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

[reloves]

[ There's a few things Minako thinks she can expect from this seemingly very serious talk as they head off to a slightly more quiet corner. Maybe Zelda wants to talk about the nature of their relationship as a god and shinki and how she sees it. Maybe it's about something important Minako still has to learn about this place. There's a few possibilities at the very least.

She's not sure if this is one she saw coming. And her first instinctive reaction.. Well, she isn't too sure if she likes hearing this. Something feels a little sour about hearing that Zelda is just going to be gone the moment she can leave, while Minako is forever stuck here since she's dead. She can't have that opportunity Zelda has.

But that instinctive emotion in her gut fades a bit when she really looks at the other. Zelda looks almost nervous - even if she's trying to hide it, there's some telltale signs that somehow Minako instinctively recognizes. (Since it's the very same thing she has done before, even if she doesn't realise or remember.) Zelda doesn't like telling her this either.

And.. doesn't it make sense anyway? If their roles were swapped, wouldn't she feel the same way Zelda does? She has absolutely no idea of what was there for her when she was alive, whether she felt as passionately about anything as Zelda seems to feel for her country. But surely she would at least have family and friends, people she cared about. People she'd want to be with, given the chance. She can't try and dig for the memories, since something about the very thought of doing that makes her feel sick, but she figures she'd want to go back as well. And she didn't even have the fate of a whole country riding upon her shoulders. (Maybe? Probably?)

So even though it takes a good moment of silence and very thorough thinking, making Minako's expression drop for a moment, a smile starts to appear on her face again afterwards. Not as over the top as before, but a little more gentle instead. ]

No.. I understand. It must be difficult for you, constantly thinking of your country but having no way to be there.. Of course you'd take the first chance to go back there. Wouldn't anyone?

[ She laughs a little, like this isn't some incredibly serious heavy topic. Like she's trying to make it a little lighter. ]

But until then you need someone here with you, right? And I don't mind being that person. [ She spreads her arms a little. ] I mean, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon! [ Kind of a macabre joke, but Minako doesn't seem too bothered. ]

Besides, it must suck so much to be here all by yourself without a partner! Cute girls have to stick together!

[saiyanhybrid]

[Gohan pauses when he's addressed.

He blinks at him widely for a moment before swallowing the food in his mouth.]

Yeah, I am. [Gotta love alien appetites.]

[unlucky7]

[Of course. There are no shortage of sword (or other blade) users around. What's another one for the group. Ginia sizes him up, pretty sure he's the last person she wants to get in a fight in, but if he's showing her things or going easy, it should be fine, right?]

I would love that. I should introduce myself first. I'm Ginia.

[towards_okeanos]

I am Iskandar. Let us put the teachings of your exemplar to the test.

[He draws his sword but then hesitates for a moment, puts it back into it's scabbard and takes a Roman gladius from the rack.]

That should do a better job.
As you said you're familiar with knives I would propose a short sword but say what's your preference?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia looks at the selection of blades before choosing a single-edged blade - a falchion - the closest thing around to the machetes she favors when she needs something with a bit more reach than her combat knife. She grips it in her left hand and turns away from him as she gives it a swing to check the weight and balance. Satisfied with the weapon, she nods at Iskandar and tilts her head toward the open training area.

Silently, she hope she doesn't shame Archer.]

[unlucky7]

I try to focus everything on the target. Superiority, the will to want to freeze them in place. Granted, it's also easier as an opening or surprise attack versus in the middle of combat. And if it fails, it leaves you open for an attack in return.

[Which is Ginia's way of warning if Nia's bind spell doesn't hold, she's going to throw a bind or borderline back.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Terrific. No mercy for the new girl, huh? So, okay -- Nia doesn't hesitate for a second, snapping her hands out in that familiar gesture, one palm forward and the other hand supporting it.]

Shuuki, bind!

[She's a natural at Borderlines. This, not so much. The spell flicks out without much power at all, a combination of her poor focus and uncertainty.]

[unlucky7]

[There's the barest feeling of numbness like a brush of something cold, but she shrugs it off immediately. Her hands snap out the signs as she channels all her power and experience onto Nia. She's been around longer, fought longer, has the support of everyone in her temple, there's a lot going for her she can use to support her confidence.]

Toraki, bind!

Re: R&R

[lookingforhead]

Ah, well, they make sure people follow the rules of the road
But they chase you if you break them
And they chase you longer than some people in the living world do
They're really persistent!
They'll chase you down even if it puts others in danger!

[That last part...may not be entirely true of her recent experiences but rather a trauma recently remembered from her living existence. She's still coming to grips with those restored memories but as she explains things to Iskandar the memory and the emotion linked to it carries her away. Her stance gets more tense and her typing more panicked as she goes along.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[All Nia's got is stubborn determination and fierce independence. There's no one in her corner, and she can't make up for that power with belief in herself and her own abilities here. The binding snaps around her effortlessly, locking her in place once again.]

[She'd snarl in absolute frustration if she had the ability to twist her face just how it needed to go right now.]

[lookingforhead]

No, sorry.
I hoped they were getting better about this.

[Her shoulders rise and fall in a depressed sigh, though there's no sound to go along with it.]

They should be able to find you. They don't always get your name either but they should be able to sense you. Or something like that.

I can keep you company until then, if you want.

[There's no real danger that Minako needs to be careful of here at the training grounds but Celty doesn't feel like just leaving the girl on her own is acceptable either.]

[lookingforhead]

Maybe it's something not everybody has the power or aptitude to use? And some people might try to aim for the higher stuff before even mastering the basics.

I had a lot of trouble using borderlines at first. It got mingled with my own shadows. Sort of like trying to move your middle finger without moving your pointer, you know?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I'd demonstrate that skill, but not to a lovely lady. [All playfulness, Edge waggles his fingers before becoming serious once again.] It definitely seems worth investigating, though. I wouldn't say no to becoming stronger.

[cuddle_battery]

[He raises one hand enthusiastically before responding, as if he's eager to answer a question in class.]

I am!

[That does answer the question.

But after a beat he realizes that maaaaybe he could elaborate a little.]

Yumoto Hakone. It's nice to meet you.

[bass_instincts]

"I don't know who I am either. But I do know I'd feel bad picking on people weaker than me, even if I want that competition." He looks at Joss, "I can't really tell you for sure what the right thing to do is, but, trying to be good to other people is probably a good place to start." He's really not sure what he's doing right now. He's pretty sure he's not used to working with kids, or was at least really bad at it if he did.

He just keeps heading towards where Adrien had left the first aid kit, hoping it would still be there. It scared him just how much of himself he could see in Joscelin. He didn't want to see it. He probably deserved better.

i try

[priforprince]

GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY TEMPLE IMMEDIATELY!

[ Hibiki points at Snake (and Ayn, and Martin) to punctuate this point. Vein-popping effects spring to life all over her forehead. There are too many to fit, so a few fall to the ground and break, joining the ex-teacup.

This interrogating behavior is intolerable!

...and her mental roller coaster is stalled back at the loading dock. ]

[priforprince]

[ A room! With white doors inlaid with gold gilt decorations. One of said doors is slightly ajar, revealing an office...awash in paper. Ankle-deep, covering the carpet. Overflowing over the hardwood desk whence just fell a heavy chess set into the paper ocean.

And over which lords the master of the house, propping herself up on her arms, breathing heavily. ]

Again......

[ She snatches up a fountain pen. ] This time! This time, for sure, the script won't star her!!!

[ You appear to have discovered a genius (tm) at work. ]

[priforprince]

[ Tch. Ignoring won't make the concern go away. In that case--!!

Hibiki turns pretty much as soon as she hears Marinette speak, posture returning to normal (while pocketing her candy). There is a faint glittering sound in the air. And the appropriate visual effects. ]

It's nothing at all.

[ Ta-da! She is suddenly fine!! ]

[priforprince]

[ Rosalie yawn-meows, happy to let herself be moved. Hibiki blinks at this sudden abandonment, and reaches to try and scoop her cat free. ]

...Time got away from me.

[ So it's time's fault, you see. Though from the look on her face, she knows what she did. She even knows it consciously, to own as much! ]

I deeply...regret it.

[ GIVE HER BACK HER CAT('S ATTENTION). ]

[priforprince]

[ And we're relaxing back out of the pose now. ] I rarely permit amateur photography. Treasure the incredible chance you were given.

[ Hibiki is saying this with an expression that implies she honestly believes she just bestowed a tremendous favor. ]

I feel like I should feel bad, and maybe Snake should feel bad, but neither of us do.

[silentscales]

[Snake looks at Hibiki like she just grew five extra heads. He blinks a few times, tilts his head,]

"You should probably tell her," says Ayn.

[But then by some small mercy, Snake turns and calmly walks out. He figures he'll still be seeing her again. She wouldn't want to lose a dancer to Sparkle Motion, after all.]

[dredefulchilde]

"...I suppose so." This is venturing into lecture territory, and Joscelin doesn't like that. But he isn't feeling the same visceral hatred of being talked down to that he had earlier today. Maybe it's because he wants to keep his new friend. At least that's what he hopes Shin is. He wants so badly to stay Shin's friend, even though he's only known the other shinki for less than an hour. There's something honest about him that Joss trusts.

He wants to be better so that Shin will stop looking at him with those disappointed eyes.

yeah, you're good...she. does this.

[priforprince]

[ That she would not, though the parting shot does leave Hibiki gawking like an idiot in the doorway for a bit. Tell....her....?

Tell her.....what......?

And why is she picturing...roller coasters all of a sudden....? ]

[ittenbari]

Oh! Like ninja stuff!

[He would be the world's worst ninja, but it's not like being the world's worst anything has ever stopped him from attempting something. Especially if that something is a bad idea.]

[ittenbari]

Profit for who...?

[Maybe he should stick to card games. And dice. And things that don't require this much thinking.]