June Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: December 7th
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.

Once they've had a chance to have things explained, they'll have the chance to relax and enjoy an afternoon party.




Meeting Hall

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.

The speaker delivers her welcome speech with the intonation of someone who's practiced it many times. Newly arrived gods 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. They are allowed to remain in the room as long as they wish, should they want to discuss questions with each other or with more experienced gods who are here to help out.

Shinki Training

Various shinki in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold are stationed around the dojo, passing out informational pamphlets that have been freshly printed. They will be happy to answer any questions or instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline. They also accompany their answers, or lessons, with 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.

The dojo is back to its old, fully functional self; a set of motionless straw targets line one wall, to be used by people practicing with any of the weapons spread out on tables or hanging in racks on the walls. Outside, six animated straw targets wait in an area marked off with red ribbons and warning signs. Anyone entering the marked area may find themselves in combat with one (or more) of the magical training dummies. Those who leave the marked area, though, won't be chased.

Physical Training

Beyond the dojo, a scavenger hunt has been set up throughout the grounds of the Meeting Hall. Brightly colored plastic balls are hidden in shrubbery, tucked into support beams, floating among reeds in the ponds, and lurking in even cleverer hiding places. When a god or shinki gets their hand on one of them, they will burst open to reveal a hidden prize, such as candy, small toys, or accessories. How many can you find?

As well as the scavenger hunt, the white-robed shinki are engaging in more serious physical training and will be happy to let new gods or shinki join them. Sparring matches with practice weapons from the dojo, jogging laps around the hall, sit-ups, push-ups... or, for the younger shinki, competing to see who's the fastest to climb a tree.

Rest and Refreshments

Midafternoon, once the last of the scavenger-hunt prizes have been found, the white-robed shinki will turn their hands to clearing away the training equipment and laying out a lovely buffet table. Bright lanterns are hung from the trees, and a few shinki even take up a station on one side of the training area and begin playing shamisen, koto, wooden flute and drum. Although their instruments are traditional, their music selection ranges from some very classic Japanese tunes to others that sound surprisingly modern. The koto player can really rock!

Old and new gods and shinki alike are welcome to circulate, socialize with their friends, partake of the buffet food and enjoy the music. There's even room for those who feel inspired to dance, and plenty of privacy offered by the extensive garden for those who would rather retreat with their new partners to have a serious conversation.

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
• Relax at a party
• Have fun~

Comments

[abgrund]

[ He does have a question. ]

Why do you ask people if they want to be your fan?

[purr_ince]

What? [And he's just starting at her taken aback because really?] Of course not! That had nothing to do with you what-so-ever. I just don't like seeing a cat so poorly cared for.

[He's reaching gently to take the bit of script from Hibiki's pocket after seeing Rosalie's fixation on it.] She had some of this in hew claws before. Have you been ignoring her for some book or something?

[priforprince]

I'm not asking.

[ Hibiki smirks. On a roll, she doesn't have a problem with stepping closer. ] The seed of admiration has already sprouted in your heart. That's what drew you to me.

Here, to tide you over.

[ It's a bonus smirk: heh! Right in your face! Just for you!

HOW DAZZLING. ]

[priforprince]

[ Ignore her? Ignore this paragon of felinity? ] As if! I was merely...

[ ...forgetting to eat

and to sleep

and having nothing to show for it

and

....

Rosalie tries to climb onto Adrien's hand when she sees he has the paper now. ]

[purr_ince]

It certainly seemed that way which is fine. I mean I understand it. [Adrien gave a little shrug of his shoulders.] I was thinking of going to see someone else I knew that made a similar transition.

[He smiled.] I am. That was my good fortune. She would yes. I don't doubt that but I'd rather not bother her right now. She's having a difficult time adjusting I think so she may need a bit of time.

[letteropener]

It must be quite a lot to take in, but hopefully not unwelcome. I suppose the only disadvantage is that now you have a temple of your own... though I expect there's no requirement you stay in it.

[Easy enough to work around that, is it not?]

[abgrund]

[ ????????????

There's a few moments of pause as he just.... stares. And then, remembering what Sakura said a while back, he takes out the phone that Add gave him. ]

Can I take a picture?

[priforprince]

Very well.

[ She'll even. Strike a pose. For him. This is more like it! This is how a conversation is supposed to go!! ]

Immortalize me for your reverence!

[ There's some really cool light effects going on right now! Best not miss your chance for the best shot! ]

[abgrund]

[ takes a picture that's at a slant angle and probably only includes half of hibiki's body, because what is proportion ]

Thank you.

[ Time to put that phone back in his pocket. He'll look at it again later. Maybe print it out... ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Okay then! Since he's intending to be caught for demonstration purposes, Edge doesn't go to much effort to pose and prepare -- he simply steps in, throwing out a punch that is as simple and straightforward as anyone could ask for.]

[purr_ince]

It is but I don't think it's unwelcome. Well actually our temples are rather close? They actually seem to share something like a massive greenhouse. I suppose it's because Snake and his snakes need a place to be and we're all so close?

[He shrugged his shoulders.] Honestly, I haven't a clue but that's how I see it. There are rooms at both places for each of us but she's... seemed to be wanting some space and I don't want to be pushy.

[purr_ince]

Working far too hard? Not playing with her?

[He's moving to draw the cat gently into his lap with one arm as he unfolds the script with the other. As he does he's cooing at her before purring softly.]

Is the silly crumpled-up paper keeping all Mama's attention, minette?

[replicatedform]

A guitar? Maybe it's related after all.

[Or it's some obscure reason, like with his own vessel form. A swordsman who becomes cloth? Man, what does it say about anything here. He blinks, and think for a moment.]

... I'm not sure. Music is nice to listen to. Maybe I just have good hearing?

[replicatedform]

[What... is this, her temple?

Well, okay, statues of the god at their temple do make sense. But it feels... really, really loud in this case?

He try not to stare as he follow the trail. If he's intruding, he expect someone to come and escort him out. Like any minute now... any minute...

... Well, no one came and he's finding himself heading down a hallway. With a frown, he quickens his pace. Where did that come from, a room?]

[spellswords]

[He strikes her as a strange individual in all ways so she isn't terribly surprised by the oddity of his physical appearance. What is he, she wonders. Certainly no race or being she knows of.

She looks a little uncertain, watching him warily.] I'd thought the shinki more like spirits from the description. Everything I am told about my situation sounds like gods and naught much else. [Since shinki are dead and all... which is also unpleasant to think about. What if someone she knew showed up as a shinki?]

Which one are you?

[replicatedform]

[She's... fine. Maybe she does handle it somewhat well? Better than someone having a crying fit. Or a breakdown.]

Maybe a little right.

[Okay, she can have that point. He blinks at her question, before he thinks for a moment.]

I guess so? I've been a shinki for almost... four months or so.

[It feels simultaneously both short and long, somehow. Or maybe his perception of time is that messed up from being dead.]

[abgrund]

[ There's technically a third answer to her question, but he's been adamant about Not thinking of his past memory despite somehow getting it back, so he'll answer it conventionally. ]

I am a shinki....

[ Perhaps, it explains the blankness of his stare. ]

What do you think 'gods' are?

[ Maybe their worlds had different definitions. ]

[defensivematrix]

A pleasure.

[ It might be just two months for Ginia, but Satya feels like it's a world ahead. ]

Are you satisfied with your role here? [ This question happens faster than she is able to consider if it is even appropriate. Maybe it's not. Maybe it's one of those things you just don't talk about here. But this "role", this "job" is going to be everything for her now. There is no comfortable afterlife some seek, no returning to the wheel of reincarnation. Just new unknown responsibility. ]

[reloves]

[ The compliments definitely work. Minako loves flattery, after all, and it feels even better to get it when you're in an already kind of confusing situation. So she's just beaming a smile at him as he says it, although her look turns a little more curious when he pulls out the phone. ]

No, I don't think I've seen one of those here yet.. I mean, I know what it is! [ Kind of. 90s kid. Used to brick phones. ] It just doesn't seem like something they'd have in the afterlife.

[unlucky7]

[It's a minefield of a question depending on the individual. While Ginia's only met one shinki, there are no doubt others unhappy with their current situation. For her part, she is and can say that with certainty now, but it wasn't always the case either.]

Yes, I am. I like my god, I like the other shinki in the temple, I enjoy my role and the job I do. But it was not always the case. I bear no ill-will toward my first god, but I was not as happy with her.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods. It's not a pleasant implication, but it's not like it's impossible for shinki to fight each other, for one reason or another.]

Do you want to learn or not?

[It's not a pleasant implication, but Ginia doesn't mind. Better to know and be able to defend herself and her temple than to not know at all.]

[defensivematrix]

...this was a very personal question, was it? [ Satya realizes the minefield she walked on a little too late, but fortunately, fortunately, no explosion went off. There is a small awkward chuckle that she covers with a top of her hand ]

Thank you, Ginia, for answering. [ Now she is curious what happened exactly to that first god. Why was she unhappy, and how did Ginia change the god. She has not yet met his, and while she's hoping for the best, she knows she should be prepared for the worst. ] There are other shinki in your temple?

[ That sounds like a neutral enough question, right? ]

[unlucky7]

[It was, but Ginia waves it off. No harm done and it's the kind of awkward question maybe more shinki should ask. It's not fair they're assigned to gods they barely know right off the bat but are defenseless without a god.]

My exemplar and another shinki that was there before I joined them. They are all good people, I'm happy to live alongside them.

[Ginia cocks her head slightly, venturing her own question.]

Have you met your god yet?

[defensivematrix]

[ The Heavens is full of numerous strange individuals. But most from what she seems to look quite... everyday like. There might be a talking book here and there (there is only one), some strange fashion displays but-

For a moment she wonders if one of the old gods had taken her in, but then she remembers that this is Japan, and old gods are of Japanese pantheon- obviously. She heard that those taking the mantles of the gods of other pantheons are usually taken from somewhere, granted this title after their normal, mortal lives. Who knows, maybe it's the same with the old gods, maybe they were human too-

But this man he sounds like he is who he proclaims to be, he even looks the part- ancient and mythological. She can't help but just stare, her jaw might be dropping a little ]

..!

[ What the hell did she get herself into? ]

I-it's an honor-

[ This is so confusing, this is so embarassing to suddenly struggle to speak with a full sentence. Damn you, Charisma rank A, not that she knows of it, but that's exactly how it in work looks like. ]

Are you truly... Alexander the Great? [ There should be no doubt about it given the man immense presence but- it's not how it works here, that's what was she taught. This must be a man taking this role very seriously, surely..? Did she just made a fool of herself and got played? ]

[myblueskies]

[He looked at the tree. It didn't look as sturdy as some of the other trees that were really good for climbing. But someone had gotten up there to put the ball there to start with. So it was probably safe!

He was glad for the boost though. He put one of his feet in her hands and reached up to grab a handhold.] Okay! One, two, three!

[He pushes up.]