The culture of the Far Shore is different than what I know, in many ways. But I hope cider is a part of it -- I do love it, but I so rarely get it save from the occasional bottle sent as a gift. It isn't considered refined enough for Canterlot tables, let alone the palace, which is just one more reason 'refinement' is so much nonsense.

[unlucky7]

Caster's temple has plenty of cider. I like it more than the ale. You're welcome to have some if you ever come by.

[Alcohol may not have any effect on her, but she still likes to indulge in the occasional drink with her temple for the taste. Caster's collection is certainly top-shelf too.]

[letteropener]

[This could lead to a slight surprise in the future, as Celestia is thinking of a cider that is somewhat less than alcoholic.]

Oh, I'll keep that in mind! Thank you. Maybe I can get some for myself -- that's something I need to look into.

[unlucky7]

[And oops, Ginia's never had the non-alcoholic kind. Which is a true shame because she'd definitely enjoy it more than the harder stuff.]

He stocks up when he goes to Ireland, but I'm sure there are places closer to get good cider.

[letteropener]

I'll have to find out where he goes. Though come to think of it, I should just look on my phone and then go there. [Celestia rolls her eyes at herself, tapping one forehoof against her head.] How very smart of you, Celestia!

[unlucky7]

It must be nice being able to teleport around so easily.

[One of the many perks of being a god.

There's a small tug on the back of her jacket. Ginia looks down at the young shinki, quickly stepping aside so they can step in and get food. Right, there are probably better places to stand or sit around at. Ginia helps herself to a bento before looking around for a place they can sit at.]

[letteropener]

[This garden is full of suitable places -- and as a pony, Celestia has a lot more options for simply sitting down wheresoever she might want. So she leaves the choice to Ginia, following along with a magically-lifted accompaniment of food in tow.]

Here, yes. Back in Equestria, I could only do it for emergencies -- for most purposes, I had to make a proper royal procession. Carriage and guards and all. I think of this sometimes... that having wings can just reminds you of how little you can truly fly.

But that makes a small little regret sound soul-crushing, doesn't it?

[unlucky7]

[Sitting on the grass is a good place as any. Ginia picks a spot where she can watch the people coming and going as well as the shinki attempting to train the pack of puppies. Best of luck, fellow shinki.

She listens to Celestia as she eats from the bento box. The fish is slightly salty, the taste nicely offset by the rice and savory mushrooms. It's a nice lunch; she'll have to go back for another later.

Everyone is bound by rules and regulations of some form. Some more than others, but is anyone ever truly free to do as they wish?]

A little, but I understand what you mean. Outside of godly duties, it doesn't seem like you have many expectations or regulations.

[At the very least, no one following her around as a guard, watching her every move.]

[letteropener]

[Celestia drops her flank down regally near Ginia, every bit the perfect picture of a royal as she takes sips and nibbles from the food and drink she has around her. Just one more reminded how ingrained that behavior is, even right here where it certainly isn't necessary at all.]

Very few, yes, and certainly not a great deal of accumulated social weight and courtesy. It's a pleasant change of pace, to be certain.

[unlucky7]

[In contrast to Celestia's polite eating, Ginia practically inhales her food. It's far from messy, but she certainly eats with the quickness of someone used to eating fast. Secondarily, perhaps someone still surprised at how good food can be.

Yes, definitely going back for more food later.]

It also doesn't seem like people really care about status, outside of the announcements at the meeting.

[letteropener]

[Don't expect Celestia to ever say a word against her methods. People should eat how they like; nopony needs seven forks and eight knives, and those who look down on others for not using all the most polite and fancy manners and methods are certainly not worth acknowledging.]

Oh, I don't know. Some people have a strong reaction to the title 'Princess'. I introduce myself and they immediately get more formal and start bowing and wondering if they caused offense, as if I hadn't been chatting with them quite happily till then.

[unlucky7]

[...Now that Celestia mentions it, Ginia had done a bit of that on their first meeting. Oops.]

Then why introduce yourself as a princess here?

[letteropener]

Because I am one. It is not merely my title, it is my very nature. [She spreads her wings slightly, to emphasize the point.] I am, after all, an alicorn.

[unlucky7]

So you want everyone to know you're a princess, but you don't want to be treated like a princess?

[letteropener]

It is as obvious that I am an alicorn as it is that you are a human. More so, perhaps. But if I'm being quite honest, most days I wish ponykind would settle down a bit about the formality and great respect and all that, too.

[unlucky7]

Not much to done about your home, but I meant here. I don't know if people would immediately know if you're a princess by looking at you.

[letteropener]

That is likely true, but neglecting to tell them seems like a lie of omission. Would you not be a little perturbed if, after some time of knowing me, I abruptly revealed I was royalty? Most people here don't maintain that air of formality and respect for long, once it becomes clear I don't expect it, so I think being open from the first is the best policy.