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

[chibisu]

I may be remembering things wrong... but I think one of my shinki once said that all myths had to come from some event or another. I'd have to ask more, when I have the time...

[letteropener]

Oh, I have heard something like that. And it is certainly true in at least some cases, such as poor Orihime. [Though how would the holiday change, if it all, now that the heavens have as well? She's looking forward to seeing it!] But I have most definitely learned in my time that it is possible for the myths and legends to be so far divorced from reality as to be nigh-unrecognizable.

[chibisu]

Then, in that case.... [A smile tugs at his mouth a little.] Myth affects us as much as we affect the myths.

I wish I could remember more for you about things like that. I'm sure I thought many things.

[letteropener]

We all do according to our abilities. Perhaps you could instead explain something about god resurrection? On that topic I am completely out of the loop.

[chibisu]

Oh... I can do my best to try. Is there something in particular that you wanted to know about...?

[There's a bit to it, after all...]

[letteropener]

I know, it must be quite a question. [Celestia smiles, apology and amusement all in one. How could it be simple, after all?] To begin with, I would like to understand what prompts it. The impression I have is that many gods are centuries old or longer, but is that in fact counting continuously through resurrections?

[chibisu]

Well.... Sometimes. Not all gods need to reincarnate, because they're not struck down. I've been told I had a lot of reincarnations in the past, but someone like Bishamon-sama hasn't reincarnated at all.

At least, from what I understand. Some temples are very careful about letting word get out if a god has reincarnated.

[letteropener]

Ah, I see. Reincarnation is a way to survive what otherwise might destroy you. I hadn't known that. [Much as she'd said, she didn't really know much of anything regarding it, so everything is news to her.] And I also see why some temples would keep it quiet.

[chibisu]

Mm. A lot can happen to a god... But we're necessar, since the two Shores are so connected. So our existence continues as long as humans continue to believe in us. That's why you find so many gods working really hard to get to be in the same position as I am, as a god of fortune. We have so many followers that we're guaranteed a smooth reincarnation.

[letteropener]

Then I think I understand very well now. [His answers are enough for her mind to make the necessary leaps and conclusions, and all is clear.]

Please forgive what may be a very rude question, and do not answer it if you do not wish to, but -- do you believe your resurrection may be associated with the current strangeness of things in the Far Shore in any way?

[chibisu]

Ah... [The expression on his face shifts back into somberness. It'd be a lie to say that he hasn't considered that possibility himself, after all. Still...]

I don't think so... My shinki have told me that this is far from the first time that I've reincarnated.

[letteropener]

While I grant that is true, I do not mean that reincarnation at all is responsible -- but perhaps this particular reincarnation was made necessary by events that were part of the overall pattern here. It may be coincidence, but I do not like the possibility of a connection. Especially if other gods may be keeping it secret, while the Far Shore may in fact have seen more gods reincarnate of late.

[chibisu]

I... .can't answer that for certain. I was only told the reasons for this reincarnation in the most vague terms.... The details have been kept from me, and I've been told that it's for my own good.

[letteropener]

That... I think may support my theory, though it also may indeed be a coincidence. [She offers him a gentle smile, sympathetic to his plight. Not knowing is a terrible burden. Ironic that a god should have information hidden for his own good...] I think we would be remiss not to consider it, though, especially when direct attacks have come to others.

[chibisu]

Even if that's true... You may want to be careful saying that, Inti-sama. [He shifts uncomfortably, fingers curling into the long sleeves of the kimono he's wearing.] The Heavens may take offense.

[letteropener]

I assure you, I will be diplomatic until the time comes not to be.

[She is the Princess of the Day, and knows full well where she draws her line, and what consequences crossing it can bring.]

Besides, this is the first I have heard of much of this. I would be very foolish to advance any of these thoughts more seriously without greater study and consideration.

[chibisu]

That's good. I can feel assured, then.

[For all his curiosity, he doesn't want Heaven to take an interest in him again... or, worse, find reason to blame him for anything. His reincarnation was still recent, after all, and he's more than aware that many people aren't forgetting the past so readily. And with his temple in the state that it's in...]

At any rate, have you gone to visit the Library, Initi-sama?

[letteropener]

I have been on occasion! It's a delight! [She accepts this change of topic without hesitation, smiling brightly.] It reminds me of home, and I do love to read and learn!

[chibisu]

Well, perhaps if you're fortunate, you'll find something related to your inquiries there. Hopefully it will be helpful!

[letteropener]

Until today I never knew I should be asking these questions, so I thank you very much for helping me.

[She inclines her head most politely, all smiles.]

[chibisu]

It's no problem. I'm glad to help. [Perhaps if he helps enough, the Heavens will actually forget what he's done in his past incarnations, and think of him as a good person again instead of always feeling like he and his shinki are being judged.] I'm going to train some more with my shinki, so I'll take my leave here, if that's alright with you.

[letteropener]

Of course, and I thank you very much for your time. [Celestia again gives him a bow, precisely inflected to be one to an equal. He has given her much to think about, and much to investigate.]